Week 73 is down. It’s
just kinda crazy to think that I've been out here that long. This week was just
so interesting to be completely honest. It was one of those odd weeks that felt
like nothing significant happened, but somehow a lot was accomplished. I have
no idea how to explain it! Seriously!
During this entire transfer here in Berekum we have been looking
forward to December 22nd. We have been
working with a number of people and that is the day we have set for the
baptisms. All week long we have spent most
of our time trying to make sure that everything was ok for that day. To be honest that has been the main focus, going
over the lessons to make sure each investigator knows everything!
Since Elder Morisho and I came into this area we have found a
lot of part member families and people that have not yet been baptized and are
completely ok with it! I was wondering
what we could teach these people so that they could really be touched by the
spirit. They have been hearing the
lessons from the missionaries, which is good, but we just wanted to present
something really special. So we took a bunch of pamphlets about the temple and
eternal families and focused on the necessary ordinances we need, like baptism,
to live with their families in the Celestial Kingdom. We had a guy named Ebenezer
tell us that it was the best thing that he has ever learned in his life and
that right when he is baptized he wants to do proxy baptisms for his deceased
family members!! So we have been having a lot of success with that!! It was a
testimony building couple of weeks about the temple!
We also moved from the place we have been staying to our new
apartment this week. Now we actually live
in the area we serve in, the town of Berekum. For the past 4 weeks we have been traveling
from Sunyani to our area, which is about a 45 minute drive, everyday.
Me and Elder Morisho
I have been reading the October Conference talks
in the Liahona for my personal study. In
Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s talk, “Our Campfire of Faith” he talked about painting a
model of a campfire with Elder Scott. Elder Gong said, "We used as a model his
beautiful watercolor titled Campfire at Sunset. As we painted, we talked
about faith—how as we face the light and warmth of a campfire, we leave the
darkness and uncertainty behind us—how on sometimes long, lonely nights, our
campfire of faith can give hope and assurance. And the dawn does come. Our
campfire of faith—our memories, experiences, and heritage of faith in God’s goodness
and tender mercies in our life—has strengthened us through the night."
I love the connection they made! I remember listening to this
talk but never realized the exact connection they made. In today’s world we just need leave the darkness
and uncertainty behind and have HOPE!
Anyway, I guess next time I write it'll be Christmas Eve! Hahaha!
Weird!
Merry Christmas!
Elder Turner
