Nyame Adom

 

Good morning everyone! This week was exciting. We had two great exchanges and some awesome lessons and were able to meet with our Bishop at his home which was a miracle! We also had an awesome lesson with a lady named Mary referred to us by an awesome member family that we're really excited about. 

One of our exchanges was with the Chapel Hill Elders and one with the Sekondi Elders. It was a really great experience. An exchange is just where you switch companions with another companionship for the day and learn from each other. I was with Elder Jabati from Sierra Leone for one and Elder James from Nigeria for the other. We had some great lessons, especially when I was with Elder James. We talked a lot about baptism with Pamela and Emmanuel who both have not been baptized before and now both see that they need to. The Spirit was really there in both lessons. 

We've had a lot of opportunities to teach about the Book of Mormon lately as well, which I've loved. At the beginning of my mission, I was almost scared to share the restoration and the Book of Mormon too quickly because it's new to Ghanaians. You can come and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ from the Bible all day and people will nod their heads and say amen, but that is not why I'm here. For the last few months, if we meet someone who seems like they can read, we lead with the Book of Mormon. It leads to questions and sometimes people don't want to see us again, but it's so much more honest than trying to act like we're normal Pastors. Someone said before that the Book of Mormon is a great sifter in the gathering of Israel, and I agree with that. We had some really awesome spiritual contacts with the Book of Mormon this week where I really felt that. 

There have been some great times, but I have also had some tougher times this week. I've just felt really tired but the work doesn't stop! I've learned that effective study precedes motivated proselyting. The lion's share of everything has been great though. 

I've really been loving my area and companion as well. Our ward is awesome and we get fed a few times a week. One member family especially takes good care of us. They're Johnsons too so they've sort of adopted us. It's awesome. 

In reference to the title, Nyame adom means "God's grace". It's a super common expression here. "How are you?" Nyame adom. "Are you feeling OK?" Nyame adom. And so forth. 

I've started saying it a lot. And recently, I've thought about it more. 

Transfers coming and tiredness and inadequacy can hit a little hard at times. Especially this week, I've thought a lot about it. If I have enough left in me to go to a new area, have companion problems, etc. I've thought about how I'm not sure I know the area well enough if Elder Liljenquist goes on transfer, or if I'll be able to handle it all. 

It's stressed me out a bit, and as I was praying and thinking about it, God scolded me a little bit. I was thinking that I'm not strong enough or capable enough and I really got the feeling that yes, that's true. I'm not good enough. I'm not strong enough. I'm not capable enough. But God is. As this was all rolling through my head as I was walking through my area, a taxi passed by with a sticker in the window that said "The battle is the Lord's". Taxis here often have stickers like that, but I really noticed it that time. I learned early in my mission that I can't do it by myself, and this week I learned it again. It's all Nyame adom. God is the one in control and He's never given me any reason not to trust him completely. I love Him and He loves me and you and everything is gonna be OK! Nyame adom. 

But yes. This week was great. I sure love you all. Thanks for reading! 

Love, 

Elder Johnson

1. Me and Elder Liljenquist killing it

2. Our area

3. Elder Liljenquist and I killing it again

4-5. Us at our Bishop's house. Apparently he hasn't had missionaries over for like months so it was kind of a miracle.