Africa. I've grown to love this place more and more each and every day that I'm here. Thank you to everyone that prayed for me this past week. Earlier this week we had a devotional and Elder Holland spoke to us missionaries (during a live video) and let's just say, there was not a dry eye of any of the 152 missionaries. He spoke with such power that every concern I had during the week was answered. At the end of the meeting, he blessed each missionary. What an uplifting day it was her if Africa.
This past Sunday, I was able to fast for the ability to eat the food and so far, so good, but hot dogs that are cold for breakfast, chicken gizzard, cow heart, pig feet and the smell that is best described as peed-on fish, takes some getting use to. The natives her are crazy; they eat everything with their hands, even soup, but when it's American night and we have fries, they eat that with a fork, so I don't know what's going on there. They also don't cut their nails at all. Elder Morgan and I are trying to get them to, but they won't. The one thing I will never understand is why did my call letter say English when I can't understand anything? One lesson I've learned from President Allen (MTC President) is- learn to speak stupid. One thing I wish I brought more of is American food like pizza rolls, peanut butter, cereal, pudding, cow milk-not goat milk like they have here, any and all American candy.
I truly believe that there is no other place on earth where you can grow your testimony like here at the MTC. I love every bit of it and enjoy going to the temple more than anything because it's gets us out of our 12 hour classes that we have daily. Before I left home, I never read much of the Book of Mormon or studied it; it's one of my biggest regrets, but I'm happy that I have this time to study and gain a testimony of this book.
When we first arrived in Ghana and were driving to the MTC, it' was the craziest driving I've ever seen. From going double the speed limit and cutting people off to driving on the sidewalk to pass a police officer. One thing that I'm wishing for is the weather here to go below 80 degrees and maybe 70 percent humidity! But, I'll tell you, my skin has never felt so soft! The challenge I offer each of you to do during this week is to smile and laugh more. Her at the MTC, things can become stressful and the one cure for it is to be happy. When I was in one of my classes this past week, we were talking about how the Savior turns outward when the natural man turns inward. One example of this is when the Savior was being crucified, and the guards came to take him away. One of the guards ears got cut off and the Savior turned outward when we would have turned inward; he healed that guards ear. What a beautiful reminder it was for me. I love you all and can't wait to be in Sierra Leone on Tuesday morning. If you get a chance this week, please give my family a hug for me.
-Elder Fowler
(I had a few questions for him)
- (Were you able to watch the Church's Christmas Devotional?) No, but I believe we are going to this Sunday. I'm excited!
- (Do you often wash your clothes in the sink instead of the washing machines?) I go through at least 2 pairs of socks, shirts and underwear daily. That's why we wash things by hand during the week. You guys got snow? I wish it was snowing here, or at least 70 degrees! I've never sweat so much in my life!
- (Tell me something that was hard this week:) Something hard this past week has to be the trial of my back. I have been in a lot of pain with it and I'm doing my exercises for it, but it doesn't seem to help.
- (Tell me something that made you laugh:) Something that made me laughs Elder Georgewill, who's Elder Morgan's companion. I can't understand him to save my life. I'll be sending a video.
- (Tell me something you are working on:) I'm working on being able to understand the natives here.
- T(ell me something you really enjoy:) I really enjoy the devotionals here. They are really empowering and lift everyone up.
Elder Georgewill, Elder Fowler and his companion, Elder Hagan
Looking out over the city of Accra, Ghana
Accra, Ghana Temple
