Happy Birthday/Thanksgiving Elder Silva!

Dec. 7, 2015

Holy smoking dragon... So much going on. Most of it won't mean much to you (names of missionaries etc...) but I'll lay it all down at once. Ready? Yenko. I'm leaving Atonsu to go to Sunyani. Sunyani is in the Brong Ahafo region. Finally left Ashanti. Yes there is still a lot of Twi there. My new companion is Elder Baah from Ghana. My current Stake Missionary (Brother Adgey Damoah) is leaving to another area as well. My area is being combined with the other Atonsu area again. Elder Lindley and Merchant (greenies) are whitewashing (no one is a veteran of that area) our area again. I have also been called as District Leader again. I go to a training tomorrow and leave to Sunyani on Wednesday. My former companion Asada is one of my Zone Leaders and my current District Leader Elder Olsen is my other Zone Leader. Sounds like a fun time! I have missionaries I love in the other Sunyani District. Hopefully I'll get to see them around some time. I packed this morning to avoid the stress for later. Felt really good. I've learned a good lesson of "taking care of my future self" by doing things I don't want to do earlier. It's a great philosophy but a work-in-progress ha. Today is a very busy day. Lots to do. As for Atonsu, the area is alright. It was a tough area, but I will still try to stay in contact with some people from there.

One great thing I hear about Sunyani is that the electricity is great. A big relief for this Ashanti missionary. Alright on to your e-mail. It's in the negatives eh? Sounds terrible. The Hamatan (dry season) has come. It's so smoggy and dusty. The sun is blocked out all day, but when it peeks out, it burns. My throat is dry, but my smile still wide. That darn Sahara air is something else. Em is graduating! Makes me feel pretty proud. The companion who wants lemonade packets sent to him is Brother Agyei Damoah. He won't be my companion anymore though. Speaking of that, he is my 5th companion in a row I've had for only 1 transfer. I'm just bouncing everywhere. I'm glad everyone's getting into the Christmas spirit. I've said it before, but the demonstration of Christmas traditions (like over there) doesn't really exist here. Maybe some extra food, but there's no “spirit.” I don't really mind, I'm just glad that you're all enjoying it. Oh wait a sec. I get to Skype you! Best Christmas present I could ask you for. Yeah, we'll see about my accent. If I concentrate I'm pretty sure I can sound like an average American. The accent just kind of pops in unexpectedly when I talk to Americans. The greenie Americans really have an accent though when they first come here. First time I heard an American accent...sounds something different from normal, ha. I look forward to your Christmas package, and thank you for your prayers. Enjoy everybody! Say hello to friends I know, and for that matter, everyone you meet. 

-Elder Silva 

Dec 1, 2015

Yes I suppose I am 20 aren't I? I suppose I feel it, but I'm not sure what being 20 is "supposed" to feel like. All the greenies in the apartment keep telling me I'm old on mission. I'm still getting used to hearing that. I wish I could say our work was leaps and bounds, but it's come to a lot of dead ends. As for our apartment life, things are pretty good. Oh! I do have to share one funny story with you. We have an investigator who is a school teacher, so her English is good. She read the Restoration pamphlet and started on the Testimony of Joseph Smith. We came to teach her the Book of Mormon and she was asking questions about it before we told her what we were teaching. One question was about the "Heavenly Hammer"... Like the one Thor uses... Then she showed us the picture of Moroni burying the plates in the snow, haha. I had a good laugh.

Transfer news is coming this Saturday and I am really hoping nothing changes here. I'm not ready to leave yet and if they combine the area again I'll die. A bunch of missionaries are going home and only 4 sisters are coming. Areas are being closed down. I've been enjoying the good warm weather. It's supposed to be Hamatan (dry season), but the rain and humidity won't go. Last year by this time it was just really dusty. One of the new Elders in my apartment is still pretty homesick. Tries not to show it too much. I read him my first journal entires out in the field to remind him that I too had to adjust to missionary life here. He does little funny things that just make the rest of us laugh. Has a good Donald Duck voice too. I feel bad that I had a fruitful area like Obuasi as my first and his area is new. Not much progression in either companionship. We already have people telling us to come for Christmas meals. Oh boy I think I'll just wear my belt a little loose that day in preparation. I'm not sure how to say Happy Birthday in Twi. Everyone says it in English. By the way I did get the Birthday package. Awesome guys :) How badly are you wanting me to learn Twi though? ;)  I'm excited to talk to you all soon! If you have any questions remember to write them down. All that snow sounds cold. The Ghanains in the apartment are very concerned about my sugar intake. They just watched in disbelief as I inhaled all the sour patch kids and poured the leftover sugar into a very happy belly. They could barely finish a few. You should've seen their faces with the pop-rocks. Ghanaians don't eat sugar at all and I had to keep assuring them that I wouldn't die. Well, I think I'll just leave it at that and send a few pictures. See ya! 

-Elder Silva

“My horse” Howdy (reference to Grandpa J) 

I treated myself way too nicely at KFC.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Found potatoes in Kumasi.  Glad Mom showed me how to do this.

Powerful missionaries!  It’s been a fun apartment.

 Last time at Primary here in Atonsu.

Fufu, Juju and Moomoo.

11-23-15

Hey there fam! This week was well...hard I guess. Just a long week of work. With the area being split our attention has been placed hard into exploring more of our area. I always tell my companion that an area can be open for over a year or more and some places have never seen missionaries. Areas here are just so big. A lot of walking and good old-fashioned contacting. Serving in Kumasi has ups and downs. For one thing, everyone you try to contact is a "mente Brofo" (no English). I feel that's something very unique that this mission gets; Not being able to teach about 77% of the people you meet. One day they'll hear the gospel. The football news has been going everywhere and my guys from Barca beat Madrid 4-0, much to the disappointment of Elder Lindley. I tried the same trick I pulled on Elder Argo to get him to e-mail you telling you how wonderful I am, but it backfired. Mrs. Lindley's going to be very happy with the praise I'll send her haha. We had a man we didn't expect come to church today. Brother Akwasi. He has a wife and two little kids. Wife can't speak English and they have a busy schedule. We're trying. It's very fun to be around the greenies and the comments they make about Ghana. I've been really enjoying the guitar in the apartment. OH I FORGOT!! I finished Isaiah this week! Wow what a book. I've got the Babylonian stories and prophecies still, but then on again to the New Testament. Hoping to get there around Christmas time. Speaking of that, I guess I turn 20 this week. Gotta say it feels a little weird, but no different from any other day.  I say it’s time for a real cake in Kumasi. Maybe I'll pick one up to celebrate with the apartment. I'm just glad that no one in the apartment knows about the tradition of pouring a bucket of water my head. Let's see what else..... um... Sunday was the primary presentation. Cute little kids. One of my favorites, named Junior went up and said, "IF YOU LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS!" It was then followed by a hearty "Amen" from the congregation. The Branch is doing alright. Still plenty of rough spots, but those will smooth out with time. It's cool to hear about Ashley's homecoming. So she summed her mission up with “Fun, Hard and Worth it” eh? I think I'll summarize with, "Fufu, Juju, and Moomoo". Yep, that about does it. Haha, well It's great to hear from everyone again. 

Greet one another with an holy kiss and have a great week! 

-Elder Silva

11-16-15

Hoh boy I don't even know where to start. Two letters from you in one week is a little too much, although it was fun to see the progression of events. Okay, let me just talk about my news first. SO! Lots of news. umm..... We have changed from a 2 man apartment to a 6 man. I honestly love the change as it is not so lonely. My Stake Missionary companion is good and is a hard worker. Elder Lindley just finished his training and was transferred to my apartment in Atonsu. He is now training Elder Merchant. Elder Lindley is good fun and is experienced for being on mission for only 3 months. Elder Merchant believes he will never adjust and he asks questions that I have to ask myself "did I ask questions like that when I came?" I probably did. We all assure him that he'll adjust and that missionary work is sweet. Elder Bernasko is a Ghanaian who has been on for 6 months. He is training Elder Ballard. They are a quieter pair that seem to match pretty well. Their room is like a black hole. Once they go in, they don't come out haha. Everyone is great and Elder Bernasko has a nice guitar. I nearly cried when I played it. Our area being split in two is strange, but a big relief. Both areas are huge and Elder Lindley is coming from a small town in Obuasi. Everyone is a little overwhelmed, but in good spirits. Unfortunately we did not have any investigators at church this week, BUT we had an in-active member come. This Sunday we got to watch the Saturday Afternoon session of Conference. In English! Boy it was really nice to understand everything in church for once. Conference seems to have been a very good one. I had the new missionaries fooled. They all thought I spoke fluent Twi, until I told them I couldn't speak worth a darn. Maybe I'm learning more than I think. As for teaching in Twi it's still not something we're supposed to do but alas contacting this week was Twi, Twi, and more Twi people. We ended up teaching some of them in Twi, because of my Ghanaian companion, and as usual I fell asleep. Some investigators seem okay, but full days of recidence after recidence makes for one tired missionary. I made up for it by buying cranberry juice today. Pure heaven. I'm pleased to say I'm almost finished with Isaiah! I took a short break, but I came back to it. After that I'll have the Babylonian portions and then I'm finished with the great Old Testament! Boy what an adventure. Wow I've written this much and I haven't even written about your letters yet. Oh I got the Halloween package and the candy corn was a big melted mush. It's alright though. The ants came marching in, but I froze them away in the fridge. Ebeyiyi (it shall be well). Ghana is now approaching the Hamatan season. ...Hot and dry. A bit like summer back home, except hotter. I feel it already although I can console myself knowing that it is the last Hamatan I will have to go through. Enjoy the week and read your scriptures. 

-Elder Silva

 Last day with one of my favorite comps – Ejo. So long buddy!

 Melted candy corn.  The taste is all that matters!  Haha

Snake! (half of one anyways)

The popcorn hawker didn't hear me calling for her in the tro this afternoon :(

Nov. 2, 2015

We'll I've gotta say this is one of your best letters. Umm, not that I rate them or anything, or that I'm not grateful you send other letters, or umm. Okay disregard all of that. I love all of your letters! This week we had 2 baptisms! Their mother is the investigator, but we're working through some things before we get around to baptizing her. Yes I did dress up for halloween and I will send plenty of pictures. Speaking of that It's been awhile since I've sent pictures, so I'll be sure to send them this time. I also realize that I don't talk a whole lot about my weeks. Yeah it seems a bit mundane to me, but I'll try to think of something. We keep running into our investigator’s (the one we're working with on baptism) brother. He lived in London for a few years during which he joined a gang and spent time in prison. He ended up coming back to Ghana and he has a funny accent. He likes to say "innit?" alot. He's the extra smile for those days innit? I cooked on Sunday with mama C.  She shared with me her conversion story. Originally she hated the church because of all the rumors she heard about money, blood, sacrifice, you know; the usual (not exaggerating). She saw a missionary joking with a girl and told the girl in Twi that she should not behave like that because he was a man of God. To her surprise, the American Elder understood and said in Twi, "Efawohuben?" is it your business? She was embarrassed. Later on the missionary saw her again and said "ah the gossip girl." They taught her and she was baptized. She's the primary president and she claims that she is in love with the church.

Alright onto the e-mail. Sounds like Halloween was pretty uneventful. Usually is I suppose. I still enjoy dressing up though. Trunk or Treat always had really good chilli. If not there, then there's a nice couple in the meadowbrook area that gives superb chilli to those who come back home. You know the gospel has become a lot more real to me since coming out on a mission. I don't know how else to put it. I wish I could say I was super good at living according to God's will, but mistakes still happen. It's tough to keep that eternal perspective 24/7. I figure that I'd better learn it better before I get to living in the world all on my own. Mom mentioned highs and lows (reminds me of a good song by Courage My Love). I try not to mention lows, but I was deeply disturbed today when I woke up without the carne asada (from my dream).  I realized that the room was messy and I needed to clean it. I'm out of fruit in the fridge again. I forgot to fill up my water bottles. The popcorn hawker didn't hear me calling for her in the tro this afternoon. It looks like it's about to rain again, and last but not least; the kitten I tried to pet ran away from me terrified. Well I suppose it feels kinda good to get all of that off my chest. Well,  I'm getting closer to 18 months. Here birthdays aren't really celebrated too much. Usually a gift like some kind of cake or baked thing or something and a big bucket of water poured on them. Happened to me last year while I was exercising. Took forever to mop it all up. I won't lie, it's actually kind of scary that I'm turning 20. True, age is just a number, but my life won't be directed like it is now by my next birthday. Guess that's kind of exciting too. 

Once again, I love you all. I don't get tired of saying that. I noticed you sent a couple of other e-mails. I'll get around to checking those out in a bit. 

Have a great week! 

-Elder Silva

Nov. 9, 2015

I didn't get your letter this week. I know sometimes it doesn't send. If you just didn't write then I'll assume you're MIA, down with malaria or busy playing with the cat. I don't have much time this time around, but transfer news came. Elder Annan is leaving and my new companion is actually a Stake missionary, which hasn’t happened before.  Also my District is now full of greenies. Atonsu is getting an extra companionship so my area is being split in two. A big relief for me. Two areas was too much. The new Elder coming is American. He just finished his training and he's coming to train a new missionary. It'll be us 4 in the apartment.  Also I'm likely to have this Stake missionary for 1 transfer. If so then that will be my 5th companion in a row I've had for only 1 transfer. Strange things happening in this mission. Also thank you so much for getting those letters out to my companions going home. They called me to tell you thank you so much. Things are looking good investigator-wise. I'm out of time, but I'll say more next week. 

Love you all! 

-Elder Silva

Lake Bosomtwe. Can’t swim, but we had a good soccer game.

Our sink was torn up, so we're filtering water from the bathroom. 

...Also where we do our dishes. Ha

Mama C.  We were cooking spaghetti. The smell reminded me of Sundays back home. 

 This little girl didn’t want to go to Primary, so she kept me busy in Elders Quorum.

Happy Halloween!

Primary!!  (Yep, time for a haircut)

Twi, Twi, Twi.

October 26th, 2015

I love hearing from you guys more than all of the music in the world... too much? You know I was afraid that things would get like this as I got older on the mission. I saw it happen to everyone else but.... well life is mundane here as well. Life is in transfers, teaching, companions, teaching, getting fat and teaching some more. Don't think I'm unhappy, I still enjoy missionary work! Sometimes cool things do happen. Other times It's the same story every lesson. In recent news I heard the results of Ghana's "Most Beautiful" pageant. Sika, representing the Ashantis, was 1st runner up. Lost to that darn Central region girl Esi. Our neighbors were disappointed. If I had known, maybe I would have voted for her haha. Church was usual. Twi, Twi and more Twi. There were these two girls who refused to go to primary and kept me with my hands full during Elder's Quorum. We also had a good investigator's class teaching the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a constant struggle in this mission. Either they can't read English, or the BOM English is too hard, or they can't read the hard-to-obtain Twi version either. I'm not sure if I ever told you this, but Twi didn't have a written version till the late 70s, so only the youth can read it alright. I'm still waiting for that golden investigator that finishes the Book of Mormon and loves to talk about its stories. ...Question time. Well I haven't had any companion soup, but I have been eating Banku every day sometimes twice a day that a member made for us and we've been keeping in the fridge. I'm sick of it. ha. I''m still not feeling all that settled in my area. My companion's Twi will most likely be gone soon and that would leave it difficult to teach some of our current investigators. Also I'm still working in two areas, but that may change this upcoming transfer. We have a lot to do before the transfer ends. Also Halloween is coming up and I promise to send you a picture of my costume. I hope you'll have a little fun too. I wish I could tell you that my Bible history has been accelerating, but I'm hovering in the mid-twenties of Isaiah. I gotta get on that. Ghana's Most Beautiful reminded me of Mr.BHS. What a blast. Water is indeed good for you and so are your e-mails. Tell everyone I know hi for me! 

-Elder Silva

October 19, 2015

Well it's good to hear from everyone again! Church is good, but sometimes I fall asleep because everything is in Twi. I had to leave priesthood class when I took a twenty minute nap in the chair and decided I needed some fresh air. It was hot anyways. The heat and humidity, combined with missionary work and Twi lessons (my companion's Ghanaian, so he teaches people that don't speak English)...makes me fall asleep fairly often. It's not as nice as you'd think. In-fact, it just makes me feel sluggish. Today our zone went to Lake Bosomtwe. It's a "big-ish" lake and the first body of water I've seen in the Ashanti region. I wish I could've swam (you may as well tell the airport to flood a room since I can't wait), but I was content with playing football and pool. Nothing like chasing a soccer ball with that Ghanaian sun and your clothes sticking to you like tape. It was really a good time and a much needed break. We have a Branch mission leader now. He came to our apartment for a meeting the other day and I just sat there really confused. I've never worked with one before. My health is good. Still working on my stomach.  It's my 11th out of 17th transfer. That's... um...... hold up it's been awhile since math class...... somewhere around 9 months left. Well fam. it's good to hear from you as usual. I might post some pictures. 

Have a great week everyone! 

-Elder Silva 

October 12, 2015

Well for me it has been a very, very fast week. I can't believe it's gone! The days have just moved on like that. Not sure why that is. Me and my companion are getting along very well. He's actually one of my favorites so far. Yeah I guess the food quality is up a bit. At least I have a little more of a variety. There is a good place that has different rice, rice ball, banku and yam that's good and fast. A tad expensive, but hey I need my food. Substance was actually increased this week by 25 cidis. That will be significant. It calls for a celebration! Speaking of that, the District (3 companionships) went to KFC this morning. I just got done stuffing my face full of chicken. Boy do I need my meat. My body cries for it haha. Especially since Annan has inspired me to take up the gym mantle again. We'll see what happens. I've been going for about a week now and I could definitely tell it had been a transfer or two since I really went at it. We have a good number of people progressing. My companion's Twi helps out with that a lot. One of my favorite things is to hear about people from former areas. I learned about the baptisms of investigators of mine from Obuasi and Effiduasi. So happy to hear about that! Those seeds really do grow!! I just realized that back home appointments are made for feeding the Elders. No appointments are made here. We just go places and people decide to feed us. Sometimes they'll tell us a couple days in advance, and other times we just show up and they invite us to their dinner. That's how it works here. I've had some great fufus since being in Atonsu. There are definitely differences between branches here and church back home. I usually just get some scripture reading/daydreaming about doughnuts/sleeping time in church due to the Twi. I was very bored this last Sunday, but I was called last second to teach the young women. Happens fairly often and I actually love it. I got to know them better and we had a fun class. I just felt very happy and elated after church. Fun how the spirit can make you feel. :) My reading with Isaiah is so-so. I haven't actually gotten very far - about 6-7 chapters in. I've been pretty busy and my scripture study took a dive this week.  I had to wear earplugs at High Desert in some rooms. Loud machines is right. It's been hot and very, very humid lately. We hit that October rainy season. Also, it may sound crazy, but I miss mowing the lawn. Only because there's no grass here. I'll try to post a few pictures of me in my new area. 

Have a great week guys! 

-Elder Silva

 Baptism! The mother and child.

Bright day. My comp. had the right idea. 

First Kill!!! This one was bogged down with dust for easy capture. That's what he gets for trying to hide. 

 Believe it or not, I enjoy this. Strange what you get used to out in the mission field.

(First day in Atonsu. Rain aaaaaaahhh). 

Cute kid wearing a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Reminds me of my childhood.

News Cast Alert.

September 28, 2015

       I can't get any pictures to you this week, mostly because I didn't really take any. You know that seems to happen when you get older in the mission. Next week. Me ba wai. (I'm coming). Well Mother I can't help but answer your questions, because those make my e-mails longer and I feel better when I leave my loving family with more words than, "hey... I'm alive." or "did work...small success...next week wai." I don't know if I should start with those questions, or with all of the news I have for you. Alright one coin flip later and questions are last. "Here's Stevy MC T.V and Cruz Mcnews with the most recent mission news from Ghana Kumasi. C "Well Steve there is certainly a lot happening recently down in the wet side of the dark continent."  S  "That's right Cruz whether it be a branch, ward, bush or city, it seems that none have escaped the effects of this transfer." C "I'd like to think of it as one big scrambled egg. Speaking of which I hear that indeed those missionaries are eating mostly eggs... like everyday." S "Food is old news Cruz, we're here to talk about Agona Branch." C “Right indeed, if the mission is a scrambled egg, then Agona branch is a piece of toast that has been cut in half four different ways!" S "Hey just like my Mom" C "And this Branch Steve also has a mother, a new mother!" S "That's right Cruz, on today's headlines Elder Halliday of the missionary couple elite has been selected as the new Branch President of the Agona Branch" (party noises). C What a shocker folks and . . . I'm sorry I can't keep this up guys, I don't have enough time haha. Yes our Branch President has been changed and that is good news for this small branch. I gave a spontaneous talk and priesthood lesson on Sunday. Good thing I had plenty of practice with those at home ha. I actually believe I did well and President Halliday agrees. He said he'll miss me. Why? ...Well because I'm being transferred! Yes only 3 months in Agona. Now I'm going to Atonso (don't know spelling) in Kumasi city itself. You know what that means? a ward.... new experience for me. They'll probably want me to go to meetings... and stuff. Not used to this. My new companion is Elder Anan from Ghana. I've actually been to the apartment before. It's nice and big for 2 missionaries. That's right, another 2 man apartment. Oh well. I haven't seen a whole lot happen in Agona, but I'm not leaving it feeling like I've done nothing. As for today, I went to Bonwire (pronounced bone-re) and bought some Kente (local Ghanian material). This may be my last chance to come to those Kente villages. I have to pack... I hate packing. All the missionaries meet at metromass for transfers. I've decided to call it Metro-mess. Well on to the questions then: Yes we eat the same foods everyday. I just got done eating rice and some fried yams with small stew and Shito (a spicy sauce). Yes I eat (I'm not starving), but I sure don't like eating sometimes. I eat to fill, not to enjoy. Alright my little newscast left me with little time. Catch you all on the other end. 

Wish me luck! 

-Elder Silva

October 6, 2015

            I  just have a small window to let you know I’m alive, haha. Could you tell me who the new apostles are please? remember I don't get conference over here. I'll get the conference liahona in a few weeks or so. Also what's up with the pope? On to more “important” things... like me! (trying to sound like emperor kuzco there. Me and another missionary were talking about it the other day.) . . . this keyboard is terrible. Anyways I was wrong about the ward, I'm still in a branch. It”s a bigger place however, and our area is beyond big. There were two companionships in Atonsu, but because of missionary shortages, we are now only one and we cover both areas. Two area books and everything. Not easy. The branch is good. The main problem is that every member is a Sunday member. In other words all they do is come to Sunday service and then forget about church. Tough to get them to midweek or to even make friendships with each other. Did we have midweek at home?  We did get to have two baptisms on Sunday though. Can't really take the credit since I've only been here for a week. My new companion Elder Annan is a very sweet companion. He's Ghanain, so his twi comes in handy. He smiles a lot and is a happy guy. Whenever he complains about something he'll say "Companion, frankly speaking..." haha every time he says that I just laugh. Our apartment is the best I've had so far. Overall it's a good area. Yes it's nice to move, but sometimes it can seem a bit too soon.  Agona was 3 months. However where i am right now, i'm glad i moved. my scripture study is moving into.... wait for it.... Isaiah! aaaaahhhh! I only was able to get through the first chapter today, but it didn't seem that bad at all. It helps when you've read most of the old testament first. Boy i'll miss Halloween for the last time on mission. I'll be a 20 year old with a sweet tooth coming for next Halloween. Alright I'll have to go. sorry for getting this out a day late. Monday was murder. I'll catch you all next week with pictures. In the meantime, I love you. 

-Elder Silva

Still have the lights...

Sep 21

Hey guys! Well it's another one of those weeks. I'm trying to think if anything cool happened this week. Mostly routine, you know how it is. Don't get the idea I'm bored, the work is still a good work. Unfortunately “C” with the two kids has still not come to church again. 3rd week in a row. Don't know why this time. We just baptized our new Branch President's wife. Really happy about that, but it's looking to be awhile before another baptism. I collected ingredients for a stew and the Elders from Asamang came to our apartment to eat after a baptismal interview. In short my one week stew is finished. sigh... back to bread and eggs. There's a storm coming outside right now. The lights might go out so I hope this still gets to you. I'll send this one in case it does.

(Still have the lights) I love the outlook of your guys' emails. They're always so fun for me to read, even after so many. I'm happy to hear my letters got to you so quickly. I hope you enjoyed them and I hope you delivered Edna's and Emily's. It was about time I wrote to you guys again. My birthday? Hmmm I guess that is kind of coming. Well I'm on a mission so..... yeah I don't really need anything. Whatever you see fit. I'll let you know, there's still time. :) Well I don't have much else to say. I'll let a couple of pictures do the talking. Love you. See y'all next week!

Sep 14 

 

Loved the pictures guys! I wish I could write a big long letter about all of the many things that happened this week but, well it was pretty average. However!...(shakes finger) However.. There has been a change in the branch Presidency! The president is still the same. He's new to the job, and one of our chief problems was that he didn't know how to run a branch (one of the oh-so-common problems with branches). We have new Counselors. An elderly Ghanaian man who has learned a decent amount about the church and Elder Halliday! He and Sister Halliday just came to Ghana a couple of weeks ago as couple missionaries. Now that he's in the branch presidency I can breathe a little. The Hallidays are neighbors to the mission president. I guess he invited them to come to Ghana and help. They certainly seem like good people. That's about it. Our investigators sadly have not been coming to church. We just keep pressing on hoping for better. The highlight of my week was an exchange with the District Leader. Due to some problems we ended up staying together for a number of days. It was fun to have a mix-up. Also I got a package from Em! Isn't she the greatest? I also got mom's talk by Elder Holland. Very nice. The conference was good and we're having a zone conference tomorrow, so we're staying in Kumasi tonight. Very happy to hear about Chazz. Well, i'll still be here doing the same until the cows come home. Not insinuating that I'm a cow or that missionaries in general are cows, or.. ah just forget about it. Well I wish you all the best, and hopefully I can send a few pictures your way. 

Love you! 

-Elder Silva

Sept. 7, 2015

Well fam, once again it's great to hear from you all! Things aren't perfect, but my companion and I are living in relative harmony. No bad blood. I'm sad to say that the lady with the kids did not come to church. We saw her the night before and she said she had a stomach problem. Ghana food for you... P-days are usually the busiest and sometimes hardest day of the week. So much to do. Good thing you guys make it nice. Best thing that happened? Well we had some older members come to church on Sunday that I had never met before. Hopefully this means a return to activity. Hardest thing that happened? Well just proselyting. It's not an easy area and there are issues with the branch organization. To answer more of those missionary questions directed my way: Yes they eat dogs (and cats), no piranhas (or crocodiles), I do have a rash maybe fungus on my foot. Yeah we play soccer sometimes, people mostly use taxis when going long distances. Your KFC is a little different from mine, ha-ha. Enjoy the potatoes and biscuits. I'll try to send a pic or two your way. I love you guys! 

-Elder Silva

The Branch President's wife got baptized :) 

The local watering hole. Everyone gets water from here, people, animals, frogs, mosquitoes…..

Bad Goat Intestines...

August 24, 2015

Time is short but these e-mails were very, very good. I don't know how you all manage to pull that off. So for news: My new companion is Elder Onen from Uganda. I think I already said that. We're doing fine. However he fed me a bean stew he made with bad goat intestines (long story) and I have been suffering with the worst diarrhea of my life. It doesn't help that after the stew I had hot pepper in my next meal. My stomach is on empty since yesterday, but I'll start eating small small soon. Today we are in another area to stay the night since tomorrow Elder Carson is coming to speak to the missionaries at 7 AM. Whose idea was that? I look forward to it though. We had a new investigator named Sandra come to church - her first opportunity. Excited for that. 

As for Dad's questions, well I already answered the first one. To speak honestly my stomach never feels 100% fine on mission so I'm somehow used to it. Strange food leads to strange dreams . The only nightmares are the ones where I come to school and I haven't done the last 4 math assignments. I'm very happy to wake up from those ones . . . I forget that my name is Austin -  Brooke just reminded me of that. It sounds really strange. There were even a number of people in high-school that called me Silva instead too. 

Studying the scriptures has become an absolute joy for me and I often go over my time limit in personal study. I have found a new love for the Old Testament and am just starting to read about King Solomon. A lot of lessons learned there. To answer your other question...well, witch doctors aren't always easily avoided since you don't always know who they are. Suffice it to say; Black Magic is something no-one should meddle with. I try to stay positive, Something my patriarchal blessing greatly admonishes me to do. I've even named the cockroaches in the kitchen! As for the last question, I can't give a full answer as to how much I love you all. Believe it.... that includes Duke the cat. Well I think my time is up. I love you all and wish you all the best! 

-Elder Silva

August 31st, 2015 

Thanks for the jokes.  I always appreciate any jokes haha. Wow so I'll start with me. Sometimes I've felt as if Agona is like a desert in the field, but we had a lady and her two kids come to church this Sunday and I really think they loved it. Fingers crossed. Also we had a traveling member return so we finally have a member to go out with. Other than that it has been mostly contacting and finding new people. Agona is an old town and many old people live here, so the language barrier is pretty strong. Our new Branch President's wife returned from a trip to her mother recently and we're hoping she’ll be baptized soon. She's ready. Been a while since I've had a baptism. I know that may sound usual for some missions, but for me it's not what I’m used to, haha. We have a couple of young women, but no young men. A bunch of children and older people. We do have a handful of young single adults.

            This week we have another conference with Elder Curtis from the Presidency of the Seventy. His one last week was great and this time I'm in full health and ready. We're staying at another apartment closer to the venue so we have a sleepover with 14 Elders! I have a lot of my favorites there so I'll really enjoy it. We actually just came back from KFC. Man I'm full. 

            If you ever wonder I actually have a lot of dreams about still being in school. I've said that before, but I say it again, because it happened to me twice this week. A mission truly is something else. I can only speak for one of them, but it's an experience I'll never forget. Anyways, don't worry, I'm not eating any of my companion's food anymore haha, so all is well. Well right now we have a very busy day so I'll have to get back to you guys later. I loved hearing about everybody's week and I hope that the info. about my week is enough. If not just let me know and I'll try to take more time. 

Have a great week everyone! 

-Elder Silva