kung fu fighting, vampires and two prizes at the claw machine...

6-22-15

Hey fam, It's been another week and another opportunity to tell you all about it sooooo, here goes! This week was alright. We did some contacting and found some more investigators. We found a man named Joshua. He is very intelligent and asked some of the most interesting questions I've heard from an investigator. We also met a teacher named Samuel who did the same thing. Abigail is still progressing towards baptism after some rough times she has had lately. Life is never easy is it? Life has a way of suddenly changing too. The new mission president, the Cosgraves, have arrived and I expect to be meeting them soon. The Holmes will be leaving very soon and the mission home is all packed up. I don't know what kind of changes this will bring to the mission, but we're all a little nervous. It is burning outside right now, but the skies are pretty cloudy lately. I have an MT (someone who was in the MTC with me) named Elder Fiu. He grew up in Australia, but his family is Samoan. Big guy. He's trying to lose fat. Speaking of that I'm also attempting the stomach loss competition. I had fufu again today after a very hesitant period following the indigestion incident. I feel fine and I think I'm back on the fufu train. I just rest a bit after eating and make sure to drink water. I had a dream tonight where I was home talking with Mom after my mission. She was asking me about food and I said "oh Mom, all I ever ate was bread!" It's not really that dramatic, but it made me think about food from home ha. I then proceeded to dream about kung fu fighting, turning into a vampire and getting 2 prizes at the claw machine... I'm positive there's no interpretation to be had there. For a couple of months now I've been having pretty vivid dreams. Not sure what contributes to that. I hope that Dad enjoyed his day to rule and that many decrees were made, banquets held and bad jokes cracked (just kidding Dad I still love your jokes. ;) As for our branch we have great news! We have just been organized into a district! There are four branches in the district and the two counselors to our branch presidency have been called as the counselors to the district presidency. I'm not sure who will be called to replace them. Transfer news will come next week Saturday and I'm thinking I might be transferred. With a new mission president though, I doubt that many will be moved this transfer.   It looks like I've spent a good time writing so I'll leave it at that. I'll bring my journal to share an experience or two and maybe a few corny jokes next week. As always I love you and wish you all a sweet week! 

-Elder Silva

"A missionary is never late. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to!"

Hey everyone! 

Just one thing. Remember that I'm not home, so if you tell me news I need more details... Your emails are greatly appreciated!  Mom’s still sounds like Mom. Reminded me of how all of us like to steal Dad's bacon. I still love being a goofball every now and then. The mission is too hard to take too seriously. By the way, I've eaten worse than goat hoof. I'll save those stories for later. I love my investigators and feeling like I'm able to help the Lord make a difference makes it all worth it. I have such a positive feeling when I remember Obuasi. I know I'll have the same when I leave Effiduasi. Elder Asada (my companion) is a workout fanatic and he has me trying it out as well. We'll see what happens. I miss those best Saturdays were Mom or Dad made pancakes, bacon, and that wonderful sausage.  I forgot the 4th of July was coming. Sorry founding fathers. There's not really anything I can do here. I have my American flag bandana I like to wear sometimes around the apartment. (again showing you I'm not too serious yet haha). Well I appreciate all the prayers. I can't include every trial I come upon in these e-mails, nor would I want to. 

I'll have more to say next week! 

-Elder Silva

 Taking the kiddies to church.  Happy Sunday everyone!

 Ghanaian countryside

 Recent flooding on the road

 Giant tree in the distance. One of our areas has a big forest in the middle of it. 

 My investigator told me I was late. "A missionary is never late. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to!"

 This is what will happen if you forget about the lawn dad.

 More of the flooding

Nice view off the side of Kumasi road.

Goat hoof soup.

June 8, 2015

So I promised to talk more about the work so I'll try to begin my e-mails that way. This week we contacted two new areas. That means alot of contacting. We went deep into the far reaches of the area and saw things no ordinary mortal could ever behold. You know they say that when you reach the edge of the map... there be monsters there! Not that I mean to call anyone a monster, I try to love all of the people here. There was one woman named Dorcas who we have started teaching. The rain has been fierce here sometimes and during one storm we took refuge in a random woman's compound. She even fed us. That's one thing that Ghanians do. They cook extra so if people come they will feed them. Anyways we ended up teaching her and she seems pretty promising! I did pour some water she offered us into a cup and saw bugs and other "floaties" in the drink. We poured some into both of our glasses halfway so it looked like we drank some. Talk about quick thinking eh? We had a rather dissapointing Sunday. We have 4 investigators progressing well and none of them came to church, as well as most of our recent converts. ...Just one of those Sundays. Truly sometimes I can testify to Dad's feelings about branches. It seems as if sometimes they're just hanging on the edge of a cliff, but also with all seriousness watching a branch grow is one of the most special experiences I've had on the mission. These people are true pioneers. Alright that covers my week now on to the questions. Yes we actually eat the goat's hoof. As best we can at least. I've also eaten many other strange things I'll tell you about when I get home. Physically I'm well. My legs are slightly sore from a P90X leg workout we did Saturday night. I'm trying to keep up a schedule of doing those workouts weekly. I was teaching the youth this week and pointed out how Satan's plans always are portrayed as the "easy way out". The truth is that easy way outs don't provide any growth. Progression halts and that's a scary thought in both a temporal and eternal perspective. The weather in Ghana has been very rainy as of late. You will see gray clouds on all sides. They will slowly come together and then suddenly..... BAM! The rain comes. I also wish I could tell you I was enjoying some fruit drinks, but juice is very expensive.... although I did finally break down and bought some cranberry juice today, haha. I ate an orange this morning, and cleaned dishes with a little water coming from the tap outside. Also I had a dream I was a pirate captain with cats as my crew mates...... see, the mission life not so boring is it? Well fam, I think that's it for this week. If you ever want to know more I still keep an entry for every day on my mission. Name a date in the next e-mail and I'll tell you all about what happened that day. Should be fun! 

As always I love you all so much. Have a great week guys. 

-Elder Silva


June 1, 2015

Hey fam! This was the transfer week and my new companion and I are getting along pretty well. He's a good teacher and it's always good for our investigators to get new teachers every now and then. I'm already beginning to see a difference in the receptiveness of some of our investigators. I know I told you I would share more spiritual experiences, so I'll try to talk more about the work. As monotonous as it sometimes gets for me, I'm sure you'd still like to hear about it. One thing that happened was a very spiritual lesson with Sister Abigale. We have been teaching her for a long time with Elder Ejodamen. She has come to church once, but her family's beliefs have been holding her back. She enjoys the lessons and is well educated. She is a good friend of ours. Me and Elder Asada came to visit her and I wasn't all that sure what to teach. As we began to ask questions I felt impressed to ask more specifically about her feelings in regard to the Holy Ghost. She seemed a bit confused and we ended up teaching her all about recognizing promptings and having the courage to act upon them. The whole room was practically flooded with the spirit by the time we left. On another previous occasion with Elder Ejodamen, we had just finished a lesson and Ejodamen was conversing with the rest of the family. I turned to Abigale and asked her a prompted question, "Sister Abby? Do you know that God loves you?" That led to a very good discussion that day. That's all I really have time for  today, but it gives you someone to mention in the family prayers. As for me I'm just chugging along.  I haven't posted pictures in a long time so there are too many to post. I'll just post the best ones. As for the temporal aspect, I'm really enjoying those lemonade packets you sent. My new companion Asada has some of the P90X workouts on dvd. Super hard to incorporate those on mission, but I've been working on Ab Ripper X (scary name right?) to distance my figure from that of Santa Clause. I heard about Elder Perry from a member. News travels fast.  I just realized that another school year has gone by. No way that's so weird. I think the fun part of typing is that you don't get to make fun of my accent (ha.) Or does it show in the text??

Branches are a definite struggle. I can't imagine just going to church and enjoying the classes. I've been teaching the youth since the beginning of my mission and I even helped out with the primary this week. I was rewarded with a cup of juice to dull the headache haha.

One of the hardest things to do on for me is to proselyte on Sunday. I've always done it, but church is very stressful, then you walk home in the sun, get back and eat whatever you have, and if you end up falling asleep, you're too soon woken up to go out and work. Just the end of the week blues, haha. Well I hope you're all enjoying the summer. Have a great week everyone. 

Love you. 

-Elder Silva

Most importantly... Benedictel's baptism! ...Note- I am wearing Grandmas tie she sent.

One of my best friends. Lordina! Younger Sister of the Abigale mentioned in the e-mail. 

Goat hoof soup!

Some of the vegetation in Ghana, note the banana trees.

Something lurking outside my window...

Some of the pepper they use. It's hot, but I feel like the American ones are much more flavorful. 

When the Spirit floods the room...

June 1, 2015

Hey fam! This was the transfer week and my new companion and I are getting along pretty well. He's a good teacher and it's always good for our investigators to get new teachers every now and then. I'm already beginning to see a difference in the receptiveness of some of our investigators. I know I told you I would share more spiritual experiences, so I'll try to talk more about the work. As monotonous as it sometimes gets for me, I'm sure you'd still like to hear about it. One thing that happened was a very spiritual lesson with Sister Abigale. We have been teaching her for a long time with Elder Ejodamen. She has come to church once, but her family's beliefs have been holding her back. She enjoys the lessons and is well educated. She is a good friend of ours. Me and Elder Asada came to visit her and I wasn't all that sure what to teach. As we began to ask questions I felt impressed to ask more specifically about her feelings in regard to the Holy Ghost. She seemed a bit confused and we ended up teaching her all about recognizing promptings and having the courage to act upon them. The whole room was practically flooded with the spirit by the time we left. On another previous occasion with Elder Ejodamen, we had just finished a lesson and Ejodamen was conversing with the rest of the family. I turned to Abigale and asked her a prompted question, "Sister Abby? Do you know that God loves you?". That led to a very good discussion that day. That's all I really have time for for today, but it gives you someone to mention in the family prayers. As for me I'm just chugging along. I haven't posted pictures in a long time so there are too many to post. I'll just post the best ones. As for the temporal aspect, I'm really enjoying those lemonade packets. My new companion Asada has some of the P90X workouts on dvd. Super hard to incorporate those on the mission, but I've been working on Ab Ripper X (scary name right?) to distance my figure from that of Santa Clause. I heard about Elder Perry from a member. News travels fast. I just realized that another school year has gone by. No way that's so weird. I think the fun part of typing is that you don't get to make fun of my accent ha. Or does it show in the text?? ;) Branches are a definite struggle. I can't imagine just going to church and enjoying classes. I've been teaching the youth since the beginning of my mission and I even helped out with the primary this week. I was rewarded with a cup of juice to dull the headache haha. One of the hardest things to do on for me is to proselyte on Sunday. I've always done it, but church is very stressful, then you walk home in the sun, get back and eat whatever you have, and then need to find the energy to get back out again.  But it’s all good.  Well I hope you're all enjoying the summer. Have a great week everyone. Love you. 

-Elder Silva

Transfer News and Updates

5-30-15

Hey fam. I know it's a Wednesday but there hasn't been any internet connections in Effiduasi for awhile. I do have appointments to get to, but don't worry I'm a fast typer........ except when I forget what I am going to say... ...Well It was very, very good to hear from all of you on Sunday! I got all of the packages and I loved them very much! I shared and my companion is very thankful. I know I haven't shared a whole lot of spiritual experiences and I'll repent of that... next week. I don't have the time to write them out in detail, but I discovered that the white handbook tells us that we need to do that... Funny I never noticed that. I wish I could respond to everything you wrote but I'm running late. I love you all and wish you a wonderful week. 

Love you all! 

-Elder Silva

5-25-15

Ah man, guys I really can't say how much I love hearing from you. I can't imagine what a mission with only letters would have been like. It's great to hear news from the ward. Our stake is the only one I've ever know to do sacrament last. Actually I preferred it that way, but I guess Salt Lake has their reasons. Mepaakyew etesen? That's how are you in Twi for Brooke. By the way, transfer news came! I'm staying in my current area but my companion, Ejodamen, is leaving. My new companion is Elder Asada from Nigeria. Elder Hoffman from Wisconsin has been in our apartment for awhile and he is the one who trained Asada. Cool for him. Also my trainer, Batutsi, is coming to be my zone leader in Kumasi. It'll be nice to see him again. I think I left some questions unanswered last letter. I'll look at it in a bit. I don't know if I ever mentioned but there's a KFC in Kumasi now. It's a bit spendy for our standards but it is oh so good. Really nice building too. Sounds like Grandma and Grandpa Silva are busy with their missionary work at the base. I'm glad to hear it though. The heat is still here as will it ever be, but I'm fully adjusted. The packages are . . well... finished. Haha, I couldn't help myself. Plus I did some sharing. I would really like some more acetaminophen (I know it's spelled wrong) though. I'm running low and those are so nice to have. Well that's all I have time for. My companion and I are busy today. 

Just know that I love you all (and Duke) a lot! 

-Elder Silva 

KFC in Kumasi.

Hello dear family of mine! 

This morning was kinda cool. My companion (Elder Ejodamen) had to get an x-ray done of his left arm. He had an accident when he was a kid so his left arm can't go any further than a 90.... where is the degree sign on a keyboard??... funny, I should know that... anyways recently it has been acting up so Elder and Sister Barney came to drive us around Kumasi. I haven't been in a nice car like that for a long time. I can't believe how much more fun traveling is with air conditioning haha. We saw that they have just built a KFC here in Kumasi. It opens on Wednesday. Elder and Sister Barney told us they would let us know if it is anywhere close to good ol' USA standards. This week was a marked improvement from previous weeks and I'm very relieved. We broke through "the great investigator drought" (as I like to call it) and were able to find 6 more this week. Only 1 came to church, but it's better than last week's zero. All in all the work is improving. The bad part is that I'm pretty sure this was the hottest week I've ever experienced in Ghana. I lost all of my handkerchiefs too including the new one I just bought. Man those things are so important to have. Don't think of sending any though, there are plenty here. I've thought of a few things to add to last week's list of things to bring to Ghana, Kumasi. As for the Skype session, I have plans....yes missionaries, as unpredictable as our days are, can have plans. It will be done on Sunday. What I may do is call at some point this week as soon as I have all of the details I need. It won't be a call for chatting but a call for planning to chat, so resist the temptation to make it last longer than needs be ha. I'm pretty sure you're in afternoon church now. My church will end around 6:00-6:30 A:M your time. I'll be available roughly 7:30-8:00 AM, so the call will have to be before or after your church. Think about what works best for you. My schedule will be entirely open. It'll be awesome to see Grandma too! Alright now onto your e-mail. Yes I know Brooke doesn't have much to say, but I love her anyways. :) Next time drown her in some love potion #10 before she sits down at the computer. I guess school's coming down to a close. Funny how quickly months and weeks go by on a mission. I guess what it feels like is that no time moves on a mission, but time speeds up at home. Funny how that feels, then again this transfer is already halfway over. I might only have 3 weeks left with Ejodamen. Actually I'm almost positive of that. I still can't believe Brooke's driving. Always glad to hear you get to spend time with the rest of the family, especially Grandma. 

The spirit is always present in Ghana, Kumasi and I've been fortunate enough to feel plenty of it this week. 

Until next week! Me dowapaaaa!!!

-Elder Silva

Friends, Silvas, Countrymen...

This one is from last week:

Friends, Silvas, Countrymen. Lend me your ears for a small moment. This e-mail is going to be a little shorter. Not much has happened. We're kinda stuck in a rut right now. Contacting isn't going well and we don't have anywhere new to contact. One of those deals where you feel like you've been to every home in the area. I forgot to send baptism pics from last week. I'll get those to you this time. Bad news is my favorite investigator didn't show up to church this week and we couldn’t catch her at home. She was going to be baptized this upcoming Sunday, but I think we'll have to post-pone it until she's more ready.  I haven't been around a golden contact since Obuasi and sometimes it seems like I've been in Effiduasi my whole mission. Funny how that works. It also feels like I've been in Ghana my whole life. I remember Mom telling me that home seemed like a dream on her mission. I understand that completely. I can't really remember how some aspects of home feel real anymore. It's really hard to describe. Sort of feels like I'm split in two. Like Ghana isn't my home but then, well home really isn't either. Well enough of that, maybe I'll answer some of Mom's questions. My health is alright. I've never felt all that healthy on the mission, but I'm not sick or anything. We had one investigator come to church and he was the only one in investigator's class so we just taught him a missionary lesson. It went very well.  To answer your question...Trials? Well there's a lot of that on the mission, but nothing out of the regular really. We have a mission tour coming up for someone so we're all busy preparing for that. President Holmes will be leaving early July so we'll be having a new mission president soon also. Just a lot going on.  Well I think that's it for this week. I'll send pictures as usual.  

I wish you all a great week! Until next time. 

-Elder Silva

 The little girl was baptized

The sacred tree of Effiduasi. The traditionalists pour libations here. 

 The dawn of a new day!

A self portrait with my Sunday orange.

This week’s  e-mail: 

Heidi Ho Ranger Joe!  ...Not sure why that just popped into my head.

Well something awesome happened on Sunday... I got your letters! They were really good and there were some good things I learned. I also got one from Em. I'm going to write Grandma and Grandpa Silva this week as well as Grandma Jones. I’ve been meaning to write them for a long while, but just never got around to it. One important thing I wanted to share before I get to anything else is a lesson I've learned on my mission. It's a lesson of suffering. No no no, before you get to thinking this lesson is depressing, let me re-phrase; it's a lesson about being positive about suffering. Basically we suffer as missionaries, but honestly I've learned how to laugh about it. Sometimes it's funny how bad a day can go. The best way I can describe it is like shrugging a backpack off. There was a good lesson I learned once about this. It's about ninja stars and kittens. Kittens represent positive emotions and ninja stars negative. You're standing in a dark space with light about 3 feet around you. Sometimes ninja stars come and hit you and sometimes cute little kittens come to snuggle with you. The obvious thing to do is just to have less ninja stars come, but that's kinda impossible sometimes. What needs to be done is to learn how to dodge the ninja stars that do come. Then life is much better. I've accepted the fact that not all suffering will end when the mission is over. I expect that there's plenty more ninja stars to come, but I'm learning how to dodge. Besides, there are still plenty of cuddly kittens on the way!

Well I'll get off of the soap box and start to answer some questions.  

“Will you be able to call home for Mothers day?”

For sure I'll get to call. I'm working on a Skype option again. More details next week, and I'll find a brighter room this time haha. Be sure to be writing down questions now before you forget :)

Well I'll send a few pictures and wish you all a fantastic week! 

-Elder Silva

This little kid doesn’t really know what the t-shirt is all about….but I do!

Went to farm to chop cocoa. It was a long day, but pretty fun. 

This is a good luck bug. It means you will conceive. This lady found 2. Ha ha!

 ...

Funny misspellings or maybe that is the way they spell things here?