Miracles of Christmas

Photo found on a blog of a senior missionary couple, the Pace's, with this caption:  This district did a unique version of the 12 days of Christmas.  It began with "On the first day of Christmas by branch gave to me.. a referral living by me. Additional verses were: Four Standard Works, Five Golden Investigators, Seven Babies Crying, Eight Maids Breastfeeding (so common in Ghana), Eleven Balls of Banku (common Ghanian food), etc.

It was very clever.

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a fantastic week! On Tuesday we went on exchanges. I got to go on an exchange with Elder Gillam, our district leader, in his area. His area is called Odumase (O-doo-mossy) and it is full of wonderful and faithful people. We taught many lessons and a member even fed us some rice! Score! 

Wednesday and Thursday we were in our own area and then on Friday we went to Juapong for a contacting activity. I got to go back to my last area! It was awesome to see some of the people I know so well there.

On Saturday evening our branch had their Christmas party. We didn't have a great turn out, but it was fun all the same. They started playing the first presidency Christmas devotional, which I was very excited to watch, but they decided to stop it after the first two speakers. I didn't even hear any of the first presidency messages. Darn. Then we watched a bunch of musical performances. People were singing in their awesome African languages and doing crazy African dances. It was sweet. Then they served us with some popcorn and a chocolate drink of some kind. (Not hot chocolate. It was actually cold.) 

Sunday morning Santa came! We woke up to cookies, candies, shoe polish, and drinks sitting on the table for us. Who knew Santa's reindeer could make it to Ghana? I opened my packages from home and started enjoying some of the goodies. Then we got ready and headed off to church. We had a wonderful sacrament meeting and the room was full. We even had some investigators there. After church we headed home and then traveled to Ensign College so we could Skype. After Skyping we met at the apartment with the other elders in our district and ate lots and lots of healthy food.  

This Christmas God blessed me with many miracles. I want to share just a few. The first one is the miracle of being in Africa. How cool that I get to spend this time in such a beautiful and adventurous land! We were also blessed with the miracle of having water on Christmas day. Several days before Christmas our pipe had started flowing and we were surviving with the water in our tank. The night before Christmas our tank was pretty much empty and we were worried we would have a dry holiday. Christmas morning when we went out to check the pipe it was flowing. What a blessing it is to have running water! Then of course their was the miracle of Skyping my family. God has blessed me with the technology to be able to talk to people living on the other side of world. 

I can't believe that Christmas is over! It has come and gone too fast. I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas. My Christmas was a delight. I am so grateful to be a missionary. I am grateful to have a wonderful family and great friends who are so good to me. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and my needs and who hears and answers my prayers. I am grateful for my Savior who has provided the way for me to return home. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week! Happy New Years in advance! 

Love,

Elder Radmall

 Skyping with Elder Radmall - our first time since he has been in Ghana!

It was so good to see him!!

Questions from Mom:

Q. Did you sing at church for Christmas?  Did your branch have music, speakers?

We just sang some hymns as a congregation and heard a few speakers talk about the Savior.

Q. What did you have for your Christmas feast?

For breakfast we had coffee cake. For lunch we had jolof rice. For dinner we had fried chicken and hot fudge brownie Sundays. 

Q. Did your companion and the other missionaries in your apartment get Christmas packages? 

My companion didn't, but I think they are expecting some packages to come. 

Q. How are your shoes holding up?  Do you need new ones?

My shoes are doing great! They should hold out for the next six months. 

Q. Best lesson you taught this week?

This week we shared a lot of Christmas messages with people we taught. One of the most significant to me was when we talked to a recent convert about the shepherds who were visited by an angel after Christ's birth. The thing that I love about the shepherds is when they had heard that a Savior was born they went "with haste" to find Him. And after they had seen the babe they spread it abroad. That is the great privilege we all have. We can come to know Christ by accepting His Gospel. Then we can spread it abroad to help others know Him as well. 

Q. What was the best gift of your Christmas?

Getting to Skype with you guys of course!

These photos were sent by Elder Radmall's former companion, Elder Kallon from Sierra Leone.  We sent him a few Christmas gifts - a tie, mint M & M's, and a tie clip.  He skyped with us yesterday before Bryan did - and it was a joy to get to know him and talk to him.

 Ghana Accra Temple at night

 Elder Kallon at the temple.

 Elder Kallon with new tie, tie clip and M & M's.

Brownie cake made by Elder Kallon.  He says Bryan taught him how to make this brownie cake.  

Tro-tro with goat on top.  Photo taken from the Pace's blog.  They said that they passed the van 10 minutes later, and the goat was gone.  They hope whoever owned the goat got off and took the goat with them!!

Merry Christmas!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow! It is hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us. I am so excited! I love Christmas with all of my heart, but before I talk about that I will tell you a little about our week.

On Tuesday our district met to prepare a musical presentation for our Christmas devotional on Saturday. Let's just say that our district is very musically gifted (like not at all). Later that day we went and saw a recent convert and some guy just randomly showed up, so we decided to teach him too. We had a great lesson with them. How cool that the Lord would just send someone directly to us. 

The rest of the week was mostly just a normal week up until Friday. On Friday we went to do some baptismal interviews for the missionaries in Asutuare. It was a delight to meet some of the wonderful people who are living there and have been prepared for baptism. That night we needed to get the keys for our chapel. That is where our Christmas devotional was going to be held the next day. We tried and tried with no success, but with prayers and diligence we got the keys in the end. 

Saturday morning our zone as well as the Koforidua and Ho zones gathered here in Kpong. We had an awesome Christmas devotional with President and Sister Heid and all of the senior couples in our mission. The theme was using the Book of Mormon to light the world and teach about the Savior. Then they fed us with a huge lunch of rice and chicken and we performed our musical numbers. Our district performed the 12 days of Christmas with alternate lyrics for missionaries serving in Ghana. 

That is most of what I remember for the week. I am so excited to be able to spend this last Christmas in Ghana. You will hardly find people more centered on the Savior anywhere else in the world. And that's what Christmas is all about. I am so grateful for my Savior. I know that He was born in a humble stable. I know that He lived a perfect life and gave every moment to serving others. I know that He suffered and died for us. And I know that He lives again. I am so grateful for Him. He is the light and hope of my life. Over the last 18 months I have witnessed Him changing lives over and over again. I have especially seen Him changing my own life. I am so grateful to be in His service. I love you all so much. I hope that you have a very merry Christmas. Thanks for your love and support.

Love,

Elder Radmall

Questions from Mom:

Q. How many elders live in your apartment?  Where are they from and what are their names?

We are four in the apartment. Elder Buehner (Arizona), Elder Eduok (Nigeria), Elder Howard (California), and myself (Canada) (HaHa). 

Q. Will they all get something for Christmas?  If not – try to share whatever I sent.  I know you will!!

I already have plans for that! 

Q. What are your plans for Christmas?  Will your branch meet for 3 hours or just sacrament meeting?

They will still have all three hours. We are still figuring out what will happen on that day. 

Q. Will you be sending any photos this week?  Is your new camera working?  Did it fall in a ditch??

It is working. The problem is the cafes we go to. I am not able to upload my pictures. As soon as I am able, I will. 

Q. What is your favorite thing about Christmas in Ghana?

Being able to focus on what really matters. And eating delicious Ghanaian food.

Q. What is your favorite experience in Ghana to date?

All of it! But I have especially enjoyed the chances I have had to serve from farming, to washing clothes, to cleaning hospitals and much more. 

Q. How do you think Ghana has changed you?

Ghana has completely humbled me. The people here have taught me so much about enduring challenges and trials. I have come to realize many of my own shortcomings and to rely much more upon the Savior.

Q. How has your testimony changed as a missionary?

Before I was a missionary I had a strong testimony of the power the atonement has in my own life. Now I have a burning testimony of the power the atonement has in everyone's life. 

Q. What is your favorite thing about being a missionary?

Meeting so many great people and sharing a message of hope and love with them. 

Eternal Life and Elections

Fishermen at Kpong, Volta Region (taken from the internet)

Dear Family and Friends,

How are you guys doing? It is a fine and very hot day here in Ghana! I shouldn't complain. Some of you would probably love some warm weather right now. This week has been crazy and awesome. I will go through it day by day.

On Tuesday we had zone training here in Kpong. It was an awesome meeting. Our zone is made up of 14 missionaries, all elders. The AP's were also in attendance. I attempted to do an object lesson. I had an elder come up and hold a stack of hymnbooks in his hand. He had to keep his other hand behind his back. On top of the hymnbooks I put some cheap candies. Then I held out two packets of Reeses (thanks mom). The elder was very excited at the sight of American candy. I told him that he could have the Reeses if he could grab them. At first he struggled for a minute trying to find a way to grab the candy. Finally I told him that he could set down the hymnbooks and forfeit the cheap candy in exchange for the Reeses. He quickly did so. The Reeses represented Eternal Life. They are a celestial candy after all. The cheap toffees represented things of lesser value that can keep us from grabbing on the eternal life. We must be willing to give up the things of this world and to put off the natural man in order to inherit the kingdom of God. That is a concept that I am working on.  It is hard to let go of some things, but it is worth it.

On Wednesday Ghana had their presidential elections! It was a hard day to proselyte. No one was around.

Thursday we were instructed to remain in doors. Nothing too exciting happened though. People in Ghana don't really fight very much. They are too peaceful. We spent the day in our p-day clothes cleaning, reading, and playing cards. 

Friday they announced the results from the election. President Mahama lost by a narrow margin to Nana Akufo-Addo. This was Nana's third time running for president. Persistence pays off. Other than that, Friday and Saturday were pretty normal days.

Sunday was just wonderful as always. I loved partaking of the sacrament and turning my thoughts towards the Savior. Our branch is wonderful and funny. That night we had all six elders in our district at our apartment. We made french toast with hot fudge and smoothies. This morning we finished off the hot fudge with some pancakes. We like fine dining. 

That is about all for this week. Christmas is closing in fast. I am way excited! This is an awesome time of the year. Find opportunities to serve and to love others. Don't get distracted from the reason behind the holiday. It is all about the Savior. He is the light and life of the world. A light that shines in any darkness. Come unto Him and experience the peace and joy only He can offer. I love and miss you all! Have a joyous week.

Love,

Elder Radmall

Kpong Hydroelectric Dam

Questions from Mom

Q, What did you do on Thursday – your shut in day?

We did a deep cleaning of our apartment. I also insisted that we buy a deck of cards in preparation for that day. That entertained us for a good while. 

Q. Was there any rioting or unrest after the election?

Not really. We were blessed with a very peaceful election. 

Q. How are you working to reduce the cockroach population?  Any luck?  (Perhaps an exorcism – hehehe)

By keeping things clean! It is getting a little better, but we still have lots. 

Q.  Do the people of Ghana have any Christmas traditions?  Will your branch have a program on Christmas day – or just talks? 

They kind of just like to have a ton of food. I am okay with that. I am not sure what our branch will do on Christmas day. Probably just talks. 

Q. Do you have a branch choir?

Yep! They are pretty good. I will have to join them. 

Q. What was your most spiritual moment this week?

This week a missionary in our apartment was upset, but none of us knew why. I was thinking of what I could do to lift his spirits, but nothing was coming. I went and prayed about it and then I felt prompted to just go into his room and start talking. We ended up having a great talk for about half an hour. God heard my prayer and guided me. 

Q. What was your funniest moment this week?

After church yesterday some members brought a cake for a birthday celebration. They invited the whole branch. Before serving the cake they scraped off all of the frosting and threw it into a gutter. The sad thing is that it's very common to see that in Ghana. They are scared of eating too much sugar. Haha

Q. Tell us about one branch member….

Our branch president, President Sam, and his wife were married less than one year ago. He works at Ensign College here in Kpong. I believe Ensign College is owned by Elder Gay of the seventy. Sister Sam is currently expecting. Both of them served missions in Nigeria. They are awesome! 

Q. Tell us about one investigator…..

We have a sister named Gifty. She has been learning from missionaries for a while and has been coming to church. She wants to be baptized, but her husband has been in Accra for a while. We want to wait for him to return to Kpong so we can discuss it with him. Hopefully he comes soon.

Ensign College, started by Robert Gay of the Seventy, former mission president in Ghana

Questions from Christie

Q. What made you laugh this week?

I went to get a haircut this week and the barber was pretty clueless on what to do with my white man hair. That gave me a pretty good laugh. He did an alright job though. 

Q. What was the grossest thing you saw this week?

A cockroach frozen inside of our freezer. 

Q. What was the prettiest thing you saw this week?

This week there were beautiful clouds here. I love my clouds. 

Q. Who made your week better and how?

Some members in our branch fed us jolof rice and chicken this week! That was pretty awesome. 

Q. What is the coolest thing about the new city you are in?

People here speak quite a few different languages, so I get to here all sorts of crazy speaking. 

Q. What is the hardest part of your new assignment?

Just staying organized and communicating well with a lot of people. 

Q. What is the coolest part of Christmas in Ghana that we are all missing out on?

Making smoothies with fresh fruit in 85 degree weather. 

Questions from TeriAnn

Q. What is your favorite responsibility right now?

Probably just teaching. I love teaching the doctrines of the Gospel, especially when you can see the Spirit touching those you teach. 

Q. What is your least favorite responsibility right now?

Gathering and reporting numbers every Sunday. 

Q. How will you celebrate Christmas this year?

We aren't sure yet. 

Q. Who are you most excited to talk to on Christmas (it’s me right)?

Definitely you... and everyone else in the family. 

Q. How much are you traveling right now within your area and mission?

We travel around quite a bit within our zone. We only go to Accra maybe once a month. 

Q. What is your favorite thing about your mission right now?

All of it! I just love being a missionary. But I especially love getting to know so many people and to see how the Gospel can change their lives. 

Q. If you could take all of us any place on your mission where would your #1 place be to take us?

Wow. That is a hard one. I would probably take you to Koforidua. It is probably the prettiest area I have served in and there are great sights to see. 

A Little Slice of Heaven

Dear Family and Friends,

How are you all doing? I can't believe that we are in December! 2016 is nearly over. That is crazy to think about. This week was a lot of traveling and having new experiences. 

On Tuesday I said my last goodbyes to the wonderful people of Juapong. That night I finished packing my bags. Wednesday morning we got a taxi and set out for Kpong. When we arrived at the apartment in Kpong I dropped off my things and we got another car to Accra, this time with Elder Howard and Elder Okorie (the one I am replacing in Kpong). 

That evening we arrived at the mission home and then Elder Palmer and I got to head over to the temple!! Wow! I love the temple so much. A place to learn and feel the Spirit. I entered the temple with a lot of worries on my mind, but over the course of our session all of those worries were put to rest. I received some much needed personal revelation. It is so great to see how perfectly God knows each of His children. He knows all of our concerns and has the perfect solutions for us.

That night we slept over at the mission home and then on Thursday morning I attended some meetings with Elder Howard, my new companion. After the meeting we were fed pizza!! That was a little slice of heaven. Haha... ha. 

That night we returned to Kpong. Friday and Saturday I got to go and meet some of our investigators and the members of our branch. Kpong is a great place. It is missing many of the luxuries that can be found in Accra, but I really don't mind. It helps me to focus on the people and the message we have to share. Those are the things that really matter. 

Elder Howard is great! He is a wonderful missionary. He is very funny and keeps me laughing. He is from California and is the youngest of two boys in his family. He was attending BYU Idaho just before coming on his mission. 

That is about all from last week. This Wednesday Ghana will be having their elections. We have been told not to proselyte on Thursday as a result. Hopefully no wars break out! I am so grateful to be a missionary in Ghana. The experiences I have had have forever changed me and my relationship with the Savior has grown. The Lord has blessed me with a deep love for the people here, regardless of our differences in culture, race, and background. I know with all of my heart that God loves these people, just as I know that he loves each of you. Thanks for all of your love, support, and prayers. I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week. 

Love,

Elder Radmall

From President Heid to the Ghana Accra Missionaries:

You had another wonderful week of unity, with everyone pulling together to get the transfer done before the election.  Spend THURSDAY in your apartment in your P Day clothes, and DEEP clean the apartment.  Listen to peaceful, gospel music as you clean, and have a day where you “catch up” on projects like the Area Book, journal, reading and personal study.  Call or text all of your investigators and encourage them.  Study your ward list and learn the names and callings of the members.  Make this a profitable day that will lead to a wonderful December and start of the New Year.  Stay off of the street and let the results of the election settle down.

Questions from Mom:

Q. Tell us one thing about your new city…

I wouldn't call it a city. It's pretty small. The church has been in Kpong for around 30 years! There are some great pioneers of the church living here. There is also no market here and no banks. This is the bush.

Q. Are you in a ward or branch?  Tell us one thing about your new ward…

We are in a branch. The branch was recently split. We had about 85 in attendance on Sunday. And we meet in the most beautiful chapel I have ever seen. I will send a picture soon.

Q. How many people are you teaching in your new city? 

Not very many right now, but I hope we will have more investigators soon.

Q. How many missionaries are in your new city?

There are four of us here in Kpong.

Q. What is your new apartment like?

It is pretty nice. We have lots of space and a big kitchen. The only problem is the cockroaches. Our apartment is completely infested with cockroaches. And they just fumigated it like two weeks ago. Yikes! But we are working to reduce the population.

Q. Funniest moment of the week?

While we were riding our bikes this week we came to some narrow wooden planks forming a bridge over a ditch. I was certain that I could ride across it. I was wrong. I biffed it and barely saved myself from falling in the ditch. It was pretty funny. 

Q. How have angels watched over you this week?
This week they watched over me as I was travelling in trotros (Taxis). We get some craaaazy drivers in Ghana, but I have yet to be in an accident. 

Q.  Did your first Christmas package arrive yet?
I got package #1 as well as #2 and #3. Woot! And I already read most of that Ensign. Haha. It was great. Thank you so soooo much! (Last year Bryan got his package after Christmas. This year I sent 3 soft pouches, one pre-Christmas and 2 for Christmas.  I have become very creative at packing them.)

Bryan was unable to send photos this week.  The internet cafe did not have the technology for that.  

Photos of trotros from the internet: