My total travel time home will be 26 hours 35 minutes.

Hey everyone,

My departing talk was good I guess. I had a few compliments and high fives! It was about the worth of souls, and why the Lord chooses young missionaries to do his work, despite obvious weaknesses. It was a huge Zone conference with 6 out of 8 Zones! All my MTC mates were there, and we bore our departing testimonies. The testimonies we bore were definitely powerful. In my testimony I talked about something Brother Richardson said to me before I left.

Well, about my Homecoming, I guess it's too late to ask for a red carpet and a spotlight! Taylor can throw flower pedals in front of me as I walk off the plane. Just kidding! Feel free to invite whomever you like. I just reserve the right to first hugs from Mom, Dad, and family.:)

I calculated the hours of my flight and layovers.

Total Flight: 18 hours 5 mins
Total Layover: 8 hours 30 mins
Travel Total: 26 hours 35 mins

I will be really tired when I get home.

Well this week was busy. We taught over 50 lessons, and have 11 or 12 people planned for our next, and my last baptism! I can't wait to tell you about one of the guys who is getting baptized. I'll leave his story a surprise, but just know that I can't wait to tell you. His name is Peter Kobina. He is amazing!

This week we'll be on the road. We're traveling around for our Zone council reports. We'll only have 1 and a half days on our area this week. It's going to be tricky preparing everyone for the baptism. Time is running out. The baptism is Aug 1st.

Some random things that happened this week: In our apartment we had a balloon fight, ice fight, and cake sprinkle fight. (don't ask).
My companion also accidentally cut a main water pipe with a cutlass. We got a new toilet seat. It's perfect! No, really the brand name is "perfect". I climbed on the roof to fix some leaks with the apartment repair guy Prosper.

I finished Mosiah and Alma in an hour or so.

Lastly, we were abandoned on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere waiting for a car after dark. Our tro tro driver kept hitting stuff so his car broke down. He was driving at night with no lights. He hit a goat, chicken, and a few huge potholes. The police finally told him to pull over. Thank goodness. It was amazing how bad his driving was. We finally caught a big bus back to Foso.

I've been itching to send you guys some pictures, but I'm not going to because I want you to see if I've changed. I think I look the same. lol. I already can guess that you guys will look way different.

O.k. well. I love ya. Here goes another week. Ready...set...Go! -Love Ty

They're out of the World Cup

Hey,

Yesterday the mission completed the goal of every missionary baptizing a family before the 4th of July. There was a baptism on the very last day. Talk about pushing your luck. Everything worked out though. Everybody is relieved. We've never failed a mission goal after all. ;) I've had about 6 or 7 mission goals completed. The whole thing started when I was just a month in the field.

Ghana is quiet. They're out of the world cup. They did well though. Ghanians are more patriotic by far. Sorry America. Sister Okese in our barnch just returned from South Africa. She was at the Us. Ghana match. The govornment payed an all expense trip for nearly 1000 Ghanians to South Africa for the World Cup. They toured the Country, and ate nicely. Turns out a huge number of those who went ran away, and are now illigal aliens running around South Af. haha I'm glad Sister Okese returned (she has kids at home.)

Wednesday is Zone Conf. I'll give my goodbye testimony, and a talk.

I didn't do much out of the ordinary this week. Went on splits, that was cool. I planted some palm, and giant plantain trees in our yard, and mowed the lawn with the chapels lawnmower. We're just preparing a few for the baptism on Aug 1st. I'll let you know the names as the time draws nearer.

Sorry time's up. Love you! Can't wait to talk. alright...
-Ty

18 Priesthood brethren to bless

Dear Family,
Thanks for the package! and the sika (money).

All our 7 converts were confirmed on Sunday. There were some issues though. The branch President called up about 18 priesthood brethren to bless. just too much... They didn't use a mic so no one can hear. Also, they gave the blessings in English to some, when some only understand Twi. sigh. Can you imagine not being able to hear your own confirmation blessing. I wonder what they're thinking sometimes. The church needs to come out of it's infant stage in Ghana. They should be able to get certain things right after 30 years. Some things will just take time. There is a lot of "traditions of the fathers" stuff going on.

Transfer information comes tonight. I think I'll finish in Assin Foso, but I can't say for sure. What ever happens I'm willing to go for it! Next week is my 23 months mark and last Zone Conference, and farewell testimony. I'm going to give a talk at Zone Conf.
Ye bashyia!

These are my people, I was preordained to teach them.

Hey Everyone!

This week was coooooooool'. Elder Stats is doing great now. (The one who was hit by a car.) His scars all over his face have healed nicely, and you almost can't tell he was hit.

Yesterday we had a call from a couple Elders in our Zone that are about 40 mins away. They told us how one of their investigators was in the hospital in Foso here, and delivered her baby, but she or her children were without food or money, and the mom was recovering, and was born without use of her legs, so she used to drag herself around on the ground, until LDS charities got her a wheelchair. It changed her life.

The Elders asked us to go to the hospital to meet them and to lend them some money, so the Elders could pay us back later. We didn't really know what to expect, but in the night we put our white shirt and ties back on, and took a taxi to the maternity ward.

We saw the woman, and I was happy that I recognized her when I had gone on splits. They were so happy, and grateful to see us, and her newborn baby all wrapped up was sleeping next to her. Upon seeing the sight of the paralyzed woman, and the miracle that her baby was just born. Her, and her children were very happy. I think they worried their mother would have complications, but the birth went smooth. I had tears in my eyes from the small act of service we did, but to them the few crumpled up 1cedi bills meant the world to them, and because of the little baby that was new to the world I could tell heaven wasn't far off...

To answer your question, yes. Assin Foso in in a very rainy green area. Though the sun shines hot just about everyday, even during the rain.

We had some beach games today with some other Zones. Elder Strong has malaria so he didn't play, but I got a chance to visit the Cape Coast castle 1 more time before I come home. I went about a year ago now. It was again a very humbling experience. Walking through the slave dungeons, and feeling the icy chill of the evil that went on there as the tour guide talked of the pains, and cruel tortures those poor people endured. Having better understood the people's history, and having a multiplied love for them; a year later the return to the castle was a unforgettable experience.

These are my people. I was preordained to teach them. They are my brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are my mothers and fathers. They are the Lord's own. I love them with my all.

I'm grateful for your prayers. Really, I can see the impact of each one. I fasted again this week, and have made my prayers more meaningful. I've spent a lot of time on my knees, mostly in gratitude for how my mission has turned out.

I also read through the new "Gospel principles" book and also the "miracle of forgiveness". I tore through them both and finished em in a couple days. The new Gospel principles has some insightful revisions compared to its predecessor. President Kimball's book was also very intense, and was interesting. I can't wait to read the Book of Mormon again. I'll start in 2 weeks when my last transfer starts, and finish before I get on the plane.

Ooops, almost forgot to tell you. This Sunday we are baptizing 7! 1.Kwame (a very fat boy, fat and jolly) 2. Sister Ahimful (she resisted the church for years but had a past with several husbands, and abortion, but that was 30 years ago. She's now had a huge change of heart) 3. Mary (a shy teenage girl who also brought her little brothers to church) 4. Samuel ( At first he ran away from the missionaries, and had a big turnaround too) 5.Millicent (She is young but surprisingly smart, and literate) 6. Joana (she is a good cook, and has good heart, but is easily distracted in lessons) 7. Last, but certainly not least: Hannah (She is the old old old woman I told you about that is so funny, and I always tease her and give her compliments. Get this, she even stands up every time she raises her hand in Sunday School, and gives her contribution. haha She travels a very far distance, and as expected at her age has some health concerns, but she faithfully dosn't miss a week. She even comes an hour early)

I'll also have my last baptism on August 1st. We're preparing our second batch of candidates now. ;) Pre heat you oven to 350 and insert your tray of investigators, cook well for 45 minutes, and wa-la! You now have another batch ready! (That's how we baptize with fire) haha!

Our Branch President just returned from Singapore, and Malaysia for some business I guess. He joined the church during his college days in America. He came back and built that Carolyn School out in the bush. Everyone thought he was crazy, but years later Assin Foso is now a fast growing town in Ghana. Well fast for Ghana... haha. He represented Assin Foso as a Mayor for several years, and now retired his headmaster job at Carolyn School, but still owns it. He hired almost all his teaching staff from members in our branch.

We started our Football Finding Mission Goal as the World cup has started. We will be the only mission in the world that not a single missionary will watch the world cup. We all covenanted at Zone Conference haha. It's all good though. Ghana won their match 1-0 I guess. People were going crazy in the streets as expected. Painted faces, flags, honking horns, and plenty of shouting was going on. haha.

O.k. well I'm very grateful for who you are. Remember who you are. Be who you should be! Love you!

One of the missionaries hit by a car

Hey Family!

I really enjoyed your email. It was really long. haha.

We just got done with a sweeeeeet p-day activity. My companion and I planned it. It was all kinds of relays, races, like 3 legged race, and other stuff. We played one to balance a bucket on our heads. All the Africans won. Go figure... We had a sprite drinking contest, a missionary race, and limbo. It was pouring rain outside. In fact it's been raining every day in Foso. AWESOME! I've had enough sun to last me a lifetime. haha

Tanner, I remember doing fast offering collection. Some people hid, or made awkward situations. The Lord is wise to use young men, because if older adults came door to door, I don't think some of the reactions would be the same. As the same with missionary work, we get some doors, where we get yelled at or dogs sent on us. I actually like those experiences. I don't have to outrun the dog, just my companion. haha just kidding. ;)

Some bad news happened this week. We got a call in the evening from the Pres. Bonda. (Our District Pres., (like a stake pres.)) He informed us that one of the missionaries in our Zone was just hit by a car and rushed to the hospital. We made frantic phone calls around, and found out that it was Elder Stats. My good friend from Centerville, UT. We called Pres. Sabey, and rushed to the hospital.

We saw upon arrival, his companion with a blood covered white shirt on, and he was crying. I thought to myself... OOOOO no.... I was ready for the worst. I met the driver that hit him. He was drunk, and said he hit Elder Stats off his bike sending him shooting through the air, and scraping across the pavement. We saw him on the ER bed, and his eyes were dilated. He was seriously scraped from head to toe, and had a couple big gashes on his face. He had a concussion, and was talking nonsense, and couldn't remember anything. We came back in the morning, and they released him. After the blessing we gave him he made, a good start to a full recovery. He'll have scabs for a while, but I'm so thankful we didn't lose a missionary. sheeesh... That's all folks. Love you.!!!!

"Football Finding"

Hey All,

Flight plans are in! I'll leave Accra around 9:00pm on Aug 10th. I'll fly to Amsterdam, then Seattle, then onto Lewiston Airport for the last stretch. I'll reach Lewiston at 3:45pm on Aug 11th! I'll be in Amsterdam for 5 hours or so on layovers.

I'm excited to go to Amsterdam! I could have a lot of fun in one of the most wicked cities in the world in that short amount of time! haha...kidding.

Some of my MTC mates Elder Dunford and Halling will fly to London instead. I'll be with Elder Strong and Elder Mason up until Seattle, and then they branch off to Salt Lake.

Zone Conference was cool! I can't believe I'll have only 1 more. We have a new mission goal. Even though we are still in the middle of our every missionary baptize a family goal. The new one is called "Football Finding" This one is in 2 parts. The first half is that Every missionary is to enter into contract, and covenant that we won't watch any world cup football, and the second half is that every missionary is to baptize 1 person that was contacted during a world cup match. haha. It's a different kind of goal than we've ever done, but I'm excited for an interesting challenge. To top that off they gave us a list of the matches scheduled, and will be sending us texts every night with the results of the game played! Haha.

Today I scored a sweet goal! There was a huge activity Assin Foso Zone vs. Takoradi Zone match. There were about 40+ Elders Present. Even President Sabey was the Reff. We Won 3-2! It was a fun match. I was slipping in the mud. I wish you could have seen it. I was passed a high pass, and I booted it in a mid-air side kick with 3 defenders on me. I was like "freak ya! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo!" haha. I shouted, hollered, danced, chest bumped, and high fived. I was like, "that's what I'm talkin' bout! YEAA!" Second half we got our other 2 goals, but I took took a hard kicked ball to the balls, and was about to hurl. I kept playing though I probably should have subbed. It's all good though. Pres Sabey called a penalty. He said it's better to take the penalty than to put my future posterity at risk. haha hilarious. Anyway, we had a sweet day, and I met a few new missionaries!

I'm going to read the Book of Mormon again before I go home. I think It'll be a nice way to gain a deeper appreciation for it. I'll do it my last transfer or 6 weeks. Love you all -Ty

as angels with a voice of a trump

Hey Family,
I've got alot to do. There are 11 changes in my Zone. My new companion will be Elder Chime from Nigera. He'll come on Wednesday. A cool thing is that Elder Hoffmann will be in my apartment. He was my last companion before Elder Moses. Speaking of Elder Moses...he's gone. He finished his mission. We both cried. It's not easy to say goodbye to someone you know you'll never see again in this life. Especially if he's like a brother.

I got the packages! Thanks! I really enjoyed them. The cake Tiara sent was heavenly. Sorry, I coudn't wait! I ate it right away... Thanks sis. Thanks for your card, family. I hung it on my wall. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the 20 bucks, cuz my account is "dwindling in unbelief" in book of mormon terms.

This week our Zone Completed the family goal. But now because of transferrs we have new Elders to complete the goal. We wen't around and Elder Moses said goodbye to everyone. A few members cried. I was surprized!
We super cleaned our apartment. for about 8 hours on our P-day this morning.

This week I listened to some 08 Gen conf talks. Elder Steven E Snow who I met when he came with Elder Holland is a great speaker. He spoke on the importance of members in missionary work. You might remember his talking about a search and rescue team that was trying to save a sheep in trouble on a cliff side. He wondered where the shepherd was. Surely the panicked sheep would better respond to the familiar voice of the shepherd than the strangers who were well equipped to save, but were still unfamiliar.

As missionaries, we're the search and rescue team who's job in to teach. We have the training and the uniform, but the members are the shepherds. They know the sheep personally, or investigators. I'll challenge you as a family to have a missionary moment that you can tell me about before I come home. I know you can do it. We should be as angels with a voice of a trump. Pray for inspiration for a missionary moment. If you do this, I can promise great blessings of unity, and a greater sense of the love of God. 1 John 2:5 If you keep your word or promise, the "Love of God will be perfected in you" Have a great week.
Good hunting! Love Ty