So, I have no idea who reads these letters at this point but I hope that I am writing things that help you, slightly. This past week has been crazy, lots of leaks in our roof and a lot of lights-out moments. Ghana keeps you on your toes better than any place I have ever been. That is saying a lot more then I think I even realize. It is a good thing that my parent had me stay in some pretty rustic, run-down and shady places (no offense guys!). I wish I could just record my entire mission but even that wouldn't give you the full effect of the heat, the smells, and the real feel of everyday life here in Dunkwa. I would invite you all to come and visit but the sun and heat would be a fair reason not to come, not to mention the dust that is always around everywhere.
This past week I have been walking like crazy because of meetings and training requirements. There has been so much to do and so little time to do it, but, hey, that's a mission for you. Or, at least, that's my mission.
My trainer, Elder Stephens, is finally leaving Dunkwa. The only issue with that for me is that now I will probably be here for a total of nine months (three more) because of that. Dunkwa is a nice place, but being here this long has been difficult. Another another three months in the same area will be a test for me. I am here to serve, so I guess it doesn't matter where I am as long as I do my job.
I want to share a story with you today - the people in Dunkwa learn from and enjoy stories. They seem to listen better when gospel principles are put into story form and the little children especially love. good story. We use the stories in the scriptures all the time but sometimes we come up with stories of our own to illustrate what we are trying to teach. My family knows that I love to imagine stories of heroes and villains and great fights that bring good over evil.
The Elders in my apartment have helped me come up with this story and I will give you my version: The story begins in a land far away with a father and his son. These two lived happily together. The father was a great warrior and leader; the son, however, was far less a warrior than his dad. One day, the young boy came to his father and asked his father to make him more like him. The father looked on with a smile, "It is about time you asked." The father eyed his son up and down, with hesitation he said "Do you think you are ready?", the boy looked up slightly annoyed, "Do you not think I am"? "No," the father replied, "I just wanted to see what you thought."
"For you to become like me you must travel far and wide to a land that only I know of. In this land you will be told along the way what your next step should be but you must listen carefully and do as you are told." So the boy went out searching far and wide, as he made his way to the area that his father had described to him he saw a massive army. With fear in his heart he began to turn the other way to escape the oncoming army. Yet a man stood behind him. "No, you mustn't turn away, you are going the wrong way. Your next step is to charge towards the army, just as I have."
The boy looked on, aghast. "How can you expect me to do that? I am small and young, why can't you come with me?" The man looked on and said, "I have gone before you and I have the scars to prove it, but you must have faith that I survived this battle and you will too. This is the only way to become like our father".
The boy turned with fear, but having been instructed he knew what he must do. So with nothing in his hands, with no sword, nor weapon at his side, he ran toward the army. He ran harder then he ever had before, straight at the army with tears flying from his eyes. He charged knowing that there was no chance to make it out the other side. Yet to become like his father, nothing could stop him. As he reached the line of men he saw fear in their eyes looking at him. He hit the first man with force but nothing happened, the man stood and began to raise his sword, as it began to fall, in a flash, the sword and arm fell! The boy looked around, amazed! He should have been dead, instead the man he had met was by his side and coming over the hill was an army lead by the boy's father.
The Stranger looked at the boy "we would never leave you alone, there is no need to fear when you have us on your side." "You showed your strength when you moved forward as I required and we showed you our love when we stood by your side when you needed us most."
I hope you liked the story I will talk more next week.
I love you. Elder Edison
*Prayers would be great that I can survive another three months in Dunkwa - I will be the one missionary out of the four of us who has been here the longest. Wish me luck! My hands are raw from washing my clothes by hand and sometimes they bleed but I can do this, right? No bats in my laundry this week!!
