Hi Family!

Thanks for the update with this past week. I still can't think of 30 degrees being warm though because I've just been in a humid climate for quite some time. But I wish I could experience it a little around here. The hamatan (I'm not really sure how to spell it, but it's the dry season for Ghana) has hit and so the past few weeks have been really dusty and dirty, basically to the point where you can feel yourself breathing in dirt. Luckily it's been pretty clear lately and we can see our area from on top of the hill where our apartment is. I don't really remember the hamatan (hawm-uh-tawn) last year at this time when I was in Swedru, but we're definitely experiencing it here.

This past week went pretty good. We had a few good discussions and spiritual experiences that I'll share. First of all, a few weeks back, I believe it was on the 9th, there was sort of an argument and disagreement in elder's quorum meeting on that Sunday and one man, who's been a member for 25 yrs, was pretty offended. His name is Bro Nunu and he's a retired fire officer. One of the problems in our ward is, I'd say, pride. Some of the members believe that they are better than others and so in this circumstance the argument resulted in hard feelings and no sincere apology. Since then, Bro Nunu has been on my mind and I had recognized that he hadn't been to Church since then. He's 65 yrs old and his whole family are members. On Saturday, we were supposed to go and meet a referral from a member, but he ended up not being around at that time. On our way back, I guess we were sort of directed to go and see Bro Nunu. At the time I had kinda spaced the event that occurred a few weeks back and we were just going to go see the family, but as we got their he told us that his prayers had been answered. He had decided that he wouldn't be coming back to Church because of that disagreement and so when me and my companion arrived there he explained everything to us and we talked to him for awhile. We helped him understand that the Lord wants him to come back to Church and loves him very much. Bro Nunu told of his conversion story 25 yrs ago and bore his testimony that he still knows the Church is true. He mentioned also that the Lord was well aware of what was happening because He lead his servants to his house. We were glad that we could help out. Bro Nunu said he still needs some time to think, but he agreed to come back to Church the first week of February. Coming the first week in February is a lot better than never coming again.

Later that day we met with our main investigator, Lydia. We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and helped her understand more about it. One of the main problems and misunderstandings here about the Book of Mormon is the confusion between the words Mormon and mammon. Because of the accent of people here, they'll hear the word Mormon and think of mammon. So many people believe that we worship money or mammon, or that we worship the book. We cleared up any confusions that she had and gave her the brief description of the story and contents of the Book of Mormon. I always enjoy teaching about the Book of Mormon, more than any other thing probably, just because it's the main witness of the Restoration of the gospel. If someone knows that the Book of Mormon is true, they're going to know for sure that the Church is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, chosen by God to perform the work. I could feel the Spirit very strongly as I talked about the Book of Mormon and it's origins. As our mission goal, like I mentioned in the last few emails, is to read the Book of Mormon by Feb.28th and underline any reference to Christ. So, now we're into Alma and all those great stories. If we stay on track and read 9 pages a day, we'll have it finished. Already, though, we can see the numerous amount of times that Christ is referred to, in the parts that we've already read. The Book of Mormon is wonderful and there is so much to learn from its pages.

Yesterday for Pday we watched "On the Lord's Errand", the story about President Monson's life. The night before I had asked Father in Heaven to strengthen my testimony that he is the Lord's chosen leader of the Church today and definitely my prayers were answered. I don't remember the last time I was so emotional and I just loved the movie so much. It really was such an awesome experience.

Throughout the day, my stomach was giving me problems and I was in the bathroom multiple times. As I was sitting in bed, probably around 10, I felt like I needed to throw-up. So I ran to the lovely toilet, but nothing happened. At that point I felt like I was ready to pass out. I was dizzy and everything started to go black. My whole body went ice cold and I couldn't move at all. I called to my companion in the other room that I needed a blessing right then and he grabbed a chair and brought it into the bathroom. He helped me onto the chair and I still was about to pass out. My body was still ice cold and I couldn't really hear very well, but as they anointed and sealed a blessing upon me, at that moment I was able to hear clearly. Warmth came back through my body to the point where I started sweating and I received feeling in my limbs. Honestly, a few minutes earlier I thought I was going to die and I couldn't stop praying to God to help me... The Priesthood is amazing. We called Sister Sabey and told her the situation and she said it's most likely Malaria. Luckily the Zone Leaders live close and had the medicine necessary so I could start the dosage. It was quite a night and I'm glad to still be alive. I've never had an experience like that, that I can recall, and I don't remember a time when I prayed harder. The Lord blessed me and helped me through the sickness to the point where I'm at now. Last night it was difficult to even stand and now I can walk around basically back to normal. That's the reason why I was not able to email yesterday.

I'm amazed at what the Lord can do for His children. I wonder what other things are in store for me during my time here. By the way, the package came last week and I was able to cut my hair for the first time in about 3 months. It was getting pretty long, but I knew the charger was coming. Thanks for sending that and also the letter and power bars inside. I also received Newbold News from Gma and Gpa Newbold. The letter came in only a week which surprised me.

Transfer news also came yesterday evening and my apartment is staying the same. There's some changes throughout the zone, but I'm not being transferred anywhere and I don't think I will be any time soon. The mission is expanding and a few new areas have been opened. So, that means more people to have the opportunity to accept the restored gospel and come unto Christ.

Well, I love you guys so much and I hope you have a great week. I hope school and work and play and all other things go well. Maybe it'll continue to warm up, as you guys call it, haha. I'd love for the weather here to cool down, even if it's just a little. Okay, I'll talk to you all soon!

- Elder Newbold