Ekow Boko

February 29, 2016

*Just a visit? :)

Dear family and friends, 

What an absolutely strange and wonderful week! I will do my best to describe both the strange and the wonderful.

I'll start with the wonderful. The wonderful was meeting two new sister investigators. Sis Ama and Sis Portia (Porsche) With sister Ama we had just met her in a tro tro (bus) going to a neighboring city and she was so friendly to us talking, getting to know us, and eventually told us that we should come by some time and visit. We stopped by on Sunday and had a really good conversation about her life, our life and family, and set up a time that we can come back and share the gospel. That is my favorite part about a new area is just building relationships with the people and preparing them for when the church building actually comes here.

Sis Portia was wonderful as well because of the spirit that was in the lesson. It was a time that strengthened my purpose as a missionary. I don't know how else to explain it, but when we were talking with her you could see on her face she was feeling the spirit and that is the best feeling in the world as a missionary.

The absolutely strange happened when we went to support the Kissi Elders in my district's baptism. The baptism was wonderful. Two sisters, Sis Joyce and Regina, who I got to interview, were baptized:)  

The strange occurred after when a girl who was sitting in the the room during the baptism(we thought she was a member wanting to watch) came to us and told us that she had been sent by God to meet us here and that we were supposed to take her to Britain... Well of course we didn't think she was crazy at first. She dressed normal, was educated, even a university student. After asking her some questions about this revelation and letting her know we couldn't take her, we found out "God" was a man named Dexter who lived in Britain now and was a former teacher of hers at the university. Not only that, but God or Dexter also lived in her head... Well we were able to get her mom's phone number who was so grateful to hear from us and had been looking for her all day. She told us her daughter had suffered from some type of psychosis and that Dexter was a real teacher she liked who moved away to Britain. 

It didn't end there though because she thought her mom was evil and wouldn't go with her unless we came... She kept jumping out of her chair and flipping the light switch on and off, yelling, "You're not taking me! I'm going with them!" Well after the mother's pleading we helped escort her to the mental hospital. We agreed and spent some time there with a whole page worth of details that happened there. haha.

We got everything figured out though and the mother was sooo grateful to us and that her daughter came to our chapel looking for missionaries instead of wandering off somewhere where she would be harmed. I believe God's hand really was in all of this and we as missionaries were just grateful to be around and help. 

It's funny how God works sometimes because we were able to share about our purpose a little bit with the mother and that small interaction with the Gospel could one day lead to her conversion... you just never know. I am grateful to be a missionary, an instrument in the Lord's hand, for this truly is his work and we are all doing our best to play the best part we can in it all. This is my testimony and strange wonderful week. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen:)

I forgot to mention and wanted to give a shout out to doTERRA and their essential oils because when we were in the hospital with the girl, she started panicking and for some reason I had brought an oil blend with me that day that my mom sent with me on my mission. It helps with stress and anxiety and things like that. I gave it to her and she calmed down super fast! I was super happy haha and thought in my head "They really work! Even if your crazy!" Anyways just a cool part of the story I wanted to add:) 

The ocean view is where sister Porsche stays.

trotro surfing

Eating fufu with my buddy/companion Elder Simpson.

How to eat fufu step by step...

Thanks G!!! You made it look so appetizing...gack! LOL

Leaving a Legacy

February 22, 2016

Look at what they did for me in my last area in Akrofuom to always be remembered there! It's at the new apartment! ahahhh soooo freaking cool:)

*You are so loved Elder Bramwell...wherever you go!!

The Week of the Sick

February 22, 2016

Poor Elder Simpson :(

Dear family and friends! 

This week wasn't too exciting to be honest, not for me at least! Elder Simpson was having strange fevers and chest pains starting last Sunday that weren't going away and keeping us from proselyting. Well we headed to a clinic and they told him he needs to get a scope put down his throat to check out his stomach. haha. It was very surprising and felt like a shot in the dark because the doctors only asked him questions about the symptoms, but it turns out they found something! He has a common bacteria growing inside him that was giving him all these troubles. They got him the drugs he needs and he seems to be doing fine now! It was really cool because the doctor let me be in the room and watch the live feed of the tube going into his stomach. It looked very uncomfortable, but fascinating!:) 

That is about all that happened on our end this week. We did get to go proselyte yesterday and find a new potential investigator named Johnathan. He and his family are Jehovah witnesses, but besides what you might think he was very welcoming and let us sharing our message with him. It was nice and what is even better is he's our next door neighbor!

Last night we were invited by Aneli and Raju and Monu, our Indian friends, to eat Indian food for the second time. It was great! It's like I get to serve in India and Ghana:)

 

One thing that you might find funny, but that is terribly annoying for us is our other neighbor Sis Rose has 8 dogs that go crazy all throughout the night! Elder Simpson and I both woke up one night and couldn't take anymore so we ran out and through some rocks to scare them off. haha. I hope she isn't surprised if some of those dogs go missing... Only joking:) 

Well family and friends, I know the Church is true, I know that God is our Heavenly Father, that he has a perspective on our lives we cannot understand, and that He loves us. He works in mysterious ways so never think his hand isn't at work in your life. I know His son, Jesus Christ, is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. That he loves us and His arm is stretched out to us always. I love you all. This is my humble testimony I bear in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Just some pictures from the week...

The group picture is my district before Elder Maendesa and Egwu got transferred. If you can find my companion, I'll give you 1 cedi!

Our couch and what not:) 

*Look at that desk!!! This couldn't be my son's!!! LOL
A mission is good. :)

*Hmmm...okay I would eat this.

*This looks like desperate times, but I bet he says it was delicious!!! 

Grateful Elder

Elder Simpson...The Marine :)

February 15, 2016

Almost forgot my new companion!

 "What's that up there Gerald?"
"I don't know I think it's one of them Investigators." :)

 

We have good times.
Fun fact... He's in the Marines so he and I talk a lot about that because of my Dad and my interests as well:)

*Fun fact... We're going to dinner with Elder Simpson's parents March 16th...Can't wait to share these pics! LOL

Still In Ghana!

February 15, 2016

Dear Family and Friends, 

How was the week? I'm still here pushing along. "Put your shoulder to the wheel!" You know:) Being on mission is such a mental game. Sometimes time feels like your enemy so you start wishing it would pass faster and others you realize how short it can be and are trying to slow it down:) I love it out here and am grateful to be a missionary.

This week was sort of crazy. We got transfer news, but we didn't expect any changes since it was only a four week transfer and we are all here opening a new area. The Lord works in mysterious ways though and there are some changes to the District! Elder Edwards will stay training Elder Chipapala (from Malawi), but Elder Simpson and my companions are leaving the area! Meaning Elder Egwu and Elder Maendesa are both going on transfer and President has put Elder Simpson and I together!:) I'm excited, two Utah boys out here in a huge four-man apartment. 

The reason for the change is they are short on missionaries right now so they are pulling missionaries from certain areas. Komenda is now a two-man area instead of four. I'll miss Elder Egwu and Elder Maendesa because African companions make things really fun, but Elder Simpson and I will figure out some ways to stay happy:) 

We should be getting our bikes tomorrow too so that we don't have to walk out to the training college (about 45 min walk). It worked out really well though because all of us contacted and had gospel conversations with the whole area finding investigators and now it's left with two of us to teach them:) I don't know when they will bring the branch to Komenda, but we will be here planting seeds and preparing the people for their opportunity to receive ordinances like baptism and confirmation.

Today we went and visited the Cape Coast Castle famous for British/European colonization and for its history of slave trading. It was really eye opening to walk through the dungeons and see how these people were treated. I am grateful because I was able to learn a lot of history about my mission and humbled by their past. The Castle itself is a really beautiful place and you'll find many European tourists. The time we were their and the feelings I felt, I kept thinking of the Plan of Salvation and finding peace in that knowing that those were abused and treated so poorly are in a place of rest. They are God's children and I know he has a special place prepared for those who had to endure such trials in their life. 

Ok Family and Friends. I love you all so much. I am always so appreciative when I receive your emails they give me strength!. Sometimes I don't have time to reply, but I read them:) I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored upon the earth today. It is the way we can find true happiness in our life and have peace for those who have passed on. It is my humble testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love, Elder Bramwell. Happy Valentines by the way!

  "The door of no return" means exactly what it says, if they send you there you wont come back.   

This was the Dungeon for the women.

The men's was underground, no windows just darkness.

The flowers are from descendants of those slaves showing their respect for their loved ancestors.

The pizza is really expensive pretty ok pizza:) Think of microwaves:)

Elder Egwu, companion for a couple of weeks.

And from this Valentine picture, I apparently can't spell my own last name. haha

Fishermen... Fisher of Men!

February 8, 2016

Fishermen... Fisher of Men :)

"It was hard! The sun beats you and they had to pull for 4 hours, I pulled for 20 min and was already getting tired. If you shake one of the fisherman's hands, it doesn't feel like a hand. It feels like a piece of raw leather."

Creatures Great and Small

February 8, 2016

NOPE!

NOPE!

YES! YES! YES!

A BOY GOTTA EAT! :(
*THAT'S A PIG NOT THE LITTLE DEER! LOL

Press Forward Saints

February 8, 2016

Dear family and friends:)

Komenda is doing well! As time goes we learn more and more about where are center of strength is and I personally find more love for these people and area. 

So far we haven't had any investigators come to church. It's hard because they would have to travel a short way to attend and money is a problem for most individuals and families here. We love them though and are at the very least planting seeds in the hearts of many for when the church does establish a branch here. I'm not sure if I previously said that it may be possible to have our baptisms in the ocean because the nearest chapel with a font is over an hour away! That would be really exciting:)

I would like to give a shout out to my big wonderful sister Shea:) Turning 31 this coming Thursday so if you see here give her a big hug and kiss from me! I love you sister!:)

Birthday wishes written in the sands of time!

We had a really cool experience to sit down and talk with the head over the production of the new sugar factory here in Komenda. The Indian government is making it so he is from India:) He spoke pretty good English, but it was still hard to understand. He invited us into his nice home and we sat and talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ! For him he accepts all Gods which was nice and frustrating, but he said he wants to come to a church while he's in Ghana so he said he will have is driver take him to our church next Sunday! 

It was really humbling because this man holds a high position in the government and work and yet he understood the importance of listening to the word of God and treated us with the up most respect:) It was just really nice and a way my Heavenly Father has shown his love for me:)

We are having a lot of new investigators. It's hard to write about each one of them, but as of recent we started teaching a women named Kate. She speaks English, but her husband only speaks Fante. They have 6 sweet little girls. She was really touched when we talked about families and related that love she has for her children to the love Heavenly Father has for us. 

That is my favorite thing to talk about with investigators, especially those with children. Just letting them know God loves them and their children. I'm not sure by experience, but it seems like those with children have a better understanding of the greatness of God'ss love for us.

This next week should be really exciting, Today we roasted a pig and helped fishermen pull in nets (from land.) Tomorrow is a zone meeting... with food:) and Wednesday is interviews with President! 

Dear Family and Friends, it's my prayer that we will press forward, remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ. Life enya easy kraaaa ( Life's not easy at all):) But the Gospel is so sweet and can give us that peace that we desire. This is my humble testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

O te den?

February 1, 2016

Dear Family and Friends,

Boko nasway! Well I have had to learn some Fante now as they don't speak any Twi here in Komenda! It's ok though because Twi is really similar so they understand when I speak it, I just don't understand them:)

My first real week in the area! What can I say it's a new area! The fun part is there are endless people to teach because missionaries have only visited, but never lived here. 

There is a big community of Indian workers though building a sugar factory:) This was exciting to me because as some may know I went to India before my mission! I was able to meet the chef of all the Indian workers, Anile or something, and he has invited me anytime to come and eat Indian food:) For Me I see it as a blessing from the Lord because I really wanted to serve a mission in India as well, but now there is a small community living across the street.

We are still getting to know the area and adjusting to this new change. I am at least:) Komenda is big and it's hard to know where to start. Luckily we have the members of the Kissi Branch to sort of guide our work. 

So far we have been introduced to the former Branch president of Kissi, Bro. Bodo, and his wife, Sis. Hagar. They are crucial to this work because as a former branch president he knows a lot of people who might be interested in the work!

I wouldn't say we have any serious progressing investigators yet, but we have met some amazing prepared people. One of whom is Brother Paul. He is a phone credit salesman near the main station. Every time we pass he wants to have a discussion. It's awesome. He has so many questions though it is hard to begin! That seems to be the case for a lot of people we have begun teaching. They are so interested in why we are here and what the Book of Mormon is and our church. It's wonderful. Bro Ben is another more serious investigator. He has believed all that we have taught him so far and has a desire to continue learning.

Opening a new area feels like eating an Elephant sometimes, but "one bite at a time" and we will get the hang of things. :)

Komenda has two parts like I think I mentioned, British and Dutch. There is a British fort we stopped by to check out and for some reason it had a big Boy Scout symbol on one of the walls?! It has been there for a long time so I'm not sure if the British colonizers were also Boy Scouts or what. The cool part here is it is all open to the public. It's a little sad because nothing is preserved, but it's nice not having to pay a fee to visit somewhere:)

Dear family and Friends, I know my Savior lives. This is His work and His glory. I am grateful to be a part of that. Thank you for all your love, support, emails, letters,  and prayers, they mean the world to me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Birthday cakes, eye doctors and castles:)

*The Big Gun sitting on a big gun!

*Fun find. Elder Bramwell is an Eagle Scout.

*You always gotta lick the bowl! If it were me, I would just stick my face in there. Get the job done. :)

*Elder Bramwell found a member with an oven!!! She baked the boxed cake I sent him for his birthday. That's my baby boy!

A visit to the eye doctor. New prescription! New glasses!

Commander! (Komenda)

Komenda.
Opening a new area.
Being a part of African church history!

January 25, 2016

Family, Friends! Indeed, I made it out to my new area! 

Turns out I was misinformed. It's spelled and pronounced Komenda not commander haha either way its a pretty cool place! 

It is a small fishing town right on the coast. From our humble mansion of a apartment it is about a 5 or 10 min walk to the ocean. It's really beautiful here and looks a lot like what I saw when I first Googled "Cape Coast Ghana."

The people here are friendly, but it is a little different then the village I was serving in before. It is a new area as well which is cool because we are meeting a lot of people who have never heard about our church or the restored gospel! 

My companion, Elder Egwu, is from Nigeria. He's a sweet guy:) I know why they call him the 'Apostle" because when we are not doing something he is studying his scriptures! It's sweet. 

I really love being by the ocean and having a constant breeze wherever we go. There are a hundred or more fishing boats out on the water and on the shore. I thought it was cool as were exploring the area to know now I am literally calling fishermen to be fishers of men just like Jesus Christ:) That was a powerful realization. 

So far we have just been exploring and mapping out the area. We are under the Kissi Branch which is just a nearby town. Because we are a little cut off from everything though we are going to probably be receiving bikes in the next few weeks! I'm excited about that, the elders in Kissi use bikes as well:) I was excited to see my MTC mate Elder Edwards is one of the Kissi elders so we will be having a good time in the same district:)

The longer I have spent on mission the more and more I realize how blessed I am to have the life I have and have had back home. It's surreal to think how different my home life is like compared to my daily life here on mission. It's good though because I have really been able to gain a respect for different nations and cultures. I'm even gaining that now for my companion from Nigeria!

Before I forget, on our way to church Sunday we saw a huge either black mamba or cobra! It was crazy! Almost the full length of the road we were on (6 or 7 feet) and probably as thick as a two inch pipe! haha. Everyone in the car was freaking out. The driver instead of speeding up started to slow down and all the people were saying, "go go go!" So that was a highlight of my week. 

You know it's really hard saying goodbye to Akrofuom. I miss them a lot. I get calls from recent converts and investigators though telling me how grateful they were for me in there lives. That always touches my heart and lets me know I've done something good.

Dear friends and family, I know this church is true. It's undeniable. I am so grateful for it in my life because life is pretty scary trying to figure out on your own. I am grateful for mentors and teachers in my life. My two sisters and dear mother and father. I love my friends. I bear my testimony this is the work of God. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. If we look to him, he will show us our weaknesses and we cannot fail. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Also it's really, really hot here and everywhere in Ghana right now:)

Love-Elder Bramwell. 

Komenda, Ghana

Final goodbye with Elder Peterson

Elder Bramwell and Elder Egwu (The Apostle)
District Leaders opening Komenda.

Our district plus the Branch Presidency in Kissi.
There are 6 elders in the district including me.
*The fourth elder in from the right is Elder Edwards. Gunnar was in the MTC with him. The elder on the far right is a Marine, Elder Simpson. Semper Fi!

Home Sweet Home

The Palace :)

Watch out for black mambas crossing the road!!!