The Game of Life!

January 11, 2016

Dear Family and Friends:)

I had a really full and fun week! First went down to the mission home for some Leadership training which is always wonderful meeting with President Stevenson. Best President in the whole world! haha. And then I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Raphael in our area, Akrofuom.

Elder Raphael is from Kenya and speaks Swahili which is the language from the Lion King song! We made something called chapati's in the morning. It's a super delicious pancake type meal that they eat with about anything back home. Me, I ate it with sugar like an American. lol. I am excited to be able to make all of these fun super cheap foods back home for my family and future wife??

He is probably the funniest Elder I know. haha. Just thinking about the exchange...It was so much fun. He loves to talk and make friends so I was able to learn some good things from him. From that Exchange we were able to pick up two new investigators Sister Dina and Rebecca. Both in their teens and both accepted to be baptized! We didn't know it at first, but their mother is actually a member of our church. Works out well. 

We are currently preparing Bro Felix for baptism this Sunday. He is a young boy, 14 years old. His extended family are all members, but his father and mother are heading different ways. His father is a really funny guy named ECOMOG? Its a name he gave himself so I don't know what it means. He has a saying written above his door that translates, "Give everything to God, but wait there's a problem?" Meaning if you give everything you won't have anything left. It's funny, but at the same time not at all true. If we give everything to God, he will give us everything back:)

So transfer news is coming!... and yes my tag is on the chopping block for this one! Even I dodged a bullet last transfer. It is still possible I will be able to stay for one more , but I can feel it in my bones, it's unlikely..."I will go where you want me to go dear Lord." I really will miss Akrofuom. These people will always have a part of my heart. Always. The exciting thing is they are moving the Akrofuom Elders to Akrofuom this transfer so there won't be any travel. I'm jealous because serving in an area where you actually stay sounds awesome! haha. I know you'd be able to connect with the people better.

Dear Family and Friends. The Gospel makes sense... it really does. Like I heard in a recording of a devotional talk this morning. Life is like a Football game(American Football) Our bodies are our old jerseys that we were so excited to come to earth and get. Our resurrected bodies will be our brand new jerseys we will get. We were all so excited to come and play in the "Big Game." Heavenly Father loves us so much and is rooting for us. We have our brother, Jesus Christ as our coach and example. And like my dad has taught me, and the Savior, we can only fail if we choose to. Brothers and Sisters, this is my humble testimony I leave with you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Making Chapati's with Elder Raphael

Elder Raphael...funny guy!

This is a 30 ft well they dug by hand and pick...for the new apartment in Akrofuom. No machines in Ghana, too expensive. They dug this in 4 days. Crazy.

Africa's red sun sunsets

Afe seisei yetease (Another Happy New Year greeting:)

My Dortmund jersey I bought today. haha. It's a German team, but I liked the way it looked. And they even put a 4 on the back for me:) *4 is Elder Bramwell's favorite number :)




January 4, 2016

Family! How was your New Years? Mine was pretty awesome:) First we had a little shin dig at the apartment and popped bottles with cutlasses, lol, non alcohol of course. And then the next day we had a branch party which entailed us pounding lots of fufu. Like a crazy amount, and then eating a crazy amount of food. lol. I have never been so full of fufu and what they call jolof rice in my life! It was amazing. The presidency of our branch kept trying to bring us more and more food and by the end I was begging, me pacho me pacho (please please) haha. 

I love you guys so much and I miss you each and every one of you. Life is amazing. This is what it's all about right?! I know this is the Lord's work. He has called me as imperfect as I am.  I know with all my heart he knows me. He loves me and each every one of us. I have felt His presence in my life many a time. I love you guys with all my heart. Have an amazing new year! 

Elder Gun Bun Gunnar Stanley Yaw Asanka Bramwell:)

The week after Christmas Ghana gave to me...

December 28, 2015

Well family and friends, the Christmas is over! Not really for Ghana though. In fact, we had all of our Christmas meals after Christmas. In fact, from what I hear the New Year celebration is a lot bigger? Afe nko mmetye, Ghanaian way of saying, "Hope we will be around next year." haha. But you can think of it like Happy New Year:)

The week was super wonderful for a multitude of reasons. One, we had almost every chair filled in our humble chapel which I have never seen and many of our investigators a part! Even dear Sis Ophilia has been coming to church again which makes me beyond excited, and I am praying we can have her baptism before I get transferred! I love her! 

The next and best was being able to Skype with my family! It's not all that easy to Skype home here especially when you serve in a, well, 'bush' area like Akrofuom. We ended up finding the only man in Akrofuom with Christmas lights who was a cousin of our member and he dedicated his whole day getting us able to skype home. God bless him. He tried 3 different computers, traveled from town to town, and eventually got it working on his phone! We had never met the man before, but I think we will have a wonderful relationship in the future:)

My family and friends, trust in the Lord. That has been something I have really been struggling and working on this past transfer. We can't live this life alone and from the words of a blessing once pronounced to me, "We are not meant to walk this life alone. God is there. You just have to let him help you." 

I am so Grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. This is what life is really about and most of what surrounds us is just filling. The icing though is the Atonement, our families, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ:) I love the Lord and His work. I send my love to warm your cold bodies this Christmas season. I have plenty of heat to give!

Sincerely, Elder Bramwell:)

Best Christmas Gift EVER!!!

December 25, 2015

*The boy called home!!! We love this face!!!

It actually was a Christmas miracle. The Elders weren't quite sure how or if they were going to Skype on Christmas. But they met a handsome young Ghanaian man the day before who wasn't a member, but was the cousin of a member. He offered to let the Elders use his phone to Skpye. Not only did he let them use his phone, but when the phone didn't work he traveled all the way back home (which was of some distance) to get another phone. Then he stayed with them all day allowing the Elder's to be able to Skype at leisure with their families. We are forever grateful to this young man for providing us with such a priceless gift!!!!

Afishia Pa! (Merry Christmas! in Twi)

A visit to the mission home and a special Christmas program with President Stevenson.

December 21, 2015

Merry Christmas family! Merry Christmas friends!

Things in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission are well:) Missing home during this time of year, but who wouldn't! I'll hopefully be able to Skype with my family this Christmas:)

We had a wonderful Christmas program at the mission home with lots of delicious foods and Christmas spirit! My favorite part was when we watched the Christmas Carol:)

We had a lot of investigators attend church this last Sunday and even had the opportunity to teach all of them in a investigators class. The time ran out as we were teaching and I said, "Okay, next week I'll answer the question of why we use water instead of wine." And all grown adults started speaking in twi like school boys and girls, haha. I felt like a school teacher for a moment:) All is well here though. Elder Peterson and I are working hard! Thank you for your love and support and thank you so much to the family that sent an unexpected Christmas package:) It was inspired!

Love, Elder Bramwell

P.S. The desks on the bed were a gift from our zone leaders lol. They sent us a text saying, "Deck the beds with desks of holly." And we came home to find this! haha. We got them back;)

Time? Sounds like a theory to me!

Elder Griffin and his last companionship unity activity. Making shirts:)
*These two discovered they are related. My mother's maiden name was Griffin :)

And the next is Elder Peterson and me:) If you look closely, the ties we are wearing are made out of beads!

December 14, 2015

I must say I don't know where the past 6 months have gone... I think it is a blessing from Heavenly Father:)

I got my new companion Elder Peterson from Ogden UT. The nicest person I think I have ever met:) He is a Venture scout, worked construction, went to a charter school... I mean we are two peas in a pod! I really enjoy serving with him though. He loves the Lord and his honesty in the work brings the spirit to our companionship. 

This week we had Bro Cash, Sis Sabina, Bro Felix, Sis Margret, Bro Frank all at church! Whata Wow! I love all of these peoples so much and though I can't say when any of them will progress to baptism, it is my favorite part of each day to meet with this brothers and sisters and talk about the Gospel.

I am always reminded of the shortness of my service here.. It scares me sometimes. I love it so much. When you feel yourself lost in the moment the feeling is unexplainable, but when you look around the time has past too fast! Blessing and a curse:)

I saw Christ-like love and the brotherhood of missionary work this week as one of our fellow Elders got malaria. Even though it was so sad to see, we had all the Elders Over for practicing a Christmas song so everyone was there to support and love. I love my fellow Elders:) 

I have been reading through the Book of Matthew this month to remember the birth and life of Jesus Christ. He has changed my life. He has given me a strong desire to live life to the fullest. I am forever grateful. Family and Friends, I love you and I am so grateful for all your letters, emails and prayers. It is wonderful, it is wonderful to be children of God and trying saints to our Savior. It is wonderful:)

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior , Amen:)

Sincerely, Elder Bramwell

A Trip to Accra

December 7, 2016

Dear Family and Friends:)

What a wonderful and different week:) I got to go to Accra for some medical exams and whata wow! It was like going back to America! We ate steak burgers, and ice cream... It was amazing:) Elder Park came with me and the couple missionaries Elder and Sister Hanlon (I believe it is spelled.) They really treated us so well. They said they like to spoil the missionaries whenever they have to do something like this so we enjoyed!:) I almost forgot. The best part was while the Halon's took care of some business, Elder Park and I got to walk around the Accra Temple Grounds and just feel the spirit and take pictures:) That was by far my favorite part.

I don't know how it will be when I return home, but on mission those seemingly small experiences like walking the temple ground out-weigh any steak burger:) Like elder Park said, "This day will stand out like a red flag in a field of green." It was truly a memorable trip.

Transfer news came! It turns out Elder Griffin is leaving to Swedru which is crazy because he just finished his training. I'll be staying in Akrofuom with Elder Peterson who is in Elder Griffin's Mtc Group and I've been called to be the District Leader in Achiase:) I'm really excited and overwhelmed, but I love new challenges and look forward to learning a whole lot more about the Gospel!

I'm really excited to stay for Christmas though because I love the people here so much I would be sad to leave them during this time:) They are doing so well and we are slowly bringing more and more people unto the Fold. This week I've really been feeling a change in the way I see people and teach them. At first being out here I just wanted to baptize them, but now I am beginning to want to really help them and show them how the Atonement can heal there lives.

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ so much and this opportunity to share it for two years...I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I'll give you all a word of advice. If you lose a persons pot in Ghana and they tell you not to buy them a new one, don't buy them a new one!;) They will be angry with you??

I love you all so much. Thank you for your prayers. I feel them. I know when I am being helped beyond my own and it's wonderful so thank you so much. The Church is true. It really is. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen:)

Sincerely, Elder Bramwell

A taste of home.

Traditional Ghanaian Clothing

Biggest Moseque in Ghana 

Kente!

November 30, 2015

My Kente scripture bag!!!
(Zat you Elder Griffin?)

Ghanaian Kente Cloth

Kente Cloth is local to Ghana, a country located in West Africa. Kente Cloth there was worn by royalty. It is hand woven in wooden looms and is of very high worth. It comes in a variety of patterns, colors and designs, each of which have different meanings. According to Ghanaian mythology, kente cloth was first created when 2 friends watched how a spider wove its web. By mimicking the actions of the spiders, they created Kente cloth the same way. This story, wether true or not, shows the harmony between Ghanaians and mother nature.

Here is the Kente tie of the Foso 4! Me and my 3 other TC's (mtc brothers/sisters) all had the same tie made and call ourselves the Foso 4.

This is a removable cover for my hymn book:)

Thanksgiving :)

November 30, 2015

"Mom, it was a LEGIT Thanksgiving meal!"

Dear Family and Friends, sorry to brief this email, but I am doing well. The work is progressing right on track (Lord's timing + our all). Being a missionary is the best thing I have ever been blessed to do:) I love you all and am grateful for your love and support. I'll see you again next week!

Sincerely, Elder Bramwell


*I mailed Gunnar a Thanksgiving box...instant mashed potatoes and trukey gravy, Stove Top stuffing, Marie Callender's cornbread mix, turkey Spam, everything for the green bean casserole, raspberry Jello, and a Jello cheescake. This is what happened...

Elder Griffin was tired and Elder Atu Ake isn't American so Elder Cole and I were like, "Well we can try baking or we could just make individual things... let's go all out!"

So Elder Cole and I just went to town and made everything in the box and we bought some chicken... it was so awesome hahaha.  We didn't know if we could do it because of the no oven issue, but Elder Cole said he had seen it done before in a rock pot oven.  Yeah we made a rock pot oven!! It was awesome! It was the best Thanksgiving ever. I'm so grateful:) and so is everyone else in the apartment. We were all freaking out when it was done. 

You'll see the way we made an oven. You take a big pot, put rocks in the bottom, then put a smaller pot on the rocks, and shabam! We spent like 2-3 hours preparing it. haha. Yeah, definitely 3.

Rock Oven!

*Gunnar said the cornbread was his favorite thing. It actually looks really yum!

Of course the green bean casserole.

Elder Cole and Elder Bramwell...being thankful!

The cheese cake was one of the best parts! We were all like, "Wait, we actually get dessert too?!" 

In Ghana you don't get dessert.