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