The death star exploded behind him as he flew out! #ripkambear

Sunday, November 5, 2017:

5:00 AM: Elder Henderson and Elder Whipple are peacefully sleeping in their apartment.

5:15 AM: Elder Whipple is awoken to a sudden and frantic realization that we never filled up the baptismal font for our fast-approaching baptismal service. Elder Whipple proceeds to wake up Elder Henderson.

5:20 AM: Elders Henderson and Whipple arrive at the church building in their pajamas with a large trash bag full of baptismal clothing... No gate keys. Two white guys hop the fence with a large black bag full of stuff. #notsuspiciousatall 

5:22 AM: Elder Whipple turns the faucet to begin filling the baptismal font with water. Nothing happens. Goes and checks the water tank. The tank is EMPTY.

5:23 AM: Elder Whipple and Elder Henderson start panicking because we are supposed to baptize seven people in two hours and we have no water.

5:30 AM: We call the groundskeeper for the building, David, and ask him to send a water truck. David rolls out of bed and makes the call.

5:35 AM: David calls back and says the water truck will be at the church building at 7:00 AM.

5:37 AM: We call the Branch President, who lives very deep in Odumase, and ask for the keys so we can let the water truck in. He says he will send someone with them.

6:15 AM: Elder Henderson and Elder Whipple are showered and wearing Priesthood attire.

6:30 AM: Investigator, Joe, calls us and says he's at the church building and he has the keys.

6:35 AM: We collect the keys from Joe and open up the building. Joe returns to his home (driving his bus of course) to get ready for the baptism.

6:40 AM: Elder Henderson and Elder Whipple are collecting the baptismal clothing and organizing it for each candidate.

6:55 AM: The water truck arrives and starts filling up the font and the tank. 

7:15 AM: Candidates and members start showing up. Elder Henderson starts the prelude music.

Needless to say, Sunday morning was a roller coaster. But it all worked out. We had 5 baptisms go through and the other Elders had 2 so that was really sweet. Our little branch is really happy right now. And it was a great way for Elder Whipple to finish his mission #ripkambear. He's already in Kumasi now so I'm rocking a trio companionship with the Fiapre Elders, Elder Barnum and Elder Dennis, until my new companion, Elder Congwa from Zambia, gets here from Tamale on Wednesday.

I know I said that we would be having 7 baptisms, but unfortunately only 5 were able to go through. So this week, Benjamin, Comfort, Alice, Joe, and Mary were all baptized. 

Benjamin and Joe both called us late last night, too, and bore powerful testimonies to us over the phone about their conversion and how they knew that their baptisms were true. It was really powerful and a very special thing for us to be able to witness. It nearly brought me to tears to hear Benjamin tell us that when he first met us while we were singing, he had no idea that "it was God calling [him] back home." It was a really moving conversation.

The quote of the week also comes from Benjamin as we were creating his membership record:

"I may forget my anniversary, I may forget my son's birthday, but I will never forget the day I was baptized."

Also, we had Mission Tour this week with Elder Kacher of the Seventy. I was really grateful because I've been out for 13 months now and this is the first time a General Authority has visited this mission. His instruction was really powerful. He spoke a lot about self-purification, and what we can do to carry the Spirit with us more. We sang a musical number, The Prayer by Josh Groban, but we changed the Italian to Twi. It was cool.

Also, for part of his instruction, Elder Kacher was showing ways we can invite the Spirit back into lessons if we lose control. To give an example he pulled me up to the front and asked me to sing Nearer My God to Thee, immediately following, he had two other missionaries share scriptures about Jesus Christ and then we all sang I Know That My Redeemer Lives. It was super powerful! I really enjoyed.

Well that's about it for this week! Shout out to Brother Whipple! #yourenumberoneinmyheartkambear #dontworrykambearisaninsidejoke #itsmeantfortia

Elder Henderson

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Impromptu singing at Elder Kacher's request

Cute kids from Fiapre

Elder and Whipple and I with Benjamin, his wife Linda (soon to be baptized) and their son, Gio

Elder Whipple and I with Kelvin

Gone with the Whipple

Transfers are this week! That's crazy because it feels like Elder Whipple just got here and now he's going back to the farm. #ripkambear Hopefully he won't enjoy 1st world conditions and good food too much without me. It still doesn't really feel real like he is going.

Also, we are FINALLY having mission tour this week! Tuesday! #halloween #muahahaha That's also great because I've now been out for 13 months and we still haven't had a single mission tour. But it should be good now! Elder Kacher of the Seventy is coming. Should be really great!

Elder Whipple and I had to push back all of our baptisms for one reason or another and now they have all piled up on this coming Saturday. So basically there are 7 people we are preparing for baptism this week. Alice, Dove, Comfort, Andrews, Benjamin, Joe, and Mary! It's gonna be a sweet day!

Basically Elder Whipple is going out with a bang. The Death Star is exploding as he flies out. #verydramatic

Elder Henderson

Andrews, Alice, and Benjamin

Isaac (1st counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency), his wife Comfort, and their children

Joe, Mary, and Thomas

Whipple Whipple Whipple Whipple Whipple Yeah!

Opposition is running rampant in the streets! At least among our investigators.

Basically we found out this week that the Church has a REALLY bad name in Odumase. Particularly on the far side of town. Our street-side singing got shut down because rumors apparently were spreading that we were chanting and putting spells on people. Apparently the song, "I Believe in Christ" makes people go crazy and drink blood. #themoreyouknow 

Anyway, despite Satan's efforts WE CANNOT BE STOPPED. Due to some unfortunate unforeseen circumstances Dove's baptism had to be postponed until this next week but no problem! This week we are planning to baptize Dove, Andrews, Joe and Mary! I think it'll be a pretty good week to be honest. These guys have been really strong despite a lot of things trying to stop them from progressing.

Basically there are a lot of circumstances from opposing friends and family, to opposing and oppressive employers that are really trying to tear down some really amazing people. But luckily the Lord has blessed us with some of the coolest and most humble and powerful investigators ever and that's all I can ask for.I love you all dearly! I attached some pictures! Love you!

Elder Henderson

Watch me Whipple, watch me nae nae.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children young and old, we had a great week this week! Like seriously a GREAT week! Elder Whipple and I did thrust in our sickles, proselyted 50+ hours this week and reaped some serious sheaves. They shall be gathered into the garners, if you know what I mean. #lookitup #alma26:5

First off, can I just say that we have some of the coolest investigators in the world? Benjamin (who is from Lebanon) and his wife Linda needed an interview this week from our zone-leaders because of their Muslim background but they are remaining super powerful and came to church this week! They are in love with the idea of eternal marriage so we are working right now to help them prepare for the temple. #mindyoutheyneedtobebaptizedfirst #november4th Also, married couple, Alice and Ezekiel, came to church this week and they are also progressing rapidly. Especially Alice. She had her Book of Mormon out and was taking notes throughout all the meetings. Also, our other married couple, Joe and Mary drove their bus to church and took their daughter, Blessing, with them. It was great they took their bus because they were able to take many other members who live in Odumase home for no charge. Including our 18 year old less active member, Mary, who finally came back to church today! We are working to prepare her for a mission. Also, we met a guy this week name Andrews who has a brother who was baptized in Barcelona a few years ago and told Andrews to look up the church and join it. He also came. ALSO, our guy, Dove, came and we are preparing to baptize him this coming Saturday! The 1st counselor in the Elder's Quorum's non-member wife, Comfort, finally came to church with him too! #itwasaprettygoodday. Needless to say our investigator class almost exceeded the Gospel Doctrine class. But yeah, anyway we had 10 investigators at church yesterday. And they are ALL progressing. #YEEAAAAHHHHHH

Elder Whipple and I have been getting a TON of success, and here's the interesting thing, God was the one who led all these incredibly well prepared people to us. We really didn't do much. All we really did was go out and sing some hymns on the side of the road. #africamissionthemusical Mind you, not all these investigators were found as we were singing, but none of them were found tracting. #mostcommonformoffindinginthismission I seriously don't have a better explanation than these people were all led to us by the Spirit. All we did was go out, do our thing, and try to be obedient and diligent in the process. "And behold the number of [our] sheaves." Diligence alone is simply not enough. When both companions are on the same page and striving to be exactly obedient, miracles happen. I'm a personal witness right now! #greatmarriageprinciple

I love you all! Doing great this week and I hope all of you are doing great as well!

PS I know it's been over a year but if you are reading this and you haven't emailed me in a while, I still love you, and as many as will repent will be forgiven. #thatisahint I do read all emails that come to me, even if I don't have time to respond to them.

PPS Haha, no I have not gotten hit by any moving vehicles this week. And no I've never been hit by anything moving faster than 5 mph.

PPPS This last bit is a public apology to my mother for forgetting to take pictures this week. Thank goodness for repentance #amiright?

Elder Henderson

Half-time Report

For those of you just tuning in, Henderson is leading 12-0 at the end of the first half. Which just goes to show that you simply can't have any true baptisms without proper Priesthood Authority. Here are the stats:

• Served with 6 companions (3 Americans, 3 Africans)
• Served in 3 areas (All different regions)
• Been hit by 3 cars and 2 motorcycles #manofsteel
• Gone through 2 watches
• Lost 25 pounds
• Thrown up 3 times
• Gotten Malaria 0 times (This is the real indicator of victory)
• Eaten 1 dog
• Converted 0 Muslims
• Baptized 0 seven-year-olds 
• Chased 1 intruder out of my apartment

As you can see it's been a pretty eventful year here in the sub-Sahara. But it has only been one year. The truly great thing about a mission is that I get two of them! I'm so excited to see what this next year brings. It has gone by really fast and I know this next year will go by even faster, so I need to relish every moment.

It's interesting, because, especially when you serve in a third world country, it gets really easy to complain about your circumstance. For instance, I got a picture today from one of my friends serving in the states. The picture was her zone and each companionship was standing in front of their respective car. The other missionaries in the cafe and I had a good laugh because our cars are our feet. And it's constantly 1000 degrees outside and indoors doesn't exist here. #acalsodoesnotexist

But overall the work makes every inconvenience so worth it. In fact it makes you start to enjoy the inconveniences. I feel like Paul who began to glory in his tribulations. Mind you, I don't suffer at all comparative to Paul (I honestly don't suffer at all). But this week especially I was heavily reminded that this is indeed the Lord's work and it is indeed the work I was called to perform.

I have witnessed some remarkable progression in nearly all of our investigators. I have seen the Book of Mormon change people's lives. From Benjamin, to Alice, to Solomon. I am witnessing some true conversion taking place here because of the Book of Mormon. And it is a real miracle.

I've said this before and I will say it again: If you are considering serving a mission, do it. You can't say a mission is not for you. Missions are for everyone. If you face any challenges disagreements, or doubts in regard to the church, revisit and reread the Book of Mormon. Those who read the Book of Mormon daily develop the faith to move mountains. I've witnessed it. Society is flawed and has stumbled greatly. If you put your trust in the Scriptures and the Prophet more than a world that preaches moral relativism, you will be happy no matter what trials enter into your life. The family is the basic unit of heaven. They exist for our happiness, and they are the design by which exaltation is accomplished. We cannot attain true happiness without it. Remember that all good things come from God. And also, all things that come from Him are good and for the benefit and love of the children of men. I love you all! I wish you all the best for the next year until we meet again and I can witness to all of you in person the truth, as I have witnessed it first hand. Love you!

Whippled into shape!

This week... this week this week this week. You guys, the work MOVED this week. First off, I hope you all watched General Conference because it was particularly incredible this year. I also hope that you paid extra close attention to the addresses by President Nelson and President Eyring. Seriously amazing. I only got to watch, Saturday Afternoon, Priesthood, and Sunday Morning sessions, but I was still seriously moved by what I saw and heard. Elder Whipple and I were a little sad when none of our investigators showed up at the stake center at the start of the first session but afterwards we found that two of our investigators had actually shown up and we hadn't noticed. Solomon and Ezekiel. We were even happier when Solomon (apparently very moved by President Nelson's incredibly powerful remarks on the Book of Mormon) informed us that he was going to return home so he could study the Book of Mormon more!!! #apostlepower! #nelsonIchooseyou

This week I also promised Steven that if he decided to come he would hear a message that pertained directly to him. He and his wife, Ruth, showed up to priesthood session and from what he said, the promise was fulfilled. We also had some new investigators, Joseph and his wife Mary, #hahayesiknowivealreadymadetheconnection, came and spent their time in the relief society room where we had a translation in Twi going. They seemed to enjoy though we were really pleased.

Elder Whipple is very VERY powerful! This week we were able to get right to work looking for new ways to find. We began by going into town and just... singing! AND IT WORKED! We found like, 10 new investigators this week. It was powerful. #thepoweroftheatrekids #signingmissionarythesequal One investigator was a guy from Lebanon. Benjamin! #benjiforshort He's super powerful but still he couldn't make it to conference. 

We are exploring all kinds of new ways to find and I'm super excited to see what we come up with.

I just want to take a moment and sustain the words of President Eyring at the Priesthood session about our church leaders. I had a dramatic impact on me and I just want you all to know that I know that these men are called by God. The only perfect man who ever lived was the Savior. And the fact that God knows each of us so well as to know perfectly who to call to govern His church for the greatest benefit of everyone is truly a miracle. I think we can all follow President Eyring's council and be less critical of our church leaders. Without our faith success is not possible. It is the same way that a missionary cannot gain success if the investigator does not develop the faith to act and repent. We can strengthen the kingdom drastically if we decide now to recognize that God operates always through his chosen servants, and develop the faith to sustain them, and follow their council.

Love you guys! Here are some more pictures! (Mostly consisting of myself, and Elders Whipple, Barnum and Dennis.

Elder Henderson

 

Proselyting with Elder Whipple

French Toast Sunday!

Elder Boima (From Sierra Leone) and me on our way back from D.L. Training