Elder Evans is still alive!

I was extremely stressed before coming to the Ghana MTC...I was worried about getting along with African Elders, worried about the cafeteria food not being enough or not being good, worried about the showers only having cold water, worried about my testimony...

But everything is very ok! I am loving it at the Ghana MTC.

3 catering companies are competing for being the official caterer of the Ghana MTC, so the food we eat is delicious (rice, meat, exotic fruits and vegetables, yummy African food) and we get a lot of it. I am well fed, all the time.

The African Elders are awesome. The mission president and his wife emphasize that us elders are the "pioneers of Africa." The African Elder's are so solidly grounded in the church, and when they bear testimony of the church, they state the fundamental principles of the gospel with such sincerity and love. They are not concerned with "looking like a gospel scholar/expert," but instead state the truths that they know to be true.

Talking with the Native French speakers is one of the best parts of the Ghana MTC. Most of the African Elders know Elder Evans as the ho tries to speak to the African French speakers, and they are always so kind and happy to speak to me in French. During meals, my district (group of missionaries) and I will sit among the French speakers, and they help us improve our French, and we help them learn English. When passing African French speakers, I'll often call out French phrases that I'm learning, they laugh, I laugh, and then they respond with an English phrase. 

It's really fun, because the Elders who embrace making mistakes when practicing the language have the best time. 

I would guess that there are about 150 Elders in the Ghana MTC. I would say about 35 American Elders, and then the rest are from the African continent. 

The showers have warm water! However, it is so hot, I often take cold showers.

There are a couple of really good ping pong players here...I lost two games yesterday.

In the last two weeks, I have come to know better that oftentimes, we just have to act, even if we do not know exactly how things are going to turn out. Jumping into a French conversation is intimidating and sometimes embarassing, but it always benefits me in the end. I am not the perfect gospel teacher, but I must open my mouth, and take action having faith that Heavenly Father appreciates my efforts to serve Him.

I know that the principles of our gospel lead to happiness, I know that the Book of Mormon has brought me happiness, and I know that repenting and utilizing the Atonement has brought me peace. The Book of Moromon is True.

See you all later!!