Frustrations of an Empty Toolbox

Elder Doggett, Elder Cowan lunching at the Ivies!

Dear Family and Friends,

The Following is an excerpt from my journal. I didn't want to sugarcoat it, so this is how I am feeling: 

"So this week was beyond frustrating. I'm incredibly stressed out. I'm supposed to be training Elder Cowan; showing him how to play with the ropes, and we have no ropes. Our toolbox is empty. This area has problems, all of which are out of our control. Yesterday was an attempt at a missionary Sunday which failed miserably due to lack of preparation, commitment, and responsibility. We should have planned the day weeks ago at PEC meeting, but the only one who comes to said meeting is the missionaries and the branch president. Two weeks ago PEC was cancelled due to a stupid futbol match everyone wanted to watch…….Our area is too far from the church for people to attend……There are no active members in our proselyting area to help us, therefore we can't form a group (we were also informed last district meeting that President doesn't want us elders to push for a group; it has to go through the branch).  As we were watching the training videos, we realized we don't have any tools at our disposal…… I'm at the point where I simply don't know what to do; which leaves me feeling helpless. Until now on my mission I've had a goal, or something to work for at least an idea of what to do. I've run dry in the idea department. The most frustrating thing is that I know what needs to be done, but I can't force people to do their jobs.”

On a different note, our friend Perpetual sent us over to Elder and Sister Ivie's place with a gift of pineapple. They invited us in and gave us a tour; Sister Ivie was so excited to see us. Their flat is seriously the nicest I've ever seen in this country, it's a mansion, and it's only the top floor of the building. They only have to pay $300 a month for it.  After the grand tour, Sister Ivie said, "Hey are you guys hungry? I just made some soup!" We said we would not decline, haha. So she prepared us a meal with everything she had: soup, grilled cheese (yes!), pineapple, juice, peanuts, tigernuts, and chocolate. While she prepared it, we washed the dishes that were in the sink. It was an awesome visit, we got to know them better and share some insights about Ghana. Apparently a month after they got their call, Elder Ivie fell off a ladder and broke both wrists, his pelvis, and a vertebrae. He was expected to take at least 6 months to recover, but because of fasting and prayers he did so in only 3 months. Needless to say, the doctors couldn't believe it. I won't lie, it was nice to sit down and have a taste of home. I really needed it, too. Sister Ivie is such a sweet lady. She has the perfect 'grandma’ feel about her.

So, since everyone is probably wondering, we do have ONE person who is even close to progressing. Her name is S., she is a referral from a less active member, and she is about 20 years old. She is actually trying to understand our message, mostly about the Book of Mormon. She says when she reads it, she loves it, and that it feels like the Bible. But she's just a little stuck on the 'can't add or take away from the Bible'. We explained it, but a lot of people just need some time to get past it here. She was reading 3 Nephi 11 which we gave her and she got to the point where Jesus teaches the people how to baptize (we knew she would eventually). Last time we sat down with her, she asked every right question about baptism. How should it be done? Should children be baptized? Can someone be baptized again? Every question she asked led right into the next one, which led to a baptismal date. We extended one to her, and she accepted, but the next part is to get her to church. So I guess she needs some extra prayers.

Love,

Elder Doggett

Must have been a crazy 20th!!

P.S.  Mom, I've listened to every Joseph Smith CD but one…… I really enjoyed them!!  It helps to see that he's not just a name on a page, or a man in a story. He was a real human being with a real personality, who was called to lead God's kingdom!

 "It was funny and inspiring at the same time that this man could not even conceive of a culture, or circumstance, let alone a person, who would not believe our message. To him it is just so clear and obvious." 

We have a breach!!!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

            So I'm a terrible person because last week I had quite a few emails and I simply forgot to write back my general letter. So I'll repent, ok? Anyhow, things here are normal... for this country.

            Happy Birthday Elder Doggett! 20 years old this week. On my birthday, the Bybees came by to introduce the new senior couple from New Mexico, Elder and Sister Ivie. They are extremely nice people, and they're definitely in culture shock, haha. I started to write down some Fante for Sister Ivie, and she was a little overwhelmed, but willing to learn. When they all found out it was my birthday, they busted out the singing and peanuts. It was awesome, haha.

            So after they left we continued our weekly planning and toward the end, we heard a THUD outside followed by the sound of falling bricks.  We went to the window and saw a huge dump truck on the other side of our now collapsed outer wall, as the culprit. The driver had no idea what he was doing; I dunno who allowed him to be behind the wheel of that big rig. He also hit a tree beyond the wall, and almost took off the roof of a shop container as he backed toward his target, the welding shop. The landlord didn't even care when we told him; he just shrugged it off. So the owner of the shop came out and told us he'd take care of it. By the time we returned home from proselyting, the broken corner was already bricked back up. I was pretty impressed, in light of the speed in which they build here...

            So we had a full, busy day of work and we retired home to our most glorious egg ‘sammiches’. I could really eat those every night for the rest of my life and die happy. The ones we've been making are practically gourmet. I also added some instant potatoes from my b-day package just for a taste of home. Then we all played Settlers of Catan and I lost miserably, haha. Oh yeah, by the way Mom, everybody loves to play Monopoly Deal. Elder Ike (EEKAY) begs me to get the cards out every night, haha. He's a really hilarious Nigerian.

            As far as investigators go... we have a lot of people we are teaching, but not many are progressing. One girl is asking a lot of questions and trying to understand. She seems to be the most promising right now. Otherwise, people are all kinda in the same spot. They can't come to church.

            In the area we're working right now, we're really in an awkward situation. It's very difficult for people to attend church, almost impossible actually. So we are pushing the PEC to form a group. I called President Shulz and asked his advice on about how to proceed doing that. So we've collaborated and the branch president gave us the names and numbers of every member in our area. We will contact them and tell them that we want to start a group, and ask them if they will come back to church if they have a group nearby. So that's our game plan---re-activate, start a group, support said group every week, and continue proselyting. The people here will receive us, just like they would anywhere in Ghana, but the center of strength is just too far away.

            Speaking of church, we met a German guy named F. at church this week. He was living with a member for about 1 year over a year ago and he visited the church. He never met with missionaries, and he said he's seen the church in Germany, but never visited it there. He said the closing prayer in Elders Quorum and he said it in German….. the guy can speak English like an American, German like a German, and Twi like an African. He knows more than I do, for sure. He's a very friendly guy, which surprised me because all the Europeans I've met so far are less than cordial. Proves me wrong, I guess. But we're going to try and sit down with him this week before he goes home at the end of the week.

            Every week on Sunday we take the sacrament to Brother N., a man in the branch. In 1989, he had an accident in a rail yard where he lost his right arm and leg. He has a powerful testimony of the restored gospel! Every time we see him, he says, "Tell everyone about the Restoration; the First Vision, Book of Mormon, John the Baptist! It's true!" Haha he just spits it all out and stumbles over his words he gets so excited. He talks pretty dang fast for a Ghanaian.

            Last Sunday he asked us if we had a few minutes to talk and asked us how well people receive the gospel in the U.S. I tried to explain how people aren't so religious; they think they have everything they need already. People have a lot of distractions and normally won't even give the missionaries time to sit down. He got angry, saying, "What?! Don't people believe in God? What do they think happens after death? Do they think, 'that's it, I'm dead, it's over'?" Haha I explained that many people have questions, but don't know where to find answers. He replied, "Huh? Don't they read the church books? It's everywhere, just ask someone! When they hear it, do they believe it?" I said that many do not. He then threw his hands (or hand and stump) in the air, crying, "Why not??? It's the truth! Ok. Thank you, see you next time, buh bye." He gave us a grin as he left.

            It was funny and inspiring at the same time that this man could not even conceive of a culture, or circumstance, let alone a person, who would not believe our message. To him it is just so clear and obvious. It's almost as if "he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting", like the Brother of Jared. (Ether 3:19) I mean, all this man does is sit in bed, read the church books, and I'm sure receive revelation, haha. All that's in his room is shelves and books. I bet he seriously knows solid doctrine. It makes me want to build up my own testimony more.

Love,

Elder Doggett

Wait.......Nevermind!!!!!

Here is Elder Doggett's letter from Sep. 2, 2013:

Dear Family and Friends,
    Things are going ok here. The area is still really slow, though. It's in an awkward place, because it's over a 30 minute walk from the chapel. The West Africa Area Presidency has said that we shouldn't proselyte over 30 min walk from the chapel. And our entire area is out of that radius. It is really hard to get people to church. But that's the story of my mission so far, just struggling to get people to attend. The area is poor, too so that doesn't help a bit. We're just starting over pretty much. I'm trying to help Elder Cowan realize that missionary work is fun, even if you don't have people to teach yet. I remember being very frustrated when I first came. But I won't lie, my first area is kind of a missionary death pit. This area isn't that bad.
    Our apartment is pretty good though. We have guys from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and two Americans. It's a really big apartment, we're always fighting for time in the kitchen, haha.
    Most of all recently, I've been impressed with how fast Elder Cowan catches on to everything. He's learning how to teach, speak the local language, assimilate to the culture, and just pretty much accept that we're not in America anymore, haha. I remember that was hard for me. I was very stubborn against the culture and stuff, because it bothered me, but now I'm fine. I wish I could have assmilated faster. But let's face it; I was NOT enjoying my training. It was a good experience, though.
    Up until now, we've been teaching lessons point by point, kinda slowly in this mission. President Shulz told us we need to teach more simply, and faster, so that people can feel the Spirit in the first lesson and know what we are about, right from the get-go. It's been sweet so far! When we can teach someone the entire message of the Restoration in 30 minutes, they understand out purpose and intentions. And most people will realize how enormously huge our message is. We're not saying a small thing, here. Before, it was hard to get people to understand the implications of our message, but now it's so easy. I won't lie, this strategy is straight out of Preach My Gospel, but the whole mind of the mission used to be that, 'PMG stuff doesn't really work here'. That's just not true. When we teach this way, we can weed out the not-serious people very early, and move on to find more people who will act on our message.

Love,
Elder Doggett