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

CowDogs and American Razors.........

Elder Cowan and Elder Doggett!

Dear Family and Friends,
    So here we are. Chapter 3, Swedru. I have a son! A mission son, that is. His name is Elder Cowan, he's from Ogden, Utah. Or a city just barely north of there. He's a cool guy; he's ready to work and is really trying to learn the language.  I've been writing all the Fante I know for him to look over. We will get along just fine. We decided our companionship title will be 'CowDog'. Cowan. Doggett……..get it?

    In the mission, new zones are being created all over the place. This transfer was one, last transfer was one. The missionary force is growing like ants finding a stray glob of jam Elder Doggett accidentally left on the counter in Ghana. Hate it when I do that...   
    Transfers was a little hectic. It always is. We had to trotro for about 2 hours up here. But the city is nice, because it's close to Accra. You can get everything you need here. We're in a six man apartment and we're in an area called Aboso. We're whitewashing the area. Elder Kirumira was there last, with Elder Shinasi. But for some reason President closed the area for a transfer so for 6 weeks it has had no missionaries. Things are going slow; we're trying to turn over the dirt and catch all the people the former missionaries were teaching before dinner gets cold, if you know what I mean. We're just kinda going to start from scratch and contact on our own. It works out well for the 12 Week Training Program though.
     So far the weather in Swedru is surprisingly cooler than in Cape Coast. Every day here so far has been overcast. I love it. I hardly even sweat during the day, haha. It's a lot further into the bush, so I guess all the green foliage everywhere keeps in the coolness.
    The branch is sweet. They're all trying to get Swedru to be a stake this coming October. After church on Sunday, we went out with President Fossou and his counselor to meet and greet some of the members, which is always good. I feel a lot more comfortable knowing people and things around me. The branch presidency seems like they are serious about getting things done. They went out to meet some less-active members and encourage them.
    When we were sitting down with one of the less-actives, I said something in Fante and Bro. Achempong, the 1st counselor said, "Hey! You know Fante paa. Holy Schnikes!" Hahaha it was sooo funny. Yes, he's seen Tommy Boy. He and his family stayed with President Shulz for like 6 years, and he went to school for a time at BYU-I. I've been really impressed time and time again with the members here. They are always such friendly and gracious people. President Fossou's wife fed us Sunday night.
     Mom! I got your package! It was sweet.... I've really been enjoying those Hi-Chew things, but I think I'm most happy about the razors. Ghana razors are not the same. Those scriptures you attached to stuff were pretty funny, too. Everything was nice, the whole box smelled like soap though, because the package got wet somewhere down the line and the soap was privy to the moisture. I'm excited for the new guitar strings--- my high E rusted through a few weeks ago, haha. The sea-breezy air will do that. Oh thanks for the Oreos, too!
Love,
Elder Doggett

"C. made it to church today! He showed up toward the end of sacrament. We just recruited a few guys and muscled him up the stairs in his wheelchair. He really enjoyed the meetings and contributed a lot in discussions." 

Dear Family and Friends,

            This week one morning I woke up and Elder Hansen told me I woke him up because I was teaching in my sleep. I just finished my first journal too. Ha,ha! You know you’re a missionary when…

            We got a call this Tuesday from President Shulz and he told me to put the phone on speaker. I did and he said, “Elders, we have 21 new missionaries coming this transfer, I need you both to be trainers. What do you say to that?” “Elder Doggett says yes,” I responded. So did Elder Hansen.  I think it will be great though. I hope I get a first-worlder so I can give him the training I never had.

            Transfer calls came too, I’m going to be training my 'son' in Swedru. Everyone I’ve talked to said it is a sweet area I’m going to. I’m finally getting out of Cape Coast area, Swedru is very close to Accra. Apparently, it’s only a 50 pesewe trotro ride to the temple. Hansen in staying in Green Hill with his

'son', and he was called as the District Leader.

            C. made it to church today! He showed up toward the end of sacrament. We just recruited a few guys and muscled him up the stairs in his wheelchair. He really enjoyed the meetings and contributed a lot in discussions. A newly called Ghanaian Area Seventy visited as well, he had a nice chat with C. They found out that their family homes are right across the street from each other. I was very happy to see the love and immediate acceptance the branch had for C. When we invited him to church, he asked, “Are your members kind and loving? Will they help me get inside when I get there?” We said yes, and I’m glad we were right.

            The area Seventy was hilarious. He was hanging around the front doors of the chapel before sacrament with us, greeting people. He said, “You go on ahead, I’ll be around. I’ll wait for them to start the meeting so I don’t have to preside!”

            We had a really awesome discussion on Sunday after church with Bro. A.'s referral. She, her brother, and two daughters were there as we talked about the restoration. It was awesome because every question they had played right into where we were going. There was a sweet spirit there. After we introduced the Book of Mormon, Bro. A. shared his testimony and conversion story: “I was born into a different church, and I studied the Bible deeply. An LDS church was right across the street from mine. One night I had a dream where the Savior stood before me with his arms outstretched to his sides. He called my name and said, 'This is the church you need to join,' and lowered his arms. The LDS church across from mine was there where his arms had just been. I didn’t go to that church. I had the dream again but this time He said, 'I told you which church to attend, you are very stiff-necked.'  He lowered his arms again. Finally after having the dream a third time, I went and joined. When I received the B of M, it only confirmed the truths I had found in the Bible, especially how the Bible is incomplete. (Num 21:14, Josh 10:13, 1 Kings 11:41, Colossians 4:16) The Bible and B of M are true, but we still only have a portion of God’s words. (John 21:25) The Lord himself called me to this Church. I know it is true.” He has a powerful testimony, that man. He said he doesn’t share it very often.

            The members here are sweet; I’ll miss Green Hill Branch. But the members in this country are sweet anywhere you go. Just since I've been here, I’ve seen the work and the branch itself progress impressively.

Love,

Elder Doggett

" So there, off the corner of a busy roundabout in the old city, in the thick, muggy heat of West Africa, and the equally thick noise and commotion around us, we gave C. a simple blessing."

 This week at district meeting we got locked out of the building so we just gathered on the grass behind the building. Elder Hansen and we were joking that our district leader needed to grow a beard and wear a robe, then we could re-enact the Sermon on the Mount. "You guys got any food?" "Oh, you know, just a few loaves and fishes..." Hahaha. Missionary humour. Classic.

     After a lesson with C. this week he said, "I have a big favor to ask you. It's no secret that I'm sick from stroke. Also my wife's business is not doing well. I am trying to find the right way to follow Jesus. Something is telling me to ask you to pray for me, for help with all of these things-- right now.  Recently we've explained to him how the elders of the church have authority to give blessings to the sick, as found in James 5:14-15. I suspect he's been pondering asking us. Of course, we accepted and he asked me to be the voice. When I asked his full name, I found out [his middle name] is ARTHUR, not ATTA, like I previously thought. (Ha,ha, the Ghanaian accent...)

     So there, off the corner of a busy roundabout in the old city, in the thick, muggy heat of West Africa, and the equally thick noise and commotion around us, we gave C. a simple blessing. He was very grateful, and admitted that he has a hard time asking people for help. After we left, some 2 hours later, he called us saying, "Elders someone just came and bought two huge pictures from my wife's shop!" Ha, ha! He was so excited. He had just seen immediate blessings from the Lord for his faith to ask for his help through his servants.

     Our investigator J. was baptized and confirmed this weekend! It was a sweet baptismal service, we had a lot of branch support (except for the part where the doors to the font were locked and we had to send for a key and wait a while; it always works out in the end though.)

     I spoke in church yesterday for missionary Sunday. I went with an idea I had recently, how the love of God is channeled through Jesus Christ to us, and He commanded us to love all men. If we, as members of the true church, have felt that love, will we not share it with those around us?

     After church we saw C. again, and in our discussion he mentioned that he noticed that we don't condemn any other church, while every other preacher he's spoken with does condemn--- especially toward us. He told us he watches us very closely; he won't mention the things he sees, but he will just mentally take note of it. Many times as C. has talked about some JW doctrine that is simply superfluous, I have wanted to just blow up and smash the teachings once and for all, and tell him that they're deceiving him. Now I am very glad I didn't. Once again I was reminded that people are always watching us, as missionaries and as members of the church. ‘Bee’ your best self at all times.

Love,
Elder Doggett

P.S.  I do get kind of cold at night. But I love it. I so miss jumping into a freezing bed at night and waiting for it to warm up. :)

District meeting

 

Ant "highway"

"We are in the last days now, the 'Saturday Evening of Time'. Things will only continue to spiral downward as we get nearer to the 2nd Coming of the Savior..... That realization makes me want to be stronger; I want to be a light to those around me."

Dear Family and Friends,

     This week was interesting. We were preparing an investigator for baptism, and we went to see her on Tuesday. When we got there, she was gone and didn't answer the phone. That was strange because she had never missed an appointment. She lives with her auntie, so she came out and told us that she packed her things and left yesterday. She got a job and just up and disappeared. That happens a lot here. People just disappear. I can't say I'm surprised though because she really didn't like staying with her aunt. Her aunt would dump her kids on her and leave for days on end. So we were a little deterred from that, but that evening things switched around.
     We have another investigator who was a referral from a member family, who lives with the family. She has pretty much since birth. She is what we missionaries sometimes call a 'dry member'. So we've been seeing her, and we've taught all the lessons, but we felt that she wasn't ready for baptism. Last week we told her we wanted to post-pone, because we felt she didn't have the desire for herself, and because she was moving to Accra for school the next weekend. The next day she called us up and asked, "So the baptism is not happening next weekend? Why?" So we decided to sit down with her again and have a serious talk about baptism. She told us she really did have that desire, and that she has been paying tithing for some time now, and going to church and institute at school. We were surprised, but pleased, and we just switched her name with the previous investigator's name for the date of August 10th.
     Yesterday our recent convert C. blessed the sacrament. He nailed it on the first try; I was impressed, haha. I winked at him from the congregation and he winked back all chill-like, haha. "Yeah, no sweat. I'm awesome." He was strait business up on that stand.
      That's very interesting about the girl who was talking to her JW friend and needed scriptures. I recently wrote a journal entry about the JWs and all they're efforts to confuse and corrupt our investigators. Another example of changing scripture: In Ezekiel 37, where the prophecy about the Book of Mormon lies, in their Bible they change the 'stick of Joseph, and for Israel his companions", to "stick of Israel". They completely omit "Joseph and Ephraim". Which we now know that is key information, as Nephi tells us in 1 Ne. 6:2 that they are descendants of Joseph. So, I'm glad I could help someone out by venting in my emails :)
      Recently I was reading in the Book Of Moses--- I'd never read it before. It was very insightful and clarified some of the events in Genesis. IN Ch. 7, Enoch is talking with God, and God himself begins to weep over the Earth. Enoch asks Him why he is weeping , saying, "Were it possible that man could number the... millions of Earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations..." (Moses 7:30) God answers Enoch saying, "Among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren." (Moses 7:36) I put two and two together and realized what that means. This world in which I live is the most wicked of ALL of God's creations EVER. That's seriously heavy.
("Gee, this is heavy Doc." "Weight has nothing to do with it!" ha,ha [One of Clint’s Back to the Future quotes]) Although after this conversation God flooded and cleansed the earth, Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:36, "but as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." We are in the last days now, the 'Saturday Evening of Time'. Things will only continue to spiral downward as we get nearer to the 2nd Coming of the Savior. This world is a terrible place. That realization makes me want to be stronger; I want to be a light to those around me.
     Anyways, have a nice week!
Love,
Elder Doggett

Zone meeting from July 2013