The Lord's Army is Growing - 100 More at Koforidua Commit to prepare for battle...

The future (and present) missionaries of Koforidua. Over 100 raise their hand as a commitment to prepare for full time missionary service (including six who couldn't be more full time unless they added hours to their day). Under the leadership of Elder and Sister Anderson, of Covina California, this Mini-MTC was organized and scheduled for a Saturday morning in Koforidua, a regional capital of Ghana. They arrived from all over the ten scattered branches dressed in their missionary 'uniforms'. They looked sharp, ages 8 to 24 - three who will be reporting to the MTC within the next six weeks were also present and obviously looked the most prepared and excited.
The Mission Preparation lesson outlined on the Whiteboard was preceded with some elementary but essential missionary skills - the first one being taught was the necessity to SMILE - an often difficult assignment for some of our African young people. We teach this most effectively by modeling a cheesy smile and then a missionary smile and then have them imagine how difficult it would be to convincingly teach the Lord's Plan of HAPPINESS with a frowny face or without some excitement and emotion.

Sister Ritchie takes over and helps them learn - and understand the origin of - the Standard of Truth. On their feet and resoundingly repeating these famous missionary marching words gets their missionary blood flowing and they begin to envision themselves proclaiming to every 'creature' this incredible message.

Once the juices are flowing and the smile has been planted they are ready to begin to learn

WHY the Lord needs missionaries

and

WHAT they can do to prepare for their missions.

Joseph Smith was 14 when this amazing Restoration story began - a lad of 14 stands beside me to role play the First Vision (he did his part without a smile - I couldn't get him to 'get it' or if he 'got it' to 'keep it' - but after many attempts to help him understand what my role play needed was a 'smiling' Joseph Smith I gave up and used him as a manikin model and did without the full visual lesson). The First Vision demonstrates well the Conversion Process we all go through when our behavior or actions are altered due to the willing understanding and then the application of new spiritual knowledge.

1st - We Ponder (Joseph wondered about which church to join).

2) We Pray (Grove of Trees near his father's farm).

3) Revelation Comes (First Vision)

4) We SEE what we need to do with the knowledge we received.

5) We DO - we apply the new found knowledge.

The Lord needs messengers to share the message of the Restoration and the First Vision. Why? Before anyone becomes an active and committed Latter-day Saints they must be inspired to set the five step process in motion. A missionaries task is to get people to Ponder - Think - or Wonder. Without which his/her prayer (step 2) will probably not happen and Moroni promises RESULTS only after sincerely asking, so if they do not get on their knees they will never KNOW. A missionaries task is to get them PONDERING and then on their KNEES so the Holy Ghost can touch their lives. Only after they SEE and FEEL that 'touching' influence of the Spirit will they alter their behvavior by living the Word of Wisom, or pay tithing or honor the Sabbath day, etc. Without the human touch that process will not happen - therefore the need for missionaries.

HOW TO PREPARE?

1) Become a Nephi (I N 3:7)

2) Become a Proactive Person - self starter - don't wait for the Bishop to 'call' you on a mission - get prepared - be like Nephi.

3) Be a 100% Seminary/Institute Person - CES is a weekday protector against the adversary and foolish life altering mistakes that detract us from our foreordained callings.

4) ACAD - A Chapter in the Book of Mormon EVERY day between now and your mission (and the rest of their life) - the secret of Retention and Activity.

5) ASAW - A Scripture Memorized Every Week. "Come to the Mission field with hundreds of BOM scriptures memorized". (Ezra Taft Benson)

Can't teach 'every' minute. Bondi Falls is one of the beauties of Ghana and very near Koforidua and adds a memory of Ghana that one does not get by driving between Tema and Accra.

The Koforidua Master Missionaries - Elder and Sister Anderson of Covina California. These powerful people represent the heart and soul of the senior missionary system. People who love their assignments - wherever it is, doing whatever is needed - and therefore the people love them and the opportunity to 'make a difference' is incredible - and measurable. Their stability and training and wisdom and experience is essential for these emerging and growing branches and Districts. These are two of the very best and it was a pleasure to eat at their table (including chocolate cake and ice cream - a non menu item at the MTC) and sleep in their spare bed - not as big but softer than the MTC. We thrilled as we listened to the tales of love they shared of the people they serve and the family they left behind in order to teach the grandkids they love, Celestial Lessons. Thanks for a wonderful memory and opportunity to serve and observe. (Of interest, the six missionaries - four Elders and the Anderson's will baptize ten to twenty people every month - they are dedicated and great missionaries and are being blessed for their great work and obedience - one American Elder prayed in one of our meetings and did it in the native language, rather than English, much to the delight of the local leadership and people.)