March 3, 2014

Hey! Sorry I wont be able to write back to everyone. The internet café is really slow. But this week has been super sweet! We have been teaching a guy named George. He's been coming to church for a few weeks now and he is doing great! Yesterday during fast Sunday, he got up and bore his testimony! Oh it was so sweet! We taught him about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost... as we were explaining how the spirit communicates with us, he started crying, somehow out of nowhere. It was really powerful and he had to take a moment while we just kinda sat there and waited for him to figure out what he was feeling. He loves the church a lot and is doing great!

We have another investigator named Michael. He is old and has a drinking problem. He just cant eat without drinking a 'lil bit of alcohol first. So we taught him the word of wisdom and we are helping him get off the alcohol. He is a really sweet guy, he was honest about his problem and really wants to quit but he isn't sure if he can. But I know he can.

I got your pictures and my license! I got them a week ago and thought I already told you. I haven't got my camera yet. I'll see if its at the mission home yet. Sister Shulz also said that they were gonna add the oven into the letter to the missionaries coming out. So... dad changed the mission forever.

It was really sweet to have Pres. Shulz and his wife at sacrament meeting yesterday. They bore really simple, but powerful testimony. The spirit was super strong that Sunday, and just about everyone bore their testimony! There was only one time for a few minutes when no one got up to bare their  testimony.

I'm really sorry the camera isn't here yet. Ill call the office and see if it is there. I really feel bad not being able to send you a picture.

I had fresh cocoa for the first time! Its so good! you cut it open and the inside is white! You just suck on it and spit the seeds out! It was so good! I love all the people who farm here. Even though a farm is just a big garden here, its a lot of fun to go out and help them and learn how every thing grows here. Like how to plant cassava, pineapple... and banana trees!

I ate about 9 bananas one day.. they are so good and cheap!

February 23, 2014

This morning we didn't have any power, so we finished washing our clothes and headed to town.
We had interviews with our mission President this week and an instruction from his wife and the assistants, and another senior couple; The Ivies.

Sister Shulz had us read a talk by David A. Bednar from The May conference last year. It was about the law of chastity. She covered a lot of things, especially why the law is so important. It was super powerful and made a ton of sense. Growing up, all people understand is that its bad and a very big sin. But she explained why, using the plan of salvation and a lot of other stuff. Its a sweet talk to read. The assistants to the President of the mission instructed on receiving revelation through prayer and reading the Book of Mormon. In most ways it was how we could help our investigators and members better receive answers to their personal prayers. One big thing is we need to listen after we pray. Not just get up and walk away but actually wait as if we expect an answer, then we will get a "yes" "no" or "wait".

The Ivies talked about getting members and converts to the temple to do family history work. So they can experience doing service for their own ancestors and strengthen their testimony. It was super sweet, and as we help people do temple work, they are much more likely to stay converted for the rest of their lives, which would be such a sweet blessing!!!

President Shulz interviewed me. He's a powerful guy and loves every single missionary here so much!

We've been teaching a mother named Regina. She was progressing well and super happy, but now she's somehow in the middle. Right now she is at the point of making a choice to really pray and get her answer if it is true, or she's scared of the way it will change her life and wont do it. She is so close but is just letting a few things hold her back.

We had a lot of people at church this Sunday even though some went to stake conference in Cape Coast. We had 30 people there!! There were people investigating the church and one was a random young woman who had been invited by an old guy I had no clue of that kept inviting her to church. There's really no coincidences so I'm sure it was for a reason!

The chief in a nearby village is having his funeral this week, so things should get interesting.

Love you all!

Elder Darren hodges

February 17, 2014

The days are starting to blur together and I cant believe how fast time is going by. It's rained everyday while we were in Aburah Dunkwa small and it makes it difficult to see people and get to our appointments on time. But its all been working out and we've been able to see everyone in time. The members here are super sweet. Even though there is only about 20 active members, they are still super sweet and powerful. We had a movie night with the members on Wednesday and watched a pioneer movie with everyone. It wasn't too bad! It all worked out well and we enjoyed! We dont have a chapel to worship in so we rent a Methodist school on the weekends, clean it Saturday night and then go to church there Sunday. Our Rasta guy is a big help. Hes been a member for almost a year and takes care of any problems we have with bills for the school, cause they try to overcharge us a lot.

Last nigh we went to visit our member that lives deep in the jungle. He comes to church and all the activities, even though he has a hernia, is 80 years old and lives far away in the bush with no power or water. He's such a stud! We went to visit and he showed us around the house and all of his farm land. Here, a garden is called a farm, so.. it was really just a big garden.

A lot of the work we do here since the branch is so small is helping the members in anything they have. We were teaching two sisters, Leticia and Josephine about the Book of Mormon and how it'll bless them in ways they cant even see. I told them both how I started reading it every morning the summer of my junior year and every night my senior year. And how it made a huge difference in my day. Even though things were busy and not too easy I saw how it helped a lot and made my days happier and everything just fell into place and I was able to get everything done I needed too. 

Nothing too crazy happened this week I think?.. one Rasta tried to curse me. It was really interesting. I dont think it worked cause the week has been pretty sweet! The Twi is coming small small and I'm learning it. But there is a lot to learn cause each village has its own dialect. 

I know that the things I am doing here are gonna bless the lives of the people so much and change my own while I do it. My companion is a stud and I'm learning a lot from him and the other two Africans we live with. I've never seen any body else with more charity and want to serve others. I really hope I can learn a lot from them while we are all together.

Anyways, I love you all and hope everything is going well. The church is true! Even in West Africa

Love,

 Elder Darren Hodges  

February 10, 2014

This week has been crazy! All week I was saying goodbye to my first area. I already told you how I cried so I won't go there. I spent my last day in Green Hill saying bye to everyone and visited Emmanuel, Isaac and Nicolas last. It was not easy. I was excited to leave and have some change but also sad to leave home.

I got to my new apartment with Elder Nakedi my new companion from South Africa. Elder Nwojo And Blay also stay there. So.. I haven't seen a white man in about 5 days. When I first got there, unpacking sucked and I got homesick for my old area and home. but after a couple days I was back to normal.

I'm serving in Aburah Dunkwa, a small village that only has a unit under a branch. About 22 members were at church yesterday and they are some amazing people. We have one investigator that is absolutely sweet! Regina, she came to church for the first time yesterday and sat next to Alexander! Hes a rasta man. Or a guy with Bob Marley hair. Hes such a stud!

The area is doing pretty well and Nakedi is happy I'm here cause he was with a branch missionary for the last transfer and it wasn't easy. He was going to train someone but he didnt come on his mission..

We take a tro tro ride to the area every day because it's too far to walk from the apartment.

We went to visit a member yesterday who lives in deep bush! We walked there as it was getting dark, past more than a few graveyards and finally reached this old guys house in the middle of the jungle. Hes 76 and living all alone with no power or running water and a hernia he's had for a couple years. (sounds like Grandpa Veral)

But these people are sweet and I'm excited to serve here. I'm learning twee small small but it takes study and is not easy. But it'll come.

Love you!

Elder Darren Hodges

Last Letters from Darren in Cape Coast, Green Hill Area....He's getting transfered

February 3, 2014

(Special thanks to Elder Larsen's mom Michele for all the pictures!! We are so grateful!)

This week was pretty weird while we were waiting for transfer news but it was still sweet! Emmanuel and his two friends are still doing really well and coming to church and helping us teach their referrals. All week we were trying to get a baptismal interview set up for Alberta and Elder Beck our zone leader had to come in while on splits to get it done. But it all worked out and Alberta Teche and her daughter Karly were baptized yesterday after church! They'll be confirmed next Sunday. 

Oh yeah, I had to bear my testimony at sacrament cause I'm being transferred to Aberdunkwa over in the Yammeransa zone to serve with Elder Nakedi! He is a stud missionary from south Africa! I'll go there on wednesday morning. 

So I bore my testimony in fast and testimony meeting after Brother Lokko invited me up and announced I was going. I cried the whole time.. I'm such a baby. But I really love this branch and area so much. The members, the investigators, my companion and the lady who sells some bomb fried rice right next to Tetteh's ( francis) shop. 

I talked about how much I loved the last 6 months I spent here and how it really was the best 6 months of my life! Sorry if that offends anyone but its so true. I've loved it here so much.

Sister Taylor, Vivica and Maame Araba all were giving me a hard time at church cause I cried! Man those girls are not serious! After church we had a baptism and we had a young priest do the baptisms! Gideon Sabbah. It took a couple times to try it but he got it and everything went smoothly! 

We got a ride home after church from Brother Lokko and then went to visit sister Rose Ofori, a recent convert. She pounded us fufu and light soup, with crab, fish and some goat meat. Oh it was so good! But it was a lot.. we almost were not able to finish it. And then after we had to go to sister sabbahs for dinner! We talked her into letting us "take it home to eat" we'll probably just eat it later.

We finally got home and were able to relax small until we went tho the Branch Presidents house for family home evening. It was a lot of fun, games and stuff. Then we took some pictures and just visited for a while. Then went home and slept!

This morning I've just been packing and getting ready to go. It sucks. But we had some chocolate chip pancakes, took a nap and came to email. Tomorrow will be lots of goodbyes and I'll probably cry some more.

That's it. Love you! 

Elder Hodges

January 27, 2014

This week went by too fast! It's just crazy. We were teaching tons all week, getting home late because of appointments and then we had a meeting with Pres. Shulz this week! It was powerful! He talked about being a consecrated missionary, how to be one, and how it will force the mission to change us. Not just change habits and behavior, but our nature and who we are. It's so cool how the atonement has the power to not only erase sin but to change people for the better. Its so sweet! So, me and my companion have been working hard on it and doing our best. It won't happen in one week, but small small.

We taught Emmanuel about baptisms for the dead and what eternal families mean to us. We talked about the temple but focused on baptisms for the dead. He has a sister who took care of him all of his life. And she passed away a few years ago. He loved her so much and has always wanted to pay her back for all she did for him. It's so amazing how perfect the Lords plan is for everyone. We are sure that this was the plan, for his sister to take care of him till he could find the gospel and give her the gift of doing her temple work. It brought so much joy to him!

A couple days ago, we were teaching Francis and his brother brought in a baby to hold. It wouldn't stop crying so Elder Larsen wanted to hold her. He blew in her face to get her to stop crying, and then... she peed all over him! It was so hilarious!!! Oh man I was crying. So after he got cleaned up somehow we continued on with the day cause that was only our first lesson for the day.

Today we had lunch at the Senior couple missionaries apartment today, The Crittidens. It was sweet! We made a Kenyan dish and enjoyed some brownies that were sent from Elder Larsens date.

We watched a movie about some African saints.

The people are so boss!

It sounds like everyone is doing great. Sorry I don't have more tim to email today but I love you tons! Elder Larsen is uploading pics into dropbox too!

Love you!

Elder Darren Hodges

January 20, 2014

Emmanuel and his two friends are doing so great! This week we taught all of their dates and it went really well. The investigators class at church yesterday was a lot of fun cause everyone was joking around with each other and enjoying the hour they had together. There was a lesson taught too, but I didnt understand all of it. Isaac, one of the boys even taught the word of wisdom to his friend and he stopped drinking! Nickolas, the other guy, used to have a nickname around the area for how much he could drink. And even before we taught the word of wisdom he stopped drinking because we had taught him once.

Those tools came in handy, we had to change the outlet to the light bulb and it was pretty messed up, so, sweating working on that for an hour after a late night was... eh not too bad.

This morning we played basketball with another couple elders from Nkanfoa and then went back to our apartment for breakfast. We made Biscuits! Dads recipe. It was delicious!! 

We had another health walk on Saturday with the branch. So we woke up at 4 and went jogging with the branch's men to the chapel and cleaned it then had some porrige together. We cleaned the baptism font for a couple elders baptism too. It was pretty dirty.

After church yesterday we played frisbee with our boys in the street! It fell in the gutter a couple times, wiped it off and kept going. Elder Larsen threw a high one and it hit a naked old man who was bathing!! Haha it was so hilarious!!!

Our recent convert Rose even fed us some fufu! She is so sweet! I love her! Then sister sabbah fed us plantain and beans... I felt sick after. Too much food. But we had to eat all so we didnt offend her.

Times flying by and I'm loving evey second of it! I'll be at six months in February.

Love You!

Elder Darren Hodges

January 13, 2014

It's a good thing all the houses are made of bricks cause termites are thriving here. My bed is held up by some wood pallets and my companion and I were always confused why there was always dust under my bed. Well just last night around 2am I got up to get a drink of water and my bed broke and sunk down in one spot! It happened in two other spots the same night  so I slept in the corner of the bed where my feet usually are! Turns out the termites got to and ate through the boards before the apartment was sprayed. But that's that.

Other than that we are doing great. Things are slow now because we had to move our baptisms to february and I dont know if I'll be here for it. Sad thing. Emmanuel is such an amazing guy and I can see him influencing and helping Isaac (his younger brother) and nicolas (worker) so much. I love theses guys so much. We even got to play soccer on the beach with 30 other guys this week on the beach! It was so much fun!!

Emman just gets it. He understands right and wrong and even the will of God. It's the only way I can describe it. He just understands things so well and is super smart. I love him and his brother and nicolas so much!

These guys are so sweet.

The week was normal this week except that I made cinnamon rolls! First time and it went great! They were so good! We made too much so we took them to the zone leaders apartment and a members home to share.

I love you so much and wish you the best. I'm writing letters in the mail too and try to get the sent tomorrow.

Love you!

Elder Darren Hodges

January 6, 2014

(Explanation before you read this letter, Jerry has a Ford pick up that Darren wants--Our friend Alexis parked it in front of her house and took a picture of her in the truck waving to the camera and sent it to Darren. He thinks we sold the truck to Alexis.....)

Did Dad really sell his truck!? I cant sleep at night. Please let me know.

So to celebrate new years out ward had a party in the chapels parking lot. I got to pop the sparkling cider at my table and I had to do it fast to keep up with everyone and it popped off easier than I expected and almost hit the guy in front of me haha. But we danced, ate rice and chicken, played games, and couldn't get home till 10.. launched fireworks (had a little girl do it for us so we didn't break the rules, they just sell em on the side of the street) had icecream! And I kissed some random girl at midnight!

Just kidding. That would've been bad. I didn't kiss anyone.

So did dad really sell his truck?

I got your Christmas package with the taffy on Tuesday, it's almost gone.. but thank you so much! It was so good!!!

Francis my first convert, gave me a haircut yesterday! He did amazing! Well.. for a Ghanaian. I was really impressed.

This week almost all of our investigators except one or two came to church yesterday! Emmanuel Sago and his two friends came, it was such a great day! Even though I was falling asleep cause Fast Sunday was not easy. But I enjoyed the testimonies so much.

Every Sunday we go to Check on Emmanuel Sago he's always BLASTING old Country music by Dolly and singing along. It is so hilarious!!! He wanted to see a picture of me before mission so I showed him the pics on the flash drive and he copied them all... haha

Shake it off.

I love and miss you all! My time is about to expire so this letter kinda sucks. But I love you and pray for you every night

Love ELder Hodges

Did dad really sell his truck to Alexis? Feel free to call the Mission Pres. and let him know to pass the info down.

December 30, 2013

Well we already talked a lot this week so I don’t have to much to write about.  We had a big dinner with jollaf rice and fufu at the sabbahs this week with a couple member familys and some investigators. It was so sweet! Emmanuel Sago is an investigator that is doing very well right now. We gave him a baptismal date and he is just a big stud! At church a couple weeks ago he heard a talk on missionary work and he has been giving us referrals! A lot! So we are also teaching his brother and a couple friends. Man, even yesterday we were visiting before church. And at times he would start to play his computer game, get zoned in and sing along with the super old country music he was listening too! It was hilarious! It sounded like what Grandpa Scooter listens too haha.

I got a huge package from the Robinsons without warning! Holy cow! I wrote them back a letter of Freaking Thank you!!! I also got the relief societys cookies they sent me? Somehow. And a Piece of bread. Haha. Please tell them I said thank you!!! The Robinsons and the Relief society!

Mom I was wondering if you could send me a jump rope. A good weighted one please. And the family calendar. That would be so so so so  sweet!!!!

And the Mission president wants me to get my international license. Some new church policy. The website is

www.Idlservice.com

Just  let me know what I need to do to get it done as soon as possible.

About my mission, I didn’t not feel any pressure from anyone to go at 18 at all. When the prophet announced it, the first thing I did was think how soon I could start my papers and what plans I would need to change. I'm so grateful I was able to go at 18 and I haven’t regretted it one bit. Mostly cause I'll get home at 20! And it just so much better than anything else I've experienced. I hope, just like Janna, I can become better and better. It's been hard lately to find motivation to work hard after all the excitement has died down. So I started looking at pics more of home to remind me of why I'm here. Not cause I'm homesick but because I know that my mission is best for my family now, and my future family. I love you so very much and hope everything is okay!

Love Elder Darren Hodges

Merry Christmas! Somehow.

I guess I'll start out with some spiritual goodness since it is Christmas time. My companion’s mom sent us a two books, and everyday we read one story from it during companion study to invite and learn some more good stuff about the Christmas spirit. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday because theres snow, it's cold, the presents are always a plus and I get to spend one big happy week with all of my family, then go over to grannies some years and have a big paper ball fight after presents. But as we read these stories, and after I realized I wouldn’t have any of that this year I saw that just because I'm in Africa where it's super hot, doesn’t mean that the Christmas spirit cant still be here. So this week my companion and I looked at the things that we could give and to help people with. There is an old crippled  member who has trouble walking. So for Christmas we fixed his wheelchair!!! He used it to come to church this week and he was super happy! We’ve also been visiting him every day this week to keep him company. (The wheelchair broke… we’ll fix it again.)

While on splits last week it rained and my companion was at an investigators home, when the rain came, they had to put buckets EVERYWHERE to catch the rain because of the leaks! (They live in a little 10x10 house). So we payed a carpenter to fix the roof and he did a great job. It even rained again and there was no leak!

Christmas is really all about giving. Ways we can invite the Christmas spirit is by giving things to other people, like dropping something at the porch and running away!!! And singing.. But I'm not a good singer. I love all of you so very much and wanna wish you a merry Christmas!!

We had splits last week which were super fun! We were in a threesome for a night and half a day. We had scones about the size of my head.. whoops. That same night after splits we got hungry. In our attempt to get a snack we got frustrated with all the ice in the freezer! So we cleaned it out, had some frost stuff and built a snowman about a foot tall! Whoo! We took a picture with it next to  our 4 dolar Christmas tree that we bought! Frosty melted in about 3 minutes… Ya, it's hot here.

We had a baptism this Sunday for Rose and her daughter Sarah! It was so wonderful! The font water… lets just say I couldn’t see my feet. But the spirit was strong and I was super pumped afterwards!

The Christmas devoitional was sweet! My zone rocked the talent show! That’s whats up.

I love you all tons!

Sending you some Christmas love all the way from Africa!

Love Elder Darren Hodges

Here is Darren and Elder Larsen's Thanksgiving chicken masterpiece.

Pictures! December 2 & 9

We were thrilled to receive some pictures from Sister Shulz at Thanksgiving time.  Up to this time we had only received one picture from Darren since he arrived in Africa.  (His camera was stollen and he is still waiting for the replacement.) So to date, we have received 6 pictures from Sister Shulz and 1 from Darren.  Lol.

Elder Hodges showing President Shulz his oven. 

Eating ice cream right out of the container.

The Thanksgiving Feast that the Elders prepared in the Nkafoa District. Their guests included President and Sister Shulz.

This is Elder Hodges and he is showing his AWESOME oven.  The missionaries don’t have ovens so his very smart father had him bring this oven along when he came.  I think all missionaries are envious of him! (The caption for this picture was taken from Sister Shulz blog.)

El Pollo de Loco

December 2, 2013

On a spiritual note, Pres. Shulz reminded me to share spiritual experiences and all that garbage when I write home. Well, this week I actually have a lot of spiritual and uplifting stuff that happened. It's not garbage. At District meeting, our new district leader Elder Caveness gave an amazing instruction on charity. Ya it's the pure love of Christ and all, but it was so much deeper. He truly loves these people here in Ghana more than I can imagine, the love he has is even contagious and makes me want to love the people even more. I could definitely tell as I went around this week, I loved the people so much more and it makes the work so much sweeter! I love the people so much! All you have to do is talk to them, way better than the people in America. Everyone is so loving!! 

We carried up buckets of water up a hill for an investigator family and it was a workout! Holy cow I was tired, my shoulders were sore and I spilled a 'lil cause i was carrying it on my head. But I enjoyed it! i Also got pretty sick on the day before Thanksgiving and had to ask for a blessing from my companion. I really do love that guy and all the fun that we are having. Don't worry, we are getting our work done as well but I just enjoy it so much more! And yes the blessing helped a lot, we were able to get a full day of proselyting done easily, after butchering our Thanksgiving chicken. But thats for later.

His super sweet mother also sent us a 25 days of Christmas book, and we read one story everyday in December up until Christmas! I love it! It's getting that sweet Christmas spirit going strong!! I need an idea for a present for my companion. Any ideas?

On a less spiritual note....

We went to the market on Tuesday and bought a live chicken we named Lokko. El pollo de Locco!!!!! 

The guy just tied him up, threw him in a bag, and we carried him home and in a taxi. Pretty sweet. It was all good till we took some pics and he pooped on my shoe.. Dumb chicken. We kept him in a laundry basket with a bucket over the top in a room in our apartment over night. He didnt make any noise, so that was nice. We tied him up and butchered and cleaned him the next morning. That was an adventure. My companion (still thinking the chicken was tied up) threw him outta the basket thinking he would just plop there, and Lokko took off into the bush! In our attempt to help him a random Ghanain guy helped us catch him and plucked off a feather. When i asked what for, he simply said to clean out his ears, with the feather he plucked out. So then we got him ready and had him marinate in Coca Cola All night. The next morning for Thanksgiving we baked him in the oven! It was so good!

I also found some pepsi while i was on splits in Nkanfoa, that was a delicious drink! 

We made some cookies today, oatmeal. They were great! The bottoms kept burning cause the pan would get too hot, so I just flipped the cookies halfway through and it worked! With some coconut milk it was great! 

I got my birthday package! The car was sweet! And I hung up the banner this morning!!

Oh ya, we also had a baptism yesterday! That was pretty sweet! The water was dirty and the baptisimal clothes our investigators had to use were ancient and one size fits all, it was still a sweet bapstism!

The family we carried water for even came to church last Sunday and we are preparing another part member, less active family for December!

Love your son

Elder Darren Hodges

Drumroll please------- we FINALLY GOT SOME PICTURES FROM DARREN!!

This is the chicken we ate for Thanksgiving.

Serious Elders at the beach.

Cape Coast Ghana

December 9, 2013

Well the birthday was great! We made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and pizza for lunch ! Wow, it was crazy delicious!! This week was a lot of fun, super hard cause I was really tired, but I endured. I got to see Maame __________ when I went on splits with the zone leaders this past week. In my first month on mission I went on splits with Elder Brown there and taught this woman the first lesson about the restoration. It was powerful and she started to cry as she felt the spirit. 3 months later, and through that time ; she has dodged the missionaries, lost her husband, taken the lessons and been baptized. WhenI saw her she looked completely different. Her entire countenance had changed and she was glowing. I'm so happy for her and the amazing change that this gospel brings into peoples lives.

 I'm sorry it's so cold in Washington. Its hot here, thats all I'll say about that haha.

Today we went over to the Nkonfoa apartment and made some cookies, then over to the mission home to get haircuts from a senior couple serving in the mission. What a tender mercy! While we were getting haircuts we played futball and football in the yard of the mission home barefooted! It was crabgrass or something, but better than dirt. Sister Shulz took some pics and we went inside to hang out with her and watch a couple videos she took of a river? Check the blog for some pics.

I enjoyed this week a lot. Im loving my companion and all the fun we are having. 

I hope all of you are doing well at home.

Elder Darren Hodges