Last Email in the MTC

Dear family and friends,
I officially only have five more days at the MTC until I depart for Kumasi. The time has flown by. These past few weeks I have learned a lot and have had many awesome experiences. I have learned how awesome Ghana and Africa is. It is by far the coolest place that I have ever been. The people, plants and animals are amazing.

I have gotten used to the humidity and sweating all of the time. In my classroom there is a little AC unit but it is never on because as soon as it goes on for just a little bit the Africans in my class get cold. So, all of the Africans are fine while me and the other American in my class are constantly sweating the whole time. It has been a test of patience. But, I have made it through this far and only have four more days of class time.
Every day we have an hour of sports time. All of the Africans play futbol (soccer). They are very competitive and play like it is the World Cup. There have been a couple of fights already. I don't play futbol. Most of the Americans and some Africans play basketball. It has the been the funnest and craziest basketball games I have ever played in my life. (sorry Elder Cox and Cazier) The Africans are so fun to play with and playing outside in Ghana is spectacular. It is like we are playing in paradise.
This week I also ate Fufu for the first time. Sadly, I don't have any pictures but I will take plenty out in the field. Fufu is a big pile of dough made from cassava and plantains that is mashed up. It is served with Groundnut soup. Which is basically peanut butter, chicken stock and chicken.You peel off some of the dough from the pile and dip into the soup and then put it into your mouth and swallow. If you chew it all of the Africans get mad at you. It is very interesting but better than I thought it would be. It felt pretty awesome finally eating it.
Every day we teach people that the MTC brings in from the Ward next to us so that we can practice teaching and the lessons we have learned in class. Last Saturday, I met with Brother Solomon and we taught him about the Book of Mormon and the love that Heavenly Father has for him. We taught him outside the MTC in the Ghana rain forest. It was the coolest teaching experience I have ever had. This was the first lesson that I actually felt the Holy Ghost impress me to say things that the investigator needed to hear. As missionaries we help guide and teach investigators but it is the Holy Ghost that testifies to them that the things we have taught are true.
The days here at the MTC are very long. We begin classes at 7:30 in the morning and end at 9 at night. At times I get really tired but I know that the things that I am learning will help me so much in the mission field. As I have practiced teaching my confidence has improved and I have become better. Practice really does make perfect. I have learned how to sincerely love those that I am teaching and to be in tune to promptings by the Holy Ghost so that i can teach based on the needs of the investigator.
I leave the the MTC next tuesday on July 2. The next time I email I will be in my first area in Kumasi. I am so excited and anxious to meet President Cosgrave and find out who my first companion will be!! I love you guys so much. Hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Ordyna

 

MTC Lehi District

District at the Ghana Accra Temple

Ghana MTC

First Email from the MTC

Dear Family and Friends,

   Sorry, I didn't send an email yesterday. The internet here wasn't working. And I only have 15 minutes to write. So I will try my best to write as much as I can.
After traveling almost 2 complete days I finally arrived in Ghana. The humidity here is super super high. It feels like you are in a swimming pool all of the time. I have gotten used to sweating all the time. Once I got to the airport two MTC drivers picked us up and drove us to the MTC. The roads here are absolutely insane. You can drive as fast as you want and cars swerve in and out of traffic constantly. It reminds a lot of my dad's driving. ;) We almost got into two car accidents in the 25-minute drive to the MTC.
The food here is very very different than back home. The first couple days I had jet lag really bad and the food made me very sick. The food is basically the same for every meal. It contains a mountain of rice and chicken just cooked and flavored differently each time. I have had more rice in the few past days than I have had in my whole life before the mission. The serving sizes are massive. I haven't been able to finish a plate yet. But, the highlight of the food here is the fruit. The fruit here is so ripe and juicy. It is 100 times better than the fruit in the US. The other day we were watching a video about missionary life in the MTC and a video of the food from the Provo MTC came up. The elders were eating donuts, french fries, hamburgers and ice cream. I instantly became homesick and wondered why am I here in Ghana. I want to be back home eating all of that. But the more I am here I have realized that I am here in Ghana for a specific purpose. I have come to love this place so much.
The Africans are always happy and love to laugh and joke around. Out of the 98 missionaries in the MTC there are only nine white guys. Everyone loves us and we are practically famous. My companion is Elder Sagoe and he is from Cape Coast, Ghana. He has taught me a lot about Ghana and what to expect in Kumasi. I
love being a missionary very much. I have truly felt the Lord's love for me and everyone in this world. I know that this is the place that I need to be now. I love you guys and miss you a lot.
Sincerely,
Elder Ordyna

Elder Sagoe (my companion) and I in front of the MTC

Loving the MTC Food

Enjoying Class Time in the Lehi District

MTC Ball Africans v. Americans

I Made It!

Hi family,

I have made it safely to Ghana and the MTC. I only have a limited time to email today. I will send out my long weekly email on Monday. I tried to use the pay phone card in Amsterdam but it didn't work sadly. I will send pictures and more on Monday. Ghana is amazing! We almost died twice on the way to the MTC and it feels like I am in a swimming pool twenty four seven. The food is really crazy and will take some time to get used to. But all in all I am really liking it here. The other elders and sisters are amazing. My companion is a Ghana native and will serve in Nigeria. I love you guys so much and hope that everything is well! I will talk to you on Monday.

love, Elder Ordyna

First Day at MTC