A LEAP OF FAITH

I wanted to share some thoughts about what we see in these individual missionaries’ day in and day out….each and every week. Think about what they are learning as they walk the streets of Ghana and every other mission throughout the world…..all 450 of those missions…..soon to be 506 July 1, 2026.   When I was a young missionary, I was asked the question, why did you serve a mission?  When I became a Father and saw my sons and daughter go on missions, I was asked again, why do your kids go on missions?  I read an article this week and the author said the following in talking about the church’s missionary program.

“What do these missionaries learn by serving a mission?....  They learn to plan and build positive relationships.  They learn to set goals, exercise discipline, be accountable, and start again after setbacks.  They learn to get along with different people…..companions, members, and investigators.  They learn to study and pray consistently and rely upon the Lord.  During periods when they are uncomfortable in their role, they learn one of the greatest skills of adulthood…..to be more comfortable being uncomfortable”.  Yes, the two years spent in the service of others actually does something to those who are serving…..both young missionaries and senior couples like Jill and I.  That is what the gospel is all about.  We change for the better when we do something good. 

From another article I read recently, the author said, “We live in an extremely competitive and self-centered world that is hostile to spirituality and in which, “secular fervor” is increasingly becoming the defining paradigm of our age.  We live in a world of distraction, deception, contention, and division.  Too many in the world place passionate alignment with political and social issues ahead of determined and devoted discipleship to the cause of Christ.  Meanwhile, others are consumed by the never-ending pursuit of affluence and influence”.  Isn’t that so true…..the theme of the day is all about “Me”.  Because it appears society is becoming more and more self-centered and only concerned about themselves, their glasses will always seem half empty until they realize that the natural man and woman will remain estranged from God “unless he or she yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Jesus Christ the Lord”. 

 President Nelson said to the young people, “You were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel.  There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that…..this is the mission for which you were sent to earth”.  With all the distractions around us and the desire to accumulate wealth and influence, people are missing out on what matters most…..to love and be loved by people that are seemingly strangers.  President Nelson also said, “men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.  He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds…..lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace”.

Serving a mission has reminded me about how important people are in my life.  My main focus is on my family, for sure.  I love them all so very much and am grateful for their influence and example in my life.  And I do miss them and being around them.  But I now am learning to love another type and culture of people, so different than me in so many ways, but so alike because we have something in common…..the gospel of Jesus Christ.  These people would do anything for me if I were to ask them.  And I would hope I would do anything for them.  My mission is slowly changing me to becoming a better person.  But maybe that is a question only my wife can answer. But that is what I wanted…..to become a better person. It took me 70 years to figure out the concept that all God wants from me is to keep His commandments, to “do unto others as I would have them do unto me”…..”to love my neighbor”…..”to understand that when I am in the service of my fellow-being, I am only in the service of my God”. He wants me to be true to covenants or promises I have made with Him.....to take upon myself the name of Christ, to always remember His Son, and to keep His commandments. He wants me to “change” my heart, to feel for others, to love others, and to treat them how I would want to be treated.  As I try and do that, I do feel closer to my Heavenly Father and His Son. That is what makes me feel happy. Someone has said, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.  Each of us can transform our own lives”.   As I serve, I am learning this lesson, that happiness comes through living a good life and trying to be a good neighbor and trying to keep the commandments of God the best I can.

 President Nelson said, “Here is the grand truth:  while the world insists that power, possessions, popularity, and pleasures of the flesh bring happiness…..they do not!  THEY CAN NOT.  What they do produce is nothing but a hollow substitute for “the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments of God”. 

You will see more pictures of missionaries and little children below and a few videos of what we did this week. The first picture is of a family where he served in the Cape Coast Mission, went home, came back and married a girl he met here in Ghana. He works remotely and they are back visiting her family for a few months. They just enrolled their two daughters in school. She is the daughter of one of the Area workers that does a lot for us here in the office. They have 3 little girls and live now in Arizona. The week was quiet in that our Mission Leaders were out of the country at Western Africa Area Meetings in Senegal.  Jill and I were kind of in charge, but the missionaries didn’t even know they were gone…..in that he still stays in touch through texting and Zoom calls, if necessary.  We are beginning to enter the “hot” season here in Ghana.  It has been relatively nice weather the last five months…..around 75 – 80.  It will begin to get into the 90’s soon and everyone is telling us to get ready for the heat.

I hope you all have a great week.  I think of many of you often as we serve here in Ghana.  For those of you within 10 years of my age…..I promise with all of my heart that you would love what we are doing and the feeling one gets by getting up each morning and putting on a badge and going out and trying to do some good…..it is a feeling one cannot express in words.  I am representing the Savior and His church and helping the missionaries the best I can. The people here,who don't even know us, treat us with dignity and respect because they feel we are on the Lord's errand. They are a very religious people. Missionary work is the only calling in the Church where one volunteers.  Every other calling is given by the Bishop or Stake President.  I volunteered and I am grateful I had the courage to do so. You would love it here, just like Jill and I love it.  The interesting thing about serving a mission is that you think you are doing something to help the Church…..(which you are)…..maybe out of duty or obligation …..maybe because the Brethren have asked us to think about serving…..and  because you are faithful and have been a good member for many years.  However, what you find out is that the greatest benefactor of serving a mission is YOU !!!   You are the one that will be blessed the most.  The ones being blessed are not only the people of where you are serving…..but YOU.

TAKE THAT STEP OF COURAGE…..AND LEAP OF FAITH !!! YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT.

The family from Arizona and her father, Albert.

The Zone from Abomosu. They live about 3-4 hours from us and are very much out in the "Bush". We respect these Elders because they are living in a different world than most of us.

Little kids are amazed at our "whiteness" and want to try and figure out who we are.

Cute little baby who came with her family to the Office to visit.

The level of gospel knowledge is outstanding from people that have been on missions. This woman served a mission in Liberia 10 years ago and is a huge blessing to this Ward.

I thought you would like to see how they are teaching the Primary children words to their songs.

They just stand there and stare at us.....if we engage, they are happy....and then continue to stare.

Yes......we are real people. We just look different.....and really old.

I won't ever get over this cuteness and how comfortable they seem.

Wisdom written all over his face

This little girl didn't want to leave Jill alone and loved what she saw on her phone..her own picture.

This young lady told me she is putting in her papers to serve a mission. And the little girl above thought she would help her Mom lead the music.

Baptisms are mostly done outside in their fonts.....And the whole Ward stays after to attend and support the new members. It is very nice and almost like a "party" atmosphere afterwards.

Getting settled before Church watching people come in. Jill is comfortable just watching the people.....that is one of the fun things to do. Just watching people living in a far away land.

Another sight you do not see in America. At least I haven't.

I was at a Pizza Hut looking out a window and saw the only other two American fast food restaurants her in Ghana......Kentucky Fried Chicken and Burger King. I thought it was worth taking a picture. You might have to pinch the screen to see them across the street.

This guy helps me park my Truck when I come into this parking lot by a Mall. So.....I went and bought him a Pizza to share with the other workers. It was like he had just won the lottery.

In case you missed it a couple of months ago. This was at a Stake Conference where chiefs of 17 Tribes showed up and were given front row seats. They love the missionaries and continue to tell their people to treat them with kindness and respect.

We just met this woman who's husband works at the U.S. Embassy. She has 4 kids, the oldest is 14 and a really good soccer player. They are members of the church, from the Seattle area. He is a diplomat, but works for the Department of Defense instead of the State Department. The best thing for her is having a license plate that gives her "diplomatic immunity". Her husband also flies diplomats and other dignitaries to the surrounding countries when asked. They live about a mile away from where we live. I'm going to go to one of hiss soccer games.

This is where we like to get bread and fruit. Her bread is like "Grandma Sycamores".... And they love to see us coming because I like to give them a little tip.....little to me, but a big deal to them.

More wonderful missionaries. This is what we saw as we entered a Stake Conference.....Sister missionaries at one door and the Elders at another just greeting everyone.

President Campbell and two great missionaries.

Sister Campbell and more great Elders.

District Council Meeting.

This is a woman who loves to be visited by the Sister missionaries. Why wouldn't she..... It probably makes her week.