First week at the Ghana MTC (Missionary Training Center)

Hello Everyone!

AFRICA IS SO AWESOME!! 

We flew for 18 hours on Wednesday and Thursday. There ended up being 10 Missionaries from the States, we all met up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Turns out we have about 6 companion ships going to Sierra Leone. Once we arrived in the Airport, it was really hectic and pretty crazy. We ended up getting our bags and waited to be picked up. Once the MTC person picked us up, we walked outside and It was insane. It was so stinking hot and there were people trying to talk to you and take your bags, there were probably 200 people right in front of the entrance. We got past everyone and got into the car, and that drive to The MTC was probably the scariest drive I've ever been on. They really do not know how to drive here and so it was really hectic haha. We arrived to The MTC and were greeted by President Allen and His Wife. We got our badges, and had a little meeting, ate some food and then were off to bed. 

Elder Fowler and I are in the same room, and so we walk into find our Companions asleep. So they woke up and we all connected pretty quick. My Companions name is Elder Georgewill, He is pretty hilarious and really quirky. Although I can only understand him like 25% of the time, he is awesome!! he is 23 years old and from Nigeria. He is such an awesome example. It is really pretty cool because, most African Missionaries are like 22-24 years old, they literally just sign up for a mission and leave after only a year of being a member of the church. 

Elder Morgan and Elder Georgewill

The yellow dot indicates they are new missionaries. They typically take it off after the first week...or sooner!

The MTC is really a cool experience. The building itself is super nice and really new. And everyone is really nice and welcoming, President Allen and His wife are super cool!! We have had some really awesome awesome lessons and devotionals. I could definitely see him as a general authority after He is done at the Ghana MTC. One devotional I really enjoyed was an MTC Devotional by David A. Bednar. Its so cool because no one else in the world is aloud to see the MTC Devotionals except those in the MTC at the time of the devotional. This one talked about the Selflessness of Jesus Christ. Please give me that topic as a homecoming talk, because I have some good content!! I feel so so good at The MTC, because of the Spirit that is here. Truly an amazing blessing. Classes are long and I've been pretty tired adjusting to the new time zone. We are in class of about 10ish hours a day memorizing scripture and lessons, reading and studying, and and a lot of prayer for help! 

Eli and Elders in His Zone

Beds in the MTC

Studying?

View from the MTC

Hand Washing His Clothes

The food isn't my favorite but I am getting use to it. IT IS ALOT OF RICE! All they eat is rice haha. The portions here are huge so I am always full. 
The Weather takes some getting used to. It is so extremely humid and hot here. Its feels like you are walking through water all day, and my hair is pretty crazy because of the humidity! I don't know how I'm gonna survive in the field because I get sweaty when we are in the classrooms too!! It smells like matches here because they burn all of their trash here and so it is pretty different. The power goes in and out, so that's always a surprise. Cold showers are literally my best friend as of right now, but they don't really have cold shower water so its just a warm shower, and I always feel sticky haha. 

Rice, Rice and More Rice

All in all I've felt at home here. The transition was not hard at all, although there are a few things culturally that I've gotta get used to,its not bad. It is hot, tiring, sweaty, sticky and very spiritual and its the place for me! Africa is an amazing place. The people are so nice and love to have fun, I think I cry laughing at least once a day, its usually with elder Georgewill. I'm having fun, no need to worry about me! 

I love you all soooo much!
- Elder Morgan