Tag Archives: Ghana MTC

Elder Benjamin LeBaron

August 14, 2019 Ghana MTC (Week 5)

Leave a comment

Hey Family,

This week has been great. Time is going so fast. Not going to lie I missed you guys this week a lot, but it’s been good. Everything now is in French so that’s tough, but oh well I can’t do anything about it now. Just need to learn French! This week hearing about President Dial was so difficult. I’m better now but at first I was really upset over it. I loved him so much! Talking with you guys helped so much! Seriously talking to you each week helps so much! I love you so much!! It’s so crazy to think I’ve been on my mission for 1 month now. I can’t wait to get to Brazzaville. I just can’t wait to get to work! It was really cool this week because some of the Elders were struggling and I was able to help them. Then the Elders in my room had some issues too and I was able to help them as well. I just love helping people! Sunday was great because we had some wonderful devotionals about being one with our companions. It was perfect because I was struggling with my comp a bit this week. Missions are so great because they teach you how to deal with things like this. My comp and I are doing way better. I just love and serve him and that helps. I just need to serve and love like dad always says! Well life is good! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder LeBaron

I gave my comp that tie so we had to take a pic haha, the other picture is with the Samoans, they both new Isaac Van Uitert!! You gotta show him!

Elder Benjamin LeBaron

August 7, 2019 Ghana MTC (Week 4)

Leave a comment

Hey Family,

Just when I thought I was getting comfortable with my companion, roommates, class, etc. everything changed this week! I got “transferred” to a new companionship. My new comp is from Nigeria. He’s awesome! He’s going to the same mission as me. Tomorrow we’re going to go proselyte in the streets here in Ghana. I’m super excited because I can speak English! A language I can actually speak. Dad I was really worried until we talked. You made me feel so much better! You helps me so much. I love you, daddy!!! I know my mission will be very different than Tyler’s so thank you for helping me today! It was so awesome to talk with Patri today and teach her the gospel. I felt the spirit so strong as I testified to her of the truthfulness of the gospel. At first, I was so worried and didn’t make much sense then the spirit took over and the whole message just flowed. It was AWESOME!! Time is really flying and I’m doing wonderful! Well I love you! Have an awesome week!!

Love,

Elder LeBaron

Proselyting, teaching the Africans how to catch a baseball

Brazzaville

My new companion and roommates

Elder Benjamin LeBaron

July 30, 2019 Ghana MTC (Week 3)

Leave a comment

Hey Family,

It was so wonderful to talk to you this week. You give me so much power to continue on. It’s just such a blessing to connect with you each week. It gives me so much peace. Also, going to the temple gave me so much strength as well. It so awesome I can attend it each week while I’m here. I just thank God for all of you! I love this gospel so much and this next week I’m going to try and focus so much on the Lord and try not to think about home and just have faith that everything will be ok. Dad, thanks so much for sharing with me D&C 31. It is the best chapter and helped me so much! I know I can do this for two years and I have an amazing team back home. Gosh I love you so much! This week I got a little sick so that wasn’t fun. The good news is that I didn’t miss home. The nurse here gave me some medicine and told me to get some rest. I took a nap but it didn’t really help. Good news is the days went by fast. I had the opportunity to teach “investigators” in French. My French is so bad, but it was a good experience. This week dad I worked on what you told me to do and started complimenting vs comparing. It’s made such a big difference!! I’ve also really started to find things I love about Africa and the MTC as well. I’m really going to work on my attitude because it makes such a big difference! Well you guys have an awesome week. We’ll talk next week! Love you all!!

Love,

Elder LeBaron

Photos:

Group photo taken together with Elder and Sister Martinez together with other MTC staff after the Area Devotional held on July 23, 2019.

Elder Benjamin LeBaron

July 24, 2019 Ghana MTC (Week 2)

Leave a comment

Hey Family,

This has been a tough week. I was sick earlier in the week and all I wanted was mom. I’ve just been feeling so overwhelmed with the language and just missing everything at home. I’ll be ok, but man I didn’t realize this would be so hard. That said, I know everyone back home is praying for me and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I just need to have faith that the Lord will take care of me and everyone back home as well. I just need to keep looking at the positive like the fact that I found my white sock I lost when I did laundry today after praying like crazy. I’m so grateful for the Americans and I’m really starting to love them!! I’m feeling better now and talking to the family really helps me! I can’t wait to talk to you all again today! I had the most amazing experience this week. I was really struggling one night and I had been praying and begging the Lord for an experience to feel peace and loved. At the end of my last lesson I was just sitting thinking about my mission and my mission president and I felt this overwhelming feeling like Grandpa was near and I could feel his spirit communicate with mine that he was looking over me, and that he would protect me. I felt his huge big arms wrap around me. It was amazing! It was so beautiful! It made my eyes fill with tears. Right after my teacher shared his favorite scripture with us that helped him on his mission. It was awesome The Lord is with us and even though missions are super hard I’m learning so much and having amazing experiences. Yes, I’m missing home like crazy right now and can’t understand a word that is said in class, but I can bare my testimony in French at least a few words and I know the Lord will continue to bless me. Only Tyler knows what I’m going through and he sent me an amazing email with tons of advice. I love him so much!! Well have an awesome week! I love you all and miss you all soooooo much!!

Love,

Elder LeBaron

Pictures of the week: pics w elder lee and w some teachers that know tyler and other random pictures and a pic of us at the temple this morning.


Elder Benjamin LeBaron

July 17, 2019 Ghana MTC (Week 1)

Leave a comment

Hey Family!!!

Holy cow man i am tired but i love it out here!!! Everything is super tough right now but I stay positive! I really have strived to just be happy! Its helped out so much and I pray nonstop. Seriously that’s all I do as well as read the Book of Mormon. I love the mission though I don’t know french but I know it will come with time! Everyone here knows Tyler! Its so awesome!!! I love you so much and i hope you wake up so i can see you man because I’ve been trying to use Hangouts for the past thirty minutes and no one is answering hahaha Oh well I love you! Have a great week! I’m going to share all my journal entries while I’m here in the MTC…maybe even my whole mission. I hope you enjoy them!!! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder LeBaron

Here are some pics on the flight, and the little kid was my buddy on the flight from Amsterdam to Ghana. he is 12, his dad is a pastor i think but i taught him about the church and the Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith it was cool and this kid was so smart! I showed him a picture of Jesus and he was like Jesus is white?!! It was very interesting but I told him it doesn’t matter if he’s white or black, he’s the same. Also, pictures of the Ghana airport.

Crammed bus ride to the MTC

First day

My companion, elder from Congo, Brazzaville, missionaries in my apartment and MTC food

Our MTC room, the MTC entrance, my name badge, and the view

My first Hangout with my family

Elder Benjamin LeBaron

July 11, 2019 Ghana MTC – Safe Arrival

Leave a comment

Greetings from Accra, Ghana!

We are pleased to report that your missionaries arrived safely tonight at the Ghana MTC. They look tired but happy (pictures attached). We’re delighted to welcome them. We love them already!

They join a group of 160 missionaries from 25 countries for this 3-week cycle. We have missionaries from homes in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Argentina, the Marshall Islands, countries all over Africa, and other locations. The work grows across the world.

We’ll ask them to email you tomorrow (in about 12-14 hours) to let you know more about their trip.

This is a remarkable place to serve! The Church is growing rapidly with people who are faithful, strong, and committed. It is special time and the Lord’s hand is over this area. 

Thank you for your support and love. These good young disciples are in the care of our Living Lord. This we know.

President and Sister Allen

Ghana MTC

Elder Tyler LeBaron

December 13, 2017 Ghana MTC (Week 6 – Tyler)

Leave a comment

To Dad:

Thanks man!!! Yeah i feel like it is going to be a great experience i just need to stay strong and positive at first because i know it will be hard i’m going from like 30% french to 100%! I seriously cant believe it time is going by way fast!! Just in time for it to slow down lol! Its alright though i’m not worried the lord will take care of me!! Hahaha yeah its like i want it to go fast but at the same time i want to be able to enjoy it and  say that i have served the lord proud! Yeah i’m prepping myself for it hahah! Yeah it is starting to come a lot more and will continue to these next few weeks/months!  Haha yeah i love that movie we talk about it all the time here and i tell them how it was your mission and everyone thinks its so cool!  Yeah no that is spot on man I love you so much man!!! Yeah it is going to be so cool to see all the stuff i experience!!! You’re my best friend as well man!!! I love you even more!!!! Thanks man i will be don’t you worry i got the lord on my side! Ill write that down and read it!!!

Love you too!!!!
Beaucoup d’amour
Elder LeBaron
To Mom:
Hey mommy!

I know it is so crazy!!!!!! Time is just flying!!!!! That good i’m so glad to hear!! Haha! It was pretty good! Homesickness was up and down this week but i’m trying to stay positive!!! Im so stoked to get out and teach it is going to be so crazy!!!! Im pretty nervous though more nervous than when i left home haha it is so weird i don’t even understand it! Its probably just cuz Satan doesn’t want me getting to the field haha! Hahaa yeah it is! Yeah im noticing it more and more just how well the lord has prepared me perfectly for this mission it is crazy! Haha yeah i try my best! well thanks! I know seriously though Im so happy!! No sadly i don’t even know if we will. Im gonna talk to Elder Hill about it and see if we will. No sadly i wish i did so i could let you guys know but its alright its the lords will not ours! Im thinking we will be sent pretty early because the last batch all left at 3 in the morning because everyone flies to cote d’ivoire and then to their mission so we just get sucked onto the plane with them because its cheaper that way haha so that will be interesting! Im not sure if it will be the same this next time around but ill see! Honestly i cant change whats gonna happen all i can do is prepare for it! Yeah that will be soooooo nice! Yeah i would hate the provo MTC! The Lord knows us so well and what will help us to best serve him! Yeah i will be! This is the time when i need to dig deep cuz Satan is going to send forth his mighty winds and hail to beat me down but the lords way always prevails even if it takes your whole life for it to! Every trial is so individual and honestly the best way to get over it is turn to the lord so thats what ill do!  Yeah i will! Yeah that is soooo coool im so glad you guys got to have that!!! HECKK YEAHHH THATS MY BROTHERRRR!!! hahah hes such a stud! I pray that i can have that same attitude!! HAHAHA ohh man you crack me up! Well the French ones were pretty quiet at frist but now im way tight with them Elder Gueu and Mbowa They teach me french and i teach them english its great! Elder Sivertson-Kuhn is the funniest kid he is such a dork but him and i are close! He reminds me of a mix between tanner and justin its great! Hes native american and grew up on a native american reserve but he dosent look native american at all its funny hes great! Ill try to get a picture of all us together so i can send it to you guys! Lol i just read more and realized you wanted me to explain Elder Joos hahah yeahhh thatt guyyy…. He was 100% serious that kid is sketch but like that is literally like all the missionaries like everything is SOOO cheap and we have a TONE of free time in the mission so it is easy to come by lazy missionaries! This is one of the main reasons im so scared to go but honesly i shouldnt be scared i just need to crush satans head haha! I dont even know what to do like i dont want to be a tatle tail and stuff so like i dont know what to really do about it. I was wanting to ask dad about his thoughts on what to do with situations like that and having a lazy trainer cuz im feeling like it could be the case but i just want to know the best way to motivate him and not get him mad given he is my trainer and i cant really tell him what to do haha. Yes im so glad see i told you not to worry!!!! (Kissy face!) Yeah i figured as much i just wouldnt worry about it! Shes outta our life and thats all that matters (300 million reliefed faces and thumbs up lol) Yeah i bet that was so great!!!! Looks like you guys had a blast!!! Hahaa nahhh youre good! I got time today which is great!!! I just pray i get this same time out in the field! Hahaha sammmeee!!!! Its alright though we will grow in ways that we couldnt before and so will our relationship!!! I love you so much!!! Yeah we have such a great relationship i love it!!! Haha yeah i miss those good ole days haha its alrigh though!!! Hahaha nah its all good!!! I love you too!! Keep being the best mom in the whole wide world!!!!
Avec amour (i dont really know what else to say other than “with love” haha)
Elder LeBaron
Elder Tyler LeBaron

December 6, 2017 Ghana MTC (Week 5 – Tyler)

Leave a comment

To Dad:

Haha yeah it is! Bon jour comment ça va??? I miss you so much you have no idea but your councel has seriously helped me so much i love you so much man!!!! Awe dang for real im sorry man! Dang thats rough…. Yeah ill do that man!! Thanks for the advice! Love you man!!!!!

That is so true man i love you so much and thank you so much for your advice i use it every single day so know that its not going to waste! I love you so much keeep being the best dad in the whole world love you man!!! Also crazy that you said to search and know about the saviors life because that is all i have felt in my prayers to know what to do to be a better missionary!!! I love you so much man!!!!
To Mom:
It was great! Yeah its crazy! French is coming a lot better!! haha thanks so much i’m trying haha but the fast seriously has helped so much it is amazing!!! Yeah the lord is so great!!! No we didn’t i think they will show us it later or something or not at all not sure what will happen. That is so awesome i forgot about that!!!! Sounds like you had a good time! NO way that is so awesome!!!!!! Yeah the priesthood is amazing i love being able to use it!! No i haven’t opened any packages yet haha im waiting to use it in the field with my new comp haha that way we both can enjoy all of the gifts! Yeah it doesn’t feel like christmas at ALL which is so nice!!! The lord is so great!! I have been able to battle home sickness so much better which is nice!! NO last week was such a blessing i hope i can talk to you guys this much every week!!!!! I love you so much!!!!!!!!! ​
Elder Tyler LeBaron

November 28, 2017 Ghana MTC (Week 4 – Tyler)

1 Comment

Here’s my recording for the week love you guys tons cant wait to hear from you!!! I’ll send pictures in another email! Love you guys!!!!!

So to explain the pictures one is me and frere Agyeman Freda’s nephew then a random picture of us on Sunday then on is my district then me and Uka with elder weaver who we thought was going to leave then me and elder Naidoo who’s this indian dude from South Africa that I was good buddies with! So yeah hopefully you can figure it all out haha i cant actually see the pictures on here i just send them hahah! Anyways, love you guys tons!!! hope you all had an awesome week!!!​

Elder Tyler LeBaron

November 24, 2017 Ghana MTC (Week 3 – Tyler)

Leave a comment
The miracle for the week was the fact that I received all the confirmations from the lord that i need to love my companion and serve him.

The difficult experience was a teaching we had this week where my comp got pretty upset with me but i just let it pass and didn’t fight him back and he eventually just stopped and chilled out

An experience that was easy and fun was our teaching we had yesterday we committed the fake investigator to finally start reading the Book of Mormon, pray, and come to church! 

An act of service would be almost everyday i try to serve my comp and other elders as much as possible!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hey Daddy!!!!

This week has been so much better! I listened to what you said about serving and loving and i have seen a change! The lord is so great! Yeah it will be but the lord will give me strenghth!! Yeah its so true like even though were teaching fake people the power of it is so real it is amazing! Yeah dont worry i count them everyday man! We have so much to be greatful for in the states! They pamper us a lot in the mtc i feel like but i know the field is gonna be rough but look at what nephi and his family did! this is a piece of cake compared to them!! Yeah its so true everytime i feel home sick i find a way to serve my companion and the homesickness goes away! I miss you so much too man!!! Yeaah its so true conversion is a life time thing not a one time experience! Yeah its true everything is given little by little with time i will learn and grow and see the path the lord needs me to take! I love you so much too man youre my best friend!!! I will be man!! Thanks for that im gonna go read that right now!!! Love you so much!!!
p.s. im going to try to get back online after i get back from the temple so hopefully you guys will be awake then! it is 9:45 here and were going to the 2:30 session so i should be back around 4:30 to get back on for like an hour until i have to go to dinner at 5:30! Also the pictures i sent are the group of americans that we came on the plane with to ghana from amsterdam! they leave tuesday!!! its so weird tio think im almost past week 3!! time is starting to speed up which is nice!! Then the other pictures are me and my comps thanks giving feast!! Btw HAPPY THANKSGIVING  send my love to everyone back at home!! Tell john and heather i miss them like crazy!!! The other picture is me eating bone! dont worry i only eat the end of the bone its actually a lot softer than you would think the bone here is different than in america im like 90% positive its safe lol!! all the other americans have been eating it wil no problem so i think im fine! idk if ill do it when im out in the field though haha! Then the last picture is with me and Elder Bell. He lives up in daybreak so he is like 5-10 min from the house which is crazy!! he went to Copper Hills! Also the adapters that i brought dont work here they are african ones that have three prongs so idk what to do ill probably have to just buy some when i get to the field. Maybe they are different in cote d’ivoire so who knows do some research for me! also how much money did i come on the plane with because i only have 335 but i thought i had 375 so try to figure it out cuz i think my comp might have taken money but idk and i didnt want to accuse him of something that isnt true so yeah just figure that out and let me know! love you so much man!!!!!!!
Je t’aime mon pére!!
Elder LeBaron

Hey mommy!!!!! This week was a lot better!! Thanks so much i have defienetely felt the prayers for sure! Thats because it was an awesome weekk!!!!! Yeah i told frére Aygeman to have her reach out to you! YeaH I WAS SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT WRITTING HIM OR ZACH BACK! I found out later that the 30min rule isnt really that big a rule and that all the other missionaries write for hours so im gonna start using more time haha! Wow i love him so much man! Im going to write him everyweek too! I have no clue how to download recordings because a lot of acess is limited on the recordings here so im going to have to download them later or something! Yeah i ador him! Yeah it is really crazy to think about! it just makes me smile that the lord trusted me enough to come here tio help change the other side of the world! I have felt that the lord has a huge work for me to do and that If i stay on his side always and put him first then i will be blessed for it! YeaH PATIENCE IS THE KEY I TALK ALOT ABOUT THAT AND CHARITY IN MY RECORDING! pAY ATTENTION TO THE SCRIPTURES i share and really devower them in FHE try to be more charitable that is the key! If my brothers figure that out before they come on a mission they will be amazing!!! Yeah that is so true thanks so much for that thought i love you so much! Youre so intune with the spirit it is amazing i love you and dad so much and miss you gus LIKE CRAZY!!!!!! its okay though im on the lords errand now and am the pencil in his hand! Yeah that is sop true! Satan is about to get a major curb stomp!!!! I miss you too and love you tons!! I will! Wow i didnt even know that word till know you know better fench than me hahaha!!!! je t’aime beaucoup!!!

p.s. im gonna put the pictures and recording in another email to you cuz it is too much!

Beaucoup amour,
Elder LeBaron