Asokore

Elder Vea's Birthday

mashed potatoes, marinated chicken, Bergie brew

Asokore Zongo

Hannah skipping rope

A Call to Serve

Elder Gillam and Elder Bergeson with friends

Tying charcoal for Mathilda and Morrison

Sister Linda and Sister Mary with Elder Bergeson

Success

Gloria's Baptism

After the baptism with the District

Elder Bergeson forgot to bring a change of clothes, so he is a bit wet

Elder Vea, Elder Gillam and Elder Bergeson

Elder Fesolai went home, he will be missed

Faith To Act

May 29^th, 20017

John 8: 29

“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”

Family and Friends,

I have a new companion!!! Elder Gillam from Tehachapi, California has been called to be my eternal companion (we call the missionary that we finish with our eternal companion.) He is awesome. He is 20, just a few weeks older than I, and a small town boy. He is a parkour master so I got to see him do some back flips today at an activity, we will see how much I can learn. But the best thing is that I have a workout partner now in the morning! And he is a wonderful missionary as well. 

Two of our Districts in Koforidua Zone got together today and killed a pig. We have three Polynesians in our Zone so they made quick work of this four month old pig. You just cut the throat, gut it, put a stick running from the mouth to the back end, and roast it over the fire. Elder Flan II and I cooked the jollof-rice and we had quite the feast.

Missionary work has been the greatest blessing in my life. As you serve others you are given the opportunity to forget about yourself and your personal desires, and to give of your heart to others. You give and give and give and most often you don't find much in return, but it helps you to appreciate the good that we have. This Sunday after Church we were able to go out with our Relief Society Sisters to visit some of the sick and less active sisters. I love the Relief Society because they remind me so much of my Grandma, Mother, and my Sisters. They give me great advice, help me see things that I can do better, and are living examples to me of giving your life to Christ. Our Chapel is about a 15 minute walk from our Area and the Sisters just gird up their dresses and walked in the afternoon sun to visit those in need. I was so impressed with their desire to do the things that God has asked of them. They visited three sick sisters, teaching them and helping them to feel loved, and then acting in faith with us as Elder Gillam and I blessed them. And I've never seen a happier group of Sisters.

We are sons and daughters of God. We have power to act and choose to be as God is. God has not left us on this Earth alone to suffer and grind each day away. Our Heavenly Father is with us, He will never leave us alone, and He has put us here to find joy and to learn the good from the evil. But He is with us as we are with Him. Always do those things that please God and feel of His love and power in your life.

I love you all. Remember who you and what you can become.

Mi Kwaba,

Elder Bergeson

Teaching and Farming

Elder Bergeson is a pro in the rain

Morrison & Mathilda and kids

Mid-week Young Women and Young Men Activity

District Farming Project from left to right

Elder Vea (Tonga)

Elder Jiwa (Zimbabwe)

Elder Fesolai (Australia)

Elder Gillam (California)

Elder Crosby (Arizona)

Elder Bergeon (the only missionary in this mission from Washington)

Elder Bergson harvesting bamboo

Elder Bergson carrying bamboo on is head through the bush,

following another harvester

Posing for fun

Blessed

In my personal studies I've been hitting Matthew 5 very hard, especially the Beatitudes. In a manual it talks about what it means to be "Blessed". It says, "Happiness comes from without and is dependent on circumstances. Blessedness is an inward fountain of joy in the soul itself, which no outward circumstance can seriously affect." Dummelow's Commentary. So when it says "Blessed are..." we can see it as being even greater than happiness because our hearts are in line with God's. I love that and am seeking to feel blessed. 

Elder B.

Last week with Elder Harris...he heads home soon

Do and Teach

Matthew 5 : 19

...but whosoever shall do [the commandments] and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Family,

Mothers Day is a great day for each of us. A time for us to reflect on our mothers, the ones who gave birth to us and the ones who have carried us through our lives. The thing I've always observed of my mother is that she teaches by example. She taught my siblings and I not by her words, although she used many words on us, but by her actions. This week I was looking for opportunities to serve as I have always watched my mother serve. 

Thank you mom for always sacrificing for me. Being a mother is difficult and they give of themselves each day, but remember that it doesn't go unnoticed. You are examples that I continue to follow. This week we were teaching our Brother Antwi with his neighbor Comfort. Brother Antwi is blind and I just asked him if there was anything that we could do to help him. He asked what kind of help? I said cooking, sweeping, washing... As soon as I said washing he said, "Yes! I've been feeling shy to ask you, but it is difficult for me to wash. Will you come and help me?" This week Elder Harris and I got bought some soap and rode to Brother Antwi's home. He was waiting with his washing buckets. We gathered his clothes and filled the buckets with water from the well then started in. We talked of his family and his Gospel questions. We sang hymns together and are helping him to learn "The Spirit of God." In the middle I remember holding up his underwear (garments), it was just covered with stains. He is blind so he doesn't know when it is dirty, it was a mess. In that moment I was reminded of the many times my mother changed my dirty diapers, cleaned my mattress when I wet the bed, and even cleaned up vomit off of the bathroom floor. Mothers learn to be selfless, not from talking about being selfless, but from acting in those moments. They learn charity as they act in circumstances that demand that love from them. 

Thank you mothers everywhere for being selfless, not only in word but in deed. Thank you for teaching as you do the commands of God. For this very reason each of you will be called great in the kingdom of heaven, just as you are great in each of our hearts.

I love you all.

Mi Kwaba,

Elder Bergeson

Brother Antwi

My Asokore Mothers. I love them to death

Washing clothes for a blind man, Brother Antwi

Elder Harris, Brother Antwi, and Elder Bergeson

Happy Mothers Day - Elder Bergeson's 

other mothers in Asokore