The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' missionary program is one of its most recognised characteristics.
Mormon missionaries can be seen on the streets of hundreds of major cities in the world as well as in thousands of smaller communities.
One such young man is Jayden Halavaka of the Emu Plains congregation in western Sydney. Jayden recently returned from serving two years in the Accra Ghana Mission in western Africa.
“I didn’t know anything about Ghana,” said Jayden, reflecting on the moment he read his mission call. His first thoughts were apprehensive as he only knew what he heard others speak of Africa.
The reality was far different.
Jayden found the people of Ghana generous and very welcoming to missionaries. Ghana is a relatively prosperous country, a stable democracy, and largely Christian. The official language of both the country and the mission is English.
Jayden served with 11 companions during his two years of service, 7 of whom were from African countries. He found the experience an eye-opening one. “I expected all Africans to be the same before I started serving, but it is remarkable how great the cultural differences are between Elders even from neighbouring countries.”
- Elder Halavaka trying his hand at making Kente cloth in Ghana
- Elder Hakavaka and Elder Vogt with Patience Ankor
- Missionary Companions serving in Africa
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The diet of mostly rice and extremely spicy food, the climate of basically two seasons, one very dry and hot and the other very wet and humid, posed challenges. They also encountered poverty and power cuts. But the hardships were not nearly as extreme as Jayden expected.
Jayden found that many people think of Africa as portrayed on 'World Vision' ads, with starving and dying people, and whilst there may be areas that reflect this, for the most part this was not his experience. He observed that Ghanaians don’t see their 'poverty' as poverty, they see it as theirway of life. They make do. They use what they have, and they use it to the best of their ability. They are resourceful, they are humble, and they are a loving people" explained Jayden.
“Now I think of Ghana as a country that is growing, both economically and in the Gospel. I see Ghana as a pearl because of how strong it is in the Church. I think Western Africa, and Africa as a whole, will be blessed by Ghana’s strong foundation. In Africa,the positive impact of the Church's missionary program and the teaching of the Book of Mormon makes the soul sing."
Watch a video about the Church’s missionary efforts.