COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

Has important as counting ones days on earth-so it is as vital to count ones blessings. Reflecting on on the past 365 days, I have come to realize so many blessings the Lord has showered on me. And there is no place to celebrate my birthday if not on mission were I get to serve my brothers and sisters out here. It's indeed an honor.

I saw this portrait in a member's house we visited and I could not think of a better new year resolution than this, to always count my blessings.

Oh Lord, when I grow
 weary please help me to
remember each and everyday.

To count my blessings
and not my crosses,
To count my gains
and not my losses,

To count my laughs
and not my tears,
To count my joys
and not my fears,

To count my health
and not my wealth,
and, most of all,
To count on you God
and not on myself.

It was a great day, Elder Harmon baked me a cake and also put me on spot by telling random people on streets it my birthday and the most sweet and embarrassing part was gathering 6 people to sing a birthday song to me.

--

Elder Odukoya 

P.S. 

Here in Lilongwe, bicycle(Kabaza) is used to transport people from the main road into streets and it amaze me how the riders could paddle when climbing a hill.

BIRTHDAY WEEK. I AM A MALAWIAN!!!

YES! It's my birthday day week and it's just five days away. Want to know if I'm happy, Do I really need to answer that? This week is going to be an awesome week. My birthday is just five days away and my companion and I are having a baptism this coming Sunday, and next week Tuesday is my first Zone conference on mission.

My first transfer came in during my training which is very rare but due to work permit, it became a reality. So the area am in now is called Kalambo, a village in Lilongwe. And the good news is everybody here thinks am from Malawi because am black and my companion always got people yelling "Azungu" which means white person. And we are both transferred in so we've got more work to do, though it has being good so far cause the branch missionaries have being helping us contact the investigators the past missionaries were teaching and also showing us the area.

Am not sure a ball will go through that goal post.

The people of Malawi are great and humble, ready to listen to our message most act on it. The growth of the church here is great and the members has a strong faith and the leaders are also eager to work with the missionaries.

--
Elder Odukoya

P.S. Birthday package is warmly welcome. Just check on the right side of the page, the package mail address is right there. Smiles'

FIRST TRANSFER IN TRAINING

Baptism On 27th Of August

It's being a great couple of weeks. We had 12 investigators at church last two week, and also had two baptism this week. Elder Mano'o and I have being working hard in our area and I appreciate having him has a companion. Have really learn a lot from him has a trainee. We hope to build the Kingdom, by working towards our purpose has a missionary.

 Transfer To Malawi

Yes, transfer already. It all came to reality when I received a call from mission office to come to the immigration. I was told I might be transferred to Malawi in the middle of my Training because the country has just implemented a new law  that you can only apply for a work permit outside the country and not inside the country anymore. So I had to be transferred to Malawi which is part of the mission and probably get a new trainer.

Saturday Zone Braai

The Elders in the zone decided to have a braai prior to transfer and it was fun. Plenty meat and saying pre-bye.

Four Weeks On field Already

Time flies so fast. It all  started with new missionary orientation the second day on field and it being awesome so far. Mission life is humbling and I couldn't have thought about any where else to be if not Zambia Lusaka Mission.

I was assigned a trainer after my interview with my mission President and got a trainer (Elder Mano'o) from Samoa, he has enough knowledge on teaching. He has really helped me a lot in terms of teaching and finding. I had the privilege of serving first in an area called Libala in Lusaka. It's being great serving in the area and getting to serve the people of Libala, both in the ward and in the area.

Elder Mano'o and Myself on orientation day.

New missionaries with President and Sister Kupu

New missionaries with  trainers.

LIFE AT MTC

After being reassigned to Zambia Lusaka Mission, and MTC also changed to Ghana MTC, it had  being a great journey so far at the MTC. I arrived at the Ghana MTC  on 6th of July with ten (10) other missionaries from Nigeria.

We get to go to the Temple every Wednesday

The Priesthood of Zion

Elder Wallentine (MTC Companion)
From Bear Lake, Utah

Being with a companion 24 hours everyday was kinda strange, but it became interesting has we got to know and serve each other. He is a good guy and I would miss him. He's serving in Sierra Leone Free Town Mission. He helped me in compiling the Book Of Odukoya which I would post next time.

Elder Wallentine (Elder Wally)

Elders Jorgensen, Christy, Beutler, Me, Wallentine.

Elder Vinson's 

We were privileged to have Elder Vinson visit us at the MTC. His talk was on Matthew 4:1-10, and He brought out three point from those verses that we should avoid has missionaries.

Matt 4:1-4    Lack of integrity

Matt 4:5-7   Pride

Matt 4:8-10 Sense of entitlement.

"Sport Time" best period at the MTC