As a special treat, Anson and Sarah got to stay with us in our apartment until Sarah's Mom was able to come. We borrowed an extra mattress and Sarah and Anson took up residence in the Living Room.
Thus, Grandma Call was the first one to bathe little Anson, and he hardly made a whimper. Bath time with Grandma Call
Anson, Sarah, and her Mom
After a few days, Sarah's Mother came by bus from a neighboring town several miles away. As we drove Ernest, Sarah and Anson to their new home, it was a tearful "Goodbye" for I knew I would not be able see little Anson as much as I would like.
January found us making two trips to Nigeria. There are five "For Strength of Youth" (FSY) conferences happening in Nigeria and one in Ghana this coming August 2015. We are the Area missionary couple that are training the local leaders how to run a FSY. January was the second set of training meetings we have held in Nigeria. We will take two more trips to Nigeria in April/May and then hopefully they will be able to do it on their own. A FSY is an extensive 5 day Youth Conference held for young men/young women between the ages of 14-18 years old. Today I wrote up a report to give to the Area Presidency. In doing the calculations I discovered that in the Africa West Area this year there will be about 2,970 young people attending a FSY and approximately 418 leaders. The "leaders" of the FSY are mostly comprised of young single adults. It is a big undertaking...to say the least.
When we go do training in Nigeria, we try and visit the venues in which the FSY's will take place. The schools here in West Africa don't have the kind of facilities we in America are used to, but they are adequate. Dormitories for a FSY in Nigeria
This picture is pretty typical to what a dormitory room looks like in most the schools, except this room is somewhat nicer than most. It has higher ceilings and the walls are newly painted and clean. In the dormitories there are generally no desks or shelves. There may be a small locker to keep their personal belongings, but mostly they consist of large rooms with many bunk beds.
One of the schools we visited, had a basketball standard, which is not common to see, for soccer is the preferred sport in West Africa. As fate would have it, some students came with a ball just as we were walking by the basketball court. Elder Call could not resist the temptation to show the boys how to make a three-point shot. I think they were amazed that the "old man" in the white shirt and tie could actually shoot the ball.
In January we also continued to work on our literacy assignment. With Area Presidency guidance and approval, we have chosen 5 stakes and one district to roll out the Literacy Program. In January we did the initial training for the leaders in each of those units. It has gone well. The priesthood leaders and the members are excited for this program to begin. In February, a senior missionary couple is coming to help in the Literacy Program. The sister, Joan Heckel, has taught literacy much of her life and one of her "dreams" has been to teach English in Africa. We are excited to learn from her and then help take the training throughout Ghana and then all of West Africa. Again, it is a huge undertaking, but the Area Presidency here don't seem to have small goals...they think big.
A literacy class.
When we tell the students and teachers that soon there will be literacy training, they get very excited. Many members have testimonies of the restored Gospel, but lack the ability to read about the restoration and the word of God to them. I feel this literacy emphasis has been inspired from the Area Presidency and I know Elder Call and I have been inspired. Since, Elder Dube gave us the assignment, we have literally seen miracles happen. What did we know about teaching English? Nothing! But we have been guided and inspired by the Lord and led to people who do know. This is God's work!!!
The last training we did in January was in the city of Koforidua, Ghana. Koforidua is about a 2 hour drive north of Accra. We contacted the senior missionary couple there and told them we were coming. They invited us to come a day early so we could spend some time with them. It is always a pleasure to get to visit with and get to know the other missionary couples. Most of their assignments are so different from ours. We always come "home" feeling we are the most lucky missionary couple in the Africa West Area. :)
The picture is of Elder and Sister Brown and a member in their ward. The Browns are from Australia. Elder Call enjoyed reminiscing about Australia during our visit since he served his first mission there.
We continue to marvel at the amazing experiences we are privileged to enjoy. Serving here has strengthened our testimonies that God is no respecter of persons. He loves ALL His children...old or young...male or female...black or white. We love the Church, we love the Lord, and we love the African people.
