September 2014 in Ghana

September in Ghana was another exciting and wonderful month.  First, I would like to give a quick update on the "real" Ebola situation in West Africa.  There have been no reported cases in Ghana and it has been contained in Nigeria with no new outbreaks there.  Our travel has not been restricted to the countries of Nigeria, Togo, Benin, nor Cote d'Ivoire.  However, we still are not allowed to enter Liberia or Sierra Leone and do not know when those countries will have the virus contained.  None the less, we have heard reports and seen pictures of continued  missionary work  in those countries.  The Area leaders here are still keeping in close contact with the leaders there, though they no longer can take personal visits. 

The airports here are pretty strict about taking your temperature several times before you board the airplane and again when you leave the airport.  It appears the United States should have been a bit more careful themselves.  I suppose with the outbreak of Ebola in Dallas, Texas there will be temperature checks throughout the States as well.  Our only concern is that the "world" will assume that all of West Africa poses an Ebola threat when that is simply not true. 

The first week of September began with a trip to Cape Coast with Ernest and Sarah Gyampoh, our "adopted" Ghanaian children.  We learned that Ernest had never been to any of the slave castles, thus we decided they both needed an "African/Church History Tour".  We wanted to go before Sarah got too big with child, she is due in January, so we felt September would be perfect.  We had a great two days. 

 






      Swimming at the hotel









 It was only the second time Sarah had been swimming in her entire life.  The first time was when she was dating Ernest.  Except for fishermen, most Ghanaians do not learn to swim.  In fact, they are afraid of the water, mostly due to cultural traditions.

On the balcony of the hotel

 

They have a crocodile pond at the hotel.  When we first looked over the fence into the pond, we thought the crocodiles were fake because they were so completely still.  However, as we watched there were a couple who moved and we realized they were all very much alive.  They feed them chickens, but we did not stay for feeding time.

Our beautiful African lily...Sarah.  We learned shortly after our trip that the baby Sarah is carrying will be a boy.  As a "gift" to us, they asked Elder Call to name their first boy and me to name their first girl.  The name I chose was "Ada Vilate", after my great grandmother Ada Lowe and my great, great grandfather's first wife Vilate Kimball who opened her heart to so many other wives that Heber C. Kimball was commanded to marry.  One of those wives being my great, great grandmother Mary Smithies.  Sarah and I were hoping for an "Ada", but it was not to be.  It appears we will have another Anson in the family for the name Elder Call chose was "Anson Terry".  He chose it after his great, great grandfather Anson Call and his grandmother's maiden name Ruby Terry, and of course, his first given name.

 

Cannons used to protect the Cape Coast Slave Castle












We also went to this "monkey farm" where a couple from Holland moved to Ghana 11 years earlier. Dennis and  his wife Antoinette rescue baby wildlife and raise them until they can return them to the jungle.  The local natives bring the animals to them.  Most times the locals will kill the mother for food and bring the baby/babies to Dennis and Antoinette to raise.  The couple pay the locals  for their "trouble".  If they refuse to pay, the natives kill the babies.  Thus, they pay to get the babies and they pay to feed them.  To help defray the cost, they created a small zoo where they keep the animals until they are adults and charge a minimal entrance fee.   However, they are not able to release the monkeys for after they have been "domesticated" they are unable to survive in the jungle. If you look closely  you can see a monkey on the left hand side of the picture.  They keep the monkeys on long chains so they can jump around on neighboring trees. 

Lest you think our trip was all play and no "work" I need to relate an incident that happened. As Elder Call checked out of the hotel, the young woman at the desk pointed at his name tag and said, "I want to join your church".  A young man who was also working at the desk said, "I want to join your church too".  Elder Call asked them why they were interested in our church.  They told him they had heard good things about our church and they liked the way we worshiped.  Elder Call took down their contact information and the two missionaries, who we included in the last blog (Elder Judy and Elder Molene), are currently teaching them.  There are no coincidences when you are engaged in the Lord's work!!

As further evidence that we don't just play around, the senior missionary couple, the Stokers who serve in Public Affairs, wrote up an article on the FSY's (For Strength of Youth) activities that were held this year in West Africa.  The article was in the September 17, 2014  edition of the Church News.  For those who missed it you can go to:
https://www.lds.org/church/news/thousands-of-africas-youth-gather-in-first-fsy-conferences?lang=eng

The previous senior missionary couple, the Petersens, spearheaded these particular FSY's.  However, they went home before they took place, so we did the follow-up work.  Furthermore, we will be the missionary couple spearheading these FSY's in 2015 and have already begun the training.  There will be a total of 5 FSY's in West Africa next year, one in Accra West and four in Nigeria. 

One of the reasons we are relieved the Ebola virus has been contained in Nigeria, is the necessity we have of traveling there to do training for their upcoming FSY's.  One of those trainings took place in September.  We flew into Benin City, Nigeria; a city whose population we were informed was 2 or 3 million. 

Classrooms at Helena's Secondary Girls School in Nigeria

 

As part of our training for FSY's, we try and visit the facilities that the local leaders are considering holding the event.  Thus, after training at a chapel in Benin, we got into a van and drove 2 hours north/west to this all girl's secondary school.  It was pretty typical of schools here in West Africa, only a little worse.  I was grateful the Area 70's wife, Sister Akinbo also came along, for when we saw the absence of bathroom facilities, we both gave a "thumbs down".  Sister Akinbo emphatically said to her husband, "My girls are not staying here". 

However, while at the school I learned a very interesting local tradition.  According to their custom, whenever a young person meets an older person, they fall to their knees.  I learned of this custom first hand for as we approached these young women they all dropped to their knees.   When I asked what they were doing, I was told they were showing respect for us as their elders.  I was also informed that the boys, according to custom, prostrate themselves on the ground when they meet an elderly person.  I was rather glad it was an all girl's school.  Having someone fall to their knees as you approach is uncomfortable enough without having them prostrate themselves on the ground.  The reeds in the hand of the girl on the left, is a typical broom found in West Africa.  They sweep bending over, thus the girls were cleaning when we met them. 

 

Towards, the end of the month we learned that a "Dave Watson" was coming over to Nigeria and Ghana to do some training in creating and using the Church website. Our curiosity was immediately piqued for we knew of a Dave Watson who worked for the Church and was Dad's 2nd Counselor when he was the bishop of the Crescent 14th Ward in Sandy, Utah.  Sure enough, it was the same Dave Watson!  We invited him over for dinner and spent some time reminiscing and "catching up" on the status of our families.  (I took a picture but for some reason it did not download on my computer).

 

One of the "sad" things that we are beginning to experience is the return of other senior missionaries to their homes.  This will particularly affect us more and more because we signed up for a 23 month mission and most senior missionaries only serve for 18 months.  One of these dear couples that are leaving soon are Elder and Sister Assard.  Sister Assard is German and married a man from Cote d'Ivoire, which speak French.  She was introduced to the church by her sister and readily joined.  However, it was before all worthy males could hold the priesthood and when she learned her husband could not participate fully in all the ordinances she embarrasingly tells how she became less active.  Then in 1978 her sister called her with the news of the blacks receiving the  priesthood.  Sister Assard felt she better get back to church because the church was going on with out her.   She did return and her husband joined shortly thereafter.  Elder Assard became a great leader in Cote d'Ivoire being the first stake president and then a patriarch.  The Assards were called to a temple mission in Ghana.  Sister Assard knew German and French but could speak very little English, but she went to work to learn.  The Sister senior missionaries have scripture study every Monday morning for an hour.  We take turns teaching the class.  I often sit by Sister Assard because we both like to sit close to the front. One day during scripture study she turned to me and said, "My mouth can not say what my heart is speaking".  I will miss her sweet spirit. 

 

This last picture is of a senior missionary, Elder Parke.  He and his wife were called as missionaries to work in the temple.  They both speak French, so they are very useful when we get patrons who come from the neighboring French speaking countries of Togo, Benin and Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).  They were visiting a ward when it was split and a new branch was created. Everything happened as usual except they noticed the new branch president had no use of his legs and walked on his hands.  Elder Parke wondered how that branch president was going to be able to conduct the church meetings.  As an engineer he pondered on a solution to the problem.  With the Lord's help, he came up with an idea to build some steps with a movable pad.  The branch president could climb up the steps, push over the pad, and then sit on the pad to conduct meetings.  When the branch president was finished, the pad could be pushed back so others could stand at the pulpit.  He presented the idea to the stake president and the special stand was built to sit next to the podium. 

 

Shortly after it was finished, we attended one of the meetings in that branch.  We were amazed at the agility and ease with which the branch president slipped off his chair and climbed up to the pulpit. It was another testimony to me that God is ever aware of His children.  Not only is He aware of His children, but He will provide a way for them to accomplish the thing He has asked them to do.  We just need to "go" and "do". 

 

 

 



August 2014 in Ghana

The biggest and best news in Ghana is that, so far, there are no recorded Ebola out breaks.  We continue to cross our fingers, knock on wood, but most importantly pray that it stays that way.  Recently the government  has taken greater precautions to try and keep Ebola from spreading to Ghana.  It is a good and a bad thing.  Yesterday, there were three bus loads of Latter-day Saints coming to the Temple from the neighboring country of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).  They were stopped at the border and checked for Ebola and thus did not get to Accra until 2:00 in the morning.  Despite their late night, many of them were up early this morning getting ready to spend the day in the Temple doing work for their kindred dead.  There are no shortages of stories in West Africa of amazing faith and sacrifice.

August, like much of July, has been the culmination of almost a years planning and implementing of young single adult multistake activities and young men/young women FSY's (For Strength of Youth) programs throughout the entire Africa West Area.  After this week, there will have been eleven multistake activities involving approximately 7,650 young single adults and and four FSY's involving about 2,400 young men/young women.  This year we and Elder and Sis. Petersen, the other missionary couple, have been quite heavily engaged in helping with the organization of these activities.  However, next year the Africans are expected to basically handle them on their own.  As Elder Dube told us at the beginning of our mission, "I want you to work yourself out of a job!"  Thus, our emphasis has been on training the leaders in principles on how to run the programs themselves and not doing it for them.  As we have worked with the wonderful people here, we have found them to be qualified, capable, and ready to take over.  The Area Presidency did not replace the other missionary couple when they left in July, and their hope is NOT to replace us when we leave. 


 

We spent the  first week in August with the YM/YW at a FSY conference.  The conference was held a senior high boarding school in the "mountains" about l l/2 hours north of Accra.  The weather was beautiful but the youth thought it was very, very cold and many wore jackets.




A young man attending a workshop held outside on the grass.  The book the young man is holding says, "Holy Bible".

Listening to the youth choir



Missionary activity where the youth divided into companionships and organized and taught a lesson from "Preach My Gospel".     

  

Scriptures were chosen and banners were painted depicting the theme of the scripture.  Cheers were also created to go with the theme and name of the group.

                                                          

 

 

The kitchen crew was amazing.  The head cook, Sister Gertrude Dadzie, had a staff of about 30 who worked continually preparing food for the next meal.


The kitchen staff cooked especially good food for the leaders and specifically for Elder Call and I.  When they learned we liked potatoes, they made them special for us every evening meal.  The last night they mashed them with butter.

The clean up crew was particularly efficient.

The last day, meeting together and wearing their FSY shirts.

Elder Call with some young men from the FSY conference
 

Saturday, August 16th was Africa Day.  That day all in Africa were supposed to clean up or fix up.  Each ward was to pick some service project to do.  The bishop of the ward we attended the week before,  planned to have his ward go to a special needs school called the New Horizon School.

So we all put on our  "Helping Hands" vests and went to work.  The men worked on the grounds outside while the women scrubbed and cleaned the inside of the school. 

The photo is of Sister Martins, a senior missionary from Nigeria.  Her assignment is to work in the Accra Temple five days/week.  She was sick for a few days several weeks ago and I tried to encourage her to stay "home" and rest, but she would have nothing to do with it.  She said, "I was called to work in the Temple and that is what I'm going to do."

All dressed and ready to go to work at the New Horizon School.  The senior missionary couple on the left had just been evacuated from Liberia. 

 

There is a market down town called the Makola Market.  It is a large area with hundreds of shops.  There was absolutely no kind of planning when the market began because there is no rhyme or reason to the streets.  For that cause, and also for the fact that the locals will charge abruni's (white people) double the price, one needs to go Makola Market with a Ghanaian. 

 

Bernice, is a member of the Church and also owns a local shop called "Bags by Bernice".  She often goes to Makola Market to buy fabric for her shop and she agreed to "guide" a group of us sister missionaries through the streets of the Market.   I went basically for the experience, but of course, ended up purchasing a few things.  Elder Call thinks I have tried to adopt the attitude I had when we lived in Israel, i.e. try and bless as many shop keepers as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Kirkham, Sister Cannon, Sister Wilde and Sister Call shopping at Makola Market.                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August ended with a trip to Cape Coast to do some training.  While eating at the hotel restaurant, the junior missionaries came in.  They said they were looking for a place on the beach to have their zone conference.  Since we knew they didn't have money to buy dinner at such an expensive hotel, we offered to pay for their dinner.   I also wanted to take their picture so I could send a photo to their Moms' to let them know their sons were eating well.  Also, having had missionaries myself, I know how exciting it is to get e-mails about your missionaries.  When I told them I wanted to e-mail their Moms, they asked if I would send them and e-mail also; which I did. 

 

 

 

 

I received an e-mail back from Elder Moleme from South Africa.  I wanted to end the blog with the message he wrote to us.

 

"Elder and Sister Call, I am nearing my end and am still active in my Lord's harvest...He's coming soon and I am well aware that 'the laborer is worthy of his hire'...allow me to share a few thoughts on the matter:

And after this manner do I bear record: The eye has never seen nor has the ear heard...I have seen miracles.  I have been a witness to this marvelous work and a wonder.  No tongue can speak, neither can the heart of any man conceive...I have seen the hearts of  people change, I have felt the power of the Priesthood of our God...I have beheld God moving in His majesty.

Mission is an unspeakable joy...I know that my Redeemer lives, I KNOW! God is good...always."
Yours,

Elder Moleme



July in Ghana

I better get July's blog written before another month flies by and I have two months to report.

First, I need to report that so far there have been no Ebola cases reported in Ghana.  The two countries hardest hit by Ebola are the two poorest, Sierra Leone and Liberia.   We had a training planned for Sierra Leone, but it has since been canceled.  All missionaries, including the Mission President, have been evacuated from those two countries.  Many have been reassigned to Ghana, so it is a blessing for us.  Nigeria has just reported it's first cases of Ebola, but so far travel to Nigeria has not been affected.  The church is watching and monitoring the situation carefully.  Please continue to keep us and all of West Africa in your prayers.

July is a month of celebrations in America with Independence Day and Pioneer Day.  We didn't exactly celebrate those two holidays, but July did start with a holiday.  On July 1, a few missionaries decided to go to Aburi Gardens to do some souvenir shopping.  We stopped by a local restaurant for lunch.  It's always great to be with the missionaries.

From left to right:
Elder and Sister Wilde - Area Presidency Executive Secretary
Elder and Sister Pack - Self Reliance Missionaries
Elder and Sister Watson - Family History Missionaries
President and Sister Robinson - President of the Ghana MTC

America's Independence Day is obviously not celebrated in Ghana, however, I decided to remind our Ghanaian friends that we as Americans were celebrating a special day.  So, I made a "traditional" American dessert (Rice Krispie treats) printed off a few flags (thanks to Google) and Elder Call and I took them around to the employees at the office.  One of the employees started to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" when we handed him his treat; we of course joined in.  When we got to the part that says, "Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free...and the home of the brave?" I got all choked up and couldn't continue very well and then Elder Call got choked up...to say the least we ended the song somewhat weak in volume but big with emotion. 

July had us going for another training in Nigeria.  Nigeria is just east of Ghana and the two countries look a lot alike.  Nigeria, however, is quite a bit larger than Ghana and oil was discovered sooner, so there are some who are very rich in Nigeria.  Unfortunately, the wealth is held by a few and the money hasn't trickled down to the general population.

This is a picture from our hotel window.  We are not allowed to walk around in Nigeria for security reasons.  The church is pretty careful to pick us up from the airport and take us to our hotel and to and from church buildings. 

A young women's class in Nigeria.  When I took their picture I asked them to do the "African pose".  When I go to take a picture of a girl in West Africa, they almost always put their hand on their hip.  So I have named it the "African pose". 









One of the sweetest things that happened on our trip to Nigeria in July was meeting this woman on the plane.

Her name is Ifeoma, which means "something beautiful".  I think she was properly named.  I sat next to her as we traveled from the Abuja airport to the Owerri Airport, both in Nigeria.  We began a conversation and as usual, it turns pretty quickly to religion since I wear this wonderful  black name tag with the church's name on it.  I asked her about her church and she asked about our church.  There were a lot of questions about her church that she didn't know the answers to and I think it intrigued her that I knew the answers about our church.  She seemed to get more interested as we talked.  Then she asked if we paid tithes in our church and I told her we did for it is mentioned in the Bible. I had explained our church was the same church Christ organized when He lived on the earth. Then she asked if we gave "first fruits".  I had to have her explain what she meant.  Apparently in her church, besides paying tithing, they require the whole month's income in January as a "first fruits" offering.  I told her not only did we not have a "first fruits" offering but we didn't have a paid ministry either. 

To make a long story short, by the end of the plane ride, she was writing all the contact information she could think of so the missionaries could come and teach her.  In the process of our conversation, I had also learned that 6 years before, her 3 year old daughter had passed away and then 3 weeks later her husband passed away.  When I told her she could be with her daughter and husband again because families were forever, she got this amazed look on her face and said, "How can that be?"  I told her about temples and how families can be sealed together for eternity.  To make an even longer story short, we gave her name and contact information to the Mission President and the last information we heard was that the missionaries were teaching her and she was planning on attending church. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the "good news" and it is such a pleasure to share that good news with others. 

The biggest event for us in July was the multistake activity for young single adults that was held in the city of Kumasi, Ghana.  Kumasi is about a 4-5 hour drive north of Accra.  We had trained the stake leaders and YSA responsible for the event and have been working with them for many months.  We wanted to give them direction, but we wanted them to plan the event and carry it out themselves.  We were happy with the outcome.  The young single adults worked with their priesthood leaders and the whole event went well with about 450 young single adults in attendance.  the only "hitch" was that the food was a little late a couple of times, other than that it was a near flawless event.  Elder Call and I were so pleased!  I hope you enjoy some pictures we took.

A Group Leader registering the YSA and passing out name tags.        

                                                          A group of young men getting settled in their dorm rooms

                                   Having discussion groups for morning Devotional

Relay games.  They had to first, fill a bottle with water using their hands, next thread a needle and last, walk down the length of the room and back again holding a small ball on a spoon.  Though only one young woman was chosen to "represent" her team; she ended up being the over all winner because she not only could fill the bottle more effectively with her hands, but could thread a needle much quicker than any of the young men.

A class on how to use the church's Perpetual Education Fund.  He wrote the following on a white board, "opportunitiesarenowhere".  He told the youth that they could read it in two ways, but if they would use the resources the church has provided that it could be read, "opportunities are now here", not "opportunities are no where".

By-the-way, Elder Call and I taught a class on "The Ordinances and Covenants of Marriage".  We had a great time doing it and it was well received by the young single adults.  In fact, we had a couple get engaged at the multistake activity as a result of our class.

The final picture was taken at the stadium on the last day.  If you look toward the bottom left hand corner, you shouldn't have any trouble finding Elder Call and I.  When I am with these good people, I feel I am no different than they.  But then when a picture is taken, I realize we are sooooo white.  In fact, they call us "abruni's" meaning "the white ones". 

As you can tell, we are still feeling  privileged to be among these wonderful people.  In fact, we passed our "hump date" and we feel amazed we have now been in Ghana one year.  I know the second half will go faster than the first and I think I am coming to understand why Ammon and his brethren went on a 14 year mission!!  If it weren't for family in the States, another 13 years wouldn't seem too long. 

June 2014

Another exciting month in Ghana!! It began with the birth of our first Ghanaian grandchild, Darilyn Call Kitson-Mills, born to Larry and Doris Kitson-Mills.  We were worried Darilyn

 was going to be born breach, but after some fasting and prayers, she turned and was born normally.  It is quite a serious problem to have a breach baby here in Ghana.  The baby must be taken caesarean and the chances of having more children are greatly reduced.

 One of the most exciting things for us to do in Ghana is to witness Temple ordinances.  In June we witnessed the sealing of Charles Mensah and his beautiful wife, Eva.  Charles works in the IT Department here in the Area Office.  We got to know him well because of all the computer and phone problems we had when we first arrived.  When I would get a "little upset" at my computer he would tell me not to despair.  He would say, "Computers are NOT like humans, we must take away their agency".  Then he would proceed to fix the problem.  As a small token of our appreciation, Charles has received many a treat from the Call kitchen. 

Another friend we have met in the Area Office is named Stephen Ghartey who works in the Finance Department.  After noticing Elder Call's cheery disposition, one day he said, "Elder Call, why are you always so happy?"  Elder Call's reply was, "Because I am happily married."  The answer was most intriguing to Stephen since he was a young single adult and thus not married.  It led to some "counseling sessions" and one day he told us he had someone for us to meet.  He brought a beautiful young lady, Bridgette, to our apartment for dinner.  They were married also in June.

 The sport of choice in Ghana is clearly soccer, or what they call "football".  For those who may not be aware, the World Cup was held this year in Brazil which are the soccer play-offs for teams around the world.  Ghana qualified to be in the World Cup again this year and you can only imagine the excitement over here, particularly when Ghana was playing that day.  Things got really interesting when Ghana played the USA. (By-the-way, the States beat Ghana 2-1.)   Elder Call and I are not real soccer fans, and since we are currently living in Ghana, our allegiance definitely leaned toward the "Black Stars".  One night, to get into the spirit of the games, we made pop corn and Ghanaian flags with the words, "Go Ghana" on them.  We took them around to the Ghanaians here watching the game.  Apparently it did not work well because Ghana lost that game and the popcorn was blamed as the jinx for the loss.

The highlight of June was a visit from two of our children.  Before we received our mission call, several of our children mentioned how they would like to come and  visit us.  When the call came to serve in West Africa, the desire to visit seemed to dwindle.  However, Todd and Cassie braved the required shots, the malaria pills, and left their 4 children with Anson and Shauna to come to Ghana for a week visit in June.  Since our schedule is rather flexible, we took the week off and did a whirl-wind tour.  The weather cooperated beautifully and we had a marvelous time.   

 

We visited one place that Elder Call and I had not previously been to.  It is a small African village on the edge of the Volta River and is reached by boat.  The people in the villages along the river live in mud huts the same way they have lived for centuries.  Several years ago some BYU student/professors devised a method to provide battery-powered electricity to many of the villages by using playground equipment.  As the children turn and play on the equipment, the large red batteries in the middle of the twirly-whirl are charged.  It is fascinating and ingenious!

They also have a clinic there with a nurse that provides some medications.  It is pretty basic but at least it is something.  I asked the nurse how common HIV was and she said it was very common.

Cassie in front of the clinic   

                                                                                       
 The resident nurse and maternity ward









As we approached the school, the younger school children were outside playing and rushed up to us as we approached.  They taught us a fun new African game.  We did not understand what they were chanting, but got on pretty fast to what we were supposed to do.

The children were particularly fascinated with Cassie and her blonde hair.

After touring the village and meeting the chief, we headed down the Volta River on a motorized flatboat to the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean.  On the way, we passed many small villages and waved our greeting to many fishermen. 

A particularly large and colorful fishing boat

 

  The next day we headed to Cape   

   Coast to visit Kakum National

   Park and go on the canopy walk. 

  
      



                                                    
Later that day we were given a tour of  the 2nd Hill Cumorah and other Church History sites in Ghana by James Ewudzie, the fourth person to be officially baptized in Ghana.

Elder Call and James Ewudzie at "Baptism Beach" where Bro. Ewudzie was baptized December 8, 1978.  He was 27 years old at the time of his baptism. 

The following day we were able to visit Elmina Castle built by the Dutch to trade goods from Africa and then converted into dungeons for slaves; and Cape Coast Castle built by the British for the trading of slaves. 

 The court yard in Cape Coast Castle.                                                       

 

 The days went on with more and exciting adventures. However, one of my favorite highlights was our visit to the Temple.  I had researched some names for temple ordinances before I left for our mission.  I gave them to David and Mindy to have our oldest grandchildren do the baptisms and confirmations.  Mindy then distributed them among the other children for the other ordinances.  Cassie brought her names to Ghana.  Since Elder Call and I are temple ordinance workers, we were able to officiate in the initiatories and were also the officiators during the endowment session while Cassie and Todd were the witness couple.  It was a very choice and sacred experience and I am so grateful to Cassie for bringing the names to have their ordinance work done in Ghana. 

 In front of the Temple with  Cassie and Todd and Sarah Gyampoh our "adopted" Ghanaian daughter.

 

So another marvelous month has flown by.  Each month I marvel at the experiences we are able to have.  I feel so grateful and privileged to have been able to have two of our children share, in a small way, the joy we feel to be in Ghana.  The Ghanaian people are such a kind and good people and Cassie and Todd where able to witness that for themselves.  I feel Todd expressed it well when he said, "There is not a nicer group of people in the world than Ghana.  They are very very poor in temporal things, but very rich in spirit and love."