Our Days are Numbered

We have 5 more days before we hop on a plane and return home. Pres. Snow said "There is a time to come and a time to leave." The Lord brings you to a place, to a position to accomplish a work and then its time to leave. He is a micromanager. The Petersens, who are replacing us, will have a work to do, specifically designed around their talents and abilities, that the Lord feels is a need in West Africa.

Elder Shipley and I feel like we have completed our mission here. I was sent to map 459 church units in West Africa. It took a year to accomplish. You figure there are 365 days in a year - so I guess I was able to map more than one unit a day! Not too bad. That project took us to Nigeria, a trip we felt priviledged to experience. It also took us to Kumasi and Cape Coast. Elder Shipley was sent to bring some order. He documented every task that is done in an Area Presidency's office and created a process book for those who will follow. He organized files, and cleaned up old ones. He made it a point to get to know most everyone in our office building (over 100 workers) by name and was known for his kindness and praise. Elder Shipley was a great servant of the Area President and his counselors.

We have loved working with the Stake Presidents and Mission Presidents. They are men of God with great leadership skills, and it has been a blessing to us to rub shoulders with them.

The Senior Missionaries have become good friends. We have shared spiritual experiences, trials, health challenges, and good times with them. They are the salt that gives savour. They are lights on candlesticks. They are humble and diligent and willing to answer the call issued to all able senior couples. They have strong testimonies. It would be hard to find a finer group of people.

We will miss our Ghanaian friends. They bring joy to our lives as we observe their love of the Lord.
Elder and Sr. Shipley, Elder and Sr. Cardon, Pres. and Sr. Snow, Elder and Sr. Golden

We will always remember working with 3 special general authorities. We marvel at their intelligence and admire their tenacity in seeking revelation to guide the church in West Africa. We have watched them struggle with serious problems and be led by the spirit in solving them. They are hard workers who have only the interest of others on their minds. We have the greatest admiration for them and feel humbled that we were called to work with them on a daily basis for 18 months. It is a time in our lives that we shall never forget.

As for Africa, it will always hold a spot in our hearts. They say once you've been in Africa you are never the same. I think I'm about to find out they are right!

A Wedding in West Africa

Saturday there was a wedding in the Stake Center here on the Temple Complex. The groom was from Accra and the bride from Cape Coast. As you can see, the wedding party is not unlike one we might see at home standing on the Salt Lake Temple steps except for skin color and the groom's white suit.

The greatest difference is that this was a civil marriage. The Ghanaian government does not recognize a temple marriage as a legal marriage. South Africa just recently sent notice that it would give the temple officiators the authority to perform legal marriages. Our members in West Africa must marry civilly and then within 2 weeks they may be sealed in the temple. This couple will be sealed on Tuesday.

SOME OF THE GUESTS

A Beautiful Family

Our guide in Kumasi joined the church a little less than a year ago. Not only did he join, but also his wife and children. Some missionary had to have been feeling pretty good!

Abraham and his family had been members of another faith. Five years ago he left his church when it was announced that a homosexual was to be ordained to the priesthood. He told us that he knew very well why Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed and he could not belong to a religion that ignored God's commandments. So he and his family read the Bible and said their prayers together daily for four years. One day he came home from work to find two young men in his home talking to his children, the oldest daughter being 20 years old. He decided he would sit in on the next discussion to determine if he needed to tell them to leave. He had lots of questions, but he found each one was answered as they taught. He was particularly touched when he was taught about temples and the sealing of families. He said he knew well the scripture in Malachi about turning the hearts of the daddies to the kiddies and the kiddies to the daddies, and now he understood. His new calling is that of the Stake Family History Consultant and Abraham is excited to do the work for his ancestors.

He said, "Before I joined the church I was good, but now I am better." Others have told me this is one thing they love about church: they are taught how to be better people. They call our church the "quiet church". Most of the churches in Africa have meetings filled with drumming and dancing. The people are entertained but are not given much spiritual food to feast upon.

Abraham and his family are waiting anxiously for the day they will be sealed together in the temple. Pres. Snow has often taught, Salvation is an individual journey; Exaltation is about family.

The Ingenuity of Children

Who needs toys? What a great idea for teaching children letters!!!

Three Villages

Four hours drive north and west of Kumasi are three villages: Awewoho, Antwi Adjei, and Mission. These villages are deep within the rain forest - a 1 1/2 hour drive on a dirt road. Elder Shipley was glad for his experience on Maple Creek road which was not unlike this road only this road was much longer. The rainy season this year was exceptionally prolonged and so the road was moist, filled with ruts and water in places.

Br. Bonsu, our family history director, grew up in the village of Antwi Adje,and has relatives in the other two villages. He and his brother led us and the Bevans, our family history missionaries to meet their family and see what a real village looks like. They sent word ahead during the week that we were coming, but unfortunately the village did not receive the notice. Most of the people were out to their gardens and farms so we saw only a handful of the village people.

Br. Bonsu's family is rather amazing in that they did not get trapped in the poverty of the village. Thirty years ago, Russia was giving African youth full ride scholarships, hoping to convert them to socialism and communism. It was not a successful project for Russia, but it was a huge benefit to the youth of Africa who were able to get an education. Our associate, Brother Bonsu, became a veterinarian. His brother, Peter, attended medical school in Russia, completing his residency training in the United States. He is a pediatric opthomologist in Kumasi and is working with the Moran Eye Institute in Salt Lake to upgrade the opthomology department in Kumasi. Another brother, Peterson, became an agronomist and works for the Ghanaian government improving crop production and exports. The brothers have a sister who majored in Accounting and works for a bank. Only one sister remains in the village.

Realizing education is the key to unlock the door that shuts out the world and dictates a life of poverty, Brother Bonsu has used his own money to build a school for his childhood village, knowing the children's future in the village is hopeless without an education.
Elder Bonsu is on the left. His brother Peterson, the agronomist, is on the right behind just a handful of the village children standing in front of the school. You can see one of four classrooms. The inside of schools here is very spartan. Desks and a chalk board is all the furnishings of a school room.



The Bonsu's village Antwi Adje has no electricity and no bore hole, meaning no source of clean water. The children walk to the river to fill their buckets with water which they carry back to the village on their heads several times a day.


This year is a real problem. The rains have been so heavy that the river has gone over its banks and they are not able to walk to where the water flows. Instead they must pull their water from the muddy overflow of the river. Br. Bonsu's next project is to save money for a bore hole for his village.


We came baring gifts to the village: pencils, erasers, and composition books. We also brought them a treat. I felt like the pied piper as the children came from every nook and corner of the village when they saw that I was handing out candy. I was amazed at their humility and concern for each other. No one grabbed at the candy. When I would ask if I had given them some already, they would say "Yes but this boy or girl has not had any."

Before leaving, we all sang I am a child of God to them.
I am a child of God
And He has sent me here
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear
Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with Him someday.
It was a touching moment. Oh that the world could realize that we are all God's children.

Kumasi - Seat of the Ashante Kingdom

Last weekend we traveled 5 hours north to Kumasi. In Kumasi you will find the palace of the Ashanti King. It is not open to visitors, but the museum is. Long ago the Ashante nation was composed of clans, each with their own king. At one point it was determined that they would have more power if they all gathered together and selected a King to govern them. When they gathered together, the drummers began drumming, a cloud of dust arose, the magician called to the ancestors of the Ashantemen, and the magician danced until he fell. Then a deafening sound was heard and out of a cloud fell a Golden Stool which landed on king Osei Tutu. The ancestors had selected the king. A once weak people, they became very strong. The Golden Stool became the symbol of their power. No one ever sat on it and it was always hidden because of its value, being of pure gold. In 1925 the British came into Ashanti land searching for the Golden Stool, because of its value and also to break the power of the Ashante nation.

They could never find the stool, but they captured the King of the Ashanti nation. He was exiled to Cape Coast. When his followers made their way to Cape Coast the English sailed the Ashanti King to the Seychellles Islands. The Queen Mother fought off the English. She took up arms and led the army against the English. She hid the golden stool in the forest. After 30 years the king was finally allowed to return. The English had built a palace for him, but he refused to occupy it until the Ashantemen paid for it. Because of her valiancy in the wars, the Queen Mother is highly honored. She chooses from her family line the next King when the King in power dies. The king must have a perfect body. He must not draw attention to himself. He is modest, generous, and helpful. He is to have good character and be an example to everyone.

The present King of the Ashante's is her son and has been in power for 10 years. The old palace is now a museum. Pictures are not allowed, but our guide for the day got special permission to let us photograph a few things.

Obama in Ghana

Obama was indeed in Ghana this weekend for 21 hours. He arrived on Friday evening and left Saturday at 5pm in the afternoon. Ghana was bristling with excitement over his visit. Billboards went up with Obama's picture: some with his family, some with him and Atta Mills, Ghana's president, and some with Obama and his wife.


Flags lined Independence Avenue: Ghanaian flags alternating with United States flags.One waiter in our Chinese Restaurant we frequent told us weeks ago that he was so excited and he hoped to meet Obama. We did not want to dash his hopes so we said nothing. Independence Avenue where we work and live was closed down Friday at 4pm or so they said - so everyone left work early. The roads were gridlock. I never did see Obama come into town even though I kept looking out the window, but Saturday afternoon I saw his motorcade go racing by. He had had a meeting in Osu Castle that morning and I'm told thousands lined the streets to get a glimpse of him. My quick glimpse came on his way back from those meetings. I also heard the helicopter that took him to Cape Coast - but I never saw it.

Emmanual, a ten year old, came and sat next to me in church today. During the Sacrament he was pretty fidgety so I gave him a piece of paper and a pen to draw with. His head was not dreaming of Jesus, but of Obama. Emmanuel was in Osu yesterday when the presidential motorcade went by. I have to say that Emmanual caught the picture better than any photograph I could have taken....except that there were multiple vans behind the presidential limo and police cars with flashing lights. He has Obama in his limousine,Obama's house,Air Force 1 with the red carpet laid out. An older boy drew the picture of Obama in the left corner - I thought it was pretty good!

What Obama had to say was right on target but not what most Ghanaians or Africans wanted to hear. They would rather have heard commitments of more money invested in Ghana. But Obama is correct that investments in Africa or Ghana specifically will not be forthcoming until governments eliminate corruption, bribery and brutality. Bribery is a way of life here - If you want a job you generally have to pay a bride to the interviewer. Government skims 20% off the top of business revenues. The need for the government to control its resources and have a society where laws are enforced and people are protected by the police is necessary. Tribalism must be done away. Monies are given to tribal leaders to help develop farming and sometimes never reach the farms. Health issues must be addressed. This is where America poured in some monies. Polio, malaria, and typhoid are all common problems in Africa. Violence must be eradicated: Kidnappings and robbery are common. Governments need to invest in infrastructure. Water, roads, electricity: all are still in short supply.

I rarely agree with Pres. Obama on issues at home, but I believe he said the right things here in Africa. Not much time was spent. A trip to Cape Coast gave his children an education on the slave trade of the 1800's. Though their time was short it was the one thing the Obama family did - tour the Cape Coast slave castle- a 1 hour tour which they did in half the time. I wondered if it was mentioned that the Africans were rounding up their own people (of course from other tribes) to take to the slave traders. The Portuguese, Dutch, and English paid them for this service - but all were involved - that was an eye-opener to me. It was a terrible time of history where people were treated as objects rather than children of God.

Ghana is a leader in Africa in establishing a democratic government. It has recently made discoveries of oil, a resource that could bring great wealth to Ghana, but could also bring corruption and unrest if its people and government are not strong. President Obama reminded them of the destiny that can be theirs if they rise above the temptations of bribes and corruption and can enforce peace.

Rain

It is the rainy season in Accra. It starts in February and usually ends by July. But this year it has just gone on and on. Rain, rain and more rain everyday. I think I can identify with Noah - only I don't have a boat!

I feel rain on my head as I walk to work and more rain as I walk back home. The bricks that form the walkways here in the temple grounds are wet almost always. The cement benches are beginning to show some black mold as are the roof tops of buildings. But the grass is emerald green and the trees and plants are feeling very blessed. The view out our apartment window is lush green, but no blue skies. The view out our office window is much the same.


The towns and villages around Accra have dirt pouring into their streets and ponds forming in the ruts of their dirt roads. The commute to work is becomming increasingly difficult for some of our employees, as roads become challenging to pass.

Our good friends the Miles flew home last week. Pres. and Sr. Sabey brought them to Accra to catch their flight. The main highway from Accra to Cape Coast has become a lake in the town of Mankessin. No worry....the cars lined up and the Ghanains grabbed hold instructing them to turn off their engines as they took hold and pushed the cars through the lake that had formed over a mile wide! Their income was never so good as dashes (tips) were deposited in their hands.


Well I know the sun will come out tomorrow!!! ...and I will smile! I like sun.

The Pioneers of West Africa

Gathered in front of the first church site in Cape Coast, organized before missionaries came to the land, are some of the first members of the church. They went through great trial, but were blessed with many visions and dreams that gave them strength. We listened to them bare their testimonies for two hours. Their faith is strong.

For many, the waters of baptism were this beach. It is lovingly referred to as "Baptism Beach" by the members in Cape Coast.

Joseph William Billy Johnson

Jospeh William Billy Johnson was the Elias of Africa. He is known here as "Billy Johnson". He came upon the teachings of the Church in 1964. His friend Dr. Mensah, gave him a pamphlet on Joseph Smith and the Restoration. After reading it and feeling the spirit bear testimony of its truth he asked his friend if he had anything more. He gave him a book: The Book of Mormon. Billy Johnson had seen this book in a dream and so excitedly took the book and read it. After reading the Book of Mormon, he felt he had found truth. "One morning, at about five o'clock, I got up and prepared for the day's work. I decided to follow Jame 1:5 as did Joseph. When I knelt to pray, I felt transmitted away. I saw the heavens open, and for the first time I saw angels singing praises to God and blowing trumpets. In the course of this experience I heard my name called three times…‘Johnson, Johnson, Johnson. If you will take up my work as I will command you, I will bless you and bless your land.’ Trembling and in tears, I replied, ‘Lord, with thy help I will do whatsoever you will command me.'"

That was the beginning of Billy Johnson preparing Ghana for the church. Over the next 14 years he went door to door to tell people about the restoration of the gospel. He set up 10 congregations in Ghana. These early pioneer saints waited patiently for the missionaries to come to their land so they could be baptised with authority and confirmed members of the church. It was difficult to endur the refusals of their requests for missionaries, but visions and dreams kept them true to their faith. They were spiritually supported by the preaching of Billy Johnson.

Finally in 1978 missionaries came to Ghana. Today there are close to 40,000 members. A temple blesses the latter-day saints' lives here in Ghana and extends every blessing the Lord has to offer, to these faithful people.

Forty-five years since first hearing about the gospel, Billy Johnson's testimony is strong. He has been a temple worker and an active patriarch until about 9 months ago when he was put on emeritus status because of health. Ghana will never forget him. When he passes from this life the prophets who strengthened him to endur, will line up to embrace him.

Sister Priscilla Sampson-Davis, an African Pioneer

One of the great ladies we met on Monday was Priscilla Sampson-Davis. She joined the church in 1978 and is now 83 years old. She is still full of life and hiked down the rutted road (and back)to Baptism Beach with us. Elder Shipley was a great gentleman and assisted her. This is one of the things I love about him - he is very in tune with older people's needs.

In testimony meeting that morning she shared her story with us.
Sister Sampson-Davis first met the missionaries in 1964 in Holland where her husband was working. One day she heard a knock on the door. When she opened it there stood two young men who explained they would like to tell her about the gospel of Jesus Christ. She opened the door and let them in. They gave her a Book of Mormon, and a short lesson. She watched as they left. Her landlord stopped them and talked to them at length and she never saw them again.

Though her husband was not interested in the gospel at this time, she was. Upon returning to Ghana, she heard of Brother William Johnson and his LDS study groups and began to participate with them. Fourteen years later, she and her children were among the first saints to be baptized in Africa in 1978.

Years and Years later, when she and her husband visited the Salt Lake Temple to be sealed, she bumped into one of the missionaries who came to her door in Holland. She hugged him and rejoiced over the difference he made in her life. What she did not know was the difference she made in his life. This missionary had been discouraged because no one in Holland would listen to him. He had threatened to leave his mission but the mission president asked him to try it one more day. That was the day Sister Sampson-Davis let him in. The Elder felt this was an answer to his prayers and remained to complete his mission. Each hugged each other agian and exclaimed "Thank you for saving my life."

About two years after her baptism Priscilla Sampson-Davis had a vision in which she was attending a sacrament meeting where a man in white apparel was standing on the front stand. He beckoned to her to come forward. “I came and stood by him. He asked me to turn around and look at the faces of the people to see if they were all enjoying the service. I said they were and he asked me to look again. Again I saw the same scene. He asked me a third time to look and see if the people were happy and I saw many people looking down at the ground and not singing from the hymn book. He asked me why those people were not singing and I said, ‘Because they didn’t go to school and they can’t read the English book. They can’t sing, and that is the reason they bow their heads.’

Then he said, ‘Would you like to help your sisters and brothers who can’t read and who can’t join you in singing praises to Heavenly Father?’” Even though she couldn’t write the language well(Fante),she replied,“I will try.”

When the vision ended, she immediately started translating “Redeemer of Israel” into her native language and then much of the hymnal. She went on later to translate missionary pamphlets, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, Gospel Principles, and various other Church materials.

She says of translating the Book of Mormon,“I knew the Lord wanted me to do it,
because at times when I would use a certain word or a phrase,suddenly, as if somebody was standing behind me, I would hear, ‘No, use this word,’ or ‘No, not that word.’ I always had an eraser with me, because the Spirit was teaching me.”

She observed: “It says in the scriptures that in the last days people will hear the gospel in their [own] tongues. This is what the Lord wanted me to do, and it is by his grace that I do it.”

*some quotes taken from Gospel Pioneers in Africa, E. Dale LeBaron

The Elmina Branch

Last Sunday we were in Cape Coast. It is a favorite retreat of ours. I love the beach - any beach - and Cape Coast is just beautiful with palm trees, sand, and a scenic ocean.

We decided to attend a new branch formed just 3 weeks ago,the Elmina Branch. The Elmina Branch is located next to the Bridge Hotel in downtown Elmina. The bridge to the famous Elmina Slave Castle is just steps away. When we first came into Elmina on Saturday we were pleasently surprised to see the rental building straight in front of our eyes as we wound down the streets of Elmina to get to our hotel. The building is a rental building. It was built in 1854 by the Dutch and has walls that are about 18 inches thick. Physical facilities painted the building a bright sunshine yellow - no one can miss this building! We thought maybe they should paint all of our churches this color - it is a "HELLO!" "We are HERE!" color.

Sunday morning we awoke to rain. It rained hard right up until we entered the chapel and then it began to slow down and eventually stop. About 80 people were in attendance. The previous week 110. The weather kept many from coming - most walk and it isn't easy when the rain is pounding the street, or turning the dirt road where they live into mud puddles or slippery silt. Even with fewer in attendance it was a great experience. The meetings were spirit filled. We went to the gospel essentials class with about 10 investigators. The lesson was on free agency and the plan of salvation. Elder Shipley gave them a roll play experience which they enjoyed and will probably always remember. After that, I attended Young Women, where there were an equal number of young women. It will not be long before this branch becomes a ward.

Busy, Busy, Busy - The Area Committee Report

Elder and Sister Shipley, Elder and Sister Cardon, Pres. and Sister Snow, Elder and Sister Golden

Once a year the Area Presidency creates an Area Committee Report that communicates what is happening in our Area. The is done through script and through a power point presentation. The report is given through video conferencing to the Area Committee which consists of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Seven Presidents of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopbric. So it is a pretty important event. Unfortunately I came down with a horrid cold when they needed me to begin work on the power point presentation and so the Area Presidency recruited Sr. Johnson to do that part of the presentation. Maybe this was just the Lord working things to His will. She is very talented in creating media. Sr. Johnson put together our Gospel English course, a beautiful manual filled with wonderful teaching pictures of Africans participating in gospel activities at home and in church. She has also created video training presentations for a personal business and is currently involved in developing a training video for the gospel english course. So you see she was much more qualified to do the work. Elder Shipley has been very busy helping with the script, and even creating a teleprompter for the Area Presidency...amazing to see his creativity.

The report was given last evening and it went very well. I believe it accurately described the church in West Africa. The faith of the people was illustrated in stories, the need for more economical and environmentally harmonious chapels, the precautions with security, and the development of leadership were all addressed in the report. It was a great experience for Elder Shipley.

It was President Snow's swan song. He leaves soon. A new presidency will take over administering the church in West Africa on August 1st. Elder Cardon will then become the Area President. We will miss President Snow. He has been a fantastic Area President: a great example to the Africans of Christ's love for His children, a man filled with Solomon's wisdom, and a man filled with faith in God.

The last 16 months has been an experience of a lifetime. We will greatly miss our association with these great men whom we serve. We have learned a great deal from them. We will miss their influence and their friendship greatly.

The Basket Tree

One of the beautiful products of Ghana are baskets. They are all hand made and very colorful. This is a basket store...with a few dancing shirts as well.

The Furniture Store

A new highway opened up this last week, and true to form the stores opened to the side of the road as well. All furniture is hand made with hand tools under the trees alongside the roads.

The Rose

In Ghana, roses just are not seen. Flowers are mostly on shrubs. Oh how I miss garden flowers. Today I received two emails. One from my son Jon with a picture of a Hydranga - Jess and I love Hydrangas. It was his gift to me today, knowing how much I loved them. The other email was from a friend in Henderson. It had a picture of a rose and a parrable to go with it. The message was so beautiful and true I just had to post it on our blog.


THE ROSE

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully, and before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom and also the thorns. And he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?" Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.

So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.

Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others. This is the characteristic of love, to look at a person, and knowing his faults, recognize the nobility in his soul, and help him realize that he can overcome his faults. If we show him the rose, he will conquer the thorns. Then will he blossom, blooming forth thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold as it is given to him.

Our duty in this world is to help others by showing them their roses and not their thorns. Only then can we achieve the love we should feel for each other; only then can we bloom in our own garden.

Profound Wisdom

I have spent the last month rivited to the pages of Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.I always loved The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with all its symbolism. I've heard countless talks in our LDS General Conferences where C S Lewis has been quoted, many of them coming from Mere Christianity. So when I saw the book on the shelf of our new bookstore in the mall here in Accra, it reached out and said "Take ME!"

Here are some of his quotes I love:

"Aim at Heaven and you will get 'earth thrown in': aim at earth and you will get neither."

"Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense."

One of the great secrets of life: "When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him."

"Man cannot disobey those laws which he shares with other living things (gravitational laws, biological laws), but the law which is peculiar to his human nature(a moral law of good conduct), the law he does not share with animals or vegetables or inorganic things, is the one he can disobey if he chooses."

"You cannot make men good by law: and without good men you cannot have a good society."..."nothing but the courage and unselfishness of individuals is ever going to make any system work properly."

"He gave them (man) free will because a world of mere automata could never love and therefore never know infinite happiness." (then giving our free will to obedience of God's laws or the Law of Nature (moral conduct) brings infinite happiness)

"The more you obey your conscience, the more your conscience will demand of you."

"No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is."

"Christ because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means."

"The great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not worried by our sins, or our indifference and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him."

Well I could go on and on - I love this man's thoughts and reasoning.

Is Pride More Important than Peace?

I love Sunday's in Ghana. When you go to church, doctrine is preached by almost everyone who gives a talk. Now mind you these are just members who give the talks. They are like you and me. Well sort of. The difference with them is their only souce for information is their life experience, the scriptures and the Liahona.

Today in Kasoa Wared, Sr. Tay gave a talk on Forgiveness. She used Doctrin and Covenants 64:9-10, and Matthew 18:21-22. We are to forgive everyone. We are to forgive 7 times 77. But what I loved about her talk was not just that message but her reasoning behind it.

If you do not forgive she said, you are filled with bitterness and hatred. The more you hold onto an unforgiving heart, the more it cuts you. Prayers are hinderd. If our unforgiveness is against our spouse it will poison our marriage. You will stop praying together. Your feelings for your spouse will be anger and resentment. Your example shall bounce back to you in your children. Though you think it frees you, it only fills you will self hatred and bitterness. Often pride gets in our way. "Is your pride more important that your peace?", she asked. You block your blessings when you cannot forgive. You bring sickness upon yourself. In the end you help the devil fulfill his mission - to destroy your happiness, your peace, your joy, your family.

Forgiveness on the other hand brings love, peace, and joy into hearts and into the home.

I will miss these people. They say things so clearly.

Ghana's National Arboretum

Our trip to Aburi took us to Ghana's National Arboretum. These gardens were created by the British in 1890. The villages in the tops of the hills above Accra are much cooler. The area was a retreat for the British government officials who wanted to get relief from hot coastal areas. The entrance to the gardens is lined with palm trees that are over 100 years old. There are 7 gardens. Some I remember are the presidential garden where visiting presidents and rulers plant a tree; the children's garden, where children gather for games; the spice garden where cinnamon trees, nutmeg trees, lavendar trees, an allspice tree, and others I can't remember. These were grand gardens in the early 1900's. The Ghanaians are doing the best they can to keep the beauty of the gardens, but their budget is limited.

The gardens are a peaceful place, and a retreat from close quarters of life the Ghanaians experience in everyday life. Ghanaians make do with what they have. While we were getting out of our van this one pulled up and out piled 36 children and 6 adults: 42 people in all! They were sitting 3 deep.


These tall trees grace the countryside in Ghana. They are my favorite trees because they grow so straight - right up to the heavens.

Though the gardens seemed to be a a natural state rather than a manicured one, it was still beautiful and we enjoyed being outdoors in a rather organized garden. We even brought a picnic lunch.


The Cocoa Tree - The fruit on this tree makes your chocolate. Cocoa is one of Ghana's top two exports.

And even great creatures were in the park. This is a millipead. I've read about them and seen pictures in books. But here before my feet was the real thing! Can you see all their millions of feet?!

City Versus Village

Which One is Full Service?

The contrast between the City and the Village in Ghana is often extreme. This is one example.

Aburi, the Carving Village

Saturday was a day off for us. We traveled with two couples up to Aburi which is in the mountains above Accra. The English began settlements up here in the late 1800's to get away from the heat of Accra. At the top of the winding road the view is spectacular - a scene from "Out of Africa". Not far from there is the village of Aburi. This is a wood carving village. Everyone in the village carves, or sells wood carvings. For generations they have been doing this - teaching from father to son. We saw some wonderful carvings - a round table base of carved elephants and a large drum made of a split tree trunk. Unfortunately these were too big to fit in our luggage.

These men are carving by their shops. They draw the image on the wood and then they start carving. They have a real gift. Notice the Barrack Obama T-shirt on one of the carvers.



President Obama is a real hit in Ghana. I'm told he will be visiting Ghana sometime in July. The Presidential palace is just down the street from us. The people will go crazy if he come and I expect the streets will be gridlock ALL day long.

A New Way of Jogging

Saturday on our way to Aburi we wound up this mountain road. When we stopped for a view we turned to get back into the car and found this man jogging down the top of the divider - maybe 6 inches wide! His balance was amazing- thank goodness.... It's a little hard to see - He was just hopping off to catch up with the truck you see on the right hand side of the road.

Arrive Early!

We attended Tema Stake Conference on Sunday. As always in West Africa, we have found if you want a decent seat arrive early. We were in the first overflow and 40 minutes early. By the time the meeting started the room was completely full - probably about 1500+ people! Notice the fans. Its hot in West Africa and so in every chapel and classroom fans hang from the ceiling. We always try to sit under one. When the chapel and overflow fills they fill the classrooms and pipe a video feed into TVs.

This little girl sat across the isle from us. I love the children in Africa. This is the first time I had ever seen a little girl dressed Ghanaian style. I just had to take her picture! Most girls dress in frilly American style Sunday dresses - very pretty dresses like you'd see on Easter Sunday. Notice her little sister with all the piggy bands or barretts in her hair. This is typical on very little girls. As you can see all most all of the men and boys were white shirts and ties. A few African men come in their caftans. I think these are usually not members - just coming to see what the church is all about. Community leaders are often invited to meetings like this.

Elder Cardon spoke on witnesses of Christ.

John 5:36
The works (miracles) Christ performed bear witness that He was the Son of God
John 5:37; Mark 1:11; Matthew 17:5
Heavenly Father bore witness of Jesus Christ
John 1:33-34; Mark 1:7;
John the Baptist bore record of Christ as the Son of God
Matthew 16:16-17
The Disciples bore testimony of Christ as the Son of God
John 5:39
The scriptures bear testimony that Jesus is the Son of God


I could not help but think that without the words of the prophets, would we have much knowledge of Christ? All books of scripture should bear witness of Christ, as the Son of God.

The prophet Isaiah of the Old Testament testified of Christ (Isaiah 7:14)

The Disciples, and people who knew Christ like Mary Magdelene, people who were healed: all bore witness that Jesus was the Son of God.

The Book of Mormon is filled with prophets who were witnesses of Christ.
1st Nephi 11:20-33; Helaman 14:2-6 Samuel the Lamanite; Mosiah 15, Abinadi
and many more.

We can be witnesses of the Savior. We bear the fruit that grows from living His Words. Our countenance witnesses of Him; Our words witnesses of Him; our love of our fellow man witness of the Savior. I have pondered over this idea of witnesses and have come to the conclusion that on judgement day our life will witness our faith in Him. Our eyes will witness if we have faith in Him by the light they radiate. Our words that flow from our mouths will honor Him and us or condemn Him and us. Our very nature will be determined by an accumulation of our good works or our evil works and will accessed by Him quickly. Our repentent nature, our humility or pride: all will be evident to Him.

Jewish law demanded two or witnesses of people or events. Latter-day scriptures say that everything will be established by 2 or 3 witnesses. In reading the scriptures I find the doctrines taught in the Old Testament and repeated in the New Testament and confirmed in the Book of Mormon. It is really a fun study because you can pick up more depth as you compare what is said in each source and increase understanding.

Ezekial wrote: "Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I will take the stick of Joseph(Book of Mormon) which is in the hand of Ephriam and the tribes of Israel his fellows and will put them with him, even the stick of Judah (The Bible) and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel;" God uses all scriptures to testify of His only Begotten Son.

I am grateful for all the witnesses we have that bare testimony of the Savior, as the literal Son of God.

Africa West's Dancers

One of our members has created a dance troupe in order to preserve the cultural heritage of West Africa. Occaisionally when we have special visitors in town, these youth are asked to perform. We have had interns in from BYU for a few weeks and last night we were all entertained. Here is a taste of what we saw.

As amazing as the dancers, were the drummers.

Another Great Mission Presidents Conference

This past week was our Mission President's Conference. Twice a year the mission presidents in West Africa gather together to be instructed, to share experiences and testimonies, and to relax a bit. Elder Shipley and I are always in charge of the logistics for these conferences. Fortunately we have great help from Emelia Ahadje who is the manager of the travel office. She always arranges for the hotel and for the restaurant(s) we use and does a wonderful job. Elder Shipley prepares agendas, handouts, and makes sure all the supplies are at the conference. We pack the car up with equipment, song books, and materials and arrive at the hotel early to make certain everything is in order and then we get the priviledge of sitting in all the meetings. It is a real treat for us.

The people in the trenches of West Africa are our Mission Presidents who work hard long hours everyday caring for, instructing and sheperding about 100+ young missionaries. It is like being a parent to 100 young adults. My uncle was a mission president in France. He told me (when he returned 35 years ago)that he rarely got more than 4 hours of sleep. I think the mission presidents here get more than that but they can expect to receive phone calls anytime day or night from their missionaries. These Mission Presidents and their wives are great men and women. They serve for 3 years except in Nigeria where they serve for 2 years.

All of them bore testimony of knowing the Lord was in this work: of having words placed in their mouths, and thoughts come to them to make them aware of problems;Of feeling great peace in fearful situations; Of knowing how to handle situations.

Pres. Sitati, the first African to become a member of the Quorum of Seventy, a general authority in the church, shared his thoughts on the calling. He said he is often asked about how he feels to be the first black general authority. His answer was: "In the restored church we don’t have contituences. We have only one church. The message does not have color. The message is the same throughout the world. People must change to claim the same salvation. There will never be an African message but the true message of the restoration. We are preparing a people to greet the Lord."

What a great man he is. He does not think of himself as a "color" only a man of God. I have felt that way as I visit the saints in West Africa. I do not feel my color, I do not feel theirs. I only see them as children of God, purifying their lives that they may be prepared to greet the Lord.

The Woodwards left a Hole in Everyone's Hearts

The Woodwards are favorites of every senior missionary. They had to leave us in April for Emergency medical leave. We all hoped and prayed they would return to us this month, but it was not to be.

Sr. Woodward was in charge of the PEF (Perpetual Education Fund) in the Africa West Area. She interviewed students who wanted educational loans from the church. It is a beautiful program inspired by revelation to President Gordon B. Hinkley, our past prophet, to bring people out of poverty through education. It is available to those who are 30 years or younger. When Sr. Woodward began administering the program their were about 70 young adults taking advantage of the program. When she left there were over 250. She not only gave them opportunity but she loved them dearly and they loved her. She knew each one, text messaging them every month, sending greetings on their birthdays, and giving hugs to them as they would drop by the office.

Elder Woodward was in charge of welfare funds. These are used to help schools, communities, and individuals. Members of the church fast one Sunday a month and contribute the cost of two meals to the church. These funds are used to help members in need...some in need of basics like food,housing,and medical. Applications come to him through bishops and then he reviews them and submits them for approval. Welfare funds donated by members help to provide major projects: relief after a disaster, improvement to a school or hospital, wheelchairs for the handicaped, etc.

The wonderful thing about the Woodwards was their light heart. Their ability to laugh when things were not going great. Sr. Woodward gave you a word of encouragement and a great smile even though she herself was not feeling well at all. She would always say "I just love being here! I can't believe I was allowed to come to Africa! I love my mission." She felt that way every minute and fought going home until it was clear she had to.

Elder Woodward was Elder Shipley's walking partner. They walked the streets of Accra every morning at 5:30am for an hour, taking a different route each day. I'm sure they talked over everything. There is nothing better. It is like Sally in Peanuts "The Doctor is In". They loved that time together. It just hasn't been the same since they left.

Fortunately the Woodwards live within a mile or two of one of our sons...so we know we will see them again! We Love you Woodwards!

Encounter with the Police

Last weekend we were pulled over by the police.
Elder Shipley: Hello how are you today?
Police: We need to check....Oh you are a servant of God. I don't want to waste your time. Go on.

Opps! There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant!

When Elder Shipley and I were children there was a song that had a chorus that went, "Opps there goes another rubber tree plant!" Well we had never seen or known what a rubber tree looked like, but the tune was catching and we loved singing it. Last weekend we walked through a rubber tree plantation singing that song.

The forest was beautiful - very tall white barked trees - ferns and other vegetation on the forest floor. Little pails attached to the trees to harvest the rubber (the sap) from the tree. Many trees had 2 and 3 pails - one below the other - to catch the drips with the pail above them became full. We pulled a small glob out of the pail and formed it into a string and then tied the ends together - it was just like a rubber band - amazing.



And so while we serve in West Africa we continue to learn about the world and the creations of God. Really interesting how one type of tree sap can give you maple syrup and another type of tree sap can give you rubber!