Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Party Time!

I arrived at the office the morning of my birthday to discover my "little corner" was TP'd! The Assistants, Elder Lewis and Elder Dunford used their imagination and toilet paper (two-ply even!)to wish me a Happy Birthday! I was very touched by their thoughtfulness!! They are the greatest!
Our District Leader, Elder Chesa (sitting in the front with his arm around Elder Adams) conveniently moved our district meeting from the usual Tuesday to Friday. With the change he wondered if "someone" (hint hint) would bring cake and ice cream to celebrate my birthday. I was glad to and we had a wonderful (and tasty) meeting. Here I am with 12 of the greatest missionaries in the world! We love serving with the Elders in this mission. They are all incredible young men and women and exceptional missionaries!
In the evening the couples went out to dinner and than came back to the mission home for cake and ice cream. After listening to President's spiel about the importance of blowing out ALL the candles to get my wish, I took a deep breath and blew and blew and blew. After the third try I realized they had used two trick candles! But no worries I was assured I still get my wish!!
We love serving and working side by side with these amazing couples, the Sabeys, the Turners, and the Lambs. Though I am away from my family on birthdays and holidays I am surrounded by love and those I now consider my mission family. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and consider it a great priviledge to be serving in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Another day in Ghana

We were at the Cape Coast Castle waiting for the zone leaders to arrive along with President & Sister Sabey. As we were waiting we decided to walk over to the edge of the hill and look at the waves hitting the rocks below. We had just turned around and Sister Sabey snapped our photo. All the leaders were gathered for zone council meeting and had gone to the castle to have lunch at the Cape Coast Castle restuarant. Just another great day in Ghana.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Easter Blessings

Sister Saunders says she's working, but I tend to think she has other things on her mind. The young ladie's name is "Blessing". Her mother cleans and cooks for the mission president and his wife. While she cleans, Sister Saunders willingly takes every opportunity to hold Blessing.

On April 3rd, we had a baptism scheduled at 4:00 PM. I asked the members to be ready at 3:30 so I could pick them up. When I arrived at Pra-Ewusi they were not ready, (this is Ghana) so while I waited for them to get ready, I got the local children singing, dancing and reciting English. Usually they do not smile when they have their picture taken, but I asked them to smile at the funny looking white person who was taking the picture. It worked. We then traveled to Abakrampa to pick up three of the candidates who were getting baptized. Of course all were not there, so we also waited for them. Next we traveled to "New-Ebu" to pick up the final candidate, who was no where to be found. A couple of the members went through the village and finally located her. She said she had changed her mind. (After having the mission president interview her in a special interview for clearance). We made it to Yamoransa for the baptism 20 minutes late. (Remember this is Ghana) The wait was worth it....
Here Sister Saunders and I pose with Esi Essiawa, Paul Aggrey-Fynn, and Joseph Yawson. Three of the choicest individuals I have met here. All were confirmed the following day in Sacrament meeting. The work is so sweet. This really is His work. It is a "blessing" to be here and assist in His work.