Special Friends

Sister Saunders with her fellow missionaries and dearest friends, Sister Sabey and Sister Lamb in their African dresses. This was taken the morning of Sister Lambs departure.

Some volunteers from Utah joined us for church in Abakramba. Alex, Rosalind, Meghan and Rachel. Meghan called us a few days before their arrival. It didn't take long for them to become dear friends. Along with two of their husbands they are working in a local hospital and orphanage for the summer. We admire their willingness to serve and desire to make a difference.

Another Abakrampa Baptism

Here we are with Elder Joseph and Elder Smith after their last baptism of their mission. They both left to go home three days later. They were wonderful missionaries and were loved by the people of Abakrampa. We will miss them. Victoria & David who learned of the gospel from their neighbors, and eagerly accepted the baptismal challenge from Elder Smith and Elder Joseph.

Elder and Sister Saunders with the 14 candidates and 1 child of record from Abakrampa right before their baptism. When we first arrived in Abakrampa 20 months ago the average attendance for Sacrament meeting was 60 people. We now average over 100 people attending every Sunday. We have had as many as 130 in attendance!

Margaret Saunders Thompson

A few weeks ago, Isaac Thompson, one of the guards at the mission office shared with us the news of the birth of his fourth daughter. A few days later he surprised us by announcing that they had named her Margaret Saunders Thompson! Today he brought her into the office to show her off. She is absolutely adorable!

Sister Sabey and I with our "namesake". Margaret's fante name is Adwoa Sabey Thompson.

Sister Saunders, little Margaret, Isaac, his wife, Pat and their third daughter, Dinah. I'm almost positive I will never have another baby named after me so I'm just enjoying the moment!

Abakrampa Temple Trip

The Abakrampa Branch left at 4:00 am to make the journey to Accra to do temple work. We had 18 youth come to do baptisms for the dead and 3 families were sealed to deceased parents/spouses. We were grateful we could share this experience with them.

To come to the temple not only means getting up early and travelling for 4-5 hours. It also means packing food and supplies to feed everyone.

Elder Saunders and I found it humorous that they hired the Calvary Charismatic Centre Bus to transport them to the LDS Temple. We love the members of the Abakrampa Branch!

P-Day Fufu Party

For our zone p-day activity the elders wanted to make (and eat) fufu. Sister Saunders is "blending" the onions for the ground-nut soup.

The elders took turns pounding fufu. It literally took all day to prepare enough fufu for our entire zone.

But it seems to be worth all the time and back-breaking labor. The elders love fufu! I must admit Elder Smith's chicken ground-nut soup was some of the best I have had in Ghana.

I snuck in a couple spoons for Elder Saunders and I. We have lived in Ghana for over 19 months and we still can't get use to eating soup with our fingers.

Some of the Elders in our zone enjoying the "fruits" of their labors.

Elder Bahme, Elder Adams, and Elder MacKay were the hardest workers and the last to eat. By the time it was their turn we had ran out of bowls so they were fine with sharing the pot!