The Ghana Cape Coast Mission Goal is: Bring Forth Fruit that Remains. It is taken from John 15:16: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you."
All other mission goals are to support and meet this overall goal. The goal our mission recently completed is that every missionary (128) would baptize a husband and wife family. Our goals are met as a mission not individually. Those that meet the goal early are able to help those who are still striving to find a family to teach and baptize. We have had the privilege to help two sets of sister missionaries complete the goal by transporting and introducing them to our friends in Abakrampa and surrounding villages. Sister Wallace and Sister Awuna helped us teach the Aggrey-Fynn family. Paul was a Pentecostal minister who had been searching for the true church of Jesus Christ his entire life. He told us that he knew that if it was on the earth today it would have prophets, apostles, and seventies. He said one night he was fervently praying to know which church was true, "just like Joseph Smith". When he completed his prayer the phrase "Latter Day Saint" came into his mind. He remembered seeing a sign with that printed on it in Abakrampa and decided he needed to attend that church on Sunday. He told us that as he sat in the investigator class he knew that for the first time in his life he was being taught the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was baptized in April and desired his family to join him. The sisters taught his wife, son, and daughter in their native language, Fante. Though we could not understand the words we could feel the spirit testify of truth. Florence and the children readily excepted the gospel and also desired to be baptized.
Paul baptized his wife Florence, his 15 year old son Manassah, and his 8 year old daughter Olivia on June 19, 2010. What joy to watch a family be united in one faith and one baptism.
Sister Coleman and Sister Afrani were able to teach Agnes, the wife of an active member of our branch. Agnes had been taught the discussions before but was never ready to commit to baptism. After the sisters had reviewed the gospel with her she said "I know it is time for me to be baptized." These sisters taught Aba Kwakuma who has been attending our branch for the last 4 months, Mary Aquah and her 9 year old grandson Abeiku Andzie, and Agnes. It was so sweet to finally see Matthew and Agnes sitting in church together on Sunday!
We joined with the Moree Ward at the Yamaransa Chapel for the baptisms. It was a joyous occasion as we witnessed 14 people enter the waters of baptism.
Sister Saunders with four of the greatest sister missionaries in the world! We waited at the Yamoransa Church for over an hour while Elder Saunders transported a van load of people back to their many small villages. As we waited, we basked in the light of the gospel and the joy of missionary work. Completing the goal was secondary to witnessing families being united in the gospel and be given the opportunity to enter the temple to be sealed for eternity. We are so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to serve a mission in Ghana.
While Marci and James were visiting we went to a workshop at "Eli and Emma's". Eli and Emma are both members of the church and best friends. Many years ago they started a business on the beach. They produce beautiful African printed fabric. They use white cotton fabric and stamp it with designs they carve out of foam, dipped in hot wax. Once the design is stamped on, the fabric is dyed. Here James is dying his fabric bright orange after stamping on the pattern. After the fabric is dyed it is hung in the sun to "set" the color. It is then dipped in a pot of hot water to melt the wax and hung up to dry.
Marci and I are watching as Emma shows us how to stamp on the hot wax to make the design on my fabric.
Emma assists Marci in stamping her fabric. This fabric was dyed once before stamping and then redyed after being stamped. We had fun designing and making our own fabric. We also developed a great respect and awe for these two women who go through this long, tedious and hot process over and over. Everything is literally done the old fashioned way using large pots and hot coals. Eli and Emma create most of their fabric for a store called "Global Mama's" in Accra (can also be found online). It is filled with adult and children's dresses, skirts, and shirts. They also sell table runners, aprons, bags, purses and many other products. Most of the items are made out of this bright and creative fabric processed by two incredibly talented women, on the beach in Cape Coast.
