IT'S JUST WHAT WE DO.....

                                                                                               PART D  

This is the final chapter of the things we do, as well as some random pictures we threw in........ just because we wanted to.                              

                                                                                                                                         

One thing we love, that we haven't done nearly enough, is teaching with the missionaries. Elder Halterman and Elder Price posing with Sister J. after a lesson.

                         

                         
Benjamin and Ekua Asanti are two
that we assisted in teaching. He walked
into the stake center and asked how
he could join the Church. He had no
idea what he was getting himself into.
They are both so happy to be members.

Baptisms are one of our favorite things. Especially with people we love so much.

In Daboasi, saints meet in a school. A new chapel will soon be built.

                                             

Relief Society and other meetings are held under the eaves. Often, another nearby church has heavily amplified music and preaching so loud, it's difficult to concentrate, or even hear.

This is an upscale pharmacy in Takoradi. We become very familiar with the employees as we pick up medications and supplies for the missionaries.

The couple missionaries are putting together first aid kits for all of the missionary apartments. Now they can tell us what their temperature is when they call with symptoms.

                                                      We get to visit interesting places occasionally. This small fort is
                                                            located in Axim. It was built for the gold and slave trade.

It's one of our favorites, because of the view, and the style of the building.

         




It's always sobering to visit these "slave castles", contemplating why they were built and what happened in them.    

                                It is important to remember.....even though the memories are dark and haunting.

Literally going out on a limb......or perhaps a trunk, as the case may be.

This is a school yard where the children were marching, dancing, and preparing for a presentation. They march a lot here.

One of our alarm clocks.

                                                                                 

This is how we would like to see all of the "alarm clocks". Our friends, the Tetteh's, own an egg farm and have some "cockerels" they keep to eat. This one tasted really good (after many hours in a slow cooker) added to ground nut (peanut butter) soup.

We couldn't resist putting in a picture of the eggs we get at the farm. They are the best around.

We went to the funeral of our friend's father. Elder J. & former Branch President Nokoe, near the tents set up for mourners.

Funerals in Ghana are very
important....and expensive....
and long....some lasting
several days. We were
introduced as "dignitaries"
at the Anglican Church where
the funeral was held.

Sometimes the body will be held for months while sufficient funds are raised to hold a large funeral. Our Church is stressing to simplify the funerals and not go into debt for them. It will be difficult to change this cultural tradition.

We held a Ghanaian food tasting dinner with our neighbor
missionaries after proselyting one night. 

We purchased food from different vendors around
town, experiencing things we hadn't tried before.

This is part of the Hanson family. Abbie, (center) a member living in Philadelphia, was raised by her father and hadn't seen her mother since she was very young. Her parents never married. She recently reconnected with her mom and found out she was meeting with the missionaries in Accra. She flew to Ghana and is pictured here at her mom's baptism in Secondi!

Brother and Sister Hanson finally got married!!! The ceremony took place in the same church
one week after her baptism. Brother Hanson is a member of the bishopric here in Secondi.

Here we are with the bride. Weddings in Ghana are very fun...no lines, just lots of food, dancing and
 enjoying each others company.

The wedding entourage

 Here is the wedding cake with the head table in the background. The reception
was held in the parking lot of the Secondi chapel under canopies. It's much cooler out here.

                                                       
                                                   

We threw this picture in because it represents us delivering packages to the missionaries.
We pick them up at the mission home in Cape Coast when we go, and distribute them when
we return home. The missionaries love to see us coming... especially when we have packages.

Elder J. loves to photograph. Many people like having their pictures taken. This works out well for everyone. He took this picture of students from a Muslim school on his way to an interview. They were great subjects.










Every year, we, who are not Ghanaian, must renew our "non-resident" cards. Sister J. with Elders Ripplinger, Mocke and Larsen, at the bank where we renew.

The bank was having "King and Queen Day", so all the employees were dressed as such. Here, two "Queens" graciously posed for a photo dressed in traditional clothing.

Elder Julander visited a refugee camp with the missionaries and a member. They discovered three faithful families. Hopefully, a group can be started there, or possibly near by.

The well water is polluted, and they have no source of income. We are working with the Branch President, and with Humanitarian Services at the area office to see what can be done.

Here is Roger and his family, who live in the camp. He walks over 15 Km to church every week, but is unable to bring his family. He is a professional journalist from DRC, but fled for his life. He still has 5 children there he hasn't seen for 10 years. He hopes to return when the current regime leaves power.  He wants to work, but unemployment here is very high, and in the camp, it's 100%.

Here is a shot near our apartment. We love to drive by, and our walks occasional take us here. At night we can hear the
surf pounding against the rocks clear up at our apartment.

Sister J. has made a friend. This young lady was initially quite hesitant, but quickly warmed. They both sang in the stake choir.

We will leave you with a lesson in African bead making. We visited the factory with the other Cape Coast couple missionaries.

The kiln is wood fired, and the discs are the molds for the beads. Glass bottles are pounded and crushed, placed in the mold, then heated in the kiln. The hole is made by putting a small stick in the middle.

Beads are placed on several sticks, hand painted, then returned to the molds and re-fired.





                                                                                                           

Blue beads on sticks waiting for a paint job.

The beads are painstakingly hand painted, one at a time. Then they are strung, sold
locally in Ghana, and also exported

...IT'S JUST WHAT WE DO...

      Part C

                              THE BEST THING WE DO IS TO HANG OUT WITH THE AMAZING GCCM
                                                                                MISSIONARIES !!!
                                        (They are the most intelligent, good looking missionaries anywhere.)


   The next seven pictures were taken at combined district meetings and interviews with the president

Tarkwa.....our Zone in the bush.
              (2 hrs. away)

Part of the Takoradi Zone

                                                                                                                    

With the Assistants: Elder Larsen (L.) & Elder Gqweta (R) who is determined not to smile.

Sekondi Zone.....back when it was still a zone. It was divided and assimilated into the Kojokrom and Takoradi Zones.

          
                                                                                                                                                                                                 







Some of the Tarkwa elders at the branch church, which is above the  missionary apartment.

                                                                                 Kojokrom Zone

Tarkwa Zone having lunch during the President's interviews and instruction from Assistants, Zone leaders & Sis. Stevenson.

Takoradi Zone P-Day activity where we went to
a technical college to support a member who was
taking his "final exam" to become a chef. Lunch
was great and he was grateful for the support.

Missionaries watching a movie after eating waffles and fruit at our house
during a preparation day district
activity.

Another district activity at our home. We have a projector so they can watch authorized moves on the big screen.

They always seem to leave happy, which is due largely to Sister J making goodies for them.

The Polynesian elders love to roast pigs over an open fire. Our 1st (and most likely our last) chance to experience adventures in Trichinosis.

    

As an invited guest, Elder J. was "honored" with the tail!

                                     

The meat was gently sliced on a table ... with a machete. The missionaries then grab the miscellaneous parts.

Our Polynesian culprits

Sekondi district....our closest neighbors....4 elders downstairs and 4 more within walking distance.

Also.....some of our goofiest neighbors!

        

Celebrating Elder Wilding's birthday
with "FanIce", Ghanaian ice cream.










                                                  Elders leaving our apartment after a P-day activity.

Lunch with Elders Hannaman & Dearing after Elder J did a baptismal interview

Sister Fani & Sister Udoh rejoicing after a "service project" to visit the "elderly".

Sister J. having an experience in "power" and flowing "city water" appreciation. "I can now say I know what the elders go through to do their laundry. Still, pretty spoiled for a third world country."

An elder....who decided he could survive on minimal water....and didn't like to shave.

Primary in Axim....2 hours in one room with 2 adults!!! How many can you count?

Fun and bright displays at market circle. It's always an adventure!

                           Sister J's patio garden....squash, peppers, tomatoes & beans, but nothing matured!

Preparing to leave for Enzulazu, a "stilt village" on the edge of a lake with our friends, the Smiths, from Accra.

                                                                    The boat ride on a canal to reach the village.

Very small and poor village, but fascinating.

                          

The six senior couples in our mission had a "Goodbye to the Ivies" adventure. This is at the
Alma House, where we stayed, eating breakfast.

Cool view of the greater Accra area as we traveled to Boti Falls.

(Left and below) Boti Falls

             Sister & Elder Ivie, Julander, Miles, Hanlon, Seader (humanitarian) & Pres. & Sis. Stevenson

During the rainy season, the falls are larger and the pool below much deeper....thus, the warning sign!

We always take advantage of being in Accra to go to the temple. The large building to the right and  behind the temple is the West African Area office where many of the senior couples we love work.