Elder Bednar Speaks to YSAs and Youth plus our visit to SUHUM

This week was routine, but we haven't been able to define "routine" yet.  We did spend time at leadership meetings and did eat 3 times a day.  That is pretty routine.  But each leadership meeting and each meal can be quite unique. 

Monday night we gathered with most of the Senior Couples serving in Accra fro our bi-monthly Family Home Evening.   A special treat, besides the outstanding food that was served, was meeting Elder and Sister Nash.  They arrived only recently to assume the responsibilities as first counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency.  He has most recently served as South America West Area President.  They are delightful people.  Elder Nash was an attorney by profession and spent his career practicing in Seattle, Washington.  We are looking forward to getting to know them better and learning at their feet.

This week we attended District Council meeting in Nungua, which is along a beach drive about 45 minutes from the mission home.  (The beach is not attractive, so don't be jealous!).  We were very impressed with Elder Anderson and his district.  They are diligent and very engaged in the work of sharing the message of the Gospel with the people in their area.

On Thursday we attended, and did some training in, our monthly MLC (Mission Leadership Council).  Those attending were the Zone Leaders, Assistants to the President, Office Elders, the senior couples and President Heid.  We normally meet in a conference room at the Area Office.  This week, however, we were preempted by Elder David A. Bednar, one of the Twelve Apostles in the church.  He travelled to Accra to address the Young Single Adults and Youth.  He was scheduled to give 2, three-hour firesides originating from Accra, but broadcast to many locations in the Africa West Area.  In addition, he was meeting with officials and church leaders during the week.  We didn't mind losing our room.  We were assigned to a different room in the Area Office and actually got to see Elder Bednar and his wife as they passed on their way to a meeting.  President Heid happened to be in the right place at the right time and had a personal conversation with Elder Bednar.   President Heid was 'set apart' by Elder Bednar to be mission president and has met with him in Mission President Conferences.

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Elder David A. Bednar

(We borrowed this picture from the internet.)

We were also able to listen to Elder Bednar for the firesides via the internet.  It was a treat to hear him, his wife, and the other generally authorities address questions that the young people had.  Both firesides followed a question/answer format.  The congregation posed  very thoughtful questions like:  How can I tell if the Holy Ghost is with me?  What is the doctrine of Christ?  Why is it important to keep the law chastity as a youth?.  Elder Bednar and other leaders present gave inspired counsel.

Nancy took a few photos of our MLC training meeting.  Most of the instruction was given by the missionaries.

After MLC, we gathered at the Mission Home for lunch.  The following pictures were taken there.  Wouldn't you know, more pictures of eating....

 Elder and Sister Jones enjoyed the conversation with these great missionaries.  The two sister missionaries in the picture will be released the end of August.  They have been leaders of the sisters in the mission.

Elder Morris and Elder Beck

We have been looking high and low to find blueberries.  We actually found some on Saturday.  The quantity is very small and the price was equivalent to 6 US dollars for this tiny box.  Nancy could not force herself to purchase them.

On Sunday, we traveled north to Koforidua District to visit the missionaries in Suhum and attend church.  Nancy thought we needed 2 1/2 hours to arrive before Sacrament meeting.  It took us only one hour.  But we were able to relax for a few minutes and watch the leaders and members arrive.  

On the way to Suhum, we encountered this very large earthmover.  We were fortunate to meet it on the 4-lane part of our trip.  We don't want to even think about what was going to happen when the road narrows to 2 very narrow lanes.

 Elder Kamanda and a local member.

 Elder Kallon

We met in a brand new building.  They are holding an open house and dedication in two weeks.  The members are very excited.  It is wonderful to see the growth happening throughout Ghana.  (We took the photo before the meeting.  There were about 100 in attendance.)

After our visit to Suhum, we took a different way back to Accra so we could stop in Koforidua and check in with the missionaries there.  We love driving to Koforidua.  It really is BEAUTIFUL!!