Christmas Week in Ghana

We had several holiday activities this week, including two more Christmas Conferences with our missionaries, Christmas Eve Mission open house, church on Sunday and Christmas Day dinner with the Heids and Jones's.

Last Sunday was a Ghana Accra Mission open house for any vendors, friends, Area staff, etc. who wanted to stop by and see the mission home compound.  Sister Heid really likes lights and not many people actually decorate in Ghana.

It was Sister Heid's birthday and she loves chocolate.  So, Nancy made her a cake and we sang Happy Birthday.

A Young Single Adult group stopped by to sing Happy Birthday to Sister Heid and serenade us with some African Christmas music.

At Sister Scripture Study on Monday, some women brought nativity sets to display. 

 This set was made of soapstone.

This set "gives you pause to think about the power of Christ to heal the sins and sorrows of this world."  The nativity is made from the brass shell casings of bullets that were used in the civil wars 1989-1996 and 1999-2003.  The carver is a member of the church in Liberia.

For December senior missionary Family Home Evening, we had a delicious buffet, sang Christmas carols and had a gift exchange. 

Nancy got a wallet and beaded necklace and earring set. 

During the gift exchange, Elder Darrell Webster and Elder Stephen Webster negotiated who would keep which purse!!

This Christmas banner is typical of holiday decorations around buildings.  This is at the entrance to the Area Offices.

Gathering for a missionary Christmas Conference.

A lunch buffet is always a popular item at the Christmas Conference for missionaries.  President was able to greet all the missionaries (174) in the entire mission between our Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday meetings. 

 This district acted out the Nativity as they sang.

Stan and Elder Harris, with the red cap, sang an upbeat rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High.  Elder Koronikalou was just holding the mic.

After the conference was "officially" over, the "islanders" plus one adopted son, performed the Haka.

 We finally started some Christmas baking this weekend!  Stan helped frost the sugar cookies.

 Nancy made cinnamon rolls to share for Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve afternoon, there was a pool party at the Temple View apartments where the Area Presidency lives and the Temple President.  The Heids were showing off their water ping pong skill.  President Heid had a nasty cold all week so it was good to see him back in action.

Where there are senior missionaries, there is food.  Wonderful barbecued chicken and salmon plus more!!

 After the Christmas Eve "buffet", there was another open house at the mission home.  Joseph, one of our security guards, came with this wife.

 Sister Heid had a creche display.

One of the visitors was wearing a "Light the World" T-shirt, reminding us of the church campaign to encourage us to do service during the month of December.

 The office elders supervised the refreshment and coloring tables.  (Ben Gibbah is a finance employee at the Area office and came with his family.)

Gilbert, our mission facilities supervisor, and his wife, Cynthia, pose with Mildred in front of the mission home tree.  Cynthia is a nurse and works about 3 hours from Accra.  She and Gilbert only spend every other weekend together.   Many couples have that kind of situation where they are married but live in separate locations in order to provide for their family. 

This is a better picture of Mildred.  We finally got her to smile but not in this picture.  She carried around that cookie all night!

Sister Heid was given this quilt in California after their first mission 4 years ago.  She brought it back to Ghana when they were called to be Mission President. 

Look who showed up at the mission open house, our former AP's, Charles Osei-Brobbey on the left and Livingstone Quarshie, on the right.  They came to visit friends and members during the long Christmas holiday weekend.  Charles is still looking for work and applying for college.  Livingstone is doing his National Service obligation and "working" for an energy company in his home town of Takoradi, about 5 hours from Accra.

 Christmas morning we enjoyed scrambled eggs and a cinnamon roll before attending church.

 After church we posed by our Christmas tree.

We were thrilled that packages from our family arrived in time for Christmas and everything was intact!

We enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner at the Mission home with the Heids and the Jones's.  President had not yet filled his plate when we took the picture!! The Jones's provided the turkey (expensive here in Ghana) and Nancy made lemon meringue pie.

Christmas music and Mission Christmas Conference

We have to force ourselves to remember that we are quickly approaching Christmas Day.  If we don't, a step outside and the blast of moist heat in our face reminds us of something else. We have been finishing the purchase of a few gifts for our sons and their families.  We are thankful for the many on-line merchants who make it possible for us to at least contribute, in a small way, to the smiles and laughter of our grandchildren on Christmas morning.

We have been thinking about what kind of service we can render to our new friends and proxy family in Ghana.  We are more convinced than ever that the greatest gift and service we can give is the gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the promise that it will bring true happiness and peace to those who accept and live it.

We have been inspired by the #Light the World initiative found on mormon.org; Twenty-five ways to serve each other in twenty-five days.  Christmas has always been a time to look outward to others instead of just inward to ourselves.  We like so much the practical and very real ways we can do the same things Jesus did and by doing so, make the world a better place.

This week it feels like we did the same things that we did last week.  That is not totally true. We hope the pictures will give you an idea of our week.

Sister Heid and Nancy attended a District Meeting.  Elder Helm, the district leader, had made pancakes for everyone! 

The mission office is decorated with snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.  Our former office elder, Elder Morris, made them last Christmas and we discovered them in the storage closet.

Sister Heid wanted to make the mission office more "professional".   So, instead of missionary "artwork and crafts" accumulated from many years, she ordered pictures of various temples. The San Diego temple, near where the Heids live when not serving a mission, is on the left.  The Salt Lake Temple is in the center and the St. George, Utah temple is on the right. 

Wednesday evening, the Heids "made" us stay and have dinner with the APs and Office Elders.  (We think they felt sorry for us since we were still at the office at 6 p.m.).  Sister Heid had purchased large pork roast, from a new vendor, and was consulting with Nancy all day about the best way to cook it.  

These missionaries are always ready for a home-cooked meal.  In fact, they are so ready that they cannot stop when reasonably filled up.  See the result below.

For December 15 the #Light the World theme was "Jesus Worshiped through Song and So Can You".  We were invited by our MTC friends, the Websters, to visit their home for a dessert buffet and night of singing carols.  We enjoyed socializing and feeling the Christmas spirit through music.

On Saturday morning we left early to get ahead of the traffic.  We were on our way to Kpong for the first of three Christmas multi-zone conferences in the next few days.  The Mission President wanted to gather the missionaries together for "light" instruction and provide an opportunity for them to be together and enjoy a Christmas meal. 

On our way, and early on, we were caught in some serious traffic.  We barely moved for about one hour.  The picture above is what we saw out of the driver's window as we inched along on the freeway. Yes, the cattle were grazing between the lanes.  They, however, were not the problem.  Let's just say, Ghanaian highway engineering needs serious help.  As long as there is a dirt path anywhere near the freeway, motorists will make it into a traffic lane until they run out of dirt or pavement or an obstacle like a disabled vehicle.  Five "lanes" of traffic were being forced into two to negotiate a traffic circle.    

We arrived 30 minutes late to find things well under way.  Our new couple, the Haglunds, were seated on the front row.  They chose to ride with the Koforidua Zone in a tro tro instead of driving their truck.

Since we were late, Stan thought for sure he would not have to give his presentation. Wrong!  He talked about how the music at Christmas gives us a "magical" feeling, especially the beautiful harmony.  Our goal in our life is to bring our lives in "harmony" with what the Savior teaches and exemplifies.

 One of the activities at the Conference was to make Christmas cards for investigators and recent converts.  The missionaries were quite creative!!

Elder Koronilalou, our AP from Fiji on the left, and Elder Liongitau, from Tonga, were given permission to wear their "formal" island attire to the Conference.  They thought the Africans would enjoy seeing the attire from another culture.  Elder K is wearing a sulu and Elder L is wearing a tupeni.

Each of missionary districts were to present a musical number at the Conference.  Some sang traditional Christmas carols, but others were not so orthodox.

This district did a unique version of the 12 Days of Christmas.  It began with..."On the first day of Christmas my Branch gave to me...a referral living by me.  Additional verses were: Four Standard Works, Five golden Investigators, Seven Babies crying, Eight maids breast feeding, (so typical in Ghana), Eleven balls of Banku, (common Ghanaian food), etc. It was very clever.

 Our new senior couple was included immediately in the musical selection.  The gal in the green was invited to attend also.  She is from one our districts that President Heid oversees and has just received her mission call to the Uganda Kampala Mission.

We kept "praying" the driver would not have to make sudden movements on the motorway as this goat was on top of the Tro Tro and walking around.  We passed the Tro Tro, and a few minutes later we saw the the same vehicle again minus the goat!!!  We truly hope that one of passengers was let off the Tro Tro and took his goat with him.

Saturday evening we attended an Inter-faith Christmas Concert sponsored by the LDS Christiansborg Stake on the Accra Temple Square.  The various choirs mainly sang African music with a beat, which included some swaying in movement.  Most verses were in a tribal language, so we did not understand very much.  This choir was from the Labone Senior High School a few miles away.  They actually harmonized nicely.

MTC, New Senior Couple, Election Week

It has been a very busy and interesting week.   We concluded it by taking the new senior missionary couple to their assigned area and home in Koforidua.

This is the first time Stan and Nancy have gone to the Ghana MTC  to pick up new missionaries.  The office elders drove most of the new missionaries to the mission home in our new 12 passenger mission van.  We took three sisters and half of the luggage.  The Jones's also assisted.  

Two sisters are from Togo and are French speakers with little English.  Fortunately, they are in the same apartment with two English speaking companions and can help each other "adjust". The sister on the right was quite sad.  Two members of her family in Uganda....called 'cousin" sisters... have only been members of the church for a couple of years and all decided to serve missions about the same time.  They actually were in the MTC together and headed to the Cape Coast, Kumasi, and Accra missions in Ghana.  So, it was a day of separation. Many tears were shed, but by the next day, our sister missionary was all smiles and doing well.

 Here the departing and incoming missionaries are enjoying a chicken and rice lunch together.

Elder Burdick on the right is from Albany, Oregon!  He was looking forward to training a new missionary.

Tuesday we attended a Zone training meeting in Adenta, about a half hour from our mission office. This is where the Zone Leaders pass on information they learned at last week's Missionary Leadership Council, plus instruct on anything else they feel their Zone needs to hear.  During this country culture activity, all those from Nigeria stood and sang their national anthem. 

Yes, Ghana finally had their elections on Wednesday, but it took until Friday night to announce the results!!  The two mission presidents in the Ghana Accra and Accra West mission had their missionaries deep clean apartments on Thursday in case there were any unexpected problems.  We were out to dinner on Friday night and people were in the streets celebrating.  The opposition party won by about 9 percentage points.  A new president will take office in January.

 This artwork was on display at the Accra Mall this week.  We think it was made out of sand.

Sunday we were driving to the church in Koforidua..in the bush.  There were many people celebrating that the New Political Party had been elected.  We thought there would not be a problem going down this street, but the crowd became larger and actually surrounded our car.  We just put on our flashers (government people do this to get through traffic quickly), smiled, waved, and motioned for the crowd to part to let us pass.  Fortunately, everyone was happy and peaceful.

We attended Sacrament meeting in one ward and then went to a baptism for another ward in another part of the building.  The husband is from Ghana and lived 12 years in Spain where he met his wife.  He is a member and speaks English, Spanish and Twi (the local tribal language).  She only speaks Spanish and has been attending church here for many months.  She decided to join the church before they move back to Spain in the near future.

Our new senior missionary couple is Gwen and Howard Haglund from Pittsburgh, PA.  They are the parents of six children.  He had a career purchasing jet fuel for airlines and she was an interior designer.  They arrived Tuesday evening and stayed with us for several days; getting over jet leg, receiving instructions from our mission president, and stocking up on supplies.  Sunday, we, and the Jones's, took two trucks to drive them to their new home in Koforidua, about 1 1/2 hours from Accra, where the third mission truck was waiting.  Their assignment is to nurture missionaries and members.   They previously served a mission in Armenia so they will do great helping in Koforidua.

Small world note:  The Haglunds came off the plane and announced they were acquainted with friends from our BYU days; Chuck and Heidi Glauser, who also lived in Pittsburgh for many years.  Chuck was in the Broadcasting program with Nancy and Heidi was on tour with Stan with the BYU Ambassadors.

 On the way back from Koforidua we saw this truck loaded with tubers.

We are always amazed by what we see on the road!

Thanksgiving Home Evening and "Prophecy" Fulfilled

It was an interesting week...of course, more food pictures, missionaries and meetings.  This posting features the fulfillment of a "prophecy" Stan made not long after we arrived in Ghana.

On Monday evening the senior couples in the Accra area gathered for a post Thanksgiving family home evening.  As usual, there was too much food.  It tasted great, and we actually had turkey!!  Sister Nash and Sister Webster were arranging everything so the line would move quickly!

For the FHE program, Elder Peine, the Area mental Health advisor, (not pictured) had us complete  a questionnaire about our interests.  Could we do them by ourselves if something happened to our spouse?  Could we do them if we lost the use of our limbs?  He wanted us to consider having a variety of hobbies and service activities to keep our lives enriched as we "mature".

Elder and Sister Clark from Dallas, Texas have been helping as volunteer auditors as their senior missionary assignment.  They were to be released in March. However, they are going home the first part of January as they are called to be Mission President/Mission Mom for a three year assignment to an English speaking country as of July 1, 2017.  They should know the location by Christmas.  There are three openings in West Africa...Liberia, Cape Coast and our mission in Accra.  Wouldn't it be fun if they were called to replace the Heids?  We would only be with them about ten days before our release!  Stay tuned!

Sister Masha'k is from Kenya.  She prepared chipatas after our District Council Meeting on Tuesday.  She made the "tortilla".  The filling was tomato, chilies, garden egg and potatoes.  It was good!

Sister Heid met with the sisters in their apartment after DCM to give them some "motherly" advice.  Many were being transferred to new areas this next week and some were going to train new missionaries.

The "elders" posed for this picture.  Elder K on the left developed the formation.  These elders came for computer class and to attend the temple.

His Car

Stan predicted we would get hit sometime before we left Ghana.  Motorists generally don't look before changing lanes, etc. and just expect people behind them to let them in and adjust.  We were in slow merging traffic on the way to the mission office and got crunched from behind.  Fortunately, the church fleet assistant manager passed us in traffic and was able to assist us. 

The "offender" was a doctor at a local hospital.  It was the first car he has owned.  His car was not drivable and later we found out that the battery had become disconnected.  Nancy was taking pictures, but Stan was in the car "visiting" and getting to know the doctor and his wife.  The doctor called later that day to make sure we were ok. 

Our Truck

On Thursday we had Missionary Leadership Council.  President Heid asked Stan to emphasize that we "teach PEOPLE not LESSONS."   We did an activity to get to know one another better by asking good questions and then listening for two minutes.  They seemed to enjoy it and really did learn new things about each other.  This is a technique they can use to get to know investigators.

 Sister Jones, our mission nurse, is always giving tips for the missionaries.

 The nativity at the Ghana Accra Temple grounds.

Sister Nash (on the left) accompanied Sister Heid and Nancy to Palace, a store where we could make household purchases for the new senior missionary couple coming this week.  Sister Nash is originally from Seattle.  Her husband is in the Africa West Area Presidency.  Their last assignment was 4 years in Peru.  They anticipate spending five years in Ghana.  It truly speaks to their devotion and willingness to do what the Lord, through His servants, asks them to do.

 Sister Heid knows all the great lunch places.

 This was our "haul".  We reminded our selves that we had fun and did service this day.  Check out Mormon.org for ideas on how to "Light the World"....25 ways in 25 days.

Early Saturday morning is a great time to drive to grocery shop.  We had to laugh at the saying on the bumper of the taxi.  "In case of reckless driving phone.....".  The taxi drivers are among the worst drivers in Ghana.  They think they own the road and the right of way.

Purchase of a Kente table runner at a local market.  We decided it would decorate our apartment as a wall hanging for now.

On the way to church this morning there was a huge political rally.  There were thousands of people taking up the entire road with no traffic control.   We inched along and took the first opportunity to turn around.  The election is on Wednesday.  Everyone is praying that it will be peaceful.  So far it has been ok. 

This evening was a Departure devotional for two sisters and two elders. (Due to the election, the Area Presidency asked us to move up departure dates by one day and make sure all the incoming missionaries from the MTC were in their areas prior to the voting.) They are from Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Namibia. The sister missionary, Sister Swartbooi, with the long blue dress has a two year degree in library science.  She is accepted at the university to complete a 4 year degree in that field along with a double major in either geography or history.  Elder Uche with the red tie is leaving his mission a few months early to complete some tests for his degree in computers.

Between attending church and transferring missionaries to different areas, Sister Heid chose to make it a simple Sunday dinner to honor those being released.  Hot dogs, fruit and plantain chips were on the menu.  Tomorrow morning several of us are to be at the MTC at 8 am to pick up eleven new missionaries with all their luggage!!

Sister Heid, Sister Pace, and Sister Jones had a fast dinner prepared for the missionaries. Sister Jones forgot her apron!! It was our service for the day!