It has actually been rather pleasant here in Accra. I asked Joseph, one of our security men, how long this cooler weather would last, and he said probably through August and maybe longer. We still get that sticky, clammy feeling, but cooking in the kitchen has been much more comfortable.
I just had an unique experience. It is actually a blessing for me and for Elder Mauga. August 6th is the next departure of missionaries being released from their two year mission. There are 16 missionaries departing but it should really be 17. Elder Mauga is that seventeenth missionary, but he is serving in what is going to be the Ghana Accra West Mission, and there transfer day is not until August 20th. A few of the other Elders would be serving in that mission also, but needed to be transferred back to our mission next week so they could be home in time to start school. Because Elder Mauga would be the only missionary going home on the 29th, I was notified that he would also be going home the 6th. I already had flight itinerary for him and had mailed a release letter to his Stake President in Samoa. Thank goodness there were cell phone numbers on Elder Mauga's contact information, but when I tried to call they could not understand me. Elder Caleb, who is Samoan, told me that the Island I was trying to call did not speak English, or very little. He told me it was 6 am Monday morning in Samoa and that he would call for me. Hearing him speak in Samoan and give all the valuable information to the Bishop, was a choice experience. The bishop will let the Stake President know (we called him first but no answer), and Elder Mauga's family. Elder Caleb advised them to leave the Island where they live on August 8th in order to arrive at the airport on the night of August 9th to greet Elder Mauga. I just get such a wonderful feeling when things fall into place like that. Elder Caleb is the missionary who was serving in Cape Coast and was going to go home, but decided at the last minute that he really didn't want to do that. He was assigned to our mission and is one of the missionaries that lives here at the Mission Home complex so we see him often. I like to think this help he gave me and Elder Mauga, was another confirmation that he needed to still be serving his mission.
It was another good Sabbath in Senchi. There were 5 baptisms today and more coming next week. I see a bright light at the end of the tunnel concerning the primary. Sister Boateng was assigned to be the teacher, but has not come but 2 times since I have been going. I think the visit we made with the missionaries to her home a few weeks ago may have made the difference. She was sustained today as the 2nd Counselor in the primary, which made it even better. Last week I expressed my desire to Brother Ahiabor, 1st counselor in the branch presidency, that the older children really needed to have their own class and the younger children have theirs. Then we would all come together for sharing time and singing time. After Sacrament Meeting today, I approached him to confirm the change and we were given the room next to ours. That room is where the youth meet for their Sunday School instruction and they were moved to an upstairs room which made it so perfect for us. Sister Boateng took the older primary children (age 6-11) in that room for their lesson, and I and Sister Duodu had the younger children. I was not sure what to expect for this week, but felt to prepare the first lesson from the nursery manual. The youngest is probably 18 months and she was a delight for the children who are a little older. When I did an activity with the children showing that Heavenly Father loves us if were are tall and if we are small, she crouched down right next to me when I was being small and it was delightful to all of us. Sister Duodo helped with the language at times and it went very well. After the lesson time, we all joined together for the rest of the primary. Sister Duodu did the sharing time and I did the singing time. I knew the children would not know 'name-that-tune' like we do in the States, but I wanted to try a version of it at least. I told them I would lalala the music and they had to guess what words go with that music. It took a few repeats, but they caught on and it was so fun. It is amazing the love and connection I feel with these children and these other women leaders. It is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about.
After Church, we went with Elder Amumi and Elder Royce to visit a family who have just started to investigate the Church. What a choice family! They have twin 14 year old boys, and triplet 9 year old girls. They just barely learned about tithing and already Sister Lucas set aside money from the sale of her snail- kabob- making business for tithing. Brother Lucas is a farmer and a devoted father and husband. He has a good understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ already and is 'hungry' for more. Elder Royce was able to clear up a misunderstanding that Brother Lucas had, about partaking of the Sacrament bringing a curse upon a person if taken unworthily. It is a wonderful experience when the truth is taught and how it dispels the darkness of false beliefs. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has only light and truth, and it is a privilege to be sharing it with others who are wanting more.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Happy Father's Day!
I knew Father's Day was in June but in my hurrying to get ready for the drive to Senchi, I did not tell my companion. It is a good thing he is understanding. I will make up for it by fixing him a broccoli omelet for supper. Now doesn't that sound like a way to make it all right. It is a good thing he is a good sport.
There is not a lot to share this week, as we have been so involved with training Elder and Sister Wall, the office couple, for the new mission that will begin July 1st. I am so grateful that I came to our office with it fully functioning and just about everything I needed already on the computers. They do not have that, other than what they can copy from our files. I have taken time to start saving some of the documents in the Ghana Accra West Mission to help a little. We were able to get the address of their mission office from the executive secretary at the area office. As if a new mission was not challenging enough, they will be in a temporary office until who knows when. There temporary office is an apartment that will be convenient in some ways but not in many others. They are very positive and I know they will be a blessing to President Hill when he arrives July 29th.
We also had Elder and Sister Neilson arrive from Monroe Utah. They are member/leadership support missionaries and President Judd has assigned them to Asamankese. It is in the West mission boundaries, is approximately 3 hours away, and has some very bumpy roads. They, Elder and Sister Wall, and President and Sister Judd have been in Asamankese this weekend at a district conference. We have been praying for the Neilsons as they were ready to head back home. Even though this is a hugh cultural adjustment, it is so worth it because the people become so special to us. We have all offered words of encouragement and I hope being in Asamankese and meeting the members, and the missionaries, will make the difference for them. An added challenge is that their apartment will not be ready to move in until Tuesday. Paul, Kwame, and others have worked late hours to get this ready. Volumes could be written on what it takes to have a growing mission operating as it should, and to think that 58 new missions are undergoing the same thing. With all the emails we have sent to Salt Lake requesting information, just imagine all of those 58 asking pretty much the same thing. It is all exciting and over-whelming at the same time, even for those at Church Headquarters.
We have two more couples coming to serve in our mission; Elder and Sister Cosgrave the 11th of August and Elder and Sister Pack the 22nd of September. The Packs are PEF/Self-Reliance missionaries and will be living in the apartment that we are now living in. The apartment next to us has become available and we will be moving into it so that improvements can be made on the one we have been living in. It needs to be treated for mold, termites, and other improvements. The Cosgraves will be serving as member/leadership support and will be a great blessing to one of our 'bush' areas. It is a great blessing that we are having these couple come as they add such a strength to a mission.
It was our Branch Conference today in Senchi. I did not know that the District Primary Presidency would be teaching primary and it would have been nice to know. Preparations made to teach is never wasted, so I just observed. I did do singing time and it was a good way to end the day in Senchi. I have been buying CTR rings to give to the children and they wear them so proudly. There is still a lot to do to have the Gospel In Action program going as well as the Sacrament Presentation program. I visited with the district presidency as they were asking me what they could teach in the district training meeting in July. I offered suggestions and they want me to show examples of what a Sacrament Presentation program would be. I reminded them that my first priority is the mission office, but I would do my best. There is such a delicate balance between their needing to be independent and helping them. I can be a bit over-zealous at times, so I want to be wise. Our dear Nelson and Cephas did so well in primary today. We knew it would just take a little time. I didn't see what happened at one point when Nelson starting his howling cry, but I just put my arm around him and spoke softly to him, and he quieted down. I think them having some food to eat helped a lot and we were glad to help their mom. We are encouraging her to pray about her future and what she needs to do to take care of her family and become self-reliant. I truly believe that this is possible for all of God's children if they are willing to put their talents to work. It is not easy, but definitely possible.
At the end of the day, I am weary but not discouraged, hungry but spiritually fed, challenged to stretch myself to become more yet willing to do so because of the love I feel from my Savior. His Atonement, when fully active in my life, is what gets me up each day to do it all again. Simply said, it just feels right.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)
There is not a lot to share this week, as we have been so involved with training Elder and Sister Wall, the office couple, for the new mission that will begin July 1st. I am so grateful that I came to our office with it fully functioning and just about everything I needed already on the computers. They do not have that, other than what they can copy from our files. I have taken time to start saving some of the documents in the Ghana Accra West Mission to help a little. We were able to get the address of their mission office from the executive secretary at the area office. As if a new mission was not challenging enough, they will be in a temporary office until who knows when. There temporary office is an apartment that will be convenient in some ways but not in many others. They are very positive and I know they will be a blessing to President Hill when he arrives July 29th.
We also had Elder and Sister Neilson arrive from Monroe Utah. They are member/leadership support missionaries and President Judd has assigned them to Asamankese. It is in the West mission boundaries, is approximately 3 hours away, and has some very bumpy roads. They, Elder and Sister Wall, and President and Sister Judd have been in Asamankese this weekend at a district conference. We have been praying for the Neilsons as they were ready to head back home. Even though this is a hugh cultural adjustment, it is so worth it because the people become so special to us. We have all offered words of encouragement and I hope being in Asamankese and meeting the members, and the missionaries, will make the difference for them. An added challenge is that their apartment will not be ready to move in until Tuesday. Paul, Kwame, and others have worked late hours to get this ready. Volumes could be written on what it takes to have a growing mission operating as it should, and to think that 58 new missions are undergoing the same thing. With all the emails we have sent to Salt Lake requesting information, just imagine all of those 58 asking pretty much the same thing. It is all exciting and over-whelming at the same time, even for those at Church Headquarters.
We have two more couples coming to serve in our mission; Elder and Sister Cosgrave the 11th of August and Elder and Sister Pack the 22nd of September. The Packs are PEF/Self-Reliance missionaries and will be living in the apartment that we are now living in. The apartment next to us has become available and we will be moving into it so that improvements can be made on the one we have been living in. It needs to be treated for mold, termites, and other improvements. The Cosgraves will be serving as member/leadership support and will be a great blessing to one of our 'bush' areas. It is a great blessing that we are having these couple come as they add such a strength to a mission.
It was our Branch Conference today in Senchi. I did not know that the District Primary Presidency would be teaching primary and it would have been nice to know. Preparations made to teach is never wasted, so I just observed. I did do singing time and it was a good way to end the day in Senchi. I have been buying CTR rings to give to the children and they wear them so proudly. There is still a lot to do to have the Gospel In Action program going as well as the Sacrament Presentation program. I visited with the district presidency as they were asking me what they could teach in the district training meeting in July. I offered suggestions and they want me to show examples of what a Sacrament Presentation program would be. I reminded them that my first priority is the mission office, but I would do my best. There is such a delicate balance between their needing to be independent and helping them. I can be a bit over-zealous at times, so I want to be wise. Our dear Nelson and Cephas did so well in primary today. We knew it would just take a little time. I didn't see what happened at one point when Nelson starting his howling cry, but I just put my arm around him and spoke softly to him, and he quieted down. I think them having some food to eat helped a lot and we were glad to help their mom. We are encouraging her to pray about her future and what she needs to do to take care of her family and become self-reliant. I truly believe that this is possible for all of God's children if they are willing to put their talents to work. It is not easy, but definitely possible.
At the end of the day, I am weary but not discouraged, hungry but spiritually fed, challenged to stretch myself to become more yet willing to do so because of the love I feel from my Savior. His Atonement, when fully active in my life, is what gets me up each day to do it all again. Simply said, it just feels right.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Maize everywhere!
We discovered that just around the corner from us, there is maize (corn) growing in the most unusual place. We started to notice, that in every possible spot of ground, throughout our travels, there is corn growing. We think it is because we are in the rainy season and it will grow without having to get water to it; which you can see,by where it is planted,would be an impossible task.
Yes, that is where people have dumped their garbage and the man we saw planting made good use of it.
The road you see is just a short distance from our apartment. It will be fun to see this corn grow to maturity, and for a time, the garbage will not be noticed.
I finally had a response from the Nigeria Enugu Mission that the last two missionaries I was trying to send letters to are in their mission. Yea! Maybe the first emails did not go through. It is very important that missionaries hear something from a mission, so I am so grateful we accomplished that.
Elder and Sister Haws, who work at the Area Office, have organized an Open House at the Stake Center located on the grounds of the Temple, every Wednesday night. They had two banners made, advertizing this along with the sign that the church has, welcoming people to come in and learn about the church. It is a mini, mini, visitor center, but is very informative with a video shown about the Restoration, Eternal families,etc. The missionaries assigned to the ward and branch using the Stake Center, come to help with teaching. They have brochures and Books of Mormon to share. I was very impressed with their efforts to reach more people about the gospel and to teach about temples. The other missionaries can bring their investigators also. It is slowly becoming known, and last Wednesday, three people actually came in from the street and Elder Beaufeaux gave me their names to refer. Sister Haws called me to see if I received them and was so elated with the experience they had with these people and their interest in learning about the church. I think I feel some baptisms coming.
President and Sister Judd visited Senchi today. He came to interview men for a change in the Branch Presidency. My companion will be one of the counselors and the change will take place next week in the Branch Conference. I will probably be spending more time there while he attends meetings, so I guess it will be a good time to prepare a primary lesson, read the Liahona, maybe even teach some conducting or piano skills. We will see what the interest is. We have been working with Brother Coleman who is over the physical facilities of the church buildings in Ghana. We are gradually getting pictures, a decent white board for Sunday School, a sink, towel holder, and soap container for the men's bathroom, and hymn number holders. It may seem silly to get excited over such things, but I do, and I know it shows these dear people that the Lord cares about such things to make their place of worship better. We still need clocks in the classrooms and I want a cabinet for the primary so I don't have to carry so much back and forth each Sunday. I also want a bulletin board to display word strips for lessons, singing time, etc. They do not have magnetic boards here, so my plan to use magnets did not work.
We were able to get some used bedding for Julana and her boys and gave money to Elder Amumi and Elder Royce to take her shopping tomorrow for rice, beans, oil, and some other staples. We also talked to them about taking her to meet Emmanuel Ofori's wife Angela, to possibly teach her the skill of fishing. That saying of teaching a person how to fish versus giving them a fish, really took on powerful meaning today. We pray this will work for her, because her heart is willing and she needs to be able to provide for her children. We also talked about a calling in the church and with the new branch presidency, I see this happening. We also want to suggest that she come and help Brother Odunga clean the building for the District helping with her rent. It is all good good news!
Elder and Sister Wall arrived on Tuesday and we have spent and will continue all month, to teach the in's and out's of office work. They are a wonderful couple and it has been delightful working with them.
Before I close, I have one more picture that I think some of my grandchildren will like. We see this lizard every day on this tree just as we enter our apartment area and wonder if this is his hibernation time or what. Children, see if you can google about this and see what you can find out. (click on the picture to make bigger).
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)
I finally had a response from the Nigeria Enugu Mission that the last two missionaries I was trying to send letters to are in their mission. Yea! Maybe the first emails did not go through. It is very important that missionaries hear something from a mission, so I am so grateful we accomplished that.
Elder and Sister Haws, who work at the Area Office, have organized an Open House at the Stake Center located on the grounds of the Temple, every Wednesday night. They had two banners made, advertizing this along with the sign that the church has, welcoming people to come in and learn about the church. It is a mini, mini, visitor center, but is very informative with a video shown about the Restoration, Eternal families,etc. The missionaries assigned to the ward and branch using the Stake Center, come to help with teaching. They have brochures and Books of Mormon to share. I was very impressed with their efforts to reach more people about the gospel and to teach about temples. The other missionaries can bring their investigators also. It is slowly becoming known, and last Wednesday, three people actually came in from the street and Elder Beaufeaux gave me their names to refer. Sister Haws called me to see if I received them and was so elated with the experience they had with these people and their interest in learning about the church. I think I feel some baptisms coming.
President and Sister Judd visited Senchi today. He came to interview men for a change in the Branch Presidency. My companion will be one of the counselors and the change will take place next week in the Branch Conference. I will probably be spending more time there while he attends meetings, so I guess it will be a good time to prepare a primary lesson, read the Liahona, maybe even teach some conducting or piano skills. We will see what the interest is. We have been working with Brother Coleman who is over the physical facilities of the church buildings in Ghana. We are gradually getting pictures, a decent white board for Sunday School, a sink, towel holder, and soap container for the men's bathroom, and hymn number holders. It may seem silly to get excited over such things, but I do, and I know it shows these dear people that the Lord cares about such things to make their place of worship better. We still need clocks in the classrooms and I want a cabinet for the primary so I don't have to carry so much back and forth each Sunday. I also want a bulletin board to display word strips for lessons, singing time, etc. They do not have magnetic boards here, so my plan to use magnets did not work.
We were able to get some used bedding for Julana and her boys and gave money to Elder Amumi and Elder Royce to take her shopping tomorrow for rice, beans, oil, and some other staples. We also talked to them about taking her to meet Emmanuel Ofori's wife Angela, to possibly teach her the skill of fishing. That saying of teaching a person how to fish versus giving them a fish, really took on powerful meaning today. We pray this will work for her, because her heart is willing and she needs to be able to provide for her children. We also talked about a calling in the church and with the new branch presidency, I see this happening. We also want to suggest that she come and help Brother Odunga clean the building for the District helping with her rent. It is all good good news!
Elder and Sister Wall arrived on Tuesday and we have spent and will continue all month, to teach the in's and out's of office work. They are a wonderful couple and it has been delightful working with them.
Before I close, I have one more picture that I think some of my grandchildren will like. We see this lizard every day on this tree just as we enter our apartment area and wonder if this is his hibernation time or what. Children, see if you can google about this and see what you can find out. (click on the picture to make bigger).
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Rain and more Rain!
We are having lots of heavy rain lately. I feel for the people who make their living by selling on the streets. Even though the rain comes and goes during the day, they certainly can't be making as much money as when they can be selling without having to stop for the rain. I also wonder about how weather proof their little shacks are. Last evening, we took Linda home after her piano lesson because the rain was so hard. As we traveled to her home, we had to go through an area that is called Zonga (slums). Apparently this is a term that is used for many of these kinds of areas. It is many different ethic groups, but mainly Muslim, that live in this area. I thought I had already seen the worst living conditions, but this topped all I have seen thus far. There was garbage everywhere and the rain just made it look so much worse. There was a large,deep,cement culvert with "shops" lined on both sides, that was flowing fast and deep with dirty water mixed with garbage. Most of the time there is much greenery that I can concentrate on so I don't focus so much on the poverty, but there was none to experience there. Oh how grateful we should be for what we have even if we feel we don't have much. There definitely is wealth here, but sooo many live pretty much as I have described.
We recently received instruction from the Missionary Department that our mission is to act as the parent mission for the new Ghana Accra West Mission. That means that the missionaries that are being assigned to that mission need to have a welcome letter and it has to come from us. The new mission will be official on July 1st, and then the new mission president will be responsible for contacting the missionaries. Until then, it has to come from us and so I have been doing letters for all of them as well as our own. I am always so grateful when missionaries have email addresses to send the letters, but the African and Island missionaries don't and it is difficult where to send them. I cannot access their contact information to find a branch, stake, or mission president to help send the letter through pouch, because it is not our mission. I am mostly having trouble with some of them from Nigeria. I have emailed the Nigerian missions but only heard back from one of them and will need to follow up with them on the urgency of this matter. Wow, does a mission every stretch a person. I am sure there are other mission secretaries out there doing the same thing and I guess that somehow helps to think that.
I am so proud of my companion and how he takes all these calls from the missionaries about their apartment, phone, and money problems, and does it cheerfully. I am the one who says "if we get one more call about a problem, I will not answer the phone." Oh it can be over-whelming, but he never acts like it and handles each one with love and encouraging words. He does challenge them, at times, to think how they can solve the problem themselves when he thinks that is possible for them.
Senchi was good today, although I had primary by myself again. My companion came in again to sit with Nelson and Cephas and feels they are doing better. They don't have a father figure in their life and I think they just need the attention and, of course, discipline. We had a branch council meeting after the block and much was expressed about how the new converts need to have a calling. We talked about how training can take place and that they can learn and grow as they serve. It is a concept that our branch presidency are not sure will work because some of the people don't read and write.. I was sad to hear such feelings expressed. Yes there will probably be many times that people will not accept,or even if they do, not be committed to the work. But what if that is just what they need and they blossom because of the opportunity. One certainly doesn't have to read and write to go as a home teacher or visiting teacher to love another person and encourage them, or use a talent they have with them There is so much potential in everyone and we must allow ourselves to see as the Lord sees. After this we went to visit Julana and Nelson and Cephas. When she joined the church, that put an end to having a place to live. She asked an old man to let her and her boys live in a portion of his place. I saw the mat that they sleep on on the cement floor with no blanket for padding or warmth during the rainy season. We will be taking things to her next week for sure. We then visited a counselor in the district presidency and his wife and daughter. Because of all the rain, we choose not to take our vehicle all the way to his place, so we walked a good distance to get there. I have the beginnings of a blister on the bottom of my foot from not having the proper shoe for the walk, but it was worth it all. His wife is the teacher for the primary that has not been coming and I hope our coming to visit made a difference. I told Elder Amumi that he was inspired to take us there. Brother and Sister Boateng and Heidi-Lynn were pleased that we came.
Well it has been a long day so I will close and express how grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ and how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. This, of course, includes all our siblings and their loved ones. They are always in our prayers.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)
We recently received instruction from the Missionary Department that our mission is to act as the parent mission for the new Ghana Accra West Mission. That means that the missionaries that are being assigned to that mission need to have a welcome letter and it has to come from us. The new mission will be official on July 1st, and then the new mission president will be responsible for contacting the missionaries. Until then, it has to come from us and so I have been doing letters for all of them as well as our own. I am always so grateful when missionaries have email addresses to send the letters, but the African and Island missionaries don't and it is difficult where to send them. I cannot access their contact information to find a branch, stake, or mission president to help send the letter through pouch, because it is not our mission. I am mostly having trouble with some of them from Nigeria. I have emailed the Nigerian missions but only heard back from one of them and will need to follow up with them on the urgency of this matter. Wow, does a mission every stretch a person. I am sure there are other mission secretaries out there doing the same thing and I guess that somehow helps to think that.
I am so proud of my companion and how he takes all these calls from the missionaries about their apartment, phone, and money problems, and does it cheerfully. I am the one who says "if we get one more call about a problem, I will not answer the phone." Oh it can be over-whelming, but he never acts like it and handles each one with love and encouraging words. He does challenge them, at times, to think how they can solve the problem themselves when he thinks that is possible for them.
Senchi was good today, although I had primary by myself again. My companion came in again to sit with Nelson and Cephas and feels they are doing better. They don't have a father figure in their life and I think they just need the attention and, of course, discipline. We had a branch council meeting after the block and much was expressed about how the new converts need to have a calling. We talked about how training can take place and that they can learn and grow as they serve. It is a concept that our branch presidency are not sure will work because some of the people don't read and write.. I was sad to hear such feelings expressed. Yes there will probably be many times that people will not accept,or even if they do, not be committed to the work. But what if that is just what they need and they blossom because of the opportunity. One certainly doesn't have to read and write to go as a home teacher or visiting teacher to love another person and encourage them, or use a talent they have with them There is so much potential in everyone and we must allow ourselves to see as the Lord sees. After this we went to visit Julana and Nelson and Cephas. When she joined the church, that put an end to having a place to live. She asked an old man to let her and her boys live in a portion of his place. I saw the mat that they sleep on on the cement floor with no blanket for padding or warmth during the rainy season. We will be taking things to her next week for sure. We then visited a counselor in the district presidency and his wife and daughter. Because of all the rain, we choose not to take our vehicle all the way to his place, so we walked a good distance to get there. I have the beginnings of a blister on the bottom of my foot from not having the proper shoe for the walk, but it was worth it all. His wife is the teacher for the primary that has not been coming and I hope our coming to visit made a difference. I told Elder Amumi that he was inspired to take us there. Brother and Sister Boateng and Heidi-Lynn were pleased that we came.
Well it has been a long day so I will close and express how grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ and how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. This, of course, includes all our siblings and their loved ones. They are always in our prayers.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Continuing to Learn
I was told, when I was just starting school as a child, that I had difficulty learning to read. I don't recollect who or what was influential in my young life to change that difficulty, but I feel I have always loved to read. I have so appreciated the insight of others and have been blessed to know truth when I've read or heard it. I have difficulty putting my thoughts and feelings into words, and feel it is as much a gift to believe on the words of others as it is to have them as my own. This brings me to a small book that I have been reading to my companion as we travel to Senchi each Sunday. "To Draw Closer To God" is a collection of discourses by President Henry B. Erying. D&C 88:63 reads, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." We have been reading how we can claim these promises and are being reminded that as we yield our hearts unto God, asking him what it is he would have us do, then we will know that he will prepare a way for us to do it, even under great difficulties. I surely do love to learn and I pray my heart is always open, because this mission in Africa is teaching me more than I ever thought possible.
I recently received the Missionary Recommendation of someone I know. My first experience with Matthew Roundy was in the High School production of Les Miserables. I was impressed with his talent and am delighted to learn that he is the grandson of the late Grover Swallow. I worked at the Swallow Pharmacy during my high school years and learned a lot from his grandfather. He is coming to the Ghana Accra Mission in September and even though he probably won't know me, I will be able to share what I know about him. Who would think someone from the same Stake would be called to this same mission. It was fun to read the priesthood leaders comments and I could just hear President Phillips and Bishop Matthew's voice as I read them. I take delight in things such as this.
I have another experience with one of the special interviews that President Judd recently had. I was privilege to meet a delightful older women that had been taught by the missionaries for a long time. Her husband, who was with her, is one of the early pioneers of Africa that embraced the gospel. She, on the other hand, said she would never be baptized. She loved the missionaries and called them "her boys", but she refused to be baptized. Well, when one of her previous missionaries, that had loved her and worked so diligently with her, came into the office and saw her waiting her turn to be interviewed, I think the roof raised up because of the joy that was expressed. It was truly a beautiful experience.
This picture is what we experienced last week on our way back from Senchi. Thank goodness it does not happen every week!
The picture above is a common sight we see when we travel to Senchi. It is a bag full of homemade charcoal that the people use to cook with and it is placed along side the road for people to purchase.
The Sunday we traveled to Tsito and Ho, we passed through what we call "pillow town". Colorful pillows for sale line the streets.
This is another town that sells clay pots and they also line the streets to be sold.
If you look real close (I think you can click on the picture and see it closer), there is a woman with a sewing machine in its case on her head. These dear people amaze me what heavy and bulky items they can carry on their heads.
This is a view of the beautiful green foliage that is up that area.
When I was taking the picture above this one, I discovered this mother hen and her chicks. It was fun to watch them scratch in the weeds looking for bugs to eat. I think they were so intent on eating that they didn't even care that I was so close to them.
The goats in this land are very small and are everywhere. I watched this one for awhile while my companion and some missionaries were engaged in a activity. It would have been fun to have had a video of what I watched because she eventually moved to some small bushes with flowering stems growing up from them and how she got on her hind legs to be able to pull the long stem down so she could eat the flowers.
That was a lot of pictures all at once, but I wasn't able to add them when I first took them.
A quick update on primary today in Senchi. My companion felt so sorry for the hard time I had last week that he said if the leaders and teacher did not come today, he would come in and help me. Well the did not come, so he had a great experience. Juliana who was baptized two weeks ago, has two sons named Nelson (4) and Cephas (6). Church is such a new thing to them that they really haven't learned the slightest thing about reverence. I was able to teach the children about the obedience of Nephi in building a ship and the law of tithing. There was 25+ children today and it went well. Those two little boys were all smiles after primary because they have a great new friend who patiently encouraged them to keep their hands to themselves. I believe in time, they will adjust (we sure hope they will). The real problem is that primary leaders and teacher are not taking their calling seriously and I must have hope for them also.
It was our dear grandson Camran's birthday this last week and we express how much we love him.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)
I recently received the Missionary Recommendation of someone I know. My first experience with Matthew Roundy was in the High School production of Les Miserables. I was impressed with his talent and am delighted to learn that he is the grandson of the late Grover Swallow. I worked at the Swallow Pharmacy during my high school years and learned a lot from his grandfather. He is coming to the Ghana Accra Mission in September and even though he probably won't know me, I will be able to share what I know about him. Who would think someone from the same Stake would be called to this same mission. It was fun to read the priesthood leaders comments and I could just hear President Phillips and Bishop Matthew's voice as I read them. I take delight in things such as this.
I have another experience with one of the special interviews that President Judd recently had. I was privilege to meet a delightful older women that had been taught by the missionaries for a long time. Her husband, who was with her, is one of the early pioneers of Africa that embraced the gospel. She, on the other hand, said she would never be baptized. She loved the missionaries and called them "her boys", but she refused to be baptized. Well, when one of her previous missionaries, that had loved her and worked so diligently with her, came into the office and saw her waiting her turn to be interviewed, I think the roof raised up because of the joy that was expressed. It was truly a beautiful experience.
This picture is what we experienced last week on our way back from Senchi. Thank goodness it does not happen every week!
When I was taking the picture above this one, I discovered this mother hen and her chicks. It was fun to watch them scratch in the weeds looking for bugs to eat. I think they were so intent on eating that they didn't even care that I was so close to them.
That was a lot of pictures all at once, but I wasn't able to add them when I first took them.
A quick update on primary today in Senchi. My companion felt so sorry for the hard time I had last week that he said if the leaders and teacher did not come today, he would come in and help me. Well the did not come, so he had a great experience. Juliana who was baptized two weeks ago, has two sons named Nelson (4) and Cephas (6). Church is such a new thing to them that they really haven't learned the slightest thing about reverence. I was able to teach the children about the obedience of Nephi in building a ship and the law of tithing. There was 25+ children today and it went well. Those two little boys were all smiles after primary because they have a great new friend who patiently encouraged them to keep their hands to themselves. I believe in time, they will adjust (we sure hope they will). The real problem is that primary leaders and teacher are not taking their calling seriously and I must have hope for them also.
It was our dear grandson Camran's birthday this last week and we express how much we love him.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom,grandma)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Will I ever not complain!
I hope all you Mothers had a great day last week. By the time we returned from our day in Senchi, Tsito, and Ho it was 8pm and I was much too tired to go to the office. It was a good day and I was happy to serve the missionaries in those areas by bringing them their mail etc. They never complain about being so far from the Mission Home and actually enjoy being out from all the busyness of the city. I had taken pictures that I wanted to add but when we went to the office tonight to write, the internet was off and we decided to come home. Since we only have the one computer at home, my companion said he could wait to write so I could write a little.
It has been great but busy week with missionaries departing and new missionaries coming. It is hard to describe our small office with sooooo many missionaries needing reimbursement, requesting items for their apartments, handing in baptismal records, getting their mail, etc. They are a delight, but by the end of the day; well, you get the idea. We had another missionary that wanted to go home. President Judd spent hours with her, but she had made up her mind. But there was an Elder that was serving in Cape Coast Mission that was going to go home and at the last minute, asked himself "what am I doing? My family has disowned me for joining the church, so why am I going home. I will regret it for the rest of my life if I go home." He was able to contact Elder Dickson of the Area Seventy and change everything and is now serving in our mission and doing well.
I had the wonderful experience of meeting a young mother who came to receive her endowment in the temple. She had her baby of four months with her and he just melted my heart. He smiled and laughed when I talked to him, and now the rest of the story. He was born premature and his mother was by herself and took him with the umbilical cord still attached and got a taxi to go to the hospital. He was so tiny that he fit in the palm of Elder Dalton's hand. He was meant to live, because under those conditions he should not have. I love stories like this as it is a reminder to me He is watching over us all.
Today was a difficult day at the Senchi Branch. Last week, Sister Owusu and Duodu and I had divided up the responsibilities of teaching but they never came to do their part. The children were struggling with reverence today and with new children just about every week, we really need all of us there so when one is teaching, the others sit by the children to help with the problems. I think the language is still part of the problem. Nephi and the Brass Plates was a good story to keep their interest and they love to sing, but I didn't even try the concept of tithing. Sister Owusu was to teach that and I was not prepared with anything visual to help them understand. On the way home, we were stuck in traffic for about an hour and a half. I took pictures of the congestion that we experienced that maybe will give an idea of three lanes of traffic in one single lane. It doesn't have all the horn honking and exhaust fumes that were also experienced. I will add them in a later blog as they are on the computer in the office.
I have to admit that there are times when I say that I would not miss Africa one bit. But I know there is so much more to it than the traffic, noisy children, and teachers that don't show up. I just have such a desire to look at a trying situation and be able to not complain and instead find something good about it. I guess in the desiring, I can have some hope that it will come.
We missed being able to skype with our Shelton family because of internet problems at the office and we can't get skype at our apartment. I want our sweet Cooper and Avery to know how much I missed seeing their sweet faces and that I love them so much. Our dear Oriana, Alexibia, Xander, Nickolas, Isabel, and Naomi emailed us tonight and it was good to hear how they are doing. We sure miss our family and love them all.
With love,
Sister Avery (mom, grandma)
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Wow! month of May already
The time is sure getting close as to when our mission will be split. I only see a portion of what has to be done to make that all happen in the short time we have left. President Judd and the Assistants have so many decisions to make, in regards to placing Elders and Sisters, so that the new mission has strong missionaries to begin with. This needs to take place on this next transfer, which is the 15th of May as well as the 26th of June transfer. We have 16 new missionaries in May and 28 new missionaries in June. Because the Ghana Accra West mission will have different transfer days than us, that has to be a deciding factor also as to where to place the missionaries that are completing their mission in August. The 17 missionaries scheduled to leave in August will need their flight plans started very soon and that is one of the factors that makes this transition to a new mission challenging. If they are put in the West Mission, I arrange according to those release dates. If they are still in our mission, then I arrange according to our release dates. Needless to say, we pray for President Judd a lot!!
I keep wondering when the cooler weather is going to start, or if it will. Once in awhile, when it rains, I have hope, but it doesn't last long. Everyone here carries a cloth with them to wipe the sweat off them as they go about their daily activities. Yet, I see people wearing suits which I wonder how they can do it. Then there are those, that ride motorcycles, who wear coats on those days when the temperature is a FEW degrees cooler. But then when I think how they are wrapped in a cloth and carried on their mother's backs from the time they are first born, it makes a little more sense.
I feel grateful to have nice flowers, trees, and grass around our apartment. When I look out our kitchen window, to what could be called the back yard, it is interesting to watch the washing of clothes and hanging them to dry by Bubba mostly. His little room doesn't seem to have a place to cook, so from my observation, I believe the woman tenant cooks for him and he washes her clothes. She has a car and goes every morning at 6:30 to some kind of work and he takes care of the washing. I feel grateful also that we are on a city water line and our poly tank gets filled automatically. Many places have to have water delivered to fill their poly tanks and that it the cause of much of our missionaries water problems. The other is that we have to have pumps so that we have some water pressure so the water can flow into our apartments. Even though it is so different than home, I am so grateful for what we have.
Today was the Sunday that I think all of Ghana, if not more countries, watch a session or two of General Conference. The wards and branches receive a DVD and we watch a portion or all of the Saturday afternoon session so we can do the sustaining of the Church leaders, and then watch the Sunday morning session. It didn't quite go according to plan in Senchi, but it all worked out. We agreed with Sister Adjei that they should stop the English recording and do it in Twi so the people could understand better and that soon was taken care of; I think they were doing it just for us. After the session, we had a baptism of 2 boys and 2 girls from the same family. The parents had not had their interviews yet, so hopefully their baptism will be next Sunday. Princilla and Joy are the two girls and are in primary. I want to get them a CTR ring, Book of Mormon, and a Gospel In Action booklet to keep them moving forward in the Gospel. It happens a lot in these small branches where the programs just don't quite function as they should. I am trying to help change that, but it is a gradual process for sure.
Next Sunday after the meetings, we need to travel about 45 min. to Tsito to pick up one of Elder Thompson's suitcases so he doesn't have to pay an extra fee on the trotro. He completes his mission on the 14th of May and his father is coming to pick him up. His Dad is a brother to Jayne Smith who is our late Donna Avery's daughter-in-law. He said because we were practically family, he would bring me corn tortillas so we could make some real tacos. I wonder how it will all work, but I am so glad he is willing to try. Anyway, I am wanting to take some more pictures to put here, as we should see some more interesting country as we travel further north.
Speaking of the north, I had one of our missionaries call me and want me to find a branch in Tamale (taw-maw-lee, correction from an earlier blog). He has an investigator who will be returning to her home there and wants to connect with the Church. I first got on the Church's site to find if we even have missionaries there and we do. Tamale is in the far north of the Kumasi Mission and as of a couple of months ago, 8 missionaries were sent into that area. There is not a branch, but they have what is called a Group. This happens quite often, I guess, where the membership is so small. Anyway, I think it is exciting and I was able to email the Kumasi Mission and get a phone number of an Elder White that was transferred to Tamale. The missionary that asked me to find all of this out, actually knows Elder White and was excited to contact him about this investigator. I continue to be amazed at all that is taking place with the gospel filling the earth, which brings me to a neat part I found out about Tamale. It is a predominately Muslim country but because there are no militant groups occupied there, and no Islamic control in the government, there is no danger to Christians there. Exciting stuff!
Well, we are back to apartment inspections tomorrow and one of the apartments is in a new area and we do not have coordinates in the GPS for that one. We will really have to rely on the missionaries to come meet us at a spot that we can get to, so it could get interesting. Happy trails to us!!
PS Our Xander was baptized and confirmed yesterday. We are so proud of him for accepting this wonderful ordinance. Our Jason graduated from Suu with honors. We are so proud of him!
With love,
Sister Avery (mom & grandma)
I keep wondering when the cooler weather is going to start, or if it will. Once in awhile, when it rains, I have hope, but it doesn't last long. Everyone here carries a cloth with them to wipe the sweat off them as they go about their daily activities. Yet, I see people wearing suits which I wonder how they can do it. Then there are those, that ride motorcycles, who wear coats on those days when the temperature is a FEW degrees cooler. But then when I think how they are wrapped in a cloth and carried on their mother's backs from the time they are first born, it makes a little more sense.
I feel grateful to have nice flowers, trees, and grass around our apartment. When I look out our kitchen window, to what could be called the back yard, it is interesting to watch the washing of clothes and hanging them to dry by Bubba mostly. His little room doesn't seem to have a place to cook, so from my observation, I believe the woman tenant cooks for him and he washes her clothes. She has a car and goes every morning at 6:30 to some kind of work and he takes care of the washing. I feel grateful also that we are on a city water line and our poly tank gets filled automatically. Many places have to have water delivered to fill their poly tanks and that it the cause of much of our missionaries water problems. The other is that we have to have pumps so that we have some water pressure so the water can flow into our apartments. Even though it is so different than home, I am so grateful for what we have.
Today was the Sunday that I think all of Ghana, if not more countries, watch a session or two of General Conference. The wards and branches receive a DVD and we watch a portion or all of the Saturday afternoon session so we can do the sustaining of the Church leaders, and then watch the Sunday morning session. It didn't quite go according to plan in Senchi, but it all worked out. We agreed with Sister Adjei that they should stop the English recording and do it in Twi so the people could understand better and that soon was taken care of; I think they were doing it just for us. After the session, we had a baptism of 2 boys and 2 girls from the same family. The parents had not had their interviews yet, so hopefully their baptism will be next Sunday. Princilla and Joy are the two girls and are in primary. I want to get them a CTR ring, Book of Mormon, and a Gospel In Action booklet to keep them moving forward in the Gospel. It happens a lot in these small branches where the programs just don't quite function as they should. I am trying to help change that, but it is a gradual process for sure.
Next Sunday after the meetings, we need to travel about 45 min. to Tsito to pick up one of Elder Thompson's suitcases so he doesn't have to pay an extra fee on the trotro. He completes his mission on the 14th of May and his father is coming to pick him up. His Dad is a brother to Jayne Smith who is our late Donna Avery's daughter-in-law. He said because we were practically family, he would bring me corn tortillas so we could make some real tacos. I wonder how it will all work, but I am so glad he is willing to try. Anyway, I am wanting to take some more pictures to put here, as we should see some more interesting country as we travel further north.
Speaking of the north, I had one of our missionaries call me and want me to find a branch in Tamale (taw-maw-lee, correction from an earlier blog). He has an investigator who will be returning to her home there and wants to connect with the Church. I first got on the Church's site to find if we even have missionaries there and we do. Tamale is in the far north of the Kumasi Mission and as of a couple of months ago, 8 missionaries were sent into that area. There is not a branch, but they have what is called a Group. This happens quite often, I guess, where the membership is so small. Anyway, I think it is exciting and I was able to email the Kumasi Mission and get a phone number of an Elder White that was transferred to Tamale. The missionary that asked me to find all of this out, actually knows Elder White and was excited to contact him about this investigator. I continue to be amazed at all that is taking place with the gospel filling the earth, which brings me to a neat part I found out about Tamale. It is a predominately Muslim country but because there are no militant groups occupied there, and no Islamic control in the government, there is no danger to Christians there. Exciting stuff!
Well, we are back to apartment inspections tomorrow and one of the apartments is in a new area and we do not have coordinates in the GPS for that one. We will really have to rely on the missionaries to come meet us at a spot that we can get to, so it could get interesting. Happy trails to us!!
PS Our Xander was baptized and confirmed yesterday. We are so proud of him for accepting this wonderful ordinance. Our Jason graduated from Suu with honors. We are so proud of him!
With love,
Sister Avery (mom & grandma)
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