Yeboah Family

"...neither is the man without the woman in the Lord..."

“I’m a farmer and don’t know much of God. My wife lives in the Northern Region and she is not here. I know small, small English and I go to my farm to work”. These were the words of Atta Yeboah to Elders Dominic and Edwards as they contacted him. Yet they felt as if the Father had prepared this man to hear the words of Christ. The missionaries went to the farm with him one day and planted Peppi along his side. They gently loved this man into the fullness of the gospel they are here to preach. The lessons were long and sometimes slow but the Light of Christ was again fanned with the whisperings of the Holy Spirit testifying of their words. He reads slowly in the Book of Mormon and yet feels the love promised to all that will open their hearts. Dressed in white, he entered the font and received the words of salvation from one who holds the power to unlock the heavens for he and his family. Tenderly he was immersed in the waters of repentance and raised up as one ready for the cleansing of the Holy Ghost to enter his life. That following Sunday he traveled to the Northern Region to bring his wife and son back to his home in Abomosu. He testified of his newly found “pearl of great price” to his now reunited family. On July 3^rd he received the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the cleansing wash promised to us all.

Timid but faithful to his commitments, he attended Church. Members wrapped their arms around him and taught him of brotherly love for all of Heavenly Fathers children. It was that week the flood came to this area and Atta’s entire farm was lost. His livelihood and food supply was wasted in just a matter of hours. For over 3 weeks he could not see the soil of his heritage or feed his family from his labors. The Church members came to his house within one day of the flooding, and checked on the family’s well-being and delivered corn donated by others that had plenty. His wife was so impressed that members sought them out and shared their small, small food portions. Atta commented to me one day months later, of his deep rooted testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel by the acts of kindness offered during those trying times. Though he needed help himself, he harvested Cassava alongside his priesthood quorum members, to be given to members in need. When he came home after that service, there was fresh corn and 2 large Cassava at his door step. The Lord knew his family and blessed them for their faith. “…and are willing to bear one another’s burdens…” was perfectly planted in Atta’s heart and actions.

The Elders continued to nurture the family with the good word of God and both Patricia and their son Prince were prepared for baptism. This would be a joyous time for all of the missionaries as well as the branch, for you see, very, very seldom do whole families come into the Church together, even within a few years, here in Africa. But this was a choice family the Lord had prepared before the world was. Atta was conferred the Aaronic Priesthood and now could take his beloved wife and son into the same waters of repentance that he had entered a few weeks before. A date was set and preparations were made and his wife, 3 days before the date, shared a miracle with Atta, “we are having a baby.” Excitement filled his heart and the home that night as they had not had a child since their son some 16 years ago. The decision was made to postpone her baptism until she felt comfortable and farther along in the pregnancy. On the set date, Sept 23rd, Atta took his son into the font and with his right arm to the square, he pronounced the words that would unlock Prince’s future with Father in Heaven. It was an occasion we shall never forget.

This past Friday Oct. 28, 2011 at 5:24PM, missionaries, presidents, high councilmen, priesthood brothers, and a numbers of sisters from the Abomosu Branch, with tears in our eyes, gathered around an open air font. Atta Yeboah dressed in sacred whites, raised his arm squarely and spoke the words of salvation. “Patricia Boakyewaa, having authority of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen” So reverently, gently, and full of love for his companion, she was laid in the water so clear and raised again to a new life. Today the Holy Ghost was conferred, and her transgressions of old were swept away through the Atoner who loves us all. Atta Yeboah’s family is now on the path and holding fast to the Iron Rod, faithfully pressing forward to Oct. 30, 2012 where they will kneel, still holding fast to the Rod of Iron, and humbling partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life. Sister Dalton and I will witness yet another miracle that sacred day.

(The picture above is this family at Patricia’s baptism)

...for I know that ye shall have my words....

We apologize for the delay of our blog entry this week. It is the rainy season now and over the last few days it has rained every day and night. Some rivers have over flowed again but not like we experienced in June. We have been without power most days and nights and clean water has been scares due to no power for so long. We have only heard of one couple who were stranded at their farm and they are to be recused today. It is a common time of the year to experience these continued rains with minor flooding. On top of that, our computer failed us and we were unable to have it repaired until today. Oh the wonders of technology in the bush! We have heard of some severe flooding in the Ho region (5 hours to the east) and we have been in contact with the Lyons, who serve there, about their challenges. They have been troopers for the first month of their mission with all kinds of new things to experience. We hope our prayers and sharing some of our experiences have helped them with their flooding issue.

We have received a number of new Elders to the North Zone over the last 4 weeks; 3 “greenies”, 1 new Zone Leader, a new District leader and three new trainers. It has occurred to me of the similarities and differences of serving a full time mission as a 19 year old. When I served in 1968, our mode of communication was strictly by hand written letter. We had no cell phones or computers. It usually reached anywhere in America within 7 to 10 days. Sister Dalton has written to our grandchildren and mailed them 4 weeks ago from Abomosu, and they still have not been received them. The missionaries in this mission are expected to write home on their P-day (Mondays) using an internet café or the church computer. We have 4 Elders that use the Church computer or our computer when the power is down. We have an Elder who has been out for 4 weeks, one 9 months, 19months and one 20 months. I have observed their writing habits on P-days over the months. Those that are “long in the tooth” usually take on average between 30- 45 minutes each. You know, the letter to home “all is well” and not much more just to keep mother happy. They also very seldom receive any handwritten letters from the states, if so, it is from Aunt Mabel who always brings Fruit Cake to the Christmas party. I also see that they are writing quick letters to some of their friends serving missions in some other part of the world. They have shared some of the testimonies these other missionaries have written and they beam with excitement that they have struggles just like we do here, yet they are staying true and faithful to the work. Then there are those that have not been out over a year and they take 1 ½ hours to write to home and these letters tend to be much more informative of their plight here in the bush and the challenges of companions and a sprinkling of a family they may be working with. They also receive handwritten mail more frequently so they make sure Sister Dalton and bring the mail from the mission home when we travel there. I have seen even a letter or two from some young lady who is attending BYU or Uof U. Then there are those that have been out for less than 6 months. They are on the computers for 2 plus hours writing all things to mother and pleading for candies, special recipes, baby powder, new belt and ties or other clothing items. This group is far more likely to still be receiving handwritten mail from the states. They even still handwrite some letters and have us take them when we travel to the mission home for the pouch service. This group has many letters and packages! We are always on their radar when we are traveling to Accra and when we return. Some have even asked us to call them when we pick up a package from the Mission home so they will know about what time we will be arriving. I see that they have many letters from young ladies who write faithfully between dates, or on Sunday nights after a fireside. They still speak of events at home and usually know the scores of the BYU and UofU games. Those missionaries from Africa who are serving in our mission only use the computer. VERY seldom have we delivered a handwritten letter to any of them. They are more connected with family and friends in their ward or branch from where they are from. None of them have girlfriends at home.

Now, I love teasing all of the missionaries about girlfriends, and when a “Dear John” is received, it is known throughout the zone in minutes. I would like to share one such experience that was shared with me. This Elder had served for several months. He took some ribbing from a number of us about his girlfriend back home. One time as Elder and Sister Baker picked up the mail, he noticed 7 letters, from one young lady attending BYU, were sent on the same day. He commented to Sister Baker that this would be a “special delivery” to this Elder. The elder even called the Bakers on the way home to ask about mail. Elder Baker dutifully delivered them on their way home that night and he was truly excited. None of the other Elders had mail so he was top of the heap. Elder Baker spoke to him the next day as they were waiting for an appointment and he shared his tale of woe. He opened the first envelope, each had a number (he didn’t pick up on that at all), and was thrilled with what was in that letter. He went through each letter and was tantalizing the missionaries in his apartment with extracted tid-bits. Finally the last was opened with great anticipation by all. All juices were flowing by then and then it happened, “I have found a wonderful returned missionary who has asked me to marry……..” Now this Elder was in the dumps for a week or so and all was well after that, but don’t we enjoy these lessons of life? 

"...and bear testimony of the truth in all places..."

As he occupied the pulpit, I marveled at his fervent testimony of prayer. Raised in the Pentecostal Church, his only exposure to personal prayer was through the minister and his praises to their God. “I struggled to feel the spirit” he said and continued in his Twi language as he told the story of his conversion. “As an active member of this villages governing council, and by virtue of my position as the presiding bishop of the districts Pentecostal Church, I was looked up to as a man of God; though I was not one of those described by Alma in the Book of Mormon, “First the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble….” I was rich with many farms of Cocoa. I was learned in the ways of the world and in speaking to convince the people of my beliefs. I was wise in that I knew who my enemies were and how to conceal my true intentions, and I was noble with rich tribunal heritage who were tyrants to the people.” There is not a soul in this village that has not been touched by this man directly or indirectly in some way, either for good or for evil, over the years. “I was proud of my filthy wealth and showed that often in riotous living and fine dress. I mocked the people of other churches and social status. I took advantage of my neighbor and robbed the poor.” Could this be the same man bearing testimony of how prayer changed his life? He continued with soft tender feels of thankfulness expressed in his native tongue. “I one day looked into my soul as if not to be in my body. I was a wretched man and had no feeling towards God. I would preach at the top of my voice and sing louder than the congregation just to drown out my emptiness and demons within. I had only known of memorized prayers to offer, yet to whom, I did not know.” His speaking stopped as he bowed his head. There was that several seconds that all was quite in the chapel. I watched with intensity to the scene that unfolded, of a humble man who was just sustained by over 490 faithful saints at our District Conference, as the first High Councilor, ever, in the Abomosu District. “ I am not a pioneer of this faith, I am not a wealthy man as before, I am not a influential man as I once was, and I am not a proud man of my past. Yet I welcome your show of hands in a sustaining sign that God has forgiven me and caused me to be who I am today. He answered my humble prayer 7 years ago when I fell to my knees and sobbed for relief of this life I had lead and to know the true God.” He continued, “He knows me, and I now know him, and his joyous ways of love. I have learned to hold fast to the Iron Rod even when partaking of the sweet fruit or the love of God. We must always holdfast to that word of God called the Iron Rod, for as we do, we are washed by the atoning sacrifice of our brother Jesus Christ.” With tears of joy on his and our cheeks, he continued. “I submit myself to this grand work of the Lord. It will bring salvation, it will bring family unity, it will bring peace to your troubled mind, it will bring direction for your life, and most important is it will bring you to your previous knowledge of the love God has for his sons and daughters. I pray your individual suppers with the Lord be as filling and ever flowing as mine have been over these last 7 years. I humbly bear my testimony of the Savior’s atonement and the cleansing power that lies within his love. In the name of Jesus Christ, my brother, Amen.” There was a silence as he stepped from the stand and took his seat in the rear of the building. President Oppong, who was conducting, even waited until the moment passed that we had all witnessed, before rising to the pulpit and proceeding with the remaining program.

And thus we see “that by small means the Lord can bring about great things”. Our greatest blessing in life is the knowledge, power, and fully immersing ourselves in the wonders of the atonement. Offered to all men who will freely sup with Him, with His arms extended open to bond or free, rich or poor, learned or uneducated. I testify of the love that only He can afford us all and the mighty miracles that change men’s lives for the Shepard’s work - even Alex Agyei, the first Abomosu District High Councilor.  

                

Since we have arrived here in Ghana on our mission, we have shared a Family Home Evening with several families in the District. They have been wonderful and a bonding experience for Sister Dalton and me with these families. We have left some of these sharing times with tears of happiness and sometimes tears of sadness with the stories we have heard of family trials. But each and every time we are truly buoyed up with the Spirit testifying of the truthfulness of this inspired program. The Family Night program was introduced in September of 1961 but re-emphasized and designated as a Monday night Church wide program in the October General Conference 1964.

We see Satan’s determination, ever since, to pull the family down and destroy the family unit. It will be his influence that caused Monday Night Football on TV’s which began in 1969; even here in Ghana, Monday night is the night for most Football (soccer) matches local or national. This is by design I’m sure, and we have seen the devastated effects of this counterfeit. There is betting on these matches and Monday is the day for that practice. Though we do not have many TV’s here in the bush, there are a few at the Chop Bars and the liquor palaces.  We see a number of people gathered around a small set watching with intent the match that is playing; yelling when goals are scored and grumbling when there are missed goals. Gambled money is exchange at the end of these matches and we have witnessed some of our members involved with this practice. It hurts our hearts to see families suffer because of a counterfeit “gathering for Family Night”. Yet there are families who embrace the evening with their family and gather them close to be spiritually fed and cords of love tightly knit together. It is rewarding and of most important in this day and age of heightened effort of the deceiver and his host.

This week Sister Dalton and I shared a Family Home Evening with the Seth and Sandra Amoh family in Kwabeng. It was one of those Family Home Evenings we drove away with tears of gladness and thanksgiving for our experience. They have four sons,Manfred-14, Kingsley- 9, Kenneth-4, and Seth-2. We have always brought the lesson and the treats on each occasion. This was a time that Brother and Sister Amoh were especially excited to share a special review of a previously held Family Home Evening. At a Sacrament meeting in Kwabeng three weeks earlier, I had challenged the members to step up their referrals for the missionaries and witnessed of their importance to our missionary work. I had also mentioned that Sister Dalton and I had planned for 40 years to serve together on this mission. We even had a date set, and though changed a time or two over the 40 years, we were always true to our covenant with the Lord to serve a fulltime mission. I mentioned, that as a family during a Family Night setting, a prayerfully considered commitment from father and mother announced to the children and then a sign stating that set date to enter into the service, posted on the wall, would cement that fact to the whole family. Children would feel father and mother’s commitment to the Lord and would want to emulate their commitment in their own lives when 19 or 21. Sister Dalton and I were escorted into their small gathering room by the children who carried our bags and all of the treats. Carefully we were seated in plastic chairs across from the family picture wall. Kenneth and Seth were most interested in the treats we had brought as most young boys are, so Sister Dalton kept a tight hold on the Ghana Chocolate Cake. Brother Amoh conducted and Sister Amoh said the opening prayer. Kingsley led the singing and Manfred set next to Sister Dalton keeping a watchful eye on the treats. Brother Amoh then unveiled a special hand crafted picture to be placed on the family picture wall. It was a computer made statement on regular sized white paper surrounded by a handmade frame. It read, “Seth and Sandra Amoh will prepare and commit to serve a fulltime mission September 2031”. It was then carefully mounted above all the family pictures on the wall.   I was so overtaken with emotion I arose and hugged each of them for their faithfulness to the Lords call. Tears flowed freely and I don’t recall a time I tried so hard to compose myself. These humble folks were ready and willing to follow the Prophets counsel to prepare and serve a mission wherever called. They have very little, but what they do have they committed it all to the building of the kingdom of God. I have reflected upon that evening several times this week as we have visited other homes and recommitted less- actives to come back to the feast offered to us all.

My lesson went well with the family; Seth’s little fingers would occasionally creep under the tinfoil and bring out a morsel of cake; mother would try to keep the little ones quite or still most of the evening; Sister Dalton and I sang a duet of two Primary songs while Kenneth stood next to us with a songbook, upside down, singing along; and father setting as if all is well. Can we all relate to such an evening? Long after the Monday night roar of crowds and the spectacular physical feats witnessed during a football game, will be a humble lesson taught to Sister Dalton and I, when a sign was raised on a wall in a humble home in Kwabeng Ghana, committing their all to the Lord. We witness to the importance of this wonderful work and the blessings that come to those that covenant to serve with all of their might, mind and strength. May each of us be more committed in whatever part of the Lord’s vineyard we are assigned, is our prayer.     

...honored in laying the foundation...

Recently I was told a story that has caused me to ponder a principle of life that blesses us all. The story is of President Packer and a man named Daniel who was invited to Elder Packer’s office for a small council meeting. Daniel knew Elder Packer was busy and felt he would be as short as possible with his part of the meeting. Upon entering the room, graciously Elder Packer invited him to share something about his family. Daniel spoke of his wife and children and if not to take too much time, ended there. Elder Packer asked Daniel “is that all?” Daniel went a little deeper into his family tree with his father and mother and their names and condition at their age. Elder Packer asked again “is that all? This time Daniel gave him a deeper description of his family tree with grandfathers and grandmothers, even great grandfathers and great grandmothers from his family line. Daniel thought, how this could be the most important thing for the meeting when his part of the council agenda was just a very small portion, and President Packer’s time was so precious? Once again Elder Packer asked “is that all”. A bit confused, Daniel asked President Packer “what would you have me say more about my family?” President Packer loving smiled and looked squarely into Daniels eyes and said “I want to know whose shoulders you are standing on.” It was a profound moment for President Daniel Judd, our beloved Mission President, as he began to recount the rich Church heritage he was standing upon as he prepared for his future Church assignments.

                We all are “standing upon others shoulders”, aren’t we? Some have shoulders of pioneer saints who walked the plains moving west; some have rich heritage of Ireland or Germany, or Japanese or English or Lamanite or Spanish conquistadors from South America. We are supported by others testimonies sometimes, sometimes by the faith of family or loving parents, sometimes by heavenly angels and sometimes by our little ones encircled by fire. The world would not teach this truth, but we can trace our roots to men and women who paved the way for our eternal successes. In the Lord’s kingdom, we can feel the gentle promptings of our loving Heavenly Father and our most precious Heavenly Mother. We all have sure footings upon the shoulders of others if we would but ponder our stations in life. I truly feel the steady shoulders Sister Dalton and I are now standing upon, more and more each day here in the bush of Africa.

                Abomosu has had 4 previous missionary couples, the Johnsons from Canada, the Calls from Idaho, the Hales from Idaho, and the Terry’s from Nevada. The Hales were here only 6 months and then they were called to work in the area office. We are the fourth couple to serve in this wonderful district of Abomosu. We feel these hallowed shoulders we are standing on. The saints have introduced Sister Dalton and me, many times, as Elder and Sister Call or Elder and Sister Terry. I can’t tell you the number of times I have been asked to give my greeting to the wife, Sister Terry or Sister Call. Over the months you would think they would get it straight, but no, as they answer our telephone call “Hello Elder Terry”. One could be offended, I guess, yet I feel it an honor to be called by one of the previous missionaries’ name. I answer to all of their names and most times the member or community folks blush with some embarrassment when they try to get it right. I know of their love and respect for all of these previous missionaries. Are the hearts of the saints tied to only one missionary couple or the service of those who graciously raised them in their spiritual and temporal growth? I believe these dear people have a bit of both missionary work and spiritual growth etched upon their hearts. I too have a bit of each of these faithful couples etched upon my heart and soul.

                I look at the shoulders that still are used as the foundation for the Church in this bush area; the Abu’s, the Amoh’s, the Oppong’s the Asiedu’s, the Osie Owusu’s, the Amaning’s, and the list can go on. Yet, added to the shoulder of strength foundation, are the humble past servants who have with all of their might, mind and strength, put their shoulder to the wheel and moved the work along. We too, want to add our shoulders to the sure foundation of these strong shoulders that surround us. I beckon all to put your shoulder to the wheel and help the good work move along, for one day the question will be asked “whose shoulders do you stand on”; for all of us stand upon hallowed shoulders of royal heritage.