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?
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