"...come and claim the blessings...."

Sister Dalton has been asked to further the Family History work here in the district. She follows Elder and Sister Terry, the previous couple missionaries who served so well. This is an assignment that has enlightened Sister Dalton as to the meaning of “perfecting of the saints”. Much progress was accomplished by Sister Terry and her diligence to fulfill her assignment as well as for the blessing bestowed on the saints who participated. It is a divine work that all of us have stewardship, yet most fellow citizens would not realize the challenge these faithful families have to extract and prepare their ancestors for temple blessings.

I start by saying with the help of Elder and Sister Borden of the Area Office, this sacred work is blooming throughout our entire district. Elder and Sister Borden have been so supportive and have made wonderful suggestions that have helped with the Family History spirit. They will be going home soon so we wish them well. Under their gentle suggestions, truly the hearts of the children began to turn to their fathers for the saints here in Abomosu. The power of the temple ordnances, now give substance and eternal permanence for both the living and the dead with each member who performs a service for a beloved ancestor. It is marvelous to witness the spiritual experiences of members in our district who bear testimony of this truth. Yesterday as we attended the Asunafo Branch meetings, we truly felt the spirit of Family History service. Our speaker in Sacrament meeting was prepared and had recently attended a temple session for a family name. Brother Frempong has worked with Sister Dalton for a number of months and now has the vision of this most important work. He is a farmer who works very hard at his farm along with his wife, Adoma. They have raised 7 children with only 2 left at home now. I remember one evening as Sister Dalton and I were driving home, how she could not keep the family members straite in her mind because of their lack of sir name pattern. Kwaku Charles Frempong- father, Adoma Janet Darkoa- mother, Johnson Frempong Adomako- eldest son, Afua Josephine Owusuaa- daughter, Yaa Mollis Marfoa- daughter, Thurker Elizabeth Boaduwa- daughter, Dora Owusuaa- daughter and Rockson Quesi Owusu- son. They are all from the same father and mother, Kwaku and Adoma. The sir name is not used most of the time here in Africa and you now can see the challenge facing a Family History consultant from Provo and the  family member trying to fill out group sheets. At one time, we took Adoma to a neighboring village to speak to her Auntie to be clear on the name and spelling of her grandmother on her mother’s side. It was fascinating to listen as they conversed about family names and dates. Most of the records here in the bush of Ghana are passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth so families are very free with the stories of “family members gone home to God” as they say.  The experiences of one family member are spoken of by generations because it was used as a link for children to understand their traditions and culture. I understood Sister Dalton’s frustration in trying to fill out a family history sheet with Brother Frempong, they do not follow sir names as we do in most of the world. Each name is very carefully chosen for the son or daughter. It is an honor to name your child after someone who has been influential in the father or mothers life. It may be a family member or even a missionary as was Elder Terry who had a baby named after him in Sankubenase Branch. Yet the spirit of Brother Frempong to do the temple work of his ancestors pumped through his veins. He fulfilled his goal of sealing his father and mother in the Accra Temple two weeks ago. He was so pleased and his spirit shown with brightness as he bore testimony of his sweet experience. We were all touched and especially Sister Dalton who had worked so hard with his family.

We have also implemented a very successful practice with the newly baptized members of our district. Sister Dalton has asked the branch Family History consultants to visit with the newly baptized member and help them to fill out a 4 generation group sheet. The success of this simple activity has strengthened these new members with the spirit of Elijah and the desire to attend the temple with their own family names. The goal of all of the branch and district leaders is to retain these “tender plants” in the fold and if they “feast of the Spirit” within the walls of the temple, within two months, to do baptisms for family members, they feel the spirit of the temple and the love Father has for all of His children. They are then asked to fully participate in the great family history work of the church. It is wonderful to attend with these new members and see their eyes as they perform an eternal ordinance for their own loved one. On December 17th, we are attending the temple as a whole district with 200 members and 26 newly baptized members and their own extracted family names. No work is more of a protection to these young “tender plants” than the temple work and the family history work which supports it. No work we do gives us more power to unlock the path for other who cannot unlock the gate for themselves. Our labor in the walls of the temple covers us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people. I testify to the wonderful plan of redemption for all of Fathers children, even those families here in Ghana with different family names. The Shepard will gather all of his sheep to his side and encompass them in His abundant love, with Brother Frempong leading the Asunafo Branch.

"...thanksgiving shall be found in Zion..."

This is a special time of the year for those of us who love America. We are some 10,000 miles from home yet the meaning of Thanksgiving has pierced my very soul this past week. We are truly a blessed nation, government, people and families. We are all aware of the covenant Father in Heaven awarded the Americas “…if people keep my commandments, they will prosper in the land of promise….” And while the Savior visited the Nephites on the Americas, he reminded those faithful saints “…Father will remember the covenant to his people of this land of promise…” I have felt this covenant more reverently over the past weeks as we prepare for a Thanksgiving day celebration in the bush of Africa. We are a truly blessed couple with roots in the history of building an America we love today even more. We are standing on shoulders of those who fought for freedoms anchored in a strong belief of God’s grace on the land from sea to shining sea. We are so thankful for the land of promise we have claim that is so many miles away during this season.

                We have made preparation for a gathering here in Abomosu on Thanksgiving Day. We will have a feast of fellowship, duty, songs, words and prayer for our beloved forefathers who carved out a life so many years ago. We will also feast upon a fully prepared turkey that was strutting his stuff just a day ago. Our missionaries have not had this privilege to eat turkey since they have come to Ghana so their mouths are watering with anticipation. Turkeys are not very common here so to find and dress a large tom was a feat. I searched for over 2 months and right outside our home one morning I heard a familiar gobble. To find the owner has been a real adventure and at one time even convinced myself that the taste of a poached turkey was the same as a purchased turkey. I just couldn’t live with myself if the Devil had won that battle. After some miracles of finding the owner, the negotiations lasted for 3 full weeks and finally a handshake was shared by both of us. Today we went to market in Nkawkaw for the last of the traditional “fixings”. There are only a few things that will not be on our table this year, cranberries, pumpkin pie, celery in the stuffing, pickles, egg- nog, cool whip and candied yams. We just figure Mr. Turkey was the most important guest at the table anyway. We did find 12 potatoes for mashed potatoes, green apples for apple pie and fresh peas and carrots. We have also added a favorite of all the village people here, Red Red. It is a bean and Plantain dish with peppi to light your fire. We even brought home a plastic bag filled with Ghana’s version of ice cream. It will be a grand day we hope our good Elders will forever remember. Doc Fife and the Medicine Woman will be up from the Area Office as our special guest along with Stephen and Margaret Abu, and several others from the branch. Two widows will participate for the first time in their lives, in all of the festivities. We look forward to a humble home filled with joy and love. Only a couple of hours for a handful of Americans who have given so much for the eternal truths these wonderful Ghanaian people thirst for. Ghana also is a blessed land, a temple of the Lord basks in the beautiful sunlight of Accra. It beckons to all African people to enter worthily and partake of the sweetest fruit offered to man.

                Sister Dalton and I offer our testimony of the truths we are so blessed with in these latter days. We know Father knows our names and faces and we continually recognize His hand in our lives. We serve a living God who knows each of his children whether in America or here in a humble home in the bush of Africa. May your Thanksgiving Day remind your families of the covenants we live for as a blessed nation and people.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all!                                                                                          

"...sweet is the soul of the humble..."

In every village there is a character that stands out as the village unusual. Even here in Ghana this seems to be a reality too. We serve 17 villages in the Abomosu District with 5 being the main church branches. As we have visited the saints and community members of most of these small villages, we have picked out the town unusual, as it were. I would like to share some of their characteristics for our blog this week. I will be gentle as to not poke fun disrespectful but just enlighten inquiring minds. Remember most of these people have lived in their village for most of their live and those that have moved here are humble as the natives.

Obomso is a small village south of Abomosu towards Asuom. There is a fellow, who lives there, probably in his mid 5o’s that has lived in the town for years. Originally he came from the “north” country of Ghana. He is a farmer and raises Cassava and Plantain. He is always in town in the evenings at his little shop. He never married and I don’t know why. I have asked him yet just couldn’t understand completely. We pass through the town usually once or twice a week, and most times have seen him there along the road sporting his NBA official basketball jerseys. We have never seen him in any other attire other that a NBA jersey. He is known for a collection of NBA jerseys. 95% of all the clothes people wear during the week are donated clothing to the nation’s people from some European country’s or America. The clothing is distributed to the Ghana citizens through small venders that will distribute those clothes to smaller street venders who will sell the clothing to the people here in the bush. A full size dress may cost 15 cents and so on. There are venders who will specialize in the latest “hip hop” fashion or those that specialize in children’s clothing. The main distributors that go through the truck load of donated clothing to pick out those items they specialize in. Then others will come for those articles of their choice and so on until the load is dispersed to all of the venders. This fellow only collects and sells NBA jerseys. He does have a great collection and some of the young boys in the area wanting a special jersey to swoon a young girl, will go to Obomso for that special NBA jersey sold by this fellow. The interesting thing is that I have never spoken to a young man or adult who has been wearing a NBA jersey who knows what team the shirt represents- it is just a very colorful, sleeveless shirt. Even this fellow who sells the jerseys has no idea what they represent in America. I shared with him while looking at his collection that the red one hanging in the corner of his small wooden shop represented the Chicago Bulls and they were a great basketball team in their day. He asked me most sincerely what was basketball? I remember seeing one old basketball a few months back in Abomosu, but it was being used as a soccer ball on a school field. How do you explain NBA basketball to someone when they are kicking the ball with their feet? Obomso has a great collection of jerseys though.

In the town of Kwabeng, there is an older woman who is a member and is the Primary President. She will be somewhere around 60 +. She has a heart of gold and loves the children. Her husband was shot years ago in the hip by a hunter who missed a Grass Cutter (big gofer) and due to infection died shortly afterwards. That was over 20 years ago. She has raised 6 children who still live in the surrounding areas. The missionaries taught her and she saw the truth through the eyes of the primary children and has served in that capacity for over 8 years. She dresses well with beautiful African color dresses and designs, and always wears a golf hat. Yes, a golf hat. We have visited her at her humble home and she is always wearing a golf hat. She has a great collection of golf hats she has collected over the year’s maybe over 20 years I don’t know but a great collection indeed. Every Sunday she wears a different golf hat to church; a beautiful Sunday dress and a golf hat. This last Sunday she sported a lovely peach colored, lacy traditional dress and a black and white checkered golf hat. She conducted the primary program beautifully with all of the children preforming well, while sporting that golf hat all the while. Sister Dalton just couldn’t look at her because she would begin to giggle. I would have to poke her in the ribs to get her to straighten up as we were setting on the stand. Oh. What a picture I have in my mind forever now after that meeting. Bob Hope would be proud!

In Abomosu there is a down-syndrome young man. I’m sure he has been the brunt of some unkind actions and words over the years, but he has weathered the storm. He is in his mid- teens and is just a part of the flavor of our village. We always shake his hand and he bows to us like we were celebrity. Over the years he has associated the missionaries with kindness and a few cents has blessed his life, I’m sure. Usually at night when the town is filled with young people on the streets, they are listening to music someone has “jerry rigged” through a big loud speaker. It is really fun to just watch the folks as we eat a Fan Ice. (ice milk in a bag) This fellow is well known by all who live here because of his rhythm, I mean, he is truly filled with rhythm for the music of Africa. He will usually begin to dance in the middle of the road and a crowd soon surrounds him and is cheering him on. He is great and the moves he performs are precision and the crowd loves him. It is always different moves each time we have seen him and he is truly a sight to watch. It is a God given gift I’m sure and what a gift it is. Others have tried copied his moves but he is the one with the precision and “soul felt” rhythm that is unmistakable his gift only.

What a wonderful world we live in and the people we meet and get to know make life colorful. Oh how Father loves us all and even those just a bit different than the norm.

     

"...we will walk in his path..."

This past week I walked a path with an elderly brother of the Kwabeng branch to his small Cocoa farm. It was lush and the trees where old and full of Cocoa pods. I was taught how to harvest the cocoa bean and prepare the beans for market. All Cocoa is sold to the government and then exported for refinement for the wonderful chocolate we all love. This man is just one of many generations who have worked this farm and harvested of their labor. As I was following him on this well beaten path, I marveled at the number of humble feet who have walked this way to the rich life-giving earth they have tilled for generations. I asked my friend “how long have people used this path to reach their farms?” As we walked in silence for a short distance, he stopped and turned around and took me by the hand and said “my family has walked this exact path to our farm for over 1000 years”. We stood for that split second as his words sank in. We began again to walk the path as generations have before. For the next 20 minutes, as I followed this brother carrying a bunch of Plantain on his head and I carrying a bunch of Plantain on my back, not much was said. I saw in my mind’s eye a long line of Africans walking this path along my side. They were all carrying vegetables, fruits, cassava, plantain, and firewood on their heads. I saw children following behind also carrying food stuffs on their little heads. I love the scene as it unfolded and revealed to me the truthfulness of this humble brother who was leading Sister Dalton and me. What a lesson of tradition, honor, and humility was granted me that day.

                What paths of life are we walking that have been walked by others for 1000 years? I can think of one in my own life that I believe will qualify. I have a heritage of ancestors who have always feared and loved God. Many during the middle ages fought for the right to praise God. I know that has been a contributing factor for my sound trust in God. They were hard workers who carved out an earthly living tilling the ground. They loved the earth and the bounteous goodness of the grace of God. As a young boy, not a member of the Church, we said “grace” over our food. Why, because it was a path my parents had walked with their parents and so on down the generations of time. Do our minds ponder these glimpses that we all have on the path we walk?

                “…come follow me..” the Savior said as he beckoned those that looked upon a simple man. Some of our traveled paths are worn with humble feet that feel the beckoning words of the Shepard. Some path travelers carry their little ones on their back wrapped tightly with care. Other followers of the path are carrying the nourishing food for the strength to till the earth; and a few still follow because of family tradition, but without heart. One thousand years to follow a path that is not dear to one’s heart is a drudgery to say the least, yet sometimes we find ourselves exactly there for no reason. I testify as we have lived here in the bush region of Ghana, we have witnessed those paths tread by many who have come to the words of the Good Shepard; they even are carrying their brother on their shoulders and are an example of Godly love for all sons and daughters of Heavenly Father. I pray your 1000 year old path will be as enlighten by the love of God as I walked a 1000 year old footpath to a small Cocoa farm in Kwabeng, Africa this past week.