...I know the goodness of God...

This Christmas Day was a very special White Christmas. Though many of our Christmas Days are white and filled with snow living in the mountainous state of Utah, we have not experienced a true White Christmas for over 42 years. In 1970 on a wintry day in Detroit, Michigan, a young 18 year old girl was baptized by Elder Jones of San Francisco, California. Along with her friend, Kathy Tatterton, dressed in white, they committed to the Lord by their faith and action, that they would serve Him and keep his commandments. At the water’s edge the Holy Ghost was bestowed by one holding authority of God. It has been a sweet and tender scene I have never forgotten over these many years. Young and dedicated to her new found Gospel truths, she beamed as an angel above. Pamela Joan Wilson was baptized on Christmas Day 1970; later she would knell across a Temple altar and make sacred covenants with one see loved and who admired her every move and thought and angelic glow. 40 years later, I all the more, esteem my sweet helpmate and thank Heavenly Father for the spiritual witness Sister Dalton received on that very special White Christmas in 1970.

Likewise today, the Elders of the Abomosu District baptized 8 souls into the true Church of Jesus Christ. It was an honor to conduct and witness these people make sacred covenants that will unlock the eternities for their families and themselves; a truly wonderful White Christmas Day in the hot, tropical bush of Ghana, Africa. This day too, will forever be written in our minds and hearts.

Merry Christmas to all! Elder & Sister Dalton - Christmas Day 2012

   

 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." 2 Nephi 18:6
       We bear testimony of his birth and life, the atoning one who extends His arms to us all. May we let Him into our hearts and feel the arms of heaven around our lives.
                                   Our love to all,  Elder & Sister Dalton 2012

 

 

 

 

 

...with unwearyingness declared the word...

As he stood to bear testimony, I could see his structure strong and true. He was a missionary who had dedicated his time and talents to the work of the Lord. He was clean and pure and a chosen vessel of the Master. Exacting in his efforts and with purpose he serves faithfully with his companion. Humble to follow the spirit yet hungry to seek for those prepared by Him. A true example to us all and a witness of the transformation one must make to serve with power in the vineyard. He has served in 3 areas before coming to the bush. His first area was without water or roof for some time and he and Elder Edward would travel an hour every day on Trotro to reach their area. No complaint was heard by either elder- just hard daily work for the Lord. When the Promised Land was reached and their apartment was completed, they were driven out of the area by threats of killing by extremist Muslims for an offence they had not committed, but word spread and soon members were convinced action must be taken towards these beloved missionaries. They were swept to safety one late night under the shroud of darkness before the procedures were carried out. Through all of the challenges, Elder Ikoro was faithful and obedient to the Lord’s will and served with honor and dignity for the One he loves with all of his heart.

“When I was taught the gospel by missionaries, I knew it was true and I knew I must follow its teachings. I was baptized and felt a burning within my heart, that very day. That burning still is within and I love the Lord and his mercies. I was banned from my family and they consider me dead. I slept on the streets of Nigeria and made my way though the last 6 years, mostly alone. But as my heart burned, I knew never was I alone for my new found God was with me and comforted me in ways that I needed. I finish secondary schooling with great hardship for no one was there to help with the monies required. I became a teacher and taught as I had been trained by my priesthood and Sunday school teacher- with love and compassion for all children. It was a joy to go to school and see the faces of so many keen to learn. I was strengthened and felt I must serve mission for the Lord. I prayed each day to be worthy and to have the funds to serve a mission. My brother witnessed the change in my life and followed my example, and became a member of the Church, too. He also was considered dead to our family. We roomed together and read the Word of God each day together. A covenant was made between us and I am here today because of my brother who is working for my support. I will return and work for his support as he serves a mission also. What does the Church mean to me? I tell you I have given all of my life for this truth. Have you given all of your life for this Church and its teachings? If not, my brothers and sisters, you have failed the Lord and it is He who has given his life for each us to live with the Father one day. I know my Savior loves me and I love him with every fiber of my being. May you let Him into your heart and feel the glow of the Spirit, for it is sweet as Nephi witnessed.” And with that powerful testimony, he took his seat next to his companion. Not a sound was heard but a most wonderful feeling filled our hearts. I shall never forget the power of a humble testimony and the sweetness it is in ones being.    

 

 

 

 

"...by the sweat of your brow..."

Early Wednesday morning, I harvested Cocoa with the Oppongs. I have learned that I am out of shape and it is very hard work. Armed with a machete and a large pan on my head, I followed them into the bush. We followed a small trail that has been walked for hundreds of years by those farmers who farm in that part of the bush; it took 30 minutes to reach your destination. When we arrived, there were about 200 Cocoa trees on the hillside that the Oppong family maintains and harvest each season. Sister Oppong and I were to carry all of the pods to a central location where they have shucked cocoa for over 100 years. 3 generations of Oppongs have cultivated this small farm and great history was present as we worked. They sing and talk among themselves as if it were a social event and I believe it is for this family. After piling up all of the Cocoa pods, ( a pod is about the size of a large softball but looks like a football) you then take your machete and split this pod and dig out the Cocoa seeds (about the size of an almond) with is in a slimy white gooey protection. After splitting and harvesting the Cocoa seeds, you put your hands into the huge pan of white goo and pinch the seed out of the slim and put that into another huge pan. So in the end you have only a small amount of white slim on the cocoa seeds. After a piece of bread and a shared cup of water, away we went back down the trail with this huge (65 to 70 lbs) load on my head. I had the light load President said, as he carried his without hands all the way back. I stopped only once to give my neck a break and Sister Oppong showed me their trick, she would keep walking but lift the load off her head with her hands just for a minute to give her some relief. It took 2 of us to lift the filled pan off the Oppong’s head and put them on the ground. The beans are then piled up and covered under a black plastic for 5 days and then spread onto a raised bamboo mat to dry for another 5 days. Once fully dried, the beans are put into sacks weighting 65 kilos and taken to a buyer where you are paid 200 GHc. Our whole crop from that farm will fill only 2 sacks and the Oppong family will live on that 400 GHc until the next harvest in June. The June harvest is considered a “bonus crop”; if there is rain between now and then, they get a very small crop, maybe a bag and a half, which will get them through to next December. If no rain, no crop, so now all of the farmers are praying for rain during this dry season that has begun. Usually, it will rain small in March and then once in June, but really we don’t expect rain for the next 4 months at all- very dry and hot. So when I got home my neck ached, my back ached, my arms ached- basically, I just ached all over. Thursday I got up and felt much better so I just need to work the muscles again to get in shape. I have firsthand knowledge of what the scriptures mean by saying “ye shall eat thy bread by the sweat of your brow”. 

 

 

 

"...sweet is the work the gospel brings..."

Daquah Afua sets by the opened door to the chapel and smiles and greets all that come to the meetings. She extends a hand of welcome and I graciously hold her hand and arm. Her hands are bent with age and a crippling disorder from the time of her birth. She is now well in her 60s. She sets in a new wheelchair today, and I comment on her “new blue wheels” from the Church’s Humanitarian program. She grins even wider and says “I’m a real mover now, Elder Dalton.” Daquah Afua was baptized in July of this year. She had owned a small Palm Wine stand in Asunafo, where distillers would bring their buckets of fermented Palm Wine to her to sell to the men on their way to and from farm. She would not partake but would sell to passersby’s a cup full for 50 pesewas. She has been a fixture at her stand for some 20 years as was known as the Palm Wine Seller. Each day her daily bread was realized by her clientele who brought a drink of Palm Wine. She has never married, or stood straight and tall as you and I. The missionaries would pass her stand and chide her that she was doing the devils work and would tell her she should close her shop and listen to their message. One day the two Elders were prompted to stop and have a conversation with Daquah. She shared a story of pain and suffering mostly caused by murmurings and unkind comments by the community and especially the wives of her constant customers. She was rejected by churches because of selling drink and her physical condition challenge. She told of her challenge to provide for herself and that because of her hands and legs bent and almost useless, she had come to this small stand over 20 years ago as someone to watch over the drink and moneys. She had been kicked, pushed off her bench, witnessed stealing of the wine, spit upon, robbed and even cursed by the local Witch Doctor paid by a group of community women; still no one would come to her aid as how to support herself for her daily bread. Eleven years back she was given a small wheel chair in need of repair, it sat almost four years before the parts became available and it was rendered useable. Both wheels were rims only when a member petitioned the Humanitarian department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and acquired this fine new chariot. As I sat through our Sunday School class at the back of the chapel and listened to her story, I was humbled to witness the great change in her life the Gospel had brought. She told of the Branch Council that had taken her name up during one of their meetings after the missionaries said they wanted to baptize Daquah Afua. She was living the commandments, the law of service to others, the Word of Wisdom and had attended church for over two months now. The Council discussed her employment and the scorn they had for her selling Palm Wine, but realized too, that they could help her find better items to sell rather than the Devils Drink. They also discussed how they could make assignments each month to the young men of the branch to push her wheel chair to and from services each week. Even the Relief Society was given a month to perform this service for Daquah. One Sister offered some help and said she made Tee Bread each Tuesday and Friday, and she thought she could make a few more loaves for Daquah to sell instead of wine. Others suggested other items from their own stores they would consign to Daquah and her small selling stand. And so a plan was devised and implemented to close the Palm Wine stand and refit her stand with simple common items used by each family of the community. It was presented to Daquah that very afternoon by the Branch President and his counselors. So after over 20 years of selling Drink,  Daquah Afua refitted her stand with useful donated items by loving and accepting members of the Asunafo Branch. She was carried by two Elders into the waters of baptism and washed clean by the wonderful Atonement, and heart was so filled with happiness. On Sunday July 29, 2012 she was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and sustained as the Greeter for the Asunafo Branch. She serves faithfully each week as she sets at her post and smiles and greets each person who enters the chapel. There seldom is a time she sets alone, for usually there is a child or two, upon her lap who feels the grateful spirit of this sweet woman.

Above is a picture of Daquah Afua and one of her weekly escorts ready to go home after services

 

 

 

 

 

"...for mine elect hear my voice..."

Three weeks ago President Judd spoke to me about an assignment he wanted me to attend to right away. I listened intently as he told me the story. He was in Asamankase presiding at a District Conference and he met a fellow who was there as a delegate for his towns Electoral Board also using the building as a meeting place for many surrounding delegates. President felt impressed to tell the non member fellow he was wanted by the Lord for a wondrous purpose, and the fellow responded well to his boldness.  President Judd went on his way and the fellow also went to his meeting and they never met again that day. On the way home the next day from that District Conference, President Judd reflected on the weekend’s events and remembered of this young man and how impressed he was with his spirit. In his haste he forgot to get the fellows name and phone number so a referral could be given to the local elders. He had only two clues of this man whereabouts or employment.

As I sat listening to his account of this man, I began to realize the depth of this assignment- “Elder Dalton, I want you to find this man for he is most important to the branch he will attend. I do not know his name or where he lives for sure and I don’t know exactly what his affiliation is with the Electoral Board, but you must find him and teach him the Gospel and baptize him. We need him in the Kade Branch.” I was at a loss, but knew the Lord would direct me if I put forth the faith.  So armed with only two clues President had given, I drove home from Accra that night with a constant prayer for help from on high. Three days passed and I was called to assist with an interview in Kade. I was to be there at 3PM sharp and the elders would take me to the interview. Promptly at 3PM the elders and I were together, but the candidate was nowhere to be found. After a call or two, she was still at the market and would not be home until 5PM, could we please come then? We agreed and the time was adjusted. “Elders, when is your next appointment?” “At 4PM” said the elder. “Call him and ask him we can come early.” After contacting the investigator, he said come right over, he had gotten off of work early and would love a visit. I was prompted to approach this new investigator before the elders so walked into the housing compound first and extended my hand to him in fellowship. “What is your name, sir?” I said to him shaking his hand. “Richard” he said as I looked up to his 6’3” stature. “Richard, I am here today because I need your help in finding a man in this town of Kade, who I do not know his name or his home address. I do know two things, this man may be a teacher and he is a member of the town Electoral Board. Richard, who do you know fits this description?” Now by this time, the poor elders did not know what they had gotten into with this grey haired old missionary, and were a bit shocked I was so bold and forward with their tender investigator. Richard thought for a moment and said he had two friends that were teachers that could be the fellow I was searching. He gave me the two names and their phone numbers, and we sat and began the discussion. It was a marvelously taught discussion by the two elders and Richard was committed to attend church the following Sunday, with his family. It was a true pleasure to add my voice with these well prepared missionaries of the truthfulness of our message.

At the conclusion of our appointment, I asked Richard if he would direct us to the first name he gave us. In fact, it was right behind his home, so he escorted us to Emmanuel Odiah’s home. We found no one home, but a neighbor woman saw us walk up the drive and I greeted her as we passed by her stool. Turning around, I spoke to the woman and asked if she knew who these fine young missionaries were? “I do not, sir” she said. I bore testimony of their most important message of the Savior and asked her if they could come to her once again and share their message. She spoke favorable about her wanting to visit with them later on the week. An appointment was set and the missionaries have set a date of baptism in December. She is progressing well, they report.

But what of this young man who I still had not found for President Judd? As we sat in the truck ready to leave and meet our appointment at 5PM, I asked the elders if they would pray for help from above to guide us to find and contact him and fulfill my assignment. Humbly we bowed our heads and a prayer was offered that plead with Father for this man we needed to find and give us direction as to what to do or where to go. I shall never forget the feeling of calm that entered my mind and the Spirit whispered to call the next name Richard had given us. “Osie, this is Elder Dalton from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints and I have been looking for you. Osie, President Judd, who you met a week ago, has sent me to find you and teach you the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. May we meet with you tonight?” I said. He hesitated and said “where did I meet this President?” “Last week, in Asamankase, when you were at the Electoral Board training session; he was the white man that shared with you a wondrous purpose in the Saviors Church was awaiting you.” “O, yes”, he said. “I am busy tonight with Board issues but will you come next Monday and begin the teachings? I want to know of your church.” The time was set and greeting extended until we meet again.

I testify of the hand of the Lord in the souls of those He has prepared to become his Elect. I know of no other influence or guidance that can direct missionaries to even those that we do not know their names or where they live. Kade is a town of 45,000 people and to find the one is only by heavenly help. Denkyere Osei is on his way to baptism and truly will be a blessing to the Kade Branch. I know of Father’s guidance and blessing to our souls when we trust in his promptings and walk with faith.   

 

 

 

"...the miraculous power of God..."

Issac Osei- Owusu is a member of our District High Council. He is a farmer of Cocoa. He is well respected and has 11 acres of Cocoa trees which distinguishes him as one of the few men to cultivate such a large plot here in the bush. He was baptized at age 18 in 1986. He is a pioneer of the Church in this region. He finished High School at twenty years old and applied for Missionary service in the Spring of 1989. He was called to serve in the Ghana Mission- his native country and began his two year missionary service in June of 1989. He served faithfully and has returned to his home of Asunafo doubly qualified to serve in Church callings. He has served as a District Councilman, branch Sunday School President, Elders Quorum President and a Branch President for nine years in the Asunafo Branch. He is presently a member of our District High Council and a great strength to our district leadership. Last week, Sister Dalton and I visited his home and their new baby girl who had just arrived to their family, making four children. What a treat to visit with he and his wife, Patience. They are a pillar of strength for each other and the branch membership. We all had a chance to share testimonies and our love for the Gospel in these the latter days; it was a special moment for us all.

Issac shared a testimony building story from his missionary days while serving in Konongo, Ghana. In 1990 the government leaders of Ghana, after several years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints being recognized as a Christian Church, where convinced by other religious leaders, that “Mormons” where not Christians and were a cult. Ghana prided itself that it was a Christian state in Africa, unlike the rest of the heathen nations of the continent. So one day a decree went out over all of Ghana that there would be a “freeze” or a “law” that stated that all of the “Mormons” and their assets were to be seized and now the property of the State. It was declared that if any person in Ghana was found practicing Mormonism, they were to be jailed immediately and in time put on trial for their belief. In effect, the Church was band from Ghana and the members were left to themselves to go underground until the law could be abolished. From Jan 1990 to July 1991 members were underground and worshipped their God in the secret chambers of their own homes. Many of the promenade Church leaders were jailed and kept for some time until released with a promise they would not gather in church worship meetings. All of the buildings, church properties, welfare farms, machinery, and monies were seized by the ruling government leaders and used for government support.

 It was during this time that Issac was on his mission and serving in Konongo. He and his companion had a small apartment in the town and everyone knew of their purpose as missionaries. There was a small branch established during his stay in Konongo and he and his companion were the keepers of the sacred tithing funds each week before they made deposits into a bank in Kumasi some 2 hour away on a Trotro ride. They had a small old steel safe with a paddle lock they would keep the funds in until their trip to Kumasi during the week. When the law was set forth from the government concerning the “Mormons”, someone had informed the police of this large sum of money these young elders had in their apartment and during the night cloak of darkness, broke down the elders door while they were sleeping and ransacked their living quarters until they found the small safe they had been told held great sums of monies. With guns held to the Issac’s and his companion’s heads, they were ordered to open the safe.  That Sunday the Branch President had put into the safe about 44GHc of precious tithing funds and locked the safe and had mistakenly taken the key with him instead of giving it to the missionaries. Issac told the police that he did not have the key to the lock. He was hit with a butt of a gun and knocked to the ground. Once again he was stood on his feet a gun pointed on to his head and ordered to open the safe. He explained that they did not have the key and this time his companion was gun whipped and lay unconscious on the floor. With several guns surrounding him and threats of shooting Issac dead, one policeman picked up the safe and threw it across the room shouting, “shoot him! Shoot him!” The safe hit the floor and fell open. The men rushed the safe and its contents. After sifting through the tithing receipts, found no money at all, not even the coins many had donated on that Sunday. The “big man” of the patrol turned to Issac and again put his gun to his head and said “there is no money in this safe, only small useless paper, no money. Why would you keep worthless paper in a safe?” Issac spoke with a soft and gentle voice and said, “Sir, those small useless papers are very sacred to us and we always keep them in that safe. Please sir, do not destroy them.” And with that, was hit with a rifle butt and left unconscious lying on the floor next to his companion. Within time they had regained consciousness and began cleaning the mess left behind. As they picked up each sacred tithing receipt, they also gathered the money that was in plain sight scattered all over the floor to them, then, but not during the police invasion. Every coin and paper cedi, was accounted for- all 44GHc and 73 Pesewas. The Lord’s money had been preserved and a witness of a modern day miracle in a young man’s memory, that would strengthen his foundation in the Lord for a lifetime. 

 

 

 

"... of small and simple things..."

When we came to this home in the bush, there was a plastic green salad bowl with a clear plastic lid. We began a small experiment that has truly blessed our lives; in fact it has become quite a piece of Abomosu Branch fabric. Over the months it has held fresh cabbage salads, kincei, rice balls, groundnut soup, Snail soup, Banana bread, cookies, fruit salads, light soup, popcorn, fresh baked Tea Bread, red red, egg sandwich, watchi, and the list can go on. We began this adventure with a simple act of kindness and sharing a small small of a meal we had prepared. We took it to the Abu family. When it was returned it had another small portion of the dish that they had prepared for their meal that day. We then visited another family that had very little to eat and the green bowl brought a small small portion of another meal we had prepared. When the bowl was returned, it was filled with a fresh cut pineapple. And so the bowl has gone from home to home and always returned with a humble offering from the family that received our sharing. Each week there is a comment about the Dalton’s green bowl in the Abomosu branch. It is a kind of treat for the family that had the green bowl at their home. Now, Sister Dalton and I never thought of this as starting a tradition but rather as a simple kind gesture to so many that have touched our lives. But we have become greatly touched by the saints who have returned the green bowl always filled with an offering of love. Sometimes it filled with whatever they have abundance in their homes, other times we have received a single cocoa yam, which we know was meant for their meal. I marvel at the giving attitude these humble saints have shown us nevertheless we have prayed for their tables to be filled with abundance for the giving. There is a special lesson here for all of us to learn, when kindness is extended, we should return the kindness and we shall never want. So it is with the Saviors love, though we will never be able to refill what the Savior has done for us, we can show our thankfulness as we serve others of Fathers children. What a tender mercy from above we have experienced while serving our mission. 

 

...endure them, for, lo, I am with thee...

Manuel Ohene is 14. He was baptized just over a year ago and has been very faithful in this attendance and duties as a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. He has perfect attendance in seminary and has great friends that support him. I marveled as he walks to and from school each day. He has bent legs and does all movements with, I’m sure, great pain. He has adapted to his circumstances and does well in teachings us to endure to the end for the Lord. He proselytes with the missionaries and has taught with them to two of his friends. He prays they will be baptized soon. His mother and father are farmers who work each day on their small small farm to keep him and his younger brother in school. I have enjoyed being friends with this fine young boy and have followed his gospel development with joy. He attends the temple when we have a temple trip and rallies many of the other youth to come along. I have always wondered why he has such bent and deformed legs? It is a real struggle and with great effort that he walks at all but he never complains. So today, I stopped and talked with him of his condition. At 10 years old he was alongside his mother weeding at the farm. It is custom that around 11AM most farm workers take a 30 to 40 minute nap. Remember that they are usually up at 4:30AM and on their way to the farm by 5:30AM which is still dark. They have done this for years to beat the heat of the day which is usually in the afternoons. This day Emanuel was needed at the farm so had not gone to school. His father was cutting some larger trees down in the process of enlarging their farm. All work is done with a simple machete including chopping trees. Emanuel had lain down for a much need rest; his father was across the way resting too. Soon father was up and at the chores at hand along with mother as the their son continued to nap in the tall grass. Father finally had chipped his way through the tree he needed to fall and it crashed down through the bush and thick brush. It was then that mother began screaming with the horror of the sight that the tree had fallen right where Emanuel had been resting. Together they rushed to find Emanuel pinned under the heavy tree unconscious and twisted among the limbs of the tree. Minutes seemed to become hours before Emanuel was chopped out from under the tree that held him captive. Scooped up and carried to the humble medical center by a grief stricken father and mother; he was alive but twisted beyond belief. A taxi was hailed and they rode the 3 hours to the government hospital in Kibi. Medical staff tried to put broken hips and legs back in order but knew they could not make him walk again. Time lapsed and Emanuel struggled to be able to do the simplest things but most of all he wanted to walk as other kids did. He was ridiculed, thrown sticks at, mocked at the shape of his legs and body, and education had stopped for this young boy because he was unable to get to school on his own as the government law states one must. He was determined though and eventually crawled his first day to school two years after the accident. He now is up at 4:30AM and fetches water for the family before his 60 minute walk to his junior high school. Most kids do this walk in 15 minutes and usually meet up with Emanuel just before they all arrive at school together. O what faith and determination Emanuel has shown to us all. In the Lord, all things are possible. Yes, even the hard things.

 

 

...with gentleness and love...

There is real challenge with cell phones here in the bush of Ghana. The cell phone is the only communication for most with the outside world. Though these people are poor in the world’s standard, they have cell phones and are on them several times each day. When I first came to this community I could not believe the lack of cell phone etiquette these people had. Over the months we have experienced leaders who during church have stepped off the stand to answer a ringing phone. Yes, I quite remember a Branch President who during the Sacrament had his phone go off and he answered it with his normal voice “Hello” and then walked off the stand out of the meeting talking on the phone. No one was disturbed or even felt as if something was wrong with this picture. At the end of the Sacrament portion, the members were going to wait until the branch president came back in if I had not told a councilor to carry on with the program as outlined on the agenda; just that the president had taken the program with him and no one knew of the program- we waited for about 2 minutes and then he walked in and we proceeded with the service. I have been on a crusade since that day to teach etiquette to our leaders and members. It has an uphill battle but we have seen improvement, small small. Yesterday, while visiting the Asuom Branch, I witnessed the blessing / curse of my efforts over the months. During a testimony from one of the members, a cell phone began to ring. A sister had forgotten to mute the ringer and she was digging in her dress and wrap to find the phone. The branch clerk stood up and walked back to the women who just found the phone as he arrived by her side, (it was playing Yankee Doodle as the ringer) and took her phone from her, shut off the phone, and put it in his pocket and walked back to his seat on the front row. No one said a thing or made an issue over the actions of the women or clerk. I thought “is this what I have done to preserve the reverence of our meetings?” Towards the end of the meeting, there was another cell phone that began to ring, this time the young man caught it before the whole tune of Beat It by Michael Jackson had completed. He turned it off and yes, the clerk stood and walked back to the young man, reached and took his cell phone without any further words or gesture. The clerk put it in his pocket and walked back to his seat. I quizzed the clerk after the service and he told me he believed they had a serious problem with these cell phones during their meetings so as a Branch Presidency, they decided to collect all phones when they would go off and then after an interview with the President, after the meeting block was completed, he would return their phones. They had announced the new policy for 3 previous weeks so all would realize the importance of turning their phones off or on vibrate during meetings. It was working with some but there were others who have not been back to church since their phone was confiscated during a meeting. All the way home I pondered the policy and intent of the District Presidency and the implementation by this Branch President, and decided that some issues we must be exacting while others we may want to continue to instruct and teach rather than force or embarrass our saints. O what webs we weave when we use our influence and position to be heavy handed, rather than to use gentle persuasion and love.

 

...she is a tree of life....

Have you ever thought what it would be like to live to be 116 years old? I sat with a “wonder woman” who was born in 1896 here in Ghana. Her life has been spent right here in Abomosu. She outlived 3 husbands and 34 offspring. She stills will make her way to the family farm occasionally but leaves the work to the grandsons. But today she sat a spell and I tried my best to understand her Twi language. Though her legs are weak and her bones are brittle, we have seen her several times in the market and know she still ventures out most days. We had heard of her a number of months ago when Sister Dalton was helping Brother Agyei with his family history. He mentioned that his great-grandmother was still living in the town. He verified the correct date of her birth as it was passed down from generation to generation, he being the oldest great- grandson at 63. I have wanted to visit this woman, but just today, though I had no time, sat with Stella and listen intently to her speak of the days adventure. I asked for a keepsake picture and she was gracious enough to grant me the privilege. What an experience for me to set with a woman of such strength and persistence. I’m glad the occasion came into my life. I was greatly blessed for the few minutes we shared spirit to spirit.

Kwabeng Groundbreaking Sept. 2012