...and she shall be a helpmate for you...

No truer words were spoken to man than the caption of today’s blog. I have felt the healing of a wonderful helpmate for almost 40 years now, and still am amazed at the gentleness she shares with me. True helpmates pray together, mourn together, share together, and labor together. How true that is within this service in the Fathers vineyard. I am blessed beyond measure and have been touched by an angel while here upon earth. I love her and honor her forever. May you recognize the helpmates you are eternally bound to, and may we all thank Heavenly Father for his tender mercy of a soul mate to sojourn through lives eternal.

... took their little ones, one by one....

Sister Dalton and I have had the opportunity to teach several families the Temple Preparation lessons. These dear couples have brought mush joy and tender feelings to our hearts. The temple is what we are here for, to prepare as many as possible to enter those hallowed halls worthily and ready to sup at the table with our dear Savior. One such couple is the Kesse family from Asunafo. Solomon is a counselor in the Branch Presidency while Charity is the Relief Society secretary. They have two children, Ernest- 5 and Dede- 2. The Kesses were traditionally married 10 years ago and were baptized into the Church 2004. They, like most folks here, have not felt the need of the temple consecrations in their lives until recently. We approached them about coming to their home and sharing our testimonies of Family History work, the temple, and the blessings one welcomes into their live through these gifts. They readily welcomed us and we have a very special relationship with their family. We have laughed with them, baked cookies over their fire, eaten goat stew with Coco Yam, and cried with them as we have taught lessons of the temple.

During our last visit we appraised the wonderful Family History work Brother Kesse had completed for his ancestors, but noticed Charity’s work had not been completed. Sister Dalton began by setting with her one afternoon and filling out a 4 generation group sheet. Many of the names she did not know but her father was still alive and he could fill in some of the blanks. So off to a small village named Abrinian to find father for names and dates of deceased family members. It was a tender time for Charity, Sister Dalton and her father. Armed with names of family members, the Kesse’s could now prepare to go to the temple and preform baptisms with family files. In a review of the family’s files, we learned that Solomon and Charity had lost a son who was only nine months old to some type of illness. It happened some 8 years ago so no one knew of this family tragedy. It was a tender moment when we sat together around a small cook pot of stew. I noticed that Charity was sorrowful and so was Solomon as they spoke of the illness they never dreamed would take their sons life. Oh, how my heart ached for their earthly loss. It was at that very moment I felt prompted to stand and walk over to Charity seated on a small stool , and knelt down by her side and gazed upon her bowed head and softly speak those words of comfort that only come from the Holy Ghost whisperings. “Charity, you may ensure your precious son will be wrapped in your loving arms along with your whole family, it is Fathers promise and blessing afforded those who prepare to enter the sacred temple. Will you prepare to walk through the temple doors with your family and be sealed as a family forever? We will escort you and Solomon, Ernest and Dede to the House of the Lord and I promise you your son, Joseph, will be there and you will feel his presence by your side once again.” She raised her head and I witnessed a mothers tears flowing down her cheeks in the dusk of the evening light. “Yes, my elder, yes.”

We will take them to the Accra Temple in April for this most priceless, sacred and blessed moments offered earthly families. Oh how it will bind their little family and their loved ones who have welcomed little Joseph to the side of Father in Heaven. It is the hands of God reaching down from Heaven to hold his most treasured sons and daughters, forever.  

                

"...believeth in me, and is baptized..."

She is a middle aged woman who is full of life and her spirit radiates the Saviors love. Setting in an old wooden chair in front of her mud block home, she greets me with her extended hand, “Akwabaa, Akwabaa” repeated with a smile. She is setting at an angle on her right side with bare feet that are twisted and bent without strength. Her legs are small and spindly. Her dress is a flower print pattern that is a cheerful reminder to her and her neighbors of her love of life. Two other women are talking with her as they set in front of their homes within the compound; they are chatting with friendly voices. But when I come they all buzz with activity, sweeping the dirt area around where they share conversation. A plastic chair is brought to me and I set down next to Elizabeth. We share our greetings as I hold her hand in both of mine hands. Her fingers are bent and stiff; her nails are yellowish orange from years of rubbing them together while her fingernails are clean and trimmed regularly. Her arms are strong with muscles defined from constant use; a simple and complete spirit who is surrounded in a broken body.

We share deep feelings of how six years earlier she was a strait and tall standing woman, mother of two sons, and wife of an honorable farmer. Life was grand and the future bright for her family. Then one day an accident occurred while at the farm, changing her countenance forever. Her husband has never returned after traveling shortly after the accident. Her two sons have moved and have not visited for over 3 years. Mother and Father have long passed away and no brothers or sisters live in the region. Alone, she began her life of pain and agony within her tender soul. Then one day 14 months ago, two missionaries came into her living compound and shared a book that caused her heart to leap within her being. Though she could not read, she held that book until a month later a neighbor child began to read to her each day after school. The words were familiar to her soul and she continued through this most precious gift until completed June 11, 2011. Beginning January 2011, she would dress herself and with the strength and support of angels, she wheeled her wheelchair down the dusty back roads of Asamankese to the chapel each and every Sunday. Most times arriving before the services began. Relief Society sisters began to befriend her and she folded into the fabric of the branch. Soon a calling was extended in the Relief Society and for the last 5 months she has taught on the third Sunday of each month. She attended literacy classes and now speaks English small small but enough with exactness we both feel comfortable in our conversation.

Our exchange was of heart to heart, tender to the both of us as tears welled up in our eyes at times. She spoke of her love for the Book of Mormon and though the cover was missing, she held it close to her breast with reverence.  She shared of new found friends who will visit occasionally and help her with some immediate needs. She softly speaks of the Saviors blessings and love she has felt in her life. Tears roll upon her cheeks as she tells how she misses her sons. A mother’s love is eternal and I witnessed that through her story. We sat for over an hour conversing in a most intimate way of deep feelings for the missionaries now long gone and the gospel of Christ that has pierced her very soul. It was beautiful indeed and forever printed in my heart.

The date was confirmed and the time set for our return to the Asamankese chapel. We would meet again; this time dressed in white, and fully prepared to be baptized with authority. Elder Boateng and I were asked to baptize this wonderful daughter of Father. Oh, how my heart pounded as she kissed my hand as we departed that sunny morning.

Gently and carefully Elder Boateng and I carried her into the water filled font. Over 40 branch members were present for this most joyous occasion. Elder Boateng held most of her body weight as I raised my arm to the square and repeated those most sacred words as did John in Jordan, “Elizabeth Kwakyi, having been commissioned…” I gazed into her eyes, they now glassine with the cleansing and eternal power of baptism. Her broad smile filled my soul as her hand softly touched my cheek and she uttered the words so softly, “thank you, thank you, thank you”.

(the picture above is Elizabeth Kwakyi)

"First the rich and the learned..."

I first met Samuel Dwamena while attending a funeral of an elderly woman who had passed away. He was dressed in traditional robes and setting with the village dignitaries. This time he was asked to come to the District Office for a visit with me by the Elders. He is thin with leathered skin from the sun. His hair is short and greying. He walks upright with head held high and with confidence. We set and I prayed for the Spirit to teach us. I asked of his family- married for 52 years and 6 children, 2 girls and 4 boys. He his educated and speaks English very well, his hands are softer than most of the town. I asked what his occupation was and with a bit of understanding of the traditions and culture of this area, he spoke of his responsibility to choose the Chiefs of this bush area. He was the person who searched for Chief replacements. He was authorized to install village leaders according to tradition and culture of his people. He also was depended upon by the communities to settle disputes over land boundaries and family challenges. Revered as an honest and fair man by so many in the area, and with his honorable appointment from the people, the 58^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants came to mind. Being bold, I asked if I may read from the scriptures about why I am here with him this humid evening. We opened the scritures and read of the supper the Lord was inviting him to. “…the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble,” “Samuel, if I may be so bold, I am here to invite you to a feast with the Lord. He who governs all of the earth desires men like you who will work to bring the Kingdom of God into this people’s lives.” He sat direct and peered into my eyes as he pondered the words I had just spoken. “I have a desire to be a part of that feast”, he said. “I have not been baptized in my life and believe your invitation is of God.” He rehearsed the missionary’s first two lessons and how his reading of the Book of Mormon had enlightened his feelings of an Eternal God. That very moment the Holy Ghost distilled upon our minds as we sat knee to knee in conversation. I recalled his comments of choosing the village chief and the scriptures of Mosiah 2 came to thought. “Samuel, would you read with me of a most honorable king in the Book of Mormon who has set a pattern for all kings, chiefs, and magistrates who humbly and properly rule with the Lords help? I know you would be most interested for your appointing of a village Chief is most important for your people as you shoulder that responsibility of searching ones heart to place in such a position.” He opened his Book of Mormon and taking turns with each verse, together we read verses 11-19. He once again looked into my eyes and asked where this noble king had lived? With gentleness in his voice, he continued, “I was bestowed this position by my father who was installed by his father and so on down through generations. I did not want this position, but for family honor, I accepted this responsibility over 40 years ago. It has been most difficult to know the hearts of these men who I have installed. I have brought shame on my family at times when the chosen ruler has heaped burden upon the backs of my people. Greed and pride have been a motive of some. Yet I have rejoiced over those that have ruled fairly with my common people. But until now, Elder Dalton, there has been no direction or pattern as you have taught me for seeing the heart of a Chief, beforehand. This will be my guide when I choose again.” He continued, “My father was a good man who lived in the Chief’s palace and advised him on issues. His name was also Benjamin as this king’s name and I know his heart was as King Benjamin’s of old.” “My brother, with all of your authority you mentioned, you recognize that you still have not been baptized for remission of sins and for an outward sign of your inward feelings. Will you be baptized by one holding the proper authority from God, even making a lifelong covenant to serve your God by serving your fellowman?” “I will, I will, and my family must hear this good news, too.”