...yesterdays blessings remembered...

There are those that sojourn this life with the kindness and help form their first breath of life to their last. They have angels that are with them always and the watchful eye of Father takes care of these children of God. Such is the lives of 3 of our saints here in the District. Brothers at birth, Alex and Seth Boahene have been companions for 69 years. Seth was born within a few minutes of his brother Alex. Mother died within one week after giving birth. Seth was born blind to the sights of the world or his loving brother. Yet Alex has told me they have seen heaven with their spiritual eyes- those that require no optic nerves, only feeling hearts. They are faithfully at their Sunday meetings with Alex leading Seth to the 8^th row on the left side of the chapel and setting beside him throughout the meetings. It is always open for their arrival. Alex holds the hymnal for both to sing, he lets Seth hold the Priesthood manual during Elders Quorum. They do not move from that row while others may move closer to the front. I watched as the Sacrament was passed to each person in the congregation. The young deacon gently touched Seth’s hand and he cupped his hands and the deacon reverently placed a broken piece of the sacred bread into his hands. Seth placed his hands to his lips and partook of the blessed bread. The deacon went about his duties and no one noticed this weekly kind gesture from the young deacons. I watched while the water was passed to each in that 8^th row and witnessed as the deacon again tapped Seth’s hand and he raised his right hand and a precious cup representing the blood of our Savior was gently placed within his fingers. Never a drop split as this faithful pressed the cup to his lips and drank the cleansing sacred water. The deacon took the cup and put it in the tray and proceeded to the 9^th row. No one saw or thought of the service this deacon had provided to this humble man who has seen heaven with his spiritual eyes, while we with our full eyesight sometimes struggle to see the hand of God in our earthly travels. I have witnessed the power of love for a brother who needs others to help with his sojourn.

Sister Josephine Ofori is 88 years old and serves in the Primary. She is affectingly called “Mama” by the children. She shuffles rather than walks and her voice is soft. I have never seen her in a different dress on Sunday but she always has a beautiful head wrap tied with exactness and just so. Her eyes are yellowed with years of sunlight shining in them, her skin is dark and weathered as leather, but she is clean and tender with her hands as she holds each face of a little one. You instantly feel her full heart as she shakes your hand and speaks soothing kind words of thankfulness in her native tongue of Twi. She is always surrounded by children who clammier for her touch. Never setting in the same spot, one must follow the children to see her frail small body perched on a bench, but oh, how she loves the children. She carries a “possible bag” handmade for her by another sweet woman 12,000 miles away, laced with love for just a fellow sister. It is priceless to watch as she clutches both children and her new hand bag as she makes her way to a bench for church.  I have learned what a life of love is, in this older daughter of Father.

Sister Dina Yeboaa has been confined to a wheel chair for over six years due to a careless taxi driver. Her legs are small with no muscle to move them as you and I. Her singing is something of beauty and she conducts the Relief Society sisters in the opening hymn. Her voice carries over the others with perfect pitch and tone. Her love of the Lords music is what has brought her back to activity. One day she heard the missionaries walking by her home singing a favorite hymn and asked them to come closer and sing the complete song to her. She was filled with the Holy Ghost as she remembered the songs of the Lord she sung as a young lady years ago. Lonely and crippled she gave up on any future. Yet through the touch of songs in Fathers church, she was brought back to sweet activity again and worthwhile service for her fellow sisters. She is loved and honored as a pure daughter of Father. I have heard the voice of an angel sing the Lords song of love here in Ghana.

           Oh, what sweet blessings are all around us. I am thankful for all that witness of the love He has for each and every son and daughter. May we be more thankful and be like Him in our words and deeds.

 

 

 

 

 

...he hath filled me with his love...

Today I sustained and set apart Emanuel Oduro-Boateng as a 2^nd Counselor in the Asunafo Branch Presidency. He is 67 years old and has a wonderful story of love. Born in the Volta region yet lived in the Eastern region from age 1 to the present. “This is home” he says. His birth mother died and he was given to his Aunt to rise who did not have a child at the time. She was 14 and the 4^th wife of an older man. Emanuel was never afforded a formal education due to money and circumstances. Rather he was raised on a Cocoa farm as a laborer from age 5. He never saw an automobile until he was 40 he says for he lived 2 hours from the nearest road through the bush. He traditionally married at 23 to a 20 year old girl from their village “who I always loved from the first time he saw her”. They had no children during their 27 years of marriage. She died when he was 50 and has lived in a family compound he built, block by block after coming home from the farm. When he was married for 15 years, his step father died leaving all of his goods and earthly possessions to his first wife who promptly dismissed the other families to leave her land and their homes. “She had no love for any other person that herself” he said. Emanuel moved his wife and mother and 2 aunts to Asunafo where he began to sink down roots. Asunafo, 30 years ago, was a bandit hide-out for those on the run from the law or family judgments of death. There was one small path leading through the bush for over 10K. It was a forbidden place for most, and feared by those who heard stories of the village. Emanuel wanted to settle in an area where they could not be found from family members who threaten their lives. He staked a plot of land, an hours walk outside the village, and began to clear the bush for farming. His wife, mother and 2 aunts all worked together to clear, plant and harvest the goodness of Mother Earth that made up that plot of cherished land. It was their refuse, their labor, their livelihood and solace for their souls. 12 years later his beloved Beatrice died of snake bite on that very plot that gives life to he and his family even today. Mother and aunties worked the farm for the next year before Emanuel returned to his farm. He tells of his first time to return and how his heart was pounding and the anguish he felt as he walked even closer to the very spot he held her lifeless body  in his arms. It was at that very moment his heart was stirred to find a way to be with his beloved wife. They were God fearing people who knew of God and his mysterious ways, but formal church goers, they were not. To find what is after this mortal life was his quest and constant desire for the next 15 years.

One day he heard of a “golden bible the Mormons preach” and was intrigued to find this book. Could it be truly a “golden bible”? Why was it called that by some disbelievers? His ability to read English was limited yet he could understand the language well due to his wife’s teachings during their marriage. Within days he had a copy of the Book of Mormon and began to read its pages. Mosiah 16:8 records the prophet Abinadi teachings, “…the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.” No other words pieced his heart as those he had just read. He search was over and his pre-mortal life stirrings once again beckoned him to partake. Baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3 years ago, he has always been faithful and true to his covenants. He was endowed in the Accra Temple December17th 2011 and will be sealed to his beloved Beatrice on May 11, 2012 with Sister Dalton being Beatrice’s proxy and I as one of his witnesses of that sacred ordinance. United in life for 27 years by man and on May 11^th they will be Priesthood sealed in God for the eternities.   

 

 

... discipline comes from the word disciple...

Towards the end of January, Seminary students throughout the world celebrated the centennial of seminary in the Church. It was highlighted by a Worldwide Broadcast streamed from Church headquarters, Elder Packer was the concluding speaker and his message was timely for each student. We have watched the broadcast in all of our seminary classes as a DVD presentation. We were unable to stream or align a dish to the Church’s satellite on January 22, 2012 when the rest of the world viewed the broadcast. The message was timely and direct so students could not misunderstand. I marveled as we assisted each seminary class in our district to view the DVD and then discuss those words from a prophet. They were understood and taken into the inward parts of their hearts.

Seminary here in the Abomosu District is held in each of the 5 branches. The times may be different yet the messages are all the same and enjoyed by each student. There are 2 seminaries that are held at 5AM-6AM each morning throughout the week. You may wonder why so early, the students have chores before they head off to school, so earlier is better for most in those branches. Two branches hold their seminary in the evening at 7PM-8PM each night. In these areas the best time for the students is after the day is over and work has been completed at farm and home. One seminary is held the mornings of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays for two hours each due to school travel and home chores. But each branch holds successful seminary classes and activities. They all have dedicated teacher who prepare for each lesson and activity. I have been impressed with the numbers of students who are participating in this inspired program. We have an average of 30 students each branch with about half of the students having 100% attendance. You must remember that all youth walk to and from the church where the classes are held. I have spoken to several who will walk over 30 minutes to attend these early morning classes. They are dressed and bathed before they begin their journey each morning. The sun is never up during their walk to and from the meetinghouse. They come prepared with scriptures in hand and assignments completed each day. Those classes at the end of the day, are also attended by those who walk to and from in the dark. Many classes are held with candlelight for class lighting, due to the inadequate power source here in the region. Some buildings have generators that will be used if they are working, but most classes use candles because of the convenience and availability.

          Soon some of them will be sent to a boarding school for Senior High school grades. They take their manuals and scriptures but some fall away from the patterns they have learned while at home. The temptations, peer pressure and lack of supervision all contribute to their youthful follies. They usually are government assigned to schools that are not in a community where the church is established or branches exist. There has been a movement to visit these students while they are away to school, but it is difficult to keep the fire fanned during their stay at these High Schools. But we see a greater thirsting, by some, when those who return have been faithful and active in their seminary manuals studies. They love the scriptures and have learned to lean on the Lord for all of their blessings. These are they who are doubly qualified to accept callings in the branches and the district and who fulfill their duties with honor and exactness. They love the Lord with all of their hearts and serve Him with all of their might’s. They are the future of the Church in Ghana and are so much loved by Sister Dalton and myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

...when thou art converted, strengthen your brethren..

I apologize for this entry being so late this week- we have only had power for 7 hours total since last Sunday night. Our battery was drained after the first nine hours. Oh, we just love the bush!

Raymond Asrei is an eighteen year old born and raised in Abomosu. He is a member who was baptized by Elders Dominic and Edwards some 9 months ago. He lives with his grandfather in a small room in his family compound. He embraced the gospel because of friends who were members that invited him to Seminary. He is a graduate of Junior High School, yet has had difficulty with monies to continue his education into the High School grades. He has works at odd jobs when the work was available and most recently he has been a laborer in the farms weeding the bush. Most of his age group friends have gone to school where they have qualified to attend and can afford, leaving him to be a young man with desires but challenges for furthering his education. He is faithful in his priesthood duties and has taken the duties of the weekly Sacrament very honorably.

We have spoken together on a number of occasions at church, at his home and in our home. He has light in his eyes as he shares experiences of his reading in the Book of Mormon. He once asked me if I could get him a Bible and triple combination for him and he promised to read from one end to the other if I would acquire that for him. Sister Dalton and I have given that precious holy rite including a scripture case and Raymond has kept his word of reading each day from their pages. He continues to attend Seminary and is a leader and example to those who come to those classes. It has amazed me that he has continued in his activity in the church for his only support comes from the members of this branch. No family support or friends support, only missionaries and a wonderful Seminary teacher that keeps teaching the good word of God. He is a delight and beacon to us all.

Recently he came to our home and sat with Sister Dalton and me and shared his desire to find good employment so he could continue his schooling and prepare for a mission for the Lord. He spoke of the meaning of the gospel in his life and the testimony that burns within his heart. We shared scriptures that he had highlighted about the blessings of Heaven opening to him if he would be faithful to his covenants. He spoke of his experience at the Temple and the sweet refining spirit he felt within those sacred walls. He also shared that his family had an uncle who lived and worked in Accra. They had spoken and he had asked that Raymond come to Accra and seek work for the furthering of his education. I hesitated and cautioned him of being lost in the big city and the new challenges he would face in that transition from village to large city. We spoke of the family he would share living space with and their values they would be living. We spoke of the blessings that would come to him if he would be active in a ward and stake of Zion. The blessings of large groups of youth he could befriend and honestly share experiences together, and the vital importance of being above the temptations he would encounter. We sat together and at one time no words were spoken and the Spirit then directed this fine young man to ask for a blessing of the Priesthood to accompany him in his future journey. What great faith and profound direction Raymond displayed with that simple request of a Priesthood Blessing. Humbly I laid my hands upon his head and pronounced a blessing Father in Heaven would have his son hear and feel in his heart.

Last week Raymond returned after 2 months for a visit with his grandfather who is feeble with old age. Raymond came again into our home and sat with Sister Dalton and me and rehearsed his activities he has been involved with. He has found a good paying job selling minutes for cellphones. He has searched out his ward and attends most Sundays. He has completed the reading of the Old Testament and most of the Book of Mormon. He has met with the Bishop of his ward and was called as a Ward Missionary and regularly splits with the missionaries and bears testimony to those investigators. He once again beamed with light in his eyes and filled with the spirit, recounted experiences of faith he has felt. It was a true answer to his blessing the Lord pronounced upon his head the last time we visited. I marveled at his appreciation of the power of prayer and the answers he has received, the activities he involves himself for good, the Church friends that have folded him into their circle, and the duties and faith he continues to display with exactness. He is preparing to once again begin his education this next school year and still burns with a desire to serve a mission in the future. Oh, how Sister Dalton and I were lifted as we felt his spirit in our home. It truly is a blessing to us all the fullness of the gospel in our lives and the security of Fathers arms about you if we are faithful to his commandments. His faith strengthened our faith and confirmed that Father in Heaven listens and answers the prayers of his children.

(As a side note to Elders Dominic and Edwards who have both returned home as honorable missionaries, you have changed generations and have touched the lives of many through your faithful service as representatives of the Lord in our small village in Ghana Africa. Angels have recorded your deeds and sons and daughters of Father continue to live your teachings. Thank you for your example and dedication. May we all never forget we are a small part of the Missionary Grand Tradition in our actions and our words even after our fulltime mission service.)