...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.