"...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.