...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”.