...a sweet savour, an offering made by fire...

History was made this past week here in the Abomosu District. It was life changing to many of the saints, children, husbands, and even a Chief of the village. It is hard to believe we can be of such influence and to have been a small part of this mighty groundbreaking event. Sister Dalton has been lifted to a “Queen” status by so many that I must pinch myself to realize it is not a dream. The husbands worship the ground she walks on and the children squabble over who will carry her book bag to and from the car or meetings. Her fame has been spoken of in meetings, at family home evenings and even a fireside talk. One sister bore testimony in Relief Society meeting of how the Lord had blessed her family with goodness all because of Sister Dalton sharing her talents. Sister Dalton and I feel we have turned the corner on an eternal principle with the District here because of this week’s success. Our hearts are full!

There is a principle of truth that is manifested in the Church throughout the States that has not manifested it’s self here in Ghana- especially in the bush. Most “Obrunis” feel this is so important they have tried, with vain results, to convince the members of its eternal value. So determined to bless the life’s of these poor souls, Sister Dalton and I pondered for many days the solution to this dilemma. We first became aware of this challenge when attending a fireside we had organized for the Asunafo branch. It was a huge branch family home evening with all of the members attending. Great fun was had and many suggestions of improving our Family Home Evenings where taught. Handout suggestions and emphasis of the Church’s Family Home Evening manual was taken to heart by many of the fathers and a renewed determination was spoken by all. And then we were faced with the “Obruni” saving principle this people had not grasp in their minds. There were no treats! Nothing, notta, they just began walking home as families thinking they were fully nourished. How could this most precious principle be overlooked or heaven forbid, not adhered with exactness? We were shocked and even bewildered with the misunderstanding of this saving grace they did not live. We left that night dejected and felt as if the fullness of gospel truths had not penetrated our souls. This was a call to action we felt, as we drove home with empty stomachs discussing the nights events. How could we be a “full” programed district without living this portion of the handbook? (it must be in there somewhere, I’m sure, for I have never, and I mean never, attended a fireside, most ward or stake activities, and most important, family home evening without treats at the conclusion)

         Sister Dalton and I began an intense study of how we could gently move the saints towards fulfilling this truth. The big challenge was that no family here has a stove for cooking, no refrigerator for keeping leftover treats for the next day. All cooking is done over an open fire. All ingreediences used for cooking is freshly brought from their farm and there are never leftovers. Sister Dalton has taught dozen of sisters throughout the district how to bake cookies and breads at our home here but always was concerned with her effectiveness due to these challenges at their own homes. This past week we had a break through that we feel is pure inspiration and an answer to much prayer and pondering. How to cook cookies over an open fire without Dutch ovens? All cooking by the family is done in a large black pot. No one bakes or has a variety of meal selections. Soups and boiled corn or roasted fish is the diet for most families. They do boil rice, gari, cassava, and plantain for some variety but all cooking is done in that big pot. While visiting a family the other day, it dawned on me to how make that one and only pot, a huge oven to bake cookies and banana bread so these poor saints could live the principle of “no activity will be complete without treats”.

        Sister Deho, one of Sister Dalton’s cookie baking students, was contacted and a plan was devised to meet and experiment with our idea. The sisters of the branch were all in a tizzy for days as they mixed their cookie mixes just as Sister Dalton had taught them. Children were on “cookie alert” and husbands drooled with anticipation. Even one of the village Elders was informed and was invited for the occasion. Well, the big day came last Thursday and we all met at the Deho’s cook hut in force. There were 13 sisters and numerous children and even 6 fathers who came home from their farms early to witness this historical event- baking cookies over an open fire in a huge black pot. It was spectacular and Sister Dalton and I felt our hearts swell with pride as we witnessed the first batch of Sister Deho’s cookie dough made into cookie drops and placed on a homemade cookie sheet. With great care, I placed them in the big black pot. I had built a square cookie sheet out of an old washing machine lid I found, and it fit into the pot about 8” from the bottom. A pot lid was made from corrugated tin- flattened, and walla, an oven was created. The fire was stoked to get the temperature up and all 30 plus people waited in anticipation for the desired results. I felt moved to preach out of the “Dalton Good Book”, so quoted from Dalton 4 verse 16 that states “all family home evenings and many other meetings where we seek the “nourishment of the word” could not be fulfilled until the treats are devoured at the conclusion”. The brethren who were there all saluted that verse and I am sure it sank deep in their souls. After 15 agonizing minutes, the hut went silent and all eyes were on the pot lid. I reached down and removed the makeshift cookie sheet and brought out the most perfect baked Snickerdoodle cookies I had seen in years. There rose a shout from that hut I’m sure was heard throughout the bush. It was a time of dancing and singing and I even thought I had might have heard choirs of angels blend in to our excitement. Wow, the doctrine had been taught and the principle of living the doctrine was shown and now generations to come will be blessed. Oh happy days!!                      

....a way to heal the soul...

Elder and Sister Fife are the Area doctors for all of Western Africa. They have an assignment of “healing” the missionaries for several missions throughout Africa. No P-days here for these servants. Their travels include visiting hospitals, medical centers and even medicine men. We have grown to love these dear people, for they were our lifeline when the flood occurred some weeks ago. Their advice to the saints and villagers was lifesaving. With some planning and prayers, Elder and Sister Fife were guests at our home for two days. It was a wonderful time much needed by both couples. They were shown the challenges, environment, beauties, and felt the gracious spirits of the people here in Abomosu during their visit. Elder and Sister Fife are skilled doctors with years of experience, they have seen many wonders and miracles throughout their careers, yet I saw the tender hearts of these fine ministers of faith. We visited a small village that has a strong pioneer history of the Church here in Ghana. One of these pioneer women who has been so faithful to her covenants is now older and has a large growth on her neck that has caused some to make fun of her looks. As we walked down a small path to her home I shared with the good doctors her story and her physical challenge she now bears. Alice was there holding her precious granddaughter in front of the home. She was dressed in a wrap around and a head wrap that showed her beauty and grace. She knew not of our coming, or did she know through her heartfelt prayers? Humble introductions were exchanged and then with such gentle kindness and an angel’s touch, Elder Fife examined the growth on her neck. It was there in a small village in the bush of Ghana far far away from medical offices and physical instruments of healings, I felt the healing love of a brother to his sister. Language cannot describe that tender moment we were enveloped in.  Elder Fife asked questions with a reverent voice as if he was in the presences of royalty. She answered in a soft voice as if she was with the great Healer herself. This humble servant, who knows where all blessings come, was even moved to tears as he spoke words of comfort and peace to her heart. A surgery that would never happen and a condition that will be endured until her passing, was relayed as we all felt those precious moments together on a small porch that sunny day. It was not life threatening yet discomfort and ridicule will be part of her enduring. My eyes were full and so was Elders Fifes as we embraced with this wonderful woman of God. We lingered a few minutes just to soak every drop of that heavenly encounter. Once again embraces of love and thankfulness were shared, but as we walked away I marveled how we all were brought together for a brief glimpse of heaven between sons and daughters of Father, the greatest Healer of all.  

Though the physical body is sometimes plagued with earthly afflictions, we all must endure, our souls can be healed by He who suffered all. I was once again reminded of that blessing as we hosted a fireside for the Abomosu Branch on Wednesday evening. It was a gathering of 90 some saints who came to feel and move the Word of God along. Sister Fife was the “fire” for this event and her rendition of “Called To Serve” was truly exciting and hand raising. All were blessed with her enthusiasm. Together Elder and Sister Fife testified of the Redeemers love and soul healing power freely given to all. The members felt the love expressed by the Fifes and went away with the surety that the Savior is mindful of all of his children especially here in the bush of Ghana. The scriptures teach “signs will follow the Lord’s servants”, we have felt and witnessed the signs of the Healers servants in this part of His great vineyard.