... 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.)   

...and she shall be a helpmate for you...

No truer words were spoken to man than the caption of today’s blog. I have felt the healing of a wonderful helpmate for almost 40 years now, and still am amazed at the gentleness she shares with me. True helpmates pray together, mourn together, share together, and labor together. How true that is within this service in the Fathers vineyard. I am blessed beyond measure and have been touched by an angel while here upon earth. I love her and honor her forever. May you recognize the helpmates you are eternally bound to, and may we all thank Heavenly Father for his tender mercy of a soul mate to sojourn through lives eternal.