tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591477691088728692024-03-13T21:02:23.809-07:00Gone To GhanaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-63680320034232476132016-04-06T12:14:00.001-07:002016-04-06T12:14:04.516-07:00Finishing Strong!<br />
We have just over a month before our mission is over and we head back to our home in the states. Our mission has been a life-changing experience, so it's with mixed emotions that we prepare to say goodbye to the amazing people of Ghana. Here's some of what we've been doing lately:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our early-morning run to beat the heat, we try and do a few chores around our house before we head out for the day. Here Sarah is sweeping our dirt. None of the homes here have grass and the Ghanaians like keeping their living areas neat and clean and one way to do that is by sweeping the dirt each morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5SgiVLoOM7bSWdLkc-ECBuM2dc3GQoJw-WvUdYFLfo1nGCchkCOXp8oCjsZTbYMnye8oToTvjJtKylVuuCWxLW1qLtPLMMO4DJsUx20RBnhwxS5to4CQj0JbVr2b98nNgHH8QPzh7xwt/s1600/IMG_9275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5SgiVLoOM7bSWdLkc-ECBuM2dc3GQoJw-WvUdYFLfo1nGCchkCOXp8oCjsZTbYMnye8oToTvjJtKylVuuCWxLW1qLtPLMMO4DJsUx20RBnhwxS5to4CQj0JbVr2b98nNgHH8QPzh7xwt/s640/IMG_9275.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of our days are spent working in the villages with the local members. This is Elias Kotoku, President of the Kpando Branch. He's a professional fire fighter, one of my best buddies and one of the kindest men we've ever met. He also knows all the street vendors by name, so we always get the best prices and an extra scoop of beans when we order red/red.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7njYjvYNlQSztcKSvQukR_HH_diG6roULrYwcKt0EjRW900bBnYRo_iA_Z-L25hKCr4bO5rycl8RglPwz0DenFGdEtNlIrntOeV0WojNdj96W_Kec4id5cCRXrbOeaEySRbxI5QZCxHfj/s1600/IMG_9297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7njYjvYNlQSztcKSvQukR_HH_diG6roULrYwcKt0EjRW900bBnYRo_iA_Z-L25hKCr4bO5rycl8RglPwz0DenFGdEtNlIrntOeV0WojNdj96W_Kec4id5cCRXrbOeaEySRbxI5QZCxHfj/s640/IMG_9297.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the villages around Ho have their own hand-drawn water pump that families can use for cooking and bathing. When it's too dry and the water isn't flowing, even the wells have a hard time storing water. As the villagers wait for water to be available, each family queues-up by setting their container around the pump.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoEiBgos6IhlIczrn2Vk8JniPeJWH8lEHtUWd0PvwNXwah2Q1aRr8OQ-ZiBuht28FoFSeM63_9-XZNEVtgW5y7-t8P-S_mql9KsxZ-mQF-IIbKrQxgkQvnSvL3TPS3GSoDxn0jlZAyVz7/s1600/IMG_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoEiBgos6IhlIczrn2Vk8JniPeJWH8lEHtUWd0PvwNXwah2Q1aRr8OQ-ZiBuht28FoFSeM63_9-XZNEVtgW5y7-t8P-S_mql9KsxZ-mQF-IIbKrQxgkQvnSvL3TPS3GSoDxn0jlZAyVz7/s640/IMG_0662.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both the Sierra Leone and the Liberia Missions were without missionaries for the past year due to Ebola. As those areas recently opened back up, we had to say goodbye to four wonderful elders who were reassigned to Sierra Leone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh88ZEKQQmuF_4FCKyI1cdJP-GI1YXB1-AKEPRVifkJmRAi6mYQa8EI72-ITv_Akj4tyWwC7G9XzsUbPO1U6QCf74zTnVuvjmQ7gSMAFa5WRpWmbUA-Qg1ouC4Ez2G3nLcksimLy2X4q4f/s1600/IMG_9330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh88ZEKQQmuF_4FCKyI1cdJP-GI1YXB1-AKEPRVifkJmRAi6mYQa8EI72-ITv_Akj4tyWwC7G9XzsUbPO1U6QCf74zTnVuvjmQ7gSMAFa5WRpWmbUA-Qg1ouC4Ez2G3nLcksimLy2X4q4f/s640/IMG_9330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly, we attended a funeral for a 13-year old girl who died of meningitis. One of the Ghanaian traditions is to remove the body from the casket and place it in a chair so that family and friends can pay their last respects. John was asked to speak and was able to share a message of hope that we'll all be together again as families, thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gmjsKq8_aUHSQ0s13bRc-G5B8xW5qV2E1ByfxIs-pPsxRgSMfvH8LZbKIqSpIuvMMXwEMj2zBIDQdebmY_pPnCLnBNXDPhtaqPUOmiosKBX8ZOt8lHZ2E9jyd_7PdSffc2YNwgE-sIRq/s1600/IMG_9422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gmjsKq8_aUHSQ0s13bRc-G5B8xW5qV2E1ByfxIs-pPsxRgSMfvH8LZbKIqSpIuvMMXwEMj2zBIDQdebmY_pPnCLnBNXDPhtaqPUOmiosKBX8ZOt8lHZ2E9jyd_7PdSffc2YNwgE-sIRq/s640/IMG_9422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President and Sister Heid were full-time educators before they were called to the Ghana Accra Mission. One of their mission goals is to have all the missionaries improve their English-language skills. Here, Sarah is working on the computer with one of our Nigerian elders to record and play back his voice as he reads through a selection of stories. They also practice their typing skills. The elders love and embrace the chance to work on the computer and improve their skills.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctwaMalO6S3bao6VxVSC0nORvGTSY8Df3FWMHOYDYWNWg5dBrI8vxe10XepG4f090VjJtu5m2YlIcFTITD0dHxTikT7Zwxt8ke6fyf8IOrx6C8W1y4BIk6pZ0nW03V3Hsylv7bk1A99_x/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctwaMalO6S3bao6VxVSC0nORvGTSY8Df3FWMHOYDYWNWg5dBrI8vxe10XepG4f090VjJtu5m2YlIcFTITD0dHxTikT7Zwxt8ke6fyf8IOrx6C8W1y4BIk6pZ0nW03V3Hsylv7bk1A99_x/s640/IMG_1139.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to a tri-zone conference, all the senior couples from our mission were able to get together for lunch. We love working with these amazing, talented and inspirational people. From L to R - Sanders, Bodine, Heid, Pace, and Taylors.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We woke up one morning to no running water. That's not new for us, but as we tracked down the problem, we found that the main pipe between our poly tank (our main water storage) and the house was broken. Believe it or not, we think one of the many passing goats ran into the pipe, breaking it, allowing all the water to drain out during the night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Raws382v6BJ7hplf833D5aiClYcELPaxm3mdLx2Whsv-KQVRLiPksDW9UFqILHuTHG28e3hzu6Tjq6b6LIY6uwdfwc40znqTOkRhph6YftjqK8VrdpaIEMylzIn98mHSu-XHTDmsAffv/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Raws382v6BJ7hplf833D5aiClYcELPaxm3mdLx2Whsv-KQVRLiPksDW9UFqILHuTHG28e3hzu6Tjq6b6LIY6uwdfwc40znqTOkRhph6YftjqK8VrdpaIEMylzIn98mHSu-XHTDmsAffv/s640/IMG_1158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our favorite activities lately has been taking the elders to teach in a small village outside of Kpando. Each week, as these valiant investigators hear or see our truck enter their village, they grab their scriptures and head to the one-room schoolhouse where the elders teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ. A truly spiritual place and opportunity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38srBCbG9oGBAfuL0G3PbtiSWSlfErcD9rfzsTzIOf-Ky-ggNNarxGNLhh6Bqz6AS-Egn8-A9ylYZMe83yJtGfsnzoEGNTa2G5Gvw6ZzfOoUWE9aa-QdPNaMScjP4mQbf35IaoF8M4Ugh/s1600/IMG_9362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38srBCbG9oGBAfuL0G3PbtiSWSlfErcD9rfzsTzIOf-Ky-ggNNarxGNLhh6Bqz6AS-Egn8-A9ylYZMe83yJtGfsnzoEGNTa2G5Gvw6ZzfOoUWE9aa-QdPNaMScjP4mQbf35IaoF8M4Ugh/s640/IMG_9362.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We participated in and were judges for (well, at least John was) a stew cook-off in the Ho 1 Branch. <br />Stew is used in most meals and usually contains tomatoes, onions, fish and peppers. The men gave their <br />wives the night off and cooked their best stew for the competition. As you can see, the winners were <br />extremely proud of their achievements! Our stew included goat meat...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-62909315257908672252016-01-30T06:29:00.000-08:002016-01-30T06:29:57.308-08:00A Happy 2016The people of Ghana are a happy and welcoming people. Anytime we meet someone and say hello, it's fun to see their faces light up as they respond with their traditional greeting of, "you are welcome." Lately, with the start of the new year, anyone we greet also wishes us a heart-felt, "prosperous new year." So far, 2016 has been busy, beautiful and prosperous. Here's what we've been doing to start the year:<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because there isn't any rain during the Harmattan season, the air becomes very dry and hazy. This dries out <br />the local vegetation, which leads to a lot of brush fires. Most of these fires are set by hunters who are looking to <br />drive out and catch the "bush" meat so they can sell it along the roadway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of the local fruits and vegetables are out of season during the Harmattan. Thankfully, tomatoes and mangos, <br />two of our favorites, are both coming back in season. We still have to soak them in a bleach bath <br />for two minutes before eating or cooking them, but it's worth the process as they're so fresh and delicious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We kicked off the new year with a going away celebration at the Ghana MTC for President and Sister Robison (the outgoing MTC president), the Malmrose's (MTC nurse and office couple) and the Hill's (area medical doctor). We'll miss their smiling, happy personalities and dedication to their callings, and we'll be eternally grateful for their examples of loving, Christ-like service and their strong testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qUBwMEkzBitSmZA2hbfydUKTYYReLJ_7FWaPHMWATlMFJpg-WU8b8V4OahSTJM_JCkU4-14fvjPD7p8D117QwFpDH-ltyy7hZtP4DH2xJxKM0Byj7fx8gDw_mBYb_fkac8bSZGUYrcUs/s1600/IMG_8556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qUBwMEkzBitSmZA2hbfydUKTYYReLJ_7FWaPHMWATlMFJpg-WU8b8V4OahSTJM_JCkU4-14fvjPD7p8D117QwFpDH-ltyy7hZtP4DH2xJxKM0Byj7fx8gDw_mBYb_fkac8bSZGUYrcUs/s640/IMG_8556.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were invited to attend a traditional engagement (wedding) ceremony for the Ansah family in Tsito, Ghana. These are the parents of the bride and, like most of the attendees, they're wearing their local tribal colors and style of clothing. The groom's family must formally come and pay the bride price before the two families can agree on the marriage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr2GAtcepomzdNpbJ5yMilUeEs2TEptqwwYjtVjhV_DY_-t0_jCsY4zkWRtZwTu3tZ7u535oXr_V2JhtqbYZ_KPpCQHurP8vaBLWE3l-4UmGFwgls5T79Z289tbQ23AglUykCCyV5A2X9/s1600/IMG_8581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr2GAtcepomzdNpbJ5yMilUeEs2TEptqwwYjtVjhV_DY_-t0_jCsY4zkWRtZwTu3tZ7u535oXr_V2JhtqbYZ_KPpCQHurP8vaBLWE3l-4UmGFwgls5T79Z289tbQ23AglUykCCyV5A2X9/s640/IMG_8581.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of our branches, Kpando and Hohoe, recently received their computers. Over the past two weeks, we've added metal bars over the doors and windows to secure the rooms where the computers will be, setup each computer and provided training on the church's MLS system. Here, the Kpando branch presidency is trying out their new logins and passwords. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD0LqEdalN3UqFkQM6NRfAmkj7SiUSbOxv2gima4GGhCRxFlB4nvln3_CK80TV1_C-e_p29xf6DB91HvqlAK2OesPrCsCwBaBC8TslUNMUPj3KIv_Q0llVD2Plp5ndA9Y36vMmkmrRTSb/s1600/IMG_8593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD0LqEdalN3UqFkQM6NRfAmkj7SiUSbOxv2gima4GGhCRxFlB4nvln3_CK80TV1_C-e_p29xf6DB91HvqlAK2OesPrCsCwBaBC8TslUNMUPj3KIv_Q0llVD2Plp5ndA9Y36vMmkmrRTSb/s640/IMG_8593.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whenever you have islanders in your zone, they're typically asked to cook a pig to be eaten after zone training. Elder Lino (center - Tonga), Elder Afoa (left - Samoan via Australia) and Elder Olchewski (right - West Jordan, Utah - uh, not an islander) get ready to serve the roasted pig. As you can guess, the zone loved it and ate every last piece, even the ears.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ87EsIMnKkGZB9p6PCmW38c1yfgWoncIEvh4pVCQgT2ocDUhKHBkxjSYjaRiiLZdTxTlttvFNNiCVj947MYEL0SOXTKinHMeSotaiTZfP9fJfPGVBVHlg6jo1Xy1t6A9bucm9NN2b_IU/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ87EsIMnKkGZB9p6PCmW38c1yfgWoncIEvh4pVCQgT2ocDUhKHBkxjSYjaRiiLZdTxTlttvFNNiCVj947MYEL0SOXTKinHMeSotaiTZfP9fJfPGVBVHlg6jo1Xy1t6A9bucm9NN2b_IU/s640/IMG_8641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire Ho Zone - including the elders from Aflao - after zone training. These are amazing young men and <br />wonderful teachers. During the training, the taught about making and keeping commitments, having unity <br />and teaching repentance and baptizing converts. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs21wrs07zJYa7pg2C8fxJ9Rc_FFVfMcgPjLRd9lDnOy8ufrc3mapnw9Uv0YX_jWLcDneainGO0ZgyY4PDQHHslZeoW1EPek9RWtMMyS44h9pXcHhyphenhyphenjoeLgen5Yp9jjfLJRRLgGF-GRqOT/s1600/IMG_8722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs21wrs07zJYa7pg2C8fxJ9Rc_FFVfMcgPjLRd9lDnOy8ufrc3mapnw9Uv0YX_jWLcDneainGO0ZgyY4PDQHHslZeoW1EPek9RWtMMyS44h9pXcHhyphenhyphenjoeLgen5Yp9jjfLJRRLgGF-GRqOT/s640/IMG_8722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was Rebecca's 17th birthday this month and she was able to celebrate with her mom (back from Kumasi) <br />and sisters Bella and Happy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVe9P6Vni45j7cpf4oOZQZrMOSqsoxmfPDF0IP2ydsYTpHzE9-eFiP4qs53nAd1_dztcEuN6AJnxLq0B5gG5nGT_Uhz2ZS5wVZyt03SjagCn2o7UrFJNvLindQLqyjPUSB8x5t-lfWJaV/s1600/IMG_8735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVe9P6Vni45j7cpf4oOZQZrMOSqsoxmfPDF0IP2ydsYTpHzE9-eFiP4qs53nAd1_dztcEuN6AJnxLq0B5gG5nGT_Uhz2ZS5wVZyt03SjagCn2o7UrFJNvLindQLqyjPUSB8x5t-lfWJaV/s640/IMG_8735.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent a day with the Kpando Relief Society President (Linda - 3rd from the left) going around and <br />visiting the sisters from her branch. Most homes don't have a traditional address, so it's always helpful <br />when you can connect with the missionaries and they can show you where to go. Here we're visiting Elizabeth and John (2nd and 3rd from right) with Elder Olchewski and Elder Afoa.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNUF3TFTONJtbrW9ipFgeNt_Z02LcAbEmYhz8SmhKw2Qwdqan1n5zLNvcAIENE_d0cgCypTGt11apDPhKPIfTxf1__k2QI820qqBwShHSHZSHqo0wOANFhMFDfEaYmT7oJG47WMOVU4TH/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNUF3TFTONJtbrW9ipFgeNt_Z02LcAbEmYhz8SmhKw2Qwdqan1n5zLNvcAIENE_d0cgCypTGt11apDPhKPIfTxf1__k2QI820qqBwShHSHZSHqo0wOANFhMFDfEaYmT7oJG47WMOVU4TH/s640/IMG_8685.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new year started well with a trip to the Ghana, Accra temple with the Hohoe branch. Nearly their entire branch was able to attend and the branch president and his wife were sealed to their children for all eternity. What a blessing to have a temple here in Ghana.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-85835119623686632862015-12-28T07:25:00.000-08:002015-12-28T07:25:37.157-08:00The Holidays In HoHappy holidays from Africa. We hope you've been enjoying time with family, holiday traditions, and cold, snowy weather (yes, we're actually missing the snow right about now)! It's been a lot simpler, less hectic Christmas season for us here in Ho and we've enjoyed focusing our time and attention on being with our Ghanaian family and friends and the eternal gifts that come thanks to the birth of our Savior. Here's some of what we've been doing this holiday season:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFIUZGtwuI6JKmNeT2JtcoDvRYNB4FCQ2LHsKAesOX1au0X0fxkMDHxtBZOwIQUvvxYXCvH5Rvx5Ke4MojGYewKreBZlI_TtPgrPATzsWKS1v0ymOQyBVtGqYVWBC9bnYWJaPYTs47WOy/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFIUZGtwuI6JKmNeT2JtcoDvRYNB4FCQ2LHsKAesOX1au0X0fxkMDHxtBZOwIQUvvxYXCvH5Rvx5Ke4MojGYewKreBZlI_TtPgrPATzsWKS1v0ymOQyBVtGqYVWBC9bnYWJaPYTs47WOy/s640/IMG_6851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best gifts was the arrival of two of our daughters - Tash and Hillary - and our grandson Krew. <br />It was so nice to be with them again, and their 11 suitcases. Thanks to all those who worked <br />so tirelessly to send donations, school bags and humanitarian kits to be used here in Ghana.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DcCGeI03gy-iQQ6X921PCoydc93OxS7JMwlrB6iXOq7LW1MQmTHA3rF5qKW-55xqf74NcuzfpFXOEIdvNvqEVpmG_dmF4WSKo7-_N4F1IUrDWUbvU7Glrcj1hzY081ayZtV5Nc6MOXdt/s1600/IMG_6917+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DcCGeI03gy-iQQ6X921PCoydc93OxS7JMwlrB6iXOq7LW1MQmTHA3rF5qKW-55xqf74NcuzfpFXOEIdvNvqEVpmG_dmF4WSKo7-_N4F1IUrDWUbvU7Glrcj1hzY081ayZtV5Nc6MOXdt/s640/IMG_6917+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Zack Thacker's Eagle project, we were able to deliver 50 school kits to the Almighty <br />Preparatory Academy in Tsito, Ghana. When the headmistress announced that each child <br />would receive their own bag full of pencils, paper, scissors, crayons and other school supplies, the kids danced <br />and sang with joy. They also loved playing and talking with Krew, who they called Komla, meaning Tuesday born. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACmHbTnhTK_F1PxInvNLnF3IFuxh1S0K-0_0VpjjjfERQ7Gd_uEcYa0be6A5QU3tPORKPWy5ghJae8C3wN_xDtEqCWufuhpQlPAp2UsMZ66NPGxZ-dvH030r1YoqcMQSTGHLWwYU9ZtOk/s1600/IMG_7165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACmHbTnhTK_F1PxInvNLnF3IFuxh1S0K-0_0VpjjjfERQ7Gd_uEcYa0be6A5QU3tPORKPWy5ghJae8C3wN_xDtEqCWufuhpQlPAp2UsMZ66NPGxZ-dvH030r1YoqcMQSTGHLWwYU9ZtOk/s640/IMG_7165.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kids were really taken aback by the heat and humidity in Ghana. Luckily, we took a break one day and hiked the Wli Falls, the largest waterfall in Ghana. The mist from the falls reaches all the way into the surrounding jungle, so we were able to cool off once we got close. All of the local kids wanted us to take their picture with Krew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidahc7C7FSoJyR1ql9tSGljN0sE_5si0borYvAfc6CG7MnoI7d5RwzduLP6AoJ_eg3IQjRX3HrDXs2WotBQg0lwwlK-KMKSWnwk59uhyphenhyphenCBW8KbkuhIbQ_L_xVtpd0v8BciopPCEBcx8u1A/s1600/IMG_8108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidahc7C7FSoJyR1ql9tSGljN0sE_5si0borYvAfc6CG7MnoI7d5RwzduLP6AoJ_eg3IQjRX3HrDXs2WotBQg0lwwlK-KMKSWnwk59uhyphenhyphenCBW8KbkuhIbQ_L_xVtpd0v8BciopPCEBcx8u1A/s640/IMG_8108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between zone conferences, district councils, a Christmas devotional, and Christmas eve breakfast at our <br />house, we've been able to spend a lot of time with the awesome missionaries from the Ho zone. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghw1k38hSyfDvo03iJ06XTcOPbwB7PfRK6Whh570Jvr9O5AwcJhoa01S0OUZyuA59gRfHkoc9kwZdZNf46_B1UKHPciynaf2V9sDTdzQ8kBqRID1IwBkugjyHA4Zajq_m_oO-ucU2sTGSt/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghw1k38hSyfDvo03iJ06XTcOPbwB7PfRK6Whh570Jvr9O5AwcJhoa01S0OUZyuA59gRfHkoc9kwZdZNf46_B1UKHPciynaf2V9sDTdzQ8kBqRID1IwBkugjyHA4Zajq_m_oO-ucU2sTGSt/s640/IMG_6484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have the opportunity to participate in a lot of service and humanitarian projects that support the local communities. Here we helped hand out thousands of eye glasses to local Ghanains after doctors from Utah screened their eyes and provided a prescription. Each participant was able to choose two pair of eye glasses from the over 6,000 that were donated. We've also helped on dental, medical and maturation programs as well as teaching English, genealogy and audit training. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1grPZ3KAm9g3NC-JI9AsTdPZDbefAwfFOK6S6QIFrx5ylcAxCvzL2RXXFYoXq94rEmpovUEdwJF1XUEtLy3WJ9CMD9Tvs7DbPuYdTu9docwx_NY7T2YZ41khQwCKQMTSaqprazn_LVx6g/s1600/IMG_5904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1grPZ3KAm9g3NC-JI9AsTdPZDbefAwfFOK6S6QIFrx5ylcAxCvzL2RXXFYoXq94rEmpovUEdwJF1XUEtLy3WJ9CMD9Tvs7DbPuYdTu9docwx_NY7T2YZ41khQwCKQMTSaqprazn_LVx6g/s640/IMG_5904.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had an incredible experience as we worked with the young women from our home ward back in Utah to <br />help send 70 youth from the Ho district to the Ghana Accra Temple. What a wonderful example of following <br />the 2015 youth theme of "Embarking in the Service" of others. If you're interested in seeing more of this activity, <br />you can check out the video on Youtube entitled "From Lindon to Ghana to the Temple."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjdl6CSzbuYBpuZW-BPifQZ6lGfGZJmAkp4bu90kriVwQGekdiKCTg5sMhKX-19J-pZ8QVAEICHgQuvu3hhAoDpBkpkJl0yhgMgciaAXhvSkCPVjBu1w-waDYwZPVKjrMxoqxvmWyfKbA/s1600/IMG_5954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjdl6CSzbuYBpuZW-BPifQZ6lGfGZJmAkp4bu90kriVwQGekdiKCTg5sMhKX-19J-pZ8QVAEICHgQuvu3hhAoDpBkpkJl0yhgMgciaAXhvSkCPVjBu1w-waDYwZPVKjrMxoqxvmWyfKbA/s640/IMG_5954.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each of the young women from Utah attended the temple recently and wrote about what the temple <br />means to them. We shared these letters with their "pen-pal" here in Ghana. The youth here were so excited<br /> to "meet" their new pen-pal and to write back about their experience at the temple as well. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxe61eE1NaDGJU_RPweOTlrPRcM-u7lFqmUxcE02iP4KlPxIKS6MK170mmegwljmeG31zyuH089Omq-uSRkxzyexR6Ppx9Vg0EBbcq-dc_rVxI6kSdARVqmcKtTflaRWvEdhaMOIQdYyI/s1600/IMG_7499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxe61eE1NaDGJU_RPweOTlrPRcM-u7lFqmUxcE02iP4KlPxIKS6MK170mmegwljmeG31zyuH089Omq-uSRkxzyexR6Ppx9Vg0EBbcq-dc_rVxI6kSdARVqmcKtTflaRWvEdhaMOIQdYyI/s640/IMG_7499.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We recently experienced a change in our local weather. Every December starts the Harmattan season, <br />when strong northern winds blow sands from the Saharan Desert all over Western Africa. Here in Ghana, <br />the sands make everything look hazy and dusty while blocking out the stronger rays of the sun, <br />making the temperatures a bit more mild. It's cooled things down to a balmy 91 degrees today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1svBfQrBThe5x2_5gRVvzRy-gvS0pHqCk2DFSjPU2h7zo-Lou8JBqgXd9oOkXv0FJB-C5GJ45Va6s6D2NtQFrYN0kOkH2xaV_t2LHWHBrsfUCSrGokX5jFxCNHp27XkdOzHzpuOhVgEpd/s1600/IMG_8337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1svBfQrBThe5x2_5gRVvzRy-gvS0pHqCk2DFSjPU2h7zo-Lou8JBqgXd9oOkXv0FJB-C5GJ45Va6s6D2NtQFrYN0kOkH2xaV_t2LHWHBrsfUCSrGokX5jFxCNHp27XkdOzHzpuOhVgEpd/s640/IMG_8337.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harmattan winds blow fine sand and dirt through every crack and gap in our house. This is what our mop looks like after cleaning a 4 x 4 foot section of our bedroom floor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP2JoGjwT-c6dO7cObVQaf3wf7hfpZbrzYxAc7Hpxi9qhisuNYBahNRa9Mn6pD8qJImaiLMSroj-XG2xD2QFpa2zQ32shbFF47fIsWMS5H3UzWEk6qAQCV8CEjr_GXOxXAW1WK8Jooy2t/s1600/IMG_7414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP2JoGjwT-c6dO7cObVQaf3wf7hfpZbrzYxAc7Hpxi9qhisuNYBahNRa9Mn6pD8qJImaiLMSroj-XG2xD2QFpa2zQ32shbFF47fIsWMS5H3UzWEk6qAQCV8CEjr_GXOxXAW1WK8Jooy2t/s640/IMG_7414.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cooler temperatures have also brought out more creepy-crawlers, as Sarah learned the hard way. These infected, toxic spider bites on her leg (and one more on her neck) made life miserable for almost 2 weeks. Thanks to quick response of our mission nurse and the area medical doctor, she was able to quickly get on some strong antibiotics.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-37093701240182925762015-11-11T05:20:00.000-08:002015-11-11T05:20:41.678-08:00The Joys of ServiceOne of our favorite parts of being a full-time missionary is getting to know the people we serve with in and around Ho. They fill our days with joy and love.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea_W_gBbg0zTbh0G2Y8I1zbQPEhEuvCmIVqcEkLTlZNthIVJKiFJF8AJh3gnNlA_X6MBy_7KMBSR679Im7ookQlEvq_6_NGynogRDsos7iPEWUxiejveGAYXkecC4EUloXMkiFDF2Cmgn/s1600/IMG_5647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea_W_gBbg0zTbh0G2Y8I1zbQPEhEuvCmIVqcEkLTlZNthIVJKiFJF8AJh3gnNlA_X6MBy_7KMBSR679Im7ookQlEvq_6_NGynogRDsos7iPEWUxiejveGAYXkecC4EUloXMkiFDF2Cmgn/s640/IMG_5647.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most senior high school students live and board right on campus. We love to go see them on visiting days to find out how they're doing and to bring them a little treat, which is usually biscuits and a local malt drink.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PDRJge2JawFaP90J1cClR9mjM9mYJUmJGov15FzIItuY6Fc-djW5JeBCO7tES7Bgc-TjCKQnYbnPT7cM-mCQOEQba4f-atyxLIDkukPvAsJ-EW-OgxVFhxFDr5hOygu8wjthEZrV_LTG/s1600/IMG_2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PDRJge2JawFaP90J1cClR9mjM9mYJUmJGov15FzIItuY6Fc-djW5JeBCO7tES7Bgc-TjCKQnYbnPT7cM-mCQOEQba4f-atyxLIDkukPvAsJ-EW-OgxVFhxFDr5hOygu8wjthEZrV_LTG/s640/IMG_2593.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The youth know the sound of our truck and are often waiting for us when we get home. We love their <br />happy smilies and their love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_WzAY4Pm8S0093ItgJm8nfBIFsHPQE9Y9s3t4CRKsOrk5NMqKEO3La35vcm1YeA0kRdEPmMmA51lFVk2ox3QXacwZ4OISF0i5gTNcsFAHDMTuihrA3dOcOEzANRScrjFbxiha8aHMgsp/s1600/IMG_2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_WzAY4Pm8S0093ItgJm8nfBIFsHPQE9Y9s3t4CRKsOrk5NMqKEO3La35vcm1YeA0kRdEPmMmA51lFVk2ox3QXacwZ4OISF0i5gTNcsFAHDMTuihrA3dOcOEzANRScrjFbxiha8aHMgsp/s640/IMG_2783.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Dikro is a member of the Ho 1st branch and one of the finest tailors in town. He's sewn us scripture bags, a purse and even a new pair of pants. He's also always working with the missionaries to make sure they look their best.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4FBDSPFEetvosn5wskLBAxDzQEacDh43Ff-heQ0EU9sbKsJu96KWmAg0Ciymu9GsJ-AH0E3ZSepgNFoBtgZ1_W3Bvz6ImFDlYmlnzF06oLoAFD99Xh9gnj4SmsWD3TPL5laSfSWS47T0/s1600/IMG_4641+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4FBDSPFEetvosn5wskLBAxDzQEacDh43Ff-heQ0EU9sbKsJu96KWmAg0Ciymu9GsJ-AH0E3ZSepgNFoBtgZ1_W3Bvz6ImFDlYmlnzF06oLoAFD99Xh9gnj4SmsWD3TPL5laSfSWS47T0/s640/IMG_4641+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Ankra lives in Tsito and is a barber and a basket weaver. He and his wife Josephine have 6 children and we always stop to visit them when we're in town because they make us feel so welcome and special.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSFbLIPbYxrfzs0MkYv3V0ZeJIvFKrXJ2wLdGVKtakbU6cuNqAbyOjgvZAo15RrmoUFIC-0YL-32KrehZf_GLlroaackWgEhB8uDGJGXp5abNJ6kjkDmotWh7hArNhaB1xbKvb4BAfQLa/s1600/IMG_4649+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSFbLIPbYxrfzs0MkYv3V0ZeJIvFKrXJ2wLdGVKtakbU6cuNqAbyOjgvZAo15RrmoUFIC-0YL-32KrehZf_GLlroaackWgEhB8uDGJGXp5abNJ6kjkDmotWh7hArNhaB1xbKvb4BAfQLa/s640/IMG_4649+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Atando lives in Ho and sells popcorn, ground nuts and water in a busy part of town. <br />She's always thinking of new business ideas and we love when she goes back <br />to her hometown to buy fresh bananas, which we make into the best smoothies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNFPMUtC_hhCvV907jVn3D1lCURPz4Gjh57uR-Kda1bZkTw_5jDGDlvDAp9tbZC3E_LeBphY25iWoXvCu1EIBdkRjtxQhrRIWcJ85QYwu7Doew0u2p2oU8Ly7hE9JSGY_qFA52L-vZ614/s1600/IMG_5366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNFPMUtC_hhCvV907jVn3D1lCURPz4Gjh57uR-Kda1bZkTw_5jDGDlvDAp9tbZC3E_LeBphY25iWoXvCu1EIBdkRjtxQhrRIWcJ85QYwu7Doew0u2p2oU8Ly7hE9JSGY_qFA52L-vZ614/s640/IMG_5366.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young kids are pretty inquisitive about senior missionary couples and tend to gather around us whenever we sit down. We had taken some pictures of them and they laughed and laughed when they saw themselves on our camera.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIzcMtA0gQOa33jOzt2ZhsEgIqNUdpMqjYJgBiRr_-2ngwXcgImVtcks2IGHvYMWJU3czBA2naH1p85Hz5WllN7BCCGtFu9IcYGscWtwEJUashY9qRPauZxz7GmgidoLnty8VyfgV_Uvx/s1600/IMG_5419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIzcMtA0gQOa33jOzt2ZhsEgIqNUdpMqjYJgBiRr_-2ngwXcgImVtcks2IGHvYMWJU3czBA2naH1p85Hz5WllN7BCCGtFu9IcYGscWtwEJUashY9qRPauZxz7GmgidoLnty8VyfgV_Uvx/s640/IMG_5419.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It takes a lot of work (and strength) to make some of the main dishes here in Ghana. Sarah is pounding cassava into a dough that will be used to make Fufu, which is then served with soup. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_o1wBh6deg5lWbqRLb_WPdr07-wr_xAw4ONKrcIPoXHFCKrr5w4c_ZR9n0N2E1pdIashG-RCurp6VyE2rwbrOKBP12YkAMouXpu6FKWYk5DzeXXJQwT0DnPq6XWWqRflq-juzLpqRQN_/s1600/IMG_6403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_o1wBh6deg5lWbqRLb_WPdr07-wr_xAw4ONKrcIPoXHFCKrr5w4c_ZR9n0N2E1pdIashG-RCurp6VyE2rwbrOKBP12YkAMouXpu6FKWYk5DzeXXJQwT0DnPq6XWWqRflq-juzLpqRQN_/s640/IMG_6403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah has a calling in the District Young Women's Presidency and loves working with and training the local leaders. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIvXpU6yjfFHVroCkgXS9DZnh7fIu_qHRBIGfbra2MaZFSh3jeZl-FN-dn6n29AekKtcsphT4ZK-USWxtF9Hd54RQdmth81TqNMHQ-6y52U2II_95whI69MS2OtG9XYF827lL6Ar6N0vz/s1600/IMG_6610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIvXpU6yjfFHVroCkgXS9DZnh7fIu_qHRBIGfbra2MaZFSh3jeZl-FN-dn6n29AekKtcsphT4ZK-USWxtF9Hd54RQdmth81TqNMHQ-6y52U2II_95whI69MS2OtG9XYF827lL6Ar6N0vz/s640/IMG_6610.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edith always waves us down when we pass by so that she can tell us that she loves and misses us!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6VDHOwJCd5JcL6gpebHWHNjGboDx7TxoJuf0Q65yKwKdSddRyrYcKTL5ddO9WEWGceZX5YRjFEYVRv_AUHvMtnY7eH3si2l0QTAFq9VpyvUFOCRkIDb9479dabv2BchF9YB9ziyEhcFP/s1600/IMG_6713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6VDHOwJCd5JcL6gpebHWHNjGboDx7TxoJuf0Q65yKwKdSddRyrYcKTL5ddO9WEWGceZX5YRjFEYVRv_AUHvMtnY7eH3si2l0QTAFq9VpyvUFOCRkIDb9479dabv2BchF9YB9ziyEhcFP/s640/IMG_6713.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congratulations to our friends on the recent addition of a baby girl to their family. <br />And she came out with more hair than John!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-3008238555620380542015-10-20T10:40:00.000-07:002015-10-20T10:40:07.349-07:00Faith in Every Footstep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each week here in Ghana brings different adventures and new opportunities to serve and grow. Many of these experiences are brand new to us, so relying on the Lord to guide us as we go has been a wonderful learning experience. Here are a few of the things that have kept us busy these past few weeks:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13BISjk_1QlgV1M7TmGOiA45FD4XPt8yHZQl1r8kv2DC1p1xLsdWeXIwhcAnM5AKGLkSS95Xi9Cv0lvr1IKQhCPSiyGSsTLU3L9TU0PCquuRUH3hOI5er3XAkElW46Jtm3lEyB0MDc_dS/s1600/IMG_5162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13BISjk_1QlgV1M7TmGOiA45FD4XPt8yHZQl1r8kv2DC1p1xLsdWeXIwhcAnM5AKGLkSS95Xi9Cv0lvr1IKQhCPSiyGSsTLU3L9TU0PCquuRUH3hOI5er3XAkElW46Jtm3lEyB0MDc_dS/s640/IMG_5162.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've been helping many of the youth get ready for school. Here we're shopping in the outdoor market for food and other provisions, since most of the students board at the school and won't come home until Christmas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn4h6YMfK_jy8Ali0fSmfFQDRZ-DVH24XgU3u2LkWz86b6zMeD0ct75_7t9MsZIzmYslKe95fYWkpNL80U1cIf5iGECFzFqxhNTY8i4HVvoCHddv7BfcHBeQMFsNM0Pgz4UAGwkbC4KZL/s1600/IMG_5167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsn4h6YMfK_jy8Ali0fSmfFQDRZ-DVH24XgU3u2LkWz86b6zMeD0ct75_7t9MsZIzmYslKe95fYWkpNL80U1cIf5iGECFzFqxhNTY8i4HVvoCHddv7BfcHBeQMFsNM0Pgz4UAGwkbC4KZL/s640/IMG_5167.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll never be part Ghanaian if I can't learn to balance anything on my head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshRUw36z8SWb8n_M784s98eIK1eYm0Wje5GrIqm1cJhTegJ4-oz-mmPAUAKhMlxQC8EMD5KVRcvbK3S6d_3Rmgq7Na9wYaNLfwnoMaKUxrRyxa32bXAQa4Dkpu-0gamueqNI8TjV9qB_p/s1600/IMG_5339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshRUw36z8SWb8n_M784s98eIK1eYm0Wje5GrIqm1cJhTegJ4-oz-mmPAUAKhMlxQC8EMD5KVRcvbK3S6d_3Rmgq7Na9wYaNLfwnoMaKUxrRyxa32bXAQa4Dkpu-0gamueqNI8TjV9qB_p/s640/IMG_5339.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Faith's dorm room at school that she shares with 25 other girls from here school. She's <br />wearing the uniform of her school in the color that indicates that she's<br /> in form 3 or the final year at senior high school.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGfokuq8bHtYeYw0ZZFrbCpkw08-8FiY50hBSvUw-8Oj5Y68rYefVKxLEvpEVgG1OqzP-ZO2Br2GR13gXk6ZoM6vzy3fCSFGc4C8l3a_QRtj8u4vJR_NOXongSC0YsglZyVdUTtjngXIB/s1600/IMG_5330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGfokuq8bHtYeYw0ZZFrbCpkw08-8FiY50hBSvUw-8Oj5Y68rYefVKxLEvpEVgG1OqzP-ZO2Br2GR13gXk6ZoM6vzy3fCSFGc4C8l3a_QRtj8u4vJR_NOXongSC0YsglZyVdUTtjngXIB/s640/IMG_5330.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each student has to bring their own tank of gas to use for cooking at the school. It took almost an hour to get through the line and, at 95+ degrees and almost 100% humidity, our sweat could have probably filled up the tank.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dsbHi6_bDEGEnrB3kMhZV7LYmUsiNI-nWiyfr9v4Uu01sVPPny38kOzCyCk3c9QvvqcN6CKPVF1zUTg9cSQzJ_m58L3plpYX0RAjPIWtimj-C-Uth3Uo1t94BXYehmmZzHcOKSFCGdaZ/s1600/IMG_5591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dsbHi6_bDEGEnrB3kMhZV7LYmUsiNI-nWiyfr9v4Uu01sVPPny38kOzCyCk3c9QvvqcN6CKPVF1zUTg9cSQzJ_m58L3plpYX0RAjPIWtimj-C-Uth3Uo1t94BXYehmmZzHcOKSFCGdaZ/s640/IMG_5591.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting up with the missionaries usually entails finding something to eat. The elders know that Sarah is a little more hesitant when it comes to trying the local foods, but they always seem to get Elder Bodine to try something new.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3wARWQba8a6h6AQmnDIsV8osMoJkJE5TZ5hepkDyaUfzhux4qRdU2omMfibMCw7ImTWMlb_nlOuxji2laGwRR1-GyQeUqdNd1VRmAMwQrv4tqPMBSczGaUmffN_oq0L9fqiQbKRmwgdX/s1600/IMG_5602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3wARWQba8a6h6AQmnDIsV8osMoJkJE5TZ5hepkDyaUfzhux4qRdU2omMfibMCw7ImTWMlb_nlOuxji2laGwRR1-GyQeUqdNd1VRmAMwQrv4tqPMBSczGaUmffN_oq0L9fqiQbKRmwgdX/s640/IMG_5602.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah has been meeting with all the young women in our area to take them through their Personal Progress booklet. This is Veronica from Kpando who was baptized 4 months ago. She's already completed most of her value experiences and she will be receiving her medallion in the next few months.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR09nGngVG6oIakZ9UFO7wt7_EAM_ib_Bx7drjHrx6szPzQP-e49d6vDSkGM52uz2fUk-f_BUgPippv5e8AUfzzYzuxr0mPmaXDz857YU0ScimEdgNexNNLifcvZ64XrD_b_JIfgJAR65i/s1600/IMG_5604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR09nGngVG6oIakZ9UFO7wt7_EAM_ib_Bx7drjHrx6szPzQP-e49d6vDSkGM52uz2fUk-f_BUgPippv5e8AUfzzYzuxr0mPmaXDz857YU0ScimEdgNexNNLifcvZ64XrD_b_JIfgJAR65i/s640/IMG_5604.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We do a lot of teaching at mid-week activities where the local branch members get together to study the scriptures and learn more about the gospel. Here are some members from Kpando "holding fast to the iron rod."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQSGfn0EecWYGrja-CTk0nRGthaqAPkgho0TfhfTIx817Q5n3macyUu_xueGh2LNV4HIbCEqbZGnWdT75vCKQzq3NNeP1fQdnr9Yk2CIrLyyQ7YwZLY4TfdNSuu-VoAgOr0x_rnxlF1GV/s1600/IMG_5574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQSGfn0EecWYGrja-CTk0nRGthaqAPkgho0TfhfTIx817Q5n3macyUu_xueGh2LNV4HIbCEqbZGnWdT75vCKQzq3NNeP1fQdnr9Yk2CIrLyyQ7YwZLY4TfdNSuu-VoAgOr0x_rnxlF1GV/s640/IMG_5574.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big part of what we do each day is spending time with the families from the 5 branches where we serve. They always welcome us with open arms and bright smiles and we love the friendships we've made with these loving people. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4RuAsVo5u6J-UE99rz7PweCt10ku3Yc37eiNj7ZLP-FcudZWYxa8MhdbSKQdzjy250iMgwT973sj7Z3Kmm3fA8ik9cW7ox719BU4JipZoP-MJExEqO03QUnF0VH4YM0D7xArDeM1BOfR/s1600/IMG_5866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4RuAsVo5u6J-UE99rz7PweCt10ku3Yc37eiNj7ZLP-FcudZWYxa8MhdbSKQdzjy250iMgwT973sj7Z3Kmm3fA8ik9cW7ox719BU4JipZoP-MJExEqO03QUnF0VH4YM0D7xArDeM1BOfR/s640/IMG_5866.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the elders from the Ho Zone after zone training. These are 18 of the finest young men and we feel blessed and privileged to work with them on a daily basis. What amazing examples of faith, obedience and sacrifice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkGDQveREUxVvIeYrb4b2f6aBQ2l2P4mFFKYKhVJNqFFPmokG6eBRf5fp79dm9LdxRQ_mdkVHCTFSNy4dnTwmVfQbJ8t4g_4Oj2IORFVbEjNalFa3AS9TxIg1DELiL7I4eMG_yV1nqixU/s1600/IMG_5502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkGDQveREUxVvIeYrb4b2f6aBQ2l2P4mFFKYKhVJNqFFPmokG6eBRf5fp79dm9LdxRQ_mdkVHCTFSNy4dnTwmVfQbJ8t4g_4Oj2IORFVbEjNalFa3AS9TxIg1DELiL7I4eMG_yV1nqixU/s640/IMG_5502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, the Hohoe Group was made into a Branch. The church is growing quickly here in <br />Western Africa and we were humbled to be present on this historic day. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-50664425920080404842015-09-14T07:34:00.002-07:002015-09-14T07:34:21.142-07:0012,000 Kilometers and Just Getting Started<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks to our handy truck (a 4-wheel drive Nissan) we've been able to criss-cross a larger part of the Volta region as we get to know the amazing people of Ghana. It seems like each day brings a new cultural experience and a new opportunity to serve, and we're grateful to see the Lord's hand in the miracles that happen each day.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRSZusGbdo87bcNxcuplvMXjbjfEYNV4cNEG_HzmAQqEK9RjweAtgQWz4EDQWj9BniymiyJ76qW_lS22f8YHS7odhegztMgrsLgDDz3Sow1LRL_x_xtwHFrUT64IaCJoTOLangfad3kJn/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRSZusGbdo87bcNxcuplvMXjbjfEYNV4cNEG_HzmAQqEK9RjweAtgQWz4EDQWj9BniymiyJ76qW_lS22f8YHS7odhegztMgrsLgDDz3Sow1LRL_x_xtwHFrUT64IaCJoTOLangfad3kJn/s640/IMG_4678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our truck has been a huge blessing and has gotten us up, over and through every obstacle we've put in its way. <br />The streets here are very narrow with more taxis, tro-tro buses and potholes than you can count, <br />but everyone seems to give us a wide berth and we've yet to end up in one of the drainage ditches that line every street. <br />We keep praying for safe drivers (us included)!</td></tr>
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We travel to Accra a few times a month for meetings, transfers, departures and the temple. The trip can take anywhere from 3 hours (on a good day) to 5 hours if the wait is long at the ferry or traffic is bad in Accra, which it always is. While we're there, we always stop at the "American" stores to stock up and resupply on some of the brands we miss from back home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcLjkE99qvdldl4lb8ov8_c1d660NrJ7vMMyEmvfJzL649X8WJI5VhA-MX-hiyvPLF4SoIU4I5U5bsXQg0Oc7lSS-0OaG0TG96VJOPTOcuawLmads7gPLjYqgk8tRhh4wLG94ch_kHWrh/s1600/IMG_4605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcLjkE99qvdldl4lb8ov8_c1d660NrJ7vMMyEmvfJzL649X8WJI5VhA-MX-hiyvPLF4SoIU4I5U5bsXQg0Oc7lSS-0OaG0TG96VJOPTOcuawLmads7gPLjYqgk8tRhh4wLG94ch_kHWrh/s640/IMG_4605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Froot Loops, Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs - oh my! The options are limited and expensive <br />but nothing says home like a stale box of Frosted Flakes. Sarah even found some Bath & Body lotion <br />in a scent called Ghanaian Geisha, but we left that on the shelf.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDj43jW7bmc2SaeLUknQ9M78hSOjXFQlJnrlw16xTi0coQhBKN4qiKI7js49DPi4rJPl2xurQO3poaJZYG-J4UgaK4wxtOqh_6AJAxe7vRjLreaM6zeiDeGWovMzTKLzU10tI9acApdCk/s1600/IMG_4598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDj43jW7bmc2SaeLUknQ9M78hSOjXFQlJnrlw16xTi0coQhBKN4qiKI7js49DPi4rJPl2xurQO3poaJZYG-J4UgaK4wxtOqh_6AJAxe7vRjLreaM6zeiDeGWovMzTKLzU10tI9acApdCk/s640/IMG_4598.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transfers occur every six weeks and bring a measure of happiness and sadness as strong missionaries head <br />home after serving valiantly for two years. These are 4 elders from our Ho zone. The second from the left <br />is Elder Ravia from Fiji who's headed to serve the remaining 3-months of his mission in the Liberia, Monrovia <br />mission. They haven't had any full-time missionaries there since the Ebola breakout over a year ago and he's <br />going to train all the new missionaries that arrive there soon. Elder Ravia started his mission in Sierra Leon and was transferred to Ghana when his first area was closed due to Ebola. Three countries in two years - what an example!</td></tr>
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We continue to see miracles happen all around us and love the experiences and perspectives we're learning as we go. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi7mTwQgKX8TdCRQGxY58hw6acFLaPam9XQeOME49iBW-vTIRs32N0P67DZJW5Zo4vKdZi712N0Y9XJfjVlgRAF7QkweAplmk5bfAFKYbUY1oRS236FbodoI3lwcQi9xbBK19JNAaOKG-/s1600/IMG_5068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi7mTwQgKX8TdCRQGxY58hw6acFLaPam9XQeOME49iBW-vTIRs32N0P67DZJW5Zo4vKdZi712N0Y9XJfjVlgRAF7QkweAplmk5bfAFKYbUY1oRS236FbodoI3lwcQi9xbBK19JNAaOKG-/s640/IMG_5068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Saturday we were able to attend the baptisms of seven new members of the Ho 1st Branch. What a wonderful spirit as two husbands from the branch baptized their wives into the church and 5 other youth and young adults from the area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlEvqYMWf-FJ6agR_x2DSEdxf8Rsrq2KKXkeUxvtfRKauyspnfCZVdwF73sXYkHBI_KTEO6V9qxnui4hmXcA_8n6Ieo0fZd2BjNR8NnwjwbfzWoeERJAJxnHzyDxOwRJfcv_F8xLrp7pa/s1600/IMG_4905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlEvqYMWf-FJ6agR_x2DSEdxf8Rsrq2KKXkeUxvtfRKauyspnfCZVdwF73sXYkHBI_KTEO6V9qxnui4hmXcA_8n6Ieo0fZd2BjNR8NnwjwbfzWoeERJAJxnHzyDxOwRJfcv_F8xLrp7pa/s640/IMG_4905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We attended the local Kente Festival this week which celebrates the rich tradition and culture of the Ewe tribe in Togo and Ghana. This area is know for it's fine artistry, colorful Kente weavings and fierce warriors. These are the Queen Mothers from each of the local tribes who have come to celebrate and be honored at the festival.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Imr3zZeCDKlnDXy8e2N9XhEd_GfKMpFzwrUTPm04AeN6X3OBfJnJlEG22xTQBxVThE4N7tqios7h1d4yXgHezbnbRUpTQZSLVwK41tceSxXe4HPdcJEsJqaLpdj5kfgRBeW7yIrYRKyL/s1600/IMG_5136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Imr3zZeCDKlnDXy8e2N9XhEd_GfKMpFzwrUTPm04AeN6X3OBfJnJlEG22xTQBxVThE4N7tqios7h1d4yXgHezbnbRUpTQZSLVwK41tceSxXe4HPdcJEsJqaLpdj5kfgRBeW7yIrYRKyL/s640/IMG_5136.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge blessing for us this week as the mission installed a new solar-powered battery system at our house. We even had "light off" the night it was installed and were able to test the system immediately. It ran our lights, refrigerator and air conditioner for a full 10 hours! Hooray for solar power and no more generator! Special thanks to President Heid who is always looking for ways to upgrade the missionary's apartments and living conditions, even senior couples!</td></tr>
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We had two days of District Conference last week with a zone training afterwards, so all 18 elders in our zone were in town for a couple of days. Add the AP's and the office elders as well and you know there was a lot of teaching, learning, food and fun going on. We love these missionaries! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXDsDMWLl9HwKrx3njsCO_uejylhA8j7J_ChAQ6vjuWHBHKbbwFucpO9nFctEfInnA59iX4mNfwc-lckc3PBoJpAmqPCMk81jKXY1VdsPVcgQHzInBE3DqtDjvuI0QE4QGMDLOYFsYiKf/s1600/IMG_5849+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXDsDMWLl9HwKrx3njsCO_uejylhA8j7J_ChAQ6vjuWHBHKbbwFucpO9nFctEfInnA59iX4mNfwc-lckc3PBoJpAmqPCMk81jKXY1VdsPVcgQHzInBE3DqtDjvuI0QE4QGMDLOYFsYiKf/s640/IMG_5849+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While major food consumption always tops the list as a favorite for missionaries, weighing each other, and subsequently teasing each other mercilessly about the gains and losses, comes in a close second.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">District Training and the Ho 2 Branch. Just like herding cats in the states, they call it herding chickens here in Ghana, and we still missed getting all the elders in the pictures. There are 7 countries represented in this picture!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-2689986167077634762015-09-01T13:28:00.000-07:002015-09-01T13:28:18.494-07:00Busy, busy, busy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We love being here in Ghana and are thankful that each day brings new opportunities to work alongside the wonderful people here in Western Africa. A quote from Elder Dickson, who served as the area president here, best sums up what we've learned from them; "they have little of what matters least and a lot of what matters most." We feel humbled and blessed to be amongst these great people and are grateful for their examples of love, service and a dedication to living Christ-like lives. The pictures we take and share on our blog can never fully convey the whole story or depth of what we're experiencing, but we hope you enjoy seeing a little bit of everyday life for a senior missionary couple. Here's some of what we've been up to these last two weeks:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgNqSFCf6x24UtWAVbb-m8ktEjgtXdrMdE-KLSW-pTF1JanK1tLcwh8s8JMDU8EkwQm_qbdEBzDP3Cok-9CNCpyPZHO15mviSrQrFulx1w7B37CMv5ijlY-1jodkUW5izm0y_y5rIM7GX/s1600/IMG_3958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgNqSFCf6x24UtWAVbb-m8ktEjgtXdrMdE-KLSW-pTF1JanK1tLcwh8s8JMDU8EkwQm_qbdEBzDP3Cok-9CNCpyPZHO15mviSrQrFulx1w7B37CMv5ijlY-1jodkUW5izm0y_y5rIM7GX/s640/IMG_3958.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donne, wearing the #3 jersey, was one of the first people we met here in Ho. His mother moved away three<br />
years ago and Donne and his sister have been working together to raise their family. We've been driving<br />
Donne and his father out to the village where their mother lives in order to provide them with some family time.<br />
What a blessing to have seen them reunite all together back in Ho this week! In the picture<br />
above, Donne is teaching a Family Home Evening lesson to his whole family outside their home. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjx2bRfUHGcm6strMcma4TgUqoe1LHtzONe1r-SC_xZ9qHKvcFl-7SFe0Czi_zy1k-_yWbrvfBi5bTuaZdvZeGTa8mYVJGu_RLnwlZ0HlCmpaXC5qCHJ3x4iXzZT4i-WAzwPDRUSDdkq0/s1600/IMG_3776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjx2bRfUHGcm6strMcma4TgUqoe1LHtzONe1r-SC_xZ9qHKvcFl-7SFe0Czi_zy1k-_yWbrvfBi5bTuaZdvZeGTa8mYVJGu_RLnwlZ0HlCmpaXC5qCHJ3x4iXzZT4i-WAzwPDRUSDdkq0/s640/IMG_3776.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church held an All-Africa Service Day where members throughout the continent spent the<br />
day serving in their local communities. In Ho, over 100 people from the Ho 1 and Ho 2 branches<br />
worked together to help fix one of the worst roads in the city. What hard workers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YLtn5Ve2FBGDVJ_1ruWlOoQiq7Hnj1Blf1Y73PdPMiMbviyrVPuVqiGgh00H00mIhgZMn4sLOTfCpnUhpmle_PxCWeV1zqJaKlnPal5iozqUsgyhIRSNCBQdpbxljBor3bq7qJSuEwLa/s1600/IMG_4575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YLtn5Ve2FBGDVJ_1ruWlOoQiq7Hnj1Blf1Y73PdPMiMbviyrVPuVqiGgh00H00mIhgZMn4sLOTfCpnUhpmle_PxCWeV1zqJaKlnPal5iozqUsgyhIRSNCBQdpbxljBor3bq7qJSuEwLa/s640/IMG_4575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working with 5 branches and 14 missionaries in our zone means we're blessed to be able to attend a number of baptisms each week. These wonderful, life-changing events are filled with the most peaceful spirit. The elders use either a portable font that can travel between locations while some of the buildings have outdoor fonts like this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuLZ7sPRljWs-F_71V73Mh6NW4_LJSNnjmGkiJ7jAD2Cf6waAGL1QvuxEWK-9CWpJRYb_gkdkfmneJ2QhP1aZqdY8VXkbuN0FEEYANSqmn7mhApjcnWYVwYQcTVSIGHpiInbiKm_e3jZp/s1600/IMG_4505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuLZ7sPRljWs-F_71V73Mh6NW4_LJSNnjmGkiJ7jAD2Cf6waAGL1QvuxEWK-9CWpJRYb_gkdkfmneJ2QhP1aZqdY8VXkbuN0FEEYANSqmn7mhApjcnWYVwYQcTVSIGHpiInbiKm_e3jZp/s640/IMG_4505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent three days at the District Youth Camp with 61 amazing young women and young men from our area. We rented a facility at St. Paul's Senior High School where the kids were called on a "mini" mission. This year's theme was "Embark" which is taken from a scripture in the Doctrine & Covenants 4:2 - "Oh ye that embark in the service of your God, see that ye do so with all your heart, might, mind and strength." What a great goal for us all. Truly amazing kids.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHt_KxaUOOJzIvtVGWxuBmUqMMVz-B6mHsGOPWEDIXvmvWA3ZPH_YAKo6Kt2F5E0VzdcdPEFXWYLBsCwbsGpvhB15pmLNpRenFnv4q72Ir3hHbxCpu7UsFE5z2CXC9kZo1-OxpRmFVU9F/s1600/IMG_3982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHt_KxaUOOJzIvtVGWxuBmUqMMVz-B6mHsGOPWEDIXvmvWA3ZPH_YAKo6Kt2F5E0VzdcdPEFXWYLBsCwbsGpvhB15pmLNpRenFnv4q72Ir3hHbxCpu7UsFE5z2CXC9kZo1-OxpRmFVU9F/s640/IMG_3982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were also asked to speak at another youth camp, this time in front of 500 junior high students. <br />
We talked about finding hope and happiness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and that the <br />
decisions they make today will determine their destinies down the road. They gave us a "Yevu" cheer at the end! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR1E4SWcFe1xBP9t25-TWEFsSVzqLsgmvXZNtQ7Q1L_NhsoDFmRsYG42KB85QCUop4bUA86LO6P-S1dtJgkNdY0ojxoJMbrzoj9_iH2VmsohTNUXsBuxr-Erjg5RvAbxZw-th8kbG6i3d/s1600/IMG_4056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR1E4SWcFe1xBP9t25-TWEFsSVzqLsgmvXZNtQ7Q1L_NhsoDFmRsYG42KB85QCUop4bUA86LO6P-S1dtJgkNdY0ojxoJMbrzoj9_iH2VmsohTNUXsBuxr-Erjg5RvAbxZw-th8kbG6i3d/s640/IMG_4056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've been holding missionary firesides throughout our area where the members invite their family and friends to join us for an evening of fun, facts and food. We've been showing a video about the church pioneers here in Ghana, sharing a message about reaching out to those in need and feasting on local foods like banku with stew, jollof rice and malt drinks. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdvnlTQELi3VCJz0d2w1xXsvwbtdv2twYUN0Y9l-ZlFHf7k4xTKgVx2ipSnkPW1TbJX3q_SdPOwGCaxKEG_IjLACDBijH9TCgzk-Ipqgq_GdAM-OOxeHi6ktvvueBedtCLtG57Y9fx5PF/s1600/IMG_4134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdvnlTQELi3VCJz0d2w1xXsvwbtdv2twYUN0Y9l-ZlFHf7k4xTKgVx2ipSnkPW1TbJX3q_SdPOwGCaxKEG_IjLACDBijH9TCgzk-Ipqgq_GdAM-OOxeHi6ktvvueBedtCLtG57Y9fx5PF/s640/IMG_4134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our favorite activities is when we get to go with the missionaries on their teaching appointments. The spirit is always strong as the testify of God's plan of salvation to humble and happy families here in Ghana. We trekked through a village to meet with Anthony and Elizabeth and their young son Miracle (she was told that she'd never have children, hence the little boy's descriptive name). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBe2KbT5BHviIUT7lM2PJrP8QtjHruZEUaEN1eC2ujjX_0bnF9BT72lBdbRY2gmjIkbPHxkZdTTqjoNH5-drhwASTyqS0Ph2YNxS9z2b2T6NQKPcneBzZ18fMOep5qFCeiSarmRdlicr9/s1600/RSCN4607%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBe2KbT5BHviIUT7lM2PJrP8QtjHruZEUaEN1eC2ujjX_0bnF9BT72lBdbRY2gmjIkbPHxkZdTTqjoNH5-drhwASTyqS0Ph2YNxS9z2b2T6NQKPcneBzZ18fMOep5qFCeiSarmRdlicr9/s640/RSCN4607%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of missionaries, here's our favorite. The one on the left is our son and youngest child Elder Bodine, who is currently serving his mission in Cuernavaca, Mexico. We miss him tremendously but we wouldn't want him to be any other place. We absolutely love having this shared experience and to see his joy in serving others. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcCj6wpBzfWPGquq9pEWYFwGZVRIaZc3Wsb4PEXOdrIMqI3qBo3x5CERW3pNF30qGacY2LcvAqwby2tVZK_C-tKjSqECxbXHSnvoI7jcINS1MFNcWLGsJzw_V9GPG_ntK_aYroxeQefQA/s1600/IMG_4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcCj6wpBzfWPGquq9pEWYFwGZVRIaZc3Wsb4PEXOdrIMqI3qBo3x5CERW3pNF30qGacY2LcvAqwby2tVZK_C-tKjSqECxbXHSnvoI7jcINS1MFNcWLGsJzw_V9GPG_ntK_aYroxeQefQA/s640/IMG_4404.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While traveling up north this week we saw a sign for a local restaurant that we hadn't seen before, so we decided to give it a try. Even at under $3 a bowl, we decided to head home and snack on our crackers and cheese (we think the rabbits here are so skinny that they only come with one "B"). Let us know if you want us to order you something!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-40303536367353246192015-08-14T14:18:00.000-07:002015-08-14T14:18:19.220-07:00Mission LifeWhile we miss our family and friends immensely, we've settled into the extremely happy but tiring life as a missionary here in Ghana. There are so many people, places and opportunities here that teach us that true love comes through serving others, and we're finding joy in every journey. In a nod to one of our favorite musicals, here are a few of our favorite things...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunfxxlBSRLsJ249hkyLVTql28NedsYvogJo4wXqSNbEol5mvVxjjVVoZc2TQoZIyjxCO_7MQPMFbUE-V8JTJo49-xaHJuqhb52Tp0e7uEE8T_5JJ7PS63Rx9w-NhjQZ7JyF3ye-txUbQL/s1600/IMG_3646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunfxxlBSRLsJ249hkyLVTql28NedsYvogJo4wXqSNbEol5mvVxjjVVoZc2TQoZIyjxCO_7MQPMFbUE-V8JTJo49-xaHJuqhb52Tp0e7uEE8T_5JJ7PS63Rx9w-NhjQZ7JyF3ye-txUbQL/s640/IMG_3646.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our children gave us the best present ever by writing 365 reasons why they love us and we open a new one each night! And if that wasn't heart-wrenching enough, they had all of our extended family and friends do the same. <br />Thanks for all your uplifting words - we love you too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljG8EWz-wtDIpLWgVFnp3avc2vAgji57OGgQGhRaWx3YvjPuQ_SNU2XuN_L9HCJ_IeOFC5jBuJxVOy4euhOmx0Dusm8qYYswf6sRVuj8XqAYHdJCTj_dRBgRO4saLYYlLnIoczwkMIaeX/s1600/IMG_3648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljG8EWz-wtDIpLWgVFnp3avc2vAgji57OGgQGhRaWx3YvjPuQ_SNU2XuN_L9HCJ_IeOFC5jBuJxVOy4euhOmx0Dusm8qYYswf6sRVuj8XqAYHdJCTj_dRBgRO4saLYYlLnIoczwkMIaeX/s640/IMG_3648.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese! Yes, of all the things we've found we love here in Africa, it's the cheese. Most nights we skip dinner and snack on a plate of cheese and crackers in our bed. It's one of the simple things we've grown to love.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3CEr8bGvFMSnHfw-G4bKZgcKpYX9Xhq5LgVNV1rjBDpaGMdQCO_NAcTJJjvJYUMSEVUzeghtQfIkm_bx0rYLAe5N9nCJPdMhoxEgIIu3i2o6ej9pfPtGsF4XmtGWOs2sXMAT1JghPsbh/s1600/IMG_3466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3CEr8bGvFMSnHfw-G4bKZgcKpYX9Xhq5LgVNV1rjBDpaGMdQCO_NAcTJJjvJYUMSEVUzeghtQfIkm_bx0rYLAe5N9nCJPdMhoxEgIIu3i2o6ej9pfPtGsF4XmtGWOs2sXMAT1JghPsbh/s640/IMG_3466.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, we're both trying some of the local foods. Yes, this is Sarah buying and eating some food from a street vendor - a Sokomie sandwich we bought on the border of Togo. It's avocado, lettuce and mayonaisse - yummy! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gbjZ3jbgcYNk2ObME1dxULQHM2mrbgSTAAJD5UwDk0I7aUk7tBwyB26LAZdXG8Jd3fsIPHG6dBtwk-uZhOJ1jSXDWNFDoOv9dB3ZBfRkLuNqn-w5MnSrgjzDPhSlUOTnGEvfpOInVS01/s1600/IMG_3664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gbjZ3jbgcYNk2ObME1dxULQHM2mrbgSTAAJD5UwDk0I7aUk7tBwyB26LAZdXG8Jd3fsIPHG6dBtwk-uZhOJ1jSXDWNFDoOv9dB3ZBfRkLuNqn-w5MnSrgjzDPhSlUOTnGEvfpOInVS01/s640/IMG_3664.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooops - this isn't one of our favorite things. John was "arrested" last week for speeding - nothing that a few cedis couldn't fix. We were also stopped for a random drug search by machine gun-toting soldiers. Luckily, none were found.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhyhDwtJ0Gz3MEUXNOUgAqOcbW1KB-f4ZufKWdr_KUKn83srQkxbU5DYuR_5S1qqPTr1YbRSF4CaTyNICpJxdMg_pknAg9Kytp-6JmGOboshoO5bUU_Esz-l1L9e85SqjGYnLYhZq54jG/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhyhDwtJ0Gz3MEUXNOUgAqOcbW1KB-f4ZufKWdr_KUKn83srQkxbU5DYuR_5S1qqPTr1YbRSF4CaTyNICpJxdMg_pknAg9Kytp-6JmGOboshoO5bUU_Esz-l1L9e85SqjGYnLYhZq54jG/s640/IMG_3687.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The people - we absolutely love the people. They are all so kind and loving and so generous with what little they have. This is Bernice who runs a non-profit called Days for Girls on top of being a mom, wife and business woman. Their organization provides education, training and maturation kits for the young girls here in Ghana.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoysDAfwn8xMqRjfdufWauRzKgjkYLgIeTssLvnmjQrScsYdw08aj7JiPFkzpKlmtWkTSQ5at1Hz-ZKCiIUqdtRMF6s1aOxrogUejLhf5Ot4SiUG9yD2ziePTSN0whxNoztwa32JMxE_Q-/s1600/IMG_3498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoysDAfwn8xMqRjfdufWauRzKgjkYLgIeTssLvnmjQrScsYdw08aj7JiPFkzpKlmtWkTSQ5at1Hz-ZKCiIUqdtRMF6s1aOxrogUejLhf5Ot4SiUG9yD2ziePTSN0whxNoztwa32JMxE_Q-/s640/IMG_3498.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children here radiate love and beauty and are especially fascinated by Sarah's blond hair and wonderful smile. They often run up to us to touch our skin, yelling "yevu - yevu" as they run away laughing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwzlvsy-5gc5z8Q6qlB6w-6ES4z41orOUTJm2ASVAxu9qSbX0PgZot9QRWtYXRBL9FJQtbPSLfCQtbZJZXzDdfi64gtghN-aYdta2ZHnpJPGv9K7LN1MDiv6FXpxU8UfsfUJPBvlv3Q7h/s1600/IMG_3705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwzlvsy-5gc5z8Q6qlB6w-6ES4z41orOUTJm2ASVAxu9qSbX0PgZot9QRWtYXRBL9FJQtbPSLfCQtbZJZXzDdfi64gtghN-aYdta2ZHnpJPGv9K7LN1MDiv6FXpxU8UfsfUJPBvlv3Q7h/s640/IMG_3705.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a simpler life when an old, rusted bike rim can provide all the fun you need. <br />Throw in a few goats and you've got a great game of tag.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VMBxZuLGEtCzZbXmiOXOTwlLMI7DoB4cV-arrXFbAia8nDM__hNWr4wzlqdEPDCcA4rm-eJjqiwfTJydo0mEUrz_CxzfNLfGS73z0tUuWS0UPoJxMqzO6_EJj66n-eiO7pgFvlDKi7bE/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VMBxZuLGEtCzZbXmiOXOTwlLMI7DoB4cV-arrXFbAia8nDM__hNWr4wzlqdEPDCcA4rm-eJjqiwfTJydo0mEUrz_CxzfNLfGS73z0tUuWS0UPoJxMqzO6_EJj66n-eiO7pgFvlDKi7bE/s640/IMG_3696.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love our missionaries! What wonderful examples of faithful, obedient hard-working warriors for the Lord.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ5x-G7TlH-goXk9bB8JiYt8PVnx-KS0QKe9Zx4ZyokCmsxFA8wN6G6VXSqFhv7I61lZUEXFtKWT44EpafzKfeXXNEA-hBrSI_zEWLJIYCwTDGWprPOVhLTk4W1PyNGKYudJoFleJr9MF/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ5x-G7TlH-goXk9bB8JiYt8PVnx-KS0QKe9Zx4ZyokCmsxFA8wN6G6VXSqFhv7I61lZUEXFtKWT44EpafzKfeXXNEA-hBrSI_zEWLJIYCwTDGWprPOVhLTk4W1PyNGKYudJoFleJr9MF/s640/IMG_3717.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Rebecca, a 15 year-old girl living on her own with her younger sister Happy. Mom and Dad <br />aren't around much so she has to support herself and her sister. She made this table decoration for <br />Sarah after we dropped off a loaf of bread when we went to visit her one day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwm2iFIoxnJ0CED2LKkIn-Jod8773Vhsd36Br2UbkEb0aNOfXQnoByGi7pClaYRuuh8512KDnIlUoqkld8UPzkaDVyUiXEuXnebdE-E4TA1ZK08TyWSwFUc4uvzyUc_ofOz7B6tcf8Qg_/s1600/IMG_3582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwm2iFIoxnJ0CED2LKkIn-Jod8773Vhsd36Br2UbkEb0aNOfXQnoByGi7pClaYRuuh8512KDnIlUoqkld8UPzkaDVyUiXEuXnebdE-E4TA1ZK08TyWSwFUc4uvzyUc_ofOz7B6tcf8Qg_/s640/IMG_3582.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping to make eternal families! Thanks to so many of you for your generosity in helping these members go to the temple for the first time. This group from the Ho 2 felt like they were visiting heaven here on earth.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-82193881033454846812015-07-27T12:20:00.001-07:002015-07-27T12:20:48.547-07:00Two Month Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In some ways it seems as though we've been gone for a long time and in others it feels like we left just yesterday. We miss our family and friends immensely but we know we're doing exactly what the Lord would have us do at this time in our lives. We're still adjusting to a completely different lifestyle, but we're grateful for new opportunities that help us grow and learn such valuable, eternal lessons like faith, hope and charity.<br />
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We recently spent a few days at a local hospital with one of the missionaries in our area. Unfortunately, malaria is still rampant in this area of the world and, even though the missionaries take medicine every day, most of them end up learning about this parasite the hard way. Sarah and I take our Doxy pills with every breakfast and we pray that we don't have to spend any time in the local hospitals - it was a very sobering and eye-opening experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmKie8XdXv698AxHPWUwUoSYb5x78WwQSRsLf_Y0FTPDAHnOCejJLyp0XVUlpOwWcLGrKu4vDsr6k_N-xxFtp6q3phEkYO8benluQ5IzIuWH42QC1Xaedet7rgIZI6Vpnkxyva5aErFCf/s1600/IMG_3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmKie8XdXv698AxHPWUwUoSYb5x78WwQSRsLf_Y0FTPDAHnOCejJLyp0XVUlpOwWcLGrKu4vDsr6k_N-xxFtp6q3phEkYO8benluQ5IzIuWH42QC1Xaedet7rgIZI6Vpnkxyva5aErFCf/s640/IMG_3009.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Marsh was admitted but then wasn't checked on for over 24-hours</td></tr>
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The admittance and diagnostic process took so long that the blood lab and the pharmacy had closed for the night, even though we arrived mid-afternoon. Knowing what it's like to have a missionary in the field, Sarah went into mom mode and had the hospital staff doing everything they could for this poor elder. They ended up giving us the blood samples to take over to the lab and had us pick up our own medicines from the pharmacy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNMQG19PEschBY6dVdvt6EVrAj_p3s89DXYF4Ws_v555WkW7utly-U6mqT-qw140e1N0t8KQvz4G_Ei7CjOD9QDcF0zMPJf08bu7YEG8ZXaAsbt1ZHv5MMiJvI2CvBnFRfgtOXWmyZ0fy/s1600/IMG_2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNMQG19PEschBY6dVdvt6EVrAj_p3s89DXYF4Ws_v555WkW7utly-U6mqT-qw140e1N0t8KQvz4G_Ei7CjOD9QDcF0zMPJf08bu7YEG8ZXaAsbt1ZHv5MMiJvI2CvBnFRfgtOXWmyZ0fy/s640/IMG_2946.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, it took a full box of medicine to treat Elder Marsh. After 3-days of care(?) and seven IV's, we pulled him out of Ho and drove him to one of the larger hospitals in Accra.</td></tr>
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In between trips to the hospital, we've been able to attend a few of the quarterly zone conferences and monthly zone meetings. This is when all the missionaries in a zone get together for training, teaching, interviews and food (and there's always a whole lot of food). The missionaries love to see and catch up with old companions and roommates and we enjoy seeing how much they love and miss each other.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-ouv0n3ks6FDmP0BuyT_lLaVBhv3Axk9xqHhRkqi8T55efbk-l9B9XYlRLBvAeXysnr1ztcbtqOtMeIbdRPibwtnQNV3VraqJfdCJCM6sogzsSkdlJeVmPAIMk6ml1WMc8NwR94wzER_/s1600/IMG_3170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-ouv0n3ks6FDmP0BuyT_lLaVBhv3Axk9xqHhRkqi8T55efbk-l9B9XYlRLBvAeXysnr1ztcbtqOtMeIbdRPibwtnQNV3VraqJfdCJCM6sogzsSkdlJeVmPAIMk6ml1WMc8NwR94wzER_/s640/IMG_3170.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the training, there are a lot of smiles, laughter and even some good-natured noogies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbePDvSE3k6x79L1UUu4-PkND3csvLyyRB8W3nGeOBoGo8zNKrtIWAKxhu-mOH72ffTFCJ0p90vwkpVtugyjc9M1Es8nH_EwgcqLLBSFoej4ZDee-C8vkPKM332evtLzGlPiqVxeXN2ux/s1600/IMG_3172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbePDvSE3k6x79L1UUu4-PkND3csvLyyRB8W3nGeOBoGo8zNKrtIWAKxhu-mOH72ffTFCJ0p90vwkpVtugyjc9M1Es8nH_EwgcqLLBSFoej4ZDee-C8vkPKM332evtLzGlPiqVxeXN2ux/s640/IMG_3172.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the meetings are over, the bank is open. We provide reimbursement for monies the elders have spent for travel, power (when it's on), water and even bicycle repairs. Every penny of these sacred missionary funds are accounted for.</td></tr>
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We spent 4 days at the mission home in Accra working on transfers as 20 missionaries left (after completing their 2 years here in Ghana) and 23 new missionaries arrived. It's a bittersweet time when these spiritual warriors head home to resume the lives they left behind to serve the Lord, but the excitement and eagerness of their replacements warms our hearts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHt6VL_q6fsu2eu9sdobvlenD-gzn4_lU-kefORVwoZBZJTH9OaWyElLsZFSUcLnUnvcHjcxEWbYSNlqYGhyphenhyphennvYge30G2e4Usw8hIq6jdSKwfqSL2iAvl_hLAgU8oo6z6gGE6BCuUu0mZ/s1600/IMG_3139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHt6VL_q6fsu2eu9sdobvlenD-gzn4_lU-kefORVwoZBZJTH9OaWyElLsZFSUcLnUnvcHjcxEWbYSNlqYGhyphenhyphennvYge30G2e4Usw8hIq6jdSKwfqSL2iAvl_hLAgU8oo6z6gGE6BCuUu0mZ/s640/IMG_3139.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sixteen of the new missionaries arrived from the Provo MTC a bit jet lagged but eager to find their companion and head to their new areas. We also had elders/sister from Zambia, Nigeria and Australia in this MTC group.</td></tr>
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We continue to put a lot of kilometers on our truck as we visit each of the branches and groups in our area. We've attended a number of baptisms, firesides, and leadership meetings lately in an effort to get to know these humble and wonderful people better. They live hard and burdened lives but the message of the restored gospel gives them faith and hope to carry on and endure to the end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqYA7dJukiMLPkOhmDbtH5FYqiQbnR4Xx0B9NAwzlPBK8waNox4dTuV_4-Jk4Bz1fGbd1R3yWY3jhyphenhyphen7EqsAV8TYoPN7kwrJzZ1jPppU76MVMTVVK6WGcYo9xrkYB5zVq_yNKAGdX7brd4/s1600/IMG_3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqYA7dJukiMLPkOhmDbtH5FYqiQbnR4Xx0B9NAwzlPBK8waNox4dTuV_4-Jk4Bz1fGbd1R3yWY3jhyphenhyphen7EqsAV8TYoPN7kwrJzZ1jPppU76MVMTVVK6WGcYo9xrkYB5zVq_yNKAGdX7brd4/s640/IMG_3079.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These great missionaries taught this gentleman the gospel in sign language. The portable font<br />gets a lot of use in the branches and groups.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifARecRiQOROxsWy6Wm8G4TlWlDASlkTovZJzMr2HSVgc-mIvL9sDruF7HIPwew7OU9v-VrT_0jLJvAb71lKg9KJR1p03pYh3FtO6bXF5sGIddsl6EzC2ay2Kjmz0warLbesJtszd4rqJ6/s1600/IMG_3259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifARecRiQOROxsWy6Wm8G4TlWlDASlkTovZJzMr2HSVgc-mIvL9sDruF7HIPwew7OU9v-VrT_0jLJvAb71lKg9KJR1p03pYh3FtO6bXF5sGIddsl6EzC2ay2Kjmz0warLbesJtszd4rqJ6/s640/IMG_3259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to some wonderful friends back home (thanks Charole and Lynne) we received a shipment of young women medallions and personal progress books. The young women of the Tsito Branch felt like Christmas came in July as they've been working to qualify for their awards. The love and live the gospel!</td></tr>
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Every Saturday we have a group of local kids over to our house. Most of them come from tough family situations and are living on their own. We have them wash the car, weed and sweep the dirt around our house in order to earn some money for food the next week. Sarah washes all their clothes and school uniforms and they iron their church shirts so they're ready for Sunday meetings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_sTpUXv6UvPs2e4NoEeg8XDmhAUwpfwcWIN7COL1EpxORIl0nZ6GsZJY0ALlx2t9jPDzuF3J-X5kkZ_LK5S-gwSmqi2cplPqK0SOrUa27GuZhRg200_19ndeu7rMhR6kCN6rpcLhgWBy/s1600/IMG_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_sTpUXv6UvPs2e4NoEeg8XDmhAUwpfwcWIN7COL1EpxORIl0nZ6GsZJY0ALlx2t9jPDzuF3J-X5kkZ_LK5S-gwSmqi2cplPqK0SOrUa27GuZhRg200_19ndeu7rMhR6kCN6rpcLhgWBy/s640/IMG_3220.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We always have the cleanest truck in town!</td></tr>
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While we were in Accra last week, the mission president asked us to head to the market in Jamestown (the largest and therefore the craziest market in the city) and buy 25 white shirts. We took two of the African missionaries with us so that they could bargain in the local languages. Thanks to their hard work, we were able to get 25 new white shirts for 230 Ghana Cedis - that's under $3 per shirt in US dollars.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-66634551815020702972015-07-13T10:32:00.000-07:002015-07-13T10:32:19.476-07:00<h2>
Another Great Week in Ho!</h2>
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It's been another busy week here in Ho and the heat, thunderstorms and "light off" have been our constant companions. We did a bit of traveling last week going from Accra, the southernmost point in the mission, to Hohoe, which is the farthest north, putting almost 800 kilometers on our truck. Sarah keeps our daily calendar in pencil because the schedule can change on an hourly basis and we've learned that being flexible is a necessary trait for all missionaries.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah's excellent organizational skills come in handy as do lots and lots of post-it notes!</td></tr>
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At the start of each week, we work together on a short message that we can share with the people we meet and the less-active members from each branch that we've been asked to visit. Last week we shared a thought on "being of good cheer"and read a scripture in John 16:33 that helps us put our trust in Jesus Christ.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not always easy finding some of the homes as there aren't street addresses or house numbers</td></tr>
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We helped with another funeral last week and our truck was used as a hearse again. The tradition here is to hold the funeral on a weekend and sometimes it takes a few weeks before the family can all travel to where they're holding the funeral. The families wear mainly black if the deceased was older and passed on after living a fulfilled life. They'll wear mainly red if the funeral is for a younger person who left this life too soon. We've enjoyed sharing the message of God's plan of salvation with those in mourning and that we'll have the chance to be together with our loved ones once this life is over. </div>
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We've been helping some of the youth with their English literacy and have been providing computer training to some of the adults. We love to see the joy on their faces as they learn something new and they share what they learned with others. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE-HgrUNAiFbfXUAynBiwkctmrKLttTNPeoXPyvhsdpb5nnd3FWP9DSSoqp_XkfA1LhgtSpUSvJ76-5M-HU4BqhKremHruQh2aRJEA57A5jZ9ItmdGRujWK6R6qHJfLUFrhy0CaCbtOcY/s1600/IMG_2756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE-HgrUNAiFbfXUAynBiwkctmrKLttTNPeoXPyvhsdpb5nnd3FWP9DSSoqp_XkfA1LhgtSpUSvJ76-5M-HU4BqhKremHruQh2aRJEA57A5jZ9ItmdGRujWK6R6qHJfLUFrhy0CaCbtOcY/s640/IMG_2756.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our good friend Christian Dikro. He just finished writing a letter to his daughter who's away at school and I showed him how to add a picture of himself to the letter. He was overjoyed to send it to her!</td></tr>
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We were busy most of the day on Saturday, but we were able to have the missionaries over for pizza and ice cream that night to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. Being away from home and living outside of the United States has deepened our love for our country and the many conveniences we are blessed to have. We pray for and are thankful for all those who have served or are currently serving to keep our country free.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6BiUL0DIskuIrBullMLfzn7P3biQ9aw6kH8S9KglY8VxWRQdKSk2L5qjW9zDxcrjKouu6ANkOn-ZkHzjqSyiEQNn4pf5lhLRKxvkTOQO7qlCwQR2XvVTxfO6fj0AliasJipMI0uA5_MH/s1600/IMG_2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6BiUL0DIskuIrBullMLfzn7P3biQ9aw6kH8S9KglY8VxWRQdKSk2L5qjW9zDxcrjKouu6ANkOn-ZkHzjqSyiEQNn4pf5lhLRKxvkTOQO7qlCwQR2XvVTxfO6fj0AliasJipMI0uA5_MH/s640/IMG_2702.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghanaians love America and this store hung the flags together on Independence Day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RGqLGj9obqwhO98UQn7eptB6_9ZS5R3CEddH_sMtj4NrwsXSDjBW7jjwG4JhFiroaIKoM8oT3zVbz6Bx55JPRgJg7B7La2Sh0Z6PsJeQyJRFuC8zDmvzEG2dCUOPB_Rowg7XbZlR7m8n/s1600/IMG_2744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RGqLGj9obqwhO98UQn7eptB6_9ZS5R3CEddH_sMtj4NrwsXSDjBW7jjwG4JhFiroaIKoM8oT3zVbz6Bx55JPRgJg7B7La2Sh0Z6PsJeQyJRFuC8zDmvzEG2dCUOPB_Rowg7XbZlR7m8n/s640/IMG_2744.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The missionaries at our house celebrating the 4th of July with pizza, ice cream and a good game of golf. Just a tip for future missionaries - the elders from the Sudan and Nigeria love to look at their cards!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-46179471827015246572015-06-29T09:29:00.000-07:002015-06-29T09:29:29.477-07:00<h2>
<b>Weekly Schedule</b></h2>
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Thanks to everyone who has been following our blog and for all your wonderful comments - the invasion of the flying termites definitely generated the most responses so far! Many of you have asked about our daily/weekly schedule, so we thought we'd give an update of what we did this past week in Ho and throughout the our region.<br />
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We were called to be "member and leadership support" missionaries in the Ghana Accra Mission. We help support 3 branches and 2 groups in an area about a big as the distance between Provo and Logan, but with a lot less asphalt for the roads. We work a lot with the local church leaders in providing training and supporting them with their needs. This can be anything from teaching at a Sunday or mid-week activity or helping with a traditional Ghanaian funeral, which is where our truck comes in handy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECHRRVQtYAhcrjVdEm8_ho-QJyqEexFMKsiwYAnjDyH_P5ZnzaQTxAFEyuYWIiMwI9o-rP5MjbAxYTY14uWNaqG2i2AchxuOepC_Zd1RnvYbDkQEB3dArCEj7QvdhbJcpjow3AHJz-F1w/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECHRRVQtYAhcrjVdEm8_ho-QJyqEexFMKsiwYAnjDyH_P5ZnzaQTxAFEyuYWIiMwI9o-rP5MjbAxYTY14uWNaqG2i2AchxuOepC_Zd1RnvYbDkQEB3dArCEj7QvdhbJcpjow3AHJz-F1w/s640/IMG_2228.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We picked up the casket and drove it to the church for a wonderful funeral ceremony</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8baK4s8vLg3jV5MCd1lxEmuD3J7Mc_slcGXpBxwPGxTMdgapRQdvTExMJarRxGDfyx8DD2cKwjE4_igO7rcGHPKluYffEqIBT9RQdxgyL8QhUIjysII9nvpT-NWR04jIYP9778hUCKpAl/s1600/IMG_2344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8baK4s8vLg3jV5MCd1lxEmuD3J7Mc_slcGXpBxwPGxTMdgapRQdvTExMJarRxGDfyx8DD2cKwjE4_igO7rcGHPKluYffEqIBT9RQdxgyL8QhUIjysII9nvpT-NWR04jIYP9778hUCKpAl/s640/IMG_2344.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching about modern-day prophets at a mid-week activity at the branch in Kpando</td></tr>
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We also spend a lot of time with the local youth in formal activities like Family Home Evening, Young Men & Young Women night and teaching their classes at church. Informally, most of the youth stop by our house during the week to say hello and have something to eat. Unfortunately, many of the kids here come from broken homes and many of them don't have the money or the opportunity to have even one full meal a day, so we've become pretty adept at cranking out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (or Nutella when the jelly runs out) when they come over. They're humble, polite and love to sing and learn about the gospel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv-nbQRj6R-GoOOHPmmADv6KZbwTlO7yaTk0VoMoKuyGgQ3RXWbowZEZqcM81PLwzQgZbzj5ByczgYenrqfo4sTAG2qp7Z8kONMBi9EKVaMCi6dawe-tORdf57i6-Giy_99-lfNLMkhxN/s1600/IMG_2303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv-nbQRj6R-GoOOHPmmADv6KZbwTlO7yaTk0VoMoKuyGgQ3RXWbowZEZqcM81PLwzQgZbzj5ByczgYenrqfo4sTAG2qp7Z8kONMBi9EKVaMCi6dawe-tORdf57i6-Giy_99-lfNLMkhxN/s640/IMG_2303.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each week we host about 20 youth at our house for Family Home Evening</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCc81K6VDDSQb4mDRREfE9XyZspVzUuvmQL6vT2bCkSyj5gauvurXoCGVXl_2dBwmjuWtYQdL-IOn-ru6NSZPqygeYvjQvW6qKSGu-BAcW82B9KmXp2RrCAJ0aKNV71WUHLSq-oyF5guM/s1600/IMG_2277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCc81K6VDDSQb4mDRREfE9XyZspVzUuvmQL6vT2bCkSyj5gauvurXoCGVXl_2dBwmjuWtYQdL-IOn-ru6NSZPqygeYvjQvW6qKSGu-BAcW82B9KmXp2RrCAJ0aKNV71WUHLSq-oyF5guM/s640/IMG_2277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah working on Personal Progress with the young women in the Kpando branch. They'd never seen a selfie pole!</td></tr>
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Each week we work more closely with one of the branches or groups by attending their church meetings with them on Sunday, teaching at mid-week, doing clean-up at the church building and meeting with the local branch presidency or group leadership. One of our favorite parts of the week is going on to visit the less-active members in each area. Some of them only speak the local Ewe dialect but they're so welcoming and happy to have us in their homes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNQEzo7SJ97CP3idslkG9deHR69yu51r3FuLSD4yutLKeCy0a5J6ZCeHvk59ZX4zg2rYan-t8ibjmeHzTn58lGTzlwYzxbPH4LnDBnvSyGXgLzYSQXi_48XB8jw51MmytPMR-64O9is-e/s1600/IMG_2328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNQEzo7SJ97CP3idslkG9deHR69yu51r3FuLSD4yutLKeCy0a5J6ZCeHvk59ZX4zg2rYan-t8ibjmeHzTn58lGTzlwYzxbPH4LnDBnvSyGXgLzYSQXi_48XB8jw51MmytPMR-64O9is-e/s640/IMG_2328.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to visit the Ntifo family. We always bring a loaf of the local sweet bread with us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg6bdrDWyjnf8FJcFST7JSGwmk_6Bd0TYn6-nqeSWcaum_Euw-spfloD7zhHbU6vxQLLdAveaYj1FQbb1jfc_DgXkk5EXyqQ-TODZ3KBy-hVtRYFqWDW2sFgr-VVqwOtsGtZHF1uscVZk/s1600/IMG_2341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg6bdrDWyjnf8FJcFST7JSGwmk_6Bd0TYn6-nqeSWcaum_Euw-spfloD7zhHbU6vxQLLdAveaYj1FQbb1jfc_DgXkk5EXyqQ-TODZ3KBy-hVtRYFqWDW2sFgr-VVqwOtsGtZHF1uscVZk/s640/IMG_2341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Alphonse and his family. We've found that most Africans won't smile when you take their <br />picture even though they're such happy people</td></tr>
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One of our favorite events last week was helping to coordinate a trip to the Accra Temple for members in the Ho and Tsito branches. They had 17 members going to the temple for the first time and many had never been inside before. One sister told Sarah that it felt like she had just entered heaven once she stepped inside. Their joy at being in the temple and the spirit we felt during that trip was as strong as we've ever felt.<br />
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We've been praying to know what the Lord would have us focus on during our year here in Ghana and, after the trip to the temple, we realized that we should do everything we can to help these local members receive the blessings of the temple. It's not easy for a Ghanian to come up with the money to cover the transport costs to Accra and to pay the food and lodging fees. As we drove back to Ho, we figured that it cost about $20 US to send an African member to the temple and we'd like to enlist your help in the goal we've set to take 100 adults and 150 youth to the temple during the year that we're here. Many of you have asked for ways that you could help while we're here. If you and your family would like to join us in reaching this goal, please send a check payable to John or Sarah Bodine at 44 North 1200 East in Lindon, UT. We're sorry that we don't have a more formal 501c corp or Go Fund Me account to make this happen in a more tax deductible manner, but we promise that 100% of the funds will be used to support these temple trips. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_S3bfHQckrt7kmBKujn8FTCmUtbq9ESjiNTfi_f4ZMSzZ_N_KrzUzB6dDu69Ay0zbBIZpRR4w0k1lSnwJFNdX-usxtD9Vdvnn5y43tneL1ywwb8HPizUtFsxyAliqN5qohoFWcpWZVTl/s1600/IMG_0205_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_S3bfHQckrt7kmBKujn8FTCmUtbq9ESjiNTfi_f4ZMSzZ_N_KrzUzB6dDu69Ay0zbBIZpRR4w0k1lSnwJFNdX-usxtD9Vdvnn5y43tneL1ywwb8HPizUtFsxyAliqN5qohoFWcpWZVTl/s640/IMG_0205_3.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The members from Ho and Tsito at the Ghana Accra Temple</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-2378013553584538012015-06-18T08:06:00.000-07:002015-06-18T08:06:57.178-07:00<h2>
Getting Settled in Ho</h2>
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We've lived in Ho for a whole week now and we're starting to get a feel for how everything works (or doesn't) around here. There aren't a lot of street signs and definitely no "grid" system like we're used to in Utah, but the people here are more than happy to jump in our truck or call a friend to show us where to go. Landmarks like billboards, large trees and even termite hives (more on that below) serve as perfect turn indicators. We've already perfected the African way of giving directions to our own house, letting visitors know to turn right at the cornfield after passing Renetta's fruit stand!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieibHDl7AjS5v-tGSo3KnkewiEHu6gtBGbuZd-QAhpdiG9AYJE_Gw34NyWly4VbS4zNnf00NvzydKhFCSVyWZsVgoi7-8-5eopq3W7sGzic8Mr50ubZIxpS7sl88-B0aFZfEnmu6LrgoKG/s1600/IMG_2114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieibHDl7AjS5v-tGSo3KnkewiEHu6gtBGbuZd-QAhpdiG9AYJE_Gw34NyWly4VbS4zNnf00NvzydKhFCSVyWZsVgoi7-8-5eopq3W7sGzic8Mr50ubZIxpS7sl88-B0aFZfEnmu6LrgoKG/s640/IMG_2114.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chickens and goats like to take the road to our house as well</td></tr>
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We arrived in Ho during the rainy season which helps to cool down the always-hot temperatures, but it also brings other challenges. The rain falls torrentially for an hour or two and quickly floods most of the main roads and makes the dirt ones somewhat impassable. When it rains hard and long enough, the water also floods the termite hills, driving them out of their hives to guess where - yes, our home. We found this out the hard way after a downpour the other night left the flying termites looking for a home. The power was out (more on that phenomena below) and when we started the generator to get the lights back on, our well-light interior must have looked like the perfect party place for our flying friends. In a scene out of Hitchcock's The Birds, hundreds of termites came flying through the one-inch crack under our front door. And two brooms, a mop and some high-pictched screaming are no match for flying termites! Luckily, we had all 14 elders from our zone over for a birthday party and Elder Ehiozuwa, who's from Nigeria, knew what to do, since these types of termites are a delicacy in his country. We turned off all the lights in the house, set his flashlight on the ground and, lo and behold, all the termites flocked to the light like ants to a picnic. Elder Ehiozuwa then filled a gallon-sized ziplock with the tasty treats and took them home for midnight snack.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8W98ZEw1egFyqqZHdAY2-viwzGB1ju7zMX43pYleTKCPhWpGkPMFfXu-9gf3kWeozmzeV04QoS59loozDCkmSICBGwTz5gMaJOXSWzSWGOhEkCewj1JPFi47wGmNGgm0UJxPZrbB2SeK/s1600/IMG_2057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8W98ZEw1egFyqqZHdAY2-viwzGB1ju7zMX43pYleTKCPhWpGkPMFfXu-9gf3kWeozmzeV04QoS59loozDCkmSICBGwTz5gMaJOXSWzSWGOhEkCewj1JPFi47wGmNGgm0UJxPZrbB2SeK/s640/IMG_2057.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 22-foot tall termite hill at the end of our road. We think this is where most of our party-crashers came from.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzs1iM_UU2_INwVuGzVCBLoE5_-FEBqwhESpJpA8PTE6sUuxE9vHbjc6TzhFXi6sW4Noo2PJpiEctqjJqE1etlV0jXuxAWKerRTkuugtJ6B45SNVcS_uxnjJE1fS-EmwlfyQYyxBvpVwM/s1600/IMG_2084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzs1iM_UU2_INwVuGzVCBLoE5_-FEBqwhESpJpA8PTE6sUuxE9vHbjc6TzhFXi6sW4Noo2PJpiEctqjJqE1etlV0jXuxAWKerRTkuugtJ6B45SNVcS_uxnjJE1fS-EmwlfyQYyxBvpVwM/s640/IMG_2084.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's never been a bigger need for the "zip" in Ziplock bags - thanks Elder Ehiozuwa!</td></tr>
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One of the other major changes we're still adjusting to is how frequently the power is out in our area. Based on what we've read, Ghana only has 25% of the power it needs to run their country. Most areas have a 24/12 schedule of "light-off" meaning that each 12-hour blackout period is followed by 24-hours of power. So far, we've been in Ho for nine days and we've experienced light off six times. While the generator helps, it's too loud to run at night, so we've resorted to propping-up our, battery-powered, hand-held fans in order to circulate a little air as we try to sleep. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhVgfYN-pKfeAam1dYbpW_o6izfgjo6ehWWoFuJeFCiC8XyHtZB_IY-okgZO9GtFdg_EJFIrSZaXaOz82IlmuzgVi-EGTlBWz-VvPlOlz0GIm-2_m3wMO_0s3I-v4MYLPTPn4Girfaeha/s1600/IMG_2045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhVgfYN-pKfeAam1dYbpW_o6izfgjo6ehWWoFuJeFCiC8XyHtZB_IY-okgZO9GtFdg_EJFIrSZaXaOz82IlmuzgVi-EGTlBWz-VvPlOlz0GIm-2_m3wMO_0s3I-v4MYLPTPn4Girfaeha/s640/IMG_2045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'd turn on a light for a better picture but there wasn't any power! 2:00 am fan wars are the best!</td></tr>
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Even with these challenges we wouldn't want to be any other place. We have learned first hand that the the Lord answers our prayers, calms our fears and anxieties, and gives us the guidance and inspiration we need to fulfill our callings as full-time missionaries. He wants all of us to rely on Him more fully in everything we do and especially through the challenges, heartaches and dilemmas of everyday life. He loves us unconditionally and wants us to do the same in our families, with our friends and neighbors and wherever we may be throughout the world. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0efDx6sQXxvj2bx0PrHB2p74DmIyNphRIBA0Hdy24dqsAg3RfQyPkNcx0q7M7Q77ItIvjQa7WIzwwcomjZfZjDtREBpD0wNVltL1AkQo2j1pupwXuXxIANUSeBghZegb-1JPwQcjYLWY/s1600/IMG_2102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0efDx6sQXxvj2bx0PrHB2p74DmIyNphRIBA0Hdy24dqsAg3RfQyPkNcx0q7M7Q77ItIvjQa7WIzwwcomjZfZjDtREBpD0wNVltL1AkQo2j1pupwXuXxIANUSeBghZegb-1JPwQcjYLWY/s640/IMG_2102.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say "ekwaba" to Elorm, one of our new friends from the Ho 1st Branch. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-37328539280846913682015-06-13T09:59:00.004-07:002015-06-13T10:02:11.265-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We Made it to Ho!</span></b><br />
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After the MTC, we spent a few days living at the mission home working with President and Sister Heid and the office elders to get everything ready to head up to Ho. We were having a little trouble setting up our local phones but, after a few calls to AT&T, everything is working fine. Sarah kept her US-based number and phone and I unlocked my old iPhone 4 and got a new SIM card from a local provider called MTN. I told the missionaries that Apple decided to go "retro" with it's latest version 7 and that I was sporting the newest and hottest technology (they didn't believe me). We also have been riding shotgun with the Sander's, an amazing senior couple from Salt Lake that handle all the medical and fix-it related issues in the mission. Believe me, their phones never stop ringing, but they're two of the most positive and upbeat people we've met and they're wonderfully sweet and helpful with the missionaries. One of their best assets is they know how to find all the American stores in Accra and we were able to stock up on some recognizable brands. The Sander's will be traveling with us to Ho to help us get settled into our new house and area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWQ5iQMIUUDx-APY_eAXOt8Gt5eiZTHPN5G3TrutYOOgA9MUA1rBjE1BBIqcYLCdUmbpfkC06AhRi6ghVe-G1KFOP-agWf-coCQzaG4d_hkoqjbG-eKB4pSc6PQb5HrPeS19e1ovE7aft/s1600/IMG_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWQ5iQMIUUDx-APY_eAXOt8Gt5eiZTHPN5G3TrutYOOgA9MUA1rBjE1BBIqcYLCdUmbpfkC06AhRi6ghVe-G1KFOP-agWf-coCQzaG4d_hkoqjbG-eKB4pSc6PQb5HrPeS19e1ovE7aft/s640/IMG_2012.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder and Sister Sanders with a pickup full of stuff for us and the local missionaries</td></tr>
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We stayed at the mission home an extra day in order to help with transfers and to see the new elders from our zone in the MTC. The place was a buzz of well-coordinated activity, meetings and training. And it was so great to see the our MTC elders again - they're ready to be in the field!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "transfer tent" is setup in the courtyard of the mission home and is the center of coordination for missionaries</td></tr>
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The second part of transfers is a wonderful lunch and devotional for those missionaries who are heading home. What an amazing spirit as these elders and sisters testified of the growth they've experienced over the past two years and how the Ghana Accra mission is the one true mission in the church. We were humbled and strengthened by their incredible testimonies and know that they will do great things as they return to Nigeria, the DRC, Australia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and the United States. Each missionary receives a local "scarf" as a reminder of their mission, but the memories of the lives they've changed will last them into eternity.</div>
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After the meetings, we packed up ours and the missionaries luggage and started towards Ho. Depending on traffic, and there's always traffic, the trip from Accra to Ho can take anywhere between 4-6 hours. Since most areas don't have street lights (or sporadic power - more on that later), we wanted to get there before dark. We had three elders riding with us who will be serving in the Volta region as well. They provided some great insights and stories about the people of Ghana and how we can best serve. They also kept telling us about (and buying) all the local foods they think Sister Bodine should try while we're in Africa. So far, she hasn't yet had the desire to try Fufu, Banku or Groundnut soup. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful(?) smells of the local foods are still with us in our truck</td></tr>
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The Volta Region, with the large Volta River and Volta Lake creates an amazingly green tropical jungle. The scenery as we drove to Kpando and Hohoe to drop off some elders was both majestic and beautiful. We also got our first opportunity to cross the Volta River on the ferry. Anyone who has seen the movie Freetown has see the ferry to Ho. The ferry ride costs 8 cedis, about two dollars, and there's more street vendors than you can count. We did meet a member named Messi who sold us some sweet bread but the best part was the FanIce - a wonderfully sweet ice cream that everyone was able to enjoy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the ferry and just before we spotted the ice cream vendor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a perfect picture of driving in the Volta Region. Beautiful jungle, dirt roads and lots and lots of potholes<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-2487588992409005772015-06-08T10:34:00.000-07:002015-06-08T10:34:50.924-07:00Our time at the Ghana MTC came to a close last week and we sadly but fondly said goodbye (for now) to all the wonderful friends we came to know and love during our week there. We'd especially like to thank the Robison's and Malmrose's for being such amazing teachers, examples and friends. Every couple should have an opportunity to spend a week together as companions at the MTC. Not only will your love and affection for each other grow, but your testimony of the gospel and your love for our Savior will be put back at the center of your lives. May God be with these great leaders and missionaries until we meet them again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcvJUGHxOcogNm0jbkp142l6LV356LohzfBm_O32FatK89zISwdQTih9oqRVP-OAJge3mFOybzfYBtsLnB0hgACdeeSIAifb-VSeizdDwFscN9omkhHNtnZRkFBJAQHzMgEBBJe2bOaf9/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcvJUGHxOcogNm0jbkp142l6LV356LohzfBm_O32FatK89zISwdQTih9oqRVP-OAJge3mFOybzfYBtsLnB0hgACdeeSIAifb-VSeizdDwFscN9omkhHNtnZRkFBJAQHzMgEBBJe2bOaf9/s640/IMG_1845.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Curtis (West Africa Area President) and his wife came to the MTC for a devotional and wanted a picture with all the missionaries.</td></tr>
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We went out driving through Tema again, this time to get our non-citizen cards. We're learning that you have to be both an offensive and defensive driver at the same time (not so easy to do) and that you have to keep your head on a swivel to avoid hitting or being hit by a taxi, tro-tro (taxi vans), motorcycles, jaywalkers, hawkers (those who sell things right on the street), goats, chickens, cows and even the occasional grass-cutter (you don't even want to know)!<br />
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We've spent the last few days at the Ghana Accra mission home and have had such a wonderful time getting to know President and Sister Heid, who are such amazing and wonderful people. Being with them has felt like being with our family and friends back home. We were even able to play a little badminton and golf in the courtyard of the mission home. Sarah's running group will be happy to know that she was able to log a few miles on the roads and in the pool with Sister Heid the other day. Thankfully, she was also able to find some wonderful pizza and chocolate shakes in downtown Accra, fully redeeming our earlier mistake of trying the local, frozen pizza!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-7296869988702298442015-06-02T10:04:00.000-07:002015-06-02T10:04:30.807-07:00We had a chance to leave the MTC for an hour to go to the local mall and pick up a few things. The currency here in Ghana are called cedis and the exchange rate is 4 cedis for 1 US dollar - a pretty good value for us. The grocery store had a lot of what we're used to in the states, including a few of our favorites as the pictures prove below.<br />
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What wasn't quite the same were the frozen pizzas we decided to cook up for lunch one day. If it doesn't say DiGiorno's....<br />
Some of the other senior couples in the area have promised to take us to the best pizza place in Accra after we visit the temple tomorrow and we can't wait!<br />
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On the way back to the MTC, President Robison and the Malmroses took us by their favorite local outdoor market. The fruit here is fresh and amazingly sweet and we stocked up on a few mangos and lemons for later. You have to give all the fruits and vegetables a quick bleach bath, but it's worth it!<br />
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We had a nice surprise when our mission president, President Heid and his wife, stopped by to introduce themselves and to meet the missionaries that will be serving with them in the Accra mission. All of the sisters below and most of these elders will be serving together - what an amazing group of talented, humble and spiritual young women and men!<br />
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Little did we know, but President Heid also wanted to take us out driving to test out our new international drivers licenses. He shared his wisdom and guidance for learning how to drive like a local in a few short words, including, "stay alert, never flinch and gun it" if we remember correctly. He proved an excellent teacher as we both made it through the 5 Circles of Death without a scratch on our new set of wheels. We also got to visit some of the local ward and branch buildings including a brand new chapel near Bethlehem.<br />
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But nothing beats being back at the MTC and the spirit we feel at this great building. We have loved our time here and the personal growth and learning we've been able to experience. And we can't forget the singing! Here's how the French Elders and Sisters from the Congo perform Israel, Israel God is Calling. We wish you could all be here to hear it live!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-90502980424779468702015-05-30T10:18:00.002-07:002015-06-01T13:30:18.289-07:00Arrived in AfricaAfter saying goodbye to our family in SLC, it took 16 hours of flying and a long layover in Amsterdam, but we arrived at the Ghana airport late Thursday night.<br />
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After providing our travel papers and proof that we already had our yellow fever shots, we ran the gauntlet of "new friends" that wanted to help us with our luggage in exchange for "a gift from our heart." The MTC sent a number of vans to collect the missionaries as we met up wtih 6 elders and 1 sister who were also traveling to Africa.<br />
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It was late at night (and not too hot) when we finally arrived at our destination where we were met by the MTC president and his staff, who had a snack for everyone of eggs and bananas!<br />
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We will spend a full week at the Ghana MTC with 96 other missionaries who are serving in Nigeria, Congo, Madagascar, Benin, and the Ivory Coast. The spirit of this dedicated building and being immersed in daily missionary work has made this an already amazing and life-changing experience.<br />
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Our days have been filled with teaching, training, 3-square meals and day (and a late night snack) and lots of singing! The Africans are the best and most fervent singers we've ever been around and their enthusiasm is contagious. More than half of them are native French speakers, so our singing sounds quite angelic. The other senior couples at the MTC and in Ghana have stopped by to introduce themselves and we've enjoyed lunch with President and Sister Robison (MTC President) twice already and they've been so accommodating and helpful. Everyone here has been so welcoming and excited to have us and we couldn't be more happy about our decision to serve in Africa.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359147769108872869.post-50401014018096146062015-05-25T14:42:00.001-07:002015-06-01T13:40:00.137-07:00In January of 2015, after a lot of lengthy discussion and heartfelt prayers, Sarah and I decided to start working to submit our mission papers as a senior couple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, better known as the Mormons. Most of the world is familiar with the young men and women who are called to serve as missionaries of the LDS Church and, once a couples children have all moved out of the house, "older" couples can also do the same.<br />
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After working to get all of our day-to-day affairs in place and convincing our children that we'd actually come back, we received our call to serve in the Ghana Accra Mission starting on May 27, 2015. This blog will provide updates of daily life as a missionary couple in Africa and inspirational stories about the people we meet.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077441200275808776noreply@blogger.com4