On Tuesday, Wayne and I traveled out to Takoradi to visit with the Clements and go with them to their English class in a little village called Axim. What a beautiful spot. It is right on the ocean and the chapel overlooks the bay.
The sun was just starting to set.
I met three cute little boys that were playing on the steps of the chapel. We had a grand time. Here is Francis, Samuel and George.
The English class went well. We each took one of the students and worked with them individually. I worked with the Relief Society President. When the class started 6 weeks ago, she couldn't speak a word of English. Now I could at least communicate with her a little bit. What a sweet lady. She walks almost 2 miles to come to the church. These people are so dedicated to pleasing everyone they meet. Wayne worked with Peter. He spoke a little English but was learning fast. We sang a Christmas song and practiced their song that the class will be singing in Sacrament meeting on the 11th.
Wayne with Peter
And me with Rebecca
We stayed overnight with the Clements and left Wednesday morning, getting back to Cape Coast just in time for our Zone Conference. The theme was on how to teach people not lessons. I think everyone learned a lot from President Stevenson. I know I did. And guess what we had for lunch - yep - Chicken and rice.
Yamoransa Zone
Special musical number during conference.
On Thursday, I decorated the office. It's not much, but will have to do. At least it will bring a little bit of Christmas to Wayne and me.
After the President got back from a meeting on Thursday, he called me to have me get a flight home for an Elder that decided he wanted to go home. The sad thing is that he would not tell the President why. And he has been out for a little over a year. So Wayne and I got to drive him to Accra on Saturday. We went to West Hills Mall to grab some lunch and they had a Christmas tree all decorated. And they were playing Christmas music.
We dropped Elder Ofonwa off at the airport. I told him to stay true to the gospel and that is the only thing that will bring him peace. He got tears in his eyes and said he would.
It was a quiet drive in but coming home was ridiculous. There was one point on the road that the line of cars coming at us was endless, so people came over to the right side of the road and drove on the shoulder towards us also. So our lane was going down the middle of these two lanes of traffic.
Saturday night was the transfer "party" meeting for the Zone Leaders of four zones. I made some peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies for the elders and they also made milk shakes. We got back just in time for the milk shakes.
So our Elder Simpson is leaving for Takoradi and he will be a trainer. |He will learn on Tuesday who he will be training. Elder Jager is also leaving and he will be a Zone Leader in Tarkwa. The two new people we are getting are Elders Smith (Supply Elder) and Chavengwa (Senior Companion to Elder Riding).
We died Saturday night after we got home. We were very tired and hot. Neither one of us woke up during the night. But we did have the air conditioner on all night.
Sunday was our Stake Conference. This is what I wrote sitting there during for Conference. It had just begun.
"We are in Stake Conference right now. They rented a building called the Cultural Building near the college of Cape Coast. I can't adequately express what is happening right now. They are sustaining the Stake officers and in the same building in a different room a band playing. There are drums and cymbals that can heard over everything else. And oh, someone just started singing. Can't hear the sustaining at all. It is very hot and muggy and stinky (sweat). The ushers just had some kids move over so that an adult could sit down. There are now 7 kids sitting in 3 chairs. The choir just started to sing. I hope the band stops pretty soon."
A little girl came and sat down next to Wayne. She wanted us to take her picture. What a cutie! She slept through the whole conference.
She wanted her picture taken but wouldn't look at us.
The choir
They covered the podium with paper because there was a great big cross in the middle.
We did get to hear the speakers. President Stevenson spoke about repentance and the atonement. And the Stake President was wonderful. It is their voting day on Wednesday and he told the members to go and vote and then leave the place they voted at. Not to stay and discuss with others or wait for the outcome. I guess things can get pretty bad and dangerous at some places.
Well, that was our week. We love and miss you all.
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