"Homeward Bound," last post

Continuation from last post... 

Driving through Kumasi makes SR 167 look calm.

There is something to be said for sitting in traffic though, you notice lots of things you would normally miss, 
like the goats tied on the roof. 
(Hard to see, but they really are there. Animal rights activists wouldn't be pleased!)

 Obuasi District for a training with wonderful members.

District Pres. Agyare and his wife, members for 3 years, 

along with MLS missionaires the Thurstons who serve in the area.

We decided to try a different route to Accra instead of going back through Kumasi again. 

GPS showed a route and all looked good until about 2 hours later when we arrived at a marsh..... and board walk.

A man on a motorcycle approached us, and the only thing we understood was "Accra."  

We nodded YES and he motioned for us to follow.  This is obviously an alternate route, not on the GPS.

Like most crazy situations, I forgot all about taking pictures.  

So there are no pictures of the really exciting parts, like the questionable wooden bridges we drove over. But we took a couple at this spot when our guide stopped, pulled out a machete from his motorcycle and chopped out the lower limbs.  Chuck lifted up on what remained while I drove the truck off to the side and under.

I had the easier part and Chuck had ants ALL over his arms. 

Happy April birthdays back at the apartment with dear friends.

Your choice, papaya or chocolate cake, you can't loose here!!

The Belnaps love to host and teach about Passover Sedar.

The six items on the Seder plate are: Maror: Bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness and harshness of the slavery which the Jews endured in Ancient Egypt. 

We do enjoy the opportunities we have here to get together and to learn about so many new things.

As Area Missionaries, we are a "zone" and have zone meetings led by the area President, now Elder Nash. This was our last one.

With the new couple who will replace us, Elder and Sister Mangum, we traveled to Nkawkaw District for a training.  

Delightful, beautiful people!!

We flew up to Tamale with Mangums to train in the furthest North area that we have traveled to in Ghana.

It's quite a nice little area, hotter, dryer and traffic of a different sort, and less of it!

A lot more women motorcylists here than we see in Accra.

As often happens, there was a baptism scheduled at the same time, so the training was held afterwards.

There were 5 leaders who came from Bolgatonga, 2 hours away.

 The couple in the middle, the Wights, are the MLS couple in Tamale. They have already been teaching some people and 

making good progress. District Pres. Tetteh on the right.  

Mangums who are replacing us are on the left. They are awesome!!

A couple more classes getting started, they are the best!

Excitement when they learned there is a 2nd manual 

after they finish the first. 

New learners are really special, like children, so eager to learn.

We know time is short when we received our Kente Banners.  Bittersweet! 

 Here with Elders Nash and Dube'.

One last Stake Training in Kasoa.

And one last class with learners... Kwabenya Ward, Madina

And it's time to pass the baton.

We've had the sweet opportunity to train 30 stakes and districts and  distribute about 15,000 learner manuals.

So we are homeward bound,  praying that the Literacy Program will continue on to bless many lives. 

We have hope that it will when we receive pictures and letters from leaders showing their ongoing training and progress!

Elder Christofferson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles is here. 
He and his wife wanted to shake hands with the children.  
Oh, how we will miss the beautiful children!!

We have felt the Lord's hand in this work and know of His love for all His children. We are so grateful for the love and support of our children, for our health and resources to serve and for this beautiful restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  

God be with you till we meet again!

Rainy Season Begins in Ghana and Districts Receive Training

Unlike Seattle's drizzle, Ghana gets with the program, 

like a warm fire hydrant shower.

Despite the setback with the new Sunday schedule in January, people want the Gospel Literacy program in their areas. We are finding better success focusing on Sunday School leaders.

With the support of MLS (Member Leader Support) Senior Missionaries, The Carlquists here, we're branching out into the districts outside the larger population areas. Kpong District

We still love to visit individual classes like this on Sundays when a Bishop wants to get a class started and doesn't want to wait for a Stake Training. Buduburam 2nd, Kasoa Stake

This group is composed of mostly facilitators who will work with learners one on one rather than in a class setting.

In March Sister Bingham, the General Relief Society President came to Ghana and observed the program.

We are hopeful that she will be able to convey the need for Gospel Literacy during the second hour.  "Come Follow Me" is the new Sunday School curriculum, and this could be a simplified version for literacy learners.

Out in Ho District with Pres. Keys, the Cape Coast Mission Pres. along with the MLS Senior Missionaries the Fifes, Keatings and Burgers who will be a tremendous support in their areas.

Car trouble, no AAA here. On the road to the Districts around Kumasi.

In Sunyani District, one man traveled 2 1/2 hours on a Friday night by Tro tro, (small, non air-conditioned passenger van) to be here.  

We've been so inspired by the enthusiasm and willingness of the District members to come for training in order to help their members learn to read and write. 

People insist on carrying the boxes of manuals for us.

Relief Society Birthday celebration in Dichemso Stake in Kumasi.  

Agona District

Traveling back through Kumasi on a good traffic day.

Techiman District with Elder and Sister Templeton. Wonderful missionaries, who were such gracious hosts. 

While in the area, we were encouraged to go to the Monkey Village. Road signs lacking, we had a few detours.

Those are some serious gutters!

Walking through the village with our guide, on the way
 to see the monkeys.

The monkeys are very skilled at stealing your whole bag of bananas, but Eric has figured his way around their antics. 

This is what you call "eating on the run."

This is called "I'm not too sure about this."

Lovely Kintampo water falls on the way back.

And this is what buses look like after side swiping each other in the night. 70 people lost their lives the night before we went past.

Life is fragile here.  In America we have birthday celebrations with lots of presents. Here a birthday is a time when people give thanks for the blessing of living one more year. 

Quite a sobering sight on our travels from one area to another. 

To be continued....