So, what are you doing exactly?

We got up this morning to try and locate the church near our apartment where we heard a literacy class takes place. We couldn't get to it last week and weren't sure it was even there. The "road" had been dug up. So we verified it's existence this week with Google Satellite view and were set to try again. 
But, our car wouldn't start and the last of the other missionaries had just pulled out of the parking lot. Then along came Frank, a native Ghanian who has been investigating the church and offered us a ride.  He had been to the church in question before and it was a good thing, because the "back" way is just an alley, one car wide and very sketchy to say the least. 

Yes, this is the main entrance!!  Notice the pile of dirt at the entry though.

So we took the alley. Complete with laundry, goats and alas the church!! They had a large parking lot and the building filled up completely, but only 3 cars in the lot. 

It was well worth the effort! Frank said, "God provides." After church with the help of the complex gate guard, the guys "jump started" the car the "African way."  Exchange batteries from two cars, start the dead car then replace batteries back to original cars. 

Now to the subject of this blog: "So, what are you doing in West Africa anyway?"  Funny you should ask, it's the same question we've been asking ourselves.

We've been meeting with local leaders and learning all that we can about current efforts.  Literacy will fall under the Self-Reliance Services of the church here in West Africa.

There are other organizations working together for literacy and we will be using some of their materials as well as the Gospel Literacy Program of the church which is just being introduced here.

The plan is to provide Sunday Gospel Literacy classes so people can hear the "good word" as well as improve their literacy.  Then augment during the week as much as possible with additional literacy materials and classes. 

When you consider that there are about 79 dialect in Ghana alone and that the vast majority of them do not have a written language, just oral, it's pretty vital that people learn English if they want to become literate. English is the official language here, but it is not their first language. 

I found this video that gives a pretty good glimpse into life in Ghana, and the efforts for Self-Reliance. Worth the watch!
(Two identical videos, but uploaded differently. Hopefully one of them will work for you.)

Elder John Koranteng gives a few comments about Self-Reliance in the video (they've spelled his name with a C). He is our area manager.

We have been trying to find ways to get some exercise, since biking is definitely out of the questions!! We were delighted to find paths nearby that wander through some vegetables gardens.  One of the first days out, a group of about 8 little children ran up to me (Marti) raising their hands for high 5's, laughing and then running their hands through my hair. (Wish we had been quick enough to get a picture of that!) I was rather taken a back, but relaxed as I heard their laughter and looked into their beautiful smiling faces. Have I mention yet how beautiful the children are?!? Not sure what the fascination was with my hair though.

There's so much more we could share about our new life here.  But one thing is certain, the people are what make Ghana special!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas."

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"....actually not so much really.  But it is sounding like Christmas in the stores, the music. And Santa is alive and well here also. I resisted asking to sit on his lap, not sure if missionaries are supposed to do that actually.  He was very jolly and nice though. 

The traffic was horrendous this week as many people traveled into Accra and out to their villages to be with family, which is what Christmas is all about here. I'm not sure where this cow was headed, perhaps Christmas dinner?!? When you are stuck in traffic you have time to take photos and buy from the street hawkers. This week, we purchased tissues and bananas from the street vendors.  Amazon needs to step up their game. All from the convenience of your car. This is the way to shop!! 

We got settled into an office this week which is located on the ground floor of the chapel (picture center) on the same property as the Temple (picture right), the area office buildings and the new Ghana MTC, Mission Training Center. 

Meetings with Elder John Koranteng, area Self-Reliance Manager and also Elder Marcus Nash of the area presidency are helping to give us a vision of the Literacy Program here. More about this next week, we have a steep learning curve ahead. What a special treat it will be to associate with these wonderful men.

AND we started driving. It's like driving bumper cars, but you really do try not to run into anything or anyone! We did get a car with dents as requested and made our rounds to get a few groceries which is an experience all in itself. (Saved for another post) 

All produce needs to be soaked in either bleach water or a vegetable wash (iodine.) 

There is a wood carver, Isaac just down the street from our apartment, people sell all kinds of things on the sides of the streets. It's like their shop. 

This picture is for our grandson Benjamin who is very fond of giraffes right now. We might have a hard time fitting it in a suitcase if he decides he wants one.

There are some great things about Ghana, most particularly the wonderful people. But there are pictures that I actually have a hard time posting.  So, without trying to change the good and wonderful aspects of this country, we also hope to make a difference along with so many other NGOs (non government organizations who are here.) The exciting thing is to see Ghanaians starting schools and other businesses and becoming more self-reliant.  

We send our love and wishes for a wonderful Christmas to family and friends alike. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  We testify that he lives and loves you still!

Reassignment and First Impressions

Our long prepared for and much anticipated day arrived, Dec. 4th, when Alex, our youngest along with our son-in-law Darren, delivered us to the MTC (Mission Training Center) in Provo, UT where we spent a packed and inspiring week. (I'm happy, really!!)

 We had quite a surprise on the second day when we were called into the office and received a mission reassignment from the Ghana West Mission to the Africa West Area which includes 17 countries and 15 missions in West Africa.

The light tan countries are ones that do not have missions in them but are in our area.

We learned more about this assignment the next week in Salt Lake where we had additional training and were able to Skype with our SRS, Self-Reliance Services Area Manager who said we would be involved with Literacy in the Africa West area, traveling to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Ghana and reporting to the area presidency. We will have an apartment in Accra, Ghana.

This has been quite overwhelming and we will have much to learn. At the same time we recognize the blessings of health and resources which enable us to accept this assignment. It is not by chance that things have come together for us the way they have, despite the challenges.

So we left cold Salt Lake City, giving Sarah's warm down coat back to her at the airport, and donning sandals and short sleeves flew to Accra, Ghana.

First Impressions

First stop, we were taken to our apartment in Accra. And for those of you who have been feeling sorry for us going to Africa, feel sorry no more. (From our balcony, and yes, that's a swimming pool you see!) It was nicer than I had ever imagined. Also, I've heard that missions can be good for a marriage. I figured this 24-7 stuff could make or break it. I've realized that I'm glad to have this mission companion after all. 

We will be given a vehicle to drive while here and have decided our theme song will be "Stayin alive, staying alive, ah, ah, ah, ah stayin alive."  (We watched two motorcycles with multiple people crash into each other right before our eyes today, no casualties, no children thankfully!!)  We are going to ask for a vehicle that already has dents. And when the rainy season comes and fills the ditches with water so you can't see them, I have made myself a promise to REMEMBER that the ditches are still there!!

We are in the tropics and I am no longer cold. Most of the other "obrunis," (whites) are hot and fanning themselves and I am warm and loving it actually. The lovely church building where we met today has natural ventilation with louvered windows and lots of fans on the ceiling, very pleasant and all year round!!  Sweet!!

All poverty is not the same. I was surprised at the lack of alcoholism and smoking here. And then someone explained that they can't afford it. There isn't government assistance here. When they are asking for a handout, it's about enough food to make it through the day. And they are always so grateful for any help they get, and thank you with a smile. I don't notice a sense of entitlement like we have in America, just my observations. 

There is a 70% unemployment rate here, but you see them working to do anything they can, not a lot of people laying around on the streets. You can buy practically anything right out your car window as they walk the streets selling to people in their cars as you pull up to the lights. We bought plantain chips and laundry detergent (they have better prices I am told.) And you even see women carrying their children as they work, wrapped snug against their bodies. And all that while carrying their wares on the top of their heads!! 

. 

My last impressions have to do with the people themselves. I find them friendly, kind, humble, spiritual, bright and beautiful people. And oh how I wish you could hear them sing!!  I have never heard the gospel hymns sung like this before, not even by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, wonderful as they are. "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me" and "I believe in Christ" and Christmas songs as well.  They like to sing lots of songs!  And so as the lovely breezes washed across my skin on the outside, the spirit in that building washed across my soul and I couldn't hold back the tears. "Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!!" 

Until next week, now it's time to get to work!