"Divine Design"

On Tuesday, we were walking across the church campus on our way over to the little cafe that some Ghanaian ladies run in the main building. It is mostly frequented by the Africans, but we have come to like the food more and more. The banana looking thing is roasted Plantain, similar to bananas.)

Anyway, we see young missionaries all the time on campus here since the African MTC, Mission Training Center is also located here for training missionaries who will be serving all over Africa. We chat with them now and then but don't usually hold them up as they are busy.
But today as we passed a couple Elders I had a prompting to stop and talk to them. I pushed it off as we passed by, but the prompting came again so we stopped, turned around and I called back to them asking if they were at the MTC, heading out or what. They explained that they had just completed their missions in Kumasi, located about 4 hours North of here and were on their way home after stopping in Accra, one going to Nigeria and one here in Ghana.  We asked if they knew the Wardles, our good friends from home. Their faces lit up when we told them we are friends.  So we had to share stories and a few pictures from our phone, they laughed hilariously when they saw the Wardles in helmets and full biking gear. Then they mentioned the Wintergreen lifesavers that the "Waddles" used to hand out to all the missionaries.  Chuck ran over to the car, grabbed a handful and was able to give them some.

Under strong advisement from Lynn Wardle, we had purchased a couple bags at Costco before we left Utah. It was tough in the end when our "bags were packed and ready to go."  I don't remember that song mentioning anything about how hard the decision would be choosing between chocolate chips and lifesavers when all bags are over their weight limit. I reluctantly left some chocolate chips behind.  It paid off today when I watched as Elder Ansah popped one of the lifesavers in his mouth, closed his eyes and moaned.  I was laughing and didn't get a picture.

As they reminisced, they spoke about how Lynn, being a High School Coach used to take the missionaries through various exercise drills.  They asked us to take this picture of how Lynn would have them tense up all their muscles, then relax. I promised to share it with "Eldah Waddle."

  We spoke for a few moments about how amazing God is that by "divine design" he would create this little crossing in our paths, that it wasn't by chance. This was a sweet reminder that He is so aware of us, loves us and is involved in the details of our lives. We offered a few words encouragement, and wished them well on their way. (Another missionary from Kumasi joined up also.) It was pretty special. Another lifesaver in Elder Ansah's mouth just for the "Waddles."

We learned of an opportunity this week to volunteer at a nearby tiny library helping adults who are learning to read. It is housed inside a 40' shipping container with a covered seating area outside, and nestled beneath big trees, really appreciate those breezes!!  

Meet Ayisha and Bertha. I'm not sure who of us was more delighted to be there. We plan to come back a couple mornings each week. 

Ayisha asked to take a picture of both of us, then I did the same.  I gave her a new English word to add to her increasing vocabulary, "selfie."

History of the Library

The first Children's Library was founded in 1990 under a tree in Accra, Ghana's capital. Canadian Kathy Knowles was posted in Ghana with her husband John, who worked as an accountant for Sikaman a gold mining company.  She enjoyed reading to her four children but noticed that Ghanaians did not have the same opportunities. So each Thursday afternoon, she carried a basket of books into their garden and offered story times to six neighborhood children.

Word spread and more and more children came to the Knowles' garden. To accommodate the increased numbers, Kathy transformed their garage into a library, filled it with shelves and small stools, and looked for more books. Before long, 150 children were lining up each week to explore the magical world of books.

As the Knowles family prepared to return to Canada, Kathy looked for a way to create a more permanent structure. After a lengthy search, she bought a 40-foot shipping container for US $1,200, moved it to a donated patch of land and converted it into a library. Since then OCLF foundation was started and 7 additional libraries have been built in greater Accra and has supported projects in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and the Philippines. 

(Isn't it amazing what just one person can get started!!)

We decided to check out The Goethe Market on Saturday. This is the first one since we arrived and all the Senior Missionaries have talked about it, and about how much money you could spend there. Little did I imagine some 40+ years ago when serving a mission in Germany that I would one day be at a German Market eating Bratwurst in West Africa while serving a Literacy Mission. 

I think they have taken note of the missionaries!

After a stop for a "real sport drink" on the way home, the day was complete. 

The guys asked to have their pictures taken.

Notice the name of their "boutique," love it!

And then of course, we visited a couple of the Gospel Literacy Classes on Sunday in an area a bit outside Accra.  The roads were narrow and crowded, and we heard someone knocking on the side of the car and saying something about "go with you." 



My inclination was to get out of there fast! He knocked again and when we looked, we noticed the young man had a white shirt and tie which does rather stand out in a crowd. We realized he wanted a ride to the church. I guess we stand out even more, even while sitting inside a car!!
He explained that the taxi was full and that he's been coming to church to learn about the gospel.  We were about 5 minutes away and managed to get all three of us there just on time, sweet! 

As we got out of the car, we heard organ music. Mostly we singing acapella here, but this was a keyboard and we heard a beautiful  rendition of "I know that my Redeemer lives" spilling out of the windows into the open court yard.

If that weren't surprise and wonderful enough, we found a young child, maybe 8 years old at the most, sitting at the keyboard and he was incredible!! 

This Sunday being the first of the month, was Fast and Testimony Meeting, where members fast for the equivalent of two meals and donate the funds to feed those in need. This sweet lady named "Comfort" who is in the Literacy class, shared her testimony for the first time in English. How did we get so fortunate to be there for this one?  We would say it was a week full to the brim with "divine design." 
 "Our lives are like a chess board and the Lord moves us from one place to another-if we are responsive to spiritual promptings. Looking back we can see His hand in our lives."  
Elder Ronald A. Rasbank

 

Harmattan sunset