They Have Arrived!!

They have arrived, both the church published manuals and a few members of the Salt Lake Literacy Focus Group!  It's just sinking in that these are the first church published Literacy Manuals in the world that are part of the Sunday School curriculum and they are here in West Africa. It's pretty miraculous how quickly this has all transpired, even though it has felt slow to us at times. 

When we say the manuals "arrived," it was only digitally. Everything was printed by local printers, both professional and non-professional, although engineering proposals should qualify one for the work.  It took one day to get the small student manuals published here where it would have taken months back in the US. This is NOT the usual order of things here in Africa!!

At the same time all of this was going on, Alex was going through surgery after taking a fall a couple weeks ago while climbing in Zion, breaking one ankle and a thumb, spraining the other ankle and suffering cuts, bruises and loosing consciousness. 

2 weeks after the fall but before surgery. 

After surgery and anesthesia.

Sparing you the gruesome details we feel there were angels watching over him as it could have been so much worse!

Fortunately one of his "other mothers," his sister Sarah and family nearby are taking good care of him.  

So while that was going on at home, we were involved in "post-assessments," of pilot groups who have been learning with the first Gospel Literacy materials.

Many of them brought their well used, loved manuals with them.

Cecilia and a couple others from Engage Now Africa who we traveled with at the beginning of the mission, came to assist. 

I didn't get a picture, but they handed out some of the glasses that you sent as needed to the older students.

The first assessment was held on Thursday in the cafeteria at the area offices, so we enlisted Henrietta and Juliet who run the area offices cafeteria to provide boxed meals for the participants.

While students worked hard...

I held any fussing babies I could get my hands on.

This little boy, yes in pink, is only one month old, and such a smiler. He had me hook, line and sinker!

Friday was another assessment with students from two Stakes.  

It was a much larger group and it kept us all hopping, no time for holding babies. But I could still look.

     

We were all pretty tuckered out by the end of the day.

There were too many details to list where we felt the Lord's hand in the details of all the events. The meals were just one of those. It was hard to figure out how many meals would be need so we just estimated our best and went by our promptings. On Thursday, there were 2 meals left over so we put them in the frig. As we were wrapping up, one of the security guards came to us and asked if there was any food available as there was a woman outside asking for food. 

For Friday, we arranged boxed meals for 80, and there were just enough left for us to eat as we sat to evaluate the days events. 

Saturday was a new Stake Training for the Ofankor Stake, more like what we are used to doing. 

The Heckels who wrote the original manuals did some additional training and it took a good part of the day. We learned so much from them, it was really wonderful!! 

We worked in groups, teaching and learning the principle of "counseling together."

Felicia on the right, another incredible teacher!! 

This is the group of teachers and Sunday School leaders. Chuck and Brother Heckel met with the Priesthood leaders in another group.

We arranged to have 60 meals delivered, but they only brought 46, which turned out to be just the right amount for everyone.  It seems like such a small things, but is so indicative of the numerous tender mercies we experienced over the week.

On Sunday we followed up with one of the wards in the Ofankor Stake, continuing to learn about "counseling together." 

It's incredible to witness the inspiration that cames through each person as they share their experiences and we learn from one another how to minister in the Savior's way. 

" Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all."  Doctrine and Covenenants 88:122

 Amasaman 2 Ward leaders after the Bishop's Council meeting.

 Samuel is one of the first teachers we met when we arrived. He will be helping in the teacher training videos and attended some of the training in preparation. We got to meet his lovely family.

 Evangeline, another awesome teacher on the right.

Almost 6 months in Africa and we feel like we're beginning to get our groove on.  So grateful to be here among such delightsome people!!

We're off to Kumasi for a few days with the Heckels. It's the Wardle's old stomping grounds about 4-5 hours north of Accra. It will be the biggest stake training so far. Wish us well!