He is risen!

We have been doing many, many water projects.  It seems as if that is what our calling is here in the Ghana North area.  We had an experience that was amazing that I would like to share.  We were heading up to a small village around Drobo in the Jaman South Assembly.  We stopped in Drobo to pick up a city worker named Atta, who submitted a proposal for 10 boreholes (wells) in that area.  On our way there was a road block and many young men rioting.  Atta jumped out to see what was going on.  Two young men said that their 27 year old friend had died from sickness and they were in their grief.  Like many young men, they didn't know how to show emotion so they were showing anger over their friends death.  Atta gave the two young men some money to buy water and asked if they could help us cross peacefully.  He told them we were missionaries who had come from the United States to help the villages receive water.  The two young men walked in front of our truck and pushed all the rioting men away from the truck as we drove through.  When they would come to pound on the truck these young men told them we were missionaries and told them to let us pass through.  Louie and I were amazed at how we felt the Lord's protection as we passed by the rioters.   

It is our job to asses the needs and prioritize the projects.  The name of the village we were going to was Kooemakrom. 

We met a man on a motorcycle on a dirt road on our way there.  He beckoned us to follow him.  He took us down a road that was more like a trail in the jungle.  As we traveled through we started to notice that some of the jungle had been cut away to accommodate our truck.  The villagers had been working many hours to widen the road so we could make it to their village.  When we arrived, they apologized that they had no chairs and assured us that a man was bringing chairs from another village for us to sit on.  They offered us water.  That was so kind.  We knew their water source was over a kilometer away and someone had to hike and haul it there.  We also knew that it was most likely contaminated so we had to politely decline for our own health and safety.  They then offered us a dead chicken.  We again had to politely decline.  We suggested they feast with their children later to celebrate our arrival.  They told us they had never seen a white person before and their baby's cried if we looked at them.  We discussed with them their water situation.  They where so kind and happy.  The woman to the left of me in the picture spoke to us on behalf of all the women.  She told us that they have to haul water twice a day.  Many times it is not enough to accommodate showering at the end of the day.  She said that it affects their family relationships.  I was very touched by her candor and honesty.  She quickly became a friend to Louie and I. 

We told them that when we have the borehole drilled the church would put a plaque on the well that would be like our missionary tags.  More missionaries will come to bring them living water or the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Elder Fuell bore testimony that Jesus Christ loves them and is aware of them.  He knows who they are and what they are going through.  The message he has for them will bring hope and peace.  Look for the young missionaries with this tag.  The tag that will be on their well.  They taught us the word for hope in Twi.  Then they started chanting it as we left the village.  We all had tears in our eyes.  It was an experience that will be etched on our hearts.

We then traveled to a place called Buobunu.

These people have a borehole already but their community is growing and so we will asses to see if we can do another for them.

We then visited a health center in the City of Drobo that has no water.  They have to cary water every day for health care workers to be able to wash their hands.  We are still trying to determine how far they go to get it to the clinic.

This is what they have come up with to wash.

They see about 1500 patients a month at this clinic.  There was not many patients the day we visited, but it is harvesting season for cashews and so unless they are about to die, they do not come into town during this time of year.  Also they deliver about 10 babies a month here and they have no running water.  This will be placed as a high need for sure.  This was a very full day for Elder Fuell and I.  We also went to one other small town and assessed needs there too and then had to drive 2 hours back to Sunyani. 

On the weekend the Mission President asked us to travel to Bibiani to visit the Kirk's (another Senior couple).   The Kirk's will be finishing their mission in Bibiani and there is not another Senior Couple to replace them.  The Mission President asked us to spend a weekend with them and get to know their area.  Where they shop, where the chapels are and where the other Jr. Missionaries live.  If and when they can get another couple to come out here, we will travel down and train them about the area.  Until then, the apartment will sit empty.  In light of this, please consider serving a Senior Mission in Africa.  There is a great need!  Bibbiani is absolutely beautiful!  It is a lush tropical rain forest that is set in a mountain region.  It is slightly remote, but also just 2 hours from Kumasi.  We did cut our stay a little short because a Jr. Missionary got Malaria and we had to run him to Kumasi for treatment.  

While in Bibiani we went out to Bosomioso to look at a borehole that was not functioning well.  We discovered that the area had grown and so there was starting to empty the tanks faster than they can fill them.  It needed time to recover after over use.  We will be looking into this a little more and see what we can do.

People waiting for their turn to draw water

They carry 5 gallons on their heads twice a day

bowls all out, waiting for their turn.  I am always amazed how well the villagers get along and help each other and wait patiently for their turn

more jugs and more waiting for their turn.  I'm pretty sure they need another borehole (well).  We will submit this one for proposal.

while in Kumasi, we met up with the Kirk's, Miller's and President Boateng for a dinner out.  It was very enjoyable to be with dear friends for a little bit and enjoy good food.

One thing they do here is when missionaries from developing countries are done serving their missions we help them get signed up for pathways and they take a laptop home with them.  When the church employees get new laptops they donate their old ones to be given to these missionaries so they have an opportunity for education.  I love this program so much.  This is the kind of stuff that changes the world and elevates lives.  Sunday evening we had these cute Sisters over for dinner and we helped them get signed up for pathways.  They loved my simple dinner of spaghetti and meat sauce and we topped it off with coconut cake.  They were so grateful and are certainly not used to being served.  It was my pleasure to serve them.  They work very hard and are some of the dearest girls I have ever known.  Now on to a college degree!

Sis Januario (Mozaambique), Sis Chavirar (Mozambique), Sis Chironde (Zimbabwe) and Sis Manyunga (Zimbabwe)

This has a been a full busy week and we are so blessed to be able to serve in the Kumasi Ghana mission.  We pray all of our friends and family are doing well at home!  We love and miss you all

A shout out to Rory McIlroy for winning the masters this week.  I love that our boys cheered him on and cried with him as he overcame the demons he had about playing that course.  What a great athlete and example to us all.

May we all think about the gifts the Savior has given to us this week.  He broke the bonds of death and made it possible for all of us to return to our Father in Heaven again.  He lives and will return in all his glory.  We are looking forward to this day and we are glad to worship him as our Savior.  Happy early Easter.  He is Risen!

Love the Fuell's