Hospital Clinics and boreholes for schools!

Time is just flying by while we serve here in Ghana.  This last week we went to a little town called Morso to be involved in what the church calls a "hand over".  The Church built a hospital clinic in this little village.  After it is built they have a small ceremony in which the Church will hand the clinic over to the community.  We invite the chief's and community people and we got to be there with a high ranking member of our church or what we would call a General Authority.  His name is Isaac Morrison.  Elder Morrison is a Ghanaian who lives in Accra.  He is Second Councilor in the Area Presidency.  These are a fun part of what we do because we get to celebrate with them our gift.  

Elder Morrison with the Queen Mother of Morso

We also met these cute nurses at the new Morso Clinic.  They are the true unsung hero's of Ghana!  We made sure we thanked them for all that they do.

The church also donated these birthing beds.  (Amazing conditions to give birth for these small villages)!!

...And a warming bed for new baby :)

An interesting side story:  Elder Fuell received a speeding ticket in Kumasi as we were trying to drive out to Morso.  In his defense, it was an obvious speed trap that he was caught in.  They took his international driver's license and told him to come to the police station the next day to pay the fine.  When we showed up a little late, we explained that we were pulled over by the police.  A member of the church said he would help us take care of it.  The next day, it was a long process at the police station (five hours), but in the end Elder Fuell was able to get his driver's license back with out paying a lot of money.  (Mission blessing).

We also made good use of the trip and stopped in Asonomaso and had community agreements signed for another borehole (well) project for one of their schools.

As missionaries we wear many hats.  Some days I wonder if we make much of a difference in any one life.  Since we have been in Sunyani we have been looking for a better home for us to live in that would benefit the missionaries in the future here.  We found a nice place, but there needs to be a bit of work done to it before we can move in.  We will only be here 2 years, but we are trying to consider the next missionaries that come out here and hopefully replace us.  We want missionaries to be very comfortable while living here.  We found a nice 3 bedroom home just off a main road, but still kind of tucked back in.  It is a self compound with many fruit trees and flowers and shrubs.  It has just been approved by the church so now we have been meeting contractors to show them some of the improvements we would like to do.  This is not as fulfilling as far as missionary work goes for me, but I still see the importance of getting things ready for us as well as the next missionaries after us.

I am continuing with piano lessons.  My students are coming along and are progressing small small,  Sometimes I think they just enjoy the one on one attention I give them as I teach.  They always thank me for my time.  I have learned much about taking time for people here on the mission.  It is one of the best gifts you can give.

We have also enjoyed teaching institute to the YSA's.  Our dating and marriage class has been a challenge and a blessing.  It requires much faith to get married here.  The culture is different, but we are learning and growing right along side of them as we teach. 

When we attend church they call us up to share a few thoughts.  I'm always surprised about the thoughts that come to my mind as I ponder what to share.  I have learned to bare a short testimony in Twi.  I try to end with that.  There are usually a few in attendance that don't speak English that well.  They smile and nod and are so happy to here something that they understand.  I try to add a little more to my testimony small small.

I was able to attend a Young Women's class on Sunday.  The lady with the baby on the left is the president of the Young Women.  These beautiful ladies are doing the best they can to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I really enjoyed being with them.

The other thing we enjoy is feeding the Elder's and Sister's in our zone once about every transfer.  I get a little busy when I am feeding them and didn't take pictures.  The Elder's eat a lot.  The ones from the US really enjoy something that is familiar to them to eat.  The African missionaries are very gracious and eat what I fix, but I can tell that it is not what they are accustomed to sometimes.  They are grateful to not have to cook though.  

We have a Senior Couples text thread that we post some of the neat things that we all do.  Good friends of ours, (The Vousden's) just North of us that are in an area called Techiman sent us these pictures that I would like to share.

This is a picture of a young family being introduced to family history through family search!  

Look how amazed and excited he is!!  I love this.  It is simple things that we take for granted that the people of Ghana are so grateful for. 

We are so grateful for the opportunity to be here and to live in Ghana.  This has been a life altering experience that we will draw on for years to come.  We miss our Children and our Grandchildren, but we talk with them regularly and they have been very supportive of our decision to be here.  Some days I miss the United States, but I also know that we are doing the most important work that we could be doing.  As members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints we call this the gathering of Israel.  We want every person to have an opportunity to partake of the good fruit of the Gospel.  We also want to be about doing good.  We pray that all is going well for you and yours.  Much love to you all.