Teacher's quarters and boreholes

 Hello friends and family!  This last month has been really busy.  We will start by telling you about a school we went to go look at up north.  We had to travel 9 hours north to a town by the name of Bolgatanga.  It is a little difficult to travel because there are no public restrooms and very few places to eat.  We try to plan for this.  I usually make banana muffins and boil a few eggs the day before we travel and we pack easy to grab and eat food like apples and oranges.  We strategically visit other senior couples along the way so we can visit for a minute and utilize their washrooms (restrooms).  We passed through Techiman and we had thought the Vousden's were in Sunyani.  If that happens we can stop at Kintampo Falls.  Sometimes we can use the restroom there with out paying to get in.  We then traveled to a town called Tamale where we stayed with the Elder and Sister Jones.  The next day we traveled the last 4 hours north to Bolgatanga and beyond to a small town called Kelpuliga  We finally arrived.

Elder Fuell met with the Chief and education people of the village while I went and talked to the children at the school.

We always start by asking them what their biggest concern is.  Even though we see a lot of need, sometimes there are concerns we cannot see, which was the case here.

The community told us that they needed a teachers quarters.  The school is far enough out that it is difficult to keep a teacher.  It is far enough away that it is not quite worth it for them to commute.  They need a living area on site so they can live there during the week and go home for the weekend.  

a teacher at the school!

Jr. High students

We came to the conclusion that they needed teacher's quarters and a borehole (well) at the school.

We are in the process of getting this proposal ready to submit to the area in August.  We will keep you updated about the School near Bulgatanga.

We drove the 9 hours back home and Elder and Sister Vousden were so kind to feed us as we came through Techiman.  They are the kindest friends one could ask for.  A home cooked meal while traveling in Ghana is so appreciated.  Banana muffins and boiled eggs only go so far.  Although I'm grateful for those too.

The next morning we got up and stopped by the zone leaders (Elder De Guzman from the Philipines and Elder Chimtindere from Malawi).  to deliverd a paper copy of a patriarchal blessing from Patriarch Vousden.  The zone leaders were on exchanges with the AP's.  We talked with Elder Frasier and discovered he was very sick.  He had a stomach thing going on and looked pretty rough.  I felt so bad for him.  We went home and I went right to work and made some dinner for the Elder's and had them stop by.  They were very grateful for the gesture.  Elder Frasier kept calling it my miracle dinner because he said he immediately felt better after he ate it.  I don't know if I believe him because I don't think he ate very much of it.  That is the kind of kid he is though.  He is very gracious and kind.  The zone leaders were very accommodating to eat up the rest of the meal.  I told them we had to get back on the road tomorrow and I didn't want any left overs.  There was not a  speck of food left. Haha!  I love feeding them.  They are so grateful.

The next morning we headed south to Kumasi.  This time we stayed with Elder and Sister Frasier (another Elder Frasier, no relation).  Sister Frasier is the mission Nurse and Elder Frasier is the Vehicle and Language Coordinator.  The next morning was Sunday and we all busily went our separate ways.  They attend a branch an hour or so south in an area called Obauasi.  We went kind of north east to a place called Mampong.  

This was the first time we have attended a ward since we have been in Ghana.  It was really nice.  We met the missionaries in that area and invited them to come with us down to meet the Queen Mother, Chief and Elder's of a couple of small villages by the name of Nintin and Hwidium.

Queen Mother of Hwidium

The Chief and Elder's of Nintin

This was such an amazing experience we had with these two young Elder's (Elder Talbot from Blackfoot Idaho and Elder Latu from Tonga).  

We tried to explained to the Chief of Nintin that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is giving them the borehole(well), because we feel that Heavenly Father wants them to have healthy clean water for their community to drink.  We told them that it is out of love and kindness.  We do not expect them to join our church because of this gift.  We did let them know that these young missionaries would be tracting in the area soon and if they could welcome them with kindness we would be appreciative.  One of the Elder's spoke up and said that they graciously accepted our gift of the borehole and said it would stand as a testament of our charity and kindness to them.  He also said when the young missionaries come to their community they would celebrate them.  I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds like they will be open to listen to their message at least. 

Yesterday we topped off our busy week with zone conference.  We were spiritually fed by our dear Mission President President Boateng.  He shared with us some of the things he learned when he was with the Quorum of the 12 at the Mission President training last year.  We also talked a lot about what a successful missionary was.  The thing that stuck out to me the most was, sometimes we don't get to see the good that we do.  Just living here in Ghana causes us to stand out because we are white.  People will tell us all the time they see us around town.  I always think, I hope I was being kind and being a good representative of  Jesus Christ.  I hope I brightened someones day with out knowing it.  I think this is the case for most people.  We have the opportunity every day to be a light to the world. 

Sunyani Zone July 2025

 

We have discovered that it is tricky to be involved in a humanitarian effort.  We want to follow the Bible's council to "...not let our left hand know what our right hand doeth."

We also want to "Let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven."

We are so blessed to be invited by a prophet of the Lord to be a part of this humanitarian effort in a small yet powerful and significant way.  It is such an honor and a blessing to see how careful the Church is to distribute the Sacred Funds of the church to do good for our fellow men.  It is a beautiful thing that we get to be a part of.  We know that God lives and that he loves and is aware of all of his children and he is keeping a careful watch to relieve their suffering.  We feel him in the details of all that we do.  Jesus Christ lives and watches over his missionaries.  We get to see miracles every day we are here.  We are so blessed.  We are so grateful for this experience.  It is so interesting how all the little things we have done in our lives has prepared us to serve at this moment.  

It is the rainy season right now and therefore it is a bit cooler.  There is actually a Phenomenon happening called the Aphelion Phenomenon.  It is when Ghana is the furthest from the sun.  It's kind of like the dead of winter, but It has been averaging a high of about 80 degrees everyday.  It does get down to about 69 or 70 at night.  Today was the first time we have not ran our a/c.  It has been a really nice break from the heat and I like this thing that is happening.  

We love and miss all our friends and family, but I have to admit that I have not been homesick one day since we have been here.  Mission life agrees with the both of us.  

As the Ghanaian's say we are doing well be the grace of God.

Bye Bye Yo!