We belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

 

Most of the chapels are well marked on the major roads

By Greg:

 

We have been sending out a lot of messages.  We will probably now just do a blog once a week.  That could change if we have an unusual experience, but that is our plan right now.

 



The President of Ghana died a month ago, the red ribbons are to honor him

We went to our “home” ward today.  We have been assigned to the Ofankor Ward.  It was a very nice experience.  Elder and Sister Powell went with us to introduce us and to help us find it. 

 

One thing that has been very frustrating to me is that I have not been able to get my bearings.  We really have been going around in circles.  The Powells took us one way to the church and brought us back another.  This did not help me.  Debi was busy in the back seat taking notes as she is sure she is going to have to be the navigator.  At this point she has sworn she will not drive for the next two years—we will see about that.

 

The ward meets in a large rented home that is within a walled compound.  We have noticed that the nicer homes all have walls around them and most have heavy metal gates.  There may be a nice walled home right in the middle of something entirely different.

 

Most of the members do not have cars.  In fact there were maybe six cars parked (one was ours).  After the meeting one of the brothers came and asked us to give him our car.  I am still not sure if he was serious or not.

 

There is a large room with benches that is the chapel.  Then there are several other rooms for classes.  I went to the Gospel Essentials Sunday School class that was in the Relief Society Room.

 

Now this was a former home, but even the church built chapels do not have carpeted floors or soft chairs and benches.  The floors are tile and the chairs and benches are hard.

 

After we got home I needed to “find myself” so we went and sat down by the Temple.  Debi is a lot calmer about this direction thing, and bless her heart, she has good notes.  The Temple President and his wife also returned from their meeting and we met them.  I asked them if there are maps.  He pulled out one and I really thought about stealing it from him.  He is older, I could have, but it would not have been nice.  He also has a three ring binder with directions and smaller maps to the various chapels.  They visit different units each week.

 

We returned to our room and had a very good companionship study with Google Earth.  We have been around enough to make some sense of it.  I have to stand on my head to make north and south be in line with my “inner man” (This is an African term for our spirit, or our conscience, or that which is within us that helps us do well—the priesthood brethren talked a lot about this today).

These people are very religious as this new building will attest.

I feel much better.  We might get our car this week, or next, and I think with Debi’s help I can drive us safely to the store, to the mall, to the airport (if we need to make a mad dash for it) and to church.

 

The Sun is not much help either because it comes up and goes down in the wrong place.  But, if we look out our window in the evening, as the sun is going down in the wrong place, I know that somewhere out there, in that direction is home and our loved ones.

 

By Debi

 

 This is our first Sabbath day in Africa.  It has been such a beautiful day.  It hasn’t been too hot and today there was a lovely breeze.  As we wound our way through the streets of Accra this morning trying to find our church my heart ached.  Most of the people here live in such poverty that you can only understand it by seeing it.  When we went to Mexico with our daughter Rindi and her husband Greg a few years ago I thought that surely that was the worst poverty in the world.  But this puts a whole new meaning to the word “poverty”.  It is almost comical to think of what the United States considers as poverty.  If those standards where here, they would be considered absolute luxury. 

 

The amazing part is all of the members here came to church with beautiful African and Western clothes on and they were so well groomed and ready to worship.  They do not like to call themselves Mormon because it sounds too much like Muslim.  So they always call the church “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”.

 

Sister Powell warned me just as Sacrament meeting was starting that they might ask us to bear our testimonies.  Well, two speakers had already spoken and so I relaxed thinking that the third speaker would speak and they weren’t going to ask us.  Just then the counselor who was conducting got up and asked us to bear our testimonies.  I am so glad that I had thought about it before I got up.  We both gave a short testimony but very heart felt.  I told them we had only been here for six days and we were just learning.  I also told them how beautiful they were and how we loved them already.  There were lots of smiles in the audience so I hope they could understand me. 

 

They speak with such a strong accent that we can hardly understand them.  If we listen really close, we can get at least the idea of the conversation.  All three of the speakers gave wonderful talks and we were very impressed and touched by the spirit.

 

In Relief Society the sister that gave the lesson was amazing. She was so knowledgeable and knew the material so well.  She hardly even used notes.  She just gave an amazing lesson and the sisters really joined in with great comments.  Their testimonies are so strong and they truly understand the gospel principles.  Several times I have wondered why we are here.  Why are we assigned to a ward that seems so strong and is doing very well? Then the thought occurred to me that maybe I need them more than they need me.  I am the one who is going to grow and learn from these very humble and righteous people.

 

Today has been a very good day.  Our first Sabbath in Africa!

Our First "P" Day

Elder Haws and friends attending the temple

 

By Greg:

 

The first thing I need to say today is that we have learned that even though this is the most wonderful mission in the entire world, the Church has faced a few challenges in getting couples to come here, especially those with professional skills (Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants, Professors etc.).  So, they are going the extra mile to provide us with safe comfortable living quarters, great working space with very modern technology, a safe reliable car, and the association of other couples facing similar issues.  We are very surprised and pleased with all the material things we have been blessed with and surprised beyond belief.  We also know that we are in the Area Office and that all couples in this Area do not have it so good. 

 

All this being said; our message to all our friends is: COME TO AFRICA, COME TO AFRICA!

Typical street scene-University in distance

 

Last night we went to the Accra, Ghana Temple and did a Temple Session and then most of the Area Couples did sealings.  Elder Curtis of the Area Presidency was the sealer.  This was wonderful.  I hope Debi will say more about the Temple.



The Temple is the same, but very different

 



Afterwards we all drove in several different cars and went to dinner at a hotel near the ocean. Debi can talk about this as well.

 

Today, the Taylors, who are both lawyers and missionaries, took us in their car and gave us the grand tour.  We have been up and down the main street (Independence Avenue) several times now and so we are starting to feel like we could go it alone if we don’t go too far.  The funny thing is that you cannot make a left turn, anywhere on the street.  So if you want to go the other way you have to go the wrong way for about a mile, go through a very wild and chaotic round-about and then you are going the other way.  The same is true when you want to come back.  This going around in circles is really confusing me.  The buildings and landmarks that I recognize are moveable.  One time they are on my right, the next time on my left.  I don’t know how they can do that?

 

 

 

They took us to “the pit” and we got out and looked around.  This is a market of sorts where mainly wood carvers are selling their stuff.  We will go back here for more, but I bought a really nice nativity scene carved out of wood for 55 GHC (About $30).  This one guy had a really cool lion that I want.  This is an area of barter.  The scene started at 125 and ended at 55 (I actually got it for 50 but Debi made me go back and give 5 more).  I don’t know how to feel about bartering.  They are all working so hard and WE ARE SO RICH!  Maybe I won’t do that again.  Oh, one guy showed us a Book of Mormon and said he was a Mormon.  Pretty soon all of them were Mormons.  I asked them who was the first prophet in the Book of Mormon?  One said, I am just learning.  What a great marketing ploy. 

 

We went to several shops and bought some stuff we need.  Actually, almost everything you can think of is available.  Clint, they even sell A-1 steak sauce.

 

We are so impressed by several things.  First, as we are walking around, several people came up to us and told us they were Mormons (for real, not trying to sell us anything).  Of course, we have on Missionary clothes and badges and we are white, but still, members are out there.  They even have a nice movie theater in the Mall and one of the workers was a Mormon.  He came out to greet us.  They were showing The Expendables 2, Lincoln the Vampire Slayer and Brave.  We did not go to the movies, but we are told it is just like going in the Gateway in SLC.

 

One more thing.  The son of one of the Area 70s died and they had his funeral today.  We did not go, but they are trying to change the custom of having multiple days of mourning.  Some families spend all their money and equity feeding people and carrying on when a loved one dies.  So this Elder (the 70) is trying to set an example.  His son returned from a mission and had a heart problem and just died.  It is sad.  We also learned that they have lost at least one African missionary to Malaria.  This is the number one killer in Africa, or at least this part of Africa.  We are taking our pills every day. 

 

OK, I have to say something else.  All over the place there are buildings either being built or being torn down, I cannot tell the difference.  They build with cement here and pay as they go, so sometimes construction stops when the money runs out.  I saw a lot of buildings that are under construction but part of it is being used.

 

These ladies are in funeral attire, though not at our funeral.

 

We got pulled over by the police and they wanted to take us to the station.  I will ask Debi to describe this.

You tell me, is this building falling apart or being built?

 

COME TO AFRICA!

 

Greg

 

By Debi:

 

Hello From Accra, Ghana

 

We have had such an eventful week.  I have just been looking out the window at the sunset.  I can’t believe that I am looking at an African sky.

 

Here are street worker cleaning and burning garbage.

President and Sister Shulz came to pick up a missionary.  It was so good to see them.  We went to the airport with them.  We hope to see a lot of them in the next 2 years. 

 

We went to our first session at the Ghana Temple.  It is such a beautiful temple.  Just as we walked into the foyer we could feel the spirit and the difference.  Right behind the recommend desk is a large window looking into the baptismal font.  The walls and pillars are made with beautiful African wood with intricate carvings.  The session room had beautiful paintings on the walls with scenes of the African landscape.  All of the temple workers were Africans.  They are so reverent and have such a humble spirit about them.  The Celestial Room is also adorned with wood pillars and carvings with beautiful African design painted on the walls.  It is very small but oh so beautiful.  We also did a sealing session with some of the other couples with President Curtis acting in the capacity of sealer.  We did sealings for about an hour.  There is a beautiful chandelier in the room.  The only thing that bothered me was that at the top of the chandelier it looked like cobra snakes where leaning over the edge.  Of course, they were made out of crystal and very beautiful but it still kind of bothered me.

 

After the temple a few couples took us out to dinner at a very fancy restaurant.  I said before I left on our mission that I would not go out to eat because I was afraid that the food wouldn’t be prepared properly. Now here it is only 5 days since we arrived and we were going out to eat.  Everyone said it would be safe and I just trusted them with my life.  The food was fantastic and I was amazed at the selection. It was a buffet and it would rival with the Roof in Salt Lake. 

Now, if you want a suit in Ghana you can go to the mall or to this man on the street.  He will fit you up right there.


This is the main building of the University.  Sunee will be happy the Math department has their own building.

 

Today another couple, the Taylor’s, took us all around town.  They took us to the University.  It is supposed to be the best in all of West Africa.  We also saw many embassies and their big compounds.  We saw a lot of buildings half built.  We went back to the Mall and walked around.  This time I was a lot more impressed with the many stores and the food court and the movie theater.  It really did feel like a mall.  For the first time I used a bathroom in Africa that wasn’t our apartment bathroom.  It was pleasantly better than I thought it would be.   We had a long day but a very educational day.  They showed us how to get around on the streets and what stores have good food and one of the stores they even buy chicken breasts.

This is a typical gas station.  All gas is in liters and is more than in the states.

While we were driving a policeman pulled us over.  They said that we didn’t have our seatbelts on.  It is a law in Ghana to wear a seat belt.  Well, Elder Taylor hadn’t buckled his up yet because we had just left the store.  They wanted to take us to the police station out by the airport.  The other missionaries have warned us about this tactic.  They are just trying to get a bribe.  They told us to never give them money and never let them in the car and never get out of the car.  He wanted to get in our car and drive us to the station.  Sister Taylor rolled down her window and offered a Mormon bible as a gift.  She told them we are missionaries.  They actually took the book and let us go.  She said they have a case of them in their trunk and always keep a few very handy.  I didn’t think it would work but we did get out of the situation.

 

These buses are everywhere.  They call them Tro-tros.  They carry a full load.

 

We can not get over those who carry all their stuff on their heads. 

This entry is going on forever!  We are just so amazed with everything we see and do.  I am sure that after a while we will be more use to it and then after a little more time things will probably feel just normal.  They say that you know you have been here too long when things here feel right and things in the States feel weird.  I don’t know if I will ever get to that stage.

 

We are looking forward to another adventure tomorrow.  We are going to church for the first time.  The Powells are going to take us to the ward we are going to be assigned too and introduce us to the Bishop and to the ward.  We are very excited to go and to be good missionaries for the Lord.

 

The babies are sooooo cute.

The Church is true!  We love our Savior and we are so thankful for His love and for his Atonement for us and for you.  Stay faithful and true.

 

Love, Sister Debi

What we have learned so far

This is the National Flag of Ghana on the temple grounds

 

By Greg

 

Well, we ventured out today and saw a little of this big city.  We have some pictures to share today.

 

Elder Powell is the couples Zone Leader and also the Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency.  He and his wife picked us up at the airport and today they took us out.  Sister Empey, whose husband is in the Temple Presidency, also went with us.  I know her husband’s brother, Curtis, from Ogden.

 

Well, we first went to the bank.  Elder Powell suggested that I cash $2,000 US into Cedis.  His experience was that the bank would cash our check without ID—he thought the badge would be sufficient.  They wanted my passport so we had to go back to our room and get it.  It wasn’t that far but it took a long time.  The traffic is very congested.  When we got our money it was in four bundles of 1,000 Cedis per bundle—3,750 to be exact.  Now what do we do with that much money?  I did what any Elder would do in a similar situation; I wrapped it tight in a plastic bag and put it in my companion’s purse.  Yes, she is carrying a purse.

 

Now to the store with more money than ever, and we don’t exactly blend in the crowd.  The store is in the mall—yes, a real live mall.  The grocery store is ShopRite and was large and felt like a real grocery store.  Debi can tell more.
 

 The Mall (I don't know how to rotate)

On the street there are thousands of people selling everything you could imagine.  Most of them carry their stuff on their heads.  If you even look at them they are all over you. They will run down the road alongside your car as you drive away. 

 

This is a street scene at an intersection--they carry everything on their heads.

These shops sell everything imaginable

This brama was just walking in the street with the rest of us

 



 Another scene of shops

There are a few beggars, but mostly people trying hard to sell things.  We saw a man with crippled legs using flip-flops to protect his hands.  Elder Powell gave him a coin.  He said he always helps the cripples. 

 

This man just scoots along with no use of his legs

All along the streets are little shops selling everything from TVs to used car ties.  Elder Powell took a side street as a short cut.  We saw miles and miles of shanty houses.  These are a contrast to other areas, not that far apart, with modern houses.

Apartment living-you could call this your home

 

There is a ditch down there that goes to the sea-and takes a lot with it

 



 

Houses with tin roofs as far as we could see

 



All of the people we have met have been really nice.  The men all have “Christian” names like Joshua, William, Edmund, Felix, Elijah etc.  The women’s names are harder to understand. People just tell us their first names.   At the bank, I asked how to make out my check.  For the life of me I could not understand her.  She was well dressed and nice, but I could not hear Standard Charter Bank.

 

It may not sound like we are doing missionary work, but we are smiling at everyone and being a “light” to a darkened world.  We had a good interview yesterday with President Curtis of the Area Presidency and we met Brother William Sowah, the man we will be working closely with.  He is tall and looks very young, although he is 49.  He is a banker and his wife is an eye doctor.  We will see a lot more of him.

 

There are three unusual things that I have noted.  One, at the airport there was a big sign that said, “If you are a pedophile or a sexual deviate, or a drug dealer or a miscreant, go somewhere else, Ghana does not want you.” Second, we see a lot of religious messages on cars and on the street:  “Pray every day” etc.  And, third, nobody smokes.  We don’t think they can afford it, but it is very nice.

 

I am going to have Debi talk about our shopping trip.

 

Love to all,

Greg

 

Hello to all!

 Typical baby carriage-their legs are around the mother's waist

We have had a wild day and it is only half over.  Our drive to the grocery store was wild.  Several times I thought we were goners but then Elder Powell would just honk and get around somehow.  We went to the Mall.  We need to use that as a very loose term.  I guess it is their pride and joy. It was built just a few years ago.  Actually I was very glad to see such a nice place.  We were able to buy some fresh fruit and vegetables.  No one buys lettuce because it is so hard to clean.  They use cabbage instead.  I didn’t buy any tomatoes because they were about $6 for four tomatoes.  We bought tuna fish, canned ham and peanut butter for our protein.  We bought some oatmeal and raisins for our breakfast.  The milk here comes in boxes, of course, but we did buy some fresh butter and eggs.  I am not sure what we will cook with the food we bought but I will try my best to make it taste good.  Greg will have to give in and have an egg omelet for dinner once in a while.

The mattress pad is installed

 



 

 

We are so blessed

 



 All this for one low price

Our office isn’t ready for us yet so we have walked around the Temple grounds and taken some pictures.  We also took some pictures as we drove to the store.  We are still feeling a little off base because of the time change but we are trying really hard to stay awake all day and then go to bed tonight at the right time.  We actually slept really well last night and it wasn’t too hard waking up even though it would have been one in the morning back home.

 

We have been sad to see some of the living conditions but we haven’t been surprised.  We have studied Ghana enough that we pretty much knew what to expect.

 

Either way you look the temple is beautiful

 



 

 

Debi and Joshua outside our building

 



This is the Stake Center next to the Temple

We are going to put on a large amount of pictures.  They will tell the story better than I can.  We are fine and we are anxious to get to work.  Have a great day.

 A truly "Golden"contact-he came out of the temple

Love, Debi

A view from the Stake Center-Debi in silliotte

First Impressions of Africa

Sorry, no pictures yet.

 

By Greg

 

We are here!

 

We entered Africa last night as we went to our gate at JFK airport.  While there were a few non-Africans waiting for the plane, we were not many.  We had to show our passports, and then we got on Delta flight 26.  We had a delay because some person checked in at the gate, and checked 5 bags, but did not get on the plane.  This caused an hour delay as they sorted through the entire luggage for his bags.  We were happy that they took this precaution, however.

 

It was a long flight and we tried to sleep.  We were not in the front section where the flight attendants helped the passengers get into their jammies and fluffed their pillows.  We were OK and eventually we started flying over African land.  The plane had a moving map.  We went over 1,000 more miles after we came over the continent.  Then we found Accra, Ghana.

 

It was a very bumpy landing.  The airport seemed to be under construction, or falling apart, or both.  We made our way close to a big building, and eventually they opened the door.  We walked down a staircase and got into a very crowded stand-up only bus that took us maybe two hundred yards to the building. 

 

As we flew in I thought this city doesn’t look that different.  The closer I got, the more my mind changed.  In the building we made our way past the army that checked for our shots, then to the caged man that checked our passports, then to the baggage claim circus.  The little “trolleys” (airport carts) were free.  We used two.

 

We wondered when we would see Elder and Sister Powell.  We had to go through customs.  TIhe only other time we have done this was in Mexico, and they searched Debi’s bag thoroughly.  Well, the official took one look at our badges (we traveled in missionary attire) and waved us through.  No checking at all.

 

We then met the Powell’s.  I wanted to huge Elder Powell.  We put our huge bags in his mini-van and got in.  Oh, I should say that when we weighed them at the airport, all four weighed exactly 50 pounds!  Actually, one alternated back and forth between 50 and 51, but settled on 50.

 

We then saw Africa.  We were on a very big and busy street.  All along the way there were people in the middle of the street selling everything from fruit and nuts to clothes and DVDs.  At every stop someone had something to sell.  We drove past a military base and saw a lot of soldiers.  It was really interesting.

 

Then we arrived at the Temple block.  What a beautiful place.  I am going to let Debi take it from here.

 

By Debi

 

We are here!  I can’t believe it.  Everything is so different.  We really haven’t seen much because we have only seen the airport, a very busy street with crazy drivers, and the Temple Square.  When we arrived at the Temple it was the first green grass we had seen.  There are trees here but not green grass.  The Temple is so beautiful.  It isn’t white it is more of a gray marble look. The angel Moroni is larger than usual.  They told us the government wanted a large statue.  So they got one.  There are beautiful fan palm trees and flowers and green, green grass.  We have moved into our little apartment.  It is very adequate.  We were both pleasantly surprised.  We have met several of the senior couples and some of the church employees.  The thing that really surprised me was the many offices and employees.  This is a very big operation.

 

The Powells are so kind and they had us over for dinner.  They just live down the hall.  They are also taking us to the bank in the morning and then shopping to get us some supplies.  I am not sure what to buy but Sister Powell said she would help me figure it all out.

 

We are exhausted but happy and we feel a little calmer.  We might get a little nervous again tomorrow as we try to figure our way around but right now we know we can make it.

 

We have so much more to tell but we really haven’t been in a bed since Sunday night.  We need to get some sleep. 

 

We will tell you more later,

 

Love, Debi and Greg

 

P.S.  I am wearing two watches.  One says 7:50 pm and the other 1:50 pm.  We are 6 hours different until Utah goes off daylight time, then we will be 7 hours apart.