Akwaba! (our practice at Twi language)

               
 Eta Sen!

We have had great fun and sweet experiences this week.
The first month we were here we visited the old lighthouse downtown and Jamestown fishing village with the Smiths.  The first person to greet us was Joshua.  As we said in our Feb posting, he is 14 years old and a very intelligent, happy boy.  He led us around his village and introduced us to his teacher.  We gave him a Book of Mormon, and he was very excited to read it.  He said he would come to the United States and tell everyone about it!
Last week Elder and Sister Wall were in Makola Market, LARGE outdoor market.  A boy came up to them and asked if they were missionaries and if they knew the Watsons.  It was our Joshua!  He told them he had been reading and talked at length about what he had read.
We will be checking on him next week.

Can you imagine "accidentally" finding anyone in this market that goes on for many blocks with thousands of people. No coincidences with Heavenly Father.  He is always there for us.

 


On our 4 kilometer drives to and from the temple office we encounter many beggars at each corner.  Some are handicapped, others very young or out of work.  We give coins when we can, but most of the time we have packages of cookies and pictures of Christ to give to them.
Yesterday morning a boy about 8 years old lead his blind grandfather to our car at a stoplight.  I gave him cookies and picture.  He looked at me and asked who the picture was.  I told him that this was Jesus, and that Jesus loved him very much, and that he was a very special boy.  He broke out into the biggest smile and said, "That's my God!"  He just kept smiling at the picture.  5 other little boys came running over when they saw us give him something.  We had run out of cookies, but they asked if they could have the picture and were just as excited.  Is it any wonder that Christ loves the little children so dearly!?

We attended a baptism in the Odorkor Ward last week.  Ibrahima Togola had traveled all the way from Mali to be baptized.  He is now one of only 2 members of the Church in Mali!  The first member is the mayor of Ouelessebougou (You can google to find out more about him.).  They meet and talked about the church.  Since the church has no missionaries in Mali, Ibrahima was taught about the church through a friend in Ghana and over the internet by a man he met who lives in California.  He read the Book of Mormon and felt such a love and strong spirit of the truths taught in it, combination with the Bible, that he knew he must be part of it.  He said he was "so excited to be reborn spiritually in Christ."  His family is Muslim, as is most of the country.  His father gave him permission to be baptized.  There was some concern for his safety in becoming Christian.  He was so excited and happy.

Pres/Sister Hill, Accra West Mission, Ibrahima, Smiths, Watsons


We usually attend a different ward or branch somewhere in Ghana every Sunday to help with any needs.  Last Sunday we had the wonderful experience of  visiting the small Tsito Branch in the Volta Region with 35 members attending.  The Branch President said he was so grateful that we missionaries had "descended upon them" and knew our visit would encourage them on.  They did more to inspire us.  Amazing to be way out in the bush of Africa and to hear the same strong testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel and love God has for us, to sing the same hymns, and to have the same Sunday School lessons as at home.  This is the road to the driveway of the small rented house they use for meetings.

How would you like this to be your view from your church doorway!

20 Senior missionaries were invited by some of the Eastern Region Chiefs to attend the Kente Festival, 4 hour drive from Accra.  It's not a tourist activity, but a local celebration of one of their main industries, Kente cloth weaving.  We went to bring the good will of the Church.  We were even pulled into one of the local dances.

At the Festival the children flocked around when they saw electronics (same the world over).  We pulled up church children videos for them to watch, and they were fascinated, beautiful kids.

Getting into the real culture

These women made these pots as we watched.  They don't use potters wheels. They throw the clay on the ground and walk around it carrying children on their backs.  Notice the little guy peeking out from behind.

Love you all LOTS.  Your love and support is a wonderful strength to us.
The Church is true!!  We love the people of West Africa.
Elder and Sister Watson