Hello 2014 in Ghana

                 Welcome 2014 !  ( although these first pictures are the last of December )

                                  HERE IS OUR LIFE IN GHANA, WELCOME

                    

The last week in December we still had time to sight see a bit, so we did. We went to Kakum Park and did the Canapy Walk.  It's crazy to be up above the tree lines walking on a wobblely rope walk way.  But it was a fun adventure to go on.

                               

                                   It was a very hot, humid day. Like every day but when you are hiking you notice it a lot more!!

                   Shai Hills Reserve with The Calls' baboons were everywhere.

              A couple of ostridge, they come right up to you.

                                        

                                        

     The Shai Tribe would bring the young women who were to be married up to this area to " prepare "

Them for marriage . These stones were where they would learn how to grind the corn to make flour, learn to cook, and maintain a home.  They would stay up here for 6 months.

Each circle represents where a different young woman who would grind corn, peppers, or whatever it may be on the stone.

We were quite high and we could see for quite a distance .  As we looked out we kept saying it looks like there should be elephants, lions, and tigers everywhere .  But that's another part of Africa. :)

                                       

                                       Our wonderful guide that made sure we were safe in all our climbing adventures.  Then off to lunch at The Senchi Hotel.  Best buffet EVER!  A new hotel that just opened in August.

  

                           It doesn't look all that new, but it is.

            Tree of life, one for Africa, one for Europe .  And a picture of the pool.

     

    On the ten year celebration of the Temple here in Ghana, some of the local African leaders came, it was wonderful to see them come walking in in all their African attire. The news media were here to.  It was kind of different to see the media walking up to the pulpit to put a big microphone in front of President Curtis or anyone else as they were speaking.  :)

    

      We had a visit from Elder Bednar & Elder Clayton and had 2000 plus come to be taught from an Apostle of The Lord.  It was a question and answer forum and went really well.  The pictures below are outside as everyone was leaving.  Quite the crowd.

                                  

        Here we are Monday morning at our Scripture study where Sister Bednar & Sister Clayton came and visited.  They shared their feelings about what it's like following their husbands all around the world and shared their testimonies with us all.  One the front row left to right : sisters  Dube, Vincent, Curtis, Clayton, Bednar. Then Sister Perterson, And Andam and her sister. 

Back row :  left to right Sister Cannon, Bullock, Judd, Call, Angelina ( husband works for Google, hangs out with us), Me, Cooper, Stoker, Slader, Watkins, Elmer,  Hill, Kradolpher, and Sister Fitzgerald. Sister Curtis husband is the Area President, Dube & Vincents' husbands are also in the Area presidency, Hill & Judds' husbands are mission presidents.  ALL wonderful ladies.

                A FEW RANDOM PICTURES

        Braces in Ghana ... The only person we have seen thus far. Cute girl, didn't mind us taking her picture to send to Daniel.

    Our second big rain this last week.  This is the yard at the church, in the middle is the over flowing drain.  Below is the flooding street it's actually like a river flowing over the side by the street. As we watched out the window at the church.

    

            This is a Elder Heaton and his companion . They had left their phone at the church earlier and had to walk through the water up to their knees to get here.  Their apartment ceiling was leaking pretty bad and they needed to tell the office ASAP.  

    TRYING to get home, thank goodness the rain had stopped.  As you can see there is no traffic laws here, driving on the sidewalks, up the sides anyway you can get there.  Except if you are white, you will get stopped.  The other day we made a u- turn that we make everyday following a tro- tro and we were pulled over .  They waved the tr- tro past and stopped us.  So we explained that there is no sign saying no u- turns it's safe and we followed the tro-tro. The cop said," when you are in Ghana you have to obey our "rules", haha ok. I said next time we know better, but he wanted to take us to the police station, in other words he wanted money.  I said, we are missionaries and have no money, and we are not going to the station, we are going to our church. Then I reached in the back of the seat and said, " have you ever seen this book?" The Book of Mormon? He gave me a funny look, and said " no" , so I said good that is yours to read , with a smile . He shook his head and said, " go ",  Whew glad that was over!  We have learned that the police want you to pay them money, and want to get in your car for a ride to the station.  We always say," sorry this is not our car, it's the churches and you are not aloud in it. ". And it has worked twice.  So far, so good.

       Random pictures at church.  The kids love you to take their pictures and show them.

     These three boys are from the Baidou family, their father always fixes our internet problems.  His one son who is 5 was playing the interlude music before church.  He has been taking lesson for a year we couldn't believe it. He was so good.

          Wherever Grandpa Lynn goes, these little girls want to come sit with him in church.  This is Elaine , never met her before, but was with us all during church.

           This is the 5 year old playing the hymns.

          I guess chickens need a taxi too!  This was so funny to see at the light. There were 8-10 chickens in the back seat.  It was funny I was so busy watching the chickens that I didn't even notice the picture of Jesus and the lambs on the window. They were flapping everywhere!

   Another sweet little girl that spotted Lynn soon as we walked in and sat with him all during church. Here he is drawing stick people. :)

This little one and her mom are in our ward at church.  She is so cute I just loved all her bobs in her hair.

This young girl is now 9 and is leading the music here at a baptism. She was also the chorister at the ward primary program. :)

     This lady was the young women president in our ward, with her two daughters.  Some dress so beautifully when they come to church.  For some reason these fashions would not look the same on some of us who come to visit. :)

 

All is well here in Ghana . We enjoy meeting new "friends" every day.  Thankful to be here and feel so blessed to have this opportunity.  So grateful for the support from our family and friends at home.  Love you all. 

      FACES THAT WE LOVE AND ARE SO BLESSED TO CALL OUR GRANDCHILDREN ! XO

                        

                          

                 Mm.  

                         

                                          

                         

      

                                                                         LOVE !!!