Construction on New MTC in Full Swing

The Christmas break is over and construction is in full swing on the new MTC.  In the fore ground is the wing that will house the class rooms.

What do senior couples do on preparation day?

They shop.  Beads.  Baskets. Fabric.  (Observed by enthused companions - men in black) And top it off with lemon pie.

Mango Season is Here!

The season comes but twice a year - January and July but what a heavenly taste.  Mangos!

Scenes from Missionary Life in Ghana

These photos range from the district at work, to the local neighborhood, to pounding fufu, to stake gathers and finishes with why we do what we do - baptize.

Visiting the TK Bead Factory

 About 45 minutes from the MTC is a great find for women on a preparation day - TK Beads.  Here you see the beads being made and at the end of the tour you can purchase them for the grandchildren.

 The preceding three photos show how the kilns are made.  Here 10 year old and 7 year old boys haul clay to be shaped into the kiln.  It must dry for one week before use.

 Bottles are collected from all over as they are the main ingredient in the beads.

 Even bicycle spokes are used to make the tools used to shape the beads.

 Here the glass is crushed into fine powder.

 And voila, you now have all you need to make the beads before firing them in the kiln.

And the tour is not complete without shopping.  Here you will find plenty of choices.

Restoration Pamphlet Enjoyed by Anyone?

Yes that monkey in Accra is reading the Restoration Pamphlet while enjoying his watermelon.

I was not too surprised by the monkey because a year ago, I saw a gecko or small lizard in the temple. (I did not take a photo as cameras are not permitted.)  But I did report my sighting to a worker, who said "President Robison, the temple is for ALL living things."

President and Sister Obeng Help With Polio Campaign

News Release —  6 January 2015

Children in Ghana Benefit from 2014 Polio Immunization Campaign 

In the top photo, President Obeng, 1st Counselor in the MTC presidency is 3rd from the left, in the middle photo, Sister Obeng is surrounded by her students who helped and in the bottom photo is a child receiving a polio dose.

Two rounds of synchronized polio immunizations targeting 18 countries across western and central Africa were recently held in an effort to reach millions of children with the oral polio vaccine.
Partnering with worldwide and national organizations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped initiate and financially support the effort to raise public awareness of the campaign ‘Kick Polio Out of Ghana; Vaccinate Your Child.’  

The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with World Health Organization and UNICEF, worked with the LDS Church and Rotary International in motivating parents, guardians and caretakers of children under the age of five to have the children immunized against the crippling and deadly polio diseases.

Martin Obeng, a volunteer coordinator from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Rotary Ghana sponsored joint meetings to plan for both the first and second rounds of the polio immunization. 

“They collaborated with the Church at every stage of the program,” said Obeng.  “Their support towards the eradication of polio in Ghana is greatly appreciated.  They were also very grateful for our help this year.” 

The Church's contributions towards the campaign included 10,000 posters and flyers, four full-page advertisements in two national newspapers, sending out one million text messages and social mobilization in the 10 regions of Ghana – all to raise awareness and encourage children’s immunization.