You Are Invited

As they say in Africa.  Come take a taste of the natural beauty that Africa has to offer.  During the two weeks that the MTC was closed, we ventured down to South Africa for a breath-taking experience.  The photos Diane took look like they are out of National Geographic, but really they are from her camera.  In the future, if you visit Africa with your son or daughter after their mission, you should consider going on a Safari. It is a vivid reminder of the beauty of God's creations.

The Armies of Helaman are enroute!

This photo moment is repeated 60 times over today as missionaries throughout the US and Africa bid farewell to their families and headed for the Ghana MTC.

Here is another  photo of Elder Chandler Johnson at the Denver airport taken today as he is headed our way. We will see him this time tomorrow evening.

Pictured above at  the St. George airport, are Elders Kaden Goodrich  Zach Zohner heading to our Ghana MTC this morning.

And the above photo is of Elder Brandon Peters and Elder Mitch Perry at SLC Airport.

And, I am told by his mother that to recognize Elder Bennion, I am to look for the cute one (they are all cute to their moms) and if that wasn't clear enough for me, to look for the one wearing the pink paisley tie.  But then Sister Burningham said her son would be wearing a pink paisley tie as well. They are trying to confuse us.

And finally....drum roll - here is the Salt Lake City group:  Don't they look great?

We expect all 60 new missionaries to arrive throughout the day tomorrow.  We are so looking forward to welcoming them. 

Will the MTC Be Ready When The New Missionaries Arrive Tomorrow?

The MTC has been closed for two weeks.  Tomorrow 61 new missionaries arrive and this scaffolding will be removed, the class room floors will have been freshly waxed, a new caterer has started, the linen is clean, folded and ready for them.  Yes, we are ready.

New Ghana MTC on track for completion by July 2017

This view is from the rear of the construction project.  On the left is the classroom building and on the right are 4 of the 6 stories in the housing complex.  (The new MTC is located on the same grounds as the Ghana Accra Temple and Area Office.  It is a 60 minute drive from the current MTC.)

Questions and Answers About Entering the Ghana MTC

This week, we receive 20 missionaries from North America and again in 2 weeks.  We thought it would be helpful to post some answers to frequently asked questions about coming to Africa.

Question - do I need money from home?

Answer - no, but if you want something from the distribution center, bring a debit card to allow you to access local currency.  The service charges for exchanging US cash are horrible.

Question - do I need mosquito netting?

Answer - this is provided in the mission field.

Question - what will my airport experience be like in Ghana?

Answer - DO NOT ACCEPT ANY OFFERS FOR ASSISTANCE.  If a missionary allows someone to left or carry a bag, they will be asked for money.  Do not do this.  We have a person from the MTC waiting in Arrivals, holding a white sign with blue letters than says MTC.  He will be dressed like a missionary.

Question - what is this confusion all about with regard to the number of suitcases?

Answer - There is no one suitcase rule.  It is merely counsel.  All Africans arrive with one suitcase. Suits are no longer required.  You can buy more things that you can imagine in Africa, so ask questions.  Other than Benin, you will need to bring sheets.  They are difficult to find in Ghana.

Question - is Ghana safe?

Answer - If you check it out on google, it is Africa for beginners.  It is the most Christian nation in the world.  There have not been any cases of ebola in Ghana.

Question - just how large is Africa?

Answer - you can fit China, India, the United States, and Europe within the continent of Africa and have room to spare.

Question - is the food and water safe?

Answer - the food is properly rinsed (fruits and vegetables) and the water is purified.  You will being a personal bottle for purifying water on your last Monday in the MTC.  The water sold on the street in little sachels is not safe to drink for North Americans.

Question - will I attend the temple?

Answer - you will attend the temple on your first Wednesday in the MTC (unless we do not have many French-speakers - then it might be Tuesday).  Please bring a blue card for performing an endowment of an ancestor.  It would be best to do the baptism and initiatory at home.

Question - how many pairs of garments should I bring?

Answer - in addition to the garments you bring from home, you will be given three extra pair of garments after you attend the Ghana Accra temple.

Question - when will I send an email home?

Answer - you will send an email home on Friday (our intake day) and on the day you go to the temple.

Question - what will I need at Immigration to enter Ghana?

Answer - You will need a yellow fever card in addition to your passport.  (Also please bring your record of immunizations so that you are not given a shot you have already had.)

Question - what about malaria or typhoid?

Answer - we have never heard of anyone getting typhoid fever.  We do not even give that immunization in the MTC.  We do give every missionary a doxy pill to be taken at supper time with food.  When a missionary gets malaria, in the vast majority of the cases, they have not taken their doxy pills.  They will also be given these in the mission field.  A great tip is to take garlic pills.  Mosquitos hate garlic and this really does work.


Question - what if I have additional questions?

Answer - email me.  (reid.robison@ldschurch.org)

Question - are there any other suggestions to help me prepare?

Answer - read carefully the mission president letter of what to bring and also check out a group on Facebook called "Elders in Ghana."  Much valuable information is shared there.

Coming to the MTC Soon? - Bring a Name to the Ghana Accra Temple

On the first day that a missionary arrives in the Ghana MTC, they are lovingly coached by a volunteer senior couple (about 10 of them from the Accra Ghana area) - to submit a name to take to the temple.

We believe that if a missionary has a temple work experience in the Ghana temple, they will be more likely to teach people to the temple in the mission field. All missionaries attend the Ghana Accra Temple on their first Wednesday in the MTC (the French speakers attend on Tuesday.)  This is the day they will send you an email.   You missionary will be able to testify from personal experience of the importance of this great work having taken a name through for one of their "cousins."  Please try to have the baptism and initiatory work done for the ancestor prior to coming to the MTC.

On February 8, last year, Elder Andersen gave a presents at a major family history conference in Salt Lake City, challenging us to "find our cousins."  “Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings.” —President Thomas S. Monson

We hope that each one of our missionaries who have been previously endowed, will have their own personal experience taking a name through the Ghana Accra temple prior to leaving the MTC.  As investigators become converted to the importance of temples, the likelihood of retention after baptism increases significantly.

African Eyes: The Wonders of Nature

Every year the MTC closes for 2 weeks in July.  The MTC President and his wife have a break during that time to experience Africa or another area of their choice at their own expense.  We felt that being this far from Utah, it would be exciting to participate in a Safari and discover another dimension of the beauty of Africa.  A few years after your son or daughter's mission, you might consider adding a trip like this to your bucket list.  They could show you their mission and together you could discover the beauties of South Africa.


Here are some highlight photos:

We first traveled to Cape Town, where we fell in love with this city that reminded us so much of San Diego.  Above is a photo of the famed table top mountain, a whale, and some penguins.  And included is a shot from the Cape of Good Hope - Southwestern most point in Africa.

Each day we would have two game drives, but even at the lodge we saw ample wildlife coming to the water hole.

Our favorite sightings were the babies.  It was fascinating to observe up close how the mothers protect and care for their babies.

Being up close to wild animals is amazing.  The trackers and guides are very wise and know how to keep their clients safe.

We were impressed the agility of the Range Rover vehicles but did get stuck once.

We travelled with some wonderful friends from Provo who met up with us in Cape Town and travelled with us to Kruger Park, Zimbabwee and Johannesburg.  One of them was very adventurous as you can see from his bungee jump.  MISSIONARIES DO NOT DO THIS.  THE ROBISONS DID NOT.  We ended our visit by touring Soweto and Nelson Mendela's home.  As you can see by his quote, it sums up what our quest in this life should be.  And as you will note by the photo of Victoria Falls, the children on the train, and the carvings, there is beauty everywhere.