Entry #33

Dear Family and other loved ones,

Business is much as usual here in Ghana.  We continue to have missionaries arriving and missionaries departing for home.  Both the arriving and departing are excited – for obvious different reasons.  The reality of the somewhat harsh conditions here in Ghana almost immediately dampens the spirits of the new arrivals, but after a few weeks the spirit of this work penetrates their hearts and they blossom before our eyes.  It is amazing how quick the young missionaries, as well as us older folks develop a special love for these wonderful people.  We are impressed, over and over again with their deep faith and testimony of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice.  Many of them do not have much, but they are willing to give all they have, if necessary to build the Lord’s kingdom in this part of the world.  The Ghanaians continue to be most kind to us.  They go out of their way to open gates, haul packages, wash our car, and just be very friendly and courteous.

We traveled to Obuasi yesterday (Sunday July 21st) to work with some of the leaders in the two branches in this fairly large gold mining town.  This city is a couple of hours south of Kumasi. In the near future we will be dividing these branches and will then have three or four branches there.  We have a nice church building there and the people come from many kilometers away.  Dad helped them with their computer setup and helped them remedy some of their financial and membership reporting while Mom was loving the little children and attending some of their Sunday meetings.  We also delivered mail and other supplies to our 6 missionaries in Obuasi.  Since these missionaries are a couple of hours away from the mission home and don’t get regular deliveries.

A couple of weeks ago while out taking care of some business we took a break and visited the Botanical Gardens which are near the UST College Campus.  It was on a day when the Ghanaians celebrate their independence day (July 1st) which is the equivalent of our 4th  of July celebrations.  Since it was a holiday there were some very animated groups celebrating in a way that only the Africans can celebrate.  We will try to attach a little clip we recorded while there.  Also a few pictures are inserted below of a few of the interesting trees and items in the Garden.  It is unusual to see a relatively well manicured landscape area with no clutter.

The young Ghanaian sister who does cooking and domestic chores in the mission home had twins a few weeks back and Mom visited here in the hospital and took a couple of pictures and we have inserted one below.  This sister served a mission here in Ghana a few years ago and is a very faithful sister and one who has pampered us from time to time.

We continue to have a significant amount of rain and accordingly we are enjoying much cooler weather – a pleasant relief from the very hot and humid weather we experienced in the period December through May.  While the humidity is very high, the temperatures generally range between 23 and 31 Celsius (73 to 92) degrees Fahrenheit.  In the hotter part of the year the temperatures can reach 36 or 37 Celsius (which is nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit).




We think of all of you often and pray for you always.  We thrill of your goodness as you are doing a tremendous job raising your wonderful families.  We also want to send our congratulations to Matt & Tana for their new addition to their family- Samuel Nathan Clayton.  We’re glad that everything went well for you.  Can’t wait to meet our new little grandson.

  Love Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, Rodney, MJ




One of many formations seen throughout Ghana – a termite nest.  On the right at the base of the tree you can see another  formation made by insects – looks like a toadstool – made from mud.  Interesting!

 Beauty and the beast (Interesting tree)

Another interesting tree in the garden

Truck that just turned over with its load - as we were traveling to the bank and post office

Veronica with her twins – She works at mission home with cooking and domestic chores

The young man (Elder Obasi) recently went home from our mission and returned to propose to this young lady.

Trucks line up in the morning to hire out for the day to do hauling jobs

Some more elders over for breakfast – Komubbi, Doolin, Ramo and Leishman

Elegant home among the much less elegant homes (above – side view - and below – front view).  The black  tanks on the top are Poly tanks for water storage.

The ever present street vendors – this one with shoes galore.

Catering service advertising their business on the street.