Surprise Visitor

 Brent made plans and came to visit Accra, Ghana because the Bonner Family was coming to Accra - and Africa -  for the very first time to showcase a movie that one of the Bonner's wrote the screenplay for. 

"My Name is Green Flake" is a YouTube movie (I think it is only by a subscription that you can open it), and the Bonners have plans to visit a lot of stakes to sing and show their movie. They are excellent singers that harmonize well with or without accompaniment. 

The movie is based on the story of Green Flake a slave that was owned by people who became members of the church. The movie has a lot more in it than the stories I looked up online about him, but probably because there wasn't a whole lot of information from those stories. Maybe they had journals or something more personal than what I could find. I am not sure whether the intent of the story is for an LDS audience to educate and enlighten or for general audiences. I am figuring it wouldn't be understood very well without an LDS background - but who knows? For me I was shocked to find out that saints even owned slaves. I have always believed the gospel of Christ doesn't have any part of slavery. So if that was the intent - well covered! The Bonners are excellent singers and I was touched and moved by their songs.

Ok, back to the reason for this post!

Brent left on his birthday which was November 4th and arrived on the 5th. He had given us a little over a week's warning that he was coming and asked if we wanted anything from the states. A good cutting pair of scissors for all the fabric I'm doing was first on my list. It was like Christmas came early when Brent arrived here. He brought Jeffrey some Arabic books and I got vitamins and sewing materials. I am so happy!

Happy Birthday Brent!

The Burton's hosted a birthday celebration. It was odd having Brent not take charge and order the events - of course it was the Burton's home now. Just different.

Brent talking to all the guests who came for his birthday

The really cool part for me was the fact that he asked if I wanted him to take something back. He said he had room in his suitcases. 

So just like that my herd of elephants are now in Utah in Susie's house!

Having Fun with a Friend

 Sherri Despain travels around West Africa with her husband picking up Church History stories by interviewing and taking pictures of the people who are left from the earliest members of the church. She has gotten to be friends and loves the people she interacts with. 

Sherri wanted to have her hair braided African Style to honor those she associates with and just because it would be fun. She asked if I wanted to go with her, so off we went to the hair dresser's salon. I met Antoinette and Irene. Irene was really, really quick with the braiding, but there were so many it took almost three hours. Antoinette asked if I wanted anything done and on the spur of the moment I said yes, I'd like to be blond again and have my hair cut. I was actually done before Sherri was. 

About six months into my time here in Accra, I got frustrated with my hair and took the front part and whacked it off. Antoinette was kind enough to even it out. 

We had fun talking, laughing and getting to know one another. There is something really nice about having someone in your hair while chatting.

 

So much fun!

This was a good morning!

Can you imagine braiding each of those tiny long braids?!

Stumble

 I have to confess, I had a melt-down last week. It was over something as stupid as the printer not printing. My computer said the printer was offline, so I turned on some buttons and a bit later saw some other people picking up their print jobs. Good, I put mine in again and it wouldn't print mine and said the printer was offline. I was so frustrated I cried. Stupid. I know. When Jeffrey comes over I told him it was just hormones (right - since I've already gone through the change-of-life years ago!) and hurried out the door and drove home. Of course it wasn't just this one instance, but a pile of frustrations and anxiety about lots of little things. At home I slept for two hours and woke up feeling a bit better and sheepish. 

Rachel called out of the blue! It was a nice chat. Another missionary said she was thinking about me and just called to chat. Jeffrey came home early and worked from home and then a few days later my friend Debbie Penovich wrote an email and said she had been thinking about me lately. Nice. I ordered some vitamin B complex to help with my moods. Brent Belnap was coming to Accra and offered to bring some things in his suitcase.

I felt wrapped in love and knew angels were on my side in this little thing. They nudged some people to think about me. Thanks. I know if I have a big thing I'll have the same care.

Sister Scripture Study

 Every Wednesday at 9 am in Accra, the sisters meet for a Scripture Study. Actually we use the manuals and General Conference with scriptures added. This has been a uplifting, motivating meeting and has been a great way to build friendships with those we may only see in passing. All the meetings are still on zoom and some sisters do not feel comfortable coming in person sometimes they are busy but listening, and sometimes it is great for those who are traveling but can get internet access to be part too.

Sister Olsen giving some insight, with Sisters Call, Idell, and Eastmond listening.

Julia Klebingat was the discussion leader with Sister Kacher looking on.

More sisters are spaced along the table going down. It is the best that can happen with Covid protocols.

Wonderful Evening

 We hosted the BoBi family for Family Home Evening and had a really sweet time. I wasn't sure if they liked the dinner or not, but they were very polite, ate slowly and told us all about their life stories and how they met and where they grew up. Both come from a Muslim background and had some really wonderful stories to tell us. Actually there was divine intervention but it is their story to tell not mine. I have come to the conclusion that if a life story here is really true it will have a dream, vision, or angel in it. For some reason there is a connection or communication with the heavens that is different from the US culture. 

I rate the planning ahead of time by getting some grandmother toys a success!

There is really something special in the bond between mother and child

I love this handy way the women carry their babies! She transferred her over while still sleeping.

Getting it All Done

On a Monday a little bit ago, I had lots to do as Dumevi had an order he wanted to fill which meant I needed to get as many trousers cut out as quickly as possible. I had been working all afternoon and had just a few more to finish but my time was running out as I had to prepare for a family coming over for Family Home Evening. In my mind I knew that the set up was simple as I'd prepared ahead of time and that I would need to clean up especially as they have a little live-wire three-year-old. 

Susie happened to be on the phone with me as I was working which was nice because she was working too so we were just chatting as we worked on our projects. I mentioned my need to finish up the trousers quickly as I needed to prepare for the Family Home Evening. A few minutes later she and I hung up as I needed to haul all the fabric, sewing machine, and tools (like scissors) to the bedroom for safety sake. 

I think it was five minutes after 6 pm (which is when our guests were due) that I was sitting down looking at the counter, when I noticed that I had gotten quite a bit of work done in a short amount of time and that I was very calm and ready for them. As I reflected on it a bit, the realization struck that Susie had prayed for me and I had been assisted in my efforts and that was the reason I was calm and ready. I sent a quick text thanking her for her prayers and a longer prayer thanking God.

The entire night was peaceful and calm. I like Susie's prayers.

It's love

 On Saturday Jeffrey and I did our regular grocery shopping. Jeffrey does not like shopping and getting in and out quickly is the goal. But we do need groceries and so we go. I try to make it as painless as possible by divvying up the list so as he goes around getting particular items I can bring my loot to him from different parts of the store. 

Coming home is sometimes quick and sometimes slow. There is a particular u-turn that can be long so Jeffrey loves to get the light green and be on our way. On this Saturday, Jeffrey turned around at the light after I had seen the plantain chips on a lady's head. Oh well....again. We have seen plantain chips there on a few Saturdays in a row but they have always been on the other side of the street. 

Ah Jeffrey, wanted to make me happy and turned another u-turn so we could go pick up plantain chips! These are long distances between u-turns. The lady with the chips was called over by another lady with water bottles when Jeffrey asked. The plantain lady was happy to have a 50 cedi note given and quickly gave lots of bags through the window. I am sooo happy!

I prefer the light colored chips, but will eat all of them:)