Nothing broke

 Everyone carries things for me - even my bags. I am getting familiar with this custom though it still feels irregular. When the eggs FINALLY came on Monday, I went out to the taxi to give the man his egg crates and pick up the four dozen eggs I'd ordered for the senior missionaries.

Juliet came by and insisted she would carry them in. My heart went up to my throat when she put them on her head. Even the taxi driver looked dismayed (so it wasn't just me). And she carried them gracefully into the area office to the cafeteria. Ah, so far so good.

Wisdom the Artist

 I love Wisdom's work and the care he takes. He brought my napkin rings on Saturday. He did a very nice job on them -- as usual. We talked about Mrs. Magleby's school kids and I told him to make 30 pieces for her by July. Probably little elephants. I wonder if she is still teaching? Even if she is doing something else, I'm sure she can find homes for 30 tiny elephants. He does great work.

Me? I just handle these napkin rings. I love the feel and shapes.

Where did everyone come from?

 On Saturday nights, Jeffrey has a meeting for missionaries to talk about scriptures and questions they have. My job is to have refreshments and water available. I hang out in the back room doing my thing. 

Last Saturday night I walked out when I thought the meeting was over  --  to a room full of people. There was an older lady from the ward - not a missionary, two young men who may go on missions but not missionaries, four real missionaries, and Elder Morrison. I was very surprised.  I realized I had not laid out enough banana muffins for all, so I brought out another loaf of banana bread and cut it up. Meanwhile Wisdom came over to bring me a set of napkin rings so I gave him a slice also.  I couldn't help wondering why all these people had come...........to a meeting for missionaries......uhmmm

Encouragement for goals

 

Comfort, Stella, Patricia, and Gifty

The Early Birds who came for exercise on Saturday Morning

We have a delightful set of sisters who encourage and help each other with their goals. One is exercise. We walked three times around the temple complex and then went up to the gym to have aerobics. Our teacher didn't show up so we all did our own thing to the music. We added a few more ladies as we went along. Fun!

After the walk, ready for round two

Ines took the selfie for the aerobics

Patricia, Peggy, and Comfort

Nona's House

 Yesterday Jeffrey flew off in the morning to go to meetings in Nigeria. I invited Baaba to stay the night instead of going all the way back to her apartment. The inducement was a real bed to sleep in. Baaba is only a few years older than my daughter and could easily be the age of a child of mine. She made herself at home and knew where to get what she needed. Since she came late at night, she looked through the fridge and got her own dinner. This morning she made her own breakfast and then lunch as I went to the pool this morning and was shopping in the late morning. 

Baaba made me a new dress. 

Bobby came to clean the apartment and was happy to have the banku and okra stew that had been frozen for him. 

Yesterday, Asante and Lawrence came to visit. They wanted to know if there was anything I needed done. I asked about the sticky shower door and wanted hot water in that shower also. Lawrence looked around and found the water heater hadn't been turned back on in the electric box - despite the on/off switch being turned on, on the wall. He unstuck the shower door. Two down, one to go. I asked him to check on the TV and see why only BYU TV was the only channel. 

Lawrence set the TV remote up so it would click directly on to the sports channels (which is really what Jeffrey was looking for.) Nice. Just like my kids at home can do.

Asante wandered around and asked if I had something he could eat. I had my elbows in a project and nodded with my head to the freezer and he found Jollof rice package from Comfort. I told him about the cooked chicken in the other freezer. He was happy, happy and took some plantain muffins for he and Lawrence. He got his own "rubber" from behind the door as he knew where they were. In Ghana a rubber is a plastic bag.

Lawrence makes it all work

Score! for Asante

Today they were back again. The wanted the Jollof rice and chicken and took the last of the muffins (dropping some off to Sister Kaku's apartment). It feels like my house back home with kids who need and want things that I can give. 

While they were still here,  Comfort arrived. I told her that her meals were all going swiftly and that everyone loves them. I gave her some cedis to make more meals.

Luckily Comfort brought bananas. She brought them for the sisters who are meeting for an exercise time at the church tomorrow morning so I can make banana bread.  Now Bobby, Asante, and Lawrence would like some banana bread. Comfort would like to give some away too. 

Imagine that - I'm making banana bread again. I'm loving life!

It's grand central station with people - and I love it, in a few hours they will all be gone and it will be peaceful and calm and Jeffrey can come home to a clean house with groceries in the fridge.

Ah life is good.

The Tie - part two

 I am getting all the elements together to present a recognition of service to Brent Belnap. Back in October I thought that Brent would be coming to the ALC cluster meeting we are having next week in Kenya. But it looks like he won't be there for that meeting. Regardless, I am still moving forward in having it all put together. 

The Tie, a poem, an African made box, and hopefully an audience. Wisdom finished a box with symbols on the sides, a rod to drape the tie over and a plastic lid to keep it all together. When I asked my sister Laura to write a poem, she sent back exactly the feeling I had been looking for. I think she is very intuitive and understands more than I could explain. Of course I have had The Tie since Brent left Ghana in July of 2021. I was hoping for the audience to be other ALC's, but maybe Lee Wright could give it to him with his peers in Salt Lake City. The only element I have left...I am hoping that Bishop Addy can fashion a small title on the top of the box, "The Tie". 

Covid Artifact

In an empty office, cold and wide,

Brent wore his tie with quiet pride.

The world was distant, far away,

As chaos spread, both night and day. 

He helped them all, the missionaries dear,

Guiding them home through doubt and fear.

On planes they flew, across the sky, 

While Brent remained, though questions high.

The world was lost in fear and strife,

As boarders closed and changed each life.

The halls were still, the floor was bare, 

Yet he stood firm, with quiet care.

A tie, a symbol of his grace,

For duty, for others, in this strange space .

No eyes to see, no praise to earn.

Just him, the tie, as the world would turn.

A tie, a symbol, strong and true,

He kept steady when all withdrew.

A simple tie, a humble thread,

That he kept wearing, when all had fled

By Laura Tesch after hearing the story from Linda Ann Adams

Edward Walker comes with his friend

 I knew I should have written it down - but now the memory is gone.....

Old age, I really don't recommend it. Anyway, Walker came over a few days ago and brought his girlfriend over. She is so very sweet and nice. I did know her name and I hope it jumps back into my memory. We enjoyed talking with them and getting to know her.  Comfort made jollof rice that morning and had also cut up mango. It was a nice dinner and the conversation was wonderful

I am so happy to have lasting friendships. Walker has been an important part of our whole Ghana experience and it is great to watch him growing close to his beautiful girl.