Week 13 - Incoming Missionaries

Hello everyone,

     We love the opportunity to have new experiences, and this week we helped orient nine new missionaries to the mission. Lots of paper work to do with immunizations, driving licenses, passports and non citizen status. Elder Lambert gave them the "keeping your apartment clean- bike safety- subsistence/reimbursements" lecture. They were also educated on health issues, wrote a letter home and were interviewed by President Snow. This batch includes two Sisters from Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The Elders are all from USA, but interestingly none from Utah. One of them resembles cousin David, another made me think, "Oh that's what Brigham Skinner may look like in six years!" 

   

     Having sent three of our girls on missions, it was fun to see this part of the mission experience from a parents perspective: missionaries, fresh from the MTC, enthusiastic and ready to go! Knowing of the prayers being offered thousands of miles away on their behalf, and knowing that those missionary moms were eagerly awaiting that first letter I encouraged these young Elders to be sure to tell their parents "I love you!".

     On Friday, a five hour road trip took us to Assin Fosu for a SR committee meeting. It was encouraging to get reports from most of the units that they started another round of SR classes at the beginning of the new year. We continue to learn about the challenges these people face, but also admire their faith. Their prayers are so humble and are filled with gratitude for life, and the life of Jesus Christ. They truly love the Savior!

    

   I wish I had taken a picture of the church in Assin Fosu showing how it stands at the top of a steep, rough road and is beautiful! ...next time. On Saturday, driving from Assin Fosu to the main highway (1.5 hours) just about every small town and village we passed through was holding a funeral. We could tell because the people all wear black and red and funerals are a big community event here, usually held on Saturdays.

    

     Today we visited Primary. One of the teachers didn't show up so we taught the lesson and were then asked to give the sharing time too! It is so interesting to see how the children respond here. They stand up to answer questions, they bring notebooks to write down assignments (the challenges at the end of each lesson), they record scripture references and whatever is written on the board. Then at the end of class the President reminds them to share what they have learned with their families for FHE. From the previous week many of them had memorized 1 Nephi 3:7 and recited it for the whole Primary. It made me realize that I rarely asked my Valient class in Kamas 4th if they had completed the challenge from the previous weeks lesson...always room for improvement. As for singing time, it is accomplished without a piano or props of any kind, they just sing! 

    It was a great week, we are loving it here. I could write so much more but it is better to get out and do. Love to you all,

Elder and Sister Lambert

Pix: Which Church would you like to attend?

Road to New Gbawe, doesn't show how rough it is.