Week 19 - First Rain

Dear Family and Friends,

     Another week of new experiences began with the first rainstorm we have had since arriving here four months ago. It was a good one! We were out on the streets meeting with a member who has a food business. In the distance we saw dark clouds forming and the east wind stirred up dust and debris which caused chaos as everyone scurried to shut down their businesses and head for cover. Within ten minutes it was a deluge, and rained hard for a couple of hours. Luckily we made it to the car just in time or we would have been soaked!  I think our grandkids could have swum in some of the awesome puddles that were created, and that evening the frogs were croaking so loudly it was ridiculous! 

     Another first, as we trained the Lartebiokorshie stake SR committee. As one of the new stakes in the area, this was their first committee meeting. It was exciting to see their enthusiasm, they already have a plan to hold SR devotionals in conjunction with ward conferences. We exchanged contact information with the SR specialist and look forward to working with her.

     On Saturday, another first, as we were honored to serve as witnesses at the marriage of Tony, one of our branch members. Tony met Sandra online and they have been "dating" for 18 months. Sandra lives in Utah and has come to Ghana several times to visit Tony.  Due to immigration difficulties they decided to marry here in Ghana, but Sandra's parents could not come, so Tony asked us to be surrogate parents for Sandra on this special occasion. We were naturally happy to oblige. Through the miracle of technology Sandra's family were able to watch the ceremony via Skype. When the paperwork clears immigration they will move to Utah and be sealed in the Temple.

     The second rainstorm we've experienced began in the middle of an outside SR devotional we were participating in at New Gbawe. Everyone quickly moved inside where within ten minutes the power went out so we worked for about an hour using the flashlights on our phones. By the time the rain stopped it was almost dark so we called it quits. Then two young boys came running up and excitedly told me to come and look at our car. We all had a good laugh when we saw it marooned in the middle of a huge puddle! Elder Bassey offered to carry Elder Lambert over to it but you can bet that's not what Elder Lambert did. With shoes and socks in hand he waded through 4-5" of water to retrieve the car. Not exactly like crossing a mountain stream in the Uintahs!

   
So, it was quite a week, but probably my favorite experience was listening to Brother Samuel Baiden offer a prayer at the end of our visit with him.  His story is fairly typical. He and his family of eleven, joined the Church 17 years ago. He had a poultry business but people were buying the eggs on credit and then the chickens got sick so he abandoned the business. Through some challenging times he relied on his knowledge of the SR program and 4 months ago started a real estate business. He has had health problems and recently spent some time in the hospital, but he told us, "My future looks bright." He bore a powerful testimony of being self reliant and when several friends suggested he ask for help from the church he told them, "I am not poor, my life is in crisis." In other words,; "Yes, I'm having a hard time, but I am not poor, I can take care of myself." His prayer was so faith-filled and eloquent I felt like I was in the presence of a spiritual giant. So grateful for the lessons I am learning every day and the people who are blessing my life..

We love being involved in this great work!

What will you do to brighten someone's day?

Elder and Sister Lambert

Pix: Bro. Baiden with Bishop Michael Odoom

       My Path ... in the dark

       With Mr and Mrs Gharety

       And the whole family!