Week 68 - Out of small things...

Letter from Feb. 5

Family,

A week ago "tricky" Sister Munro called and invited us for Sunday dinner with President and Sister Simpson and a couple of missionaries. Neither of us thought anything of it until a cake with candles appeared, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to Elder Lambert. It was such a sweet early b'day surprise. Thanks to our family for all their good wishes too, it is wonderful being related to you all!

Our young Nigerian friend Samuel got the janitor job at the hospital! He will do training this month and start work in March. His hours are 6am-5pm six days a week. He will make 350 Ghc per month, that's about $90/month. Crazy huh?!!! Oh, and his transport costs 3 Ghc/day. It's kind of sobering isn't it? Samuel is grateful and appreciative that he now has work. (So girls, no complaining about your pay at a penny a minute when you were puddle-ducks, even getting a raise when you advanced to cuddly kid status!) 

Another sobering experience occurred as we sat on the side of a culvert with Kwame who is homeless and lives in a storm drain. We often run past him as we exercise and have become friends over the course of several visits. He definitely has some mental illness but has a story to tell, and we patiently listen as he tells us about his life. Food and a new t-shirt lifted his spirits on this occasion.

On Thursday evening we taught Pathway students at Kaneshie and had a wonderful discussion on the topic, "Your Future Career- Getting It Right". This is probably the presentation we get the biggest reaction to, as the students contemplate what job is right for them and that the Self Reliance Foundational principles are the things successful people do, which cannot be learned in school, but are part of our "becoming". We like how Elder Dallin H Oaks says it, "In contrast to the institutions of the world which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something. Whatever causes us to be dependent on someone else for decisions or resources we could provide for ourselves weakens us spiritually and stops our growth towards what the gospel plan intends us to be."

I love the head scarves the women wear here in Africa. Sarpomaa (in the picture below) is a seamstress and is married to Samuel, one of our security guards. They are currently being taught by the young missionaries, and are asking some awesome questions. We really love this family.

On Saturday we trained High Councilors and Stake SR Specialists for the whole of Accra West Coordinating Council (that's six stakes and two districts). I was so touched when I asked Pres. Ohene from Abomosu what time he left his home to get to the 9:00am meeting on time. His response, "I started out at 3:00am" He had to walk into the village to get a tro-tro and make several connections before arriving at the church. No complaining, no excuses, just sweet obedience. The training was to provide tools to the HC to in turn train Bishops in Self Reliance. Elder Lambert's "Ward Council" skit taught many valuable principles.

Today at church a young man shared the following scripture and it seems a fitting summery of our weeks activities. Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.  And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. Alma 37:6-7

With love, 

Elder and Sister Lambert

I had to take a picture of Evelyn in her "Church" dress. Isn't that just great!