Crunch Bones!

The Christmas Devotionals were awesome!  We had speakers talk about the birth of the Savior, His life, and the fact that He still lives.  One of the speakers, Elder Omini (Nigeria) totally makes my day every time I see him - I wish I could bottle his laugh!  It amazes me how they can get up and give an incredible talk for 20 min. without any notes - they ALL do it that way!

Elder Fawole on the sax and Elder Halm (Arizona) on the piano - both gifted musicians.  They performed The First Noel and Silent Night.

The Sisters sang Away In The Manger.  The audience covered the rest of the Christmas Hymns.  I loved to hear them sing Far Far Away!

Each of the Zone Leaders led a string of blindfolded missionaries up, down, over and around a variety of obstacles representing life's journey.  After a while, each one was left alone and told to listen for further instructions.  One leader started singing "Come Follow Me".  Some of the missionaries turned toward the music and began to walk toward it immediately - others took a while to realize the words of the song was the instruction.  Each was greeted with "Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant" and a hug.  There was just one left but was coming slowly and when he finally made it, the whole group surrounded him with hugs and cheers.  Then they shared their experiences and insights about the activity - some of which were very profound!

Theresa works at the mission home and is a fantastic cook!  Sister Shulz and I helped her serve a feast of chicken and 3 different kinds of rice - brown, red, green and all SPICEY.  

For the first time since I've been here, we were offered a fork and knife - much easier than the usual spoon!  

Ghanaians don't think they're finished unless the bones are gone too.  It's a little unnerving to hear them eat them.  Elder Jaggi (Wyoming) aka Elder Asay's cousin is showing him how it is done.  It reminds me of something that Arnold Odonkor said recently at an area training meeting for branch leadership "You will NOT be spoon fed like little children any longer - stand...be men...crunch bones!"

Elder Dodd is helping clean up with this broom.  He is doing it in proper style with the hand behind his back just like the locals.  Women usually sweep the dirt around their house before dawn.  We see them doing it while we're walking, but I've never had the nerve to take their picture doing it.  

Forever Strong was the featured film - the missionaries LOVED it!  (We covered up the swimming pool scene :)  They love to play football (soccer) on their p-day.  Afterwards a group of island boys did the Haka - it gave me gooseys!

Mail was a highlight of the day and we made sure EVERY ONE had some!  At the first of September, parents of all missionaries were asked to send a special letter for Christmas.  Most of the 53 Americans received a letter from their parents, but less than 10 of the 100 Africans got one.  A last minute plea to the Sherbrooke Ward brought dozens of heart warming letters.  It surprised me how much it meant to the missionaries - most have not received a single letter since I've been here! 

You would not believe the smiles and laughter that these little brown bags brought!  Some of them wanted to do back flips, others just wanted to cry!  On the outside, tied with a little green ribbon (which will be kept) was a gift from Staci, a VERY generous friend - key chain oil vials and stainless steel CTR rings.  These are nearly impossible dreams for every local missionary to have.  Thank you so much Staci!  Inside they were surprised with 8 pieces of toffee (candy) and a Kente cloth tie with the Adinkra symbol of Gye Nyame or Except God.  The literal translation is "The great creation originated from the unknown past; no one lives who saw its beginning.  No one lives who will see its end except God.  It means that God is regarded as the creator and ruler of the world and humanity, therefore he must be reverenced and worshiped.  GCCM stands for Ghana Cape Coast Mission.  It will be nice to see some of the elders with a different tie on - although sometimes I don't need to look at their name tag, just their tie to know who it is.  Matching ties may throw me off!    

Elder Asay wanted Elder Jaggi's mom to know that his teeth were still intact...so here's the proof - well they were when I took the picture anyway!

Some of the missionaries had to travel a long distance to come to their devotional.  The missionaries from Takoradi and Sekondi hired this bus to bring both zones to Cape Coast.  It's incredible the responsibilities the Zone Leaders shoulder with ease.  The only thing missing is the goat on top!