June 13, 2021

First day in Ghana! Sunday, we attended New Town 2nd Ward, Tesano Stake. The Church talks were on baptism, controlling our anger and a concluding sermon by the bishop on tithing—opening the windows of heaven. The rented building was in an old and very worn section of the city. Lucky for us, there were not only ceiling fans, but air conditioning during Sacrament Meeting. The hymns were pitched by a lady in the congregation who sang the first line, then the music leader directed the rest of us to join in minus any instrument accompaniment. Covid mask protocol was observed as was wiping down the microphone and pulpit after every speaker. We left the air conditioned room to walk up the stairs to Relief Society. The room was hot with windows that opened to the street traffic below. The road noise along with the teacher translating every comment from Twe to English and English to Twe created an interesting hour. The lesson was on President Nelson’s talk, Not as the World Giveth. As with wards anywhere in the world, the structure and the process of church was very standard and familiar. Comfortable.

Later that day we went to a Gathering Place launch in the Ashaiman Ghana Stake with the Westons, a missionary couple who has been assigned to nurture the stake through the approval steps. The event started with an amazing YSA choir (in coordinating dresses and ties) singing praises with full purpose of heart! The Westons spoke of the first gathering during the pre-existance with Heavenly Father, and today, that we continue to gather in temples, chapels, and homes with our companions and families. 

President Boateng, stake president, gave a stirring talk on gathering. The insight and testimonies of all these people is Incredible. 

• The Savior wants you to have this blessing of a Gathering Place.
• The empty chairs in the room represent hope. Bring your friends, let them fill the chairs.
• Faith “What would you do if you had more faith? Lehi left Jerusalem with only his family. Nephi did much through faith—he even built a ship." 
• Ask yourself—Where is my faith? Embark on your life.
• A Gathering Place will prepare you for your future family.
• What does your personal gathering place look like? Where will you raise your family? The Gathering Place will help you fulfill your dream.
• D&C 52:14  The Lord has given a pattern to follow to avoid being deceived

Story: This is the Gold Coast where people know and understand mining gold. He made the analogy of finding gold and building a strong family.

"You know there is gold in the country, but you must dig, and dig hard to find the gold. To find it you must get dirty, very dirty. But, the gold is there. When it finally comes out of the ground, you are so happy you forget how dirty you are. You have found the treasure."

We ended the day at a dinner with at the Mondragon’s with the Hymas’ and Elder Egbo, an area 70 in West Africa. The food was lovely, the company was lovelier, and the discussion on YSA was informative and instructive. A beautiful first day in our new home.