September 12, 2021

September is flying by! Sunday, the 12th marks our three-month anniversary of being in-country. It takes so long to learn the focus of the mission, and then suddenly there is the realization that the mission has begun and there only 15 months left.

THE WORK

When we arrived our predecessors presented us with three objectives from the area presidency for the YSA; marriage, jobs and staying on the covenant path. Their plan was to work on these objectives in the following way:

1. An on-line software platform called Africa PeopleGrove that provided a jobs board, mentoring from Americans to Africans, and Americans matched with Africans as speaking partners. 

2. Fulfillment of a general church directive to create YSA Gathering Places throughout West Africa where stake presidents were promised if they followed the application form and launched a GP they would receive internet, 10 computers, a refrigerator, a flat screen monitor, tables and chairs, etc.

3. An online educational training program for jobs in the medical billing and coding field from a company in Heber, UT that just about guarantees a good paying US based job at the end of the certification program. 

All of this was very exciting! Things sounded good. Each of the three initiatives met a need in this region of the world where jobs are very scarce, and underemployment is very high. Each met a church objective. The issue, we discovered, is that none of these was approved, even though, literally thousands of manhours had been spent creating and introducing the plans to YSA and leaders.   

Dale started seriously looking into each of the initiatives when we first arrived, only to find that PeopleGrove was very expensive and wasn’t drawing in the people necessary to justify the cost. The budget for Gathering Places that would cover the “goodies” had not approved. The online training program for medical billing and coding jobs needed PEF loans. Our predecessors had talked to the area PEF folks, but somehow walked away not knowing that within the training program there were five major objections to general church PEF policy. 

Oh dear. So, instead of moving forward, we are cleaning up. Three months and counting on cleanup. It is very sad. Soon we will announce the end to Africa PeopleGrove after many African YSA anxiously joined. Sixty-eight GP have launched, but without the promised internet and computers. (There is great disappointment.) 1,500 YSA had started the MB&C program with the hopes of gaining a good paying job after completing the rigorous training. But, without the PEF loan, they can’t afford the tuition to complete the program. (Again, great disappointment from YSA and leaders.)

Dale spent part of his career working with troubled companies. The YSA are strong and vibrant, but sadly these initiatives were not. Good ideas and noble intentions need to be scrutinized in detail then authorized prior to announcing and getting people excited. Cleaning up will be our work for the next little while—sadly.  

The other YSA senior couple who serves with us, Jon and Tamie Mondragon, are wonderful people who have become good friends. They have been here six months longer than us and have perspective on why things are as they are. Dale and Jon spend hours every day writing whitepapers at the area presidency’s request, cleaning up and strategizing how to move forward. 

YSA ACTIVITIES

On September 4, we drove to Tema Stake with the Pathway senior couple to attend their stake Summit in anticipation of their GP Launch on September 21. The event began with a general meeting where speakers discussed the topics of emotional resilience and education through Pathway, and then we were called from the audience to speak. Luckily, we had thoughts in our heads, so we didn’t detract from the others’ well-prepared PowerPoint presentations. After the meeting food was served, pickle-ball was introduced!, the standard YSA basketball game was played, music on big loud speakers blared, there was dancing and games. Dale joined in both sporting activities with great gusto. I cheered on the side-lines with the other observers. It was a fun day and a great way to get to know these great Tema YSA.

SENIOR MISSIONARY FRIENDS

Every Wednesday morning at 9:00 there is Sister Scripture Study with the area senior sisters. Our topic of study is the institute Eternal Marriage course. We rotate teachers each week, so there is a variety of insight. It is amazing how women who have been married for so many years are still learning and working on building strong marriages. Discussions are scripturally based with a depth that only years of experience can provide.
Break-the-fast is a long-standing tradition among church members who work/live together. AWA is one of those places. We meet in the courtyard of our apartment building each Fast Sunday for a semi-organized potluck. The food is delicious, the company is delightful. The Church is true. Hurrah for Zion!