Shortly after arriving in the Ghana Accra West Mission, Sister Jacobsen, the Mission Leader, shared an inspiring story that she had heard in the MTC from Elder Nash. She expressed a desire for a painting of it and our friend Sister Donene Jones began imagining the scene and putting it onto canvas. She has generously shared it with us.
Here is the story: When missionaries from Africa leave to go home, they are given $100 (American) to cover transportation from the plane to their home and/or accommodations and food before their connecting flight, and any other expenses that arise. When they are given the money, they are told to use it as needed and return any extra to their Stake president when they are released.
Elder Nash tells the story of an African elder who was returning from an honorable mission. After meeting with his Stake President to be released, he returned the money he hadn’t used - $90 of the $100 that he was given when he left the mission home.
The Stake President drove him the last leg of the journey home, down dusty roads to a remote area where they were met by his mother, who had walked out of the bush to greet her son. After a tearful welcome home greeting, she put his suitcase on her head, as they turned their way back into the bush to their home.
The Stake President knew the missionary could have used the full $100 dollars; it was evident that he did not have much, but he had the integrity to be frugal and return the rest.
Sister Jones loved the image of the mother patiently waiting on the side of the road until her missionary returned, a mother who had taught her son the importance of integrity. She captured the scene very well.
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