Our Final Days in AWA

We went to Africa with the attitude to serve when and where we were asked. We didn’t research places to visit or sights to see, instead we moved on with our calling, and in the end, feel that our experiences were abundantly rich, both temporally and spiritually. We began to understand what is taught in Alma 26:37:

"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever."

Driving out of the Accra airport is where we experienced our first beggars. Small children weaving their way through cars stopped at the traffic lights with their hands to their mouths gesturing for food. Crippled men sitting on skateboards propelling themselves with their hands protected from the hot asphalt by flip flops. Women with babies tied to their backs, and bowls of wares on their heads. Indeed, it was apparent that we were, “not in Kansas anymore.” The question is immediately asked, is God is mindful of every people? A question we constantly asked and pondered. By the end of our two years, we came to know that these people love God and believe in His goodness towards them. Physical comforts are not their goal, but knowing God. We should take a lesson. 

Where we lived

The Temple view out of our office window

Africans we worked with

Employees on our floor of the Area office saying good-bye to us.

Theresa & Michael at their sealing. They named their baby Dale, after Elder Munk.

We affectionately referred to the soon to be born baby as LEM, Little Elder Munk.

Wilhelmina, temple office worker, seamstress, and friend.

Jefferson, who we met early on and watched as he was finally able to marry Abigale. Dale spoke at their wedding.

Sandra, who gave me RS fabric.

Martha invited me on a tro tro ride and a walk through a very African neighborhood

where her mother had a food stand. She was dear to invite me into her world. 

The dress Bernice made me from RS fabric. I’m one of the sisters!

Favour worked at our apartment building where she first heard about the gospel. She loved the doctrine and embraced all the blessings of the church. Here she is modeling a New Year’s Eve party dress that we senior sisters helped her alter. She is now waiting on her mission call.

Bernice, Bags by Bernice. A dear lady with wonderful business and sewing talents. Her business was well supported by the senior sister missionaries as she sews temple dresses, temple bags, computer bags, dresses, and appliqued t-shirts. Lovely, dedicated advocate of her people.

A typical week meeting with YSA in a small Sunday School class and visiting a GP during the week

A few of the gatherings and tender expressions of love and appreciativeness from those we interacted with daily. 

Poulters, Platts, Munks, Klebingats at the Polo Club for a final dinner.

Elders Klebingat and Nielsen in the Area Office offering sincere words of gratitude for our efforts to fulfill the presidency’s YSA objectives. I have sadly misplaced a group photo of all of the missionaries together. Many considered the  group we served with the “A-Team.” Each was amazing and consecrated to the work. Consecration was the theme of Elder Klebingat’s kind remarks at our farewell devotional.

Farewell wave from Sisters Siogbo and Manu. 

We miss you all!