Young Women Activity

It is difficult for me to coordinate a time when I can attend our Young Women activities because of responsibilities at the area office during the week. The girls prefer to meet on Fridays at 5:00 p.m. before they attend seminary at 6:00 p.m., but that's too early for me. We planned our last activity for Saturday afternoon so I could be there. A lot of the girls are needed at home for other duties on Saturdays, so our group was small but we had a lot of fun. Winnifred, the Young Women president from La Ward, came to show the girls crafts they can make and sell to earn money for girls' camp this summer.

  

Trade Fair Ward's YW president, Victoria, asked her friend,
Winnifred, from La Ward to show the girls some fun crafts. 

Winnifred is very creative and wants to open her own shop to
sell handmade jewelry and other pretty merchandise.

An African Wedding

We were privileged last weekend to witness not one, not two, but three wedding ceremonies for a great young couple -- Edwin Kobina Ewudzie and Dansoa Twum-Danso. Both temporarily worked in the area office building, got acquainted, and quietly developed a friendship that we were totally unaware of until they told us they were getting married. It has been fun to watch these two darling people plan and prepare for their future. Marrying in Africa can often include hurdles that are almost insurmountable. Although the younger generation is fighting to get rid of the traditional bride price, many of their parents still hold onto the tribal custom of years past. Luckily Edwin and Dansoa's parents know it's time to move on to modern traditions, so they both gave their blessing and supported their children in their plans. Neither of them works at the moment, but Edwin's skills have landed him a good job beginning in March. Dansoa thinks she has a good lead for work, too. They were determined to not let challenges get in their way. They have great faith that all will work out. It will.

  

The traditional wedding is held at the bride's home. The groom
enters after a long exchange between the parents via a mediator.
We've learned that everything starts fashionably late in Ghana.

More discussion, a long presentation of wedding gifts, and other
business that we could not understand because it was all done
in the native Twi. Finally the bride arrives with great fanfare. 

Groundbreaking

Last Wednesday we attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the future La Ward and Trade Fair Ward chapel. We've told you about the little building we meet in now, so you can just imagine how excited the members of these two wards are. The Church has owned the property for some time but it has taken until now to get the final construction permit. Our stake president said he would like the building completed in 11 months. That means we may be here for the dedication. We'll see how it goes.

  

The property is about a mile from the building we use now. It
will actually be closer for many members of the Trade Fair
Ward. Notice the 4 spades in the background. 

We don't know why the groundbreaking took place in the middle
 of a week day, but nobody seemed to care. The green building
is a temporary structure for the construction workers. 

Missionaries in Lagos

Our trip to Lagos this weekend once again gave us the opportunity to meet some wonderful members of the Church in Nigeria. Elder and Sister David A. Bednar, Elder and Sister L. Whitney Clayton, plus members of the Africa West Area presidency and their wives held a full day of meetings on both Saturday and Sunday. The Lagos stake center was bulging with people. Many came two or three hours early to make sure they would get a good seat inside the building. Special event tents were set up just outside the main doors to accomodate the overflow and ensure that everyone could see and hear the speakers. One of the nicest experiences for us was to rub shoulders with the young missionaries again. They are vibrant and energetic and full of enthusiasm for the work in Lagos. One can't help but catch the spirit of missionary work when you are near them.

  

The missionaries in Nigeria come only from countries in Africa.

Their cultures and customs can vary considerably.