We haven't traveled anywhere this month so not too much going on except our routine life. Steve stays very busy visiting with missionaries both mornings and evenings and lots of paperwork in between.

I ran into this couple at the Temple. They look mighty happy.

This is a meal I bought on the street. Jollof rice (spicy and delicious), noodles and chicken. It was so delicious and only $2. I will be buying this once a week, it was enough for both of us. 

We picked up Cindy and Mike Neider at the airport this week. They are directors of the Church's Human Dignity program. They will only be here a few weeks for a World Conference on the Family and then back to work in Utah. We took them to the Saturday morning Dubois market.
 

On our morning walk we pass the local nursery.

And the local taxi car wash. Of course all by hand with dirty stream water.

And the local wood carver with his guard dog out front of his shop. They have the nicest dogs here and they're all this same breed. Probably a mixture of everything.

The local bread delivery driver.

Remember it's only 6am and the neighborhood is hopping. These ladies sell egg sandwiches, porridge and rice. They already have a line of customers. Notice the baby on her back.

They bend over with the baby laying on their back and then wrap the fabric around and tie again in the front. I've never seen a baby cry on his mama's back.

This gentleman carries his inventory on his head. Of course he made everything.

Elder Terrance Vinson came for a mission conference and spoke to many of the local missionaries. The senior missionaries were also invited. These two sisters wanted a picture taken. Elder Vinson and his wife lived here for 5 years when he was a counselor, then president of the Africa West Area. They love it here and volunteered to come back for the conference. He said they are the first international travelers from Salt Lake City since the Covid shutdown.

A beautiful site of local missionaries for the conference. We just love the African missionaries with a handful of American missionaries; along with a beautiful choir. We still wear masks but we don't have to social distance. I don't believe the vaccine is being offered to the young people yet.

The Church sponsored their annual international 'Strengthening Family Conference' held at the Stake Center. It is in the same gated compound as the Area office, Temple and MTC. Speakers were from the Area Presidency, the Area 70 and government leaders from the 18 different countries that make up West Africa. All these non-member government folks got a good dose of Church doctrine regarding the importance of the family. Many Africans are very strong Christians and know the importance of strong family values. There were booths set up showing the importance of the Young Single Adult 'gatherings'. These showed the importance of family history, English and French lessons, Pathway and Perpetual Education Fund, typing classes, Institute classes, Self Reliance, activities and food. All these will help them prepare for employment and help them remain on the covenant path. Gatherings are for all members and non-members. Of course communities can set up non-denominational gathering places also

I love the traditional dress. Most of the attendees were community and government officials. It was also zoomed across all of West Africa.  

Zoe, Elaine and I all went to the 'hair salon' one morning at 7am. 90% of Antoinette's work is with 'white women's hair'. She does it just like at home and changes US prices. My simple cut and blow out was $30 (even more than what I pay at home). Zoe's hair color was $75. Elaine paid $18 for her cut and then the power went out and she didn't get a style. We  have brown-outs just like California. All the senior sisters go to her and lots of expats in town. Antoinette makes great money.

My veggie lady with her veggies piled high with cauliflower flowerets on top. I have to take turns going to the three different gals all next door to each other. One time one of them said to me 'mama, you left your daughter'. Took me a minute to figure out I was her mama and she was my daughter.

Out for the morning walk, Cindy Neider, Zoe Weston, Elaine Youngberg and me.

This is the Mission Training Center gym with three basketball hoops and a stage and podium on one end. The MTC opened up with 50 new missionaries for the first time in 15 months when it was closed for Covid. Only Africans came in this first group. We got to help with the intake. The senior missionaries were helping at different stations to make sure missionaries had everything they needed. Some of the stations were passports/visas, documents/ medical assessment/blood pressure, immunizations, etc. They were all English speakers and it was so fun talking to them. For example, one Elder was from Zimbabwe assigned to Uganda. The MTC will give them a few weeks to acclimate to being a missionary with their food and boarding provided while taking classes. They also have a big soccer field, weights, ping-pong tables, etc. You must have fun on a mission also.

Anyone know what these white things around the trees are used for?

Steve and I got to visit with Dr. Kissi, a member of the Church and also a member of Parliament. Tamara is a therapist with Family Services throughout the Africa West Area. He will be able to visit with missionaries who need a prescription since Steve nor the Mission doctor can write them. He invited us to visit him in his office in the Parliament building. His father, also a doctor, is one of the early members of the church in West Africa. The above Dr. Kissi also attended BYU. He went to medical school here in Ghana.

Brent and Lorinda Belnap and their 14 year old son Nathan. At the end of your service you receive a Kenti banner with your name and date of service. He has been legal counsel for the Church in West Africa. They've been here for 3 years. Now they have been called to serve in the Church's International legal office in Salt Lake City. They are an outstanding family and a great influence on the growth of the Church here.

Tidbits:

When we went in a grocery store the other day, their overhead music was one of Kenny G's famous songs, though I can't remember the name. Once inside they were playing a Whitney Houston song. So nice to hear familiar music. Mostly they play Ghanaian music or something along the Africa genre.

 I made chicken enchiladas the other day, oh so delicious. Just add lots of lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. Lots of leftovers too. Can you believe some folks don't like leftovers.

When you pray for ways to give service, it's amazing how opportunities come your way. We've given away 4 pair of flip flops. That's all anyone wears so there's no need for anything else. We were given 2 box lunches after the Family Conference. On the way home there was a homeless women and her little son laying in the dirt by our grocery store. So I ran home packed up a bag of supplies and took them back to her. I grabbed two old towels, two rolls of TP, box of crackers, carton of milk, water bottles and the box lunch that had a ton of rice and four pieces of chicken, and a little cash. She was so grateful and kept saying thank you, thank you, thank you. I really don't think she knew English. It rained that night and the next morning on our walk I went back and she was gone. On the 2nd conference day I took a lunch and gave it to our banana lady on our walk. I don't think she speaks English either. They can always say thank you.

When I am out of ideas for easy dinners, we've gone to KFC for a bucket of chicken. It will last 3 to 4 days when I add salads and vegetables. A taste of home. You can order Ghanaian spicy or regular.

We will have four new mission presidents and their wives coming the first of July. Two couples are from Africa and two are from the United States. And four very tired couples will head home.

In August we will also have a new Temple President and Matron. They are also from Africa.

We've noticed that many African's have a scar on one or both cheeks. We are very good friends with our guards at the gate and he has one on his cheek. I asked him about it. He said it's a sign of a certain tribe. It is done when a baby is a newborn.