AND WHAT A WEEK IT WAS !!!

With the passing of Russell M. Nelson, Elder Gerald Causs’e is the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and was called and ordained by President Dallin H. Oaks on November 6, 2025.  Prior to his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Causs’e was serving as the Presiding Bishop of the church, with responsibilities over the finances, humanitarian aid, tithing, fast offerings, physical facilities, and the organization of membership records.  He would also travel frequently to minister to Church members around the world. He was born in France and is 62 years old.

His message to the world was simple…..”there is a Christ, there is a Savior and Redeemer for all mankind.  That Redeemer has a universal responsibility.  He took that responsibility to save us all.  But this gift is also incredibly personal and intimate.  Our Savior knows every one of us.  We are all together on the same planet, living through the same kind of experience but also having a personal relationship with a God, who made us”.  I agree with all that he said.

I am grateful to be a member of this Church, which is led by prophets, seers, and revelators  and I’m very thankful for the revelation and inspiration that flows from these Brethren as they lead the Church.  We see that inspiration also flowing here in the Ghana Accra West Mission.  Things just happen….. and afterwards we see God’s hand in what has been done and the tender mercies that are happening all around us each and every week.  As I mentioned in last weeks Blog, we just went through the largest transfer we have seen since we have been here in Ghana. Transfers happen every six weeks…..that is when we get new missionaries and that is when other missionaries go home because their time is done.  This week we said goodbye to 22 missionaries, and we welcomed 28 new missionaries.  And what a week it was !!!

You can see from the videos and pictures below some of what happened.  Jill and I made about 8 trips to the airport over a three-day period..... several workers see us coming and give us a big smile because we are there so much. I am thankful the airport is so close to where we live.  Salt Lake makes the reservations, and we wonder sometimes what they are thinking…..but I know it has to do with the cost and availability of getting missionaries here to Ghana from around the world.  We received missionaries from the Philippines, Tonga, Australia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the USA…..just on this transfer.  Kind of Crazy.  Think of the responsibility of trying to match the missionaries with new companions and figuring out where they will all serve and live for the first part of their mission.  The part that I love, and what I have seen over and over again, is how the experienced missionaries, the ones that will be the Trainers, welcome their new companions….. and take on their new responsibility of teaching them how to be a missionary, how to mingle with the people of Ghana, how to know what to eat and what to drink, how to prepare for the mosquitoes, and how to become acclimated to a strange and new environment.  

It is simply a miracle on how all of it works.  Picking up at the Airport and the MTC, taking departing missionaries to the airport, coordinating the other 56 missionaries who will be transferred, orientation for the new missionaries, feeding everyone for two days, housing some from the outlying areas, taking care of financial needs, etc. We see the tender mercies of the Lord happening with these new missionaries and it is difficult to put into words what we see.

There are also "tender mercies" happening in even more difficult situations. We had a missionary that went home this week…..two months early because his mom has stage 4 cancer and is not expected to live much longer.  The tender mercy is that we had another Elder whose mission is up…..served 2 years…..and was scheduled to go home the day after all the other missionaries, not with the regular group, but his own flight.....because he lives so far away. We didn't know why the Church scheduled him for the next day and I'll admit we were kind of annoyed about it all. Why schedule a flight for a missionary all by himself the next day? We then found out about this other Elder's Mother being sick....and then realized a "tender mercy". It just so happens that this Elder went to the same high school and was good friends of the Elder whose Mother is sick….. and so they ended up going home on the same flight…..the one Elder to be a comfort to his friend.....a day later than the rest of them. Why would I be annoyed for even a second when involved in the Lord's work. We took them both to the airport and there were tears shed as they departed.  They were great missionaries and will never forget the experience they had here in Ghana.  And what a tender mercy that they could go home together.

Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve, taught “the tender mercies of the Lord are real and they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence”.

Tender mercies can be small, personal, and often quiet ways God makes Himself known in our lives…..they are not always dramatic miracles.  More often, they are subtle…..so gentle we might miss them if we are not looking.  They come as a comforting thought during a difficult moment, unexpected strength when we feel weak, or a perfectly timed message from a friend who had no idea we were struggling.  These moments remind us that God knows who we are, by name, and is aware of all of our circumstances and experiences happening in our lives. Just remember….. WE ARE NEVER ALONE. 

The pictures and videos below are just like I post each week…..more of the missionaries I want to remember.  The airport experiences, the pouring rain, the gatherings at the Mission Office, the training, etc.  There is never a “dull moment” with the work we are doing…..just trying to do our part in helping these young people “bring others unto Christ”….. and looking for the “tender mercies” in each of our lives. 

The Departing Missionaries for this time around. Beautiful smiles because they know they gave the Lord all they could for these past 18 months - 2 years.

Stalwart and Brave they Stand.....

One of the many airport runs this last week. Elders Simmons, Browne, Watkins, and Anderson.

Elder Razafimbelo's birthday. One of our "Tech" Elders from Madagascar. He also went home.

They are a sight to behold for the airport employees and travelers. They just keep coming.

Elders Abule, Papalii, Wharekura, and Naeta.

This picture, and the ones below, are of our departure dinner for those leaving. Big group!!!

We have a devotional the night they go home and it gets pretty somber.

I love this painting. It hangs in the Mission Home. This is what it is all about......"find the one".

Here come the new missionaries.....16 of them from the USA.....they are about to receive a culture shock for sure. Their MTC experience in Ghana happened in Provo.....because there is no room here in the Ghana MTC.

Lots of fun. I am grateful for their courage and desire to do the right thing. Love them all.

Moving forward.....and that is a lot of luggage. We drove them to the Mission Home in 4 vehicles and a Van. Probably about 32 pieces of luggage plus backpacks. We made it.

After they arrived, we wanted them to see the Temple and the grounds. This place will be much nicer than where they will be living for a long time. But they do get to attend the Temple twice a year and they really do look forward to that.

I just like to take videos.....it helps make me be in the moment and relive the experience.

When it rains.....it pours. And many times we see flooding where you cannot drive on the roads. But this happens everywhere.....even in America. But it was a fun video to take. They were absolutely soaked......and another experience to remember.

This was the line of the Trainers.....waiting to greet their "Greenies".

Another picture of the ones departing....right before the Devotional began....in the Mission Home. I'm sure Elder Watkins will like this picture.....sorry Elder.

Pictures not really in order.....this is a Tro bringing in some of the missionaries being transferred. When we get new missionaries....with this size of group.....it can affect 84 missionaries in total.

That's the driver laying down on the right.....He picked up the missionaries and drove 3 1/2 hours to the Mission Home and will then take back the same number for another 4 hour trip.

This shows everyone enjoying the excitement and activity of Transfer day. It is fun and a whole lot better than sitting at a desk paying bills and making sure we have enough money for all of this Transfer and traveling stuff going on.

This is the Butterfly Market.....one of the sights to see in Accra. It happens two times each month and Jill goes everytime. And yes, She has made a few purchases.

We don't really see this in America !!!

Working in the Evenings because there is too much going on during the day. I don't mind. I actually live here.....right now it is about 8:00 pm. And my bedroom is right up the stairs.

The two sisters had a difficult time as they realized they were now going home and will probably never see each other again.....in this life. Missionaries coming and Missionaries going home can be an emotional roller-coaster ride for sure.

Cute little girl wanting to sit by me. Beautiful smile!!!