HOLD ON – DON’T RETREAT !!! GO FORWARD WITH FAITH !!!

 This week was our busiest so far. We had 12 missionaries go home and 11 missionaries arrived….It was bittersweet for those going home. Yes, they are excited to see their families, but they also begin to realize instantly, on Transfer Day, that they will most likely never see their companions or Ghana ever again in this life. That is the part that is kind of sad.  They go through so much together as companions….helping change people’s lives, living through very difficult trials and circumstances, seeing their own lives changing, and then their mission is over. Time goes by quickly. Even though this last week was busy, with several trips to the airport, picking up the new missionaries at the MTC, fixing breakfasts for so many, having people spend the night at our place, presenting at an orientation for the new missionaries, the farewell dinner and farewell devotional, 50 missionaries showing up for Transfer Day....Yes, it was a busy week and even exhausting….but so worth it.  So worth it to see the tears of leaving loved ones behind here in Ghana and the anticipation of going home and beginning a new adventure. We hardly knew most of these missionaries, but it is so easy to love them.  I can’t say enough good things about the “rising generation” of young people. The future of the church is very bright.

I am hoping a video clip from Elder Kearon will work at the end of this Blog. I wanted to share it because it says some very important things....and he is an Apostle. When I see these Sisters and Elders going home, I am hoping that they will continue to keep the good habits they have formed in the last 18-24 months. They did so much …..and changed completely who they are.  But now a new chapter in each of their lives begins. I am hoping they will go home and continue to “go forward in faith” and not "retreat". Speaking of faith, faith is not passive. It’s a principle of action – the kind of action that moves mountains, that opens doors, that changes lives. One learns that quickly as a missionary. When Nephi was commanded to build a ship, He had never built a ship.  But he didn’t say, “I’ll try.”  He said, “I will go and do.”  That’s faith. 

From a missionary standpoint, Faith isn’t just believing in God.  It’s believing that He has sent you, today, to where you are serving. I have 4 grandkids serving missions around the world. We have 5 other grandkids that served missions and are home right now. We also saw 6 of our children serve missions. Each of them currently are…. and previously were…. sent to people, like those here in Ghana, because there are souls that only one of these missionaries can reach.  If a missionary believes that, then they can go out and prove it with words, with their work, and with their whole hearts. Alma said, “if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”  There are people in all of the countries of the world that have not met the missionaries yet.  They are praying right now for the very message that is carried in the hearts of the missionaries. And it is up to the missionary, to have the faith – the kind that knocks one more door, makes one more call, bears one more testimony – that will lead them to those people that are searching for

the truth. 

The pictures below are once again showing the faces of the people here in Ghana and many of the wonderful missionaries coming and going.  I love little children, so you will continue to see those faces. In one of the pictures, Jill is even on the floor of an airport trying to help a sister missionary “lighten her load”. We have to remember that these are just "kids" in many ways and most have not really ever flown on an airplane until they came on their missions. We certainly do feel like we are their "grandparents". This one missionary below, Sister Tuini, is going home to Kenya and didn't think she would have anyone at the airport to meet her. That is very different from the life she has had for 18 months where everyone loved her and flocked to her because of her smile and outgoing personality. Jill tried to reach her family and Branch President in vain. She finally got a hold of the Mission President in her area in Kenya and He said, "We will be at the airport to greet her". Jill continues to love these missionaries. We all want them to be happy and enjoy their lives. The African missionaries are going home to a different life than the US missionaries going home....who are already talking about going back to BYU or some other school. All are children of God....but all do not have the same opportunities in life. That is why we should be on our knees everyday thanking our Heavenly Father for the blessing of where we were born and the lives that we have.... compared to equally wonderful young people all around the world that have a completely different lifestyle.

The wonderful thing about being a missionary, full-time, wearing a badge with the name of Jesus Christ on it (even the Senior Couples wear the badge), is that we are not alone. Heaven is behind all these missionaries. Angels are walking with them, no matter where they go. The lord himself promised, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”  For those that have served and for those that are now at home…. Keep the faith.  Go forward with faith. Don’t ever retreat, even though the world is trying to break you down. Take the time to listen to Elder Kearon below.  This is the Lord’s work.  I see it working every day.  One of the Elders that went home last week, (who's picture is below) has 20 baptisms lined up for the 20^th of July.  He will be in Meridian, Idaho getting ready to play football at BYU in the Fall. He never let up….even to the end he was testifying of Christ. And what about those 20 souls that will be baptized next week …..they will remember that missionary who taught them for the rest of their lives! I hope and pray we will all stay close to our Savior... that we will keep on holding on to our faith. He has given us everything, which we will never be able to pay back. Maybe we should think about how we can repay just a little….just one day at a time....loving and serving others.... That's not so hard, is it? That is exactly what the Savior would want us to be doing.

I love the faces of little children. You will continue to see more and more.

Little kids after Jill

Friend of President John Riding....knew him 22 years ago. When i asked if he knew him, He looked at me with a smile and said, "I knew him well. What a good man". That warmed my heart. President Riding and Naomi served as Mission Leaders and He was the Temple President here in Ghana.

Church in a tent.... But the spirit was very strong.

The ride before we turn into their church.

Future sister missionary and a missionary going home. This was her last Sunday and was able to witness a baptism of some people she taught.

Sister Tuini about to go home to Kenya. She didn't think anyone would be there is pick her up.

Saying goodbye. Lots of tears today.. most companions will never see each other again in this life.

Transfer Day

Sisters going home to Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cote d'Ivoire and Alberta, Canada.

All of the departing missionaries. They are amazing people, so full of life and hope and love.

USA Elders.... they loved it here.

Sister Ntumba. Sits at my desk always asking for more money.

Awesome missionaries

The new arrivals. They have been at the MTC in Ghana for 3-6 weeks. 3 of them are learning English.

We have to remember they are just young people. Most have never flown before. This Sister ended up with too many pieces of luggage (tried to sneak one on) and they weighed too much. So Jill is on the floor reorganizing her whole suitcase.

Elder Kearon pleading with returned missionaries to hang on...never retreat. Go forward with faith.