THE BEGINNING OF THE END.....

Even though we still have six weeks left to serve here in Ghana, attending our last Zone Conferences this last week got me thinking.  Time is short.  Missions revolve around six-week periods of time.  Every six weeks there are Zone Conferences, Transfers, Mission Leader Interviews, etc.  Schedules are determined by the six-week cycle.  We just attended our last Zone Conferences. The Campbell’s had us bear our testimonies to all of the missionaries and I will admit it was difficult. In Ecclesiastes we read, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die…..a time to heal….a time to mourn….a time to build up….a time to weep and a time to laugh”.  That scripture continues but it does remind us that there is a time for everything….. and missions also have seasons…..our mission was one of those times “we shall never forget”. 

Zone Conferences this week were fun and inspiring and a time to say good-bye to many that we will not ever see again in this life.  That is sad.  We have loved these wonderful young people and their faith, dedication, determination, and desire to do what the Lord would have them do.  We have also loved getting to new 40-50 other senior couple missionaries serving in this area. The lives of this young missionaries have changed and so have Jill and I just knowing them.  I am grateful for the camera that can capture the faces and actions and experiences of the many things we were able to do the last 12 months…..and I will spend a lot of time in the future watching those videos and looking at those pictures to remember those experiences that we had and remembering the people we learned to love. 

In the Lord’s work, “the beginning of the end” is not really an ending at all…..it is a transition, a continuation of something else that could also be new and exciting.  Yes, our mission will end, but Jill and I are not ready to curl up on the couch and watch each other die.  We have many years to do worthwhile and productive things to serve others and give back because of the happiness we have found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our name tags may come off, our schedules may change, but our discipleship does not conclude.  If anything, it becomes more personal. We have spent this last year as full-time representatives of the Savior (at our age) and we felt His spirit more than we can express.  We felt angels “round about us” protecting us and helping us get through each and every day.  That was personal to us….. and now we will figure out what to do next.  We made covenants a long time ago that we would remain true and faithful to those covenants and promised to endure to the end….. as witnesses of Christ…..standing up for truth and righteousness at all times and in all places.  The habits we’ve developed …..prayer, expecting miracles, listening to the spirit, serving and loving people…..these are not “mission” habits.  They are lifelong patterns of devotion.  That is what I love about this church.  Here we are at the age of 70ish…..and the church lets us go out into the world as senior couple missionaries to do what is needed….and the church makes sure we will be taken care of….. and in return…..through our service…..our lives are changed forever.  We are the beneficiaries of this missionary service. Yes, we served..... but it changed who we are and it definitely created a closer bond between us and the Savior.

I read something this week about “endings”.  The Savior’s ministry teaches us something powerful about endings.  What seemed like the end…..the Cross…..was actually the beginning of the greatest victory of all time.....as He overcame death for you and I.  And as I said in this Blog two weeks ago…..Sunday will come….. and it did…..and what a glorious resurrection for all.  What a beautiful gift for all mankind…..that we will all live after this life.  In our own small way, as we conclude this chapter of our mission, we trust the Lord is opening the next one.  He doesn’t simply close doors; He leads us forward with purpose.  So, this is not the end for Jill and I…..it just means we will experience a sacred “handoff”.  The work will continue here in Ghana, even stronger than before.  The spirit of missionary work does not retire…..it will continue until every “knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ”. 

We are grateful beyond words for the privilege of serving.  We still have six weeks, and we will continue to work hard and make sure things flow smoothly here in the Ghana Accra West Mission from an administrative and financial standpoint.   But reality will sink in…..and the beautiful faces of these people will soon only be memories. BUT WHAT BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES THEY WILL BE !!!

Our last Zone Conferences.....so we were asked to bear our testimonies. Kind of sad.

We taught in 8 sessions over the last two days to about 190 missionaries.

Jill kind of laughs at my use of my hands all the time.....but I guess I am feeling it more when I wave my hands around. But I did notice in the picture above, she is also using her hands.

Another Zone Conference and more testimonies. And I did express to these young people how much I loved my wife and that we set a goal 50 years ago that we would someday serve a mission together.....and we did.

Sister Campbell and Sister Kaaen.....who is also going home in a few weeks.

Elder Burtonshaw.....our only MLS couple.....have another 7 months. We need senior couples.

This picture was taken by Patrick from way back....who said he was very sad. He meets and works with all of us from America.....and then we leave.....never to be seen again in this life. That is very sad.

Elder Bey .....one of our former assistants wanted a picture of us. I've said this before, but he has an electrical engineering degree from China. He also knows 4 languages. Very impressive young man with a very bright future. After his mission, he is going back to China to get an MBA. He was accepted to BYU, but cannot get a Visa.

He liked Sister Blodgett.....probably the teasing and laughing we always did.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/34becd_3783c267b63146cc9b2e7c032409fcba/720p/mp4/file.mp4

We drove up to one of the Zone Conferences and this is what we saw. I love it and will miss it.

Elders Carter, Lamont, Nelson, Bartlett, Albrecht, Smith, and Udy. Sisters Johnson, Farrell, Langi, Malama, Archibald, and Johnston.

Sister Ngubi and Sister Lesa....always wanting a little more money.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/34becd_c4eb16c5635741e9bb8048c11eca080f/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Waiting in line to get some food.

The Senior Couples of the Ghana Accra West Mission. And me, of course. I think we are doing a pretty good job.....all of us.....in running this Mission. And it is actually very fun at times.

Lots of money inside of that backpack. I come prepared because I know what they want / need.

These picutures will be memories for me as I look at these missionaries. Jill and Sister Campbell are discussing something rather serious it looks like.

Future missionaries. They come and hang out at our Zone Conferences.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/34becd_e80647047fdc4726a0e0c1be124c351f/720p/mp4/file.mp4

This is a beautiful site as we saw these Elders coming from where they live to Zone Conference.

We do feed them well....that's one of the reasons why they love Zone Conferences.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/34becd_c8118169812448ada85a1d2520910da4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

A regular Ward in Kasoa.....beautiful people where ever we go.

This is a hamburger stand that everyone loves.....called 80/20. It would be like "Five guys" in the States. Good hamburgers and fries.

We were picking up a big order for Patrick's birthday lunch at the Mission Office.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/34becd_c400cc3d88084029b57ad27513eb1d9a/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

This is David who makes all of our mission banners for when the missionaries go home.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/34becd_aeb39499814c4a0883d3e845d5fcb954/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Always excitement and action going on in the Mission Office.

Three Sisters Jill picked up at the MTC. Two of them are assigned to Kenya but will be with us for a while until their Visa's come.

I guess one more "hooray". "We're going home, we've done our time" I don't know if there will be yellow ribbons around the old oak tree or not.....but we have loved Ghana and will neve forget our wonderful experience here and the people we have met.

Zone Conference picture. Do you see Jill in the back standing on a chair?

Check out the time of day. They get up early and get going....always dressed so nice.