Kaneshie Stake Conference

Kaneshie Stake Conference

Since the focus for Stake Conference this time was the Work of Salvation (updated term for Missionary, Rescuing and Temple work) we decided to share our Open House materials and posters for those who brought friends to Stake Conference.  

Tents in front of Keneshie Chapel, with missionaries manning the tables and posters.

President Hill explains our poster "Go Ye Into All the World" to Elder Curtis (Africa West Area President) and Sister Curtis.  The large stands and pictures were made from church materials for the Open House held each week at the Accra Temple.  The posters (as held by President Hill) were made for our Open Houses from pictures taken by Brother Leslie Nilsson from Salt Lake City last Spring. He graciously shared them with us.  We wanted our Open Houses to reflect the local culture.  (More about our posters & Open Houses later)





One of our favorite posters:

Missionaries served as ushers for Stake Conference. 3 of the 4 of these had only been here in Ghana for a little over a week.  They've jumped into missionary work quite well! 

Some of our dear Ghanaian Saints dressed up for conference. 

Can never resist a photo op of a sleeping baby!

Note the dress of the Sister on the left.  This fabric was apparently made when President Hinckley visited Ghana and Nigeria years ago. (I also saw the fabric on dresses of Sisters in Nigeria.)  The pictures on the dress include President Hinckley surrounded by the previous Prophets of the Church.   Joseph Smith is also pictured on the left of President Hinckley.

 Our Kaneshie Zone after Saturday afternoon conference session.  First time for missionaries to be invited to the adult session because it focused on the "Work of Salvation".  President Hill had them all stand, in the congregation wherever they were, and sing "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission".  He has asked that they go into Primary and teach a Primary song to the children - a way to build good relationships with the members.

 President and Sister Curtis with a couple of our missionaries who wanted a photo op.

Office Changes and Meeting Together

Apoligies for no Blog last week.  Between Abomosu District Conference one weekend, a full week and Kaneshie Stake Conferenece this weekend there was little down time for "downloading pictures."

Since the new missionaries and the major transfers week before last we've had a couple of office changes, as well.  Our best to Elder Thornhill who is opening up a new district in Iron City and 

Elder Kyeremteng who was transfered HOME!

Our New Office Crew in President Hill's office:  

 LEFT:  Assistants - Elder Adeshile and Elder Christensen and 

RIGHT: Office Elders - Elder Asay and Elder Mason. 

October Mission Leadership Council -  President Hill and Assistants:

Zone Leaders and Sister Leaders:

President Hill urged the Mission Leaders to have fun in their Zone Training meetings - thus the learning game:

 

 GREAT MISSION LEADERS!!!

Every Tuesday morning districts have districts training.  Once a month, on Tuesday, the Zones meet together for Zone Training.  We try to attend a different District/Zone meeting each Tuesday.

KASOA ZONE MEETING:

Elders on the way to Odorkor chapel
 

KASOA ZONE:

ABOMOSU DISTRICT CONFERENCE:

Saints and missionaries gather after conference:

 

 Brother and Sister Dalton graciously provided lunch for the Abomosu Zone Elders as they wait for their personal interviews with President Hill.

 

 

Abomosu District Priesthood Leaders:

Great conference in Abomosu!  Thanks to Elder and Sister Dalton, our Abomosu Senior couple, for taking us in for the weekend but especially for taking care such great care of the missionaries in The Abomosu "Bush"!

As President Hill and I visited last night we realized that in the last 2 weeks we have met with 3 of the 5 Zones -Kasoa, Abomosu and Kaneshie more than 1/2 of the mission.  That's still the best part for me - mingling with these great young servants of the Lord!  On to Tesano and Asamankese next!

Fond Farewells and Warm Welcomes!

Last week was a very busy one for the Ghana Accra West Mission.  3 of our missionaries returned to their homes "With Honor" after completing their 2 years here, including one of our original Assistants, Elder Kyeremateng.  We had 18 new missionaries come from the MTC, a major transfer (which were are referring to as "Fruit Basket" since there were so many changes) and a Mission Leaders Council.  

Below, the final photo of the Office Elders, President Hill and the Assistants before the transfer.

Waiting for President Hill to finish his phone call.  (something that happens often:) 

 
Our original Office Missionaries - set up operations for the Ghana Accra West Mission from the beginning................THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

Missionaries returning home, here with President and Sister Hill, wearing their traditional banners given as a departing gift (which includes their name and the mission name).

Departing missionaries after our time together in the temple. 

Our new missionaries arrived from the Ghana MTC Wednesday morning at  7 am, ready for a day of training and new companions.

 
Luggage lining church halls. 















First order of business, writing letters home to let families know of safe arrival in mission.

Waiting for instructions.

 

Training time - new missionaries.  We have 17 Elders -15 from the United States, 1 from Kenya, and 1 Elder and 1 Sister from South Africa.

 Close Ups!

 

 Trainers prepared and excited to meet new missionary companions!
He said his Mom promised him he'd need to play the piano on his mission.  Her prophecy came true on his first day:)  He did a great job!

Companionship's - Trainer on left - new missionary on right:  (President Hill says height had nothing to do with putting missionaries together - it does look, in some cases, more planned than random:)

 

 Getting to know each other over lunch.

 Training together as new companionship's.

Transfer Day - lots of luggage - lots of goodbyes and welcomes and all hands on deck to help!  Thanks especially to our Senior Missionary Couples who do major hauling of missionaries and missionary stuff!

 

Graduation day - from our first MTC group in August, officially & successfully completing the first 12 weeks of missionary training and service.

Moms, if you don't recognize your sons who have been on their missions for a few weeks, you might want to carefully check faces under haircuts.  I know that I do a double take recognizing Elders after their first haircut:)

Exciting week - great new missionaries - what a JOY to serve in the Ghana Accra West Mission!