Goodbyes and Hellos

Dear friends,

Here I am writing this blog from my home in Highland. My last entry was on my word document and my computer crashed, and I haven't been able to retrieve the information. So I am including my thoughts as I reflect on the last 3 years as we have served in the Ghana Kumasi Mission. We have been asked many questions about our experience. It is difficult to explain the impact it has had on our lives. First of all I would like to say it was a privilege and a blessing to have been a part of the great work of bringing others to Christ. I treasure the association we had with our wonderful young missionaries and our senior couple missionaries.

Sisters in their colorful dress ready to return home

Assistants Elder Momotimi and Elder Banta

Elders and Francis teaching new converts

Happy Sisters

Sweet Sister Agnes from Ho
It is a miracle to see young men and women leave their families, friends, education, girl friends, telephones, and all the normal teenage and young adult activities to go to an unknown country to teach the Gospel and love the people. We are also so grateful to couples who are willing to "give back" to their Heavenly Father and Savior by serving a mission. They, too, give up their grandparent time and their comfortable circumstances, to serve in whatever way they are asked. For them we are so grateful.  Secondly, we treasure our association with the people of Ghana for their love and kindness. You won't find a friendlier people on the planet. We learned to love the color, their smiles, their culture and even their food :). 

Faustine and Peter from Bolgatanga

Tamale district Presidency and wives

Sister Unis and sons from Sunyani

Typical street scene

President and the school children

Departing missionaries

Chief and his entourage visiting the mission home

President baptizing our dear friends, Happy Bless, and Bella Monyo

Thirdly, we know that our Heavenly Father loves all his children-no matter their race, religion, country, culture, and even their choices. We all matter to Him; He knows our name, our problems, our afflictions, and our needs.

All packed up

I know he loved us and blessed us every day with guidance, protection, and His Spirit. We are grateful beyond words for the blessing it was to serve and to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President's last letter to his missionaries

Goodbye at the airport

Our return home, as you can imagine, was a bundle of mixed emotions. We were sad to leave, but so excited to see and be with our wonderful family. We missed them so much, but words cannot express how grateful we were for their unwavering love, prayers and support. We are blessed beyond measure! Our homecoming at the airport was unbelievable.








All of our family gathered with Ghana shirts and flags. Because we were almost the last to get through customs, many people were the recipients of our families's greetings. When we emerged from the customs area we were overwhelmed by the cheers of children and grandchildren waving small Ghana flags and wearing Ghana T-shirts. We couldn't get to them fast enough. Needless to say their smiling faces and hugs were beyond wonderful. How grateful we are for their love, support and excitement. It truly was a moment to cherish.

We loaded up our bags and the entourage  proceeded to Highland with a quick stop at Chick-Fil-A. Our yard was adorned with small yellow ribbons and a large "Welcome Home" sign with Ghana flags everywhere. The "awesomeness" continued. Our home was a welcomed sight, too, but the surprise that awaited us inside was too much. Our children had remodeled our family room and kitchen. It was beautiful, but as beautiful as it was, the effort, the time, the care, and the love that was reflected in every detail is overwhelming. It is obvious I have difficulty expressing all our emotions; words are inadequate.

Family reunion

Since returning home we have been on a whirlwind. The day after we returned home, we headed for a family reunion. It was so great being with all our loved ones. It was a great time together. We returned home on Saturday to prepare for our report in church on Sunday. Once again, our kids stepped up and helped in all the preparations. We had invited our missionaries who had returned home to come sing. Our hearts filled with love and joy as we saw them enter into the chapel and take their place on the stand. I finally got to hug them!! They sang "Hark All Ye Nations". It was amazing. They filled the chapel with the Spirit.

We have made visits to Arizona, Florida, and California to visit the families that live away and have tried tried to settle in, but we are still feeling a bit misplaced at times; like Rip Van Winkle. A lot has happened in the 3 years since we have been gone, but at the same time there are times we feel like we never left. It is a weird feeling.

Disney World with Cory's girls

California with Cami's kids

In Arizona with Jameson

Camp MimiPapa junior group

CMP with older grandkids

We have had our Camp MimiPapa with our over 8 grandkids, which is such a fun time for us and we hope for them.

Go Cougars

We have been to weddings, and homecomings, Primary programs, soccer, volleyball,  water polo, and BYU games. We have renewed old friendships, unpacked boxes, and tried to get into a routine. Life is good!

We had the blessing of having 2 sisters from a small city, Techiman, come stay with us before they entered the MTC. Zenita is going to Atlanta, Georgia, and Adelaide is going to Birmingham, Alabama.
We miss being a part of the great missionary work and miss our dear friends in Ghana. We continually pray for them and cherish the wonderful experiences we have been privileged to have had. We miss the color and chaos of Ghana; the smiling faces, the enthusiastic singing, the beauty, the "amens", and the beautiful children to name just a few. But we are enjoying clean water from the tap, smooth roads and streets, green lawns, and the dry air. Mostly we love being with our family.


When we returned home the first time in 2014, we requested help with our education fund. Your response was overwhelming. We raised a good amount from many of you wonderful friends and also from a garage sale we had. We have been able, with your generous help, to graduate 12 children from Senior high school. The first four graduated 3 years ago and the ones we are helping have continued to progress. All those we have helped as they started senior high school have been serious students and have graduated. We have helped an average of 12 students per year. As you know our goal is to help a limited number of students so we can help them get all the way through to graduation. So far we have been 100% successful. We thought that you would be interested in seeing some that have finished and some that we are helping this year. If you are interested in all the numbers, I would be happy to send you that report. As of now we are helping 12 students. Most of them are in Senior High, but 3 that are in Primary school and junior high school we are helping due to special circumstances. Here are some of the students we are helping and some that have graduated. We thought you would be interested in their stories and would like to see their sweet faces. We are still trying to raise funds to help children in the future. You may send a check to me made out to Engage Now Africa. It would be a worthwhile Christmas gift. :) We, and these wonderful children of Ghana "thank you!" Without your help they could not go to school.

Alpha Donne.

Abandoned by both parents

He is done with Junior High School  

Waiting for his mission call

Prudencia Atadeka

Abadoned by father due to broken home

Now finished with Wallas Senior High School

Currently working with Moguls Fittings, Security and Property Company

Position: Secretary. They do printing, Scanning, Photocopy and e-payslip.

She has applied for her mission and is saving towards her mission.

She did extremely well in her final examination

Wonder Deku

Abandoned or parents unable to take care of him and his junior brother so they stay a lone and take care of themselves. 

Completed St. Prosper's senior High School

Applied to serve a full time mission and as he waits for his mission, he is 

currently working with VOLTA E.C.G Employee's cooperative credit union as a mobile banker.

He also did extremely well during his final exams and will soon serve a full time mission. He currently serve as Executive secretary for the Ho 2nd branch presidency.

Precious Deletsu

Due to broken home, her father is not ready to pay her fees.

She is currently happy in Mawuli Senior High School

She promised to serve a full time mission after she completes

Bright Djato 

He is currently in his final year in Kpando Senior High School and will also be done by next year 2019. His father left home to unknown destination and for so many years now, mother and 3 children are struggling to survive. His mother have no good income job. She sells in the market and can only afford feeding for the family. Since their father was no where to be found, it was likely Bright as intelligent as he is, may eventually become a street child because there was no one to pay for his school fees. It was happy moments for Bright and his mother as we came in to pay for his school fees. Bright Bright has promised that he will serve a full time mission as soon as he is done with school. 

Faith monyo

She and her junior sisters Rebecca and Happy abandoned by their parents and it became very difficult because little children have to take care of themselves by feeding and paying school fees. Their mother traveled to Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region of Ghana and the children were staying in an uncompleted building with their father. Their father is addicted to hard drinks and has become irresponsible. 

We decided to assist them and eventually, Faith was able to complete Abutia Senior High School and she is currently working as a mobile money vendor.