This is a painting that we bought when we visited the Kente Village a few weeks ago.  We loved it for a couple of reasons:  1) The women are making fufu, which they pound with big clubs like this....of course this is very artsy  but will always remind us of this very common chore here and the 2) reason is that they have their babies on their backs.  I literally see this every single day.  I love how good the babies are on their mother's backs.  

This is a picture of Jessica and her baby girl.  Jessica runs a little sewing shop in Obuasi and we took a field trip with The Coombs last weekend so that we would know where she lived.  We bought some very cool ties from her:  

Here is a sampling of the ties that we bought from her.  I just love all the prints and patterns in the fabric here.  Don't be surprised to see me in a dress made out of this upon arrival in 2023! 

Speaking of the Coombs.  They are the office couple that have been here for the past year.  They are so loved in this mission.  It is going to be a daunting task to follow them.  They leave this Thursday and despite us BEGGING   them to stay and make it a two couple office, they are leaving us and returning to Touquerville.  We are going to miss them so much.  They have been so patient with us as they have trained us and tried to teach us what it takes to run the office.......to be honest, we are scared stiff to be left on our own.  Our only hope is that we can call down the powers from heaven to help us in His work.....I know we cannot do it alone, but with the Lord on our side, we may be able to pull it off!

Elder Coombs modeling his smock.  

Sister Coombs showing the amazing rug that she crocheted me out of plarn, which is made from plastic bags....Isn't it great!

Last Sunday we had the delightful experience of attending church with the new Kwanwoma Group. The heart and soul of this group is the woman on the far left:  Sister Konadu.  She invites the children from her neighborhood to her home everyday after school and teaches them the gospel.  She also feeds them.  At church last Sunday there were about 15 children in attendance, but the Elders say that sometimes there are as many as 30.  They come on their own, and sit and listen attentively.  I just find it so amazing that one woman would have so much love for others to do this.  Currently, Elder Morgan and Elder Yeboah support this group and help with the teaching.  

In the back of the mission office there is a basketball court!  Notice the basket made out of plarn by Sister Coombs!  I think it will last forever!  Such a brillant idea right?

So.....we have improvised this court to play pickle ball!  Sister Moomey found a badminton net and we rigged it up for a net.  We brought our markers and chalk and viola!  Pickle Ball in Ghana!  I can't tell you how happy I am to play this every Saturday morning!  President Kunz is going to join us one of these Saturdays....so that should be fun too!

We had quire the feast on Thanksgiving Day!  Of course we didn't have turkey, but roasted chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, glazed carrots, homemade rolls and a great green salad....and for dessert pumpkin pie and apple crisp with ice cream. We don't eat like this every day of course, but it was nice to see that we really can find most things here to make it feel a little bit like home.  We of course missed  our family but know that these 18 months will fly by and we will be back to cooking turkey in no time!

Meanwhile back in the States, the Garrison boys (minus Grant and his boys) hooked up with the Moomey boys for a Turkey Bowl in Brentwood 3rd Ward.  It was fun to see this picture:

This picture melted my heart!  It's Tayleigh with Bob's dog Bodie.  She just loves this doggie and is always so happy when she can spend time with him!  

Today we attended a big event at the Jublilee Park in Kumasi to celebrate Light the World with Love campaign of the church.  It was so wonderful to see so many African Saints and friends gather for this occasion.  I wish that I had gotten more pictures!  But it just really hit me that this is exactly what the world needs in todays divisive world.  WE need to love as Christ loved and care for one another. Here they distributed about 2.5 tons of food to the needy families throughout the area.  It was a sight to behold.  Tomorrow we are going to Obuasi (about 1.5 hours from here to distribute some bags of food in that area.  I am so thankful that the Church does these kinds of things and that we can be a small part of it.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!  Stay strong and steadfast and be a Light to the World!

Love,

The Garrisons