Really.....the children in Ghana have to be the cutest!  They just really have our hearts.💚💙 It's interesting to watch them take care of each other.  The little ones are usually on the mama's backs, but after that, it is all about "free range kids".  We see them all over in little groups just using their imaginations to play games and entertain themselves and their smiles just light up the world.  They go to school really early (like 7am) and are always dressed in their uniforms.....it is pretty amazing to see.  

One thing that is very unique here in Kumasi are the billboards that they post for funerals.  As you can see, they post all the information about the burial, funeral etc. We have seen billboards as small as the size of a regular piece of paper and as large as a HUGE billboard.  When flying to Kumasi, the lady that I sat by that was from Accra said that Kumasi is known for elaborate funerals.  We see them as we are driving sometimes.....apparently  they can take place as long as a year or more after the person dies.   The people all dress in black and red and there can be numerous celebrations as is noted on the poster above.  Also, usually the age of the person is noted on the poster.  

Last Friday night, we enjoyed having dinner with the couple above:  Tom and Becky Rogers.  They run a non profit organization from Kumasi called "Families Mentoring Families.org".  They have been living here for 4 years.  They are also members of our church.  I am so amazed at people like this that sell their homes and do this kind of service.  It isn't like Kumasi is an easy place to live:  the power goes out all the time, there aren't the conveniences that we have in America either, plus they have 10 kids!  They moved here with their youngest 5 children to start this organization and literally are all in.  Becky told us that they now have 34 literacy centers throughout Africa and that they have 38 more places that want them.  There is so much need in the world and it is people like this that take it upon themselves to do something about it.  I am really in awe.  

Honestly, the women here can carry so much on their heads.  It is really just astounding!

I saw this somewhere this week and it made me think about going on a Senior Mission.  I know it would be more fun to be home decorating for Christmas, going to dinner with friends, having people over and traveling., (and playing pickle ball three times a week) ....but look what we would miss!  We have had and continue to have some of the sweetest experiences and met some of the best people while we serve that we otherwise would not have had.  I would encourage anyone out there that is hesitant to go on a Senior Mission, to take the leap of faith and do it......you won't regret it, I promise you that!

On Thursday our oldest grandson, Talor, left for Brazil to serve a 2 year mission for our church.  We are just so proud of him for the young man that he has grown up to be and are so excited to serve a mission at the same time as he is serving.  We know he will do great!

We attended our first Zone conference this week.  I had to snap this picture of two of the Elders who have obviously embraced the Ghanian Culture.  There were a few of them wearing these smocks called fugos.......gotta love the Elders!

If you look really close, you can see that our mission president, President Kunz showed up to watch us play pickle ball and wanted to try it!  We can tell that he is going to be very competitive once he gets the gist of the game....look out!

Elder Morgan, Yeboah and Ferry joined us too. They got beat, but I know it won't be long before they are beating us!

Here is the selfie at the end when we were all sweaty.  It was fun to play. 

We ended our week with a beautiful baptism in Asonkore.    Elders Sorbley, Ipantiar, Bangura and Kluse with Francis, Mrs. Konomi and Theresa.  Sisters Freeman and Lenga were not in the picture.  So thankful for the dedication of these missionaries in bringing the gospel to these wonderful people.  

It was a busy week in the office.  We had three missionaries leaving and one that arrived. (The week after Christmas, we have 20 missionaries coming!.... ) Through a series of unfortunate events, the three that were leaving, missed their flights from Kumasi to Accra, so that's always fun.  Thankfully, we have a local member that drives for us, and he drove them to Accra to catch their flights.  One of the tickets had to be completely changed......so that's what happens.....if something can go wrong, it often will, but in the long run, things work out.  One day this week, I changed my password to the computer and as I changed it, I thought to myself, I won't forget that!  Well, guess what?  I did.  So I was seriously panicked.  I told Dick, we need to pray right now......I have to be able to get into that computer......so we prayed and a few minutes later through some prompts from Dick, I suddenly remembered the new password.  I was so so grateful!  Prayers are answered in little ways as well as big ways and I hope that we always take the time to notice.  

One week until Christmas.......hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and that we all will take time to remember Christ and all that He has done for each one of us.  He is the reason for the season.

Love to all,

The Garrisons