I just couldn't resist taking this picture of two of our little boys at church last Sunday.  How adorable are they?  This is Francis and Pastor Raymond.  Raymond is actually carrying his mama's purse but I think it goes especially good with his outfit.  And how about that hat??? I would say they are wearing their very best for church!

This is a picture of the Primary class  (Children's class)  that we taught last week.  Picture this:  all these kids in a room that was about 8 feet by  8 feet with no fan or air conditioning.  Not sure they even understood most of what we said, but they were reverent and respectful and boy can they sing "I am a Child of God " in English.  They love Jesus and are trying to follow Him.  I love the way they dress up for church and are so faithful in coming.  Either they need to learn more English or we need to learn more Twi though!

Last week I posted a picture of a wheelchair contraption that one of the members in Obuasi uses to get up a pretty steep hill to go to church EVERY week.  Well here he is going up the steps to get into church.  As you can see he has to use crutches to get up and he goes backwards and lifts himself up to go.  There are probably 20 steps total and they are not even at all.   In the USA this would be a lawsuit waiting to happen.  This brother is always so happy and upbeat.  He is just grateful that he can come and comes no matter what.  It makes me think a lot about what excuses I might have for not doing things that are hard.  He puts me to shame.  

On Tuesday of this week.  Dick started not feeling well again.  He had been fighting a cold/cough last week and seemed to be relapsing.  I sent him home to rest about 12:00 noon after he complained about being really tired and achey.  I couldn't believe that he was sick again.  He came back to the office to get me about 4pm and decided that he would run to the store to put money on his phone and to take back a receipt to a store that had overcharged him for some spaghetti noodles.  I stayed in the car (where it was cool) and waited and waited and waited...after about 30 minutes I get a call from his phone that has a strange voice on the other end saying that he was the manager of "The Game" where he had purchased the noodles and he said, "You need to come into the store, there has been an incident with Elder Garrison".  So I am thinking that he had an argument with them about the return. lol  Well, come to find out he had passed out!  So they had taken him to a clinic that just happened to be almost next door to that store.  Long story short:  they tested his blood and he had contracted MALARIA and also had a secondary infection in his lungs.  So he was treated and prescribed medication that he has been taking all week and he is going to be fine.  As I looked back on this, it was clear to me that it was very "Lucky"  (a little tender mercy from the Lord) that this happened where it did so that he was diagnosed and treated so promptly.  People here get Malaria as routine as we get colds.  We actually take an antibiotic every day to prevent it but had gone off of it because of a misunderstanding with Sister Moomey, our mission nurse.   We thought she told us not to take it if taking other meds (for our colds) but she just meant to not take it at the same time!  Anyway, lesson learned..and thankful that he is going to be ok.  

There are some funny names of things around Kumasi.  This is one of them!  BRAINY SCHOOL!  How is that for a name for a school????  

This is a very typical picture of the sky here in Kumasi.  The air quality isn't great. They tend to burn their garbage and fields and obviously there is no air quality control.  Plus there is just a lot of dust in the air.  That is one reason why I thought Dick was having trouble with his lungs.  

This is a picture of some Geese? hanging up by a Chinese restaurant on New Year's Day.  Very appetizing isn't it???  Head and all.....

Saturday it was Elder Garrison's birthday.  The office Elders and AP"s and Brother Cobbina (the mission driver and all around helper) sung happy birthday to him.  We were glad that he was feeling better .  That night we had a spaghetti dinner with french bread, salad and Lemon Meringue pie to celebrate with the Moomey's and the Kunz.  It was a nice day.  

This has always been one of my favorite scriptures.  I have learned through the years that when we trust in Him and not to our own understanding, that things usually work out.  He loves us and wants us to be happy.  Put your trust in the Lord.  

Another week has come and gone. We are getting into a routine and kinda know what we are doing in some areas.  I am sure that we still have lots to learn, but we appreciate all the help we have gotten from others and from Heavenly Father.  Hope you all have a great week.  Stay strong and steadfast!

Love,

The Garrisons