These five little boys greeted Elder Garrison at our local Shop Rite (one of the grocery stores that we shop at) and asked him if they could tag along with him as he shopped.  He said that they could and when they got ready to check out they asked him if he would buy them a little jar of Nutella.  He told them that he would and to put it in the basket, but then one of the boys said that he didn't want the Nutella, so he gave them 20 cedis ( which amounts to about $1.50) and they were delighted and took off as if he had given them a Golden Ticket or something.  Just a little example of how grateful the children here are for just anything....aren't they so cute?
 

On Tuesdays we get to join the Bantama District for their District meetings.  We usually have 4-6 Elders (depending if the Zone Leaders come of not) and 4 sisters.  It is always so well done and the instruction is excellent.  We are so grateful for the service that the young men and women give as they serve their missions during this very important time of their lives.  It is clear to me, that the sacrifice that they make is paid back to them 10 fold in blessings!

Thanksgiving morning we played pickle ball with the Kunz, Moomeys and the new senior couple that come down from Techiman to join us: The Thompsons.  We missed the other senior couple in our mission, The Steinmetz.  They live about an 8 hour drive from Kumasi, so it is a ways to go!   After the pickle ball game, they put up a new basketball net that April Hill had so graciously sent to us.  My question is?  How many men does it take to put up a basketball net? 

Here we are having Thanksgiving Dinner at President and Sister Kunz home.  We had a great feast:  roasted chicken (not too many turkeys around here), mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, glazed carrots, home made rolls, cranberry sauce and green salad.  If that wasn't enough, after we watched the BYU basketball game that was played the night before...we had pumpkin cake, dutch apple pie and french silk pie.........honestly haven't eaten that much is a LONG time!  It was delicious!

Those of you that know me, know that I am a big advocate of "free-range parenting".  Well they believe in it here too!  We see little ones like this walking alone ALL THE TIME!  I have seen kids as young 3 walking alone, going to a little stand and buying something for breakfast for themselves and toddling home with it unassisted.   I love it....

The mission assistants and office elders had a pretty big baptism last Sunday.  All in all they baptized 16 people!  This was the last Sunday that we had Elder Simpson and Elder Same as the mission assistants....we will miss their leadership and enthusiasm. We welecomed Elder Harnois and Elder Amoah as he new mission assistants this week! 

For the past couple of weeks we have been attending the Asonkore Branch in Obuasi. For some reason, this little 3 year old has really taken a liking to Elder Garrison.  I loved that he wanted him to hold his hand as they walked back inside the building.  The children here are just so loving and accepting. 

As the Christmas Season is beginning, I have been thinking of ways that I can show the love and light of Christ to others.  I think basically that just being kind always to others is the best way that we can be like Christ.  I think if we took the time to talk to people and really get to know them, that we would find that most people are fighting a battle of some kind.  So our goal this Christmas Season and always is to try to always be kind.

As always, thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.  Stay strong and steadfast.

Love,

The Garrisons