Every Tuesday we have the opportunity to attend a District Council.  This little district meets right in the mission office, so we have started to attend it.  It is always a treat to be instructed by these wonderful missionaries.  I don't know if they are always so on point giving instruction and following the agenda but whenever we attend they sure are!  Pictured: Elder Harnois,  Elder Ngwenya, Elder Njirayafa, Elder Beck, Elder Amoah and Elder Motuliki.  They are all fabulous missionaries.

Here is a picture of some Ghanian money.  It is 200 cedis.  That is about $15.54 as of today.  I love that it has the Adinkra symbol there in the left hand side that is the Gye Nyame symbol which means: except God.  It is one of my favorite symbols. 

You can see this sign  again on this 3 wheeled car  in this picture.  Honestly, once you are aware of the symbols and signs, one can see them everywhere.

Elder Utley is pictured above with a man that was a pastor in another church but he has joined the church now along with many of his flock.  You will see one of his signs in the picture below advertising his church and the activities that they were having.  

This is William and three of his four children.  We have known William since we arrived in the mission because he does wood carvings and brings them regularly to the office when missionaries buy them.  We had always thought that he was a member of the church but he was not!  So the assistants to the president were out in their area and ran into him and asked him if he would like to learn about the church and he did!  So he and his youngest son go baptized last Sunday along with 18 other people.  We were so happy to attend his baptism.  

Here is the picture of William's baptism along with the 18 others baptized last Sunday.  These baptisms took place in Daban but included the Kwanwoma Branch as well.  It is just astounding to me how many are accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ here in Ghana.  What a blessing it has been to see this with our own eyes, and feel of the spirits of these amazingly, faithful people.  

After the baptism, The Rottermann's (pictured below) had all the missionaries in the district over for a delicious lunch.  Boris is from Switzerland and Sonia is from France.  They have two darling children and are here in Ghana with the French Consul running a school that teaches the French language and culture.  They are a great asset to the Daban Ward.  

Boris and Sonia Rotterdamm

Elder Garrison and Elder Beck above and with me below.

This week was transfers.....we were sad to say good bye to one of our office elders: Elder Beck.  He was just such a joy to work with.  He got the jobs done that he was assigned to do and could not wait every day to get out into his area.  He just loved doing missionary work and has such a way with people. While Elder Beck served in this area, he taught a mommy and her little boy.  The young boy was baptized but the mommy was not quite ready to be baptized and then she moved to Techiman.  Well guess where Elder Beck as transferred to?  To the exact same area that the mommy moved!  President Kunz had no idea about the woman and her son moving there.  You cannot convince me that the Lord is not in the details of this work.    We will sure miss Elder Beck, but know that where ever he serves he will thrive.  

After last Tuesday, we just have 1 more transfer until we go home.  There are transfers every 6 weeks.  So the mission (at least our jobs in the office) kind of revolve around this 6 week calendar.  As I reflect back on these past months here in Ghana I cannot help but feel so many mixed emotions about leaving.  I will sure miss the wonderful people that we have met and had the privilege of serving with.  Never have I met a more happy people who many times have NOTHING but their faith in God. It makes me want to be a better person and open my heart to serving better and loving our fellow travelers in this life.....after all, aren't we all just walking each other home?

Thank you all for your support and prayers.......we really do feel them and know they are answered.  Stay strong and steadfast.
Love,
The Garrisons