Monday, March 19, 2007
Our 50th Ghanian Anniversary Group -March 5/07
Fifty years ago Ghana became an independent country - breaking their history of being a colony of England and becoming the nation they are today. None of these fine missionaries were alive then, and probably the majority of their parents were still teenagers or younger. But they also have now declared their independence from home, and committed to come and serve for two years (or eighteen months (sisters). They are our largest group to pass through the MTC since our arrival. Originally there was to have been 39 of them, but one Elder did not arrive and one sister had to return home for medical attention - so we wound up with 37 great missionaries. The countries represented are: Nigeria - 19, Sierra Leone 4, Botswana 1, Kenya 1, Ghana 5, United States 3, Tonga 3, New Zealand 1. This will be last group to go through our 16 day program - as soon as they leave, the next group will be here two days later and we will begin our 19 day program - hopefully three more days to make them even better missionaries. 
Ghana's 50th Independence Day.
Yes it was Independence Day - but we all had to work that day, but the staff still wanted to celebrate 
so they showed up in varying shades of the green red and yellow that are the colors of the Ghanaian flag as illustrated in the hair of Rosanne one of the kitchen help. The Ghana 50th T shirts were evident every where - in this photo we have left to right - Selasi - our cleaning lady supreme, Sister Howard, our caterer in the kitchen, Rosanne, kitchen help, Deli our superb laundry lady and finally Joyce another kitchen helper. They were just preparing to give the new missionaries a tour of the facility.
Here we have Issac and Josuah - both workers in kitchen - Josuah is the small one wrapped in the ghanan flag - Issac is wearing the anniversary T shirt. They delivered to our apartment that morning a big flag, a smaller flag and some brochures on the holiday
Last but not least, Sister Nielson making use of the smaller flag we received - looks surprising alert for the night she had passed. At midnight, fireworks started going off - we assumed perhaps the refinery which is about two kilometres away had sponsored them, but they went on and one - probably about 45 minutes, and they actually shook our MTC as they exploded - but they were colorful - celebrating the holiday. We found out next morning they were being set off just two blocks from the MTC and that is the reason they were shaking our facility. They estimated that the government spent around 20 million dollars in celebration - there were flags everywhere - and it was so colorful, but you wonder when so many people are so poor - but even the poor seemed to enjoy the holiday very much - maybe money isn't the basic need people have!!!
so they showed up in varying shades of the green red and yellow that are the colors of the Ghanaian flag as illustrated in the hair of Rosanne one of the kitchen help. The Ghana 50th T shirts were evident every where - in this photo we have left to right - Selasi - our cleaning lady supreme, Sister Howard, our caterer in the kitchen, Rosanne, kitchen help, Deli our superb laundry lady and finally Joyce another kitchen helper. They were just preparing to give the new missionaries a tour of the facility.
Here we have Issac and Josuah - both workers in kitchen - Josuah is the small one wrapped in the ghanan flag - Issac is wearing the anniversary T shirt. They delivered to our apartment that morning a big flag, a smaller flag and some brochures on the holiday 
Last but not least, Sister Nielson making use of the smaller flag we received - looks surprising alert for the night she had passed. At midnight, fireworks started going off - we assumed perhaps the refinery which is about two kilometres away had sponsored them, but they went on and one - probably about 45 minutes, and they actually shook our MTC as they exploded - but they were colorful - celebrating the holiday. We found out next morning they were being set off just two blocks from the MTC and that is the reason they were shaking our facility. They estimated that the government spent around 20 million dollars in celebration - there were flags everywhere - and it was so colorful, but you wonder when so many people are so poor - but even the poor seemed to enjoy the holiday very much - maybe money isn't the basic need people have!!!Even yet another Wedding
But this one was more like a wedding in southern Alberta - where the bride and the groom are just ordinary, down to earth people - and a lot of the pomp and circumstances are handled moderately and nicely by the local ward members. This young man Momon Johnson works on the grounds here at the Church and MTC - he just stopped by one Wednesday and said he was going to get married on Saturday and would we be able to come. Well, we weren't sure, but it worked out well that we could get away. Judging from the other three weddings we have attended, fashionably late is about an hour - so we drug our heels at bit getting away - but on the way we ran into a pre-Independence Day celebration and the wedding party were already out on the lawn taking pictures when we pulled in. We did however stay for the reception they had - you'll notice the treats on table for the bride and groom - the drink is called Malta - basically its an non alcoholic beer - made from malt and smell and tastes (they tell me, I haven't tried it) just like beer. He is a returned missionary and she, Naomi Sowah, does hair dressing.The only sad thing, everyone was in the small Relief Society Room for the "reception" when they had just added another large addition on the church and could have used it - it would have been much more comfortable and there were as many people seated out in the hall as there were in the relief society room - several non members so it wasn't a good impression. They seem happy and we wish the Johnson couple the very best - probably our next wedding may be another of our teachers - Bro. Mintah's missionary just returned - in fact, she has just been hired as a teacher at the MTC and is a sharp young lady. 