2-8 January 2017

We had a really fun gathering last Monday where we invited all the senior couples to the MTC for a pot luck lunch and an African demonstration.  Here are many of us in the chapel.  We told everyone to wear African clothes and we all did.

The Brubakers had our favorite Kente weavers
make us these beautiful banners that they often
do when people leave - but ours were
exceptionally nice as the Brubakers designed
them and had them made with our names,
Ghana MTC, dates of service and some really
nice symbols like the key for "Love is the Key,"
etc.  We were really emotional, all four of us and
then they asked us to speak, which was really
hard.  I talked about the things I love here in
Africa and the things I would miss and bore my
testimony. We have made so many incredible friends.

Aba and James came to do the
African demonstrations.  Here is
James, showing us how the men
wear their Kente robes.

Aba showing us one of many cool ways that the
Africans wear their headscarves.  I later bought one
of these at the market.  Aba surprised me a few days later with farewell gifts of
fabric, placemats, a colorful bag, and a beautiful silver
necklace in the shape of Africa.  

One of our kitchen workers brought her baby and showed us how to tie him on to her back like they all do here.  

Two of our teachers wanted pictures of us with our
Kente banners.

One day I rode the MTC van home with the missionaries from the temple as I needed to go with a sister missionary to a cardiology apt who had been in the hospital.  Wow, what an eye opening experience.  I'm glad I've never had to go to a hospital here.  They don't supply any food, you have to bring food to people you have staying there, they wouldn't give her companion any pillow or blankets to use as she had to stay with her, there is no AC so it was very hot, kind of stinky, etc.  The cardiologist cancelled our apt, but no one told us, so we had to go back the next day, etc.  Things are just a little behind here.

Kids selling tomatoes at the Tema market.

I planned a final trip to the Tema Market for us and invited others to come.  We ended up with 8 of us obrunies (white people) and Selasi as our guide.  We had a great time together and bought lots of fabric and fruit and other things, and got roasting hot.  I'm sure we looked pretty funny, 8 white ladies following our African housekeeper through the market - and of course, we were the only white people there.

We lasted about 2.5 hours in the heat - here is Rosely
and I in front of a bead booth.  

The Brubakers took us out to dinner as a farewell Sat night - we went to a VERY nice Japanese restaurant and the food was spectacular.  This is a picture of these crazy looking, but super yummy tempura vegetables.  I think this was the best meal I've had in Ghana.

Our last time together with the Obengs and the Acquayes in the hot laundry room, sorting through donations and putting away clothes!  When we finished, we had to take a picture and yell hurray!  You can see all the white shirts behind us, but we also have tons of other clothes and shoes now for the missionaries.

We were asked to bear our testimonies today in Sacrament meeting (it was our testimony meeting) today.  I got emotional as I looked into these missionaries' faces and into their eyes and saw their sweet smiles and felt their beautiful spirits.  I told them how I loved seeing their dark hands clasped in my light one and how it made me know that we are all God's children and it doesn't matter what country we come from or what color we are.  They were nodding along as I spoke.  It was a really touching moment for me.

After the meeting, practically the whole MTC came up with hugs and handshakes and missionaries thanking us for our service, telling us how much they would miss us and how much they loved us.  And we've only known them for about 9 days.

Later on, Aba made a delicious farewell dinner for us, the Brubakers, Hills, Obengs, Acquayes, and Peines.  Again, Scott had us say a few words, but I didn't cry this time.  What a bittersweet time this is for us now as we're getting close to leaving.

This is Loel.  I echo everything Paula has written. As we approach leaving the feelings are very tender.  We are reminded several times a day that we have made life long and eternal friends. It's hard to realize we will never see some of these friends again in this lifetime.  And it's hard when they realize the same thing.  We have become very close to some of the teachers and in some ways almost parent figures.  Friends in the temple are also very special.  But the reality is that we committed for one year and as the close of the year approaches, leaving feels right.