Fast Friends

I have good friends.  I know I am blessed that way.  I really do not need new friendships, but I like good ones.  I really don’t like it when people are working to make me their friend…what’s the angle?   Sometimes in Ghana, I will meet a person and they will say, “Take me with you to America.”  They are not serious, and they are not going to be my friend.  But some people come into your life and you get to be friends fast.  They are either so much like you that you complement each other, or you just hit it off and there is no agenda, and you just like them and they like you – no agenda.   But still, I am careful, and I have often been disappointed in people who hide their agenda.  I really need 6 to 12 months to marinate in a friendship and see if that person is a good person and worth my time.  I get to be friends fast with people who are good friends with my good friends -- Friendships by good association.  All the people that Steve Fellows says are his good friends become my good friends.  I like his people and I trust him.  His friends never disappoint. 

The Jacobsens had friends who came to see them.  They are their good family friends, and she is actually Sister J’s daughter’s (Lizzy) best friend from growing up on the Deseret Ranch in Florida.  Maddie and Ben are from Northern Ireland.  They were with us for a week…but we became friends fast or fast friends.  When that happens, it is a wonderful thing.  I really like them and could see myself reconnecting with them again.  It was a good connection. 

Use your talents.  The Jacobsens are always busy, so if they have guests, we get to help entertain.  I like that part of my mission is being on the mission entertainment committee.  Before I left on my mission, I was a successful CEO - Chief Entertainment Officer.  It’s a talent that I bring to Ghana with my wife, who is a world-class entertainer that no one can really afford.  But for the Army of the Lord, she will do anything.

Temple First: I love that Ben and Maddie, like Lauren Bertha, wanted to see the temple first.  I dropped them off at the temple and then went over to my bike mechanic and worked with the mission bikes before getting them for the next entertainment item on our list.  We went to the art market, Black Star Square, Jamestown, and some local shops.  I had a list, and we just tried to check it all off while the President and his wife were Mission Leader-ing all day.  They do the hard stuff, we do the fun stuff.  After missing the day, I would come back to the bills on my desk and quickly do them in the evening.  No chance to sit around on this mission… 

Game Nights: Jacobsen’s had time in the evenings for meals and some games.  Tap4 got pretty heated and competitive.  It is good to have a brief respite to let your brain relax.  President is always busy, and he slots a little time to play, and we get to talk while the game goes on.  This is one of the best things we brought to Ghana--a way to chill, play, talk, and relax with a game.  Thanks to Sandy for this.

“You strange little man…”

-Ben to me when I played an unusual card

(I have never been called “little”…strange, maybe)

Central Market:  I hired my wood carver, Collins, to take us on the central market tour.  Makoala is the largest city market in all of Western Africa. So I gladly hired the guide. I would have been lost in the thin hallways and random roads.  Part of the market that burned down earlier this year has been rebuilt and is thriving.  They sell used clothing from the USA and Europe, and they have sewing crews that will make it fit for you.  We drank Sobelo (Hibiscus and Ginger) on the street (that got a cringe from SJ). The alleys were thin and packed with goods and people.  I took way too many pictures.  Love how they carry it all on their heads. Listen, Smell, Look…

Fufu:  It is a uniquely Ghanaian food.  Kasava and plantain pounded into a starch and made into a blob.  Put it in a bowl, add light soup and chicken (other options are ground nut soup or Palm nut soup; pass, pass).  Eat with your right hand only and let it dangle over the bowl in between, chop, grab, & slurp.  It was really good, and Maddie and Ben dove right in...impressed.  Sandy ate it well after a full hand sanitation ritual; she did not want all her fufu blob, so she gave it to Georgina.  Georgina was the one who cooked it.  She gave us all normal-sized bowls and then sat with us at the table with a big bowl that was like a wide salad bowl. She eats it every week, one or two times.  Some people eat it every day?  She ate a lot of it…

“I can’t even imagine my mother eating like this.”

-Sister Bertha

Mothers Day Call:  Our kids got on to talk to Sandy and said nice things…maybe a year in Africa has shown them what they are missing?  They survived summer in New Hampshire without Sandy last summer, but now they see how much she does.  “Patience, Consistency, and Positivity” were common words the kids used to describe her; those words could also be used here on her mission.  She is “straight Joy” in the words of Sister J., who is also an amazing mother of 6 kids and 10 grands!. 

“Who loves you?  Jesus and Sandy Bertha”

-Sister J getting another custom bead bracelet from Sandy

Long Face:  I sent a text to Maddie, and I saw her profile picture.  I expected to see Ben, her husband, but no, it was her horse?!  She lives in NI (Northern Ireland) and works to support her habit/hobby/distraction – a horse that lives in France.  She travels there every month to practice and compete in Western-style horse events.  That was a surprise to me that there is a cowboy/cowgirl culture in France.  Who knew?  She is good at her hobby, and it’s a happy outlet for her.  But what a strange little woman!?

Sick Elder: My buddy Papalii, who went home last year,  got better in Australia and came back this year.   He is still having some issues, and he has been near so he could be tested and treated.  He was feeling sick and getting chills—it was discovered he had Malaria!?  Never a dull moment for the medical advisor.  He is getting better... but it just reminds us of the risk of even visiting here.  You need to get shots and take medication before and after to protect yourself.

Stats:

In the UK, the most dangerous animal is a cow.

In Ghana, the most dangerous animal is the mosquito.

600,000 people die a year from Malaria.  (95% in Africa)

6 people die a year from a shark attack (rare, but never on land)

Kaneshie Stake Conference:  My good friend Francis Sosu is the stake president, and he wears a Lokai bracelet I gave him.  He gave a great lesson at conference last Sun.  We had no traffic and got there in 15 minutes.  We were 30 minutes early; what impressed me was that the room was already half filled with quiet people waiting for conference.  Amazing!  Sandy had two women whom she had taught on exchanges there.  She gave away CTR rings to the kids of one of the visitors.  It was Mother’s Day, and the temple president’s wife got up and said, “Mother’s Day should not be one day, but every day.”  Sister J talked about the importance of “women who know.”  They know how to teach faith to the stripling warriors: they know how to raise children in the church and in the world; and most importantly, they know Jesus Christ and his divine mission as our Lord and Savior.

Delicate and Polite:  “Ghana Time” is a thing – it is not exact or even predictable, and it is usually late.  I can understand some of it because travel is not exact or predictable.  There are no buses or trains that run on a schedule.  The direct Tro to Oda leaves when the Tro is filled with 20 people…sit and wait 2 hours until it is filled.  Our missionaries are pretty good about being early, and they allow for the unpredictable.  Our church is pretty good about running on time here, and the conferences start and end pretty well on time.  There was an important chief (they are always important in their own minds) and his entourage who showed up halfway through the conference.  The front seats were set aside for them, and 14 people sat down in front, including one with a staff that blocked some people and the Umbrella guy…who just carries the chief's umbrella to protect him from the sun?  Not like he can get any darker?  The chief must have forgotten that we were inside because he had his Joe Biden Aviator glasses on the whole time…

President Sosu didn’t miss a beat and introduced them and thanked them for coming, and welcomed them politely.  He made it seem like we were waiting for them, and the conference continued, and they got to hear the good talks (Jacobsen’s and Sosu).  Best to be kind to your neighbors at all times.

“….when you get matchy-matchy clothes, you know it is going to be a good choir”

-Sister J

“I know Elder Bertha really cares for his missionaries and the work.  We were talking, and he said, ‘Who will take care of my bikes?’ He is a good friend”

-President Francis Sosu

“One thing I know, if you have FAITH, you will be OK”

-Temple President

Other Ghana Friendships Updates:  Abraham moved back to Liberia and is doing well.  Moses was at Stake Conference and just received the Priesthood and continues to grow in the Gospel.  Emanuel is sitting in on the missionary lessons for his two daughters, and they will follow their father in the church.  Steward is getting ready to get baptized.  Sister Bertha has a positive effect on every person she meets, and they love to see her again.  She loves to go out with the missionaries.  My friend Cortez has committed to show up at church and see what’s up, and that is all we ask…come and see.  Laura E shows me bravery and optimism every day.  The men in my life have been a great support.  Glad to add Cade to the circle of trust. 

“This has been the most uncomfortable privilege that I’ve ever had.”

-Sierra Leone Mission President coming to the end, like the Jacobsens

“I didn’t enjoy my mission until I got comfortable being uncomfortable.”

-a returning missionary

“We will sleep on the plane…full send”

-SJ on how she is finishing.

“Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might”

-D&C 75:3

Water and Warmth:  I was recently reminded of the luxury of having water and warm water at that.  The mission president’s house has a failing water system.  No water at all.  They have been coming to our house for a shower.  I realized how nice it is to have water and heated water.  Even the water that I use at the outdoor pool is warmish.  I have lost the concept of cold water unless it is in a glass with ice.  I don’t know how the Pacific Ocean will feel when I get home.  There are plenty of missionaries we have that have to deal with water shortages at some point in their mission.  Heated water? “Fagetta ‘bout it"

Irish Preachers:  Maddie and Ben went out and taught with our missionaries.  They both served in the Alpine Switzerland Mission.  They both have great faith and love the Lord and will share their belief anytime.  I was reminded of an Irish preacher I met at my burger place here who had been in Ghana for 28 years preaching the Gospel for his church.  I think if I could live 2 doors down from my best friends and be involved in this great work with these great kids (missionaries) just starting their lives, I think I would just stay in Ghana and be happy.  Wow, what a thought…it’s a thought, not a wish!  It will be hard, but things will end and we have to transition to a better.  I hope I go home better for having been here and will continue to look forward with a brightness of hope and faith.  I feel that…

“If everything was cured with Red Bull and Chocolate, life would be grand…”

-Me to the health advisor

Love on…. I love Ghana, and I love my mission and my companion. I love all the new friends I have made on this mission.  Sandy gave me a birthday present of notes and pictures from all the missionaries. They really are paying attention to everything we say.  Be careful, be positive, and share the good things.  Look for the good in all people.  Every missionary who decides to come on a mission is already “good” in my book.  So much good here. 

“…I have chosen the good part, according to the words of a prophet.  I have none other object save it be the welfare of your souls. Amen”

-Helaman 12:30

Elder Bertha

“Irish Week” May 6-12

Accra Ghana

Long Rich

I have a rich life! Rich in friendships, Rich in experiences, Rich in love, Rich in faith, and Rich in family.  I am grateful for these blessings.  While touring a botanical garden, I was asked which cacao plant I would plant.  There is one tree that takes a long time to produce; it takes 7 years until you start to get fruit. They also have a hybrid that only takes 3 years to start producing fruit.  Naturally, I think that I want to start getting my returns faster, so I would pick the 3-year Hybrid.  But that tree with only 3 years of roots starts to die after about 12 years.  If you plant the 7-year tree (Sandy’s pick) that takes longer to produce, you let the roots go deeper, and the tree will produce good fruit for over 50 years, it will bless you and your children.  This is what they call “Long Rich.”  I want to be Long Rich with deep roots in my faith, friends & family, and I want the fruits of those relationships to bear fruit for a long, long time.  I have received plenty of blessings here on my mission.  So grateful!

May “B”: Two good men were born in May.  My brother and I.  We have a company called BBCI, which stands for “Bertha-Bertha,” so it doesn’t matter who is first.  We are only 2 years and 11 days apart.  He joins me in the 60 club this month, this year…I think it will be a good decade for both of us.  Happy Birthday, brother!  Another decade to enjoy with family and friends and in our faith.  Thanks for the visit.  It was with great effort that he made it to Ghana, but we were rewarded with great memories.

Nephi Guy:  My brother understood the Gospel early (age 12) and, with my mother, listened and joined the church in Hawaii.  Missionaries came in the front door, I was out the back door.  But we never give up on our people, our family.  It took a little more time, but I too joined, and we have been in ever since.  Thank you, mother!  My brother and I talked a little this weekend about why we just stayed with the church when we see others come and leave.  We went on our missions, we have always been active, and always had simple faith, and just stayed with the program.  Compounding experiences over time increased our faith and our love of God. Deep roots and many fruits are the plan of salvation, the plan of redemption, the plan of happiness.  Stick with the plan…Stay in the boat; keep the commandments and you will prosper…that is “Long Rich”…

Differences? Yes:  My brother and I are different.  My brother asks a lot of questions and is really smart.  I am adept at working well with less information and getting close enough, taking action, and then getting a better view.  He is tenacious at drilling down on any subject.  Everyone has their unique gifts and talents. It is good to recognize and appreciate the talents of others.  Don’t judge, don’t compare…just work together for the good of all involved…embrace and celebrate the unique differences of your friends.

“Did you see my 48-page PowerPoint on the subject?”

-Brian to me! …but it was really good!  He cut it to 10 pages for me.

Protect & Defend each other: I might tease my brother, but I do not like it when others tease my brother.  He is too nice, and a “pleaser,” and it can allow others to go too far, and he might not even see it.  Years ago, I visited a trade show with his business.  Some Obama-look-alike was teasing him about not coming out to play basketball with “the guys” from the office.  He was so out of line…so I got in my older-brother mode. “…so where did you play ball?  College?  No?…So, intramurals?…hmmm?  Did you win a t-shirt?  So, no real college athletics? Did you know that Brian here lettered in varsity athletics at Princeton?  Wait, what community college did you attend?  Anyway, at Princeton, as a freshman, Brian lettered in Gymnastics, as the “all-around” man.  Let me explain it to you…the all-around man is the one guy on the team who can and does every apparatus, and his score for each is included in the whole score.  It’s pretty important.”  He backed off as intended… It is OK to protect people and defend your faith and your family.

“And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall DEFEND your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore, for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to DEFEND themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.”

-Alma 43:47

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar... And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

-1 John 4:20–21

Get out and teach!  The highlight of the visit was getting out to teach with the missionaries.  I had it set up with the Sisters close to us, but when we got there, they were sick.  (They could have called?) But that is Ghana; things change.  Call an audible.  We called other sisters and took the two Sister Berthas to teach in Bortianor.  They were able to teach Steward again, and he is working his way toward baptism.  Getting out to teach in Ghana is a special experience and truly to be cherished.  We teach here…and if you don’t progress, we plant the seeds and let them germinate for a while, and maybe you come back to it. Sometimes the timing is wrong, and the missionaries only have 2 years to teach, and here they want to teach people that will progress to following the covenant path…faith, repentance, baptism, enduring, and keeping the commandments.  Pretty easy if you want to follow Jesus, and he is good to follow…

Patience: My brother Brian and I caught up with Elders Anderson (1 of 3 Andersons) and Luvulo(Angola).  We taught in an outside fruit shop.  Shade is good.  There were 8 people there as we were teaching Elizabeth.  She has had all the lessons and wants to join, but she has never been to church.  Her mom makes her take care of the shop on Sundays for her.  Even the grandmother, whom we were teaching in the shop, did not know how to deal with the mother.  The missionary looked at me as if to ask, "What now?" I told him to just be patient and wait.  We have a well-planted seed, and we will pray to find a time that the mom will let her leave the shop on a Sunday…Not everything falls into place quickly…sometimes you let the plant grow longer…

Grey Dot Miricle:  A “grey dot” is someone that has been taught, but for some reason, we stopped teaching or they stopped progressing…a young man, who had been MIA for some time, walked into the church and said he had all the lessons (by one of our missionaries) and he wanted the get baptized… “When is your next baptism time?”…I think we can fit you in!  Seeds are planted, and sometimes it takes time for the spirit to work on people so they get to a point when their faith grows and they want to make further commitments to God (and to themselves).  It’s fun to see people change and grow and follow the Savior.  We can only do our part while we are here, and sometimes you just plant seeds and sometimes you teach & nurture, and sometimes you harvest…it’s all good.  Surprisingly, Elder Kaaen President Jacobsen, and I were “slow burn” converts that took 2 years to bake…or make the commitment to get baptized.  It is really the spirit that converts, and some of us take a little longer.  Be patient with your friends; it's God's time, not ours, that matters…

Sow and harvest:  Winter Quarters was a place where the early Saints stayed and prepared for the trek west to SLC.  They ate the food they could harvest that was planted or sown by the others who left before.  Before leaving, they would sow more corn and vegetables that could feed the people coming through after them.  As missionaries, we invite people to follow Jesus Christ. Some say yes, some say no, but many seeds are planted that may grow into interest and faith in the future.  Patience, Love, and sew what you can while you are here.

The District:  Sister Bertha and I attended a District Council on Tuesday at Ashtown Ward.  Driving there on a “market day” was an adventure….following Google Maps headed us right through the middle of Kasoa New Market.  A market day is when all the sellers and buyers come and do the most business of the week.  There are taxis and Tros being stuffed with goods that will be taken out to smaller towns and villages and resold.  It is the Ghanaian version of a distribution center, and it works.   Driving through it is slow, but good for pictures.  We are never bored driving because it has always remained interesting to see.  The Elders and Sisters gathered and discussed their goals and what they accomplished last week, and what the new goals would be. Then they have a discussion on a talk or part of the Preach My Gospel manual.  They have all been trained by the President on how to run a meeting, and they do not waste time.  These kids are getting great training for the rest of their lives. Fun meeting and proud of Kabanda(Zimbabwe) and Naeta(Tonga), the Zone Leaders for teaching and leading…

Rain is coming:  One night last week, it just dumped rain. Pouring rain with wind like a hurricane…Sandy and Sister J played Quirkle. I was up late with new apartment leases and bills. Trying to get ready for the guests coming to our place, and also the Jacobsens….  We both looked at how we could juggle work and entertaining the guests.  Jacobsen’s have to interview everyone every transfer, so they are the busiest, so we had to double up on the entertainment committee work…not a problem! Fun!

Ghana Time:  The Visas can be a real problem when coming to Ghana.  Sandy and I were delayed in getting to Ghana last year because someone was offended in the visa department.  It slowed down a lot of missionaries coming in at the time.  This time it delayed my brother…he has a great skill at changing directions quickly with these speed bumps in plans.  He finally talked to a real person and got it 5 days later and made it to Ghana!  Megan, who lives in Washington DC, went to the Embassy and did not run into the nice Ghanaians.  She had her sweet children with her, and the “grumpy pants” man made the kids sad.  Sorry about that, but thanks for trying to help your uncle.  He finally found someone to send out the visas on a Monday, so he could leave on Tuesday…come on over!

Temple as a center:  Lauren wanted to visit the temple first.  She is a good example of putting first things first, and we made sure they got to visit the temple.  Built in 2004, the temple has blessed so many lives in Western Africa and all over the world.  Rollin and Amy Anderson used the Accra Temple for their wedding/sealing when their family was here serving in Ghana.  When the Jacobsens were called here, that was one of the connections that made us think this mission would happen, and we are so glad to be serving here with our friends.  Yes, we are working and serving, but we are also having a great time with our friends…we are VERY blessed here.

Reruns: “Batiking”, which is printing and dying cloth, and seeing the beadmaking are the most repeated tourist events that we take our guests to.  We made a cool tablecloth for my Mom for Mother's Day.  The Art market is also a well-returned place.  They all know me there, and if they don’t know me, they think they do.  Same uniform-white shirt and tie.  Same first name – “Elder, Elder, Elder…”. I respect their tenacity in selling.  It is tough to navigate, but a game also…

Early rather than late:  I came out to walk and swim, and the sisters were already here.  Here at 7 am for a 9 am meeting.  They were here for MLC, which is a leadership meeting.  Amazingly, they have been well trained to be early rather than late.  They know Ghana travel time is unreliable, and the taxis and Tros do not run on a schedule, so they come early and leave enough time to be on time and early.  Sister Bertha just extended the eating time before the meeting.  Good habits are being formed on the mission…

Careful with your Pig:  One of my favorite islander missionaries was in here for a burned hand.  He was boiling water and cleaning another pig for his district activity.  They love their pigs!  He burned his hand pretty badly.  They had it checked at the hospital, and the companion was trained by our health advisor (the Busiest woman in the mission) on how to change the dressings. 

Washer Purchase:  Two men should not be purchasing a washer for the home without a woman’s help! I was minding my own business, reloading the gas credit cards at Total Energies, and I received a call from the guy working on the President’s house – minor, that became major upgrades.  Termites were found, water leaks were found, and the water heater was pulled off the wall and crashed into the washer.  Anyway, so they bought a new washer that was large capacity (good) but a silver non-matching color (bad).  If Sister Bertha were in charge of this, it would match perfectly, and Sister J would not have to deal with this.  They called me to pick up Enoch, the purchaser, and get the washer.  I saw that it was silver (and I did call Sandy), but we bought it anyway.  Then, only a few hours later, they discovered that it was a cold water washer and did not use hot water…that was not going to work.  I stepped away by that time.  They fixed the old washer with its dented top and returned the new non-matching washer.  Sometimes, just let a Ghanaian fix what you have.

Teach Teach Teach

Joy Joy Joy

-the Beauty of Exchanges with the missionaries

“We are getting it done.”

-Regina from HSBC. A really helpful rep.

“Mental health-wise…I was under the impression they sent all the stable ones here; I don’t think that anymore.”

-Medical Expert in Africa

Family time:  So grateful to have time with my niece to talk and walk and talk some more.  We walked a lot Sunday afternoon and did a Bertha biathlon on Monday morning (walking and water aerobics).  It’s always better to do things together, so you get time to talk as you are doing something.  No one sits down and talks that long anymore (thank you...not, Mr. Cell Phone).  I love the bike trip started by Sandy’s family, which gave us so many memories.  No real good biking in Ghana, but the walk and talk were perfect in the healthy humidity…

Laughter:  No one makes me laugh as much as my brother, and no two people cry in unison like my brother and I…crying from laughing.  It was great to have him here for a fast and furious weekend.  The best was teaching with him in a shop in Wieja

Botanical Garden:  Monday, we drove out to Aburi Botanical Garden (My Mom would be proud of us).  Our guide, Maxwell, was from the Bolgatanga region of northern Ghana. He was proud of how strong and healthy his people were.  In the days of the slave trade, they tried to catch his northern tribes because they were the ones that actually survived the best on the slave ships and did not die…ouch.  They also have a strong history of using plants for every medical use to stay healthy.  Every plant had a use.  He is the one who taught us about Long Rich with the right plant that has deep roots and lives longer.  He also taught us about all the plants that cure diseases.  (See Alma 46:40 pg 325 BofM).  It was amazing his knowledge; we found the Center for Medical Plant Research just up the road from the Botanical Garden.

Backroads and Beads:  We continued the drive to Korofufu and went to the Bead Market.  It was over a ridge and a beautiful drive with giant trees and a lot of locals selling fruits on the side of the road.  I hope I still want to wear a bracelet or two when I come home, because we have definitely had our share of Ghana beads. Sister Bertha has specific tastes that if she can’t find what she wants in its raw form (a strand), she will buy a necklace or bracelet that is made and get the beads she wants out of it.  She is really good at it.  For my Birthday, I received bracelets from Sister J, Sister B, and my Niece, also a “Sister B.”

Art market again:  While the Jacobsens were out doing the hard stuff interviewing, we got to take their guests from Northern Ireland to the Art Market.  We love a reason to leave the office and haggle with the locals.  I played the Irish Card hard to get a better price.  “He only eats potatoes in Ireland; he can’t afford that price…” Ben was a good sport.

Birthday Dinner:  I had a great dinner with the Kaaens, Jacobsens, and Botchways at Shogun.  Played some Tap4 and was given the best gift by Sister J., Candied Almonds.  She made them at the Deseret Ranch for me and always sent me home with a big bag.  I think she imported the ingredients.  Truly a labor of Love.  Sandy put pictures of “us” all around.  I got to talk to my Mom and my kids.  I am so grateful for family and friends.  The missionaries got in on the celebration and sang to me.  It was a happy day.

Mothers Day:  It always comes after my birthday, so while it is fresh in my mind how good Sandy was to me, I have to be good to her.  Card, Breakfast in bed, foot massage, check, check, check…. She went to church happy, and we had another great day.  Also talked to my mother in Florida.  Blessed to have a great mom and a great wife and great Moms in my daughter and daughter-in-laws.  Also grateful for the moms who raised the spouses of my kids.  I am surrounded by super-women.

Ofankor Stake Conference:  another good choir and a group of faithful saints.  So good to see all our missionaries gather.  They love being on a mission in Ghana.  There is enough to keep them busy that they don’t get down much.  There are always guests to take care of…lose yourself in the service of others is a good way to really enjoy your mission.

It was another good week. #blessed. #busy. #timewarp.   May 1-11

Elder Bertha

“Bertha Week”

Accra May 2025

Showers of Blessing

There is a popular license plate holder that says “showers of blessings.”  The Ghanaian people are happy and see the blessing that come their way.  They are poor in the worlds eyes, but rich in their family, friendships, and faith.  They are blessed and see their blessings every day.  We can learn from them.  They have soft heart and welcome the teachings we share.  April showers are not supposed to be a thing in Ghana, but we have had a bit of rain this month.  My flowers, they are here already.  They rotate what blooms and when.  It was a great week, and we feel blessed to be here in the showers…

Road Trip: Last Monday, after the weekly staff meeting, we, President and his wife, Al and Sandy, went to Oda—it’s one of the farthest places, and it’s a rough ride to get there.  It is a long drive, 3+ hours, and we stayed in the “couples house” that has been vacant most of the President’s mission.  It is a place for a senior couple to work in the Oda area as an MLS.  No one has volunteered to do it.  You need to be country-strong, Judd-in-case (the current Senior Couple) if you are considering something like this… Even though Sister J. raised her kids on a ranch in Florida, I don’t think an old house sitting 4 years vacant out in the middle of nowhere down a dirt road with the owner living in his home 2 feet away is her cup of tea. She has been avoiding this trip…

Cleaning masters:  We think Ebenezer had someone clean the place before we got there, because there was not the normal layer of dust.  The wind enters the house, and the dirt is in its natural habitat.  They failed to open the drawers, and there might have been massive droppings from a rodent tribe.  “That is highly toxic,”…so we were not allowed to use the silverware.

Twinning:  While Erik and Renee had the “presidential suite,” Sandy and Al were perfectly happy in the secondary bedroom/kids' room… we both had our own twin bed, which was VERY firm. 

Eat what you bring:  The last time Erik and I were here, we took the Elders to the “Xecutive Lounge” for dinner, and it was not bad.  We “chopped” rice and chicken.  A roadside place for food is called a “Chop Bar.”  You eat fufu with your fingers (right hand only, please) and you chop it with your fingers like you were pretending your hand to be scissors…that is “chopping” or eating your food.  Sister J and Sister B made sure that we had enough food in our coolers so that we were not even tempted by a chop bar or any local fare.  No “A” rated establishments…no ratings at all. 

“This is one step above a tent...” “It’s like girls cam.p”

-Someone’s wife, but not mine, said this…

“We should have been coming up here every quarter…”

-My companion

-Sister Bertha loved it…”It’s like an adventure.”

Love Shack:  Ha!  Just getting Sister J. here was a trick.  She finally got to a place where she could not back out.  It was fun to just watch her expressions as she walked through the place.  In the end, I don’t think it was as bad as she had built it up in her mind.  We all love to play games, and the best part was that it was a quiet place to enjoy an evening of games and laughter with friends.  Loved that!

Quiet in the Country?  This is the thought…until 5 am, and then it is like Ace Venture’s apartment, or Mr. Macgregor’s house in Peter Rabbit when the animals take over.  The house party starts with the roosters, and they are in a Pitch Perfect riff-off with each group of roosters at different locations in the valley, so we were surrounded.  “Angry roosters” -Sister J.  All the other animals started waking up and making more morning noises.  It goes from 5 am to 7 am, and then it kind of stops when the sun is up a bit.  In Accra, we have sirens and horns, here we have roosters and birds.  Just a different noise, it is NOT really quiet (well, at least not in the mornings!!)

“Clean the drawers and kill the rooster.”

-Request to housing coordinator after Oda trip

Interviews and Exchanges: …the reason we came up was to stay in the house for overnight.  The President and his wife interview every missionary every 6 weeks.  That is how they know how things are going.  Sandy and I would keep the time and knock on the doors.  After half of them were done, we stopped to attend the weekly District meetings…

District Meetings:  Our mission has 164 missionaries, broken into 8 zones.  Each zone has 2 to 4 districts that have a District Leader.  Oda is one of the smallest zones and has 3 districts.  The President and his wife went to one, and Sister Bertha and I went to the other in the Oda building.  The District Leaders are like “Mini-Me’s” of President Jacobsen.  They know how to organize and run a good meeting and stay on point.  There is so much good training that goes on here with this mission, President…I am learning good stuff! 

“Stay Stay Stay”

-Taylor Swift

Mission Miricle:  One of the elders had “Mission Miricle” on his outline.  He then explained that he was going to be able to “have his companion for a long time.”  He really wanted his companion to stay.  The companion had some outside influences that were distracting him, and he was seriously considering going home.  He had told the president that he would wait for this round of interviews and make a decision.  We were so happy that at the last minute, with the love of a good companion, and talks with his family, he decided to stay.  The first two transfers are the hardest as you learn to adjust to a new country and environment.  He made it through…

“Idaho boys don’t come home from a mission early…”

Two Companions discussing Idaho-grit

“Heat advisory”:  I laughed at an online advisory in Ghana for a heat advisory…extreme heat?  Are you kidding me? Just walk outside most days, and it is extreme heat.  It is hot and humid pretty much all the time at the equator.  So thinking nothing of it, I went on exchanges in the afternoon with my Idaho Companionship.  They were happy with my offering of Dr. Pepper.  We went out and taught Mavis and Gifty first. Gifty is the mom (think BIG Momma!). She is a big woman, with a big voice, a big smile, and a big happy disposition.  I wish I could speak her language.  Elder McLean was pretty good at speaking Twi and had her laughing.   Gifty got up (not an easy task) to wake up Mavis, her daughter, whom we came to teach.   Had a good lesson with her and then went on to meet with Mary… we woke her up also.  She has a hair salon.  She just puts down a sheet on the floor and sleeps right there until we come there and yell “Ikko”.  She was nice to get up and speak with us.  We then circled back on a dirt trail, talking to people along the way.  I got back to the church as the President and his wife were wrapping up.  Erik looked at me, and I was drenched in sweat.  He said, “I’ll drive to Asamankese, you can drive from there…you can rest.”  He thought I looked tired.  I had no idea how tired until I got in the car and crashed for the next hour.  I woke up at some point from a pot hole bounce and noticed that it was raining…Then I kept on sleeping.  I was out hard for over an hour….so yes, a heat advisory in Ghana is a thing.  I was physically spent from that heat more than I had been before and didn’t know it, but Erik saw it.

Abomosu next…or not:  Had a cool three-exchange day set up, but got cancelled, because so much is going on here at the office.  We have a missionary in the hospital; we had a hurt missionary who went home for recuperation, came back, and we have another headed home early.  President has to juggle companionships.  Sometimes, you can’t get away.  Have to be flexible.

Leaks: I got up at 5:30 am and started reading.  I could hear the heavy rain outside, and then there was a drip on my leg.  Rain inside?  It was dark, so I used my flashlight to find the leak, and it was getting worse as there was bubbling of water behind the paint and more drips.  No way I was going to solve it in the morning rain, so I just put towels down and listened to the drops.  The bummer is that we may have to move out of our room for the room to get fixed. 

Grey Pants Day: For some reason, Sister J. does not like Grey Pants.  Erik only has so many pants, and so do I, and there is a grey color in the rotation.  I think it was Wednesday when she made a big deal bout “grey pants day,” so I wore grey pants the rest of the week…outfit repeater.  You never really notice that on a mission.  Grey pants are like a purple “Tap In” card…it just bugs someone.

“…it’s just a great day for grey pants…”

-It’s now time to donate them to another missionary

Roommates:  Renee and Sandy!  These girls (not women) are like college roommates and besties who find such joy being with each other.  When Renee was gone for only a few days, Sister Bertha was telling me how much she missed her, and when she came through the doo,r there were hugs and smiles.  They, the Mission Leaders, are out of their house while it gets repaired and painted.  They have been staying with us at our house…office.  We don’t have the comfy chairs, but it is sooo fun sharing the house with them.  The women talk to each other and laugh all the time, and ignore any conversation coming from our direction, BUT they are really good about feeding us, so that it's nice and makes up for our relative lack of importance. (not true-we LOVE our husbands-SB) It is super unique to have your best friends on a mission like this.  Showers of Blessings!

“I love anything with Renee…”

-Sister Bertha

Balancing the Books: Sometimes the Ox is in the Mire and I need to get cash so I do a check just on the coded expenses and leave the mobile money for next time, and then the next time….  Well, eventually, I need to make it all balance and square up.  Going back 8 weeks and rechecking everything I did took a long time.  I hate finding self-inflicted mistakes like a double entry or an added “0” that throw it all off.  I prepared everything and then invited my “boss,” or the accountant at the Area Office, to help me clean it up so it would be in good shape for the next Financial Secretary in a couple of months.  It took a few hours, but we got it fixed, and I was not too far off, but I’d rather catch it all now before an audit (might happen at the end of a mission presidency). He had never been to 80/20 burgers, so I took “my boss” and bought two extra for his twin babies (mostly for his wife).

“The accounting is simple if it adds up.”

-Francis Sosu

MOMO-Mobile Money:  We can only pay for our electricity with mobile money. I can wait in a long line at MTM and sit for an hour and a half (Like I did at the Bank Monday), or I can go to a Ga (a guy from the Ga tribe and a friend of Patrick’s that we trust). I drive to La and find this guy on the side of the road in a yellow metal box the size of an outhouse, and I give him a brown paper bag with 11,000 Ghc, and he puts it on a little Nokia phone.  I confirmed it with the Housing Coordinator, and we are good to go.  But it feels like I am a gangster in NY paying protection money.  But that’s part of the adventure, and it is working.

Missionary rotations: A lot of movement in the mission.  One came back from recuperating at home, one is getting out of the hospital, and another is headed home for a reason.  This causes the president to shuffle things, which usually brings missionaries to the office, and Sister B is ready to feed our guests at any time.  Sicknesses are also causing movements. No matter how inconvenient it is sometimes, we are there to uplift and help as they come in and out. We love these missionaries.

The Choice is yours….In Newport Beach, they just ask “motor or sail?”  In New Zealand and Australia, the question is “Union or League?”  In the USA, “American League or National League.”  When you teach the Gospel, we could ask, “God or Satan?”  …we have to choose, don’t we?  Turn away from God, you do “evil” - add a “D” and it's “Devil.”  When we repent, we change direction and turn toward God.  If you are humble and obedient, you turn to God …add an “O” its “Good”   soooo….D is for dumb, O is for obedient….your choice in life…

Spa Morning:  Nice ride on my stationary bike, great rolling hills.  A workout in the room with some “spa” music.  I grabbed a filtered water in my glass Voss bottle (reusable!).  A leisurely stroll under healthy vegetation and palm trees in the healthy, humid air to the exclusive, members-only pool, which at 7 am, is always set aside just for me for a private swim and water aerobics.  La Costa Glenn can be so crowded;  so much more exclusive in Ghana at the Coco Palms Residences pool.  After the morning water workouts, I relax and notice pink, red, and yellow flowering trees, and I appreciate the arborist who gave me such beauty to admire and enjoy at this private Accra Spa for missionaries.  I saunter over to my exclusive outside Caribbean Blue-tiled shower with Ghana Natural Water (don’t open your mouth) for a refreshing outside shower under the palm trees with a light breeze - Solar heated to the perfect temperature (no choice).  A warm-down return to our exclusive villa, only two doors down from the Presidential Villa that is home to our friends and mission leaders, El Presidente K. Erik Jacobsen and “his wife.”  What a great spa morning!

Sister Exchange:  …one of the best days gets better…As I came home from my spa morning, I shaved with exclusive green bar soap and put on my favorite grey pants (they’ve been good all week!) my white shirt (barely) and tie and I was ready to go out with Sister Bertha and Sister Jacobsen for an exchange to teach with Sisters Kendrick (USA) and Masango (Zimbabwe). We were a bit late because of the traffic, but we met them teaching Prince outside behind the green bar under a HUGE tree.  He was taught before and had a very good question…”how do I know when I feel the Holy Ghost?”  we explained that it can be a feeling or a “still small voice” or a peace that we feel when we pray to God in faith and believe that he will answer our prayer (James 1:5).  Just ask and then… wait, listen with your heart, what do you feel…peace can be God’s answer to you that what you are praying for is right, or true.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

-James 1:5

Walk on:  We then met Steward at the Methodist school, and we walked to his house.  It was like a maze to get there.  We walked through everyone’s front, back, and side yards, all on bumpy, potholed dirt paths. Saturday is always a big laundry day.  Kids are out of school, playing with the other kids.  You see a lot of fish being smoked since we were not far from the ocean.  Metal grates and screens were stacked all over, waiting for another big catch of fish. When we went to his house, he brought chairs outside to start our lesson.  Then the wind started blowing leaves off the tops of roofs and swirling, and then it started to rain.  We went inside Steward’s home porch…10X8 with a barred, broken screen window with a sheet over it.  The rain was light to start with, and we taught him about the Book of Mormon.  He had been taught months before by Elder Erickson and then lost contact after the Elders left the area.  He had lost his Book of Mormon and really wanted another one.  He had read quite a bit in the book and had missed it.  He said it made him so happy.  A few months later, the Sister missionaries reconnected with him.  He was so happy to get another Book of Mormon.  There was so much joy and excitement that came from this young 22-year-old in that small room.  He kept saying he wanted to get baptized.  While the teaching was happening, the wind started to blow the rain through the soot-filled screen, blowing little dirt/soot spots all over my white shirt and Sister Masango’s white shirt.  We moved around a bit in the small space and kept talking.  We all ended up standing up against the wall, and the conversation continued.  He gave a beautiful, simple prayer at the end.  He couldn’t stop smiling the whole time we were with him.  He loved having us there.  As we waited for the rain to stop, we sang 4 songs.  Started with I am a Child of God, followed by A Child's Prayer, then Search Ponder and Pray and then I love to see the temple.  The now-wet small porch had turned into a holy, reverent spot through song. He came to church the next day.  He will be baptized soon. He saw the change in his life from when the missionaries first started to teach him.  He missed the interaction and the learning he was receiving.  Now they were back teaching, and he knew that THAT feeling, that joy, is what he wanted forever! What a Golden Seeker of truth!

Next Parking Spot:  The sisters set up the appointments so we could keep teaching.  We drove down the road and parked near the store that the Bishop of the Bortianor Ward owned. I parked on the road like a full Ghanian.  People could get around the truck, but you can’t park on the side when there are big concrete drainage ditches that don’t drain.  We then walked through the next maze to meet Rebecca.  She is a red-headed Ghanaian?  Her two cute kids were hanging around with us.  She was very receptive and had a great connection with our two sister missionaries.  Great to just watch.

Young kid: The next one we taught was Alex.  Again, it started outside, and then the rain pushed on to a thin porch, and it looked like we were loaded in a van, teaching him.   He has family who are already members and was totally understanding of what was being taught.  When we left, the rain was forming a river down the dirt road as we went back to our vehicle.  It was a great day, in and out of the rain and in the lives of 4 people all wanting to know more…they get to choose…

Dirty Driving:  The showers and rain reveal that whoever controls the drainage plain in Ghana has no clue about gravity and the fall of water and where it slopes to…crazy how unprepared they are for the rain.  When they drive, they seem to avoid the mud puddles and the mud, and stay in the normal well-traveled trails, but the mud puddles are shallow, and I have a 4WD truck, so I like to use the puddles and muddy places for passing lanes.  You can always make a new lane here…that might not work in the USA, where they use lines in the road.

“Nobody puts Baby in a mud puddle.”

-Patrick Splashy

Friends in Winneba: Sunday was Stake Conference in Winneba.  More mud driving to get there, but nothing like the Thomas’s in Liberia (we have it easy). President Sam and his wife, with their beautiful kids, were there.  Bismark (age 16) was there from Nkwantanan (Branch in a barn) Area was there with Francis, the Branch President.  It is fun to see people from different areas and to reconnect with the missionaries.  Gatherings like this are one of the things I love about this church.  You learn and you feel the friendship of others.  Faith in Jesus Christ brings a good bunch of people together, and they just want to do what is right…

Speakers:  …a 13-year-old got up and preached!  He was an old soul with deep faith. He shared his passion about many principles of the gospel to a group of 500+. Literally everyone was captivated! Amazing young man.  Then there was a young man called to Cameroon on his mission.  “I live in a house where we go on missions.”  Cameroon will be in French, there are only 3500 members, no stake, and no temple.  The church is getting established there, and there is so much room for growth. 

OG Dinner.  We all went to dinner at the Judd’s home.  They are an MLS couple, and they are “camping.”  Nice house with 13 different tiles and a room with BOTH Spiderman and Ariel wallpaper on the same wall.  It’s a Ghanaian mystery House with steps up and down and quirks!  Great meal and entertainment with Elder Kaaen breaking a plastic chair during dinner.  I love these people for their fun and friendly personalities and their willingness to come do this work. We feel a close bond with these people, the same way Jr. Missionaries bond with each other.

A wild drive back, talk with some family on Sunday eve, and a good night's sleep….so starts the next week.  Looking forward to more good.  Have to enjoy each day….My morning spa awaits.

Elder & Sister Bertha

Accra Ghana

April 2025