Happenings of One Week Ago Today

Church… 

I know it’s been a week but it’s been a busy one. Filled with leaving roommates, trips to town, and of course working at the babies home. But I wanted to write about church last Sunday. 

As we were driving through town on my way here the very first time from Kumasi I was shocked and thrilled to pass a sign that said Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Visitors Welcome. Though there was literally a sign for the church, there was no sign of the church anywhere. No steeple, no nothing. I had been wondering about it for a while and then finally Pia and I figured it out. It’s above an MTN store which is a very popular cell phone company here. You take a back entrance which leads you to a place that looks like someone’s house, go up some stairs and there you have it. A decent sized room with fold-able chairs set up and a little pulpit. There was a small sacrament table set up with two boys who looked a little younger than me sitting behind it and two others of about the same age sitting in front. I was so excited to be there. 

There was only one member of the bishopric present and from my understanding he may have been from the stake presidency which if that were the case is there a bishop? I don’t know. But he came and shook mine and Pia’s hand and welcomed us. 

The beginning of the meeting was all in Twi so we didn’t really know what was happening. Then he asked us to come up and bare our testimonies. Yikes. Pia isn’t a member so after I gave a introduction of who I was with a shakey uncertain testimony due to the language barrier, I introduced her and explained her case. They were sympathetic. 

The meeting itself was amazing. It was just the typical church day for everyone else, but for me hearing a room of about 50 Ghanaian members of the church sing a’capella hymns louder than congregations I’ve been a part of with an organ and more than double of this much smaller group, brought tears to my eyes. It was so powerful. There talks were right on as well. They were luckily in English. I loved seeing that even though I’m miles and miles away from my comfort zone and miles and miles away from the church’s base, there are still people just like me here: people with my same beliefs. The church is so constant and so universal, I love it. 

After sacrament meeting we were asked if we wanted to attend Sunday School. I was all in, Pia was all out. So she left and I stayed for the other two blocks. They asked why Pia didn’t want to stay and I told them she doesn’t believe in God. After that one, they weren't so sympathetic. “Oh! No no no, why don’t you make her believe then!” Sunday school was really nice as well. I was very impressed. Relief Society; completely in Twi. So for that one, it’s good Pia left. I don’t think she would have liked that at all. I wish she would have stayed for Sunday School though. It was still good though, I liked seeing the dynamics and just being there. I wish I could have gone this week! Hopefully I can pull off next week. That is the day I start my departure though. At least the temple I’m thinking that can certainly be done. Cross your fingers.