Bakers in Ghana

 This week has been much calmer compared to last week. While it was wonderful to have Elder Cook in town, Doug had extra responsibilities, making it a little busier than usual. It was such a blessing to have Elder Cook here among us and to hear him speak so many times. What a wonderful man he is. Listening to him made us all excited for General Conference, which is just a month away. The rest of the week was mostly business as usual. Lori’s beading class was moved from Wednesday to Thursday. She initially thought the change was permanent and was disappointed since Thursday is our MTC day, which meant I wouldn’t be able to attend the class. Fortunately, it was just for one week, and she will still be able to finish her beaded purse! Doug stayed relatively busy with medical issues, mostly malaria, rashes, and other minor incidents. We’re always grateful when his week is a little less hectic, as it usually means the missionaries are staying healthy and able to do the work they came h...

 AKWAABA!! Greetings from Africa! It has been another adventurous week here in the greater Accra area—especially with Church events. We had the incredible opportunity to host Elder and Sister Cook and Elder and Sister Ringwood. Elder Cook usually travels internationally with a medical assistant, but he was ill, so Doug and Elder Steed were asked to remain within five minutes of them at all times—except when they were at the hotel, where medical personnel were available on site. On Sunday, we were invited to attend the Jamestown Ward, where Elder Cook and his wife, Mary, were speaking. Jamestown is the oldest—and one of the poorest—areas in Ghana. Until about three weeks ago, the members had been meeting in a very makeshift structure. They have now moved into a beautiful, newly constructed Church building. Several people have asked why, with all the resources of the Church, there is still a shortage of buildings and materials in Africa. From what we can tell, there are a few reas...

Monday morning came early as we gave Kris a big hug and dropped her off at the Accra airport. We went home for a quick nap before heading to our 9:00 devotional. Two wonderful senior couples spoke—The Wades and the Findlays. Both have been serving as Area Young Single Adult missionaries and are fantastic! Their main assignments have been to work with YSA and to help train and establish Gathering Places throughout West Africa. These centers provide YSA a place to gather as friends, learn marketable skills, and share the gospel. There have been many baptisms, marriages, careers, and friendships formed through the Gathering Place. The Wades, Findlays, and Doans have done an incredible job traveling all over West Africa strengthening the YSA. They will be greatly missed—especially by the Doans! West Africa has been blessed with amazing senior couples who are easy to love and have become fast friends for us. After the devotional, we went batiking with the Ludlows and the Doans. I have defi...

 This week started out a little sad as we woke Monday knowing Nick was well on his way home. It was soooo fun to have him here for an extended visit! He said he would miss us, but I know he’ll be happy to be home! ❤️ The thing that made his leaving more doable was that my dear friend Kris Benson came to visit—a true miracle! This is the friend who would only leave the U.S. if it was on a cruise ship where she knew there would be food she could eat. The friend who told God, “Send me anywhere but Africa!” The friend whose mom said, “Kris, you and the Bakers are crazy for going to Africa!” Yet at 8:45 Tuesday evening, out she walked—right here in Africa! It was so fun to greet her at the airport. Non-ticketed people can’t go inside, so Kris said she felt like a celebrity as she walked out to an adoring crowd. Luckily, we were easy to spot, and loud squeals and big hugs soon followed. We headed to the car, and the adventure began. We were so spoiled! Half of her luggage was packed wi...

 This was a week of mixed emotions. Nick finished up his rotation in Cape Coast. We have loved having him here and are sad to send him home. Overall, he said he was glad he came and had the experience, but he was also grateful to be heading home. He shared how impressed he was with the doctors and nurses and what they are able to accomplish with so little—while also noting how primitive medicine can still be here. One story in particular really stood out. A woman came in with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and was bleeding out into her abdomen. There was no blood available for a transfusion and no family in town who could donate. So they did what they could. They collected the blood she was losing, strained it to remove clots, and transfused her own blood back into her body. He said it felt like a scene straight out of M* A* S*H. Thankfully, it worked and saved the woman’s life. His best advice to us was not to get pregnant or seriously ill while we’re here. We promised for sure on...

Well, I have to admit—I am glad this week is over! Not all weeks can be great, and this one definitely qualifies as one of those . Thankfully, nothing is permanently damaged, and for that we are very grateful. The challenges began Monday morning when one of my favorite African friends at the distribution center texted me to say he was being replaced and would no longer be working there. This was devastating news. That center was one of my favorite places to serve because of him. He was always cheerful—singing, grateful, and appreciative of our help, however small it may have seemed. He has an incredible mind and is one of the few Africans I have met who truly understands things sequentially and orderly. We could ask him anything about Africa and he would happily share. He, in turn, asked questions about North America, and we learned so much from each other. He is a wonderful young man and promised we would stay in touch. Needless to say, my heart was broken. I pulled myself together ...