Farewell to Africa West Area

It’s hard to believe that our 2 year mission has come to a close. This past Thursday (Nov 22) we spent an afternoon celebrating Thanksgiving with other senior missionary couples, expatriates who work at the Area Office, and the Area Presidency.  The Director for Temporal Affairs checks a frozen turkey in his luggage when returning from October conference and so we are guaranteed a turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner plus everyone prepares some part of the feast.  Sometimes we have to be creative as ingredients are not always available but we try to have the traditional dinner.  Stephaney made the sweet potatoes this year which were provided compliments of one of Elder & Sister Dickson’s daughter’s who was visiting earlier this month from the States. The dinner is hosted by and at the Area President’s home.
     
Since this would be our last FHE with the Area Presidency, we were presented our kente cloth banners.  Each couple is presented banners that have been woven with names, the dates served and the area. The pictures show us with the Africa West Area Presidency and then with their wives.
 
Last Wednesday (Nov 28) the Area Presidency took us to dinner at Captain Hooks for a farewell dinner.  Two members of the Area Presidency were traveling the next day and the other member would be on annual leave before they were back.  It was a bit early but the latest we could do it and have everyone there but the DTA.  His wife represented him. Great atmosphere and food but even better company. Sister Powell made the selection of the restaurant so that we could enjoy their calamari. She resisted trying it when we first came to Ghana but really enjoys the breaded calamari.

 

Last Sunday (Dec 2) we picked up the senior couple that will be serving as the Executive Secretary and Assistant Executive Secretary when we leave.  We have spent the week training them on all their duties.  We took this welcome and farewell photo.

The area presidency secretary has been a real friend to us. I believe she and Sister Powell have a special bond.  Sister Powell taught her the classic saying, “See you later Alligator”, After while crocodile” to teach her son.

 

Yesterday (Dec 8th) we had our Hail and Farewell lunch at Chase’s Restaurant in Lebone. We missed several couples who were not able to attend due to travel but . We welcomed the Fitzgeralds, the second couple on the left, and we said good-bye to many wonderful couples who continue their service here.
 
Today (Dec 9th) we took the Fitzgeralds to church at New Legon. Brother and Sister Ahadjie invited us to dinner at their home.  Brother Ahadjie was recently released as an Area Seventy.  His wife has been the Area Travels Manager whom we worked with routinely.  She has served in this position for over twenty years.

Monday (Dec 10th) there was an employee Christmas devotional and lunch. The senior sister missionaries, temple missionaries and expatriate wives sang a song during the devotional.  It just so happened to be the day we would fly home. 

 

That evening Elder and Sister Klein, the senior couple who are serving as welfare specialists took us to their home which is near the airport and we enjoyed a light dinner before they took us to the airport.  They are so fun and helpful.
Eleven PM Ghana time we boarded our 7 hour flight to London.  Arriving at 5:25 am we then had 5 hours to wait for our flight to Dallas.  Our 10:40 am flight was late leaving but we were finally on our way to Dallas and the USA.  Ten long hours later we arrived in sunny but cool Dallas.
We got to our home about 7 pm and settled in for a much needed night’s rest.  Wednesday we met with President Ward and he released us.  It’s an amazing feeling. When you are leased you definitely feel you have lost something.
One of the reasons we came back to Dallas before going to see our children first was to see the completion of a challenge issued before we left be realized. Even though I did not baptize anyone while on my mission I did baptize a sister I had been working with before we left.  One picture was taken with the lights off due to the sensitivity of her eyes to light. This was indeed a marvelous event considering the many health issues she deals with daily.
 
Added to this joyous event we witnessed the baptism of another brother that I challenged to be ready to be baptized by the time we returned. We learned just before we left for the states that he was going to be baptized as well. Both happened the same day at different times. I may not have taught or baptized anyone while on this mission but we did see two wonderful people baptized as a result.

We will add a couple more items, but this is our last time blogging about our mission to Africa West Area.  What a remarkable experience we had.Thank you for letting us share it with you!