Weeks 69 and 70

 These two weeks have been busy with multi-zone conferences, the usual district councils and apartment inspections, helping with Gospel Literacy, going teaching and visiting with the Sister missionaries, and such.  In addition, we have had the unique experience of helping with temple preparation lessons to the older couple mentioned in the last blog.  And, we had a capstone experience of witnessing a family be sealed in the temple.  We will mainly share pictures of most of this and then talk in more detail about Gospel Literacy, temple preparation lessons, and the family sealed in the temple.  

Mulit-zone conferences:

Winneba, Swedru, and Oda Zones

Kasoa and Kaneshi Zones

Abomasu, Asamankese, and Ofankor Zones

In the multi-zone conferences, President and Sister Jacobsen reviewed the various "Tools" they had taught and emphasized over the last three years in helping the missionaries fulfill their missionary purpose:

"Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." 

We joined the district council in Odoben and then inspected the Odoben apartment following district council.

Elders Norwood, Navarro, Kalubi, Watkins, Gbedema, Basoah, Mbala, and Otshudi.

These missionaries "rocked" the singing!

Waiting for a Tro-tro after district council.

Following Elders Basoah and Otshudi back to their apartment.

Elders Otshudi and Basoah

Next to the missionary apartment is a school.

We did apartment inspections in Swedru:

              Elders Heerdink and Uele in Aboso.                       Elders Elisaia and Williams in Swedru 4.

We also inspected the Swedru 2 apartment, but forgot to take a picture with Elders Anderson and Tingey.

On Sunday, May 18th, we picked up Brother Tetteh (Swedru Stake Gospel Literacy Specialist) and went with him to the Swedru 5 Ward for Sacrament Meeting.  The bishop asked us both to talk.  We then attended the Gospel Literacy class.  There had not been a class for several months, and the bishop had called a new Gospel Literacy teacher.  So, the class time was spent educating the few learners who were there and the new teacher on Gospel Literacy and determining which book would be the best to use in the class.

  Sister Judd helping the new teacher.  Sister Judd, Brother Tetteh (standing), the teacher, and the learners.

After Swedru 5, we went to the Aboso Ward.  Their meetings were over, but we met with the teacher to find out what has been happening in the Gospel Literacy class.  They have not had a class since the end of 2024, so we discussed the challenges the teacher is having and made suggestions.  Hopefully, he will get the class started again.

Then, at 2:00 p.m. the stake president had called for all bishops/branch presidents and Gospel Literacy teachers to come to a special Gospel Literacy training meeting.  During the training, Sister Judd did an excellent job doing a picture discussion to show the leaders the powerful impact a picture discussion can have in teaching gospel truths while also teaching English to the learners.  In a picture discussion, the teacher shows a picture of something from the scriptures or some aspect of the gospel.  The first question is, "What do you see in this picture?"  The learners express what they see in their own way.  The second question is, "How do you think the people in the picture feel?"  And, the third question is, "Have you ever experienced feeling that way?"  This is the important question.  It causes the learners to internalize what is happening in the picture and how it might relate to their own life and experiences.  As the learners express those feelings and experiences, it builds confidence in and understanding of the gospel truth for them personally.

Training meeting for priesthood leaders and Gospel Literacy teachers.

We taught Morgan and Rose more temple preparation lessons.  You may recall from the last blog that Morgan is 84 and Rose is 59.  They have been members for many years, but have never received their endowments in the temple.  Morgan reads and understands English, but Rose does not speak or understand English.  So, we teach a sentence or two and then wait for Morgan to tell Rose in Twi.  It has actually been a delightful experience teaching them and seeing their excitement as they have learned more and more about the temple and the covenants they will make.  

                              Us with Morgan and Rose.                              Morgan getting water from his well.

Rose holding her granddaughter while we teach her and Morgan.

When we went with Sisters Nipepe and Tavita, we visited and helped teach Rockson and Helena.  Rockson always asks A LOT of good questions.  So the teaching method is to answer his questions such that the answer is expanded beyond what he asks to incorporate additional gospel principles and truths.

Rockson and Helena and some of their children.

The Sisters had two young women get baptisms on Sunday, May 25.

 The branch is very supportive of those being baptized.          Sister Judd was asked to be a witness.

It is transfers on Tuesday, May 27.  Sisters Tavita and Najjuka are being transferred to other proselyting areas.

Sisters Nipepe, Tu'angalu, Tavita, and Najjuka.

Pictures of interest:

   

Baby on her back, container on her head, carrying a bag, 

and talking on her cell phone--multitasking!

Shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables

When you don't have a pick-up truck, you make due otherwise!

How many more do you think he can get on?

The "Glory" belongs to Heavenly Father.

We were blessed to be in the temple twice during these two weeks.  After multi-zone conference in Ofankor on Friday, May 16, we drove to Accra and did an endowment session and stayed overnight at the mission office.  It always brings peace and refocus whenever we are in the temple.

A capstone experience for our mission was being able to witness and participate in the sealing in the temple of Rihanna and Abraham as husband and wife and the sealing of their children (Diamond, a deceased twin to Diamond named Gold, and Lovely) to them.  Rihanna received her endowments in December of 2023 just before we arrived in Ghana.  Abraham received his endowments on March 8, 2025.  They wanted to be sealed before we went home because we have gotten very close to them.  In fact, Rihanna's birthdate is April 29, the same as our daughter, Allison.  When Rihanna realized that, she started calling Allison her "twin" and us her Mommy and Daddy.  Abraham was not fully participating in the Church when we came.  We were instrumental in helping him start to fully participate and is now a counselor in the elders quorum presidency.  So, it was very special to be there for their sealings.  But, even more special, was that Rihanna asked Sister Judd to be proxy for their deceased daughter, Gold.  The Spirit was so strong, and their joy and happiness was so full and complete!!  It was one of the choicest experiences of our mission.

Branch President Nartey, Abraham, Rihanna, Diamond, Us, and Lovely in front.

Abraham, Rihanna, Diamond, and Lovely.

We witness and testify of the reality that families can be forever as we receive the necessary ordinances, make and keep the associated covenants, and remain faithful.  The Savior, Jesus Christ, makes all this possible through His Atonement and because of His love for each one.

Love,

Sister and Elder Judd