#15 Al Ain~ This Week's Adventure: Sleep, Service & a Few Detours

We're headed to Abu Dhabi for the three day UAE International Dialogue of Civilization and Tolerance Conference, followed by Stake Conference. I have to admit, we're leaving with just a tiny bit of anxiety. Experience has taught us that the moment we get more than twenty miles away from our branch, someone will have a heart attack, someone's spouse will disappear, someone's visa will suddenly expire, someone will run out of gas or someone will discover a brand-new medical emergency that apparently couldn't wait until we got back. 

But, I am DEFINITELY in need of a break. So we're packing our scriptures, our suitcases, our phones (which will undoubtedly continue to ding) and a healthy measure of faith that Heavenly Father can manage the branch for a few days without us 😉😇🤗. It will be good for them and probably even better for us.

On our way, we made a quick stop at the mall and stumbled across one of the most brilliant ideas ever; a supervised play area where parents can drop off their kids to play while they shop. The children were having the time of their lives and I was wondering why every mall on the earth doesn't have one. Whoever came up with that idea deserves an award! A little later we stopped at what can only be described as a giant thrift store. We needed some cords so Billy wisely went in by himself because it was simply too dangerous for me to cross the threshold. Anyone who knows me understands that once I start treasure hunting, there's no telling when, or if, I'll come back out!  Later that evening we found out that Denny's had an all-you-can-eat pancake plate; happy to report the pancakes passed inspection with flying colors. The bottom left picture is an "after" shot from getting a massage ~ just bliss!

We arrived at Las Plaza Hotel  and we were so excited, relaxed and ready to be alone.  Even though we had planned to attend the three-day International Conference ~ instead we: slept and slept and then slept some more. Each evening we'd wake up, go eat and then go get foot massages before returning to our regularly scheduled hibernation. Apparently the Lord knew exactly what we needed, because we certainly didn't. I had no idea I was capable of sleeping that much! Serving in the branch has been one of the greatest blessings but as we've mentioned before 😜 it has also been more emotionally and physically demanding than we ever imagined.

One afternoon we did manage to sneak away for lunch with Gina and Patriarch Woodhouse. Lunch somehow turned into a wonderful five-hour visit and honestly, it still didn't feel long enough. Every once in a while, you meet people who are just easy to be with; conversation flows effortlessly, there's lots of laughter and you leave feeling happier than when you arrived. The Woodhouse's are simply the kind of people whose company feeds your soul. We came away feeling refreshed, uplifted, and grateful for their friendship.

Even though we missed the International Conference we didn't have time to miss our branch; between the two of us we received 17 texts from our sweet members since being in Abu Dhabi 😂.  Poor Teena did reach out but since we were out of town we simply couldn't help. She had asked for money and for a ride to Dubai and to Oman for Gayon but, unfortunately, she had to figure it out on her own and somehow she found a way. I feel it worked out ok because sometimes the most loving thing we can do is step back and let God do the teaching. Tough love isn't easy, but rescuing isn't always helping.

Stake Conference was wonderful! I have to admit, one of my favorite parts was watching the Patriarch's facial expressions on the giant screen the entire time as he was sitting directly to the left of the podium ~ j/k ... mostly 😄! Our Stake President was moving to Nigeria and was being released; we will definitely miss him.

With the Iran/America situation still making headlines, I figured a little geography might be helpful. Turns out, maps tell a much calmer story than the media. We're aware of what's happening around us, we stay informed and we use common sense. But we're also not living in the middle of an action movie. Most importantly, we're trusting the One who already knows tomorrow. Heavenly Father isn't pacing heaven wondering how this is all going to turn out. He's in control and is still our greatest source of peace.

Friday night, the day before Stake Conference we were driving home from a massage and Billy's phone started going ballistic.  The Wallentine's (who were volunteering in Dubai but are now in the USA until they can return to the UAE) were reaching out on a group WhatsApp because one of their members needed help getting from one territory to another (the UAE is a single country and it is made up of seven individual territories called emirates; similar to how a country like the United States is made up of states). But because a couple who actually knew the member didn't want to step up and help, we decided we needed another growth opportunity so we happily said, "Of course we'll help!" So we decided to leave Abu Dhabi and go to Dubai instead of back to Al Ain. Our route began in Abu Dhabi, where we set off for a scenic drive to Fujairah. After about 1.5 hours on the road, we stopped in Dubai for lunch before continuing another 1.5 hours toward the east coast. Along the way, we drove through five rock tunnels with a combined length of approximately 8 miles. These pictures don’t fully capture how impressive the landscape was, but it was a fun drive filled with beautiful scenery and a completely new experience for us.

One of the highlights of our travels was staying a couple of nights in Fujairah (where John lived; we're picking him up Monday). Standing along the Gulf of Oman, we could actually see dozens and dozens of empty oil tankers lined up on the horizon waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz so they could be filled with oil. There had to be fifty or more ships just sitting there. It was quite a sight and a reminder of how much of the world's commerce can be disrupted so easily. 

The only sad thing, or the saddest thing is that I left my red fuzzy hat in Fujairah 🥺 at the Palace Beach Resort in rm #211. I discovered this tragic occurrence when we arrived home. I called and emailed them right away but so far no luck. I started with 7 of these fun hats and I was down to 3 but now only 2 ~ how could I be so careless. Maybe that doesn't seem as big of a travesty as the tankers but it was my all time very favorite beanie hat 😢. 

This is our wonderful new convert, John Ssemakula, a 33-year-old from Nigeria, who lived in Fujairah. He recently got a job in Dubai.

John is a great young man, but patience isn't currently listed among his spiritual gifts. At one point he started getting a little confrontational with the employees because there were eight people ahead of him and he felt that finding his work Visa and turning it over to him should only take a minute and he shouldn't have to wait in line. I quietly visited with one of the workers, smiled a lot and somehow John mysteriously moved up four places in line. Proof that smiling occasionally accomplishes what arguing never will. 

This was our first stop with him, then another 45 minutes to go to the main work offices and another 45 minutes to get to his housing unit.

What sounded like a simple ride quickly turned into an eight hour UAE road trip (and this was after leaving Fujairah); Billy and I already figured out that this wasn't going to be a quick journey but rather an all day activity so our nerves were ready and calm. The itinerary looked something like this: Fujairah (pick him up) → Sharjah (visa) → Dubai (paperwork) → employment office somewhere farther east → medical fitness testing information → uniform → more paperwork → shuttle information → at different stations. Apparently every office had another office and every form another form.

Our itinerary (follow the arrows ^^^): Al Ain-Abu Dhabi < Wed to Sat then: Dubai-Fajairah-Sharjah-Dubai-Work Office-District 284-Dubai. Then home to Al Ain!

We also had a nice conversation afterward about using the Lord's name with a little more reverence. Every errand seems to become a teaching opportunity. Could John have done all of this by himself? Yes, of course and eventually. But it probably would have cost a small fortune in taxis ($98 for every hour in the taxi) and taken him about two to three days, plus hotel rooms. But really, no way he could have done this without help. I mean he could have but it would have been a nightmare.

We stayed over in Dubai a couple nights to make sure he didn't need anything else and to also rest again after the 8 hour excursion.

Despite the long drives, constant detours and unexpected adventures, we're grateful to have met John and been able to help. We truly feel that Heavenly Father keeps putting us exactly where we're needed, even when our GPS and our personal plans say otherwise 😉.

Maybe that's the lesson this week: our schedules are flexible, God's purposes aren't.

We're grateful for the chance to serve these remarkable people. They're teaching us far more than we're teaching them.

Now ~ about those sweet massages; we're thinking they may need to become a mission requirement every couple of months. Purely for spiritual endurance, of course. 😉

And we also celebrated our 47th Anniversary in July!

Forty-seven years; how did that happen? It honestly feels like just yesterday we were running around BYU, planning a wedding on a student budget, packing up for California and dreaming about the family we hoped to build. Somehow, those dreams became our reality and then some.

Who could have imagined that our little adventure would grow into six amazing children and 23 wonderful grandchildren. Through all the ups and downs the greatest blessing has been knowing that the Lord has been with us every step of the way. His guidance, grace and countless blessings have carried us through every season and made our family stronger than we ever could have imagined.

I'm so grateful that I get to walk through this life with Billy, serve missions and enjoy our family together. Im thankful for the 47 years of love, laughter, faith, patience and memories that just keep getting better. Here's to the next chapter of our eternal adventure. I wouldn't choose anyone else to share it with.

2 Nephi 31:20 — “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.”

Matthew 11:28

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

We are so thankful for this little getaway. It was truly needed, even though it wasn’t quite as restful as we thought it would be, we are so very grateful for the time away, the little moments of joy and the Lord’s quiet hand in our lives, giving us renewed strength and peace to begin again.



#14 Al Ain ~ Good times together - FHE/Primary/Skinny Mall

back row: Josh, jamie, Kennedy and Victoria

Kat, Kyler, Charm, Jenny

We had everyone over to the Villa for FHE ~ dinner, visiting and simply enjoying a relaxed evening together. It doesn’t seem to matter if the group is big or small; somehow, the Villa always fills up with laughter, conversation, and that happy kind of chaos that comes when little children are around.

James, Victoria, Bill, Jamie, Ram, Jenny and Adrena

Gayle got everyone together for a Young Men/Young Women activity! If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Gayle and her family, it’s that they know how to turn just about anything into a party! There was plenty of food, laughter, energy, and the kind of fun that makes you grateful for good people who know how to bring everyone together.

Top Center: Gayle

It was one of those evenings where the activity itself almost seemed secondary. The real blessing was watching the kids and families enjoy one another, make memories and being together. Gayle has a wonderful gift for creating that kind of atmosphere and we’re pretty lucky to be included in it!

Taonga

After our youth park activity and taking Ram and Rob home, Bill and I took Taonga to the grocery store to help her get some groceries. I gave her a budget of 300 dirha (about $81) and sent her off to shop.

I was standing in the cheese aisle when a woman approached me and asked, “Are you a Christian?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Would you pray for me?”

“Of course,” I said. “Tell me what’s troubling you.”

She told me her name was Rasha and that she had been having a hard time sleeping. She felt anxious and said she carried a heavy burden. She wanted to feel more love for her husband and just didn’t know how to get rid of the heaviness she was feeling. I told her I would keep her in my prayers. I thought she would simply thank me and move on, but instead she bowed her head. I was a little surprised and gently asked, “Would you like me to pray for you now?” She nodded her head and took my hand. The woman she was shopping with and her little boy joined us and there we stood, in the middle of the grocery store, holding hands and praying.

I prayed that Heavenly Father would ease Rasha’s burdens, help her sleep peacefully, give her greater love and understanding for her husband and help her turn her worries over to Jesus Christ. I told Heavenly Father that I knew He loved Rasha, that He was aware of her struggles and that I knew He could bring her comfort and peace. Then I closed the prayer in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

When I opened my eyes, Rasha was so grateful and gave me a hug. She told me that she had been Muslim but had found Jesus and was searching for Him in her life. I told her that Jesus Christ loved her and that He had already suffered every pain and burden we could ever experience. Because of His Atonement, we can turn those burdens over to Him and ask Him to help us carry them.

She thanked me again and said the prayer had made her feel so much better. Then she asked what church I attended. I told her I was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was genuinely interested, but at that point I felt a little unsure about where the conversation might go. Normally, I would have given someone my name or number and invited them to church, but this time I felt that the important thing had already happened. Once I learned that Rasha had a Muslim background, I also knew we needed to be very careful. Religious proselytizing is restricted here in the UAE, so I didn’t want to cross a line or put either of us in an uncomfortable situation. I felt that Heavenly Father had simply asked me to do one thing that day; to stop, pray with her and remind her that Jesus Christ loved her. And perhaps that was enough. I had been standing in the cheese aisle, minding my own business, when Heavenly Father put someone in my path who needed a prayer. And really, what are the odds of that? Sometimes we don’t need a lesson, a pamphlet or even a long conversation. Sometimes all we need to do is stop what we’re doing, take someone’s hand and remind them that God knows them, loves them and has not forgotten them.

(This collage ^^^ [jamie & Zuri] and the next one are from February 💖; better late than never 🤔?)

Zuri had Primary all to herself this week! Zoe and Kahleia were busy with school activities, so it turned into a special one-on-one day. We talked about Noah, built an ark, and she made sure it was packed with lots and lots of animals. I think every creature wanted a ticket aboard!

In the top left are some wonderful Valentine's treats from Billy that made the day even sweeter.

Bill and Jamie

The Mall was decked out with what seemed like a thousand hearts. It made Valentine's Day especially fun! We celebrated with a Baskin-Robbins ice cream treat and I couldn't resist taking pictures of the cakes; they looked more like edible works of art than desserts. The malls here are so enormous that we still take pictures of where we park. Otherwise, we'd spend the evening searching for our car!

In the top right corner are the cutest little nut and candy boxes. For about $5, they'll fill them with whatever treats you choose. Honestly, this time I was more interested in bringing home the adorable Arab-themed boxes than the candy inside. One of my favorite things at the mall is watching the little children happily riding around on the electric animal rides. They always remind me of our grandchildren at the Orem mall and it brings a smile to my face. As usual, what starts as a quick trip to the mall somehow turns into a wonderful afternoon adventure.

During the day, the malls aren't very crowded, but at night ~ watch out! It's as if someone flips a switch. Once everyone is off work and the whole family is together, they all seem to head to the mall. The malls here are enormous (and air conditioned) and have just about everything you could imagine. They're more than places to shop; they're where people gather, eat, stroll and spend the evening together. There are play areas to keep the kids entertained, movie theaters and one mall even has a full-sized ice-skating rink. Only in the middle of the desert can you escape the heat and go skating! 

I know this picture of my hand is a little strange BUT it goes along with my obsession with pumpkin seeds.  I eat at least one large package a day 😛! Now I'm not saying this as a fact but look at my nails! Yes!!! They are mine. I've never in my life had long nails ~ only fake long nails (which I love). Mine are thin, brittle, and never grow past the pink part. But since I have been eating pumpkin seeds they are strong and growing like weeds! Incredibly amazing! I'm going to have them painted one day soon.

One of the first things you notice in Al Ain is the striking contrast in housing. You'll drive past enormous villas that look fit for royalty and then, just around the corner, you'll see the workers' accommodations. Many are small, weathered and in desperate need of a little TLC. In the photo at the top right, the arrows point to the back of our villa, tucked between two larger homes. Every time I see some of these buildings, I have the same thought: if I had a giant spray-paint gun filled with fresh paint, I'd happily spend a weekend giving half of Al Ain a makeover. It's amazing what a coat of paint and a little cleanup could do. It wouldn't take much to brighten the neighborhood, but whether it's a lack of funds or simply a lack of interest from some landlords, many of the buildings are left looking tired, dirty and neglected.

Looking back at all these little moments; Branch activities, Primary, time at the park, helping at the store and simply being together, it’s easy to see that service doesn’t always look like what we expect. Sometimes it is planned and sometimes it happens right in the middle of the cheese aisle! But each time we reach out, help, teach, listen, or simply love someone, we have an opportunity to serve the Lord. I think that is one of the sweetest blessings of our time here: we came to serve, but in so many ways, we have been the ones who have been blessed.

“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” — Mosiah 2:17

#13 Al Ain ~Come with Me to Ghana, Africa

I hardly know where to begin to describe the incredible blessing of our trip to Ghana, Africa. Some experiences in life are more than just a trip; they become sacred memories that will stay in our hearts forever. This was one of those experiences.

One of the greatest blessings this month was having the privilege of taking Hygine, who has been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for just two and a half years, to the Temple. Before meeting us in Ghana, he flew home to Nigeria to spend precious time with his wife, Joy, and their son, Devine (his mom is in the bottom left corner). From there, he traveled to Ghana to begin this unforgettable journey with us.

We were also blessed to bring Sunshine with us from Al Ain so he could serve as Hygine's escort. Watching these two faithful men prepare for this sacred experience filled our hearts with joy and gratitude.

Our adventure began long before we reached the temple. We each had to get the Yellow Fever Vaccination and made sure it was placed with our Passport/Visas before we picked up Sunshine. We left Al Ain around 11:30pm Wednesday night, planning to stay in a sleep pod at the Abu Dhabi airport; we discovered it would cost $200 per room, so we decided to camp out in the airport lounge chairs for the next six hours, instead 😳.  We then boarded Emirates Airline and spent the eight hour flight enjoying movies, meals and reading; the only thing we didn't get was some much needed sleep 😜.

After a long journey, we finally arrived in Ghana! Sunshine negotiated a fair price with a taxi driver, and we made our way to the Consir Executive Lodge, where Hygine was waiting for us with the biggest smile and the excitement of someone who knew something truly special was about to happen. 

After settling into our rooms, we caught an Uber to a nearby convenience store so we could pick up a few essentials. Billy was also able to locate a pharmacy where he found some medications he needed. With those errands behind us, we were ready to begin the incredible experiences that awaited us in Ghana. That night, Sunshine and Hygiene enjoyed their meal at the hotel restaurant while Billy and I completely crashed. My bed situation was a little adventurous as it required a creative arrangement of pillows and blankets because the mattress was only one step above sleeping on the floor! But when you are somewhere with a purpose this special, a little discomfort is just part of the story.

The next morning, we woke up bright and early with one goal in mind: the Temple. We first stopped at the Temple's distribution Center and did a little shopping for all of us. The time came and we stepped through the Temple doors into The House of the Lord! Our hearts were full of gratitude and anticipation.
Of course, as with many things in life, getting started wasn’t without a little hitch. Hygiene’s temple recommend process had a few unexpected bumps along the way. Billy had already interviewed him, the Stake President had interviewed him and Billy had carefully made sure all of the paperwork had been submitted. Unfortunately, during that same month, our Stake President had moved and a new Stake President was called. He, for some reason, thought perhaps he should interview Hygiene again (Hygiene was already in Nigeria at that time).  I think Billy’s response was something like, “I don’t think so, bubby” 😉. Billy explained that all the new Stake President needed to do was click the temple button to approve the existing paperwork and everything would be taken care of. But that did not happen so Billy spent an hour and a half in the records department trying to get ahold of the Stake President (again) so he could go back into the computer and click on the approval button on the existing recommend. It was amazing that something requiring just one click could temporarily delay something so sacred and significant. Finally, everything was approved.

It reminds us that when our hearts are set on entering the Lord's house, there may be unexpected obstacles along the way, but the Lord always prepares a way. Every mile we traveled, every uncomfortable night's sleep, every phone call and every delay only made the joy of finally entering His holy house even sweeter.


The beautiful Accra Ghana Temple made the perfect backdrop for what quickly turned into an impromptu GQ photo shoot 😊! One by one, the boys struck their best poses, looking every bit like professional models. Even Billy couldn't resist getting in on the fun and showed us that he still had a few modeling skills of his own. One of my favorite pictures from this collage, though, isn't one of the posed photos. It's the quiet moment of Billy visiting with Hygine about the temple. After all the excitement, laughter, and picture taking, it was a gentle reminder of why we had come to Ghana in the first place. Moments like that, sharing faith, answering questions and strengthening testimony those are the ones that leave the deepest impression on our hearts. The temple gave us memories we'll always treasure.

Stepping outside the temple, our hearts were full. There is something almost impossible to describe about the peace and joy that comes after spending time in the House of the Lord. We wanted to capture the moment, so of course, lots of pictures were taken! While we were outside, Billy visited with a wonderful group of young Elder missionaries. Their enthusiasm, cheerful spirits and willingness to serve added even more happiness to an already perfect day. After such a sacred experience, even choosing lunch felt like part of the adventure.

Our missionary friends recommended a restaurant called 80/20, so the next adventure was figuring out how to get there! Finding a taxi or Uber wasn't exactly easy, but before long we met a kind driver who happily took us across town. Since he had been so helpful (and was willing to wait for us) we invited him to join us for lunch. The hamburgers weren't huge but they were absolutely delicious! The ride over provided plenty of entertainment. Hygine kept insisting that he and Sunshine were my official bodyguards because, in his words, "No little white woman should be running around Africa without us!" 😂 They assured Billy they would keep me safe, and I have to admit, I felt pretty well protected with those two watching over me.

Back to the temple we went the next day and what a beautiful day it was! During our time in Ghana we were blessed to participate in three endowment sessions, sealings and baptisms for the dead. Each experience brought its own special feeling of peace and gratitude. The baptisms were especially memorable. Watching Hygine participate in this sacred ordinance was a beautiful moment but it also brought a few smiles and giggles along the way. With Hygine standing at 6'4" and Sunshine at 5'10", making sure Hygine was fully immersed took a little extra teamwork! Despite the height difference, Sunshine did a wonderful job and Hygine absolutely loved the experience. He told us he could perform baptisms all day long. His excitement and joy were contagious and reminded us how precious these sacred opportunities are. After we finished at the temple and stepped back outside we were greeted by members of a ward who were waiting nearby. We had the sweetest time visiting with them and taking pictures with some adorable Primary aged children. The temple was filled with sacred moments, but the love and friendships we experienced outside its walls were just as unforgettable.

We’ve been getting weekly letters from our dear friends, Todd and Laura Larkin, who are serving in Accra at the Church office. Todd serves as the Area Missionary Department Representative and he would also oversee the young missionaries in the UAE (if we were allowed to have missionaries there). Laura does a little bit of everything! Her pictures and stories of humanitarian aid are incredible and she spends her time volunteering at the library, helping at the MTC and finding countless other ways to serve. Laura often mentioned that the roads were a bit bumpy, but I didn’t truly understand what she meant until we traveled a distance to Sandra’s home. Whew! She was not exaggerating! What should have been a 20 minute drive took well over an hour. But if you enjoy roller coaster rides, like I do, it was just another fun experience along the way 😊!

Next they took us to the African market ~ oh my goodness, what a feast for the eyes! Everywhere I looked there were beautiful fabrics, vibrant colors and gorgeous handmade treasures. I had one mission and that was to find a colorful African dress! I absolutely love headbands, hats, and scarves so seeing the women wearing their stunning headpieces made my heart race. Billy handed me $100 and sent me on my way while everyone else patiently waited (even though they were getting hungry). I took off like I was on a treasure hunt, determined to see as much as I could before they came looking for me! Along the way, I found a beautiful necklace, an exquisite nativity and after visiting four different shops, I finally found the dress of my dreams. Just like that, my $100 was gone in a flash! And it was worth every penny 😊! One of my favorite pictures in this collage is in the bottom left corner. It includes Todd's mission president, President Dee Groberg, (and Billy) from Todd's days as a young Elder serving in Japan.  When we lived in Cambodia, President Groberg was in our ward and we became dear friends. What a small world! The Lord has such a wonderful way of weaving our lives together in unexpected places.

Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious meal and spent hours talking, laughing and catching up. Eventually we realized Hygine and Sunshine had probably heard enough of our reminiscing, so we sent them home in a taxi while we continued visiting. It had been many years since we'd last seen Todd and Laura. Laura and I had served together in Young Women back in Las Vegas around 1987, yet sitting together again felt as though no time had passed at all. Some friendships are simply like that; a wonderful blessing that picks up right where it left off. 

One of the sights that fascinated me was seeing so many women effortlessly balancing baskets on their heads filled with fruit, water and every kind of supply imaginable. I still don't know how they do it! They were everywhere throughout the markets and walking between cars at stoplights, offering their goods with a smile. Sunshine bought the ripe fried bananas and I bought the other fried bananas both ~ were scrumptious 😊!  We shared so that everyone had a little of both. The pictures along the bottom show what many of the streets look like, where countless people earn a living by selling whatever they can. It was a humbling reminder of how hard so many work each day to provide for their families.

Our amazing taxi driver safely navigated us over some of the bumpiest roads imaginable so we decided he had definitely earned lunch! We treated him to a meal at Frankie's to thank him for taking such good care of us. One thing we could always count on was Sunshine and Hygine ordering Jollof Rice everywhere we went. It is a very popular dish but isn't served all over Africa but only in certain countries. One country is Nigeria, where they both are from, and lucky for them, it's also one of Ghana's signature dishes. So needless to say at every restaurant we went to they had it!

It's hard to appreciate from the pictures above just how rough many of the roads really were. We hired our taxi driver for the entire day because he knew the roads well and we were grateful we did! We never would have driven our own car over many of them. 

I thought Sandra lived fairly close to the city, but even though it was only about 18 miles away, the drive took well over an hour. Some of the potholes were as big as little kiddie pools, many filled with water, making the ride quite an adventure. Thankfully, our driver handled every bump with confidence and we just held on and enjoyed the ride!

Another highlight of our trip was visiting Gabriel's wife, Sandra, and their two beautiful daughters, Blessing and Gabriela. Gabriel has lived in the UAE for nearly three years and joined The Church just one week before we arrived in Al Ain. He has such a wonderful spirit and a strong desire to follow the Savior. Sandra is an amazing baker and they hope to use the money Gabriel has sent home to help her fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. We are cheering them on every step of the way! We arrived a little late to church but were able to attend Sunday School and it was a wonderful lesson. The second row of pictures includes their bishop (standing next to a picture of the "first presidency"), the Sunday School lesson and the SS teacher (he did a fantastic job). The last row features sweet Blessing behind members of the congregation and the front of their church building. It was a blessing to worship with our brothers and sisters in Ghana and to see that the gospel truly brings people together, no matter where in the world we are.

Before we ever made it to church, we had one more obstacle to overcome! Thankfully, Sandra stayed in contact with our taxi driver and met us on the back of a motorcycle because there was no way we could have found the church on our own. The bottom left picture shows what we were up against. As we got closer (bottom right) we were sure we'd reached a dead end. Instead, Sandra motioned for us to take a sharp left and head down what felt like "the road less traveled." It may not look very steep in the pictures, but trust me, it was! We slowly bumped our way over rocks, wood, debris and more potholes than I could count. Our poor taxi driver just kept inching forward, down the hill, under a bridge, and somehow out the other side where Sandra was waiting with a big smile. We followed her for another ten minutes through puddles, potholes, and the harrowing streets. I honestly couldn't believe we made it 😂! Bless Sandra's heart for coming to rescue us and leading us safely to the church. Without her, we'd probably still be driving around looking for it (and this does explain why it takes an hour to get to a place 15 minutes away 🤪)!

Here we are with Gabriel's sweet, wonderful family. What a blessing it was to spend time with such kind, faithful people. Their love for one another and for the gospel was evident in everything they did.

We were especially happy to spend a few minutes with the sister missionaries and some of the cheerful faces from the congregation. It's amazing how the gospel creates an instant connection, no matter where you are in the world. Even though we came from different countries and cultures, we were united as members of the Savior's restored Church. We experienced the love and fellowship that unite the Saints throughout the world.

After church, we walked a few blocks to Sandra's home, where we met her mother and grandmother, who live next door. The little inset photo captures a sweet moment as the girls opened gifts we had brought from Gabriel. Their smiles made the long journey worth every mile.

Next, we walked a few more blocks to see the future home of Sandra's little bakery. She has worked so hard preparing for this dream and it was exciting to see it becoming a reality. The four little boys in the bottom left picture were happily helping their dad build the small shop ~ proof that many hands really do make light work. The pictures in the bottom right show a few of the other neighborhood storefronts, giving us a glimpse into everyday life in their community.

As we walked up the road, we spotted the cutest little girl proudly carrying a purse that looked almost bigger than she was! 😊 She, her mother (with a baby wrapped securely on her back) and her grandmother were all beautifully dressed in their Sunday best. Farther up the dirt road, a group of happy children were walking home from church. Their joyful smiles were absolutely contagious. Some of the cutest kids ever!

Soon it was time for us to say goodbye, so Sandra called our wonderful taxi driver and we met up for the ride back.

The middle picture on the right is a sweet memory from Sandra's baptism on May 31st. One of the sister missionaries who attended her baptism was the same sister we had met at the temple the day before! It was such a beautiful reminder of how connected we all are and how the Lord brings people together in the most unexpected ways.

We returned to the hotel, packed up and our wonderful taxi friend took us to the airport. Hygine was headed back to Nigeria to spend a few more precious weeks with his family and Sunshine had one more week off work to enjoy. Hygine's flight left a few hours after ours, but he was able to find our gate, giving us a few extra minutes together before we finally said goodbye. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure with sweet friends. These guys are such a joy to be around. They keep us laughing with their playful personalities

                                    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As our time in Ghana came to an end, I found myself wondering if we would ever have the opportunity to serve another mission outside the United States. If we do, I hope with all my heart that it will be here in Ghana. I can't fully explain why, but I felt an immediate connection with the people, the country and the wonderful friends we made. Life here is not easy. It is hard to imagine trying to provide for a family with so little. Laura told me their security guard earns only about $80 a month 😳. Suddenly, I found myself looking at life in Al Ain through different eyes. Our members there face challenges but many have opportunities that others in Ghana (the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, etc.) can only hope for.

I have admired Gabriel's decision to remain in Al Ain for a while longer so he can save enough money to buy a car and eventually return to Ghana to support his family as an Uber driver. At first, I thought he should simply return home and help Sandra with her bakery. Now I see the wisdom in his sacrifice. He is preparing a better future for his family and I have no doubt the Lord will bless his efforts.

One thing became very clear during our visit: difficult circumstances often draw people closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I was reminded of the Lord's promise in Mosiah 24, that He does not always remove our burdens, but He strengthens us so we can bear them. We saw that promise being lived here every day; everyone is happy. They are hard workers and truly joyful people; they rely on the Lord and are so grateful for what they do have. 

Laura shared a statement with me that I don't think I'll ever forget: "Americans believe in God; Africans depend on God." Those words touched my heart because, in so many ways, they are so true. Their faith is not just something they profess on Sunday, it is what carries them through each day.

I came to Ghana hoping to help and encourage others. Instead, I left with a stronger testimony of my Savior, a deeper appreciation for the blessings I enjoy and a desire to depend upon God a little more each day.

Mosiah 24:14,15

"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. 

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."