Wades on a Mission: May 2015

Finishing What You Started

Dear Janice and Lynn,

You have been missed by us and so many that we wanted to share with you all that has happened this week. It is all a reflection on the work you did while you were here and the peoples lives that you touched.

First we will share a poem that Dr. & Sister Hill gave for FHE on Monday. I do not know the authors, maybe you do.

SAY GOODBYE TO GHANA

You've served right here in Ghana and we say, "Hooray for you!"

We're bidding you our fond farewell, cuz we served in Ghana too.

Say, Goodbye to Ghana, and the people we hold dear,

We'll cherish all the memories, that we've created here.

Some missionaries drive just like a bat from you know where,

With foot of lead and lightening speed to get from here to there.

But when you're back on homeland soil where cops cannot be bought ...

You best not try to bribe one or in jail you just might rot!

Say goodbye to Ghana and kilometers galore,

Say goodbye to Ghana where you won't drive anymore.

You've lived a while in Ghana, it's become a part of you,

If you are injured you might bleed red, green and yellow, too.

Another thing we all will miss are the children we hold dear,

So paint your grandkids' faces black and pretend you're over here.

Say goodbye to Ghana, these great people that we love,

Thank goodness we will have the chance to see them up above.

In Ghana we appreciate the simple things in life .

Like fresh milk, real live chocolate chips, and a dam good kitchen knife.

When mission life has ended, don't feel guilty sleeping in,

Or staying up till 2:00 A.M., it's dumb, but not a sin.

Say goodbye to Ghana, goats and chickens, bugs and rats,

And to local people who are eating dogs and cats!

Some of the roads you've driven have potholes by the score,

Most of them are big enough - to swallow a small store.

You just might spend your savings on chiropractic fees,

Because the roads in Ghana look exactly like Swiss cheese.

Say goodbye to Ghana and the pineapple so sweet,

Mangoes and papaya you can buy right on the street.

Say goodbye to Ghana, from Elder & Sister Ju,

Please do not forget us cuz the two of us love you !

Sincerely, Brent & Loretta Julander

Count us as two more who love you!

Career Fair

Saturday, 23rd May

People started arriving at 9:00 in the morning and we started right a 10:00. Then there were introductions and Elder Koranteng spoke and then at 10:30 we had our Panel Discussion with Stanley Marfo, Gloria Hanson, Regina Odoom, and Christian Afadi. They each presented for about 10 minutes and then some questions and answers and Elder Dube gave the closing remarks. It was great but oh so long to sit on those hard chairs. Everyone mingled and got information, did work on their CV's and signed up on LDS Jobs on the computers. The vendors were pleased that they came even after waiting for two hours to see the attendees. People signed up for loans, which, of course, I don't think would ever fly on church property in the US. It's a different world here.

Setting Up

Michael's design work

Elisha did a great Power Point on how to write a CV

Some Old and Some New Faces

Our Speakers

Stanley Marfo, Regina Odoom, Gloria Hanson, Christian Afadi

A Full House

After Speaking, Mingling

Many exhibitors had really nice displays

Some set up outside. There was even Ghanaian Rock Music.

It was very welcoming.

Part Two: Collins' Farewell

Sunday, 24th May
Elder and Sister Brink from Tamale showed up Saturday night in a driving rainstorm. We finally found them on the Tema highway by the Lego buildings near the mall. They were hungry so we took them to DNR, surprise, not, they loved it. As you remember they really are deprived up in Tamale and when they go down to Kumasi it is not much better.They came down with some of their members that were making their first Temple trip. Anyway, on Sunday we ventured forth to Collins' branch to hear him bear his testimony. We missed him a Mallam Junction but he caught up with us at McCarthy Hill. Then it was a lot of zig zaging to the branch. So glad that we had the SUV. It was not an area for the Honda. His testimony was very short but very thoughtful. I especially liked his comment that the work had already been done and that he would just complete it. What he was referencing was that the Lord has already found those that are seeking the Gospel, now he will just need to prepare himself to finish whatever work is needed to be done.
You did such great work with these young men that went out on missions after your care and concern. We felt lucky to see the last one off and to the Accra Mission besides. Who would have thought that possible?

Seth and Selina in Collins' branch. They hosted an open house for him that day.

Happy Mom. Happy Missionary

Elisha came for support.

Great to be there.

Bryan and Jill Brink were thrilled to visit for this wonderful time.

Part Three: Going to the MTC

Thursday, 28th May

Today we finished out the week of projects and with great feelings of enjoyment. It rained all night Wednesday and was still raining when we set out towards Mallam Junction again to get Collins to take him to the MTC in Tema. He needed to be there by noon so we thought that we should leave early but the traffic was exceeding light and we made it to Mallam and to Tema by 10:30. A choice time. Ninety-nine new missionaries due on this date. Collins' mom and Elisha went with us then we took mom back to Mallam and Elisha we dropped off at Kaneshie.

No matter how much we love our sons you won't see me doing this. No she is not protecting her hair do. Maybe 50lbs.

Again Elisha to see his friend off.

Driving into the MTC.

Can it be any better than this?

It's official. Name tag and all.

Some of the flags that represent the missionaries' home countries.

We had a blessed week. These are the special times that make a mission special and unique. So, dear Janice and Lynn, I think your work is complete. Bless you!

Ensign College of Public Health

Awhile back we had the opportunity to attend the dedication of the Ensign College of Public Health. This beautiful campus is the result of a dream that was fulfilled with a great determination to help the people of West Africa. The desire here is to "teach a man to fish, that he might be fed all his life". Here the goal is to have a strong public health education in West Africa as a component of a long term solution for children who are sick and unhealthy and the mothers who care for them.

There is a flow of medical supplies and technical assistance that is helping but the long term solution is to teach the populous so that they can help themselves. This vision was begun in 2011 with Bob and Lynette Gay, who have been involved with the people of West Africa for over a decade, and a Ghanaian partner and mentor in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and then the University of Utah joined in the effort. It became a community-engaged development and that could be seen in the participants at the dedication. I hope that you will enjoy all the colorful pictures of the participants.

Ensign College is situated in Kpong, an hour and a half drive north and east of Accra on a beautiful piece of land adjacent to the Volta River. It is the dream of this school to see a future where parents and children in West Africa are healthy and strong, where there are ample trained and committed public health care professionals and where communities with excellent public health practices are the norm rather than the exception.