Our Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan East and Bamako, Mali Mission

Today was our day to attend the temple.  Many years ago, on the day when I went to the temple for my very first time, the temple workers assisting me said something I’ve never forgotten.  An elderly gentleman told me, “The blessings of the temple have always been here.  Today is the day you have come to claim them.”  I told that to the missionaries last night as we met with them.  The blessings of the temple are the greatest blessings we receive here on earth.  They promises and covenants we make bind us to God and bless our families, including our posterity.  I love the blessings of the temple and the peace they bring.

We were divided into two groups of eight and today each group attended an endowment session where they were endowed with power from on high.  John and I got to assist each group as the witness couple.

We had an incredible day in the temple.  We were the only ones here, with a handful of temple workers.  We had all the time we wanted after the sessions, in the celestial room, with our missionaries, where we were able to answer questions and talk about the things we learned in the temple.  We don’t discuss these things outside of the temple.  They are sacred and dear.

I loved that Sis Gaze told me this morning, “I feel like a new person!”  I told her, “You ARE a new person!”

After these sessions, the missionaries had a late lunch and then some time for exercise and rest.  Dinner came quickly for them, at 5:00.

Each missionary receives the gift of 8 pair of garments to take back with them.

This evening John and I walked over to visit our friends, Karen and Chris Shepherd.  They recently returned to Ghana after going home during COVID.  They work with the humanitarian projects in West Africa.  Karen made a fantastic dinner for us–enchiladas, corn bread muffins and fruit with apple crisp for dessert.  We had a great evening and we talked a lot about the refuge camps in Ouelessebougou and what LDS Charities can do to help.

The Area Presidency has given permission for all missionaries who started their missions after COVID closed the temples to receive their own endowments.  What a wonderful blessing!  Today was the day our group of 16 was prepared and ready to fly to Accra, Ghana to visit the House of the Lord.

Early this morning we started gathering our 16 missionaries before heading to the airport.

Everyone was brought to the mission office to check luggage and to receive the final instructions and flight documents.

Here is our beautiful temple group.

At the airport, we were greeted by several families of the missionaries in our group who would be traveling on to the countries where they were originally called to serve.  They were here to say good bye to their missionaries and wish them well.  One of these families arrived at the airport this morning at 6:00 a.m., not knowing for sure when we’d arrive.  They did not want to miss sending their son off–he’s going to Kenya.

This morning we also met the 8 missionaries who would be traveling with us to Ghana from the Yamoussoukro Mission.

John reviewed everyone’s documents which included passports, yellow health cards, flight plans, COVID test results and  receipt of payment for our next COVID test at the Accra airport.  John is the Mastermind of travel and travel documents and every possible bit of logistics.  He holds everyone together here.

Sadly, the Bendixsens were not allowed to leave the mission and travel with us.

This week has been a tender time for Elder Guei, who’s father just passed away.  Elder Guei is one of 27 children in his family.  Attending the temple will be a huge blessing for him this week.

Here is Elder Blehi with his family.  Elder Blehi is heading to Lagos, Nigeria.  After saying good bye to them, Elder Blehi’s family started singing “Hope of Israel,” as we crossed the street and went into the airport.  By the time we went through the airport doors, tears were streaming down my cheeks, hidden by my mask as I listened to their voices raised above the other sounds at the airport.  I’ve also sent sons off and I know this feeling of a sweet and sad departure.   Yes, Elder Blehi and these others ARE the Hope of Israel!

I was happy when our last COVID test came back Negatif.  That’s 2 negatives for me since I had a positive COVID test just a few weeks ago.  For me, personally, this trip is a Miracle and I am Grateful.  I am feeling perfectly fine again.  I know it’s a mission miracle.

For most of our missionaries, this was their first ever flight.

The flight to Accra takes only about an hour.  We were on a beautiful huge Emirates plane with lots of empty seats.

After arriving in Accra, we had to be tested again.  We had to pre-pay for these tests in Abidjan before being allowed to fly.  This time they did both a throat and nose culture with rapid results.  By the time we had our luggage, the results were ready.  Everyone tested negative!

Waiting for luggage.  Somehow Elder Guei’s luggage did not arrive.  We later learned that it was tagged incorrectly and went on to Dubai.  It took 2 more days to be returned to him.

We were met outside by helpers from the Accra Missionary Training Center (MTC).  We loaded everyone up and after 20-30 minutes, we arrived at the MTC where we’d spend the week.  We are thrilled to be here!

This morning I attended the Abidjan Riviera 2 Ward Primary.  This is our home ward when we are in Abidjan.  I love visiting Primaries because the gospel is taught simply here and I can understand everything!

At the beginning of the hour, the song leader came in to sing with the children.  She also leads the music in sacrament meetings.

Our lesson today was about the restoration of the priesthood and the blessings we receive because of this gift.  Our teacher, Sis Colombe, a returned missionary, explained what “restoration” means.  She said when something is “restored” it is returned in the same way it was before it was taken.

We read from D&C 13 where John the Baptist restores this priesthood power.

Here the children are reciting “the priesthood is the power of God.”

I could tell these sweet children have been well-taught at home.  They were bright and good and reverent.

This is our Primary.  What a treat to be with them today!

Here we are at the airport tonight waiting for our first American Elders to return.  Besides these 7 Americans tonight, this week we’ve also received 5 Sisters who have been serving in other missions and 1 new Elder who was called to this mission.

Of these 7 Americans, 5 served here for just 3 weeks before COVID and 2 had only been in the Ghana MTC before being evacuated last March.

Pres and Sis Bendixsen were so excited to meet these new missionaries.  We’ve waited a long time for their return to us.

The funniest thing this evening while we were waiting outside the airport, watching for the Elders to come to the ARRIVALS doors, was when we saw a group of young men in suits and ties and badges coming toward the door. The BXs were so excited they started to run across the street, waving their arms to welcome them. They got most of the way across the street when they realized it was a group of pilots, not missionaries!! They probably wondered who those excited little Americans running towards them were. It was really funny.

We took the Elders to the Djigui Hotel in our neighborhood for the night.  They had a very late dinner there and they’ll have breakfast in the morning.  Here the Elders are waiting for the food to be served.  It was about 11:00 p.m.