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

Beyond the Artisan’s Market, Accra–these are the Artisans!

My favorite part of the Artisan’s Market was not the market at all, but what was going on behind the scenes of the market. While the others peeled off to go see the beach I took a wander to see the craftsman who were actually making the things sold in the market stalls. Their outdoor shops continued down the shore, one after another. It was a fascinating walk, as you will see here. I loved every minute.

These men had several checkers matches going on. When I asked them who the champion was, they all knew exactly who to point to!

A drum maker:

Skins for the drums:

More musical instruments:

Wood for carving:

Egg delivery:

Girls ironing:

This young man was out of his wheelchair bike, using his hands to create.

Making Mancala games:

I loved this workshop:

Eventually John and the others found me.

They had their “friends” who tried to guide them to certain shops, hoping for sales.

A place for prayer:

Basket making (see previous post).

This craftsman is a church member. He was working on some elephants:

We ended our market wander with the drummers! They were eager to teach us how to play their drums.

What a very fun afternoon we’ve had! Hope you’ve enjoyed it too!

Basket Making at the Artisan’s Market in Accra

Today we watched artisans making these beautiful woven baskets. They will be sold in craft markets all around the world. The baskets are strong and sturdy and the patterns are unique. They sell for anywhere from $30 to $100. Ghanaian baskets are good for lots of things (like my quilt projects!). Basket making is a home industry for many women in the northern parts of Ghana. They grow the reeds, split them and dye them before weaving these masterpieces.

Here are the artisans we saw today, making these beautiful baskets.

These reeds are split and the inside piece is pulled out. It’s the pliable one used for the weaving.

This room was filled with large bags of baskets, ready for export.

This short video showing the basket making will make you smile. Especially the dancers!

An Artisan’s Market in Accra

If you’d like a visual feast, come take a look! This afternoon we visited this artisan’s market in Accra. It’s about a 20-30 minute drive from the temple grounds, depending on traffic. As you will see, our African friends love color and texture. The fabrics are fabulous and the crafts are amazing. I love wandering through these markets. They give us a good feel for the local culture and what is created here.

Ghana is known for its beads. You can read more about the history of beads in Ghana here: https://www.worldremit.com/en/stories/story/2019/10/09/beads-ghana

Most of these beads are made of recycled glass, which is then hand painted.

Ghana is also known for its Kente cloth, which is woven on looms in long strips. You can learn more about Kente cloth here: https://kitengestore.com/everything-need-know-kente/

You can also find wood carvings of every variety, some decorated with beads.

These reading ladies reminded me of my book club friends at home!

Taking a nap.

The baskets here are incredible. In the next post you’ll see how they’re made.

Missionary Couples Serving in Accra

2020-3-9 Abidjan Artisan Market (1)

We are staying with Chris and Karen Shepherd this week. We’ve known them for a year or so from our work in Mali. Chris is a chicken farmer from Lakeshore, Utah. He helped to set up the chicken farm in Mountougoula. They are serving in the Africa West Area, overseeing humanitarian projects here.

Here is their apartment building. It’s a short walk from the temple grounds. Several Church employees and missionaries are housed in this building.

2020-3-8 Shepherd's Apartment Accra (8)

2020-3-8 Shepherd's Apartment Accra (4)

2020-3-8 Shepherd's Apartment Accra (2)

Accra feels to us like a tropical paradise. It’s green and clean and organized.

2020-3-8 Shepherd's Apartment Accra (3)

2020-3-8 Shepherd's Apartment Accra (5)

2020-3-8 Shepherd's Apartment Accra (6)

Another of the highlights of our stay with the Shepherds is her delicious cooking. We’re eating things we haven’t seen in a long time. The missionaries know where to find foods not found where we come from. We had things like cheese and vegetable soup, enchiladas, cashew chicken, apple crisp, and lots of snacks from a store they call “Little Costco” where they can find lots of things from our American Costco stores. We also had microwave popcorn, ice cream and the best chocolate chip cookies ever. Here’s the recipe:

2020-3-8 Shepherd's Apartment Accra (1)

It’s been fun to meet many of the couples serving in Accra. There is a wonderful community of missionary couples, church employees and families here–maybe about 20 to 30 of them. They do all sorts of things together–Family Home Evenings, pot luck dinners and firesides, temple service, shopping outings and field trips.

Here’s a look at the women’s scripture study Monday morning. They meet every other week for an hour of fun instruction. They take turns teaching. I enjoyed being with them. We are the only American couple serving in the Abidjan East Mission and Mali. We haven’t seen so many white faces in a long time!

2020-3-9 Accra Area Offices (3)

2020-3-9 Accra Area Offices (5)

Francois is resting for a few minutes.

2020-3-9 Accra Area Offices (6)

John and I met with lots of people today, taking care of business for Mali. It was great to meet everyone in person.

2020-3-9 Accra Area Offices (7)

There is such a wonderful community of Saints here in Accra. They love being here and I can see why.

Sunday at the Maamobi Ward in Accra

This morning we attended the Maamobi Ward (Dina’s home ward) here in Accra. These good members helped her family with the reception yesterday. We arrived early and enjoyed visiting with friends and missionaries serving here.

Sekou and Dina were invited to share their testimonies in sacrament meeting. It was nice to hear from them. It will be hard for Dina to leave this ward where she was baptized 2 years ago (the same month Sekou was baptized here in Accra, December 2017). Interestingly, both Sekou and Dina were taught by one of the same missionaries. Sekou traveled here from Mali to be baptized.

A large group of young single adults came to wish Dina and Sekou well.

Dina with her family and friends, saying good bye.

A Wedding Reception for Sekou and Dina

This afternoon after the temple ceremony, we went to a local stake center where Dina’s family and ward helped put on a big reception party. It was a lot of fun. They served a nice meal, had fun music and dancing and a beautiful cake. Come take a look:

Dina has so many good friends and family here in Accra. It will be no small thing to leave them and return with Sekou to Mali to make a new home. These two are wonderful and brave Pioneers.

Francois Cissoko Endowed and Sekou and Dina Dembele Sealed. Oh Happy Day!

Today is a day I will always remember. We were at the temple this morning when it opened at 8:00 to help prepare Francois for his big day. Francois traveled to Accra from Mali to be baptized in 2016. Today is the day he returned to receive the blessings of the temple.

The Accra Temple is in a large complex with the West Africa Area offices and housing, the Missionary Training Center, a large Stake Center, a Distribution Center and the Temple Patron Housing. It’s a beautiful oasis in this busy city.

Those who are being endowed for the first time (who have applied for assistance) receive 7 pair of temple garments, which they can pick up before going into the temple.

We had a wonderful morning with Francois. He was thrilled with the things he learned. After his endowment session was completed we had a little bit of time in the celestial room with friends who joined us while we waited for Sekou and Dina’s sealing.

At about 12:30 Elder Nash, our Area President, and his wife joined us in the sealing room. We were also joined by friends who traveled from Utah–Ann Belk and her family members–who have been a big apart of Sekou’s life. Elder Nash did a masterful job teaching and explaining this sacred ordinance to Sekou and Dina and all the rest of us.

When you are in the temple, especially for special occasions like this, heaven is near. It was a perfect day, in every way.

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (7) — Francois, Sekou, Dina, Ann & John Lewis

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (8) — Sekou and Dina with Accra friends.

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (12) — Ann and Flint Belk with family and friends.

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (14) — Dina’s friends and relatives. Her mother is in the beautiful green dress.

Eternal friends!

Dina’s size!

We are the Anns, Sekou’s other mamas.

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (35) — Ann and Flint Belk with Francois

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (37) — Chris and Karen Shepherd

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (41) — Ann Lewis and Francois Cissoko

2020-3-7 Sekou & Dina Sealing, Reception (42) — Elder Marcus Nash and his wife Shelley with Ann & John Lewis

The House of the Lord.

Heading to Accra for a Temple Trip!

We have been waiting and preparing for our temple trip for many weeks. Pres Sekou and Dina will be married tomorrow, March 7th. Early before the sealing, Francois will receive his endowment. Then Tuesday Rose and Ibrahima and their 3 girls will be sealed. These are monumental celebrations for our little Bamako Branch.

We are grateful for the Temple Patron Assistance Fund that makes these temple trips possible for those receiving their ordinances for the first time. What a gift they receive! It was a wonderful honor to be there at their sides, helping and cheering our friends on.

In the meantime, the Coronavirus is spreading through much of the world. So far, we have no cases in the Ivory Coast or Mali, but a few cases are popping up in other places in West Africa. Everyone is watching to see what happens. I made the mistake of sneezing as our flight took off. The lady sitting next to me covered her face for the rest of the flight and sat as far from me as possible. I felt bad.

The flight to Abidjan takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. We caught a second 45 minute flight to Accra. Next week is the Abidjan East Mission’s designated temple trip week. At 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning, 80 members of our stakes and districts will board 2 buses to make the 14 hour drive to Accra. These temple trips are organized by the Mission Presidency and they happen twice a year. We are excited to spend the week in the temple with these friends.

We will be staying with our missionary friends, Chris and Karen Shepherd in Accra. They oversee the humanitarian projects in the West Africa Area. Francois will also stay with us until Tuesday when the temple patron housing opens. The Rose and Ibrahima Outarra family will join us Tuesday for their sealing on Wednesday. It’s going to be a glorious week!

Branch Presidency Dinner Out

This evening we had plans to take our new Branch Presidency out to dinner. Pres Sekou has already left for Accra to prepare for his wedding this coming Saturday, but his counselors, Pres Biggo and Pres Francois were here, so we wanted to treat them to dinner. It turned out that Pres Biggo got held up at work, but Francois came with Biggo’s wife, Valerie and son, Mike. We enjoyed a great meal together downstairs at our friends’ restaurant.

A Wood Carving Delivery

This evening Pascal came with his next installment of wood carvings to fill more of the orders I’ve received. He is a good and kind man and he and his carvers are so thrilled to have this work. We will keep them busy for a good while. This batch will travel with us to Accra, then Abidjan this next week for the missionaries.