Visit to Yaba Ward Primary Program and Welfare Program

Us with two Yaba Ward members

Arrival at the Yaba Ward building.  That is our car - Toyota Corolla

Childrens' Day celebration watching a movie

Children eating lunch in the churchyard

Primary girls with fancy hair braids

Primary children learning native African dances

More Primary children and cute hairdos

Primary girl tending her younger sibling.
 Love the way she is holding her
 

These are rubber tube-like things slipped over a small braid
or clump of hair.  Generally their hair is coarse and fuzzy.

It's been a While I'm Under Construction





Beginning of Office Dec

 

Construction Phase



The title that we chose is to use reflect the time it take to construct a small office and a guard changing facility.  Also the time that it takes to post a new addition to our blog as many will have noticed.  Most if not all buildings in Nigeria are of cinder block and cement.  The labor is mostly by hand even on the larger buildings. These buildings below were built by the /Centre so we were able to keep an eye on the construction,  They started in December and just moved into them last week.  I have learned a lot about cinder block construction, but most of it is not would retaining.  It is somewhat the same experience that I having with putting pictures in the blog and  arranging them to be meaningful!!!!!





 

Finished in June 

 





Beginning of Guardhouse Dec

Finished Guardhouse June





There is another construction things that has impressed us and that is the use of bamboo.  It is used for support and also scaffolding.  Not sure that you would catch me on it but then I'm afraid of heights even when I know that it is secure.  Hope that you can get a feel from the pictures!!!







 

 

Wow where is the time going!!

I cannot believe that March is here and almost half over, just so you know the time is flying.  Since we posted last a new system has been installed known as CRM.  It is a major difference that the old program.  Much more computer oriented and a lot less paper work and more streamed line for the applicants.  Our work will change dramatically in that we will not deal much with the application process but more on support of the participants and training. 

 We just spent a week in Accra, Ghana and visited to Centers there.  Much different than the operations that we have here.  Not that what we have is bad just different resources available. 

 



We were able to take a day and see the worlds larges lake behind an earth dam impoundment. We located Noah's ark in Accra.

 Accra is where the area seventy’s offices and the area President reside.  It is also the location of the Temple, which we were able to attend twice while there.  One session was in French and the other English because they only had so many headsets.  We were able to be the witness couple, kind of cool. The room capacity was about 50.  The grounds around the Temple are so beautiful as always.  Love the fan shaped palm tress that lined the entrance.

 

Ghana has a different atmosphere that Nigeria in that it is less crowded, thus less vehicles on the road and less people of course.  It appears to be have more pride in their community in that it seemed cleaner and less randomness in their markets. Structure had some substance not just a lean-to thrown up that might fall down any minute.  It seemed like less open markets, but then less people.

We stopped at a new motel facility on the way back from the lake.  It was a beautiful setting as you can see by the pictures.  The changing room and bathroom sign was unique thus the picture.  I t rained most of the day, which kept it cool and nice.  I love it. 

    The first few night we stay in a place called the Alma House and then moved into the Novetel an much larger facility as you can see by the picture.

 

 

  Marsha is doing fine and back almost to 100 % from her stint with malaria.  Sure glad that it was a light case.  We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers on her behalf.

  Markets that we saw along the way.  Notice the herdsman is leading the cows.  Next we have chicken for sale. Then the local street peddlers by their shops.
 

 I say this picture at the Novetel and thought is was unique so I have included here for you!!

 

 

An the Work moves on!!

Here it is the first of February and we are up to our necks in applications for loans and trying to get things processed before the new application program goes into effect.  Last count was about 40+ application. 

We have been having some great experiences.  Two weeks ago we went to a small branch about 1 ½ hours north of Ikeja.  What a sweet spirit was there we are going back next week to visit the members and support the Branch.  They have four young men preparing for missions and being taught by the Branch Mission leader.  The only picture we got was the baptismal fount.

This is a view of a road side market area.  Markets like these are every where.  It amazes me that in these place the people are mostly dressed very nice and clean,

Here are some pictures of the missionaries and volunteers who work in the Center.  They are a great group of young men and women.  Nathanial this last week received his Mission call and is excited to go serve the Lord. 

 

We also this week went with Brother and Sister Brown to what is called Snake Island there are about 20+ members there and we were looking for a building to rent for then to have Church in.  Access to the island is by boat.  Transportation on the island is by motor bike.  Marsha looks good on the back of one.

I actually used and umbrella.  Thanks Mom

This week was culminated with an area Conference with Elder Bednar and Elder Clayton.  What a wonderful Conference it has been.  Like the new format of teaching in the Lords way that was used.  More of a period question and answer directed towards gospel principles and doctrine.

We love what we are doing and appreciate all the support that we receive from you at home,

 

 

 

 

We are almost on our own!!!

Well it’s time for another post!! We have been here almost a month and been training to do the work.  The couple we have replaced should be home now and enjoying their grandchildren.  The Jennings are a great example that we will have.  They were dedicated up to the last minute helping us learn what we needed.  Maybe I should say teaching us we still have a lot to learn. I no long have that sweet spirit looking over my shoulder and point out the tabs and buttons to push.  Know that we already miss them. But know we will really have to learn and see what direction the Center is supposed to go. 

It seems like every day new people come into the center and want help.  We have great missionaries and volunteers to help us along the way.  What a happy bunch of individuals they are. It is totally amazing that people can be so happy with so little and most do not have much.

I have been watching the construction of a couple of building on the compound and taken a couple of pictures as you see below.  It is very interesting.  Most of the materials they pack even the 100 lb bags of cement they carry on their head.  We were shopping before the Jennings left and crossing in front of us on a busy street was a gentleman with a cast iron bathtub and attached pipe on his head.  This was something to see!!  We all had a good laugh about it but failed to take a picture.

Today Sunday 12 of January we visited a branch in Abeokuta.  It was very nice. I’ve have been so impressed with the teaching of the gospel in a pure and simple state.  Always backed up by scriptures it is so wonderful to hear and makes one wonder what he has learned over the years.

 Workers digging a foundation

Here they are mixing cement

Elder and Sister Jennings farewell dinner

 Building under construction

Security building see the bricks on his head

Stairs out side of Chapel in Abeokuta