Happy Mothers Day??

Elder Gagne phoned from Ghana on Sunday.  It was exciting to hear his voice and talk to him.  He is now serving in Tamale, which is a new area that just opened up.  There are 8 missionaries serving there to share the gospel.  It is further north and way hotter than where he was before. 


He does not have to learn the local language, as everyone there speaks English.  Whereas, where he was before, many people spoke Twi and he had to learn it.  There is no more Fufu there, so he is sad about that and misses it.

He is thoroughly enjoying himself in the work and is so excited for the opportunity to help start up the missionary work in Tamale.  He likes the area and he likes all the elders in his apartment  and his companion.  They are real serious and dedicated about doing the work there.

We got to talk to an African Elder from his apartment.  He was very nice and complimentary.  You can tell he was a very spiritual Elder and had a good outlook.  Our son told us that this elder didn't know English when he first came to the mission, but now he speaks it well and talks and talks.

The area is predominately muslim, but to find Christians, you need to "look for the trees".  Seems most Christians are from different areas, so they don't like the heat and get relief under trees.


He said he had two interesting stories to tell.  I (mom) asked if they were going to stress me out.  He just laughed.

Story #1:  He has always had a desire to preach old school by standing on a soapbox/stool/pedestal (you get the picture) and gather a crowd in the street.  He asked his mission president a while back if it was okay to do that, and he assured that if the spirit prompts, its okay to do it.  Elder Gagne never got the opportunity where he was before because all the other churches preach that way and the missionaries wanted to make sure they stood out, so they had to be different.  But where he is now,  no one seems to do that.  So, he and his companion seized the opportunity, got a box, stood on it and preached to the crowds.  They handed out books of mormon and church pamphlets.  He was so excited and it brought much interest for the church.  Out of that he got 3 people interested in hearing more and many people received handouts.

Story #2:  He was making breakfast Sunday morning, somewhat like a thick porridge.  It was boiling hot and he accidentally spilled it on his wrist.  It stuck to his wrist so when he rinsed it off, his skin came with it.  Something I did not want to hear (especially on mothers day).  He now has 2nd degree burns and blisters.  Still, with all that, he managed to take a shower, get dressed, got to church and gave his talk.  (of course Mom "encouraged" him to make sure the mission president sees this when he visits on Tuesday :).

He did have guidance on his arrival back home in October.  He wants to be greeted with a 1/2 gallon of 2% milk.  How many 21 year olds would say that? :).   Red Robin for dinner, cereal with lucky charms for breakfast in the morning, pizza for lunch and a steak for dinner.  Not sure his stomache can handle that!

All in All, it was a great visit. He sounded Healthy and happy.  Says he is understanding more and more every day, loves spreading the gospel.  He doesn't want to think right now about coming home, has alot of work to do there.

The Gagnes