Missionary "goodbye breakfast"

 

The other morning, October 28, 2021, Elaine and I were at the Accra Mission Home.  Elaine and some other sisters from the Area and a sister whose husband works for the US State Department, had prepared breakfast casseroles and dessert things for this monthly breakfast tradition.  The missionaries who are leaving for home are treated with a more or less American breakfast of eggs, potatoes, ham, cheese and whatever else the ladies can find to make a casserole.  They were all good.  Elaine has done it for a couple of months now and I wanted to see the results of her cooking, and enjoy it as well.  Besides, it's fun to talk with the Elders and Sisters who might be there.  

Above is the group.  Only a few were going home today.  The ones in not-normal-missionary-attire.  The others are companions or leaders (zone, district, mission).  They were singing "Called to Serve" before breakfast would begin.  Not my normal breakfast tune, but it sounded appropriate and great this morning.  The West Africans don't sing so well.  Just my opinion.  They started this hymn too low, and their voices didn't blend all that well, but for some reason it felt really good to hear them.  I've forever been spoiled by the Tongans who are blessed with singing voices.  I shouldn't dwell.

The food was great, so was the conversation.  I spoke a bit with Elder Washington from Nigeria.  His home is near the Aba Temple.  I told him to "be nice" as my experience with Nigerians is if they aren't nice they can be scary.  We both laughed and he promised.

More pictures.  The ladies after setting up the breakfast buffet table.  A lounging area outside.  The last picture: just the other side of the elephants (don't you want them in your yard? Solid wood) is President Young of the Accra Mission.  Every mission president needs the prayers and support of the saints.  These guys are "on" 24/7 and need inspiration and energy to do the work and to direct and encourage the young missionaries.  Great men, and wonderful wives.  This mission home was once the Area Office for the Africa West Area.  It is located just across the street and down a little bit from the current Africa West Area office and the temple.  It is on King Hassan Street.

Neil and Jill Whitaker are the mission home couple.  They have been friends of the Young's for many years.  Neil's family lived above 800 East when we were kids and were in the 31st ward together until it split.  We were deacons together.  We had three quorums.  He and Elaine were in the same class at Bountiful High.  Great couple.  You can see his back in the "lounging area" picture.

Some day Elder Gee will be enjoying his breakfast there, long after we have gone home.  He is in the Accra Mission and arrived a couple of months ago.  The grandson of Bill and Launa Gee and Steve and Rhenon Sannar of our ward in the states.  We saw him and his companion the other day and took some food to them we arranged to purchase with Rhenon.  His companion is Elder Draper.  They seem to work well together.

After the breakfast, we went over to the Temple and did some sealings then got some office related work done after.  It is so very nice to have that temple open and available to us.  A good day.  

Have a nice day!