An Intimate
Visit to the Nungua Ward in Ghana
A
Photographic Essay by Scot Facer Proctor
Part
Five
click
photos to enlarge
Ok,
so I didn’t take this picture, in fact, I can’t remember who did,
either Marged Kirkpatrick or Sylvia. About midway through sacrament
meeting I motioned to one of the deacons to come over to me.
I handed him a note for the Bishop asking if we could do a group
photograph of the whole ward after the meeting. The Bishop’s
counselor made a very short announcement after the closing prayer
(a prayer I shall never forget because of the faith of the woman
praying) for all the ward to gather for a photo.
This
little girl had been in primary and so after church she just leaped
into Sylvia’s arms with joy. These were moments never to be forgotten.
What
a group shot! I love this picture. This is the face of the Church
in Africa. These are the faithful who have been gathered by the
missionaries and by family members into the fold of Christ. These
are dear and precious children of our Father in Heaven.
I
had to come in a little closer to show you the beauty of these
dear ones. If there are senior couples out there (any where)
who have ever had the thought of going on a mission, well, click
on this photo to enlarge it, stare at it for five minutes, then
pray about going on a mission. Ok, so that’s a little simple,
but you’re needed here in West Africa. That is my unsolicited
sale’s pitch for senior missionaries. Just do it.
I
just had to do this picture for our good friend, President David
Bednar of BYU-Idaho. At the beginning of every devotional at
BYUI he says, “We have a little business to take care of” and
then all the students hold their scriptures up high in the air.
I just said to the Nungua Ward at the end of the group pictures,
“Can you just hold your scriptures up in the air for me?” They
did so with joy and exuberance. It made me cry. It makes me
cry again while I’m writing the caption. I love these precious
Saints. President Bednar, the work is moving forward here in
Ghana. I wanted to show you that.
I
don’t think in the history of the Church there has ever been a
more thorough pictorial visit to any ward or congregation published
than what you have been through today. We used this photo for
the cover. I mentioned at the beginning that if you look closely
you’ll see three people there (myself, Sylvia and Maurine) who
look out of place. I say again, however, “don’t let looks be
deceiving—we were right at home.”
Many
wanted “a snap” after the group picture. Maurine treasures this
shot. We fell head-over-heals in love with the Saints of the
Nungua Ward, but frankly, we felt that way about all the Saints
of West Africa.
The
young women wanted a snap as well. I could have stayed and stayed.
And we would have loved to walk home with the members and see
them in their homes.
This
young woman caught my eye in the group picture and then posed
for me afterwards. The Spirit is brooding upon this land and
a great work is being done here.
These
little guys did everything in their power to get my attention
so I would take a snap of them. It won’t be long until they will
be missionaries serving somewhere in West Africa. With their
persistence they will be very successful.
Sylvia
loves Africa. She will be leading a Meridian humanitarian trip
to Kenya in August 2004. These young people were full of happiness.
These
little guys would not give up and I loved it. I took many snaps
of them. They are so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ
in their lives.
I
took this snap at the very last of our visit. There is something
haunting about this picture. In this young man, a bearer of the
priesthood, I see the hope of Africa. I am moved by his look.
In him I see the resolve of Nephi, “I will go and do the things
which the Lord hath commanded…” As we left for our car, the next
ward was starting to walk in the entrance to the church. The
work is moving forward here in Africa.
Click
here to go back to the beginning of the photo essay.
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here to go back to Meridian’s home page.
