Western Region Zone Conferences

Sunrise in Takoradi Ghana

We held zone conferences in Takoradi, Mpintsin and Tarkwa Zones, continuing our topic of improving our Gospel teaching.

Takoradi Zone

Open your mouth -- Fear not.

Sharing a "Mission Culture" experience.

Love those you teach.

The "Kwaw."

Practice...

Practice...

Practice.

Mpintsin Zone

Posers.

Tarkwa Zone

Teach by the Spirit.

The Clements have a mango tree!

Six conferences done .. Four to go.

On Sunday, we enjoyed attending the all Africa West Area Multi-Stake Conference broadcast from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City.  Elder Gary Stevenson was presiding and other speakers included Elder Clayton, Elder Dube and Sister Stephens (of the General Presidency of the Relief Society).  

There were 72 stakes and 44 districts participating in the conference across Western Africa.  We attended with the Cape Coast Stake.  

It was wonderful to receive counsel from these senior leaders of the Church who are so familiar with the opportunities and challenges facing the Saints here.  Among other things, we were encouraged to embrace African culture which is in harmony with the Gospel, but to eliminate those practices that hinder spiritual progress -- to let the culture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shape our lives.

The Kissi Branch (my only mission branch now) brought three trotros filled with people to the conference.

  

The Kissi Branch President

Sister Stevenson helped teach this sister when she was investigating the Church.  Following her baptism, I was invited to perform the ordinance of Confirmation for her.  It was nice to see her again at the Conference. 

Peppe (we don't say "r" here) being dried on the side of the highway.

Teach People, Not Lessons

We had a busy week, with three zone conferences, Mission Leadership Council and the Praso Ghana District Conference.

The Zone Conferences were with the Cape Coast Zone, the Mankessim Zone and the Praso Zone.  We are focusing on three major aspects of our teaching at this conference:

1.  Teaching for Understanding.
2.  How to Begin Teaching (setting the tone).
3.  Teach People, Not Lessons (Adjust teaching to the needs of the individual).

CAPE COAST ZONE:

Teaching for understanding requires that we know the doctrine through personal study.

Practice -- The Assistants played the role of investigators who were constantly looking at their phones.  

Practice -- Discerning the needs of those we teach.

MANKESSIM ZONE:

The Parable of the Sower.

Saving lunch.

Sister Unity -- The Mankessim Sisters.

PRASO ZONE:

Sister Sorensen brought brownies and peanut butter squares. 

Elder Davis, of the Seventy, was in Praso for the District Conference and sat in on part of our Zone Conference.

MISSION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL:

Showing Elder Trey a picture of his former bishop who is now a mission president.  We met him and his wife last week at the seminar.

Safeguards for using Technology.

Effective Zone Activities.

Smoothing out the supply chain to the apartments.

We also had a nice discussion on how we are doing as a mission in focusing on the key indicators of conversion and counseled together on improvements we can make.  

PRASO DISTRICT CONFERENCE:

Sister Stevenson and I attended the Praso District Conference on Saturday and Sunday.  Elder Ben Davis was presiding.  We stayed Friday night and Saturday night with Elder and Sister Sorensen in their home.

I spoke in both sessions of conference on Saturday and President Adjei and I did several temple recommend interviews afterward.

This couple were among those preparing to go to the temple for the first time. 

These men were receiving instruction in preparation for being ordained Elders in the Melchizedek Priesthood at the conference on Sunday.

Many of the members from far away branches were able to stay overnight at the District President's school.

The session on Sunday was well attended.  The conference was held at the District President's school so that we could accommodate all who would attend.  Sister Stevenson and I both spoke at this session.

The Choir.

After conference, we enjoyed a meal together before heading for home.

Sister Johnson is always a gracious hostess.

Members of the District Presidency and Mission Presidency with Elder Davis.

Completing the conference report with the District Presidency.

It was a nice week.  We will sleep well tonight.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES:

Last Week

This week.

 Theresa and Sister Stevenson sometimes stop for lunch when they do the weekly grocery shopping.  This week they had fried fish and kenkey.  It wasn't the Royal Senchi, but I'm told it was good.