Building Chapels in Ghana

We were invited to attend the open house for the new La Chapel on Saturday, March 14, 2015, before it was dedicated.

Beautiful Invitations were made and sent to neighbors and government leaders and tribal leaders.

 It is a major contribution to the neighborhood. 

There are many delightful members of the church in this neighborhood and a number of non- members visited the open house as well.

There were over 145 visitors before noon and the open house lasted until 4:00 p.m. Classes were taught about many aspects of the gospel

We enjoyed seeing the beautiful children and feeling the joy that a new building can bring to all those in the community.

The simple toys of Ghana

The Fish Dance

Friendly Monkeys in Ghana

Pots for Sale

 Along the road we pass by potters who sell their pots on both sides of the road for miles.

 We stop to shop with Elder and Sister Watson.

The clay is gathered from local pits, shaped and fired in kilns in the ground covered with leaves.

Prices are negotiable.

A nice pot with a lid for 12 cedi.

It's a deal.

Relaxing and getting water at the local bore hole.

See you next time.

One the oldest buildings in West Africa

We previously posted a blog on our trip to Mole National Park where we saw live elephants and a dead wart hog. On that trip we took the time to stop and see the Mosque in Larabanga. Larabanga is a small village about five minutes off the highway to Mole. Apparently one of it’s sources of cash income is giving tours to its mosque which is said to date from 1421 and is the  oldest mosque in Africa. The mosque is unique for its architecture and covers many magazines and tour books.

 The Mosque of Larabanga

Preparation day at the Mosque of Larabanga

The founder of the mosque is said to be buried under the large baobab tree on side of the mosque.

There are separate doors for men and women.

The northern portion of Ghana has a larger percentage of Muslims than does the south. This mosque seemed to be the center of activity in the village.

We arrived just after a cow had been ceremonially slaughtered and the members of the village were dividing the carcass. There was some debate among the group as to what was fair and who should get which cut of meat.

Aside from the mosque Larabanga is pretty much like most other Ghanan villages with women walking to get water and little boys playing with what they can find since toys are in very short supply.

The homes are rudimentary but functional. 

The following are pictures of this woman's home.

The kitchen in this home is on the front porch.

 It also has an indentation carved in the floor where local women give birth.

Notwithstanding the major attraction of the mosque and the humble circumstances of the people we found them to be warm and friendly just like most of the people we have met in Ghana.

Take a Chance and go to Ho

 Last week we went on a Saturday to hike Wli Falls (pronounced Vlee Falls) which are really named Agumatsa Falls with the Curtises and the Berretts.

The ferry over the Volta River carries automobiles, trucks, and hawkers.

 We hiked to the lower falls and passed pineapple plants, bamboo trees, and villagers washing in the river.

This is a pineapple plant in the wild.

The falls were wet. They are  near the Togo border and are the tallest  falls in West Africa.  After we headed off to see the monkeys.

 It was almost dark when we arrived at the monkey sanctuary Our tour host called the monkeys with her clicking smacking noise, and our bananas.They are Mante monkeys and are cute and small, and love bananas.

 Deanne was truly excited about this part of the trip.

After seeing the monkeys we went to Ho in the Volta region and stayed at Chance Hotel.

The next day we went to church at the  Ho 2, Ho 1 and Tsito branches. The members were wonderful. We all had a chance to bear our testimonies and to hear Elder Curtis speak on the restoration of the gospel. It was a delightful day.

TheTsito Branch.