Nana Kobena Embi Dadzie-Cooper son of "Cooper" our Physical Facilities Supervisor

Kobena at 3 months - they just don't make any ugly African babies...look at that head of hair...
Mom and Dad think he is pretty special...1st baby...
Grandma Carolyn is practicing for her homecoming - she's got plenty about this size and probably about as cute...

Some Moments bring us Joy while others bring us Pure Joy...We have found they feel about the same...

A typical graduating Class of Relief Society Sisters in our apartment with their President. Sisters Nortey, Silverberg (our first White Sister and our first Swedish Sister all in one wonderful package), Kufualor and Duncan-Ghanson.
Departing is both difficult and exciting - fun to see them 'graduate' and move on but sad knowing that for most of them we will never meet again in this life.
Elders Gorfu and Biru from Ethiopia at the door to the temple. They had just finished their missions in the Kenya Nairobi Mission and they had been routed home through Accra to allow them to receive their endowment at the temple. We had met them during our tour of duty with the Africa Southeast Area when we visited their country with our CES assignments. Nice to see the transition from Young Adult in Institute to Return missionary going to the temple.

"Not so Mini" MTC - They all said they would come back when they grow up an 'inch' or two...

Yes, we will be back... "I promise to read the Book of Mormon every day while I prepare to become a full time missionary."
Several stakes and many wards have taken advantage of the opportunity to come to the MTC and feel the MTC Spirit and to discover what they can do - now that the bar has been raised - to prepare for their missions. The MTC has experienced over a 40% growth in each of the past two years. These mini-MTC's have made a contribution to the rise in numbers.

Honored Guests and Friends - Elders Joseph Sitati and Allen Young along with the Whisenants

Pretty impressive visitors at the MTC. The Whisenants (Sister shown) were the Area Public Affairs Directors from Provo and did marvelous work. Joseph Sitati from Nairobi Kenya is the Public Affairs Director for all of Africa and Area Authority Seventy for Africa Southeast Area as well as Allen Young from Johannesburg, South Africa. Both of these AA70's have incredible interesting conversion stories that time does not permit - nor my ability to record with the accuracy they deserve - me to write, but simply to state that the church came into their lives at most interesting times and with very entertaining and inspiring stories and since their conversions the church has been the recipient of their incredible leadership talents.

Some CES Family Visit the Ghana MTC

Steve Iba, Dave and Jill Giles, Joan and Jim Stevens and us Ritchie's at the Ghana MTC. All pictured have had some time - or a career - with CES. Ponder the places in the world where these faces have served in or out of CES...Missions to the Orient, Europe, South America, British Isles; Mission Presidents to Switzerland, The Philippines and Virginia. CES assignments to Africa Southeast, Africa West, Europe, South Pacific, Orient and much of North America. The Church sure makes the world seem pretty small. Steve Iba is back in the Islands of the Pacific on his last 'official' assignment and Dave Giles just retired as West Africa CES Area Director after a lifetime career with CES. The Stevens' just finished their fifth mission. What's next for these globe trotters?

"Eba" It just doesn't get any better than this...

"Eba" is their favorite meal at the MTC - it's the only time they eat with their fingers and we are told that it is 'ruined' if an implement touches it - it would be uncivilized to eat it any other way - notice both of the smiles - that happy face comes naturally during this meal...

University of Ghana - Accra Campus

The K.I.S.S. Principle - Short or Long Sleeve?

A White Shirt wardrobe does make it 'Simple' and cuts down on 'what to wear' decision time but the main purpose of this picture is to ensure all of you at home that just because Sister Ritchie has had five chefs and two housekeepers at her beck and call for the last two years she is still pretty hard to beat with the Iron...
(She has a laundry and Ironing lady at her disposal as well, but she claims there are some things a lady ought to do for herself...)

Stop and Smell the "Roses" or Christmas in Ghana

It's not really Christmas - but it is close - and we don't get to see this sort of production where we come from at Christmas time so this is to preserve the memory...these flowers surround the MTC...

Brother Doe from Sierra Leone - A Man focused on the future...

His Mission President said he was the finest missionary they had the privilege of serving with during their mission. That's a pretty high score. He has 'scored' again here at the MTC. Working here for over a year he has yet to spend one dime of his salary - 100% has been invested in preparation for his 'new life'. He has lived on extra income or odd jobs to enable him to prepare his 'war chest' for his life after mission. Sisters, Brother Doe is probably 'not eligible' as their is a young lady in Sierra Leone who has patiently waited for her day at the alter with this driven young leader.

Brother Koomson - From the Bush to AP to the MTC...

Brother Koomson is a one of a kind young Latter-day Saint. He has chased, tricked, killed and sold more monkeys than Tarzan. And every adventure in the bush has a story that's loaded with moral principles and is told while everyone sits on the edge of their chair waiting to see who wins - man or beast. He is a great teacher and 'eligible' (but Sisters, if you take this Return missionary to the temple, you had better like bush meat and know how to use a catapult).

Sister Vivian Fokuo - French via the Ivory Coast

This young lady is our other French speaking teacher. She is from the Cape Coast area of Ghana and learned her French the 'old fashioned' way - by serving a French speaking mission in the Ivory Coast. She came highly recommended by her mission president as one of the great missionaries of her time. She is 'engaged' to be married in December to the man of her dreams but will remain as a teacher into the 2006 season.

Brother Ofosu - Mr GQ...

The letter from his Mission President said he was one of the very best and with that heavy recommendation he was given one of the coveted positions to teach here at the MTC. His computer skills are great, his teaching skills are legendary and the ladies all get short of breath when he's around. Between his infectious smile and natural charisma he will be a fine catch for some Celestial Sister looking for a Celestial Partner...

Brother Mintah, our International Treasure

Brother Benjamin Mintah is our 'resident' language man. This senior trainer at the MTC is such a linguist that it has been said by those who know that he even snores in a foreign language. He served a powerful mission to Nigeria (foreign language? - No!) - we can't figure it out as well but he arrived home and has since served as our 'live in' French speaking specialist. He has an incredible talent for translation and 'words'. English, French, Spanish, Italian, Twee, Ponepian, Russian - ok, ok, I'm getting carried away but my point is that while most of us study another country by learning its capital, population and a little bit about its history, Brother Mintah, with the same amount of effort will master their language. He is eligible, temple worthy, and can say, "I love you" in 17 different languages - Girls, don't be shy...he's a 'catch' and could be your 'ticket' to international travel.

Brother Baidoo of the MTC Teaching Staff

Brother Baidoo outside the Ghana Accra Temple. He is one of our six very dynamic teachers. He served as an AP to President Booth in Lagos before he came to us with very high ratings from his former 'boss'. He learned to sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer while being trained by the Booth's - he probably has other classics in his repertoire as well. He is Temple Worthy, 'eligible', a great teacher and had strong feelings for libraries for some period of time. He since has graduated to bigger and better things. Girls, don't linger or he may be gone.

Where's Darwin when you discover your first Gecko Eggs...

I know there are some of you questioning why I'm taking the time - any time - to share the fact that we found in classroom 103 these two Gecko eggs. Now, I know there are also some of you who wouldn't know a Gecko egg from a candy coated raisen and I have to admit that I 'used' to be in that catagory (I'm just lucky I didn't take one of the eggs from the hand of Brother Baidoo, our teacher who made this remarkable and historic discovery, and eat it before he shared its origin) but no more, I've become sort of a 'Gecko Egg Nerd'. (Remember, I was raised on an 'egg' farm so the egg bit comes quite naturally.) I kind of feel like Darwin must have felt the first time one of his grandkids shared with him how we all got started - probably from two Gecko eggs (one male and one female) much like Fritz and Fredonia (our two eggs). Therefore it was with scientific and historic sacredness that I took these magnifient specimans and placed them gingerly among my elephants and near the picture of my family - demonstrating how far 'man' - and the animal world - have evolved. My greatest fear is that one of the Ajeigbe kids will sneak into my office and consume these prehistoric eggs thinking that they are candy and our touch with our past will end... (Carolyn thinks I should spend more time with the scriptures but I think I'm on to something...)

The Bosses Boys

Come to West Africa and names like Stapley, Gay, McKee and Murray will be plastered on all the 'big' doors. Well, they have sons who some day will have their names in prominent places as well and to ensure they get prepared some of the other Bosses Boys - the full time missionaries of the Ghana Accra Mission - took these four future leaders under their wings and planted some seeds of excellence in their character during a day when school was on break. They began with having lunch with the missionaries at the Missionary Training Center, followed by some instructions by the MTC President and further training by the brightest and best of the mission, and ending with some 'on the street' missionary work.
The Tri-Quation is being taught by three 'visual aids'.

Self-Esteem= Productivity = Event Control

The real Producers in life always enjoy life the most (high self-esteem) and those two 'events' (our productivity and our self esteem) are contolled by how well we control the Events in our life (control, manage and plan our Time). The non-producers in life always play the 'blame game' , bad Area, bad companion, bad Bishop, bad, bad, bad...and they 'hate' life (or maybe even worse, they stop 'playing' and fall into Comfort Zones - a place where they have stopped producing but 'think' they are happy - Satan's really good at short term imitations). But those who Control the Events in their life (and are therefore life's producers) love life, love their areas, love their companion etc. etc.. Back at Franklin we used to charge big money to learn that principle. At the MTC we give everyone a church or missionary discount to learn them - but learn they must if they are ever going to truly win in the mission field - or in life - and discover the real joy and power of 'High Self-Esteem' - the joy that comes from Eternal Progression.

A "Profitable" Friendship...

This good lookin' Elder (the young one) is Elder Bluth from Scottsdale Arizona. His parents have become friends since we discovered our mutual interests are not only the gospel but also that their son was called to serve in Ghana and would come by our MTC to see us, so we could officially welcome him to this part of the world. Now, he turned out to be a wonderful young man and that alone could have been enough to love him - but we also have other economic reasons to love him - his uncle Alan owns the fitness center in Heber and inasmuch as we are going home in January, the cost of membership might be affected on how well we treated his nephew so we were very careful to ensure he got really clean pressed sheets and plenty of hot water and more than enough sugar for his porridge at breakfast. WE will see in January if the extra 'smoozin' will have any economic impact on our bank balance.

What's Black and White and Love all over???

22 missionaries - all Elders - 11 White Guys and 11 Black Guys - 11 from West Africa and 11 from North America - 11 play football with a soccer ball and 11 play football with another shaped ball - 11 went to the MTC in Provo and 11 are checked in here in Ghana - what's in common? They all answered the same call from the same Prophet and are excited to teach the same message to anyone who will listen to them. They are all Ambassadors of Christ and there are no more 'ites' among them.
these 11 White Guys flew in from Provo last night and stayed with us between their flight and their bus ride to the Ghana Cape Coast mission where they have been assigned. It was fun having them with us for a 'sleep over' and Breakfast before they took their overloaded suitcases and headed for the Coast.
Enjoying a Breakfast together before their 'brothers' depart for Cape Coast.

The Lord's Army is Growing - 100 More at Koforidua Commit to prepare for battle...

The future (and present) missionaries of Koforidua. Over 100 raise their hand as a commitment to prepare for full time missionary service (including six who couldn't be more full time unless they added hours to their day). Under the leadership of Elder and Sister Anderson, of Covina California, this Mini-MTC was organized and scheduled for a Saturday morning in Koforidua, a regional capital of Ghana. They arrived from all over the ten scattered branches dressed in their missionary 'uniforms'. They looked sharp, ages 8 to 24 - three who will be reporting to the MTC within the next six weeks were also present and obviously looked the most prepared and excited.
The Mission Preparation lesson outlined on the Whiteboard was preceded with some elementary but essential missionary skills - the first one being taught was the necessity to SMILE - an often difficult assignment for some of our African young people. We teach this most effectively by modeling a cheesy smile and then a missionary smile and then have them imagine how difficult it would be to convincingly teach the Lord's Plan of HAPPINESS with a frowny face or without some excitement and emotion.

Sister Ritchie takes over and helps them learn - and understand the origin of - the Standard of Truth. On their feet and resoundingly repeating these famous missionary marching words gets their missionary blood flowing and they begin to envision themselves proclaiming to every 'creature' this incredible message.

Once the juices are flowing and the smile has been planted they are ready to begin to learn

WHY the Lord needs missionaries

and

WHAT they can do to prepare for their missions.

Joseph Smith was 14 when this amazing Restoration story began - a lad of 14 stands beside me to role play the First Vision (he did his part without a smile - I couldn't get him to 'get it' or if he 'got it' to 'keep it' - but after many attempts to help him understand what my role play needed was a 'smiling' Joseph Smith I gave up and used him as a manikin model and did without the full visual lesson). The First Vision demonstrates well the Conversion Process we all go through when our behavior or actions are altered due to the willing understanding and then the application of new spiritual knowledge.

1st - We Ponder (Joseph wondered about which church to join).

2) We Pray (Grove of Trees near his father's farm).

3) Revelation Comes (First Vision)

4) We SEE what we need to do with the knowledge we received.

5) We DO - we apply the new found knowledge.

The Lord needs messengers to share the message of the Restoration and the First Vision. Why? Before anyone becomes an active and committed Latter-day Saints they must be inspired to set the five step process in motion. A missionaries task is to get people to Ponder - Think - or Wonder. Without which his/her prayer (step 2) will probably not happen and Moroni promises RESULTS only after sincerely asking, so if they do not get on their knees they will never KNOW. A missionaries task is to get them PONDERING and then on their KNEES so the Holy Ghost can touch their lives. Only after they SEE and FEEL that 'touching' influence of the Spirit will they alter their behvavior by living the Word of Wisom, or pay tithing or honor the Sabbath day, etc. Without the human touch that process will not happen - therefore the need for missionaries.

HOW TO PREPARE?

1) Become a Nephi (I N 3:7)

2) Become a Proactive Person - self starter - don't wait for the Bishop to 'call' you on a mission - get prepared - be like Nephi.

3) Be a 100% Seminary/Institute Person - CES is a weekday protector against the adversary and foolish life altering mistakes that detract us from our foreordained callings.

4) ACAD - A Chapter in the Book of Mormon EVERY day between now and your mission (and the rest of their life) - the secret of Retention and Activity.

5) ASAW - A Scripture Memorized Every Week. "Come to the Mission field with hundreds of BOM scriptures memorized". (Ezra Taft Benson)

Can't teach 'every' minute. Bondi Falls is one of the beauties of Ghana and very near Koforidua and adds a memory of Ghana that one does not get by driving between Tema and Accra.

The Koforidua Master Missionaries - Elder and Sister Anderson of Covina California. These powerful people represent the heart and soul of the senior missionary system. People who love their assignments - wherever it is, doing whatever is needed - and therefore the people love them and the opportunity to 'make a difference' is incredible - and measurable. Their stability and training and wisdom and experience is essential for these emerging and growing branches and Districts. These are two of the very best and it was a pleasure to eat at their table (including chocolate cake and ice cream - a non menu item at the MTC) and sleep in their spare bed - not as big but softer than the MTC. We thrilled as we listened to the tales of love they shared of the people they serve and the family they left behind in order to teach the grandkids they love, Celestial Lessons. Thanks for a wonderful memory and opportunity to serve and observe. (Of interest, the six missionaries - four Elders and the Anderson's will baptize ten to twenty people every month - they are dedicated and great missionaries and are being blessed for their great work and obedience - one American Elder prayed in one of our meetings and did it in the native language, rather than English, much to the delight of the local leadership and people.)

The Next to the Last Supper...

Now this is a true International Lunch. President Dil 0f Kiwi origins is hosting lunch for three of his missionaries on the eve of their departures to homes in Tonga, U.S. and Scotland - and they are eating Nandu's Chicken (Portuguese Roots) in Ghana. To add international intrigue to this story, these young men served their missions in the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroon as well as one month in the Atlanta Georgia mission waiting for a visa. Serving in five different countries on one mission probably isn't a record, but it has to be close, and certainly not the usual way to spend 24 months. Elder "T" from Tonga went to the Provo MTC to learn French, flew to Chicago, then to Paris where they decided he was defective in his visa's so he flew back to Atlanta where he had to spend a month waiting for proper papers before he came to the Ivory Coast and after some additional transfers (some assisted with a Civil War in IC) he finally finished his Odyssey in Cameroon. He is now heading back to Tongo and is hoping that his complicated 'paper' history doesn't re-surface and he finds himself in Dubai or Singapore for another few months - that would undoubtedly give him the record for 'most countries served in' - and visited - on one mission. Orson Hyde on his three year journey to the Holy Land probably didn't have as many stamps in his Passport as does this International Traveler. (What did they do in those days - days before Passports and Visa's?)

New MTC 'Uniform'

Sometimes it is nice to have a 'dress down day' and besides it's hard to find a tie to match the shirt...Hey, be glad I'm still working...

Some Moments are more Important than others...

One of my more important interviews...Kezia wondered how come the building was full of handsome young men and her mother kept feeding them...

The October Birthdays

Heath Clyde - October 7 birthday, age 2 - ought to be irritated that his 'spot' in history is hidden inside a stroller and those who cause this travesty of justice against merely a lad ought to be 'shot' but as the architect of this 'site' I - Grandpa James - am going to assume only partial blame as his parents have need to accept some responsibility for not sending me a better selection of pictures from which to choose - so the best I can do for Heath is to say, "Happy Birthday" and the world will have to peek inside the stroller and 'believe' you truly exist - none of which will have any proof...Maybe next year for number three you can have a life of your own...Grandpa apologizes...
Grandma Elda Ritchie shown here celebrating an Easter egg hunt turned 86 on October 10.
Another picture of the Ritchie family matriarch showing some flowers she received for a Mother's Day of the past - her 86 years have been spent nearly full time in serving others.
M'Recia Clawson's birthday was on October 11 and she was 38 on this one. She's shown here on Brigham's birthday doing what she has always done best - lifting another life. As the oldest of the Ritchie 'kids' she has always been a natural leader and pace setter for her siblings. Almost hidden is another precious soul to the Ritchie family - our 'other' Grandma - Grandma Orton, the mother of the mother of the Jim and Carolyn Orton Ritchie clan.
Grandma Orton was 86 on October 13. She is nearly perfectly centered in this picture, surrounded by many of her posterity. She and Grandma Ritchie (top, sort of left and nearly hidden) were both born in 1919, grew up, married well and now have survived their partners and are our last remaining link to that special gereration of people who literally watched the world 'grow up' with them. From Model A's to the Moon and now cyberspace - they have seen it all and probably wonder at times whether we have progressed or gone backwards?? Sure glad they are still around to help keep us 'grounded' with our hearts focused on the things of the Spirit - truly, the only thing that hasn't changed - and has true eternal rewards. Hope we keep listening to them and then following their examples.
Caden Curt Clyde, son of Curt and Adrienne Ritchie Clyde - born October 20, 1995, was ten years old on October 20, 2005 and shown here when he was 'only' eight with the 'catch of the day' in Hawaii. Caden is the oldest of the Clyde Boys and therefore the designated leader of the Clyde team. He only has nine more years before he can be the first of the Clyde boy's to put on the name tag.
Bryson Ritchie, son of Paul and Angela Edwards Ritchie was nine on the 26th of October. He is the oldest in their family, which puts some added pressure on his bright and speedy soul. Nine more birthdays and he can put his father's name tag on and be a 'real' missionary...

Ritchie Mission Homes

The MTC in Ghana, training center for nearly all the missionaries going to serve in the eight missions of the Africa West Area (Ghana Accra, Ghana Cape Coast, Nigeria Enugu, Nigeria Ibadan, Nigeria Lagos, Nigeria Port Harcourt, Nigeria Uyo, and the Ivory Coast) as well as one mission in the Africa Southeast Area (DR Congo). It has been our privilege to preside over this training center during the years of 2004 and 2005. If all arrive safely who have received their calls, we will have trained 624 missionaries, in 29 groups and arriving from 28 countries during our two years of service.
The Mission Home in Roanoke Virginia, our home during the three years we served as President and Mission Mother over the Virginia Roanoke Mission. We served - and loved - nearly 600 missionaries who either arrived or went home during the years of June 1986 until July 1989. Two of our own children, M'Recia and Michelle received their mission calls during the time we served in Virginia. M'Recia was called to serve in our mission (VRM) and Michelle was called to served in Sao Paulo North Mission.
Our "mission home' in Heber. From this home (or another one just around the corner on Pinion Circle) we opened 13 mission calls (making 15 total when we add M'Recia and Michelle's) and welcomed home 15 missionaries who served honorable and full time missions. Wendy to Spain, Ryan to Las Vegas, Paul to Mexico, Tyler to Guam, Jonathan to Scotland, Grandma Elda and Grandpa Leon to the Manila Temple, James and Carolyn to New Zealand, Africa Southeast and the Ghana MTC.
The view from the balcony of our Heber City Home. All fifteen missions were served by the fifteen missionaries who left the tranquility and peace of this mountain paradise to go to five different continents to proclaim a message of 'never ending happiness'...Each has returned physically safe and spiritually strong. Missions work Miracles. The next Miracle will be to experience the joy that will be felt as the next generation prepares for and serves their honorable missions and continues the tradition of exciting missionary service. Each will become "Men (or Women) to Match the Mountains" - One of God's Greatest Miracles. Twenty Seven more miracles are presently in Mission Preparation.