Only in the church could this asssembly have happened...

Ponder this dinner in a first world hotel in a third world country with eight people gathered together with such interesting and divergent histories. The question would be asked, "How they got to Africa?" "Why they are in Africa?" and "What are they doing now that they are here?"

The David Stapley's are serving as the DTA - Director of Temporal Affairs for the West Africa Area overseeing all the financial, construction, buildings, human resources, humanitarian and charitable needs for ten African countries during their fastest ever growing 'season' - the time of the African Harvest -not an easy task.

Elder and Sister Child are serving as the President of the Africa West Area. They have been here four years and have witnessed two temples dedicated and tens of thousands of people joining and building the church.

The Gunnells serve as President and Matron of the Accra Ghana Temple. They are the first ones to serve in a temple in West Africa. When they finish their current assignment they will have volunteered six years of their lives to West Africa, having served as a missionary couple to Nigeria, Mission President to Ghana and now Temple President and Matron.

We, the Ritchie's, are serving as the MTC president and preside over the only MTC in West Africa. We are the second President and wife but the first to also have a temple experience for our missonaries. We have finished four years of service in Africa. No other assignment on the planet could have brought all of us together. The Church has been the catlyst for over 30 years of volunteer service - just in Africa- of those sitting at the table.