Elder Frankom from Utah developed a severe case of psoriasis and instead of being sent home, he requested that he be able to finish his mission in another African country better suited for his skin disorder. He was reassigned to the Union of South Africa. Zolls asked us if we wanted to drive with them to Accra to take him to the airport. Elder Frankom is a pleasant, truly good Elder who stands an impressive 6'5" tall. Needless to say, we put him in the front seat with Zoll and the rest of us squished in the back seat.
The only problem we encountered was that Elder Frankom wanted to take his workout weights with him and knew they would throw his allowed baggage overweight, so he packed them in his carry-on and lugged them onto the plane himself. Zoll paid an extra 40 American dollars just in case, but the Elder made it safe and sound.
We had made arrangements to stay overnight at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Accra. The accommodations were the very best we've seen in all of Africa. We actually had a real mattress instead of a plywood base! President Graham and his lovely wife Vanessa do an incredible job orienting the new missionaries that are being sent to all of West Africa. The new Elders and Sisters stay in the MTC for three weeks. Only sisters from Africa are assigned to Ghana as the Church feels the conditions here are much too primitive and unsafe for North American women--we agree.
Earlier that week, Dr. Fife had to accompany a very sick young Elder back to Washington D.C. as he was unable to fly alone. This left his wife Michelle to stay in Accra and administer the necessary vaccinations to the new batch of missionaries at the MTC. Since we were staying there, she asked if we could assist her. What an experience!
Bonnie (Zoll) assembled each of the groups (6-8) and got them ready in the hallway for the shots. Then an aide(nurse), Sister Fife, and I were to administer them. None of the missionaries like the vacinations. The Americans, French and English (who were very few) had no problem. The African Elders didn't like them at all but managed to wince through them. But then we got to the Sisters. The girls from Madagascar were hating them; some cried softly, others were shaking, but we got through it. Then we moved on to the sisters from the Congo. Oh, My!!! The screaming and wailing I have never seen the like! One young lady had to be held by all three of us! She grabbed my left arm and left breast and held on so tightly I still have a huge bruise on my arm, all the while screaming at the top of her lungs! Sister Fife literally sat on her and the nurse hurried and gave her the shots. Everyone out in the hall thought she was being tortured to death. Bonnie said you should have seen the expressions on the faces of the missionaries who were still waiting in line. I would hate to see how the Congolese women handle childbirth. This was the case with every one of them--screaming and wailing and pure drama! I do however believe they were truly terrified. I tried explaining that my little McKenna who is only 2 years old gets shots all the time and is really brave and doesn't ever cry--but to no avail. We finally got through them--what an ordeal!
We took Michelle (Fife) to dinner that night at Captain Hook's, a really nice restaurant in Accra. The Breillets, the Accra Temple President and his wife accompanied us also and it was a delightful, wonderful evening and meal. I had forgotten what a cloth napkin and candleight and sumptious food was really like. Next morning--Cape Coast!
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