Sometimes It's All Worth It!

It started out like any other Sunday: up early, no walks, prayers, shower, get everything ready and out the door to one or several of the four branches, depending on President Thayne's responsibilities and agenda. Mission in Sunyani is difficult. Sometimes we get discouraged because EVERYTHING takes so long to initiate and then bring to fruition. It's like three steps forward and then two steps back, but we keep reminding ourselves that at least we are moving ahead, even if it is, oh, so slowly.

We had to attend Estates Sacrament Meeting as a young man was being ordained to be an Elder. I had forgotten that several months ago, in Primary Leadership Training, the question was asked about the Primary Sacrament Presentation. I explained a little about it and told them it should be done before the end of the year, but better the end of November before the Christmas season begins. Because our Primary organizations in Sunyani had still not even received some of the manuals, I figured it would be a miracle to expect a Sacrament Meeting Presentation.

When we walked into the Estates Branch, I could hear the children singing in the Garage area (where they meet because there's not room anywhere else). Then just before Sacrament Meeting was supposed to start, the children marched in, oh so quietly, and filled the chairs on the front row.

President James conducted and I was astonished when he said that the Primary would be presenting the service. The real surprise came when little Emmanuella, who is a five-year old twin, stood up and led the entire congregation in the Opening Hymn (and continued for the duration of the meeting). In Sunyani, we do not have any pianos; only keyboards, which no one plays anyway. So they begin each song by having someone sing the first line or so of the hymn so that people have an idea of the tune. Then the chorister says, "One, two, sing" and they all sing--usually horribly off key and with no rhythm whatsoever. Little Emmanuella held a pen in her right hand and said very loudly and confidently, "One, two, sing"! It was incredible! She led the singing without missing a beat!

Each child then proceeded to give a talk; they sang Primary songs; and then a leader and the Branch President concluded. Tears welled up as I watched this new and infant Branch move forward in the Gospel. In Gary's closing remarks, he mentioned that in all of his years of attending Sacrament Meetings, he had never seen a 5 year-old chorister who did such a great job! Both President Thayne and I remarked as we got in the car to leave, that maybe, just maybe, some of the things we are trying so desperately to teach them are truly sinking in.

We found out later that day, as we visited each of the Branches, that three out of the four had their Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation that day and that the fourth is scheduled next month.

As long as I live I shall never ever forget that tiny little African girl standing in front of an entire congregation and leading them all through the entire meeting without a piano, completely a'capella. Elder Riddle bore his testimony at the end of the meeting and simply stated what we all know to be true--that the children are Africa's future.