Special Assignment

Uh, wow!  I received a special assignment last week.  One of the young missionaries (an American) had a health crisis and needed to be returned to the States.  I was designated as his companion with the responsibility to see that he got there safely.  I had only been in Ghana for four days when we took off for the old U.S. again.  Everything went smoothly, except for navigating Heathrow Airport in the U.K.  Those of you who know it probably know what I am talking about.  What sense does it make to take people who have already been through security before boarding a plane and take them through security at Heathrow, again, when they have simply gone from the landing gate directly to the departure one?  At other airports you stay in secure areas and do not need to go through it all again.  You cannot do that at Heathrow.  Oh, well.  Anyway, the trip was fine, as was my young companion.  But it was long.  We flew into the east coast where I turned him over to family and to his branch president (for those of you less familiar with our Church organization, think pastor) who took him off to be taken care of, and I was provided with a hotel in Virginia.  I stayed overnight, and flew out for Africa the next day.  Spent a lot of time sitting in airports and on planes the next two days, but arrived back last night.  JET LAG!  Somewhat ill today but that is to be expected.  I have spent as much time going between North America, Europe, and Africa this week as I have living in Africa.  It is sure nice to be back with Sister Emfield and in our own place here.

We are still making cultural adjustments.  For example, people do go to the bathroom on the sides of the streets so it is important to take your shoes off when you come into your own home.  All veggies, fruits, lettuce, etc. must be thoroughly washed and in the case of the former two peeled before eating. If not, you can acquire some interesting things that I would rather avoid.  One of the teachers we had during our training in Utah was a young man who served here and during his time of service he acquired two worms and typhoid fever.  Of course, he didn't live in Ghana and wasn't as careful as he should have been.  I would rather avoid the experience, though.  But, these people are easy to love.  In a recent Church meeting women from what we would consider very humble material circumstances were discussing the importance of giving to those in need.  I can't but help love people like that.

Elder Emfield