Visitors from Salt Lake City

For the last 10 days, the Africa West Area has been priviledged to host Elder Dallin Oaks, Elder Gonzalez, and Bishop McMullin and their wives as they have completed a review of the Area.  The really fun part for me was attending the Auxiallary Training in Lagos, Nigeria taught by Sisters Oaks, McMullin and Gonzalez.  The training was for the Primary, Young Women and Relief Society Leaders and these sisters did a wonderful job of lifting, teaching and training the sisters.  The Area Presidency wives also attended.  Elder Oaks came in for part of the training and spoke to us.

I am happy to report that Gregg has survived the marathon of doing the logistics, preparing the venues, and taking care of all the details.  I had no idea just how many plates this man could keep spinning!  The area review began at Port Harcourt and then Abuja, Nigeria (the capital) for the first weekend.  This was followed by a visit to Accra,Ghana during the week and the last weekend concluded in Lagos, Nigeria.

I attended Stake Conference at the Lagos West Stake, where Elder and Sister Oaks spoke.  I was also at Member Devotionals (they are not firesides any more - so you can stop wondering just where the fireplace is) in Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria.  For me, part of the fun of attending these meetings was seeing the amazing headwraps some of the sisters wear.  They are absolutely stunning! 

I also attended Employee Devotionals in both locations. About 1/4 of the Ghana employees sing in the Employee Choir. Their music was amazing; before, during and after the devotional.  During all of these meetings, we were reminded that the Lord is doing a great work among His children in West Africa whom He loves so much.   We heard some very powerful testimonies of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  It was a spiritual feast!

This was a week of firsts for me:  first Area Review and my first trip to Nigeria.