Elder and Sister Stevenson

                         Elder Stevenson taught the 2-2-2 principle.  When we are in the middle of difficult times remember that we will be blessed beyong our measure of affliction that we have, even more so than we would have been without that adversity.   Lehi reminds us in 2 Nephi 2:2 to "remember the greatness of God and know that He will consecrate our afflictions for our gain."   

Sister Stevenson taught the youth to be a PRO-A PRO player for God

Pray, Read Scriptures, Obey  and then the youth committed with a thumbs up.

Where's the Food Sister Wilson?

It was my responsiblity to keep everything on schedule so I spoke with the caterer and said, "We really need to start at 1:30, they have to catch a plane. Is everything ready?"  She said, "Yes everything is ready."  Elder and Sister Stevenson, Elder and Sister Morrison, Area 70's and Stake Presidents had all arrived and were sitting at the tables. A beautiful blessing was given on the food and Elder Morrison invited Sister Stevenson and Sister Morrison to begin. They went to the table, took off all of the lids and to our surprise, there was only air.

Elder Morrison, with his big booming voice and smile said, Where is the food, Sister Wilson?" What he was really saying is "we have an apostle of the Lord here, and there is no food??!".

I quickly found the caterer and said, "Why did you tell us it was ready?, there is no food!" She simply stated, "Because it is almost here, it will come in 5 minutes."

Sister Stevenson just came up and gave me a hug and said, "don't worry, things like this happen all of the time." "Well," said Elder Stevenson with a smile, "I can say this has never happened before."

Of course they were gracious and could only thank us for all of the work we had done. (Even when it included serving them "air" for lunch.)

One of many hugs Sister Stevenson gave me.

Baoule' Weaving

 Baoulé textile  finds its name and roots from the Baoulé, Akan people of Côte d’Ivoire, originating from the 16th century Ashanti Kingdom, which empire stretched from present-day countries of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. It is characterized by geometric patterns, vibrant colors, and are made by stitching narrow, hand-woven strips of cotton together.

                        

Myself, Sister Zadi (Mission Leader), Sister Kyungu, helper, Sister Stevenson, weaver, helper

We shopped here at three Roadside stands.  I used alot of self-control and bought absolutely nothing.

Attiéké  

 “Ivorian couscous made fron fermentaed cassava”

National Dish of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Boiled Cassava roots are soaked for one to three days to ferment and act as yeast in final product

Fresh roots are peeled, cut, washed and crushed together with palm oil and the boiled roots and left in bags to ferment for  12-15 hours.

After fermentation, it is tightly clumped together

Shaking to fluff the paste

Sifting out the chaff

Drying in the sun

Packaged in airtight bags to sell

The woman who made it all happen.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Basilica 

Guinness World Records lists it as the largest church in the world

Show to compare size of building to human

The Last Supper

Elder Stevenson standing in his spot, the 8th Apostle

A panorama of the round room 

The Birth of Christ

Street Art

Motorcyle art made from old tires