The Children of Africa

SEPTEMBER, 2008

2008-09-05T06:58:00.001-07:00

A typical village scene with the children eating their chicken, rice and pounded yam. They love to wear pretty dresses ( often 2-3 sizes too big for them). Their favorite thing, to have their picture taken.

RED BALLOON.

2008-09-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

I don't really know what this red thing is except when I let it go it gets stuck on the ceiling...so, "DON'T MAKE ME TAKE MY HANDS OFF IT".

ABAKALIKI PRIMARY KIDS!

2008-09-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

Being good (as they should) waiting for "Auntie" to start Primary....Miracle, Sucess and Kozi (don't you love their names). Children in the Abakaliki Mission Branch Primary.

AUGUST 2008 - THANKS FOR THE DONATIONS

2008-08-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

When we visited the Afikpo Branch, these two little boys stirred our hearts with their awful white shirts...they wanted to look nice for church. We started a campaign with our family to raise money to buy 10 white shirts and 10 ties for each of our five mission branches. THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all who donated...we have met our goal and delivered 20 white shirts and 20 ties to our first two mission branches last Sunday, Afikpo and Okposi. We will send pictures later of the "shirt makeover"...

WHEN I'M NAKED I'M HAPPY.

2008-08-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

As Elder & Sister Leavitt approached the entrance to the Iruekpen Branch for Sunday services...here came two little boys...stark naked. When their big sister tried to grab them to put their clothes on, they would only allow her to put shoes on their feet...hey, it was hot, we don't blame them...do you?

DADDY'S GIRL

2008-08-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

While at the Aba Temple, this little girl, Mary Elizabeth, was sealed to her parents. While waiting for Mom outside, Sister Leavitt got to take her picture...what a beautiful little spirit she is...don't you think?

DON'T TAKE MY PICTURE PLEASE

2008-08-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Normally when they see Sister Leavitt with her camera they come running. But not the little boy in the red sweater...he saw her and started screaming. Sister Leavitt had to stand on the opposite side of the street and use her zoom to get his picture...look at that angry little face.

JULY POST 2008 - PRIMARY FUN AND GAMES

2008-07-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

Did Sister Leavitt say we had to climb in sacks and jump like frogs????

It's better than running with spoons in our
mouths like the Aunties have to do!

BOWS AND BRAIDS

2008-07-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

This little cutie followed Sister Leavitt around until

she would take her picture...she was very proud of

her hair bows and braids.

HAIR RAISING EXPERIENCE

2008-07-09T06:43:00.001-07:00

Little Destiny, has quite the head of hair,

don't you think? His mom says he attracts

a lot of attention with his "do"...we have to

agree.

I HAVE FAITH

2008-07-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

At the recent Afikpo Mission Branch conference, little Faith would not leave Elder Leavitt, not for her babysitter, her mother, nobody. I think she was trying to
steal his pen.

JUNE,2008-VISIT TO THE OBAH SCHOOL

2008-06-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

Elder Leavitt with President Lawson and the Obah Family. This family sacrifices greatly to bring education to over 525 children who without them would receive no education. Housed in the most humble of circumstances, the children's voices resound with joy at being able to be taught. What a great example this family is. Raleigh (on Elder Leavitt's left) lost his left arm in a football accident when he was a young boy. We hope to be able to contribute to this family before we leave West Africa.

TAKE MY PICTURE, TAKE MY PICTURE

2008-06-10T07:30:00.001-07:00

WOW, what excitement is generated by the camera...everyone will do anthing to get into the picture, don't you think?

2008-06-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

BOYS, WILL BE BOYS

2008-06-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Some older children of the Obah School. Sister Leavitt got them excited talking about Manchester United Football team.

DO YOU LIKE MY HAIR?

2008-06-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

Younger children of the Obah School in their classroom, notice this little girls's hair-do.

MASQUERADE

2008-06-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

A tradition similar to our dressing up for Halloween, is Masquerade. Children will create costumes similar to this and dance around your car...the only way to get rid of them is to give them money. They do this on major holidays.

TRIBAL MARKINGS

2008-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Some of the things I find hard with the West African culture is the marking the face of a child with their tribal marks. They do this at birth, and the scars last a lifetime.

MAY - DRESSED IN WHITE

2008-05-06T07:23:00.001-07:00

How beautiful is this picture,

children ready to be baptized

at the age of 8 years...

their beauty and innocence never

ceases to bring tears to my eyes

and joy to my heart.

WHEELS FOR REBECCA

2008-05-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

This little girl crawled on her hands and knees over one mile in the dirt to meet some of our wonderful senior couples who were visiting her village...all she wanted was to have a way to get to school. They were able to get her a wheelchair and now she is in school, school uniform and everything...WE LOVE OUR SENIOR COUPLES, who truly do the Lord's work.

MONKEY BUSINESS

2008-05-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

"OK mister, all you do is monkey about, you are pushing my buttons so now...it is time-out for you". This picture was part of some pictures taken by another missionary couple serving in West Africa...and it made me laugh, hope it makes you laugh too.

APRIL 2008

2008-04-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

In New Haven's Primary they know

that Jesus Christ loves them and,

Sister Leavitt loves them too.

UP A TREE

2008-04-08T06:00:00.001-07:00

SOMETIMES LIFE LOOKS BETTER

FROM A TREE.

JUBILATION

2008-04-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

After leaving a building..we heard the children's shouts of "onuja, onuja" (white man, white man)..they ran along side the mission vehicle

and smiled those amazing smiles.

JUBILATION, African Style.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

2008-04-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

GRANDPA MARV SAYS:

"Isn't she just the cutest little thing...and has extremely good taste in Grandpas too.

" WHAT A DOLL!

HOW CUTE IS THIS?

2008-03-03T07:03:00.001-08:00

Well what can I say....how cute is this little girl and she loved Sister Leavitt holding her and giving her a big kiss...MADE MY DAY ANYWAY.

SOMETIMES IT'S OK TO BE AN OBSERVER.

2008-03-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

This little boy, watched from afar as the Primary Children laughed and played. No matter how hard Sister Garff tried, he would not join in...perhaps one day he will remember the laughter and joy he witnessed and find out more. The seeds have been planted, hopefully.

CHISM

2008-03-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

Chism is my little friend who lives down our street, she loves to run and twirl and always gives me big hugs. When she grows up she wants to be a ballerina. Chism suffers from a form of rickets, which have resulted in her severely deformed legs. Rickets is caused because her mother did not have the proper pre-natal vitamins. This is very common in West Africa. What Chism lacks in her legs she makes up for in her smile and loving heart...she makes my day.

THE CHILDREN OF AFRICA ARE THE FUTURE OF AFRICA!

2008-03-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

Wherever we go, whatever we do they come from nowhere, some shy, some curious, some just want a hug or to touch white skin..the children of Africa are a JOY and their smiles light up your life. Elder Leavitt (always the Grandpa) with his white hair is an "African Babe" magnet.

MARCH 2008

2008-03-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

WE HOPE THEY CALL US ON A MISSION, WHEN WE HAVE GROWN INTO OUR SUITS..........

FEBRUARY 2008 POST

2008-01-31T02:42:00.000-08:00

Marv, I and our Family at home have adopted the MOTHERLESS BABIES OF ENUGU, orphanage. It is a privilege to work with Sister Eunice who has taken care of these children for the past 39 years and extended help, love and support to these precious little ones who, for no fault of their own have been abandoned.

As we celebrate Valentine's Day in February...how can you not fall in love with these little souls whose innocence and unconditional love touch and open hearts of all those who see them.

JANUARY 2008 POST

2008-01-31T01:58:00.000-08:00

I am an African Child, all the world is watching me, to see what I will become. But I know nothing of this world you brought me into!. We must cherish and teach these children always. Sister Leavitt

Elder Imonikosaye and us

2008-01-30T05:23:00.000-08:00

Everyone who knows us is aware that we are currently serving our mission in Nigeria, West Africa. With the help of Brother Imonikosaye (who is shown in this picture when he was Elder Imonikosaye) we have created this Blog to share.