SEPTEMBER, 2008

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BOYS, WILL BE BOYS

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

DO YOU LIKE MY HAIR?

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

MASQUERADE

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

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

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

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.