Africa Area
Gospel shared after accidentNAIROBI, KENYA - When Elder Seth Amuh of Ghana was struck by a passing automobile, he didn't take the driver to court; instead, he taught him the gospel.
Elder Amuh, serving in the Kenya Nairobi Mission, received a large gash in his leg from the accident, and was taken to the hospital where he was confined for several days.
The investigating officer urged Elder Amuh to take the driver to court. Instead, the missionary and his companion, Elder Tom Luseinie of Sierra Leone, began giving the driver the missionary lessons. They also placed a copy of the Book of Mormon with the attending physician and are teaching the hospital supervisor.
After Elder Amuh recovered, he and Elder Luseinie began to perform weekly service hours at the hospital.
Europe North Area
Improve perception of Church
GUILDFORD, ENGLAND - A "Forever Families Expo," designed to improve the local community's perception of the Church, was presented June 19 by members of the Guildford Ward, Staines England Stake.
The event, which was opened by the mayor, was held in the historic Angel Hotel, an old coaching inn situated on Guildford's picturesque, cobbled high street.
The mayor's opening address emphasized the diverse cultural and religious heritage of the area and the importance of the family unit to society. Afterward, the mayor and his wife spent more than half an hour inspecting the various exhibits and talking with the more than 300 in attendance.
Of these, more than 200 were non-members and 40 were visitors from neighboring wards in the Staines and Reading stakes.
North America Northwest Area
Ward cleans fair grounds
STANWOOD, WASH. - Following a stake theme of "Come unto Christ through service to others," members of the Stanwood Ward, Marysville Washington Stake, helped refurbish the local fairgrounds. Some 145 ward members recently showed up at a community clean-up project with tools, chain saws, lawnmowers, and weed trimmers.
Overgrown trees and undergrowth were trimmed, booths and benches were repaired and painted, and the entire area cleaned. A barbecue for the ward members and others was held at the local meetinghouse afterward.
The project was suggested by ward member Candy Larreau, counselor in the Relief Society. She and another member were the only two to show up for the community clean-up project the previous year. She was invited to become a member of the county fair board. Bishop Gil Powell supported her suggestion of a ward service project.
One county fair board member told Sister Larreau that when she drove to the fairgrounds on clean-up day and saw so many cars and so many people, she was almost moved to tears, said Karen Wernli, stake public affairs specialist.
North America Southwest Area
Communicate with deaf
LAS VEGAS, NEV. - Members of the Wildwood Ward, Las Vegas Nevada Meadows Stake, recently attended a 17-week course to learn sign language in order to better communicate with a non-hearing ward member.
The course was taught by a volunteer, Terresa Steimle Smart, educational interpreter for the Clark County School District. Following the class, the participants attended a breakfast where they communicated only by signing, and presented a skit in sign language.
Sheri Stuart, a deaf member of the ward, commented, "I feel so comfortable with all of them. They can communicate with me through sign language and it makes me feel good and so blessed. They are special, wonderful spirits. I look forward to seeing them so I can speak sign language with them. I love it!"
North America West Area
Stake hosts festival
FREMONT, CALIF. - An interfaith music festival, sponsored by the Tri-cities Ministerial Association, was recently held at the Fremont California Stake Center.
During the festival, choirs from eight congregations, including two LDS wards, performed in a Sunday night concert. More than 1,200 people from the congregations attended and had an overwhelmingly positive response.
The choirs included children, teens and adults, who presented a wide variety of religious music. The festival was organized by Laurie Knight of the Fremont South stake. "There was a powerfully sweet spirit of love and comaraderie among those who participated," she said. "Many new friendships were formed."
The Rev. Howard DePorte, president of the Ministerial Association and pastor of the Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church in nearby Newark, Calif., commented: "Listening to all this music, I realize I am part of a great community of a people of faith."
Utah North Area
Oregon Trail remembered
PARIS, IDAHO - More than 1,500 people filled the historic Paris Tabernacle for a July 3 program commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail. Presented by the Bloomington Ward, Paris Idaho Stake, the musical program featured the history and features of the trail from Independence, Mo., to the Willamette Valley, Ore. Murals on the tabernacle's organ pipes depicted a covered wagon and the route of the trail. Ruts of the Oregon Trail, which passed a few miles north of the tabernacle, are still visible.
Director Verleen Toland said a 60-voice choir, and men's and women's groups, families and soloists performed in the program. She and the assistant director, Cliff Sizemore, began preparing for the program last January. Nadine Nelson wrote the script for the program.
Many of the musical numbers were arranged by local members for the production. Among the numbers were "From Sea to Shining Sea," an arrangement of "God Bless America," which was written 100 years ago.
Utah Central Area
Apricots canned for food bank
PARK CITY, UTAH - More than 100 residents of this community traveled to Welfare Square in Salt Lake City recently to process apricots for the area's ecumenical food bank assistance program.
The activity grew out of the close-knit association of 11 faith groups that meet regularly in an inter-faith Ecumenical Council. The council sponsors Traveler's Aid assistance, youth programs, emergency housing projects and two non-denominational worship services yearly.
The Park City Utah Stake and wards have supported the council projects and occasionally contribute to the food bank.
"This has been a thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting experience for all of us," said Rev. Robert North, pastor of the St. Luke Episcopal Church in Park City. "I hope we can do this again."
