News Item: Missionaries Reunite
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LDS CHurch News
March 10, 2007
By Sister Jo Bingham
Africa West public affairs
ACCRA, Ghana — "The temple was the magnet" that drew returned missionaries to the largest missionary reunion ever held in Western Africa, said Sister Naomi Riding. She and her husband, President John Riding, were thrilled to have a reunion with 60 missionaries who previously served with them. President Riding, who served as president of the Ghana Accra Mission from July 2002-July 2004, said they are delighted to return to West Africa as president and matron of the Accra Ghana Temple.
Of the missionaries attending the reunion on Jan. 27, 2007, most were from Ghana and three were from Nigeria. Also attending were two couple missionaries from the United States, Elder Dave Borden and Sister Jill Borden and Elder Jesse McDowell and SisterPauline McDowell, who served as missionaries with President Riding and have returned to Ghana again as missionaries.
President Riding said the returned missionaries from Ghana are still excited about their missions and the gospel. "None of the missionaries cared if they served missions in their own country," he said. "They weren't looking to go somewhere exciting in the world; they just wanted to serve a mission. One young man sold fruit on the streets from a container he carried on his head to earn money for his mission."
When President Riding was mission president there were about 110 missionaries at a time and 3,000 baptisms a year. Before the Accra Ghana Temple was built, the missionaries served without being endowed. "But after the temple opened," President Riding said, "the missionaries went forth with the power promised them by attending the temple. Then baptisms and the quality of missionary work improved."
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