We have returned from Ghana with great news! We count 76 Baptisms, one congregation started, 3 congregations revived, 616 served in medical clinics, and many trained in leadership lectures! God is great!
In Him, tim
Friday, August 5, 2011
It's up! The journal is up!
We have returned from Ghana with great news! We count 76 Baptisms, one congregation started, 3 congregations revived, 616 served in medical clinics, and many trained in leadership lectures! God is great!
In Him, tim
Thursday, July 7th
The sky is grey; the concourse smells a bit mossy and dank, the people – interesting. Me? Excitedly bored.
Ted and Troy Wheeler, Jeff Sole, and I find ourselves sitting at our gate in the Tampa International Airport waiting for our flight! The heavy rain may hold up our flight which will eat up our eating time in Washington. This would not be good. DC will be our last chance for burgers!
We have checked our bags after a bit of a mix up with the airlines on how much luggage each of us could check. They said one, we said two. After some discussion, we were granted two. So, the orphans will get their clothes and the church will get their materials!
Hugs and kisses exchanged and our wives are off to take care of things while we are gone. God bless them for their sacrifice. They will miss and be missed.
I sit across from Jeff Sole. He is the assistant director at the West Virginia School of Preaching. This will be his first mission trip, and with Ted, it will prove to be an adventure!
Ted Wheeler preaches at the Venice Church of Christ. He has been working with Ghana missions for 31 years. His son Troy accompanies us and has been going on the Ghana campaigns his whole life. Ted is off getting our last Starbucks for a while.
I am tim. My first trip to Ghana was in 2006. This will be my second. The in-between years were spent in the mission fields of Panama. It will be great to see my Ghanaian brothers and sisters after being away so long. You make lifelong friendships on these trips. I feel I have family all over this crazy world! Time to board…
Washington Dulles Airport, now. Walking we see the Tampa gate, London, then Paris, Germany and finally Accra – Ghana. Unbelievably, Ted passed by two Starbucks without getting his Vente White Mocha Latte with 2 extra shots of espresso. That does not happen often! I, however, could not pass up a little airport chocolate. Today it was Ghirardelli Dark chocolate Raspberry! Yes!!!
Once again we begin boarding, but not before Ted gets us our Starbucks fix! Its 10 PM and should wake up after a nice 12 hour nap, in Accra. Bring on the work! Ready. I love the work!
Ted and Troy Wheeler, Jeff Sole, and I find ourselves sitting at our gate in the Tampa International Airport waiting for our flight! The heavy rain may hold up our flight which will eat up our eating time in Washington. This would not be good. DC will be our last chance for burgers!
We have checked our bags after a bit of a mix up with the airlines on how much luggage each of us could check. They said one, we said two. After some discussion, we were granted two. So, the orphans will get their clothes and the church will get their materials!
Hugs and kisses exchanged and our wives are off to take care of things while we are gone. God bless them for their sacrifice. They will miss and be missed.
I sit across from Jeff Sole. He is the assistant director at the West Virginia School of Preaching. This will be his first mission trip, and with Ted, it will prove to be an adventure!
Ted Wheeler preaches at the Venice Church of Christ. He has been working with Ghana missions for 31 years. His son Troy accompanies us and has been going on the Ghana campaigns his whole life. Ted is off getting our last Starbucks for a while.
I am tim. My first trip to Ghana was in 2006. This will be my second. The in-between years were spent in the mission fields of Panama. It will be great to see my Ghanaian brothers and sisters after being away so long. You make lifelong friendships on these trips. I feel I have family all over this crazy world! Time to board…
Washington Dulles Airport, now. Walking we see the Tampa gate, London, then Paris, Germany and finally Accra – Ghana. Unbelievably, Ted passed by two Starbucks without getting his Vente White Mocha Latte with 2 extra shots of espresso. That does not happen often! I, however, could not pass up a little airport chocolate. Today it was Ghirardelli Dark chocolate Raspberry! Yes!!!
Once again we begin boarding, but not before Ted gets us our Starbucks fix! Its 10 PM and should wake up after a nice 12 hour nap, in Accra. Bring on the work! Ready. I love the work!
Friday, July 8th
Rough night. Little sleep. We touch down – Akwaba! (Welcome!) Ted knows how to get through customs. We give him our passports and after a quick conversation with the right security person, we are ushered through promptly.
More Akwaba on the street! We are met by our brethren. Ernest, Edward and Ted Quansah, Owusu, Cobbinah, Isaac, Foster, and our driver, John welcomes us into the work! This was a grand reunion for me. Brothers I met and worked with 5 years ago are still in the race and as ready as ever to get to work for Christ and the church.
After a short drive through the masses of people selling their wares from the tops of their heads, we arrive at Ernest’s. Next it’s a trip to change U.S. dollars into Ghanaian Cedis. To change money we go to the market. This is a place not unlike a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark. We wind through a maze of stands selling anything and everything until we get to a “hole” in the wall approximately 4x4x8. This is a very sketchy scene. Ted says at this point, “Jump on anyone who goes for the money bag.” Money is changed in the thousands. We stuff the bag and go back through the maze to our van. Made it! The work will be financed.
Kukurantumi is our destination for the evening, a 7 hour drive. As I write, we are on “the road!” You know the one. That missionary road, if you can call it a road at all. It leads you from civilization into the bush. It’s bumpy, rough, and intense. But it takes you to the work. It takes you to those souls that not many will reach. We will reach them. We will teach them. God will add the increase. This time “the road” takes us to the mountains, to the home town of Paul Addo, an Elder in the Accra Rd. church.
My shower was cold and awesome. It’s a bit muggy, but not bad. It’s time for bed after a nice meal with the team.
More Akwaba on the street! We are met by our brethren. Ernest, Edward and Ted Quansah, Owusu, Cobbinah, Isaac, Foster, and our driver, John welcomes us into the work! This was a grand reunion for me. Brothers I met and worked with 5 years ago are still in the race and as ready as ever to get to work for Christ and the church.
After a short drive through the masses of people selling their wares from the tops of their heads, we arrive at Ernest’s. Next it’s a trip to change U.S. dollars into Ghanaian Cedis. To change money we go to the market. This is a place not unlike a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark. We wind through a maze of stands selling anything and everything until we get to a “hole” in the wall approximately 4x4x8. This is a very sketchy scene. Ted says at this point, “Jump on anyone who goes for the money bag.” Money is changed in the thousands. We stuff the bag and go back through the maze to our van. Made it! The work will be financed.
Kukurantumi is our destination for the evening, a 7 hour drive. As I write, we are on “the road!” You know the one. That missionary road, if you can call it a road at all. It leads you from civilization into the bush. It’s bumpy, rough, and intense. But it takes you to the work. It takes you to those souls that not many will reach. We will reach them. We will teach them. God will add the increase. This time “the road” takes us to the mountains, to the home town of Paul Addo, an Elder in the Accra Rd. church.
My shower was cold and awesome. It’s a bit muggy, but not bad. It’s time for bed after a nice meal with the team.
Saturday, July 9th
Today is our Leadership day in Kukurantumi. Our plan is to teach 6 lessons on leadership to none other than the leadership of the area congregations on this mountain. Can’t wait!
We have a nice breakfast of pancakes and bacon that Ted brought from the U.S. Very good. We are staying in Paul’s home which is very comfortable. We have electricity (fans) and beds to sleep in. We even have a little running water. (Cold and refreshing).
After breakfast, Chief Nana stopped in for a visit. He is the chief in Adankrano where I preached last time I was here. The chief is a member of the church! We spent some time visiting and he will attend our lectures.
Back now from a very good lectureship with the leaders of the area congregations. Thirteen congregations were represented. There were 118 adults and 12 children. We sang, we prayed, and we taught. Due to the lengthy questions after each lesson, we only got three lessons taught. This was fine as the area leadership had good questions and we were there to help them with what they needed, not what we thought they needed. Right! The audience was very grateful and asked us back next year. The local church hosted us in fine manner and even provided a lunch of rice, fried fish, and salad. Mmmmmm….
Our day was well spent. As I write, Fufu is being prepared for our evening meal. Ted, in fact is eating his portion already. Jeff, too. Where’s mine?! Fried Guinea chicken is also brought out with vegetable soup and fruit. A feast!
After our meal, we sit around the living room and talk about the day’s adventures, about life, and about life after death. Great discussions among preachers across boundaries!
Showers and heads hitting pillows round out the day.
We have a nice breakfast of pancakes and bacon that Ted brought from the U.S. Very good. We are staying in Paul’s home which is very comfortable. We have electricity (fans) and beds to sleep in. We even have a little running water. (Cold and refreshing).
After breakfast, Chief Nana stopped in for a visit. He is the chief in Adankrano where I preached last time I was here. The chief is a member of the church! We spent some time visiting and he will attend our lectures.
Back now from a very good lectureship with the leaders of the area congregations. Thirteen congregations were represented. There were 118 adults and 12 children. We sang, we prayed, and we taught. Due to the lengthy questions after each lesson, we only got three lessons taught. This was fine as the area leadership had good questions and we were there to help them with what they needed, not what we thought they needed. Right! The audience was very grateful and asked us back next year. The local church hosted us in fine manner and even provided a lunch of rice, fried fish, and salad. Mmmmmm….
Our day was well spent. As I write, Fufu is being prepared for our evening meal. Ted, in fact is eating his portion already. Jeff, too. Where’s mine?! Fried Guinea chicken is also brought out with vegetable soup and fruit. A feast!
After our meal, we sit around the living room and talk about the day’s adventures, about life, and about life after death. Great discussions among preachers across boundaries!
Showers and heads hitting pillows round out the day.
Sunday, July 10th
Today we worship the God of Heaven. I’m up early. I’m excited at the thought of preaching in a small village here. Let’s go! Let’s go!
Breakfast first. Wow, Cobbinah is at his best: French toast, fruit, and oatmeal. I’m afraid we will be spoiled here in the mountains before we go to the barren north!
My ride is here! We pile into the van and head down “the road”. Yes you know the one…
Owusu, Isaac, and I are dropped at the church in Asafo. They are meeting in a small room at a school until their building is completed. They are partially started and say that as the money comes, the building will come.
After meeting everyone, we started Bible class. I spoke on “The Truly Happy Man”. As worship began, I was happy to see that things would go just as God has laid it out. I preached on “The Gospel” which went well. We sang, the Bible was read, we prayed, we shared the Lord’s Supper, and the plate was passed. Outstanding! The invitation was given and I was elated to see that one wanted to obey the Gospel! Her name was Delilah, that’s right, Delilah. I told her she would have to change the image of that name. She laughed and promised to try. Announcements were given before we finished, as is the custom. There were 26 adults, 16 children, and 65 Cedis were given. We took pictures and passed out candy which was fun and made us very popular with the kids!
Now it’s time to go view their new property on the way to the river! They said with a gesture: “It’s just there”. We walked a full kilometer through the city to their property. It was a grand walk because I was able to see the whole village! As I walked, small children would point and cry “Obruni”! (That’s “white man”). The kids would run up smiling and want to shake my hand. I think I was a novelty. It was cool!
At the property, I was able to see the beginnings of their building. There was a roof and piles of materials here and there. They told me that they would soon level the dirt and begin to worship there, Lord willing, by year’s end.
Now to the river! “It’s just there”, I was told. Ok, another kilometer! Yes it was. This time we walked through the bush. There were small trails, corn rows, river beds and more trails. All along the way, two 12 year old girls from the congregation sang songs to each other – which we all enjoyed. After a bit, I thought I would teach them a song – “Awesome God”. As I started, they joined in. They knew it and we sang together. I was able to teach them “God is so Good”. Walking to the river for a baptism and singing songs together makes for great friends. By the end, they wanted my number and promised to visit me in Florida if ever they find themselves there.
At the river! Delilah found the water cold and frightening. She was not a swimmer. After a time, she was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I found myself in tears as a song began and Delilah, my new sister in Christ, came out of the river a new person! Words really do not describe…
The van would pick us up “just there”! Yes, you got it, another long walk. We met the rest of our group who had been preaching at 2 other small villages. A great day of worship!
Lunch is corned beef hash sandwiches. I’m hungry – they were good! Now we rest up for the evening service.
*****Ghanaian Toilet paper has a width per square ratio different than that of the U.S. This makes it difficult to tear off a piece. I am shredding more than I am using!*****
A trip to town for phone credits proves interesting. We stop for credits and then to the Kebab stand for Troy to get his goat kebab fix. We took some pictures which drew the attention of a man who had been enjoying his adult beverage. We spent the next ten minutes discussing politics with him. First Ghanaian politics, then U.S., then England. Ted saved the day by introducing a topic most Ghanaians cannot pass up – football (soccer). The conversation immediately cooled down as the kebabs were ready. Time to go and we all part friends. Ted’s moral of the story: “Don’t take pictures near a drunken man”.
Movie night: The Ghost in the Darkness”. First we watch a slide show of Trisha’s wedding. Many of our team know and love Trisha. They very much enjoyed the show. Next the movie. This movie depicted 2 evil lions on a killing rampage in Africa. Our Ghanaian friends will sleep with one eye open tonight.
Breakfast first. Wow, Cobbinah is at his best: French toast, fruit, and oatmeal. I’m afraid we will be spoiled here in the mountains before we go to the barren north!
My ride is here! We pile into the van and head down “the road”. Yes you know the one…
Owusu, Isaac, and I are dropped at the church in Asafo. They are meeting in a small room at a school until their building is completed. They are partially started and say that as the money comes, the building will come.
After meeting everyone, we started Bible class. I spoke on “The Truly Happy Man”. As worship began, I was happy to see that things would go just as God has laid it out. I preached on “The Gospel” which went well. We sang, the Bible was read, we prayed, we shared the Lord’s Supper, and the plate was passed. Outstanding! The invitation was given and I was elated to see that one wanted to obey the Gospel! Her name was Delilah, that’s right, Delilah. I told her she would have to change the image of that name. She laughed and promised to try. Announcements were given before we finished, as is the custom. There were 26 adults, 16 children, and 65 Cedis were given. We took pictures and passed out candy which was fun and made us very popular with the kids!
Now it’s time to go view their new property on the way to the river! They said with a gesture: “It’s just there”. We walked a full kilometer through the city to their property. It was a grand walk because I was able to see the whole village! As I walked, small children would point and cry “Obruni”! (That’s “white man”). The kids would run up smiling and want to shake my hand. I think I was a novelty. It was cool!
At the property, I was able to see the beginnings of their building. There was a roof and piles of materials here and there. They told me that they would soon level the dirt and begin to worship there, Lord willing, by year’s end.
Now to the river! “It’s just there”, I was told. Ok, another kilometer! Yes it was. This time we walked through the bush. There were small trails, corn rows, river beds and more trails. All along the way, two 12 year old girls from the congregation sang songs to each other – which we all enjoyed. After a bit, I thought I would teach them a song – “Awesome God”. As I started, they joined in. They knew it and we sang together. I was able to teach them “God is so Good”. Walking to the river for a baptism and singing songs together makes for great friends. By the end, they wanted my number and promised to visit me in Florida if ever they find themselves there.
At the river! Delilah found the water cold and frightening. She was not a swimmer. After a time, she was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I found myself in tears as a song began and Delilah, my new sister in Christ, came out of the river a new person! Words really do not describe…
The van would pick us up “just there”! Yes, you got it, another long walk. We met the rest of our group who had been preaching at 2 other small villages. A great day of worship!
Lunch is corned beef hash sandwiches. I’m hungry – they were good! Now we rest up for the evening service.
*****Ghanaian Toilet paper has a width per square ratio different than that of the U.S. This makes it difficult to tear off a piece. I am shredding more than I am using!*****
A trip to town for phone credits proves interesting. We stop for credits and then to the Kebab stand for Troy to get his goat kebab fix. We took some pictures which drew the attention of a man who had been enjoying his adult beverage. We spent the next ten minutes discussing politics with him. First Ghanaian politics, then U.S., then England. Ted saved the day by introducing a topic most Ghanaians cannot pass up – football (soccer). The conversation immediately cooled down as the kebabs were ready. Time to go and we all part friends. Ted’s moral of the story: “Don’t take pictures near a drunken man”.
Movie night: The Ghost in the Darkness”. First we watch a slide show of Trisha’s wedding. Many of our team know and love Trisha. They very much enjoyed the show. Next the movie. This movie depicted 2 evil lions on a killing rampage in Africa. Our Ghanaian friends will sleep with one eye open tonight.
Monday, July 11th
Today began with “Tom Brown”, a grit like substance made from fried corn. It’s good with plenty of sugar. Koby also prepared bacon omelets. Very good.
Personal work! Owusu and I are dropped off in Asafo to work with the church where I preached yesterday. We teamed up with the village’s teacher, a bible teacher, too, and the congregation’s song leader. Our teacher’s name is Benjamin Sarweh and the song leader – Patrick Ofori.
Our first stop was to see a woman who had visited the church wanting to worship with them. She had been going to a Pentecostal church that had made her be baptized to join them. When she heard about the Church of Christ on the radio, she came to the church. When the Lords Supper was served, the brethren explained that only members of Christ’s church took the Lord’s Supper. This provoked her to ask for a Bible study. That’s where we come in.
After a long study, she understood the Gospel and wanted to be baptized with understanding, and to be added to the church by God. During our study with Christiana, her sister stopped by. Her name is Evelyn. She explained that she had lost her husband which led her into depression and drinking. She wanted to change and asked to study as well. We agreed. At our studie’s end, she said that she would think about it. We invited her to go and watch Christiana’s baptism, a lesson I learned from Emmett Clark in Panama, and she agreed.
This all led to another trip to the river! I love these trips. The long walk through the bush, singing, and laughing all the way makes one feel closer to God. What a joyful time of anticipation and awe. God is great. At river’s edge we witness Christiana become a sister in Christ. Evelyn was so moved by the experience, she jumped into the water and expressed, in no uncertain terms, she would like to be baptized, too. Praise God!
Our trip was facilitated by a taxi as we had been dropped off in this village. Two miles each way. This taxi was a four seater which carried all 7 of us to and from the river. What a ride!
*****They paint their chicks pink here! Why? I had to know. Well, the hawks take the chicks of normal color but will not take a pink chick!*****
After a small break, we visited with a sister named Comfort Oforiwaa. She had left the church for some reason. After a good visit and study, she realized she should be restored. Again, we praise God.
My new teacher friend and brother, Patrick, says to me: “Ayeakoo”! I said: “say what?” He explained that Ayeakoo means “well done” and its response is: “Yaay.” So I says to him: “Ayeakoo”. He replies “Yaay”! We laugh as we bond over sharing his language.
Now we are back at Paul’s home to rest up a bit. We talk about our day. Ted’s team had one baptism and a long study with the chief. The chief’s response: “I will hear you again another day.” Jeff and Troy’s team made 10 visits resulting in 3 restorations! Isaac succeeded in one baptism, too.
Rain, cool breeze, and Cobbi’s French fries! Wow! Add fried chicken and rice to complete a great meal and wonderful fellowship. The evening meal is a time to swap stories and tell jokes! The fellowship is awesome. Brothers and sisters from 2 nations are one in Christ. Lasting friendships are made over a nice meal.
After our meal, I take my drizzle. Yes, not much water pressure here as it is based on gravity. The water is atop the home and forced out by Newton. So, I take my drizzle. You get wet, turn off and lather up, then turn on the water to rinse. I do not complain, it gets the job done. I am clean and cooled, as there is only cold water. Refreshing!
No one knows spades or hearts here, so crazy 8’s and war are our games tonight. We played too late and will have to sleep fast.
Personal work! Owusu and I are dropped off in Asafo to work with the church where I preached yesterday. We teamed up with the village’s teacher, a bible teacher, too, and the congregation’s song leader. Our teacher’s name is Benjamin Sarweh and the song leader – Patrick Ofori.
Our first stop was to see a woman who had visited the church wanting to worship with them. She had been going to a Pentecostal church that had made her be baptized to join them. When she heard about the Church of Christ on the radio, she came to the church. When the Lords Supper was served, the brethren explained that only members of Christ’s church took the Lord’s Supper. This provoked her to ask for a Bible study. That’s where we come in.
After a long study, she understood the Gospel and wanted to be baptized with understanding, and to be added to the church by God. During our study with Christiana, her sister stopped by. Her name is Evelyn. She explained that she had lost her husband which led her into depression and drinking. She wanted to change and asked to study as well. We agreed. At our studie’s end, she said that she would think about it. We invited her to go and watch Christiana’s baptism, a lesson I learned from Emmett Clark in Panama, and she agreed.
This all led to another trip to the river! I love these trips. The long walk through the bush, singing, and laughing all the way makes one feel closer to God. What a joyful time of anticipation and awe. God is great. At river’s edge we witness Christiana become a sister in Christ. Evelyn was so moved by the experience, she jumped into the water and expressed, in no uncertain terms, she would like to be baptized, too. Praise God!
Our trip was facilitated by a taxi as we had been dropped off in this village. Two miles each way. This taxi was a four seater which carried all 7 of us to and from the river. What a ride!
*****They paint their chicks pink here! Why? I had to know. Well, the hawks take the chicks of normal color but will not take a pink chick!*****
After a small break, we visited with a sister named Comfort Oforiwaa. She had left the church for some reason. After a good visit and study, she realized she should be restored. Again, we praise God.
My new teacher friend and brother, Patrick, says to me: “Ayeakoo”! I said: “say what?” He explained that Ayeakoo means “well done” and its response is: “Yaay.” So I says to him: “Ayeakoo”. He replies “Yaay”! We laugh as we bond over sharing his language.
Now we are back at Paul’s home to rest up a bit. We talk about our day. Ted’s team had one baptism and a long study with the chief. The chief’s response: “I will hear you again another day.” Jeff and Troy’s team made 10 visits resulting in 3 restorations! Isaac succeeded in one baptism, too.
Rain, cool breeze, and Cobbi’s French fries! Wow! Add fried chicken and rice to complete a great meal and wonderful fellowship. The evening meal is a time to swap stories and tell jokes! The fellowship is awesome. Brothers and sisters from 2 nations are one in Christ. Lasting friendships are made over a nice meal.
After our meal, I take my drizzle. Yes, not much water pressure here as it is based on gravity. The water is atop the home and forced out by Newton. So, I take my drizzle. You get wet, turn off and lather up, then turn on the water to rinse. I do not complain, it gets the job done. I am clean and cooled, as there is only cold water. Refreshing!
No one knows spades or hearts here, so crazy 8’s and war are our games tonight. We played too late and will have to sleep fast.
Tuesday, July 12th
Breakfast came early this AM! Pancakes and cinnamon toast made it worthwhile, though.
*****I think I have got the toilet paper figured out. It is 3 ply and 10” per square. I think Sheryl Crow could actually get by on “one” square!*****
Today we are again dropped in Asafo to work with their preacher – Joseph Tettey. He has requested money to build a room onto the new church building. This will cost $700 Cedis. I told him I would bring his request to our team leader.
So, Owusu and I are dropped with Joseph in town. We first go to see a visitor to the church – Dora Ofuri Appiah to study. Our study went very well and she wants to obey the Gospel. However, she has a disease in her leg and cannot, at this time, get into the water. The church will take care of her and, in time, will see her to the water.
Next stop – we see Millicent Adjei, another visitor to the church. Again, our study was successful. Again, we have a small problem. Millicent is in a wheelchair and it will not make it to the river. We paid for her chair to be repaired and the church will see to that. When the repair is made, she will repair her soul! This is her promise, and the church will care for her to that point and beyond.
The village shoe maker called us in off the street as we passed. He said: “teach me”. We ask God to send us opportunities to teach the Gospel, but rarely do they present themselves so obviously. Yes sir, we will study with you. In speaking with Richard Twum, we are told of his problem with drinking and smoking dope. He tells us he wants to be free from sin. The Gospel is taught to this enthusiastic shoe man! He accepts the call with joy and we race to the river. As Richard prepared for baptism, he found a bag of “weed” in his pockets. He immediately stated: “I’m finished with you” and tossed the drugs into the bush! True repentance witnessed by all! Richard is now our brother in Christ and the congregation here will keep him on track.
As we leave this village, we leave 4 new Christians with the church. Praise God and pass the chicken and rice. Yes we were served lunch at the teacher’s home and then bid them God’s blessings. I will not forget my time in Asafo, Ghana. I have family here! Plus, they grow CHOCOLATE!
Interesting, awesome. Prayer is led before all happenings. Meals, travel, study, everything is preceded by prayer. When we go, the van door is closed – we pray. When we stop, before the van door opens – we pray. I love it!
A meeting of minds. Leadership from area churches came to the door to wish us well and to thank us for our help. This is a serious affair. There are songs, prayers, and introductions. Next their mission is presented, which is to thank us for helping them grow their congregations. Finally we sing and pray before our guests depart. As they leave, a firm handshake and thumb snap seals the occasion.
*****Tie a chicken to a log for 3 days and it will not stray from your home.*****
We take a cool shower and then say goodnight!
*****I think I have got the toilet paper figured out. It is 3 ply and 10” per square. I think Sheryl Crow could actually get by on “one” square!*****
Today we are again dropped in Asafo to work with their preacher – Joseph Tettey. He has requested money to build a room onto the new church building. This will cost $700 Cedis. I told him I would bring his request to our team leader.
So, Owusu and I are dropped with Joseph in town. We first go to see a visitor to the church – Dora Ofuri Appiah to study. Our study went very well and she wants to obey the Gospel. However, she has a disease in her leg and cannot, at this time, get into the water. The church will take care of her and, in time, will see her to the water.
Next stop – we see Millicent Adjei, another visitor to the church. Again, our study was successful. Again, we have a small problem. Millicent is in a wheelchair and it will not make it to the river. We paid for her chair to be repaired and the church will see to that. When the repair is made, she will repair her soul! This is her promise, and the church will care for her to that point and beyond.
The village shoe maker called us in off the street as we passed. He said: “teach me”. We ask God to send us opportunities to teach the Gospel, but rarely do they present themselves so obviously. Yes sir, we will study with you. In speaking with Richard Twum, we are told of his problem with drinking and smoking dope. He tells us he wants to be free from sin. The Gospel is taught to this enthusiastic shoe man! He accepts the call with joy and we race to the river. As Richard prepared for baptism, he found a bag of “weed” in his pockets. He immediately stated: “I’m finished with you” and tossed the drugs into the bush! True repentance witnessed by all! Richard is now our brother in Christ and the congregation here will keep him on track.
As we leave this village, we leave 4 new Christians with the church. Praise God and pass the chicken and rice. Yes we were served lunch at the teacher’s home and then bid them God’s blessings. I will not forget my time in Asafo, Ghana. I have family here! Plus, they grow CHOCOLATE!
Interesting, awesome. Prayer is led before all happenings. Meals, travel, study, everything is preceded by prayer. When we go, the van door is closed – we pray. When we stop, before the van door opens – we pray. I love it!
A meeting of minds. Leadership from area churches came to the door to wish us well and to thank us for our help. This is a serious affair. There are songs, prayers, and introductions. Next their mission is presented, which is to thank us for helping them grow their congregations. Finally we sing and pray before our guests depart. As they leave, a firm handshake and thumb snap seals the occasion.
*****Tie a chicken to a log for 3 days and it will not stray from your home.*****
We take a cool shower and then say goodnight!
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