We were happy to get back into the swing of things in Yendi. It was a relief to our friends in Yendi when they were able to see for themselves that I (Steve) was well after my surgery in December. One friend of ours, Abdulai Fuseni, a paraplegic, asked me to come to his house to see him. He was so upset about the news of my health problems that he called his sister, who lives 40-50 miles from Yendi to let her know what was going on. Thanks again for your prayers.
We were not here for the January and February monthly class; I will include those numbers as well in this report. The classes continue every month whether we are in Yendi or not. Timothy Niligrini teaches the classes when I am not in Ghana. The number of men attending the class in January was 23. For February 22 attended class. The class numbered 27 for March. The evangelists/church leaders report that 25 people were baptized during this time period and 6 were restored to the Church. The evangelists visited with 37 congregations during the three month period.
During my class time this month I answered the questions from a letter that had been given to me several weeks before the class. The questions were very interesting. One question pertained to the use of grape juice in the Lord’s Supper. There is some confusion here as to what the fruit of the vine actually is. Grapes do not grow in Ghana. While Kandie and I were in Tamale we searched out different stores and purchased some bottles of juice that was labeled “communion juice” and other juices/drinks that some people say can be used for the Lord’s Supper. Most of them cannot be used. Reading the ingredient label is so important. In the past it has been suggested by some that anything growing on a vine is ok to use for the Lord’s Supper. I wanted the brothers to know what fresh grapes really are and how they taste. I was in luck! The week of class one fruit vendor in Yendi was selling a very small cluster of 10-12 large red grapes for 10 GH Cedis (almost $2.50 dollars). I bought three containers and took it to the class so everyone was able to see the grapes and eat one. These people are too poor to even think about buying fresh grapes. It was a great class!
In March we visited the congregations of Binalodo, Kulkpanga, Bitamondo, Kulkpeni and Nakpaachee. Many of you already know that it is our custom to have a question and answer period after worship service is over. When we were at Bitamondo I asked the women if they had any questions. One of the brothers stood and said the women were quiet because they were worrying about the long walk ahead of them to get water for their families. The hand operated well pump in the village was broken and they had to walk 5 miles to get water. We immediately wanted to help with the problem. The cost of the parts to repair the pump was 50.00 GH Cedis (about $12 dollars). The village had asked everyone to make a small contribution to the repair of the pump but they had not been able to raise the money. (Fetching water is the women’s responsibility; the majority of the men don’t care how far the women have to go to fetch water.) We were happy to give the congregation 50 GH Cedis for parts and 10 GH Cedis for the labor so the women won’t have to go so far to get water. The women were sohappy; one sister got up and came and squatted beside Kandie and ask her to thank me on behalf of the women for the money. Another brother stood up and said the Church of Christ had helped them dig the well and the Church of Christ helped repair the well and he wanted to make sure everyone in the village knew who actually cared about them.
On the 3rd of March we started the removing of the roofing sheets on the main house. The roof had so many leaks that we were forced to put on a whole new roof. We started the project in the dry season. We have never seen it rain during this period of March in the 17 years we have been living in Yendi. Guess what? It rain before the carpenters got the new roof put on. The night it rained there was so much water coming in the house you needed an umbrella. The rain ruined the ceilings and the wall. We are still unpacking items from plastic tubs and moving furniture. It has been an ordeal but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We appreciate the people who have given us money to purchase Bibles. While we were Tamale we purchased 48 Konkomba Bibles.
Please keep Brother Jimmy Stroud and his wife Mary in your prayers. Jimmy is still dealing with health problems and Mary is working hard to take care of him.
Please accept our thanks for the support you give to the work whether spiritually or financially. Thanks also go out to the Ladies from Bethel and West Hobbs Street that knitted hats, made scarves, handkerchiefs, bears and other items for the people in Ghana.
We always give the Lord the credit for the success of the work in the Yendi area. He makes it all possible as we work together to spread the gospel!
In His service,
Stephen and Kandie Taylor
