Happy Mother’s Day from Ghana. Hope that all mothers have a great day and are greatly appreciated by their children and loved ones. Mother’s Day is not a huge thing here but mothers are a large part of the lives of people here as well as everywhere. So, here’s to you who deal with all the children (and probably husbands) on your special day.
Now, can you say hotter than the inside of a blast furnace. At 3:30 today it was 102 with a heat index of 116. This morning in the shade on the back porch it was in the 80’s and as I looked recently it was 97 in the shade. I looked at the weather channel app and saw that tomorrow night at home it is to be in the mid-40s. Unbelievable! Anyway, this morning was a trip to Borido for worship services.
We left around 8:55 am after Timothy arrived here to ride with us and translate for us. Steve said that when the Martin’s were here six months ago, a VBS was conducted there for the first time. The trip out was east for a while on “good” roads and then a turn onto the rural dirt roads that had seen the rain and washed ruts in the road. One cannot travel any faster than 20 to 30 mph on the roads as no one in the van would survive the bumps along the way. It took about 30 minutes to arrive at the village and the brethren were already there and packing out the building. Yes, we were assembling in the building and not outside in the shade. Kandie said that she liked the shade outside but the brethren were already in the building, so the building it is. The mud ball, dirt plastered, tin roof building with wooden benches for pews was hotter than hot. Even Timothy was dripping with sweat during the services. Don’t ask what we looked like. Use your imagination.
There were 66 in attendance this Sunday. The contribution was 83.50 GHS, which comes to a little less than 8 US dollars based upon the current exchange rate. The worship service started with a prayer and then several songs. One of the songs I had heard previous to this service and a particular line in it is in English. Words like “the Lord is good to me” and “Hallelujah” and “Amen” are common. The brethren came out to the van when we arrived to carry anything and everything that they could. They love to carry what is in your hands to wherever it needs to go. Can you say a servant’s heart? When we first entered the building, the first few benches on both sides of the room were filled with children. They seemed to be from the ages of 2 or 3 up to 4 or 5. Pam and Kandie sat against one wall close to where one set of children were sitting. Steve and I sat against the opposite wall just in front of the pulpit area. Of the 66 people in attendance, 45 of them were children. There were 16 adults, which Steve said was low for that congregation, but we learned after services that the chief in the village had died and many were getting ready for his funeral. As a matter of fact, the question-and-answer Bible class which would follow the worship service was cut so that the people could go prepare for the chief’s funeral. Funerals are a huge undertaking here at great expense for food and the like on top of the time and energy to put into it. Since it was the chief who died, everyone was somehow involved.
The sermon I preached was on why Jesus died on the cross. I began with the sin in the garden of Eden and the price that Jesus paid for man to live now and eternally. They listened so carefully (even in the heat, even the children). After the services were over, the church worker, Foster, said that they had just studied the creation account and were familiar with the sin of Adam and Eve. After the preaching was the Lord’s supper and contribution with a closing song and prayer. Everything was over by 11:00. One of the interesting things that they do before they have the closing prayer is to announce all the people who need prayers for whatever aliment is happening with the brethren (pain in the wrist, pain in the leg, pain in the neck, etc.). Steve prayed with Timothy interpreting so that prayer was specific to the needs. After all the services were over, Steve addressed some of the needs of this congregation and helped financially for certain things they needed. The building was needing repairs on the back and other future needs were being discussed. Steve said that this congregation does not make a lot of requests for aid so it was easy to help without creating a problem with constant asking for funds.
We came back to the mission house for lunch of turkey and dressing, whole kernel corn and green bean casserole. We are about to go out to Jagrido where Timothy’s brother, Daniel, preaches to have evening services. Pam and I have been there before 13 years ago for night preaching. There should be some daylight left when we arrive and have services.
Just got back from evening services. There was a large thunderstorm northeast of the village at Jagrido so they wanted to start the services early (6:38pm). We had opening prayer, several songs and I preached on the story of Ruth. After the lesson there were just a few questions with one more prayer which Steve led. There were 57 in attendance according to Kandie’s count. I pointed out to Timothy and his brother Daniel about the big dipper and southern cross constellations. They smiled when they saw them and the story about them. Steve stopped in the middle of the road just out from the village where Kandie, Pam and I got out to see the night sky without any light, even van lights. It is indescribable how many stars can be seen. I took a picture of the southern cross with the camera on my phone. After dropping Timothy off at his home, we came to the mission house where I was informed that sandwiches and popcorn was not on the menu tonight. It is pizza and fried okra, yum.
Pam wanted me to get a head start on the Yendi Notes before it got late like last night. So now I am being commanded by both Kandie and Pam to do the Yendi Notes. At least Steve is being neutral and would do them. Well, it is Mother’s Day so there you go. Good night from Ghana.
Jimmy Clark
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