Welcome to the trifecta of ordeals in Ghana. Hot, hot, and hotter. An overcast day turned into a slow bake with the promise of rain but no relief. This morning was cooler with the overnight rain, but by 10 or 11 am the heat was rising. What can you expect being 9 degrees above the equator? Oh well, carry on?
Saw about 36 today in the child center with more older children accompanying their mom’s. Lots of clothes given away today. One child came in with a few rashes that required a trip to the hospital. Outside of that, it was a low crisis day. After the hours at the center, Zorash decided yesterday that the Clarks needed an official welcome to Ghana. Two of the brethren yesterday brought a Guinea Fowl and yams. The national food of Ghana is a soup with Guinea Fowl meat and a type of dumpling called Fufu. Pam got to use Kandie’s mortar and long pestle to pound the yams. It was hard work over time but it was interesting to watch. Zorash and Amama did the work of making the lunch. Kandie had tuna salad if we did not like it, but we really enjoyed eating it. Kandie got the head and feet of the bird for her soup garnish. I am telling you she will not turn down anything to try. I could not eat all of the fufu as it is a large dumpling type ball about the size of a small child’s football.
After a break to rest and let the food settle, we were scheduled to visit the Ya-Na of the area. Steve said that he is the second most important king in the country. You always have to take a gift to him to show respect. When we got to the compound we first had to wait at the parking area for permission to enter. A gentleman came out to escort us in. Mr. Iddrisu is a nephew of the Ya-Na and he went with us to meet him. When we first entered the house, we first had to remove our shoes and walk through a building for the Ya-Na’s horses. I have never seen a house like a residence that was specifically for any live animal, much less horses. There were two horses inside grazing on hay. There was then a corridor from the “horse house” to the reception room of the Ya-Na. When we entered into the room, the Ya-Na was sitting on a high elevated part of skins and blankets with his attendants sitting on the floor in front. There was a flatscreen tv with a soccer game on in front of all who were seated. We were seated against the right wall of the room and an official spoke for us as an interpreter. Polite openings were given and each of us were asked how we were and how we liked the country. We were each given a gift of Kola nuts and then to my surprise an unexpected gift. After speaking of my time in Ghana and how much we were enjoying our time there, I was presented with a smock to wear. I had to get up and stand in the middle of the room and put on the cloth poncho type garment. I thought it only had a hole in the middle for your head, but it also had sleeves for the arms. I had to have help from two officials to put it on. They were all pleased to see me wear it so I did not take it off until we got back to the mission house. It was hot and thick. Great for a winter layer but in a tropical country, are you kidding? No joke here. We came back just in time to use the bathroom, eat supper, and get into the truck to go to Sobitido village for night preaching. Timothy went with us and since there is only room for four to ride inside the truck (get ready for it) Kandie rode on a bench in the bed of the truck. The trip took 45 minutes one way to get to the village. By the time we got to the village it was completely dark at 7pm. The brethren had set up the seating arrangement outside with a solar powered light to help all see. A swarm of termites were flying around the light and it was impossible to keep them off of you. They moved the light further away so it would not be so bad, but you are still outside with a bright light shining and well, use your imagination. I spoke on Peter, Andrew, James and John following Jesus and the work of bringing people to the Lord from Acts 2. After the lesson there was a time of question and answer. There were many more questions tonight than in the previous days and Steve said that it was really good participation. Many of the questions involved the customs of Ghana and especially the soothsayers and pagan beliefs that have to be combatted by the brethren. Coming to Ghana is like stepping back into the Old Testament times with paganism being a real issue.
Coming back from the village, we encountered a dog crossing the dirt road and slamming into the side of the truck. Goats are laying all in the road at night and will hardly move when you approach. Farmers were still tending to some fields as it is the planting season. We have had a full day and it is now 10:00 pm as I finish. Good night from Ghana and may God bless his people everywhere.
Jimmy Clark
Leave a Reply