October:
During the month of October we visited the churches in the villages of Borido, Binamondo, Mpeasum. On the 27th we were invited to a joint service with the churches of Binalodo, Simiboma and Juanayili.
We went to Binamondo because we heard that two of the brothers had decided to take second wives. We were encouraged after talking to the brothers and the church to learn that they were actively trying to disengage themselves from these women. The church needed a gate for the church building to keep the goats and sheep out of the building. We had one made for them.
We were excited to be invited to worship with the newly established congregations of Juanayili and Binalado in the Nanumba district. A few weeks earlier 75 people were baptized thus starting the churches.
There were 23 men that attended the monthly classes. The church leaders received a gift of a shirt and tie plus a tire and tube. The evangelists visited 18 congregations in October and 142 people were baptized; there was 1 restoration.
November:
On the 31st of November we received word that Sister Kandie’s brother Buz died. We had to make an emergency trip back to the US to be with his family during this terrible time. We stayed in the states for 2 ½ weeks. We left for Ghana on the 21st with our son-in-law Marcus Holladay. Marcus was to be our guest speaker for this year’s seminar.
In our absence Timothy went to Salinkuka and Bincheratanga. He was slated to go to Bakpaba but as he was leaving for the village he came upon Ruth’s brother (one of the church members at Kulkpeni) dying on the side of the road. They were trying to get him to the hospital in Yendi but he died before they could transport him to the hospital. Timothy called Bakpaba to let them know that he had to stay and help with the burial.
On 24th November Marcus and Kandie went to visit the church at Nakpachee. Steve had to stay in Accra an extra day because some of the luggage did not make it to Ghana. Marcus preached for the congregation. At the end of the service we were presented with a rooster and 12 tubers of yams.
The highlight of the year is the seminar that is held at the end of November. This year 32 congregations attended the seminar and the final count of registered attendees was 395. The seminar started on Thursday morning and ended Saturday with 30 baptisms. Marcus did a fantastic job teaching at the seminar. What a wonderful ending to the seminar.
The biggest expenditure for the seminar is the food. It is amazing how much food it takes for 6 meals to feed 395 people. This year we bought 900 pounds of rice, 125 pounds of dried beans, 55 pounds of dried field corn, 30 gallons of tomato paste, 38 gallons of oil, 525 loaves of bread, 44 pounds of chicken, and 6 pigs plus lots of salt and spices. Everyone had plenty to eat.
December:
On December 1st we visited the church at Bakpaba. This is the church that Timothy was supposed to visit in November but could not visit because of the death of Ruth’s brother. Marcus preached the sermon and Steve taught the Bible class. The church gave us a gift of yams as a thank you gift for coming to visit them.
We flew home to Alabama for our leave on December 4th.
Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support. Without your help the work would not get done! My God richly bless you for the sacrifices you make to help with the work!
In His Service,
Stephen & Kandie Taylor
