August 8th, 2020
How Has the Coronavirus Affected the Congregations In the Yendi Area?
The coronavirus has changed our everyday lives whether we live the United States or in another country. Ghana is no exception. As I write this report Ghana has 40,533 total cases of the coronavirus; 37,702 have recovered; the country has suffered 206 deaths. It is reported the country has tested 409,573 people for coronavirus. With that said I think it isimperative to report how the congregations are faring during the turmoil created by the virus.
Since early April the government of Ghana banned their citizens fromholding large gatherings; church services were banned. This meant the congregations had to meet in small groups just long enough to have the Lord’s Supper. They don’t have the luxury of disposable communionbread/juice, refrigerators or live streaming. They were not allowed to travel. The people were also asked to do social distancing just like we are required to do. Evangelizing and visiting the village churches came to an abrupt halt.
Several weeks ago the government relaxed the ban on large public gathers and the congregations were allowed to meet again provided they met the following requirements: 1) Hand washing station 2) Face Masks 3) Soap or Hand sanitizer. The hand washing station consists of a clean plastic garbage can that has a spout on it like an Igloo cooler. They are called “Veronica Buckets” (named for the female healthcare inventor). Most of the churches are too poor to be able to afford a bucket.
After consulting with West Hobbs Street the decision was made to send enough money through Western Union so each church could have what they needed to start worshipping as a group again. I am so happy Brother Barry Smith from Madison Church of Christ set my phone up with“WhatsApp” when he came to visit us in Ghana in early March. One of the employees also has “WhatsApp” and was able to pick up the money from their bank in Yendi. I took photos of the receipts from Western Union and sent them via “WhatsApp” as proof they were the rightful receiver of the money transfer. The money is being kept in the safe at the mission house until Timothy Niligrini is ready to distribute it to the congregations. Our thanks go out to those of you who faithful support the work!
Brother Timothy Niligrini is a tailor as well as an evangelist and farmer; he has been making masks to sell. Most of the men in the congregationsalready have a mask because they are the ones that go to town and do business. Most of the women in the congregations do not have masks and they have been borrowing masks when they need one. We bought masks from Timothy to give to the women. Timothy grouped the members in areas to distribute the money and explain where the money came from and what they were supposed to do with the money. The amount given to each congregation was 250 GH Cedis ($47 USD). The total number of congregations that will receive money is 40.
Timothy traveled to the village of Bakpaba on the Bimbila Road on Friday August 7th and distributed funds and masks to 12 congregations. He said the church members were very happy with the gift. One congregation reported they had 4 baptisms which was great news.
The next day, August 8th Timothy reported he distributed to 4 more congregations when he visited the village of Kpamang. This is the village where Brother Divine lives. He went on to say the chief was even present when the money was given to the congregations. The people weresurprised that we were able to help them even though we were 5,000 miles away.
Money can be sent from person to person through the cell phones in Ghana. The villages that are far from Yendi or that can’t be reached at this time of the year will receive their gift though their cell phone. Timothy sent Nana Bekum (one of the evangelists) the money for the 6 congregations he works with on August 7th. The rest of the congregations will receive their money in the next couple of days.
The monthly classes had to be cancelled because of the government ban on assemblies; the brothers are anxious to start having class again. We told Timothy to start the classes again in August and to make sure the guidelines of “social distancing, masking and hand washing” were followed. Later this next week Timothy will be helping with a naming ceremony for parents who had their second set of twins. In the Konkomba tribe when a set of twins are born a cat is supposed to be sacrificed according to pagan custom. The parents are church members; they are breaking with tradition and will need to have the full support of the Church.
Many people ask us when we will return to Yendi. Only God knows that answer. The borders are still closed. Even when Ghana opens her borders we will have to see a downward trend of the virus numbers in the country before going back for our own health safety.
Thank you for your continued support. The brethren wish to thank you for the gifts. Please keep us and the work in your prayers.
In His service,
Stephen & Kandie Taylor
