A Most Difficult Weekend

This past weekend was most difficult for me. Friday morning, I received word that my dear friend and colleague, the Very Rev. Ernest K. Baiden, ad died earlier that morning. How could this be true? I just saw him last week. Yet, I knew it was true. I couldn't accept it. I walked around the house like a zombie, not really focusing on anything. Doing something for a bit. Crying for a bit. Staring into space for a bit. Rev. Baiden was more than my pastor, more than my boss. Oh, how I will miss him.

I was scheduled to preach in Kalsagri on Sunday, yesterday. I am very grateful that for once I stayed up late on Thursday, not to color, but to finish my sermon. I knew on Friday, after hearing the news, writing a sermon would be useless. 

The theme of the day was to be, "Listen to the Lord and Live." What a perfect theme for the day! Two days earlier, I wasn't too sure as to what direction the sermon would go. Yes, it was written, but, still... And then, at church, before I preached, I announced Rev. Baiden's death. Most people knew already. Plus, I was wearing funeral cloth. Then, I began. After a few minutes, I put my notes down, and continued. It was truly the Lord who gave me yesterday's message. And, the untimely death of Rev. Baiden was a real life example that people understood.

I am not fond of having people repeat the "Sinner's Prayer." I want people to pray on their own, to mean it when they ask Jesus into their heats. Yesterday, we didn't have an altar call, per se. But, I definitely gave the invitation and had people pray on their own. I asked people to pray and ask Jesus to be Lord of their lives. Or, if they had already done that, which many have, what are the areas of your life where Jesus isn't Lord? Give those to Him. We prayed. And prayed. Surely, the Lord was in this place. This service was the perfect end to a most difficult weekend. Praise the Lord!

A Morning Prayer

Lord, I don't know what to say. Patrick is dead. David is dead. Another set of two, one younger, one older than me. So many have died since I have been here in Ghana. Where do I fit into all of this? I know it is only You who gives numbers to our days. But, Lord, how are our days numbered? Or, are they just random numbers picked by You? Do we really live long enough to complete the mission You have given us? What if we are too fast or too slow? Does that lengthen or shorten our lives? If we live fully for You, do we earn extra days on earth to continue Your work or are the number of our days shortened because we are fulfilling the task You have given us? Who can truly know Your mind? Who can know the reason's for the length of a person's life? No one, Lord. Only You. Therefore, I will put my trust in You. My life is in Your hands. Grant me the number of days You see fit and I will rejoice in them and praise Your holy Name.

Today

 

Nostalgia has set in. I don't think it is all bad. But, I can't help but think about all those in my life who have left this world and have gone to "the other side," the side where they will see Jesus face to face. Why am I feeling this way? Well, just in the past few days, two people who I have known back in Pennsylvania have died. One, a few years younger than me; the other, a few years older than me. And, the anniversary of my mother's death is approaching. On top of that, next month, I will celebrate my 60th birthday. Mom died when she was 60.

 

So, today, I am remembering...mom, dad, Dee Dee, Ava, Albert, Bura-Ang, little Paul, Nancy, Rory, Sergei, Bob, Dave, Fran, and oh, so many others. I am grateful for the place they have held in my heart...and still do. And, I know that because of Jesus, after I go the distance, we will again be together...on the other side.

Dee Dee

 

One of the hardest things for me here in Ghana, is hearing of the death of someone to whom I have been close and not being able to be with the family and others I have grown to love. Last night, I heard of the death of my dear friend, Dee Dee. When I moved to Munhall, PA, a very long time ago, Dee Dee took me "under her wing" and said she would be my "mother away from home." Dee Dee was much more than that.

 

Dee Dee was a woman of deep faith, prayer, and hope. She saw me through many good times. And, yes, many, many difficult times. Yet, she always believed, always hoped, never gave up. She always encouraged me to find God in each day, in each situation, no matter how much despair I was feeling. It was Dee Dee's prayers that got me through many days. And, it was Dee Dee who connected me with another woman of faith, Ava Steiner. Dee Dee and her husband, Jim, drove from Johnstown to Beaver Falls to be with me and celebrate with me when I was commissioned as a full time missionary. The day would not have been complete without them.

 

Many times, Dee Dee welcomed me into her house, made me feel at home. Sipping tea, and just talking...it brings back many memories. In her, I saw examples of such a Godly woman, mother, wife, grandmother...Christian. The last time I saw Dee Dee, she was just a shell of the woman I knew. The Parkinson's had taken its toll. Dementia was in residence. The love that her husband showed her was amazing...and, I cried all the way home - two hours!

 

I will remember Dee Dee for so many things. Part of her lives within me. And, one day, I will see her "on the other side." I love you, Dee Dee...for always! 

Sakawa - Get Rich Quick, for a Price

 

Sakawa is from the Hausa word, "sakaawa," meaning deception, as in Internet scams to get rich quick. But, it has taken on a new meaning in recent years. It now used in blood money rituals in Ghana. It is believed if you go through with the ritual, you will become rich very quickly.

 

The "sakawa" ritual involves traditional priests who demand blood from those who go to them for financial assistance. The kind of blood that is demanded depends on what kind of financial rewards that you want to reap and how quickly you want to acquire the money. The priest can demand the blood of a child, boy, girl, woman or man. This means that the "client" has to kill one of these people to get the blood demanded. I have heard stories of this in the area where I live. It is very real!

 

I know of only One Person whose blood really made a difference in the lives of men, women, boys and girls. That person would be Jesus Christ, the Son of the Almighty God. What good does it do if a man (or woman, boy or girl) has all the riches in the world but looses their soul? A person's relationship with God is the only thing that matters as one is on their death bed. Where do you have your riches hidden? In heaven or on earth? Are you ready to see Jesus?

Bura-Ang

 

Today I heard about the death of Bura-Ang, one of our special needs children. She died on Friday, May 24, 2013, in her home in one of the  sub-villages of Kalsagri. Bura-Ang was born with Cerebral Palsy. Here, she would have been called a "baby snake." As time went on, Bura-Ang was able to stand all by herself. The last time I saw her, she haltingly walked to me. She always had a smile on her face.

 

I was told that she crawled to a big iron water pot, pulled herself up, lost her footing and fell in. She drowned. It was an accident. I have seen these pots. They are HUGE! I can picture a small child grasping it and then falling if not sure-footed. Her father told us a different story. He said she was shivering, shivering, shivering...and then just died. Which, to me, sounds like malaria.

 

You see, here in the Upper West, most people are Traditionalists. Fear is a big part of the survivors lives because it is believed that these special needs or "malformed" children have evil spirits. And, when they die, where does that evil spirit go? Everyone in the family is afraid that it will go to them. Plus, a young child like this is not grieved. There is no funeral. And it is part of the tradition to bury right away, as soon as the grave is hand dug. Death is a part of life all too often.

 

As I sat with the family, I was able to share what the Bible says about "these little ones," heaven and the hope we have in Christ. I don't know if I was heard or not, but, it HAD to be said.

 

On the way home, I contemplated the paradox of this death. The mother wants to grieve. Bura-Ang was her child. Angelina (the mother) loved her. Yet, on the other hand, there is no place for a special needs child in this culture. What would become of the child? How will she live? So, a part of what is being felt is relief. Love...relief. What a combination! Yet, a part of every day life.

 

I pray seeds will be planted, doors will be opened, and just as this little girl is dancing before Jesus, I pray her family will come to know Him and some day dance before the King of kings!

See You Later

Yesterday I said "Good Bye" to a friend of mine, a neighbor and a brother in the Lord. He had many health problems and his body just couldn't fight any more. He fell asleep here, and woke up in Heaven. I will miss him. Already it doesn't seem right to go to his house to visit with his wife and not see him sitting in his chair.

The events of last week make me think of my own mortality. Yes, I am a Christian. I believe that when I die I will be in Heaven. I will see my Lord and Savior and I will see my neighbor again along with many others who have gone to their eternal reward. But, I have to admit it, I don't want to die yet. I am ready if the Lord calls me home, but I pray that He won't call my name for many, many years.

In the meantime, "Ro, I'll see you later."