Together We Can

A friend of mine, the Very Rev. James Salia is retiring this year. He will have reached the mandatory age of 70 when Methodist Church Ghana posts pastors in October. Rev. Salia is from the Upper West and has served at the Lawra church for several years. He looked at the posting as an opportunity, not as a punishment because he knows the people of the Upper West. He know they need the LORD. After leaving Lawra, he could have been posted at a more "lucrative" church, a "better" assignment. Instead, he asked to be posted in a village, again, in the Upper West.

Now, this chapter of his life is closing. Rev. Salia has had to face the fact that he needs a house to live in when he retires. He has purchased land and has started to Build his cement block house. But, will it be finished when he needs to move in? I doubt it. He is doing what he can, as he can afford it, little by little.

While at Synod a week ago, I saw the body of Christ in action...I saw Synod members take care of one of their own. I saw a church take it upon themselves to help this brother in Christ as much as they could. 

A plea was made on Rev. Salia's behalf. People responded...with money, with promises of funds and supplies. People, a few at first, came forward, placing their gifts in the collection box. By the time Synod was officially over, half of the money of what Rev. Salia needed to complete his house was provided, along with seven doors, two bundles of roofing sheets and cloth. It is amazing what the family of God can do together! Thank You, LORD, for the out pouring of love on this dear brother!

A Heart Warming Moment

Last Sunday I worshipped at the Bethel Methodist Society in Lawra. I sat near my friends Lydia and her 7 month old son, Albert. I wanted to hold Albert and, when I reached out for him, he reached out for me. The two of us spent most of the service together.

At one point in the service, worship songs were sung in Dagaare. And, when that happens, people begin to dance, praising God with their whole being. (After all, this is Africa!) Lydia was one of the women who went forward to dance. And, at that moment I was awe struck. Here is a woman who is HIV positive, a single mother, who chooses to praise God instead of cursing Him because of her life circumstance. This is what faith is all about. My heart was warmed at the sight and I was praising and thanking God.

Later in the service, the Pastor asked if anyone wanted more from God in their life  to come forward. He asked for people to come forward if they wanted to make a commitment to Jesus Christ. And, during this time, Lydia went forward. She prayed. And, she repeated the "Sinner's Prayer." Whether or not Lydia understood what was going on, I don't know. God does. And He will work in her as she makes herself open to His voice.

I am trusting that seeds have been planted and sown. I am grateful for what has taken place. And, I pray that God will use me to help Lydia grow in her faith. It is another opportunity for reaching out to expand the Kingdom of God. May He find me faithful.   

Change is in the Air

It seems as if in life, things are always changing, nothing ever stays the same. Some changes are more obvious than others...a move, a birth, a death, a new job, going to a new school, a graduation, a marriage...Other changes can be more subtle as they develop...a change in attitude, maturing in thought, word and deed, a stronger faith, a deeper relationship...

Lately, I have been contemplating the changes in life. Not all have happened yet, but, "Change is in the Air." Akos, who lives at the Children's Centre will be going away to Senior High School in the fall, her younger sister will probably go back to the village to live with extended family. Two of the triplets are walking, the third will be walking soon. Then, it won't be long until their family moves back to the village. If we don't have more children to live here at the Centre or if we don't change our focus, our numbers will be below five. Then, two close friends are actively seeking employment or schooling which means they will be leaving Lawra. It's great for them, but when it happens, I will miss them.

So, what do I do? I am partnering with Sarah, a VSO worker from the UK to do a communication workshop for handicapped children and their care givers. This will help me to assess abilities and needs. And, with Sarah's connections and abilities, I have a weath of information and experience to draw from. I have always wanted to work with the "Malformed chidren." This will get me more involved. And, when I return from the USA in December, I want to buy a motorscoter so I can go to the nearby villages and help these children in their own surroundings. Communication, mobility...to help them have a bit of "normalcy" in their lives, to help them be productive. It won't happen over night, it will happen a baby step at a time. A couple of us want to start a women's Bible study. The problem is that we are never in Lawra at the same time! Plus, the odds and ends that people have sent me, even as a last minute thought, those things have opened up avenues of faith sharing. Changes have been happening. Ministry focus may be changing a bit. I pray that I will be open to ALL the changes God has in store for me. He seems to open doors where I haven't even seen a door. So, stay tuned and stay open minded. God has change in store for me...and you!

A Sacrifice to...

A week ago, I was at the river with some friends. It was the day after Easter and there is typically a big Easter Monday picnic there. But, when we arrived, no one was there. People had been encouraged to picnic at the park in town since there was rain during the night and because of the drowning the previous week. But, most of us were not local Ghanaians, so we ended up at the river for some of our festivities.

As  I was walking around, I noticed a big pile of feathers. So, I asked my friend what they were from. the reply was, "There was a killing here." I said, "What?" "There was a killing, a sacrifice." The local people who are part of the Traditional religion believe that the man drowned because in some way, the god of the river was unhappy. So, the man's life was taken. The sacrifice of fowl was to appease the god of the river so that there would be no more deaths and that fishermen would enjoy a safe and prosperous fishing season.

Scripture says:

6 It isn’t sacrifices and offerings that you really want from your people.

 Burnt animals bring no special joy to your heart.

 But you have accepted the offer of my life-long service.

Psalms 40:6 (TLB)

I pray that the people in this community will come to know the LORD God Almighty and worship Him alone...and offer the sacrifice of :"life-long service," bringing others to Christ. 



Where Do I Put My Trust?

I have several friends, both Ghanaian and American, who have asked me to think twice, if not three times, about traveling on the bus to and from Accra at night. Armed robbers lurk around some of these roads during the darkest part of the trip. A few times, I traveled a day or two after robberies during which lives were taken.

The bus I usually travel on is an OA bus. This company schedules several buses to leave within a half hour of the first to the last so that the drivers and mates can keep track of each other and help out one another if needed. Oh, and they have a policeman with an AK 47 sitting in the front seat. So, I have felt pretty safe.



Shortly before leaving for Accra, Razak traveled at night. The vehicle in front of his bus - not a bus, but an open truck with people crammed in it - was robbed. About six people died. He did NOT want me to travel at night. But, I told him of the number of buses traveling together and about the police, not giving it a second thought. Until...

Until my return trip from Accra. We were all seated on the bus. The driver was pulling out of the "station." And, I realized there was no AK 47 with a policeman attached to it. Ah...how can this be? How can this happen? Then, a thought hit me...I do not trust in chariots, or gods made out of stone or even AK 47s. I put my trust in the LORD.  And, I settled down to a quiet, uneventful trip north to Wa. Praise God!

Something to Think About

Recently, I have talked with a few people who have been very surprised that I live in Lawra by myself. They have asked me if I am afraid. Actually, living in Lawra is probably safer than living in Accra. My Ghanaian friends readily agree. And, they have all stated the same reason for this safety that I enjoy...they have all said it was because of the Traditional religions in the north. People in the north believe that if they take something that doesn't belong to them, or if they harm someone, that the person who is the victim will call a curse down on the offender. The biggest curse, the one people are truly afraid of is that someone will call on lightening to strike you. So, since there is so much Traditionalists here in Lawra, it is pretty safe. But, I wonder...what does all of this have to say about the Christians? No one had mentioned a place was safe because so many Christ followers live there and they are following in Christ's footsteps. Hmmm...something to think about.

Easter - Holiday or Holy Day?

Happy Easter, everyone! Today is an important day for those who follow Jesus. Yet, even among Jesus followers, there is a wide spectrum of how people celebrate. As I was reading various FaceBook posts last night, I wondered what has happened to us as American followers of Jesus? Now, don't get all upset, I know there are exceptions to what I am about to say. I even posted some "cute" Easter stuff on FB. Yet, what caught my attention was all the gift giving...Easter baskets, candy, new clothes and MAJOR toys. I am part of that culture, too. I like to spoil kids when I can. But, why can't we give our children these gifts just because we love them, because God has blessed us and we want to share the blessing, without connecting them to such an important date/remembrance of our faith. I wonder, do parents spend as much time talking about the risen Lord and what Easter really means as they do taking time to Easter shop, cook, dye eggs, etc.? Does how you spend your time reflect what you believe about this day? Does mine?

Here in Lawra people celebrate the Holy Day by worshipping the one, true God - if they are followers of Jesus. They celebrate victory over death. They celebrate the fact that even though on Friday things looked impossible, but today, Sunday, a miracle happened - we follow a risen Savior. People will have Easter picnics tomorrow. They will visit with family and friends. But, today, the message is this: Christ has risen. He has risen indeed! Today is a HOLY DAY!

Jeri-Ba

Yesterday I went to Kasalgr for some "holy hanging around"time. I spent most of my time with the children. But, even before I started hanging out with the kids, I saw a woman sitting by herself, looking as if she was very worried about something. So, I sat down next to her and began to speak with her. This woman's name is Jeri-ba. She was born in the town of Jeripa, so her parents named her after the town. She has been blind since infancy, she said something happened to her and she became blind. She doesn't remember ever seeing at all. She is very bitter about her blindness. Here, in the Upper West, a women's worth is placed on her ability to fetch water and to farm. Jeri-Ba cannot do those things.

I tried to encourage Jeri-Ba. She has an amazing sense of hearing. I told her that I don't know why God allows some people to be blind. But I do know that He has a purpose for her life. He did NOT abandon her. As she sits, she could pray for the farmers, for the crops, even for the children that she hears playing. If she opens her ears to the voice of God, there are all kinds of possibilities. In my mind, I can see her becoming "Maakum" (Grandmother) to so many little ones.

I ask you to pray for Jeri-Ba. Pray that she would experience the love of God. Pray that she would hear God's voice. Pray that she would be open to the possibilities that God has for her. I will pray, too. And, I will visit her, and I will be her friend, encouraging her and helping her to "see" what God has in store for her life.

Roots

This is the dry season in Lawra. And as I look around Lawra and the surrounding area, all I see is dirty brown dirt, lots of it. Dust is in the air and everyplace else. Everything is tinted with brown. Even the leaves of my house plants! There is hardly any color - except the few trees and other plants that have deep roots. This is a harsh time for the people who live here, especially for those who make their living by farming. They have small house gardens right now so they will have food to eat.

Roots...deep roots...the trees and plants with deep roots can survive the "storms" of the season.

It makes me wonder; to ponder...today I heard about or talked with at least five people whose families are going through major storms of life...HIV positive, ICU, a death, etc. How do people cope? I know years ago when I went through a season of storms I barely got through it. It was my faith that kept me going, even though to me it seemed almost non-existent. Just like here, where only those plants with deep roots survive, it is those people who have deep roots of faith that will survive the crisis of life. I know I couldn't get through all the circumstances and pain in my life without Christ. And, I know others can't either. He will not leave you. He will not leave me. That comforts me. I hope it comforts you, too.

10 Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (TLB)

Baby Albert

This is baby Albert. He and his mother, Lydia, are the newest residents of the Lawra Methodist OVC Centre. Albert's mother is HIV positive. Albert was tested yesterday and, praise God, his test came back negative. The problem is Albert's father and the families don't want anything to do with Lydia or Albert. They had no place to go. So, they came to us. Lydia is on medication. And, since Albert is six months old, he will be weaned from breast milk to help protect him from acquiring the HIV virus.

This morning we gave Lydia soy milk powder. Mama Ester will tell her how to prepare it. Albert may not be happy for a couple of weeks, he will want to suck the breast milk. But, he will get used to the other. And, I pray that he will have the opportunity to grow up to be a man of God, just like another Albert who has impacted my life. (Thank you, Albert S.)

Mabel

This is Mabel, a dear friend of mine. As you might guess, she is Ghanaian. She is from Accra and has chosen to live in Lawra to help women in the north become financially self sufficient. She sews beautifully and teaches women how to make simple things so they can earn some money. The women who come to learn have very little and can barely afford the necessities they need to sew. Mabel's non profit organization is called Bridge Female Missions. She incorporates faith with skills training in order to help women improve their living conditions and make life easier for women in the poverty stricken areas of Ghana.

Mabel says she is a social worker, but I believe she is much more than that. She is a person who lives her faith, who believes in God and trusts Christ and is lead by the Holy Spirit. Her house in Accra is available to rent. She is praying that someone will rent it so she can stay in this area for two more years. She says that there is still much work for her to do. I know I want to see this dear sister stay in Lawra. I pray that God will hear her prayer and answer so she can continue her work in the Upper West Region.

Getaway!

Life has been crazy lately. I have been working on a report for the Manageress of Lawra Integrated Health Project for three days. Evidently, there are people who know less about the computer than me! So, I was "elected" to type it, format the charts, etc. Then, there's the monthly reports for the Christian Health Assoiciation of Ghana. I'm in charge of making sure the children's statistics are gathered, reported and accurate. So, I devised this little book (not a little black book) to record all the info. My mistake was working on it last week, Saturday & even at 5:30 Sunday morning. I didn't even want to cook yesterday & I had plenty of good food in the house. If Rose didn't come, I would have never cooked. (She was worried about me working so much, so she came to mop my floors!) I have been doing too much. It has been hot, in the low 100's, and I am no longer young. Plus, my baby toe still hurts. (Whine.) I think I broke it about ten days ago. So, today I decided to call my team leader to tell her I was running away to Wa for the day & possibly the night. She said to spend the night, too. The above picture is the outside of my room. By American standards, it is ok. By Upper West Standards, it is the best...a/c, hot water. a towel AND soap! I think I will go and relax now, maybe even have some time with God while I drink a cold Coke! Tomorrow afternoon - back to reality, but refreshed with a renewed spirit within me. 

Worlds Apart, but Still One Body

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth .

Yesterday I went to church in my jammies. Well, I didn't actually GO to church in my jammies, but I attended nonetheless. I attended a service held back in Corry, PA on Christmas Eve. And my heart was overflowing...with gratitude for the DVD of the service, for familiar Christmas carols, for a sermon that I could understand (by the way, "all is well"), and especially grateful for God the Father sending His Son to earth, to show us how to live, how to love, how to deal with every day situations and how to deal with the crisis that come our way. Most importantly, Jesus, the Father's Son, showed us the way to the Father, the way to spend eternity with Him He gave life purpose and meaning. The service ended just like it does at my home church, with the lighting of the candles from the Christ Candle - Jesus, the Light of the World. And, I sat on my couch on March 11, 2012, watching people light candles, singing along with them with tears in my eyes, missing them and so many others and knowing that In Christ we are all one. And, if we are in Him, we are never far away.

Thank you, Pat and Sally!