Triplets, a Blessing or a Curse?

I have known a few people who have given birth to triplets. When they found out that they were expecting three babies, instead of one, they were both excited and concerned…would they be able to care for three babies properly? Would they be good parents? In the end, all was well. Family and friends were always around to lend a helping hand, when needed. The children were truly a blessing.

But, what do you do when you give birth to triplets and they are looked upon as a curse? This is exactly what the Dagaaba people believe. Triplets are a curse. They are from evil spirits and, it is best for everyone if one or more of them is allowed to die.

One of the reasons mothers and their children come to live at the Lawra Orphan and Vulnerable Child Centre is because they have given birth to triplets. The children are not accepted in the community. The Traditional Religion leaders want the children dead. They are afraid that the spirits of the children would take over the spirits of the parents. And then, the parents would die. So, in fear for their children’s life, the women flee the village, taking their children with them.

Once the children reach an age of at least two years, they are more accepted by the village leaders. It is safe to move back home. But, there is still a stigma related to triplets. The first born is not seen as the first born but as the “Herald,” as the one who announces the birth of twins. The actual second born is given the first born rights.                         

  

Paul, Sarah and Rose came to live at our Centre in 2009, shortly after birth, along with their older sister, Papula, and their mother.  As infants, their mother was very concerned for the lives of her children. They were not welcome in their village. People were afraid of what might happen. They children were very tiny. At the Centre, the children grew and were happy. They played. They laughed. They were enjoying life.

Paul

Several months after their second birthday, the family moved back to the village. They settled into a new chapter of life. Six weeks later, Paul was dead. He and his sisters became very ill and were taken to the hospital. That is where Paul died. Even though his mother grieved for him, his death was also a relief because now she had one less mouth to feed and she didn’t have to worry about what the Traditionalists would do.

During the time Paul and his sisters and mother lived at the Centre, Christ was presented to them. Seeds were planted. Hopefully, lives were touched. Many, many times I prayed for Paul and the others. Even now, when I hold a child, I pray for them. I believe some of these children will be the future teachers, pastors, teachers, nurses, etc. in this area. And, as they come to know Christ, they will live in such a way that others will know Him, too.  

I pray that the Dagaaba people will come to the place where every life, every child would be looked upon as a miracle, a gift from God. And, that triplets born to a woman, would be perceived as a blessing. I pray that the parents would choose to praise God for these children’s lives and they would not fear them. They are God’s special blessing!

Communication Workshops

A few weeks ago, I was telling my friend, Sarah Gardner, about some of the "malformed" children in the area. (Sarah has years of experience working with disabled children.) I showed her pictures and some video and told her what I could about some of the children. Most of these children cannot speak and they have no communication skills, so they can't ask for even the most basic of needs. Sarah suggested we do a communication Workshop where we would teach the parents and children how to use pictures for their needs or to express emotion. So, we made 45 "Communication Fans" to introduce to the children and their caregivers.

Finally, the day for the workshop arrived. I was able to greet and spend time with some old friends, Ebenezer, Belinda, Ziem, Stephen and others. The first part of the day was for play. The children don't have opportunity to gather and play with or near each other. The Teacher resource Centre was the perfect place for this. As people arrived, children played with blocks, shape sorters and puzzles. They ate breakfast, too.

 

Then, we started our "schedule" (which was up to change at any given moment." After prayer, introductions, objectives, the children were introduced to the Communication Fans. We had food and water ready so that when the children asked for it with the picture, we could give them what they requested.

Each day included two health talks, one on some of the contributing factors that may cause a mother to give birth to a disabled child and one on hand washing. There seems to be plenty of people in this area who have disabilities. One of the biggest reasons is poor nutrition during pregnancy and poor, if any pre-natal care. Alcohol, self medication, smoking were also listed as things to avoid while pregnant. And, after birth, some of the actions that are widely accepted in this area of the world, need to be avoided, too, such as beating your child. On the hand washing issue, many did not realize that you have to wash your hands several times a day AND washing your child's hands is a must, too. Keeping clothing on a child for health reasons was part of the discussion.

All in all, the two workshops went VERY well, thanks be to God and all the help we had! Everyone pitched in to do what they could. It was definitely a co-operative effort! There were 24 disabled who attended the first day and 11 disabled who attended the second day, along with their caregivers and siblings. It was such a good experience. I pray that these workshops will open doors to further ministry to the disabled, who, in their society, are seen as worthless. God sees them as valuable...precious in His sight!

Metro Mass Transit, LTD. - Moving the Nation

Yesterday I began my travels to Ho, which is in the Volta Region of Ghana. I am VERY grateful that I was able to catch a Metro bus in Lawra, instead of having to spend the night in Wa to get a bus at 4:00 AM. I was told to be at the Lawra station by 5:00AM. So, I was able to sleep in my own bed & avoid the extra cost of staying in Wa.

I arrived at the station shortly before 5:00. After being asked where I was going, I was told by several people that the bus had already passed through Lawra. They wanted me to travel in their tro-tro, a van that squishes 20+ people in it. Hmmm...that didn't sound right. Just a few days ago the Hamile-Kumasi bus passed through Lawra at 6:00 AM. No, I told them, I will wait small.

The tro-tro was being packed and I was praying. More than one person had told me that the bus comes somewhere around 6:00 AM. And, if they left Hamile at 4:30, there was NO WAY it would have reached Lawra this early. So, I waited. And, continued to pray!

At 5:50 AM, the most beautiful orange bus came into view. It was the bus I was waiting for, the Hamile-Kumasi bus. I would be able to ride this bus to Wenchi in relative comfort. (Comfort being 90% attitude.)

I ended up in seat number 3, with no one in seat number 2, so Julia, my seat mate & I had plenty of room. The motor was right in front of me & I was able to stretch my legs out on top of it. =-) The ride to Wa was truly a blessing. I was so thankful. 

Our "quick" stop in Wa ended up to be two hours long. Evidently, there was a problem with one of the tires & it needed fixed or changed. I would rather sit in Wa for two hours than on the side of the road for four. Again, it is all a matter of attitude & gratefulness!

All went well after that. I couldn't help wondering why people pay to ride at amusement parks when they can ride the Metro at a much smaller cost & have the same experience! There is no preaching or selling on the bus, so when we have our "rest stop" people preach and sell right outside of the bus doors. Trust me, the facilities at the rest stops don't even come close to American facilities!

Even with the two hour stop, I alighted in Wenchi before 1:30 PM. Metro Mass Transit does it again...I arrived safe, in a timely manner and at a great price! Thank You, Lord, for keeping me safe on this trip!

The Woman at the Well...er, um, Borehole

Yesterday I had one of those moments where it seemed all too familiar, as if I was living in a Book I have read. I was preparing for a communication workshop for disabled children and adults. And, for my "health talk" on hand washing, I needed water. So, I went to the nearby borehole to pump water. I greeted the people sitting under the tree who were trying to escape from the morning heat.  One man greeted me in the usual way (and in Dagaare), "Good morning. Did you sleep well? How is your house? How is your husband?" I did well in answering his questions in Dagaare. But, as I told him, "I have no husband," I half expected him to say, "You are right. You have had five husbands and the man you are living with is not your husband."

But, alas, I have not had five husbands and I am not living with a man. And, this guy was not Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, but a local man, most likely a Muslim. I was able to tell him about a Book that I have read, about a story of a Great Man who met a woman at the well and asked her about her husband. And, I continued with the story...Seeds were planted. May God's Holy Spirit do the watering!

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)