A Proud Mama

Sunday, I preached in Lawra at the Bethel Society. It was good to be in Lawra again. Bethel is my Ghanaian "home church." But, I do get more nervous when I preach there. Even though there are plenty of village people who attend this church, there are more educated people attending there, too. So, I allow that to put more pressure on me. I have to keep in mind that the sermon can't be too complicated for the uneducated, but not so simple as to be "boring" to the others. Oh, why do I worry about those things? I really don't have to. If I listen to the Lord, all will be well. And it was. 

I was at the church to worship. To preach. To be in fellowship with the people of God. Yet, I also had a couple of "Proud Mama" moments. The woman who interpreted for me was Akos. (Her Christian name is Paulina.) When I met Akos in 2008, she was 12 years old. I looked at her and I thought, "Oh, Lord, she has become such a sweet young woman." She is dedicated to serving her Lord and her church. The way she lead the worship service and the singing....I am sure my face was glowing I was so proud of her and the way she has dealt with all of the challenges life had given her. (She has completed Senior Secondary School and is working in the office at the Methodist clinic in Lawra.) Akos also interpreted for me as I preached. She did an excellent job. He voice was strong. The inflections of her voice were perfect. And, she helped me to keep the attention of the people. Thank you, Jesus! I wish she could be with me in Kunyukuo!

Then, as I sat up front, facing the congregation, my eyes fell on a handsome young man wearing a long sleeved shirt and a tie! His name is Richard and he is from Kalsagri. He finished Senior Secondary School last year and is now in his first year of nursing school in Lawra. He is doing well at school and looks forward to the day when he will graduate and will be gainfully employed. When that happens, he will be able to help his family and be a leader in his church.

These are two of the "kids" the Lord has given me. When I think of them, I smile. When I see them, my heart is full of joy. And, I am grateful.

Celebrations

 

The people of Lawra Methodist Church can teach us all something about celebration and praising God! Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. Most everyone came to church with palm leaves or other types of leaves to wave during the "official" Palm Sunday type of song. Palm branches were in a variety of shapes and sizes, some branches came "as is," others were woven into numerous intricate designs. At the end of the service, when the "Hosanna" song was sung, the church really came alive with singing, dancing, jumping and praising King Jesus.It was definitely a "party" type atmosphere. Yes, Friday was coming, but this day, celebrating our King was in order.





 

Today is Easter Sunday. We remember that Jesus conquered sin and death and that "up from the grave He arose." As part of remembering the first Easter, our church went "looking for Jesus," just as the three women did so many years ago. The good news is that the tomb is empty! We met at 5 am at the community center and began a trek of singing praises (complete with drums) and preaching. Along our 1 1/2 hour route, we stopped five times for the word of God to be proclaimed to the nearby residents. The final sermon was at the center of town, at the traffic circle. There was preaching, singing, dancing, drumming, praying and proclaiming that our God is ALIVE. Three and a half hours later, we met for our regular Easter morning service. It has been a day of celebration and gratefulness to our Heavenly Father for His great love and mercy.

 

1 Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord! Praise him in his Temple and in the heavens he made with mighty power. 2 Praise him for his mighty works. Praise his unequaled greatness. 3 Praise him with the trumpet and with lute and harp. 4 Praise him with the drums and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and horns. 5 Praise him with the cymbals, yes, loud clanging cymbals. 6 Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise him! Hallelujah!

Psalms 150:1-6 (TLB)