A Kalsagri Funeral

Early yesterday morning, I was informed of the death of one of the church members in Kalsagri, Afie Yongpugre Songneh. Afie was one of the older women of the church, one I called, "Maakum." (Grandmother)  Here, in the north, the body is "staged," items from the person's life surrounds them. Mourners come and grieve and throw coins on te ground. The coins will be used to pay the grave diggers.

The casket is ordered and made the same day. There are no casket shops! The calabashes and pots are broken underneath the staging area. Afie used these items in this world, and will need them in the next. This is how the transition is done. Next, goats were sacrificed. It is believed Afie will need these in the next life, also. 

The Very Rev. Ernest Baiden came to Kalsagri to lead the funeral service. After prayers, scripture and a sermon, which included an invitation to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, a collection was taken up for the family to help alleviate funeral costs.

Next, the graveside service. the family and friends of Afie formed two lines and the pastor, myself and the casket passed through, then, the rest followed.

The grave was hand dug, which is no easy task on the savannah. The earth is hard and I am sure a pickax was used part of the time. The step on the side of the grave was for the grave diggers to stand on while they straightened the casket inside the grave. 



 As the words, "From earth to earth" are said, a shovel full of dirt is thrown on the casket. The same for the words, "From ashes to ashes." And, for, "From dust to dust." The sound of the dirt and stones hitting the top of the casket are a reminder of our mortality...and Who gives us life!

Final prayers are said, a benediction and a song. Then, greeting the family, once again, offering our condolences and inviting them to the service that will celebrate Afie's life. Afterwards, we join the family under the mango tree and visit with family and friends before leaving. One topic of conversation...one of Afie's relatives wants me to be his second wife!!

I pray that the Christian example that was seen these past few days will speak louder than any words preached. Seeds were sown. Praise God!



School Discipline

 

Here, in Ghana, I often see adults with a stick in hand, ready to discipline a wayward child. Caning is an acceptable form of discipline, even in schools. But, some schools are trying to get away from that type of punishment. If a child gets in trouble, they may have to pick rocks up from an area on the school grounds that is in the process of being cleared. Weeding is another punishment that is given. Try weeding in the sun when the temperature is in the 90s. No fun at all! Digging a hole for whatever is needed is also a punishment that is used. Also, sending a child to fetch water can be a disciplinary action. There are so many "manual labor" kinds of punishment that I have heard of and seen.

 

Recently, while traveling, I saw all these school children kneeling on the dry, hard ground, in the scorching sun. They knelt there for several minutes. I had never seen that before, so I asked about it. It was corporate punishment - punishment for the entire school! People would walk up and down the lines of the students, making sure they were in the correct position. The students had to remain there until the signal was given to get up. Caning was no longer allowed at this school, so this form of punishment was being used.

 

Hmmm...makes one wonder about the consequences of one's actions!

 

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Wedding Bells? I Think Not!

 

 

Last week I received another marriage proposal. By the same man who asks me EVERY month. You see, he works at the Lawra Water and Sanitation Authority. And, when he is there when I pay my bill, he proposes marriage to me. In the past, I have told him, "I am too old. There are younger women here." He responded, "I see them come and go. It is YOU I want." I said, "but I am 60 years old. I am too old." He responded, "I am seventy years old. You are not too old."

 

During our latest discussion of marriage, I smiled when I turned him down. He said that because I was smiling, I meant that I really do want to marry him. He told me, "In Lawra, you can find love anywhere...in the market, in Lawra towne, at the river..." "...and, evidently at the Lawra Water and Sanitation Authority," I responded. He laughed. He told me we will have an April wedding.

 

So, there you have it. This 70 year old man wants to marry me in April. I don't know his name. If I asked, it would probably seal the deal. I don't know if I will be the only wife or the second or third wife, maybe even the fourth wife. I didn't even tell him who to talk to about a bride price!

 

Hmmm...I think I will send someone else to pay my water bill next month!

 

Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert, and all that is within me feels dry.

This is my prayer in the hunger in me, my God is a God who provides.

 

And this is my prayer in the fire, in weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved of more worth than gold

So, refine me, Lord, through the flames.

 

And I will bring praise. I will bring praise,

 No weapon forged against me shall remain.

I will rejoice. I will declare:

God is my victory and He is here.

 

And this is my prayer in the battle and triumph is still on it's way.

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ, so firm on his promise I'll stand.

 

All of my life, in every season, You are still God.

I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship.

 

This is my prayer in the harvest, when favor and providence flow,

I know I'm filled to be emptied again.

The seed I've received I will sow.

 

~ by Hillsong

 

 

 

 

A New Opportunity

 

In 2013, an Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) was done here in Ghana. Eight thousand (8,000) second grade students from all over the country were assessed. Both English reading skills and the local language reading skills were tested. (English is the national language.) The results were unbelievable! Overall, not one student could read a primary two level story, 50% could not read a single word of the story, 44% were struggling readers - reading less than 10 words a minute, 4% were able to read with SOME understanding, only 2% could read fluently and understand what they read.

 

Literacy in the local language scored even lower. 86% of the Dagaare speaking students could not read a single word of Dagaare. 10% were struggling readers. 4% were able to read with some understanding. No one could read Dagaare fluently and understand what they read.

 

 

So, as an elementary education teacher, one who has taught reading in the past, the very distant past, I have started to go to the Kindergarten class last week. (There are six more weeks of school this year.) I wanted to evaluate what the children knew. So, I started with letter recognition. The highest score was 10 (ten) out of 26, the lowest was 0 (zero) out of 26. Both of these students were in the KG 2 class...they have completed almost two years of school! (You must keep in mind, most of the parents are illiterate.)

 

For the remainder of this school year, I will work with the Kindergarten students. In September, when the new school year starts, I will work with the lower grades and start reading clubs for the upper grades. And, I will watch and listen to see what God has in store for me! (I will still be taking care of the Kalsagri church, I am not leaving that!)

 

The Making of a Garden, on a Savannah!

For almost two years I have wanted a garden. So, when my friends, Tula & Gary were coming to visit and Gary was planning on planting me a garden, I was very excited. When Gary came, the reality of life on a savannah hit him, as well as the rocky, clay filled soil. Needless to say, a garden was not planted. It was ok. Gary did plenty of other things.

A few weeks ago, I threw some watermelon seeds into a hole. And, God grew them! So, my dear friend, Jonas Delle, took it upon himself to make sure I had a garden, a safe place for watermelon to grow where the sheep, goats and cattle would not eat them. 

One day, after work, he came with his CUTLASS to dig/cut out holes in the hard earth. These were pole holes - holes to put in poles which would be part of the fence. The fence would be made from nym branches which he cut down and removed leaves and whatever else was on them.



My two friends, Gabe and Sydney came to help build the fence. But, Sydney and I are not Ghanaian. We did NOT want to build a fence in the heat of the afternoon.





So, when the poles were in their holes, we pleaded with the guys to let me lash a fence together small, small, each day, in the morning, before it got hot.

The guys agreed and we stopped our work for a photo op!

It took a week or so, and plenty of curling ribbon (I used what I had) and the fence was finished.

Now, the next step...making cages for bell peppers and banana peppers and tomatoes. The carpenter, David, said he just cuts the wire with the wire cutter on a pair of pliers. Where are Chuck and Gary when you need them?



The almost finished product! Seeds were planted, and I did finish off the fencing on the right side, by the house. I've watered my seeds, God has been giving PLENTY of sunshine. I will wait patiently for the harvest!

Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first fruits of all your produce,

then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Proverbs 3:9-10

For Nancy Roddy!

Well, this is not going well at all! I am trying to put a picture on this post and it won't let me resize it. Grrr! It could be because my internet is so slow and I do not have the patience for it. It might be something else. So, Nancy Roddy, this is for you!!!

Meh! (No Longer)

Are you on Facebook? You know where it asks, "how are you feeling?" One of the emoticons available says, "meh!" I guess it means that I am not happy, I am not sad, I am just here. That's how I felt today...this morning, "meh!" I needed a change of scenery. So, I packed my bag, got on the 'cycle and drove out to Kalsagri. As I drove, I felt God setting me free. When I arrived in Kalsagri, I visited with the women waiting to have their shea nuts ground at the mill. Then, I went to the church, put a table under the nym trees and had my quiet time and worked on my sermon. Several people stopped by to great me. A few of the children came to play. It was a lovely morning. I returned renewed and refreshed. It is amazing what happens when distractions are removed and time is spend in God's word!

Fun in Lawra???

Last week, a friend of mine asked, "What do you do for fun in Lawra?" That questioned has bothered me all week. Hmmm. What do I do for fun in Lawra? Count flies when going out for a Coke. Watch a friend touch a bug zapper and get shocked. Take pictures of the goats and sheep in front of the house. Pray for rain. Typically, I am inside before dark because of the mosquitos. Once in a while, I make greeting cards. It relaxes me, and at times, energizes me. Other than that...there really isn't a "nice" place to go out to eat. There is no Y or movie theater or mall or...but, there are friends! Now, my friends, if they are expats are MUCH younger than I. And, most of my Ghanaian friends who happen to be male, are closer in age, but, only by 10 or 15 years. Ghanaian women are always busy with the house or family or laundry or cooking. In Lawra, the typical Ghanaian woman does not have "time to kill." If they are not busy with their immediate family, they are busy with extended family.

 

So, I decided to make my own "fun." I hosted a Memorial Day/Africa Day pool party and picnic. (It was nice that both holidays ended up being on the same day.) I got out the pool and got it ready for summer! Filled it. Brought out the beach (it is on the small table on the right of the picture.) Bought chicken and REAL potatoes. Made jello! Made baked beans. Sydney and Emily came over. We had such fun. I laughed more that day than I had laughed in quite awhile! We grilled the chicken and had a feast fit for a king.

 

So, in answer to your question, Steve, we have a pool party and a picnic. That is how we have fun in Lawra!

I'll Miss You, My Friend

 

This past week has been a very lonely week for me. Oh, I was surrounded by friends and co-workers and people I have grown to love. But, one important "person" was missing. Jack. About two weeks ago, Jack started not being himself. He would visit and take his nap. But, he looked tired. His eyes were not sparkling. His tail wasn't wagging. Every day, when I talked to Jack's "mother," Sydney, she would tell me about something else she noticed about Jack. He wasn't eating like he usually does. He wasn't as active. Then, the day came when he started vomiting. The vet wasn't in town. He had traveled. So, Sydney doctored Jack as best she could. Now, he wasn't eating at all. And was very sick. Finally, on Friday, May 23, the vet had returned to Lawra. But, it was too late for Jack. There was nothing he could really do for Jack.

 

So, Friday evening, May 23, 2014, Jack died in Sydney's arms. I called Razak. He called someone with a pickax and brought him to Sydney's house so Jack could be buried. As I walked to Sydney's house, I could hear the eerie sound of the pickax hitting the hard earth A very nice grave was dug. Blue bunny was placed inside the hole. Sydney, very lovingly placed her best friend on top of his favorite bunny. Then, the eerie sounds of the dirt covering Jack. Sydney and I laughed and cried that evening.

 

Here, where I live, a dog is in the same category as a goat or a sheep. They are not household pets. They are guard dogs...or dinner. People don't understand these silly American women shedding tears over a dog!

 

I am not a dog person. But, I loved Jack.  I miss Jack. I look for him in the morning...he would come to visit. I miss him going to town with me. You get the picture. Maybe, the name of the Disney movie is true...All Dogs Go to Heaven.

 



The Election of a Bishop - in Pictures

 

This year, at our annual Synod meeting, a bishop was to be elected. Our present Bishop, The Right Reverend Emmanuel Maclord Afriyie, has completed his term of service. Since I am a member of the Synod, I was given the responsibility of casting my vote for our next Bishop.

 

The Right Reverend Professor Osei Safo-Kantanka, Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese, and his lay chairman, KwasiAtta Antwi, traveled to Bolgatanga to facilitate the voting process. First, Bishop Safo-Kantanka gave the rules for the vote. Then, the CV or biography of each candidate was read.

 

 

The vote could only be written on an official ballot which had Bishop Afriyie's stamp on the back.

 

 

The container in which we were to place our votes was turned upside down, so all could see it was empty. Then, the voting began.

 

Votes were placed in three piles, one for each candidate...

 

 

and then counted. 50% of the votes plus one was needed to be elected.



 

With one round of voting, a Bishop was elected. The votes were written in the journal.

 

And, now, for the announcement...The Very Reverend Doctor Nathan I. Samwini is our Bishop elect. May God be with both Bishops during this time of transition!

One Year Later...

 

May 19, 2014, Kalsagri Methodist Society celebrated its one year anniversary of renewal. Last Year, our first worship service was held on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013. I was a bit, to say the least, unsettled. I am not a pastor, I am not a preacher. God had other ideas.  In one year, our attendance grew from 59 to 118! And, a new roof, floor, windows, door and cement work and painting has been done. The church looks very nice.

 







During services, people sometimes fall asleep. People sometimes smile and nod their heads as if they know what I mean when I give an example or tell a story. Sometimes, they even get upset...like when Jacob was given Leah for a wife instead of Rachel!

 

Little by little, I am trying to find people who are willing to serve in leadership positions. This is their church. There are a few who will volunteer. Pray that leaders will rise up from the congregation and the church will be 100% led by people from Kalsagri. With God, anything can happen!

Frustrations and Joys

Life in Lawra can be challenging in many ways. But, to me, the most challenging things have to do with electronics. The electricity is not stable, it is not always available ("lights off" happens more frequently than I'd like), the internet is slow, some web pages cannot be viewed with a VPN...even this blog post has taken me more than two weeks to write and post, because putting a picture on it has caused me more challenges than I have been ready to face...and...without my morning coffee!!! When I first moved to Lawra, MTN was the internet provider to use...when it worked. Then, Vodafone was amazingly fast! I no longer had to start dinner or do dishes while waiting for a web page to load. That worked for a while. Last year, I heard that airtel worked even better. So, I tried it. I could upload pictures without growing old! WOW! How nice. This year, MTN upgraded their towers. 3G is now available in Lawra! YAY! I can be on my computer, email, use my VPN without everything freezing up and...wait...there is no connection...it was fine a minute ago...oh, airtel will work...hmmm...It's back on! Let me try Skype...I video Skyped my brother in Pennsylvania. It was the first time in a long time that I saw him with my own eyes...and his wife...and his grand dogs...what a blessing. Yes, electronics can be a real challenge at times, but, "joy comes in the morning!" (Ps. 30:5b)