Elijah Has Taugh Us All

A week ago, today, a friend of mine died. His Christian name was Elijah. Elijah was not always a follower of Christ. As a matter of fact, he was a Christian for only 21 months. But, in those few, short months, he was no longer living as the local soothsayer or Fetish priest, he was living for Christ. He was baptized a few months after becoming a believer. He was very active in the local church, always there whenever the doors are open. He prayed that God would give him a wife. And, God answered that prayer. Elijah had paid part of the bride price for her and they were living as man and wife for some time. Elijah had traveled to Techiman to find work so he could finish paying the dowry. He told the pastor before he traveled, "I am leaving my wife in your hands. Take good care of her while I am gone." Of course, the wife was still in the village, not at the pastor's house, but Elijah trusted the pastor so much, he knew that Rev. Baiden would watch over her. Anyway, Elijah arrived in Techiman but could not even alight by himself, he was too weak. A taxi was called and he was taken to the hospital where he died.

I could not believe the news when I heard that Elijah had died. I wanted to see the body. It was uncertain if the burial would take place in Techiman or here in the Lawra area, in the village of Yagtuor. After a lot of discussion and several phone calls, it was decided to bring the body back north for burial. Saturday was the funeral. When I first arrived at the house, Elijah was sitting in a chair, looking as if he was napping. The grieving, the mourning and weeping had gone on all Friday night, after the body arrived. Then, the body was taken inside of the house to change clothes. Elijah was given a smock, trousers and a hat to wear, all made out of northern cloth. He looked quite handsome, fit for a Naa (Chief.) The sat him in a chair, with a cross around his neck, a bow in his hands (he was a hunter), and Guinea corn and millet (he was a farmer) and a Bible on top of the bow. The wooden xylophones were playing the funeral dirges and people were wailing. The hand made casket arrived...a cross was put on it to symbolize Elijah's faith. I did notice that a couple of men took a stick and measure the height of the casket to make sure that the grave was dug deep enough.

Members of the church had come early to the house to grieve with the family. Later, in the morning, many, many people from several of the Lawra area Methodist churches came to morn, grieve, pray and give testimony to Elijah's faith and to speak on how his life touched theirs. Rev. Baiden held the service for a Christian burial. People sang and praised God all the way to the cemetery - he was buried in the Christian cemetery. The entire day was a testimony to how he lived the last 21 months of his life for Christ.

Sunday morning, the family came to the Lawra church to worship and to give thanks for Elijah's life. His senior brother said, "Elijah has taught us all the One thing that is important." Praise God. I pray we will all know that One Thing!

Dreams

In January, when I was back in the USA, I went on "holiday" with my friend, Tula. Tula has been on many cruises and to me is the "Cruise Queen." She wanted to introduce me to the joys of cruising! So, we signed up for a five night cruise on the Celebrity Constellation, leaving two days after our conference ended. We flew down to Fort Lauderdale and hung out until "the day" arrived.

 

When we arrived at the dock, our luggage was taken and magically appeared at our room. We went through the document checks and entered the ship...My eyes were as big as saucers... we walked through such beautiful rooms, with champagne in hand! We took the elevator up to our room. It was so nice, a lot nicer than I had expected. And, it had a balcony! Mr. Mooey and I hung out on the balcony for awhile and enjoyed the scenery. After a bit, we heard the alarm sounding. It was time for our emergency drill. Tula and I went to our appointed spots until all crew and passengers were accounted for. Now, it was time to just relax and enjoy.

 

First, Tula took me on a tour of the ship, stopping for an ice cream cone to eat on the way. There were so many restaurants and eating places, a spa, a casino, a theater, three pools, several hot tubs, and, of course, shopping! There would be all kinds of stuff to do!

 

First stop, Key West. We went ashore just to look around, be tourists, eat, shop and have a quiet day. We did make it to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Then, back on the ship to lay around one of the pools and to read. (I know, real party animals!) The next day was a full day on board. The scenery was beautiful, just water and sky. We attended some of the classes and fun stuff that was available. In the evening, we went to the theater to see a show...The Songs of Hollywood. Then, it was off to Cozumel, Mexico. After a relaxing breakfast, we set off to find a Starbucks Cozumel coffee mug. It wasn't to be found. So, again, the two of us just leisurely took in the sights before heading back to the ship. Oh, and we did a little shopping! We had scheduled time at the spa. It was almost heaven! The next day was a  full day at sea, so there were shopping specials, pool time and the officers vs. hotel staff water volleyball game. (Officers won.) And, of course, the food at the restaurants was always amazing. Unfortunately, packing had to be done, too.

 

I know this hasn't been a very exciting blog to read, but, what I wanted you to know that I never dreamed of being able to go on a cruise. God made it happen. In the past, I was afraid to dream because, it was my experience that dreams don't come true. This time, they did. God knows the desires of my heart. And, sometimes, those desires become realities. Thank You, Jesus!

 

 

The Sound of the Drums

 

Each morning, I have been greeted with a very familiar sound....the sound of drums! Oh, they are not funeral drums that I hear. The drumming I hear has a strong, steady beat. This is "marching season." On 6 March, Independence Day, every school and organization in the area will compete in a Marching Competition.

 

Students from preschool through Senior High and beyond will participate. Organizations, police, fire department, even Zoom Lion (a garbage collection business) will participate. There will be a panel of judges, including the Paramount Chief. This is serious business!

 

 

So, for the next three weeks, the sound of the drums will be heard by all, everywhere, as students young and old, prepare to pass the review stands. These children and adults practice for hours on end in the sun. Each has their own twist on how the marching is to be done...snap to attention or be ready from the start? Hands open or closed? Salute the review stand or not? It is quite interesting.

 

All of this time reserved and dedicated to marching. I wonder...if so much time is given to marching, which has no eternal value...how much time do I dedicate to things with eternal value? How about you?

Words of Wisdom

Recently, I was in Fruitland Park, FL for The Mission Society's Global Gathering. (All the missionaries that serve under the umbrella of The Mission Society came together for training, enrichment, fellowship and celebration of The Mission Society's 30th Anniversary.) Here are some "Words of Wisdom" from that Gathering...

~ "You can have friendship without discipleship, but I don't believe that you can have true discipleship without friendship."

~ The Bible calls us to BE like Christ, not to DO things. If we are willing to be, then God can do through us.
~ The role for North American missionaries in the global church is to be the "talka" guys - to share the Gospel where it hasn't gone before.
~ "We [as North American] missionaries tend to go too few places and try to do everything for everyone." - Steve Saint
~ The Steve Saint approach to effective missions - "Know, Go, Show, and Blow". Know the Gospel message, go and show others, then get out.
~ Teach us to teach others to walk on God's path. -The Waorani people to Steve Saint

...more to come when I find my notes!

Power in the Name

 

Tonight at The Mission Society's Global Gathering, we prayed for specific needs in each country of service. Since I serve in Ghana, I was in the group that included the continent of Africa. When we were asked for specific prayer requests, the people serving in Africa all mentioned situations in which the power of darkness was very evident. One of my colleagues spoke up and pointed this out. And, continued with the fact that there is power in the name of Jesus. When we don't know how to pray in a situation, pray, "Jesus." The devil and his minions MUST flee at the mention of His name. Oh, if we would only remember that; if only that were our first response. The above picture is of Albert (L) and Hassan (R). Hassan is pointing to a picture and telling Albert, "Jesus!" I have a lot to learn from this two year old great grandson of mine...no hesitation, no complicated explanation, just, JESUS!" 

Family



OK, I have to admit, so many times and in so many ways, I feel like  I am all alone in Lawra. Sure, there are friends (live, in person!), there is connecting to family and friends by phone or Internet, but, sometimes I wonder, "Does anyone REALLY know and understand how I live? What I do? And, even, how hard it can be at times?"

Well, I have left my home in Lawra early Monday morning to arrive at The Mission Society's Global Gathering in Florida on Thursday afternoon. I registered, moved in, rested, ate supper. Then, the most amazing thing happened to me. A person who I have met through Facebook, came up to me and introduced himself. He is here accompanying his mother. The family has been part of The Mission Society since the beginning. They stopped me to tell me that they pray for me daily. Enrique follows my comings and goings on Facebook and prays specifically for things I am doing/things that have happened. And, the words of encouragement...what can I say?

Then, Friday, Carol spoke to me. I met her overseas several years ago. We spoke for awhile and the love and encouragement I received from her... Friday night, I watched a video from the Christian Hospitality Network Getaway that I attended. I was in it - reading the letter that Jim (from The Mission Society) wrote to me. And, it was the same thing...and I knew, as I always did deep down, The Mission Society is more than just a mission sending organization. It is family...a laughing, loving, encouraging, praying, playing, training, worshipping, hoping, helping, rejoicing kind of family. And, when I am  5079.07 miles away from blood family, I KNOW I am blessed to be part of a much bigger global family, united by the same loving Father. I am so grateful!

Yuoŋ Pala



"Yuoŋ Pala" is the Dagaare New Year's greeting. It literally means, "new year." New Year's is not that much different here, in some ways. People get together with family and friends. They eat special foods (sometimes, too much.) They drink (sometimes too much.) There is one thing that is very different. Many churches have a "Watch Night" or "Cross Over" service, beginning around 8 or 9 pm and lasting throughout the night, into the morning. They pray the New Year in, thanking God for His blessings, mercy and grace and asking for blessings, mercy and grace in the coming year. Since this white woman does not drive her motorcycle at night, the Kalsagri church had their service at 9:30 in the morning. Many people give gifts for New Year's Day instead of Christmas. This grandmother from Kalsagri gave me a bag of shelled groundnuts.

How did I spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Well, New Year's Eve, I went to visit my grandchildren and great grandchildren. Some are Ghanaian. Some are American. Some are even from the UK! We visited and ate. Habib tried to teach me to dance. He said , "OK. Maakum, you did fine!" That didn't last long! Then, I drove home and "watched" Mary Poppins. I think I fell asleep while they were laughing on the ceiling. New Year's Day didn't get any more exciting! Then, Sunday, I talked about John Wesley's Covenant Prayer. I love that prayer! I was given yams for a New Year's gift from Alex, one of the leader's of the church. All in all, this holiday was filled with love and laughter and gratefulness. What a blessing to have the opportunity to celebrate in Lawra/Kalsagri.

Welcome, 2014!

The year 2013 is finished. It was a year of experiencing God's blessings and His mercy and grace. New experiences and some familiar ones were part of life. Unexpected opportunities were part of the year, too. I never thought I'd be preaching most Sundays or driving a motorcycle or have a chance to travel to Victoria Falls or be "Maakum" to so many people. This reinforces the fact that when I trust God with my life, He can open windows and doors that I never imagined. Thank You, Jesus! And, it reinforces my desire to pray:

 

I am no longer my own, but Thine.

Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt.

Put me to doing. Put me to suffering.

Let me be employed for Thee or laid aside for Thee,

Exalted for Thee or brought low for Thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

To Thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Thou art mine, and I am Thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

Let it be ratified in Heaven. Amen

~ John Wesley's Covenant Prayer

 



Faithful One

 

I find no hope within to call my own,

For I am frail of heart, my strength is gone,

But deep within my soul is rising up a song,

Here in the comfort of the Faithful One.

 

I walk a narrow road through valleys deep,

In search of higher ground, on mountains steep,

And, though, with feet unsure, I still keep pressing on,

For I am guided by the Faithful One.

 

Faithful, faithful to the end,

My true and precious Friend,

You have been faithful,

Faithful, so faithful to me.

 

I see Your wounded hands, I touch Your side,

With thorns upon Your brow, You bled and died.

But there's an empty tomb, a love for all who come

And give their hearts to You, the Faithful One.

 

Faithful, faithful to the end,

My true and precious Friend,

You have been faithful,

Faithful, so faithful to me.

 

 

And when the day is dawned and when the race is run,

I will bow down before God's only Son,

And I will lift my hands in praise for all You've done,

And I will worship You, my Faithful One.

 

 ~ Faithful One by Selah

Still Learning....

 

Today is market day in Lawra. So, in Kalsagri, we have our worship service at 7:00 am so people will have plenty of time to buy and sell. Several times, even many times over the last two weeks, we have announced this fact. I even told the congregation on Wednesday, Sunday, when it gets light outside, get up, bath, get dressed, eat fast and come to church. I had hopes that people would do so...it happened in the past.

 

I left my house around 6:35 am. The air was crisp. I almost expected to see frost on the ground. My arms were cold as I zipped (did I really "zip"?) along the road to Kalsagri. The sun was low and beautiful. What a lovely drive! Yet, when I arrived in Kalsagri, "not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." No one was at church. It was locked. No benches were set out. The drum was still locked inside. No one was around. 7:00 came and went. No one. 7:10 came and went. No one. 7:20 came and went. Still, nada. 7:30 came and went...should I go home? The first person arrived at 7:33. Then, another person, a cripples man, walking on his hands, arrived. By 8:00, there were seven (7) of us. So, we started the service.

 

Little by little people did come. It was cold outside. The sun does not come up as early this time of year. Some people were out late last night. Whatever the reason, they did not come at 7:00 am, but they did come. By 9:00, there were 80 people there. And, by the time the service was over, there were over one hundred in attendance.

 

During the testimony time, I stood up to speak. I asked for forgiveness for thinking like an American. I am living in a country, in an area, where people do not have clocks. They do not have watches. They do not have cell phones on which the time is displayed. What they do have is the sun. When a person wakes up, they look at the position of the sun. And, that is how time is marked...by the sun. So, when the sun rises late during this time of year, I need to be sensitive to that fact. People did come to church. But, they came according to the clock in the sky, not the one on my wrist. I hope I learned this lesson today. The lesson? It would be that I am not living in America. The lesson that telling time by the sun is not wrong only different. And, the lesson that God calls people to His house, not me!

Christmas in Lawra

 

Christmas is a magical time, no matter where one might live. Customs my be different, social and economic may be different, but to me, it is all magical, especially when you see the joys and blessings of Christmas through the eyes of a child. Above is Raymond, the son of a friend of mine. He and his brothers LOVED playing with the nativity set. It didn't matter that the angel was missing, good ol' Joe stepped in to fill the part. The Christmas story was told and retold and acted out numerous times. And, the fact that there was music and lights didn't seem to bother them at all, even after the 57th time!

 

 

Christmas in Lawra is celebrated with family and friends. Big shopping, as people do in the USA, isn't done. Most people cannot afford to shop. They will scrimp and save and try to get the best deals on special food for the day, possibly chicken and rice, and new clothing that will be worn the whole year through. The main part of my Christmas shopping was buying three LIVE chickens, one each for three of my friends, including the pastor.

 

 

Christmas Eve Service in Kalsagri was at 9:30 in the morning. (This old white lady does not drive a motorcycle at night.) Over 100 people showed up to worship, sing, dance and hear the Word of God. After the service, a Christmas surprise...clothing left for the people by the Bishop and dresses for the girls made by my sister-in-law, Anita, and her friends.

 

 

Everyone had a good time going through the clothes and choosing some for their family...and just trying on stuff for the fun of it!

 

After church, Sydney and Leahy, two of my Peace Corps friends, came over and we "settled in for a long winter's nap."...we ate, made cookies, drank hot chocolate with marshmallows and watched Christmas movies (in Christmas jammies)! And, we went to sleep hoping Santa would find us!

 

 

Christmas Day found us in Church again. Dancing, singing, praising God. Numbers were down on Christmas Day..."only" 95! Leahy came to Kalsagri to see the church and to hear me preach. She is such a good sport...as I posted on Facebook: "White Jewish woman dances in black Methodist Church on Christmas Day!" Next, came the making of the feast and the savoring of it. Thanks to people back in the USA, we had the fixings for a wonderful meal!

 

Friday, I showed "The Nativity Story" at Kalsagri Church. Fifty six people squeezed into a small room, to watch the movie on a computer screen, with only two little speakers. And, they were ALL attentive...except for the two who fell asleep!

 

I did exchange gifts with Sydney and Leahy, I had something (a chicken) for the pastor, Mr. Gandaa and Fortune, and I had gifts for Razak, Dora, Kataali, Habib, and Hassan...but, I did not expect this...my fist LIVE Christmas chicken. It was from Razak and his family. The first thing the chicken did when I put it down was poop on my veranda! He was going to be dead meat, which, actually, he is...in my refrigerator. He will be cooked today!

 

Depending on where you live, your life's circumstances, your Christmas may have looked a bit different than mine. The truth of the matter is, Christmas isn't in the celebrations, it isn't in the gift giving/receiving, it isn't even in the food or family customs, Christmas is the celebration of our Saviour's birth. Jesus Christ left the glory of heaven to be born as a tiny baby. He experienced all those feelings and emotions that we do, and yet, in all circumstances, He trusted His Father...even all the way to the cross. He came to save me...He came to save you...Have you invited Him to live in your heart?

 

Come into my heart, come into my heart,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus,

Come in today, come in to stay,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus!

Kindred Spirits

 

Two of the best words I have heard since living in Ghana were spoken by my good friend, Tula. She said to me, "We're coming!" She said more, of course, but those words...so sweet! I have had some visitors while living in Lawra, but, they were visitors who were making "the rounds," visiting other projects and missionaries here in Ghana. But, now, Tula was coming. YAY! (Her husband Gary came, too.) I am still amazed that they traveled for almost three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

 

Tula had so many roadblocks while preparing to come, including her passport getting "lost" after she mailed it for her visa. She ended up having to get a new passport and had to do her paperwork for her visa several times because it got lost or misplaced. She ended up in the emergency room three days before she was to fly here...seeing a surgeon was suggested. But, she packed her meds in her carry on and came anyway. I wondered what God had in store for her because of all she had to go through to get here. The day for her arrival came and I met her and Gary at the airport.

 

Oh, I cannot tell you how good it was to see her here. We relaxed in Accra, then, I took the bus home while she and Gary rode with another friend, taking it easy until she felt better. By the time she arrived in Lawra, she was exhausted, but happy.

 

During the next two weeks, I was able to show both Gary and Tula, life in Lawra, Kalsagri, and introduce them to my Ghanaian family. Gary went out & about with John Gandaa, doing his agriculture thing. Tula and I visited Kalsagri by way of motorcycle! We visited the tea shop, ate tilapia, talked about ministry and about life. We played with the kids (with Gary) and watched Christmas movies. Gary cooked okra! (It was good. Who knew?) We talked about the possibilities of ministry for future trips. We dreamt. We laughed. And, when I saw them walking into the airport to leave, there were tears in my eyes. Having Tula here was such an encouragement. Such a balm to my entire being. I thank God for friends like Tula and Gary.

 

God has given me many friends with whom I can share my life and they can share theirs. But, it is not often you come across a "kindred spirit." When that gift is given to you, treasure her/treasure him. For they are truly a gift from God!

Entering a New Decade

 

Another decade has come and gone. "What?" you may ask, thinking it is still 2013; the calendar has not changed to a new year, let alone a new decade. But, in my life, the pages of the calendar have turned. I am now 60 years old...old enough to retire in Ghana! (But, I am not a Ghanaian citizen. Plus, what would I do if I retire now?) I have experienced many emotions as I have reached this milestone of life. People congratulate me...but, it isn't anything I have done. God is the One who numbers out days. So, I am grateful for the time He has given me. And, I am grateful for the many experiences in which He has allowed me to participate.

 

I often pray like King David did in 2 Samuel 7:18..."Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that You have brought me this far?" Far can mean so many things...distance, as I am very far from my blood family...experiences, I have been in the Andes mountains and bathed in the river below, I have walked where Paul the apostle walked, I have been in the company of some very important people, in the world's eyes, and numerous important people in God's eyes...I have learned how to ride a motorcycle at the age of 59...I live and work among some of the most amazing people I have ever met. But, more importantly, He has brought me far in my walk with Him. Life has not always been easy, has not always been care-free. But, through the years, I have learned that I can trust in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He will always be here for me, only a breath away - not even that far!!! And, with Him, I can be thankful in all things, rejoice always and live a grateful life.

 

I pray I have more new decades to enter. I pray that God will continue to sustain me. I pray that I will continue to grow in love and knowledge of Him. I pray people will see Him in me. I pray that as I live out this new decade of life, it will glorify Him, for He is the Author and Giver of Life. Thank You, Lord!