Thoughts from a Sunday Afternoon

This past Sunday was a busy one! First, there was church and preaching. My topic was, "We live by faith, not by sight," taken from 2 Corinthians 5:7. It was nice because I felt I really did have the words God wanted me to say. Then, several church members and myself went to visit "Saakum." (Grandfather) He is the husband of one of the church members. (He is the one covered in a white cloth with his head hanging down.) He had been to the Lawra hospital and was referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital. His condition was not good. So, we went to his house to pray for him. I took one look at him and thought, "He is going to die." Oh, he looked to be about 110 years old. He was too weak to hold his head up. He was all skin and bones. Samuel took the lead, speaking with Saakum's wife, to Saakum and leading in prayer. Atone point, Samuel asked for water, because, especially here, water is life. He gave some to Saakum on a spoon. Saakum could barely sip it. He mainly spilled it. AS I was watching events of the visit unfold, I was arguing with myself. "I just preached on living by faith, not by sight. And, I see the reality of this man's condition and think that he is going to die. Where is my faith? Aren't I supposed to believe in what I can't see? But, what is God's will for this man?" And on and on it went. I spoke with his wife before we left the house, encouraging her. As we left the house, I told Samuel, "We will be going to a funeral this week." Then, I told him about my struggles - what I see with my eyes vs. faith. Tough call! 

Tuesday I received word that Saakum had died. Was it lack of faith? Lack of medical care? Or was it the will of God...to give Saakum the ultimate healing? I doubt that Saakum was a believer. He was most likely a Traditionalist. Only God knows for sure. I pray that God would use this to draw Saakum's family to Himself. That God would comfort the mourning and give them peace. And that He would provide for the family.

Please pray for people like Saakum, who do not have access to proper medical care, who may not know the Lord. Pray that God would provide someone locally to minister to the people that He is calling to be His own.

On the Way to My Dream

My last blog talked about a dream I have...a dream that, at times seems impossible. My dream is to have a week when everything works and I don't have to call a repairman. Well, I am on the way to that dream! My trousers were altered by a seamstress. An electrician came and fixed the outlet that was incorrectly installed in my wall. And, he took apart my ceiling fan (again) and fixed that. Joe came and fixed my toilet. Now, it flushes like a normal toilet and you don't have to wait four hours for the tank to fill. Even more exciting than a fixed toilet, is a fixed air conditioner! (I have been thanking God for three days now.) When I woke up Thursday morning, it was a nippy 66 degrees in my bedroom. Even now, it is 76 degrees. Abraham and his crew came at dusk on Wednesday. They held flashlights in their mouths as they cut a pipe and welded it back together, fixing the place where the gas was escaping. A nice sleep, with slipper socks, long sleeved t shirt, long pajama pants and a blanket (along with Slake, my stuffed giraffe) makes so many things go so much better. And, the fact that I have been spending more intentional time with the Lord doesn't hurt either. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It will happen. My dream will come true!

It Could Happen!

I have a dream. No, it is nothing like Dr. Martin Luther King Junior's dream. My dream is quite selfish! I dream of a week when I will not have to call a repairman, when everything in my house works and is not broken or leaking or in need of any kind of repair or maintenance. These past few weeks, I have had my ceiling fan worked on five times. It still makes noises and after an hour has an electrical burn smell. Yesterday, I had an outlet and a plug replaced. The outlet is not usable. I refuse to force a plug into it because I don't want to break a plug off of something I use. It rained last night. I felt a drip drip on my foot. My roof is leaking through the ceiling and onto my bed. I had my motorcycle serviced and when I picked it up, the speedometer wasn't working. I took cloth to the seamstress who took my measurements and told me when to pick up my clothes. They weren't ready on the specified day. When they were ready, they didn't fit. I had to have them altered. My toilet tank takes 4-5 hours to refill drop by drop. (Maybe I should put it under the leak in the bedroom.) And, the air conditioner...don't get me started on that! I have had someone here at least six times to work on it. Yesterday, I had someone new. He found the problem. So, maybe today it will get fixed. I don't know. I do have two electricians and a plumber who are supposed to be coming today. I have a called a carpenter. When people will actually come, I don't know.

These are the things that make me weary. Make me tired. Make me want to get lost in a god book. I know things break. I know things wear out. I know things aren't perfect and need repaired or replaced. I know getting things repaired here is a challenge. There are only a couple of people who are plumbers or electricians. (There are a few more carpenters.) The Dagaare language does not have a word for maintenance. And, sometimes, it is just easier replacing the item instead of getting it fixed. (That is, if the item is available in the community in which you live.) But, for now, I am holding onto that dream...

I have a dream....there will be one week in which I will not have to call a repairman and nothing will break or leak or fall apart. It could happen! Just like the refreshing rains could come...it could happen!

The Latest Dery Update

Yesterday, I had some visitors...a lot of them, actually. But, the visitors I want to talk about are Rev. Raymond Dery and his wife, Vida. On Sunday, March 16, 2014, Dery was in a very serious motorcycle accident. He was fighting for his life. Vida and I cried on each others shoulders at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Now look at him! Now, 14 months later, he is visiting me in Lawra, where his family house is located.

Dery attended the annual Synod of the Northern Ghana Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana. So, I wasn't surprised to see him doing so well at my house. We had a lovely conversation while he was here. He is able to do many of the things that he did before his accident. He has many of the same mannerisms that he had before the accident. He still has a strong faith in God and is grateful for his life. Yet, you only have to spend a couple of minutes with him to know that he is still not the same as he was before the accident. Oh, the conversation was good, please don't get me wrong. But,there is still healing to take place. Even though, we are all grateful to God for Dery's healing up to this point, we continue to pray that God will touch him even more and restore Dery to the place where he will once again be preaching and teaching the Word of God, traveling to the villages where people are hungering for God's Words. We pray that he will be restored to the place where he is the husband and father he used to be. We pray that his brain will be fully recovered from the intense injury it suffered. Won't you pray with us?

A Hunger and a Thirst

October 2014 was a very special month for the Dagaaba people of Ghana. Why? Because it is the month that the Dagaare New Testament was published by the Bible Society of Ghana. Up to this point, there was no printed Bible in the language of the people with whom I work. The Bible was read in English and then interpreted into Dagaare. Many of the people of my church are illiterate. Some are not. There is a hunger and a thirst for God's Word, especially among the younger people of the church. Josbeth, pictured above is a quiet person, not loud spoken at all. A year ago, when asked to read English in church, he would read haltingly, not sure of himself at all. He would read the shorter passages for the worship services. Now, Josbeth comes to church and volunteers to read even the long passages in Dagaare, reading with conviction, as if he really believes what he reads. 

This is Comfort and Samuel. Samuel has been teaching all those who want to learn to read Dagaare and those who can read, but want to read better. Samuel is a church leader and Comfort herself will be a leader some day. Comfort attends Bible study and our English/Dagaare reading classes. She, too, has a hunger and thirst for God's Word. Samuel is hesitant to assign people to read during the services because he wants people to volunteer to read because they have a desire in their heart to serve God in this way.

These two boys are Wisdom (grade 5) and Godfred (grade 6). They walk from their village about a half hour away to attend worship services and when they are able, English/Dagaare reading classes. Wisdom often leads devotions at his school, giving the message. He wants to be a pastor when he grows up. They both have shown that they are hungering and thirsting for the Word of God. The day this picture was taken, they sat under the nymn tree and read the Scriptures aloud for 20 minutes before the service started.

It has been such a blessing to watch these young people grow not only in their ability to read, but in their desire to know the Word of God. New Testaments are made available to those who attend classes and take their turn reading in church during the services. For others of the church, they are made available at a reduced cost. Pray that God's Word would be planted in hearts and that someday, these young people would make a difference in their community and beyond!

Market Sunday Thoughts

 

Last Sunday was Market Day in Lawra. On Market Day, we worship at 7:00 am instead at 9:30 am. This gives the women time to go to church and then walk into Lawra to buy and sell. We have been doing this for two years now. I am hoping people realize that this is what happens every Sunday Market day.

 

Recently, I read a quote that said that God isn't interested in quantity, He is interested in quality. I was reminded of that on Sunday. I was sitting there, in church, wondering, "Where is everyone?" There were two funerals that day and it was market day, but, it was still early. And, I was a bit disappointed that only 25 people came to worship. But, then, I began to look around....

 

The two boys pictured above are in their early 20s, Samuel on the left and Josbeth on the right. A year ago, Josbeth would barely speak aloud. He had a hard time reading both English and Dagaare. And now, he jumps at every chance he has to read the scripture in Dagaare during the service. He leads the Dagaare responses and even preached a week ago! I am so proud of him and the way he has been open to God's leading.

 

Then, I looked to my right to Ernestina. Oh, how she loves the Lord! She is so passionate when she gives testimony of what God has done. She prays and praises with her whole being! Wisdom, a boy in grade five, stood up and testified that the day before, he almost didn't come to church for our Bible class because his friend, Godfred wasn't able to come. But, he came anyway. Wisdom reads Dagaare very well. And, because he has been coming to classes and reads the scripture in church for all to hear, he was given a Dagaare New Testament. He said that receiving that Book was the best day ever!

 

So, what do I have to worry about? Nothing! God has it all under control. I think I will trust Him. He has used these people who came to worship that numbers aren't everything, He is!

 



"Dog Days of Summer"

It has been very hot in Lawra lately. It is not summer, as there is no summer season here. (To me, it seems as if it is summer all year 'round.) Right now, we are in the midst of the hot season, when the temperatures are high and it is very dry with little, if any, rain.  As you can see, the temperature hit 108 degrees Fahrenheit on the day I took this picture. You can also see that we had electricity that day, since my a/c was working and it was 84 degrees in my bedroom. (Thank You, Jesus!)

 

I am a morning person. You can probably see that if you look at the timestamps on Facebook, my emails or even this blog. You have to be a morning person during this season because the heat saps out all of your energy! Three afternoons a week, I drive my motorcycle out to Kalsagri for different activities at the church. If they were not scheduled, I would be like many Ghanaians - relaxing because it is just too hot to do anything! And, when there is no electricity....ugh! But, it is what it is, a fact of life here in Lawra. A person has to accept it or move someplace else because things are not likely to change.

 

I know the saying, "the dog days of summer" refers to the period of time when Serius, the Dog Star, rises as the same time as the sun. I like the more simple definition: a period marked by lethargy, inactivity, or indolence. The afternoons are filled with low activity activities, if possible. And, sitting in the shade drinking plenty of water! If you enjoy the heat, you are invited to join me in Lawra!

A Husband, a Father and a Spiritual Battleground

 

My church members told me last Sunday (Easter) about a man who was crazy. His wife attends our church with his young twins, a boy and a girl. The people of the church wanted me to visit him, but, since they told me that he is sometimes tied down because of the way he acts, I begged off until Monday. That way, Razak and the pastor would be in Kalsagri and if something happened, they were stronger than me. As it turned out, we didn't go on Monday because the man wasn't home. So, we went today. Not with Razak and the pastor, but, with at least twenty people from the church.

 

"He lives just over there," I was told. Fifteen minutes later, we arrived. We asked permission to visit and it was granted. We were led to a place under a large mango tree where two benches were set out for us. My eyes saw what they never saw before. And, my spirit wept. For there, in front of me, sitting on the ground was a man in a dirty, ripped up green shirt and filthy trousers. But, that wasn't what made me weep. That is almost normal in Kalsagri. What made me weep were the shackles on his wrists and ankles. Ofonso, the person we came to see, was in shackles because he has been harming others. He literally picked up a couple of men and threw them to the ground. I kept praying, "Jesus. Jesus." And, I kept thinking of the Bible stories of Jesus casting out demons. And I kept thinking, "Jesus loves you."

 

Samuel was our spokesperson. He talked with Ofonso and led us in prayer. The women sang. It was a holy time. And, here is the spoiled American (me) thinking, "I wish I could snap a picture." But, it wasn't the time or place. It would have been rude and inappropriate. As we prayed corporately, I wept for this tortured soul. Oh, how Jesus loves him. I prayed against the powers of the evil one. I prayed for his restoration. I prayed that he would be given visions and dreams that he would know personally the Lord and Giver of Life. I prayed that he would answer the knocking at the door of his heart and welcome Jesus inside. I prayed that he would one day live his life for the Lord.

 

After we prayed, Samuel spoke with Ofonso some more. He spoke of grace and mercy and the love of God. As we finished up, we asked if we could visit again in a few weeks. He said, "yes." So, please, I beg you, pray for this man, that God would restore him and give him life. And, that Ofonso will live his life to glorify God.

A Cry for Mercy

O Lord, who else or what else can I desire but You? You are my Lord, Lord of my heart, mind and soul. You know me through and through. In and through You everything that is finds its origin and goal. You embrace all that exists and care for it with divine love and compassion. Why then, do I keep expecting happiness and satisfaction outside of You? Why do I keep relating to You as one of my many relationships, instead of my only relationship, in which all other ones are grounded? Why do I keep looking for popularity, respect from others, success, acclaim, and sensual pleasures? Why, Lord, is it so hard for me to make You the only one? Why do I keep hesitating to surrender myself totally to You?

 

Help me, O Lord, to let my old self die, to let die the big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self and trying to cling to my false desires. Let me be reborn in You and see through You the world in the right way, so that all my actions, words and thought can become a hymn of praise to You.

 

I need Your loving grace to travel this hard road that leads to the death of my old selfand to a new life in and for You. I know and trust this is the road to freedom.

 

Lord, dispel my mistrust and help me become a trusting friend. Amen

 

 

From A Cry for Mercy by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Missing Easter...or Not!

 

Lord, today I am "missing Easter." I am missing all of the preparations that I would be doing in the US....boiling the eggs and coloring them, baking the almond puff pastry, jelly beans and chocolate cashew eggs and decorating as if spring has arrived. Oh, and the scent of hyacinths, my mom loved hyacinths. I am missing familiar Easter hymns. And I am missing being with my family and friends.

 

Yet, Lord, I know that isn't what Easter is all about. it isn't about polish sausage and a butter lamb and jelly beans and chocolate. It's about You. It's about Your triumph over death, crushing the head of the serpent. It's about victory so that we, including myself, can be with You in Your Kingdom for all eternity. 

 

So, what do I do? I will ride my bicycle into town. I will buy eggs. Maybe I will be able to buy some bread flour. I can buy some chocolate (even if it is far from a chocolate cashew egg!) When the internet is working, I can email my brothers. I can write my sister a letter. And, I can focus on You, worship You with my Ghanaian friends and family.

 

On the first day of the week...the stone had been taken away from the tomb..."Why do you seek the living among the dead?

 



Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday service in Lawra was just what I needed. It was so good to be a part of the congregation, even if I did have to sit up front with the pastor. The corporate worship, the prayers, the singing. It was a nice change from leading worship and preaching. The evening was filled with symbolism of the Christian faith. And, what was most exciting to me, is my pastor leads by serving, not just lip service, but in his life!

 



 

A foot washing service was incorporated into the evening's worship service. The Very Rev. Ernest Baiden sat on a small kitchen stool and called for the leaders of the church to come forward. One by one, he washed our feet. I wanted to respond like Peter, "Rev. Baiden, don't wash my feet. I walked here. They are filthy, gross. I came to serve the people of Lawra, not to be served." I didn't voice what I was thinking. I just watched him, filled with the love of Christ, rinsing my feet, spreading the soap and lathering and then rinsing off the soap and taking a towel to dry my feet. Oh, my! It was amazing! THe love he has for the people in his congregation. He is truly a servant.

 

 

After the church leaders had their feet washed, they, in turn washed the feet of the congregation. We went through plenty of soap and water. If you live in Lawra, your feet don't stay clean for long. There were a lot of nasty looking feet. But, as I washed the feet of others, I didn't think, "Ew, this is horrible. Why am I not wearing gloves?" Instead, I prayed for the person, for their safety as they walked throughout town, for their relationship with Christ, for their life and their family thanking God for this opportunity to serve others. What an example! It was interesting to hear the comments of people afterwards. Surely God was in this place!

 



The service continued with communion. Jesus did these two things, washing the feet of those closest to Him and He shared a meal with them. And, he told them to do as He did. We are to be servants and we are to remember Him when we eat the bread and drink the wine. Being so far away from all that is familiar, this was the perfect way to worship and to remember what Christ had done for us, for you and for me. It was truly a "Holy Thursday."

Palm Sunday Celebrations

 

Palm Sunday is such a festive day here in the Lawra churches! It was quite obvious even as I drove my motorcycle to Kalsagri. Plenty of people were walking to their place of worship. The all had palm branches or other types of leaves and flowers in their hands. They were dressed in their best. There was a sense of celebration in the air, almost as if everyone was going to a party! 

 



 

Almost everyone wove their palm leaves into something. Each one was different, there were so many beautiful designs. And, when giving the sermon, audience participation was encouraged with the waving of the palms, shouting, " “Hozaana! A soba na naŋ Waana a Daana yuori eŋɛ nyɛ la maaloo; A Izerayɛl Naa!” After the sermon, we sang, "Hozanna!" and walked down the road and back as we sang and waved our palm branches. People love this day.

 

Later on in the day, I celebrated Kataali's 9th birthday with her parents, Dora and Razak. We went to a local spot (a place to buy drinks and sometimes even food), Matron's, to drink Malta (a Ghanaian non-alcoholic malt beverage) and eat chicken. Kataali loved being able to eat out, something that is only done a few times a year. I gave Kataali her gift, which she was very happy to receive. After the chicken was eaten, Razak asked for a sachet of water. (Drinking water is sold in plastic sachets.) He bit off the corner and then proceeded to squirt his daughter - to "pond" her. It is something that Ghanaians do on your birthday, you get ponded, in other words, people throw water on you!

 

Palm Sunday was a very festive day this year. People celebrated. People enjoyed the day. They loved those who were with them. Happiness could be felt. It is all because of what Jesus did for us!  “Hozaana! A soba na naŋ Waana a Daana yuori eŋɛ nyɛ la maaloo; A Izerayɛl Naa!”

 

 

A Tro Tro Adventure

The day was Friday. I needed to be in Wa for a 4:00 meeting. "I'll leave my house by noon," I told myself. After I finished everything that needed to be done before leaving Lawra, I locked my door before11:00! I walked into Lawra Town to the tro station and saw a zillion Senior Secondary School students. They were on Easter holiday! And, they all wanted a seat on the tro. So, I prayed a prayer, "O Lord, PLESE let me get a seat on this tro." I went up to the station master and bought my ticket. "Thank You, Jesus!" Of course, there was no change for my ten Ghana Cedi note. I was to receive two Ghana Cedis in change. "I will give it to you," I was told. I asked who was the driver and asked him if I could sit in the front seat - wrong choice! But, there is more leg room.

 

The driver was getting ready to leave. So, he opened the passenger door and lifted the seat. Then, he did something with the wires or engine or whatever. And, the car started! He flipped the seat back down and we all entered. One of the female students sat next to me, in the middle. And, we were off! Yes, it did feel like we were on a race track. The trip gave me plenty of reasons to pray! I am thinking to myself, "There is a curve in the road - TURN!" The driver did turn, but, never slowed down a bit. Oh, I imagined all kinds of things...fishtailing, sliding on the dry, dirt road.... Then, two tro tros are coming in the opposite direction at the iron ONE LANE bridge. Yet, our driver doesn't slow down. The first tro crosses the bridge and continues towards Lawra. Then, we proceed onto the bridge, at an uncomfortable speed, just missing the other tro. Praise God, we were safe! I decided it would be best if I just closed my eyes for the rest of the trip.

 

As we entered the larger towns, Jeripa and Nadowli, I open my eyes. When I touched my glasses to reposition them, the lens fell out. "Thank You, Jesus, I am on my way to Wa. Please let the Red Cross Optical be open." I put my glasses in my bag. The driver honks his horn and flies through each town. We made it to Wa safely, because of the grace of God. We made excellent time! And, I was provided with the opportunity of doing a LOT of praying!

 

Just another day in the Upper West!