Chapel

February 17, 2008

This morning was Sunday morning, a morning to go to church, to worship and to learn about God. Well in Ghana, Sunday morning is quite an event. We drove out to Pastor Twum’s church, located beyond the main road, where there isn’t really a means for our bus to travel. So our bus pulled over to the side of the road and we walked back behind the small tin huts on the red dirt path, over the signature drainage ditch, and into the gated church area. When we entered the church we were greeted by warm smiles and good hosts. The service itself was unlike anything I had ever seen; several hours, three offerings (one of which was in response to our $800 donation to the youth program), a dance performance, the entire congregation doing a dance line (including the pastor!), and an enormous amount of curious children. Jeff delivered a powerful sermon, although some parts may have been lost in translation as our good friend, Boat, did his best to translate. After the service we got the opportunity to meet the youth of the church and hand out candy and photos. Lots of kids wanted autographs or addresses, which were of course given with a smile. We sang songs and played a little before they had Sunday school and we had the chance to chat with Pastor Twum in his parsonage. When we first got to the parsonage Boat was waiting with coke and sprite (a saving grace) and we had a chance to look around and view the beautifully decorated home of the Twum’s. We ate lunch at the parsonage, all of the food has been great, and we got to know everybody a little better. Afterwards, we walked back to the church and met with the group formally known as WOLPHA (Women Living Positively with HIV/AIDS). I say formally because of a moment, among many here (and at times few), that has reminded me why I am proud to be a part of the Methodist church. The women renamed their group First United Women, in honor of a little project and a certain church that made their existence possible . After hearing the testimonies of the women I was amazed at how touched I was by their stories. This meeting really helped to put a face to a cause and it is all starting to become real and make real sense.
After meeting with the First United Women we decided to head back to the hotel for a little rest and maybe a shower (Today has been a particularly hot day). Once we decided to get back on the road our bus had gone missing. So instead the hotel guys loaded us up into their trucks and were kind enough to drive us out to the MMoforuturo (The Garden) girls school. We spent the evening with the girls in worship, listening to their beautiful voices (They sing all parts, Soprano to Bass, by the way) and had dinner with their head “mothers.” We will return to the girls school later this week and we will actually get time to spend with the girls. Until then I will be thinking of the beauty that is realized here in Ghana from this small project. As Jeff has been putting it, big ideas only make sense in the particulars. This project has big ideals, but it is here, with a group of 40 women, a school of girls seeking an education (and the chance to become President) and a village of Orphans, that it makes sense. They are the particulars, they are the pennies, they are the church and Ghana is our Chapel. Amen.