Making Connections

(NOTE: We were hoping to post this last night, but we had problems with the Internet.)

Our first day in Ghana was terrific! Everyone is so friendly and we are learning so much already. Fortunately it was a Sunday, so we were able to spend the day connecting with our hosts, Femi and Affy Adeleye, through worship and fellowship. We began the day with an "English breakfast," consisting of oatmeal, eggs, toast, beans in tomato sauce, fruit and cold sausages. Dave taught us our first lesson in cross-cultural mission: don't expect anything to work! He got his hopes up about having toast, only to find that the toaster was not working. Sam helped complete the circuit until the manager was able to fix it. :)

(Sam trying to fix the toaster)

At 9:00 am Affy led a Bible study, during which we discussed the life of Joseph. We focused on how Joseph's father, Jacob, reacts when Joseph's brothers take Joseph's coat and dipped it in blood to fake his death. Rather than trusting in God's grace, Jacob mourns his son, suggesting that God has destroyed all his dreams. Affy used this as a springboard to discuss the importance of perseverance. This was a very interesting conversation, since a couple women in the group are without child. (In Ghana, having children is so integral to society that those who do not bear children are somewhat cast out.) Hearing their testimonies of perseverance through faith really made an impression on us.

At 10:00 am about 30 kids and 30 adults gathered for an interdenominational worship service. Everyone was wearing their Sunday best. It was inspiring to see so many people whose circumstances are quite different from our own express such joy and faith. We were both quite moved. An Australian missionary gave the sermon, which we found to be quite appropriate. It focused on how we can be active members of a church community rather than mere appendages (“seat warmers”). Later, we reflected on what this message means for us and how we can use our spiritual gifts to help others.

After church we enjoyed lunch at the home of Femi and Affy Adeleye. They live in a nice house about 30 minutes from the guest house. (Interestingly, Bob Marley's wife has a home and studio on the way! Rasta!) With the help of their children, Kemi and Emmanuel, Affy prepared a delicious lunch of chicken, a spicy beef soup, banku, and plantains. It was great to chat with the Adeleyes to learn more about their family and history. Both are from Nigeria but have lived all over the world doing ministry. Kemi is almost 16 and Emmanuel is 12 and both attend boarding school in Kenya. They also have two older sons in the US. Remi just graduated from Eastern University in Philadelphia and is looking for a job in marketing/advertising. Phillip is at Illinois Wesleyan University studying accounting and will be doing an internship with Deloitte in Chicago. We look forward to connecting with both when we return.

(Sam, Loralynne, Affy, Femi, and Dave)

We concluded our first day with a quiet dinner at the guest house with Dave. It was so nice to have a quiet evening devoid of all the distractions we normally embrace – mainly television. This trip is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with each other and focus on strengthening our marriage. Of course we are excited to begin working with Femi tomorrow and pray for good communication to identify projects that will deliver value to him over the next three weeks.