This week went too fast. All of a sudden it was Thursday, and once during that day I thought, "Is it Monday?". That does not happen often :)Language and culture go together. At our meetings last week we talked about how important it is to know the culture you are working in. When you learn a people's language you learn why they do what they do and who they are. This week was more of a culture learning week.We were invited by Rev Abukari, who works with an organization called Call of Hope, to come to a seminar talking about the dominant religion here in Tamale. On Tuesday and Wednesday we learned the basics of this religion and also how to reach out. We learned to see these believers as an opportunity and not a threat. I was reminded again about the love of God. He also shared a devotion on Jonah 4. Jonah was angry that God saved the wicked people of Ninevah. I pray, we as servants of God, would not be angry at God saving those in Tamale living and dying without hearing the Gospel but would remember his love and compassion for ALL people. We serve a great, great God!
The hat, which I thought looked a bit silly but I am sure we wear things that they think are silly, had verses from their god rolled up and pasted on to the hat. He also wore amulets around his neck that had verses inside it and were sealed with animal skins. The leaves are Dawadawa plants and are used for many things here in Tamale including herbs for soup.We did not stay to the end but I think we still got a great look into culture. Pastor was trying to tell me ways that Christians can and have used this to give God glory. Like, in the hat they can roll up Bible verses and put it on and they can put verses from God's Word around their necks. Doesn't the book of Proverbs say, "Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck." ? (6.21) They also would wear a smock with the symbol of a cross on it.I was so thankful I walked out the door on Thursday! God is so faithful! He cares for me as I learn this language. He cares that I learn about the people here because HE cares for them. I pray I would love the Dagbon people.What a great week. Thanks for praying!