April is HOT. Of course it is. It is hot season, silly. It makes for a sweaty life.Ok, so last week and this week--I spoke at a Women's conference. I did the morning devotional. I did not think it was that long but since it had to be translated into Dagbani and Konkomba it took long...the woman in the front row was sleeping. Then again, she was sleeping for the speaker after me too, so I won't take it personally :)
I have been going around trying to see what churches are like for Dagomba people. I would like to help a Dagomba congregation and serve however God leads. I find that in Tamale city, there are churches, but they don't necessarily reach out to Dagombas. I have met with pastors from different churches and am finding out Dagbani speaking churches will most likely be on the outskirts of town.I met a Presyterian Reverend named Jasper. He allowed me to come with him as he is over 10 churches. We first visited a village that has no church and we, with two other men, went to greet the elders and get permission to meet in the future. The elder was ok with it but said the chief is away and he would be the main guy to talk with. We then went a little way from there and met under a tree with about 20 believers. They sat on benches and had a drum. They sang, gave announcements and pastor shared from the Word. It was beautiful! They told me one of the young men and one of the old women accepted the Lord last weekend at Easter. Then we traveled to another village. They met in a church. Another pastor was preaching. There were about 50 people there and they met in a classroom.Afterwards, I spoke to one of the men who was with us. His name is Samuel. He is a leader at one of the churches. I asked him about youth activity and Bible studies. He invited me to a Bible study in the village on Wednesday. He even called me that night to confirm the time and that I would consider teaching. Ei!!! This guy is too fast!! I just told him I would come and observe. I did go on Wednesday. It was a lively Bible study and the men were very talkative. There were 7 girls there who did not say a word. I later told Samuel that if I would come I would like to meet with these girls. Let's see what happens!On the Monday and Tuesday before that, Yvonne and I went to Buipe. It is a city over an hour away. We have missionaries from Ethiopia coming to work with Fulani in the Buipe area. Yvonne and I went to check it out and see what they had for housing, schools, hospital care, markets etc, etc. We met two American couples. One of the wives, Amy, took us around and helped us collect a lot of information. I was so thankful for her! It was also nice spending time with Americans. Again, I found myself talking louder and just being more...American. I can't explain what that means. Just, that, I could see a difference :)
I have been going around trying to see what churches are like for Dagomba people. I would like to help a Dagomba congregation and serve however God leads. I find that in Tamale city, there are churches, but they don't necessarily reach out to Dagombas. I have met with pastors from different churches and am finding out Dagbani speaking churches will most likely be on the outskirts of town.I met a Presyterian Reverend named Jasper. He allowed me to come with him as he is over 10 churches. We first visited a village that has no church and we, with two other men, went to greet the elders and get permission to meet in the future. The elder was ok with it but said the chief is away and he would be the main guy to talk with. We then went a little way from there and met under a tree with about 20 believers. They sat on benches and had a drum. They sang, gave announcements and pastor shared from the Word. It was beautiful! They told me one of the young men and one of the old women accepted the Lord last weekend at Easter. Then we traveled to another village. They met in a church. Another pastor was preaching. There were about 50 people there and they met in a classroom.Afterwards, I spoke to one of the men who was with us. His name is Samuel. He is a leader at one of the churches. I asked him about youth activity and Bible studies. He invited me to a Bible study in the village on Wednesday. He even called me that night to confirm the time and that I would consider teaching. Ei!!! This guy is too fast!! I just told him I would come and observe. I did go on Wednesday. It was a lively Bible study and the men were very talkative. There were 7 girls there who did not say a word. I later told Samuel that if I would come I would like to meet with these girls. Let's see what happens!On the Monday and Tuesday before that, Yvonne and I went to Buipe. It is a city over an hour away. We have missionaries from Ethiopia coming to work with Fulani in the Buipe area. Yvonne and I went to check it out and see what they had for housing, schools, hospital care, markets etc, etc. We met two American couples. One of the wives, Amy, took us around and helped us collect a lot of information. I was so thankful for her! It was also nice spending time with Americans. Again, I found myself talking louder and just being more...American. I can't explain what that means. Just, that, I could see a difference :)
One of these ladies gave us a Tamarind drink. And my neighbor gave me a Tamarind drink. I had no idea what this was! Damary knew it is a seed and has had it a lot of times in India. I was able to make it and it tastes like apple cider. YUM! One gal from Switzerland took a drink and said, "it reminds me of Christmas!" 
It looks gross but it is refreshing after a hot day. You boil water and add this ball and let it soak for about 20 minutes then add cinnamon, sugar and a bit of ginger...voila!Still plugging away at Dagbani. In regards to my attitude, I feel the fog lifting. Thanks for praying!
It looks gross but it is refreshing after a hot day. You boil water and add this ball and let it soak for about 20 minutes then add cinnamon, sugar and a bit of ginger...voila!Still plugging away at Dagbani. In regards to my attitude, I feel the fog lifting. Thanks for praying!