I love them, I love them. What more can I say?
I have 4 best friends here in Ghana. We do not see each other very often. We do not call and chat very often. We do not always agree on things. But I know they love me, and I them.
My best friends are Baaba and Amponsah, Kanor and Kofi. They have been my friends starting from 2005. They were leaders with the youth at a church that I related to in my early days. They walked with me as I learned the ways of ministry to youth in Accra. They would tell me helpful things or ways I could be more contextualized in my teaching and relationships. They pushed me to lead and join in with activities. They showed me how to pray and fast, persevere, and see God in the midst of trials.
Amponsah and I traveled to the north and other regions of Ghana in those early years. We wanted to see how Good News Bible Church would encourage youth and build them up. We also heard the struggles they had. I have watched him grow youth to be leaders. Amponsah leads by example. He will never ask someone to do something he has not done. Also, he leads worship with his whole heart. I know that when he is leading, he leads me into the presence of the Lord.
Kofi is so in tuned to God (probably because he prays about 23.5 hours of the day). When I was involved with the youth, he made me lead worship. They have a very different style here! And, I was like NO WAY, eventually I did, with his encouragement. During prayer nights, he told me I could move around when I pray. I nearly tripped over a chair and so remained seated during prayer times, even though everyone else was walking around. Again, so different from the way I did it. He helped me to do a kid’s program on Monday evenings, which I really loved. He also loves movies and, somehow, he finds them even when they are still in the theaters. So, then, we were also able to talk about movie actors and films. It made me feel like I had a piece of home in those conversations.
Kanor is a servant. He is always running behind the scenes, starting with the praise team. He plays about 4 different instruments and continues to lead the group as new members join. He always wants to make sure I am OK. One time he gave me a gift card at a shop to have fun with!
Baaba was a friend that came later. She was a woman who, when I would see with the youth, I would think, “that is me when I lived in Chicago”. She speaks confidently and directly. She later apologizes, but not for truth. She and I did Bible studies once a week together and prayed. Soooooo many of our prayers came to pass. Those were some of my favorite times.
She and Amponsah married, and they have 3 girls. Their first born was born on my birthday and they named her after me. Those girls are my girls. They comb my hair and braid it. They tell me my hair is slippery and that my muscles feel very soft. They memorize Bible verses with me.
In April, I traveled down to Accra for a funeral. It was good timing for me because I was in a funk. I had only been back to Tamale two months, but I wasn’t in it. I was down because of church issues, disappointed in myself for not settling in fast, and my light and water were not consistent. And it was the hottest time of the year! Ugh! It’s like, I would get my feet going and then trip up. I couldn’t get into a groove.
After the Saturday funeral, I went to church on Sunday where my best friends go. Kofi sat down with me afterwards and asked me a little question and I burst into tears, surprising us both! So, then we had a chat. A great chat. And encouraging chat. A chat where I really needed someone to speak into my life and he did. What he said I am putting into practice. Sometimes I just need someone to tell me what to do!
As I got to see Kanor’s wife, Annabelle, and their 10-month-old son, Kenny, I was able to talk with him too. A couple years ago Kanor gave me an invertor battery. It’s huge. Since I have many days of no electricity (no reason, it just goes off) an invertor battery would be very helpful to keep things going when I do not have power. He is again organizing with someone to have it properly installed in my house. Such a practical gift! I will be grateful when it will be working.
After church, I went to stay with Baaba, Amponsah and the girls. They always give me a room in their home. Baaba prepared Fufu and Light soup with fish. YUMMY. I was sharing with Amponsah about how discouraging it is when I see Christians with attitudes that are not biblical. Or how disappointing the things I am trying to do just don’t seem to go anywhere. He shared with me some things at his work. He, too, doesn’t always feel like what he teaches or does goes very far, but it will. I was encouraged to persevere. I remember him saying, “teach and do” / “teach and show” for ministry things. So, very true.
Anytime Baabs and I get together we just talk the whole time. Don’t ask me what we talk about, but we can keep the chatter constant! There is always something to say about our relationship with God or with others. Baaba spoke directly to me on an issue in my life that needed it and, though, I didn’t completely agree, I was so glad she brought it up. I have given it to the Lord daily since then.
I left their home feeling so uplifted. I flew to Tamale the next day and knew the Spirit refreshed me using these 4 people. It is not always the missionary who ministers. It is not always the missionary who serves and prays for people. I know people think I am such a blessing here in this place called Africa. Bah! Ghanaian people are such a blessing to me. They minister to me. They serve me. I am humbled so many times.
You think for me to live and work here is such a sacrifice. Bah x2! It is a privilege! A privilege that I would get to serve God here and know these people, especially these 4 best friends, and to work alongside them to further God’s kingdom.
Amazing. It is a plan I would never have thought of. I am so thankful God’s ways are higher than my ways. To speak like a Ghanaian, “I am richly blessed-ooo .”