We left the compound at 7:30 this morning; our destination was Bakjon in the Nanumba District south of Yendi. Our trip was made easier because the Eastern Corridor road project has laid a lot of new road.
The village of Bakjon has started to migrate to a nearby main road. Half of the village is yet to move to the main road but it is forthcoming. The Konkombas have clans within their tribe. One clan has already come to the roadside. The other clan will come to the roadside in the near future. A new building was discussed during the question and answer period. The Church hasn’t prepared any plans of yet so all we could do was to explain what we might be able to help with.
I was asked to speak about “Giving”. At the time I wasn’t aware of why the topic was requested but later when the building project came up I understood. Money is a great temptation here. Many of the church members consider the treasury to be like a bank when they need a personal loan. Presently they have no money because the money has been loaned out and they cannot get the borrowers to pay it back. I kindly taught the audience the church treasury is not a bank and should not be used like one. The contribution is to be used for evangelism, the destitute, widows, sick, and the like. I also encouraged them to get a savings account to keep the money in to discourage members from being tempted to misuse the funds.
I forgot to mention the building we met in was made of zanna mat (grass woven mats); roof and walls. The roof was very low. There is only one place in the building I could stand where I wouldn’t hit my head on the bush wood. Occasionally I felt something on my head which turned out to be pieces of grass mat. The area was very small. We packed 75 people into this grass hut. I was glad Kandie suggested taking a tarp for the kids to sit on. I have to admit the air passing through the zanna mat kept the area pleasant.
The metal communion table was a hit along with the other gifts like crocheted hats and communion supplies. Our gifts didn’t compare to the gifts the brethren gave to us after closing services. Five ladies each brought us a bowl of their new groundnuts they had harvested. Kandie put 3 Cedis in each empty bowl of the ladies. It is customary to put a small monetary gift to show appreciation. The ladies loved it! We were provided a meal of rice w/oil and some smoked fish (Timothy enjoyed the fish, we enjoyed the rice), and we were given numerous yams and a rooster to take back to Yendi which we gave to Timothy.
On the way back to Yendi we pass through the village of Nakpa where another congregation is located. We noticed earlier on our way to Bakjon the inner walls/roof had been removed ( They built the new roof and walls over the old building so they could still meet without going somewhere else until the building project was completed). When we stopped we were glad to find some of the church members were having a meeting so I asked to speak to those attending. Timothy and I presented the church with 2,000 Ghana Cedis (approximately $350) to help with their building project. This congregation works hard to do for themselves so we are happy to use the money our contributors give us to support this effort. The people were so glad!!!!
That is it for today. May God bless!
In His service,
Stephen and Kandie Taylor
