Guest Author: Jordan Taylor
Greetings from Yendi!
Our 7:00 AM wakeup seemed to come earlier than usual due to the 5-hour time difference. We were finally able to wrest ourselves from the bed and begin our day. Kandie (Mom) told us last night that breakfast was scheduled for 8:00 and would be optional. Lindsay, Charity, and Faith joined Mom and Dad, but I stayed in my room to finish my morning lesson. I thought I would have time during our layovers and flights to work, but I was quite wrong.
We all loaded into the old van around 9:00. Then things got interesting. While driving through the middle of Yendi, Dad noticed the sound emanating from the driver-side front tire. He rolled down his window and then opened his door to inspect, and he determined it was bearing. We turned around to go to Gomda, the mechanic. Thirty seconds later, the wheel liberated itself from the hub, and the van came crashing down on the pavement in the middle of the intersection. Welcome to Ghana!
A crowd quickly formed to gawk at the misfortune that had befallen this van full of white people. Several had cell phones they used for pictures and video. I joined them outside to take a photo. Dad determined that lug nuts had worked themselves off. It was only a couple of minutes before a man walked up to us with 5 of the lug nuts he had picked up from the road. Not long after, I witnessed a group of five or six men lift the van from the pavement. I would have stayed to watch how the incident was resolved, but Mom had already hailed a yellow-yellow taxi (a three-wheeled motorcycle with a small cab for two passengers) and all of us piled in, leaving Dad to his own devices. After a short stop for gas, the driver dropped us at Kulkpeni.
The brethren, including Timothy Niligrini, greeted us. Originally Dad was scheduled to teach the class, and I was scheduled to preach. Fortunately, a brother filled in for Dad. The class and beginning of service went well. Right before it was my turn to preach, Dad arrived in the green truck. At the start of my lesson, I gave the brethren greetings from their brothers and sisters in the states. I spoke on how suffering is a part of a Christian’s life and reflects the suffering that Christ experienced. After the service, we all were excited and had the people line up for a photo.
The green truck only seats 5, so Mom and Faith decided to ride in the back of the truck on a rickety bench. Lindsay wanted to join them, but I urged her to ride in the cab, so Charity joined them instead. The ride home was usual except for the fact that we received many interesting looks from the people who saw three white American ladies riding in the back.
After arriving home, we enjoyed a lunch of fried yams, rice, and palm nut stew. It was delicious! Once lunch ended, we spent time sorting the gifted and handmade clothes people had sent. The plan is to distribute these at the Child Center this week.
For evening service we traveled to Kpamang, which is about a 20-minute drive. We arrived at dark and found the people assembled and ready. I spoke on how Christians are to be fruitful. After the lesson there was a brief question and answer session.
On our way home, Dad suddenly slammed on the breaks and shouted, “Snake!” He rushed out of the truck and began to assault the snake. We watched him in the headlights as he stomped on the snake and then chased it when it scurried off the road. We saw him lift a head-sized rock and throw it at the snake. The snake made its way back on the road where Dad finished his task. He reported it was a small cobra.
When we arrived home we enjoyed a meal of popped corn and caramel corn. We are still around the table talking as I type. It is 10:00 PM, so I will close for the evening.
Please continue to pray for us!
In His service,
Steve, Kandie, Jordan, Lindsay, Charity, and Faith
