The congregation at the village of Bincheratanga has struggled since we first appeared in Yendi some 23 years ago. They have always been a small group. We had heard through the grapevine there had been hard feelings amongst the regular members and two visiting evangelists so Timothy and I laid plans to visit the church this morning. We couldn’t remember where one of the church leaders lived so we asked around in the area and two little boys lead us to his house. Kandie gave both boys a Cedi coin which was a welcomed surprise to them. After some discussions with Brother Divine, a leader, we decided to go visit the place where the Church was meeting.
Upon the approval of the men of the congregation we had an abbreviated worship so we could have enough time to answer questions the audience might ask. There is a problem with church autonomy in the country. The Church of Christ holds to the fact that each and every congregation of the church has self rule without any headquarters or church hierarchy dictating how the Church is run. These two men I spoke of earlier wanted to force the Church to pay for their transportation and control the Church. I explained to the church, they (the assembly) can determine how they will function and do things as long as it is in accordance with the New Testament scriptures. Most of these problems are related to money and the control of it.
After services three people wanted to be baptized. That was great! We needed to take them to the water. Problem! While I was talking during the study I noticed the driver’s side rear tire was slowly deflating. L
Well, one of the young men drove a motor king to worship so the boys helped we jack up the truck and take off the wheel. Guess what? The spare was flat too. The young guys loaded both wheels into the motor king and we headed down the road several miles to a vulcanizer (tire repair shop). I was surprised how fast the boys at the vulcanizer fixed the first flat tire and the spare had only lost its seal around on the rim. A little used motor oil around the rim did the job. While we were waiting on the tires to be repaired three brothers from the Church at Nakpa stopped by to see if I needed any help. They told me they saw me as they passed by. You just don’t see many white folks around here so I was easy to spot. They had been to two newer village congregations to preach and encourage them. The vulcanizers shop was beside a gas station so I bought some fuel for the motor king driver and the brothers from Nakpa.
Kandie and Timothy stayed and talked with the members as they waited on the “pit crew” to get back. She said she got some good stories to write about.
Upon our return the guys put on the tire and we loaded up the pickup and headed for water. Two young men and a lady were baptized by Brother Divine. Before leaving the brethren I encouraged brother divine to come to the church leader class this week.
Kandie and I drove out to Kulkpeni for worship earlier than usual this evening to see some pigs Matthew Unidon said he would sell to us for next month’s seminar. When we entered Kulkpeni there was a huge group of people in the road. It was a funeral celebration! You cannot hear yourself think when this is taking place. We did get see the pigs and worked out an agreement to buy them.
Hope you had a good Lord’s Day. May God bless!
In His service,
Stephen and Kandie Taylor
