We were rockin’ and a rolling at 5:45 am this morning. Timothy Niligrini was scheduled to meet us here in the compound at 6:30. In the 45 minutes we had to get dressed and fill the plastic lined pit with water and Dursban chemical for the men to use to dip the lumber and we had to get the pickup loaded for the trip. We also had to get Iddrisu and Nazo lined up to get the facial boards painted with the green oil paint before we left . Things worked out and we left on schedule.
Today’s trip was to the village of Tumpondi near Chereponi in the northeast district. It took us a full 3 hours and 15 minutes to make the trip. The road to Tumpondi is reminiscent of the terrible roads we had to travel on 5-10 years ago as we traveled south of Yendi. The roads are worse than terrible. About 8 miles from our destination we stopped and picked up 4 sisters from the small congregation of Ando before traveling on. There were 6 congregations that came together this morning. Here are their names; Kablani, Sako, Nderkankanu,Shelabu,Ando, & Tumpondi. We met under a tree and a small tarp located between the church building and one of the Tumpondi church member’s house. All of these congregations are small in number with mostly older members. They speak Chokosi so Timothy could not interpret for me; Nana Bekum,one of the evangelists, did. Nana has worked with these congregations for years. Nana isn’t as concise with his interpreting as Timothy in that I can say a short sentence and Nana will spill out a paragraph of words. He’s harmless, just wordy!
This area where we traveled to today has very few trees and the Harmattan was non-existent which is a recipe for one HOT day! We try to make this trip during the dry season because the rains make it impossible to get to the place due to flooded roads along the way. There were a total of 19 men, 19 women, and 29 children present for the joint service. Nana requested that I speak about unity and church growth.
After services I looked at the small church building we were sitting by. It was badly in need of an apron at the base of the building to prevent the rains from eating up the foundation and the outside of the building needed some plastering repaired. Nana had already sent me a couple of photos via WhatsApp of a corner of another congregations building that was trying to collapse so we also discussed what needed to be done about it. We gave both congregations enough money to purchase 5 bags of cement and some money to transport it. They were very happy to get the help. We appreciate all of you who provide money for us to help these churches. We also presented each of the congregations with 2 pads and a pen, juice, bread, and cups.
The church provided a meal of rice and spicy oil with some fried chicken backs. It was very good. The man from the Tumpondi Church lamented he didn’t have any fowls to present to us due to a disease that wiped him out. We were quick to tell him we were not offended at all and understood his dilemma. Shortly after that this same man presented us with a bowl full of Guinea eggs: 28 eggs. What a wonderful gift!
Guinea eggs are small in size but the shells are twice the thickness as regular hen eggs. When the eggs were given to us Kandie asked the man if they were old or new. Her reason for asking was a new egg can be put under Timothy’s hen to hatch out; older ones you eat. He said they were new eggs. We gifted the eggs to Timothy and he very gingerly put them in his pack back and held them all the way back to Yendi. The road conditions are so bad that when he checked the eggs back at the mission house some of them were cracked. That is some rough roads.
I forgot to say we stopped on the way back and picked up a motorcycle and two riders . Their chain had come off so we carried them and the motorcycle to the next village that had a motorcycle fitter (mechanic). I think they were surprised that I didn’t ask them to pay for the ride. We did our good deed for the day! No money needed.
Both of us are worn out so I will close for today. Thanks for your support and prayers. Have a good day. May God bless!
In His service,
Stephen and Kandie Taylor
Skeeter
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