Even though the pandemic continues to cause a disruption of our usual way of life we were thankful we were able to resume some of the things that we missed out on doing last year.
The month of July is when Limestone Bible Camp takes place on the banks of Lake Guntersville in North Alabama. It is a great time to teach the Bible and enjoy the beautiful campgrounds. It has been a highlight of our summer for the past 30 years. Last year camp was cancelled; everyone was excited that camp reopened this year!
Later in the month we were able to make a 7 day whirlwind trip between doctor appointments to visit some of our family and supporters in the states of Ohio and Iowa. We were happy to be able to visit the Old Union Church of Christ whom it has been years since our last visit. From Ohio we drove 11 + hours to Harlan, Iowa where we also reported to the congregations at Harlan and Redline. These congregations are where Kandie spent the majority of her childhood as her father, Royce Reynolds preached for both congregations.
Before leaving for Ghana on the 9th of August we had to go through the ritual of getting the Covid-19 PCR test and filling out the health forms. Another rapid test was required when we arrived at Kotoka airport in Accra. It was a relief when we got the negative test results in Ghana! We were anxious about the possibility of being quarantined at a hospital in a third world country at our own expense for 14 days! All 10 pieces of luggage made it safely. We intended to leave for Tamale (Wednesday) the day after we arrived in Ghana but both airlines were fully booked until Friday. While in Accra we did some shopping, exchanged money, and Kandie bought 2000 face masks (50 ct. per box) from street vendors to take back with us to Yendi. The price of masks in Accra is .30 Pesewas compared to .90 Pesewas in Yendi.
It was a relief to get to Yendi. Everything is green and we have plenty of water in the cistern. Of course the rain causes the electricity to go off but not as much as the electricity people turning it off and on for who knows what reason!
Timothy Niligrini wanted us to worship with the Kulkpeni congregation the first Sunday we were back. We took our masks along as is our custom now and distributed them to the people who were present. We explained it was a requirement by the government to wear the masks but after several attempts to encourage using the masks we had to leave because many of the adults were resistant to wearing the masks. The fine for meeting without masks is stiff and can carry a 10 year prison sentence.
The following Sunday, the 22nd, we visited with the congregation at Yawondo. This is the village where Bro. Emmanuel was an evangelist before he died earlier this year. The congregation requested that I preach about repentance. After services a widow of a church member requested help for food for the house. We provided some money to buy corn. We were happy that one young lady was baptized into Christ. Her name is “Happy” . Please keep her in your prayers.
On the 27th we visited with the congregation at Bakpaba, south of Yendi. They are in the middle of a building project; as the Church gets the money they purchase cement, windows, doors etc.. With your help we were able to assist them with 2,000 GH Cedis ($333) to put with their funds to continue their work. The congregation was very happy with the gift!
The number of men attending the July class was twenty-seven. There were ten souls baptized into Christ and three restored to the church during the month of July. In August, twenty-four men attended the class with twenty-eight baptisms reported. The past two months Timothy has been teaching the church leaders the subject of “church autonomy” and how each congregation is independent from each other. All the men attending the class in August received a new t-shirt that had been donated by congregations back home.
We decided to make metal communion tables for the churches. The termites are terrible and the wooden tables are weak in comparison to metal ones. The table measures 24 x 30 inches and is the perfect size to hold the communion board. They should last for years and years. Tablecloths and a piece of lace will be given with each table. We will distribute the tables to the congregations when we visit them. The first table was delivered to Bakpaba on August 27th.
The Covid -19 is alive and well in Ghana. The country is still under a mask order and weddings and funerals can only have 25 people or less to attend. Churches can meet for 2 hours if they abide by the mask and hand washing orders. The vaccine is in very short supply.
Thank you for your continued support. We are very fortunate to have the support that you are giving us. The people here really appreciate the help! Till next month.
May God Bless.
In His service,
Stephen & Kandie Taylor
