Hello from Ghana!!

The many hours of travel has brought us back to beautiful Ghana!  Each year, the trip seems a little longer, but I don’t have any bruises to report!  Sleep still avoided me!  The familiar smell of this country greeted me at the airport welcoming me “home.”  So did the HOT, sticky dust of the Harmattan.  Poor Betty Jo (Bjo).  She is feeling the harshness of the season already in her nose and throat.  I’m just thinking it ain’t COLD here!  It’s great to see our friends Amadu, Enoch and Akorful again!   They are already taking care of us!

We have been busy since our arrival.  We met the Elders at the Lutheran Church of Ghana’s head office.  This meeting gave us a chance to catch up on the happenings of Ghana, as well as share news from home.  The elders expressed their appreciation of the South Wisconsin District for their support in the programs that have been established here for the Deaf.  I believe they are genuinely concerned of the plight of the Deaf here in Ghana.  I feel extremely blessed for the opportunity to be a part of this process. 

After the meeting concluded, we headed to Adomrobe to meet with the many Deaf that live in this village and to monitor the progress of the corn mill.  They are happy to greet us, and I recognize many faces from my past two trips.  As Bjo and I wait for the “start-up” of the machine, one girl that we met last year recognized my “salvation” bracelet.  I asked if she remembered the story and she DID!!  From that moment on, it was a whirlwind of teaching the rest of the gathered children.   I had the girl who recited the Gospel story to me teach what she knew to the younger ones.  That is our vision here, to teach the Deaf about Jesus, so they in turn can teach others!   That was truly inspiring!  That is how I truly know this is all worth it!  That these young children retain what was taught to them a year ago!   And it’s only our first day back!!

Day two finds us “on the road.”  I don’t look forward to this ride from Accra to Kumasi.  It’s always an unknown adventure, but we had a blessed ride.  Only 2 constructions zones this year.  I will NEVER complain of road construction in the U.S., EVER!  We witnessed “road rage” at its best, with a cab driver “going at it” with a bus driver who wedged the taxi between a dirt pile and the bus.  WWF had nothing on these guys!  Traffic was backed up for a ways until someone sorted it out.  Remnants of passed accidents still lie where it happened, while we passed another that brought out the whole village.  The roads have improved much here since my first trip, but the trucks still like to see how much they can load. 

Church on Sunday was quite impressive, with Hayford (our graduated Evangelist) in the lead role asking and teaching “What is Faith?”  With a late start, the Deaf continued to fill the room in the 2 hours+ that we were there.  There must have been 50+ Deaf that showed up!  The joy and attentiveness this group expressed during the entire service was heartwarming, AND encouraging!  They were ALL there to hear the GOSPEL!    Pastor Bud continued the service with a strong sermon on sin, followed by communion and handshakes with EVERYONE in the room to end the service.  I was truly inspired!  That’s a church service that stays with you! 

Monday begins our first real task of teaching.  This will be a first for me, teaching the Deaf adults.  All my experiences are with the young children of this country.  Again, other unknowns!  But I will rely on my faith that I’m here for God’s purpose.  He made all of this possible for me for a reason.  Perhaps the time is now for these adults, who already have the basics, to take God’s Word and message and teach it to the young ones.  As I’ve seen in the past, the children WANT it, but mostly, they NEED it.  Don’t we all?!   Please continue to pray that God gives me (us) the guidance, courage and wisdom to do the task before us.  He is with me ALWAYS!

Blessings to you all,

Linda Zoiss