Here are the updates from Rev. Nix, October 2005

10/19
So far, so good, we arrived the evening of October 14th to a hot and humid airport, got a ride to our room in Accra had our first opportunity to get a shower, lay down and get some beautiful sleep then wake up Friday morning ready for business.

That Friday we went to the Ghana Lutheran head office and met with their Pres. Dr. Paul Fynn (along with several others) to make our official greetings and discuss some of the things that were happening here among both the deaf and hearing. We also went by one of the church/schools that had some similarities to the design that had been drawn up for the Lutheran deaf school & seminary. Took care of a few more house keeping details and finished the day off with pizza (this Ghana food isn’t bad).

Saturday found us loading all our things into the truck and heading to Kumasi. Some three hours later and uncountable sights down the road we arrived at the mission house. I must admit, I was quite surprised at our accommodations. A very spacious house with out buildings for visitors and staff. The yard was well groomed with numerous trees, bushes and flowers. Walking around the grounds the usual odder was that of flowers. Contrasting that was the smell of smoldering rubbish (I like the flowers better). The good news is there are several different fruit trees on the property with loads of fruit hanging on them. The bad news is they tell me none of it will be ripe enough to eat for another month or two. After unpacking and getting acquainted with the place Bud drove us to dinner. I have noticed one consistency everyplace I
have traveled they all have Chinese restaurants you got it we eat Chinese ( I like this Ghana food).

Sunday found us waking early (my watch said some place between 1 and 2am SD time add five hours and you have the time here) and going to deaf church. Church was interesting. The deaf church was fine a good number of deaf crammed into a small classroom with no lighting except the sun coming in the holes for the door and windows (I am told they just moved to this newly remodeled room from one that was not as nice or comfortable). They had one young man lead a Bible study on Hebrews focusing on faith, it was nicely done. Then came the worship service lead by another young man Bud and I each got to give short sermons followed by the offering (I knew they were Lutheran) and finished with Bud leading the communion service. After the service we had a good time visiting with the deaf (one of them remembered me from a conf. in Houston a few years back and asked how my wife (she interpreted at the conf.) was doing). The interesting part of church is that in the same school complex there were at least five different churches all holding services at the same time all in rooms similar to ours (no doors or windows) we were the only deaf church the others were different denominations and back grounds using a variety of musical and preaching styles it sounded like they were all trying to drown out the others by banging the drums or turning up the PA systems louder. I am glad we were working with the deaf as their noise did not bother us.

After church we went back to the house and worked on getting ready for classes to begin Monday morning. That evening we had our first true Ghana meal, Fufu. Fufu is kind of dumpling dough in a soup base. The taste was good, the texture took some getting used to, all in all not bad.

I forgot to mention we have a parrot in our back yard and the neighbors have a peacock that comes over to visit each day. It’s time to start class I’ll try to get Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday notes done tonight.

God’s blessings
In Christ
Pastor Nix

10/20
Greetings again from Ghana,

We’ve had three days of classes and all is well. I am teaching the book of Luke and Bud is teaching a New Testament survey class. The students seem eager in both. I remember back in the Seminary as students we would joke how that in our Biblical text classes (individual books of the Bible) it seemed we never made it through the whole book, I am beginning to see it from the instructor’s side now (I think I will need to pick up the pace soon). Classes meet for several hours each day. Starting with a morning session, lunch, afternoon session, supper, evening session and finishing with topical discussions (how does what we’ve learned fit into everyday life and situations in Ghana). We try to close it down by midnight so we are able to prepare for bed, sleep and get up and start it all over in the morning.

The size of the classes is down some as many of the students are off to regular school. It seems the people here value their education very much and those unable to go to school are looking for any opportunity to learn that they can. Some of the students in the day classes have asked their employers off for the two weeks of class. One even had Bud come over to visit with his mother and then go to his boss to explain what we were doing so he could have the time off without upsetting mom or losing his job.

Friday we will be going north to visit one of the deaf schools. I am looking forward to that. I plan to take many pictures to show our students some of the similarities and some of the differences.

Saturday is going to be spent doing the tourist thing. See the jungle watch the elephants try not to fee the lions…It should be a nice brake with a slower pace for a day (I think I could use that). Then we will be back at the house that evening and start with church all over again Sunday morning.

A few side notes, I’ve noticed that we were not the only new move ins. It seems two vultures have taken up residence in the tree outside my bedroom window. I think they saw Bud and me and felt the odds of a good meal were good. Also, I may be a first, I might be the first person in our group to go home weighing more than when arriving in Ghana. The food they have prepared has really been good. The taste is great (I like the spice) some times the texture, odder, appearance and idea of what it is takes a little getting used to, I think I’m past that. They also fill your plate as much if not more than when I go to the buffet line. I did take a picture of my plate the other night because I felt words would not do it justice. When we get back we’ll post the picture (not going to do it here, way to slow internet.

Blessings and thank you for your prayers and other support.
In Christ
Pastor Nix

10/25
Greetings from Ghana,

Last Friday started with Bud, a deaf man, two other Ghanaians and me loading in the truck for a ride up north. The goal of this trip was two fold:

1. Visit the deaf school for the Northern region of Ghana. a. This went quite well. The head master took a while to warm up to us, but by the end of our visit had welcomed us to come again, send someone to teach religion classes and asked if we could send sign language books and video tapes with Bible stories and such on them. The School has 232 students with 20 or more on the waiting list, they have no dorm space for more children. There is a mosque next door, so the importance of bringing Jesus to these children is most urgent. The deaf man with us was quite concerned at the lack of sign knowledge at the school.

2. Sight seeing to Mole national park. a. We went on a morning safari and found some elephants warthogs, a couple different types of monkeys some antelope looking things and numerous birds and a crocodile or two. It was great taking even a short break to enjoy the many wonders of our Creator. It was neat to see that although there are many differences between our country and here, there are more similarities I believe.

In the north there were noticeably more Muslims than Christians. It seemed that there were mosques on every corner and in every little village. When we arrived in Tamale it was about 1:30PM. There is nothing like seeing a huge mosque filled three stories high, people lining the streets and the streets crowded with abandoned vehicles because the PA system from the mosque is broadcasting prayers. This gave me a new appreciation for my faith and the blessings God gives. It also reminded me how important it is to get the right word out.

On the trip home I noticed that there was a continual odder of smoke in the air everything from wood, homemade charcoal, grass and other vegetation and even oil, rubber and garbage. While out in the middle of nowhere it was amazing to look at the sky and see everything. The stars were so numerous it brought to mind the promises to Abram. I was also forced to consider that in some five hours my wife and children might be looking at some of those same stars.

We arrived back in Kumasi Saturday, around midnight. It was nice to be out of the truck and able to lie down in a real bed.

Sunday found us starting the whole process over again. Wake up go to church, thank God for the blessings He as given us and ask that He would continue to guide our teaching here and protect our members and our families back home.

In Christ
From Ghana
Pastor Nix

10/27
We finish classes today. What seemed a vast and tumultuous task is now about over in an unbelievably quick and joyful time. To work through our Lord’s incarnate earthly task in only two weeks was a very beneficial task for both teacher and student. Yes, I understand that we can read through and even go into commentaries on the subject on our own in rather quick fashion, but to do it with a class throwing questions and answers from a perspective we have not seen before forces one to look a little deeper and appreciate that much more what God has done for us. The parables and
lessons seemed somewhat easier to teach here, because life here seems to emulate that of the place, people and times in which they took place. When we look at the religious leaders and their attitudes and heavy law focus and their looking down their noses at what they called tax collectors and sinners, the people here understood the feeling. When we talked about the lost coin I could show their coins and use them as examples. Coins you and I would not even slow down to pick up of the street or collect as change these people chase after because it makes the difference between eating or going hungry. The widow’s mite is a reality for many of them.

After class today and the closing dinner (goat, fish, rice and whatever else they decide to surprise us with) we will have a few meetings with the leaders of the deaf church and of the school research group then head to Accra visit with some of the deaf in that area, meet with the heads of the Lutheran church in Ghana, make last minute purchases get on the plain for about twenty-six hours and rejoin my much missed family in South Dakota.

The time here was good. It is forcing me to look at, think about and evaluate things in a different way. What that means for the future, at this time I do not know. I pray it will make me a better servant of my Lord. I would also hope it would make me husband to my wife father to my children and friend to those I meet.

I have to believe that every opportunity and experience God places before us is put there with a purpose in mind. Too often we jump to conclusions as to what that purpose is. I pray, in time, God will make that purpose clear to me. For now I will be eternally thankful that His son has paid the price for my sins and no matter what this world and Satan may throw at me His grace is enough.

Thank you very much for your continued prayer and support it is priceless to me. I pray that in your journeys God will give you the faith to go forward proclaiming the faith you know promises you life eternal.

In Christ
Pastor Nix