“We don’t fly to Accra on Sundays,” the bored attendant said, “the next flight is on Wednesday.” Standing there in the bewildering chaos of the Lagos airport, I had no idea what to do. I had my ticket in hand, but there was no flight, no refund and no helpful suggestions. “Who might have a flight to Accra?” I asked. “I don’t know – can’t you see I’m busy here? – try Virgin Nigeria.” Praying the whole time, I approached the Virgin Nigeria counter and inquired. They had a flight in three hours, and yes, they would sell me a ticket. Praise God! Although the flight was an hour late in departing, I was on my way to the next venue.
So, my first week in Ghana got off to a late start. And even though I had had no way to tell him about the delay, Sam Oppong was there – unruffled after a four hour wait – when I arrived in Accra. Chuck Emerson and Chris Fowler flew in soon afterward and, aside from Chris’s missing luggage, the team was assembled and ready to go. We drove to Kumasi on Monday, bouncing along through long stretches of road construction interspersed with nicely paved highway. Arriving at the hotel, we settled in and prepared to begin our conference on Tuesday morning.
This week we taught Romans to the students at the Sholoh Bible Training Centre for Pastors. Under the leadership of Bishop Samuel, Shiloh matriculates nearly 100 students through the Bible training program each year – most of them pastors and church planters. I have taught here several times before and the growing relationship with the Bishop has produced an agreement: ELI will come to Shiloh twice a year to teach Romans and 1 Timothy to each class. They are thrilled to have the “top-up” (i.e. fuller instruction) that ELI provides, and we are excited to be able to provide solid Biblical teaching to so many pastors.
Chuck, Chris and I rotated through the lessons in Romans and I laughingly told them I was on holiday for the week, since I had their help. That all changed on Wednesday, however, when Chuck became sick and passed out after teaching his lesson. He fell hard on the concrete and everyone immediately went to prayer as we tried to bring him around. Although he regained consciousness rather quickly, the Bishop determined that Chuck needed to be seen by a doctor. So, he was rushed off to a local clinic run by Dr. Asafo Adjei – an internationally known medical doctor who is also a graduate of Shiloh and the pastor of a local church. While awaiting news of Chuck’s condition, we continued the conference. By God’s grace, he was fine, he just had some abrasions on his forehead from falling on the concrete.
However, Dr. Adjei was adamant (and the Bishop agreed) that Chuck should have a day off. So, I took his lessons for Thursday, which meant that I was privileged to teach through much of Romans 8,9 and 11. I was greatly encouraged as I was reminded of the “big picture” of God’s plan of redemption and restoration. Wherever we serve, and whatever we are called to do for Christ, we are ALL indispensible actors in His cosmic plan. He causes all things to work together for our good, and our labors are being woven together by His sovereign will to bring about the culmination of all things. “For from Him, and to Him, and through Him are all things. To Him be glory forever!” (Rom. 11:36) That truth is often obscured from my eyes when I’m in the U.S. But while here in Africa, witnessing the hunger for God’s Word that is so characteristic of God’s people here, my vision clears; the eternal span of God’s covenant faithfulness becomes tangible, and I can only praise Him for the privilege of teaching His people.
We finished the conference on Friday, but the shortness of our time forced us to skip over some sections of the book. Thankfully, it is ELI’s practice to provide those who attend our conferences with copies of the notes we teach. This enables the leaders we equip to return to their churches with some good material for preaching and teaching. It’s all about multiplication: teaching God’s people by equipping their leaders with the Biblical instruction they need.
Although we didn’t teach on Saturday, we did have some serious responsibilities – relational duties, so to speak. Sam Oppong’s son Daniel has become a good friend over the years, and he has developed a relationship with a young lady named Abigail. On Saturday morning, all of us drove to Abigail’s home for an official courtship ceremony called “Knocking.” This is a formal meeting between the families of the prospective bride and groom and it is considered the beginning of engagement process. You see, in Ghana a marriage is considered to be the joining of two families, not merely the joining of two people. The role of the extended family is vitally important in maintaining the web of relationships that regulate every part of life here. Chuck, Chris and I were privileged to help represent the Oppong family – giving advice to the prospective couple and praying for them and for their families. A symbolic gesture of unity was given and received (because both families are Christian, an empty envelope was used in the place of the traditional round of alcohol), and the deal was sealed. Daniel and Abigail hope to be married sometime in December. With the formalities past, we drove out to spend the afternoon at picturesque Lake Bosomtwi, just outside of Kumasi.
Sunday morning Chris and I each preached in a local church. While Chris went with Pastor Moses, I returned with Chuck to Dr. Adjei’s clinic and preached on Romans 8:31-32 to the church the doctor pastors there. The evident love for Christ in their enthusiastic worship warmed our hearts, and their embrace of God’s Word, “If God is for us, who can be against us,” reminded us again of why we are here. We look forward to our week in Sunyani. But more on that in the next field report.
Thank you for praying for us. The enemy is active, as always. But delays, sickness and interrupted schedules are overcome as God’s people pray together. You are partners with us in this work, and we thank God for each one of you.
Grace and peace,
Dan.
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