NSAWAM ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST EVANGELISTS QUARTERLY REPORT TO MISSIONS
MINISTRY, ACCRA-GHANA, FOR THE PERIOD, JULY TO SEPTEMBER, 2011.
Dear Brothers-in-Christ,
I wish to extend my sincere greetings to you all, and to tell you that
I and my family are doing well, by the Grace of God. In the course of
the past three months, July, 2011 to September, 2011, a number of
activities have taken place in the spheres of outreach, inreach and
upreach.
1. OUTREACH:The out-dooring or naming ceremony of a new-born is a very
important occasion in Ghana. In Northern Ghana, it is a big occasion
where parents and relatives of both the man and the woman must be
present. Friends of both parties from far and near are invited. Their
presence provides an opportunity to preach the Word to them.
On Monday, 4th July, 2011, I went to Wambung, a village about twenty
kilometres east of Yendi, to name a baby-girl. I left Yendi at about
12.30 p.m GMT. I got to Wambung at about 1.45 p.m. GMT. I delayed
partly due to the bad nature of the road and the poor condition of my
motor-bike.
When I got there, the people were dancing to traditional music. When
they heard that I had come, they stopped the dancing and welcomed me.
After we exchanged greetings we did not waste much time before
starting the naming ceremony.
We began with songs of praise for about fifteen minutes before I
started preaching. I preached on the Garden of Eden and how God gave
man dominion over all creatures(Gen.2:7-9;15-25). After the preaching
a number of visitors gave themselves to Christ. The naming of the
child followed immediately after the preaching had ended. The child
was named Gifty. After a short treat to traditional music and dance I
left for Yendi.
On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, I preached to the Scripture Union(SU) at
my school's closing ceremony in the assembly hall. The Scripture Union
is made up of all the denominational churches, and I have been chosen
as their Patron to preach to them and advise them occasionally. The
text that I preached to them was Ephessians 6:1-4. Students, as well
as masters who were present at the closing ceremony, enjoyed the
sermon.
From 9th August, 2011 to 10th August, 2011, all preachers of the Yendi
Municipality helped to distribute some used clothing sent to us by the
Village of Hope charity at Gomoah Fetteh in the Central Region of
Ghana. The beneficiaries of this charity were the rural congregations
within and outside the Yendi Municipality. The items were brought by
Brother Dan, a deacon of the Gomoah Fetteh Church and Seth, the
driver. They took us round these communities to do the distribution on
both the first and second day. On the first day we visited seven
communities, namely; Andoyili, Kanimo, Diisikura, Bachibodo, Zugu,
Gbungbaliga,and Bakpaba.
On the second day we went to Kuga for the distribution exercise. After
that we visited the Kuga chief, Brother Abdulai Adams. He was very
happy when we paid him the courtesy call. He told us that he would
release as much land as the Church needed for her projects, if we
requested for it. He said he needed our prayer and encouragement to
keep him in the faith, since there were so many obstacles in his way
as a traditional chief in Dagbon. We conversed at length with him
before departing at about 11.30 a.m. GMT. We prayed for him before
leaving the palace.
The following day, Thursday, 11th August, 2011, our two Brothers left
Yendi for Gomoah Fetteh. They have since left a mark in the
municipality and beyond. Because, some of the items they brought went
to Gushegu and Bakpaba which are in different districts. This has also
turned the people's attention once more towards the Church.
On Sunday, 14th August, 2011, Brother David Wumbei and I went to
Yingsala, a suburb of Yendi, to perform the out-dooring ceremonies of
two babies - a boy and a girl. Since it was on a Sunday, we went early
to worship with the congregation. At the tail end of the worship, we
chipped in the naming ceremony. The boy was named Abraham, and the
girl, Gifty. After the worship and naming ceremony, there was
traditional drumming and dancing. We left for Yendi shortly after the
drumming and dancing begun. We got to Yendi at about 4.35 p.m GMT.
On Saturday, 27th August, 2011, I was called to Wambung once more to
perform the naming ceremoy of a baby-boy. I went there at
approximately the same time I went the first time. The ceremony did
not take a long time since I was in a hurry to return to Yendi in time
to carry out another assignment. The child was named Noah, so I
preached on Gen. 6:1-21. The people were very pleased and invited me
to come back another time to baptize some young boys and girls who had
given themselves to Christ. After that I left for Yendi.
On Sunday, 4th September, 2011, Brother David and I went to Wambung to
baptize the ten young boys and girls who had earlier given themselves
to Christ. They were four boys and six girls. Since it was on a
Sunday, we worshipped with the congregation before the baptism
exercise.They were taken to the outskirts of the village where there
is a dug-out and baptized. We each baptized five converts. Brother
David and I advised these young boys and girls to live good exemplary
lives for the community and others outside it to see that they were
exceptional. The Church leader and his assistant also took turns to
advise them. After that, we returned to the village. We spent about an
hour with the congregation before leaving for Yendi. We got to Yendi
at about 4.00 p.m. GMT.
The young boys and girls who were baptized include:
1. Sayibu Binyibiyoan Amos.
2. Waja Mensah John.
3. Danaa Koju Timothy.
4. Nigmaba Shababa James.
5. Sayibu Esther.
6. Nigmaba Afia Dorcas.
7. Ntigma Ngmabil Joice.
8. Ntigma Naju Cynthia.
9. Inimon Nmowal Rebecca.
10. Inimon Gmayii Gifty.
On Sunday, 11th September, 2011, all members of the Yendi congregation
attended a funeral in Yendi town. I was part of the delegation who
attended the funeral. The deceased was a suitor to one of our church
sisters who had a child with him. The deceased man's family,
especially the maternal, were very happy when they saw us in our
numbers at the funeral, though we are Christians and they are moslems.
We donated what we had to the family and left the funeral house in an
hour's time. After we left the place, people passed a lot of positive
comments about the Church; the love and care we have for each other.
Even though the two were not properly married, the church still showed
their love and concern for the church sister.
On Sunday, 30th September, 2011, I sent WBS marked lessons and fresh
booklets to Kulkpiniduli, Machelayili(Nalogni), and Zakpalsi.
2. INREACH: The weekly Preachers' meetings are still in existence.
On Wednesday, 27th July, 2011, we(preachers) of the Yendi Municipality
met Elder Christian Nsowah, Brother Dan Mcvey, and Brother Isaac
Adotey. The meeting was called by the three to mentor us on how to
manage the churches under our care efficiently and effectively, and
how to co-operate with one another.
Brother Isaac led the discussions with scripture backings, while the
rest of us listened and contributed our quota. I did all the readings.
Elder Christian Nsowah was the second to talk to us. He gave us some
encouraging talks to keep us smooth going in our work. After he had
finished, Brother Dan Macvey also took turn to contribute his quota.
The three speakers also centred their talks on how to bring up quality
Christians.
On Saturday, 30th August, 2011, two different meetings were held at
the Mission House. The first meeting was from 9.25 a.m. to 11.55 a.m.
GMT. Preachers who attended that meeting include the following:
1. Brother George Dassah--Tamale Church of Christ.
2. " " Emmanuel Buwalti-- Zabzugu Church of Christ.
3. " " Abdulai A. Andrews--Yendi Church of Christ.
4. " " Musah Fusheini-- Gushiegu Church of Christ,
5. " " Paul Dokurugu N.--Yendi West(rural churches) Church of Christ.
The meeting was centred on the impending Annual Bible Camp to be held
in Yendi this year. The original date for the Bible Camp was fixed for
Sunday, 18th December, 2011, to Wednesday, 21st December, 2011.The
venue was Yendi Senior High School. The camp fee was fixed at GHC 4.00
per participant. The theme of the Bible Camp was "A Complete Christian
Life".
After applying to the school for accommodation and the use of school
facilities, we were told the date chosen for our programme was not
feasible, since schools would still be in session. The date was then
shifted to Thursday, 22nd December, 2011 to Sunday, 25th December,
2011.
At 4.00 p.m. the same day, the normal preachers' meeting was held at
the Church premises. A lot of items were discussed at the meeting.
They include the following: a briefing on the meeting that took place
earlier in the morning, the upcoming Church of Christ fiftieth
anniversary celebration, Project Timothy affairs, Youth Camp etc. All
these discussions were aimed at improving the physical and spiritual
lives of our congregations.
On Friday, 12th August, 2011, another meeting was held to assess the
progress of some of the things that we had intended to do.
I conduct the Sunday school and evening Bible class any time I visit
my congregations.I have also been put on the Yendi church programme to
teach the Sunday school, preach the sermon and conduct the Sunday
evening Bible classes from time to time. I was in Yendi Church on
Sunday, 7th August, 2011, to conduct the Sunday School before the
sermon.
On 11th September, 2011, I taught the Sunday evening Bible class in
Yendi Church.
I conducted the Sunday school in Yendi church on Sunday, 18th September, 2011.
I was to teach the evening Bible class in Yendi Church on Sunday, 25th
September, 2011, when Brother Andrews came around to do it. I only
participated in the lesson conducted.
We still teach Bible Knowledge(B.K.) in our Day-care and Primary
school. We teach there weekly.
Each preacher is expected to go there once in a week.
3. UPREACH - 1. Sunday Worship: I lead my congregations every Sunday
in worship, except the Sundays I visit Brother Adams' congregations or
Yendi Church.
On Sunday, July 3, 2011, I worshipped in Yendi Church. I was not put
on the programme to perfom any task, so I only did the Dagbani
interpretation of the Sunday School for Elder Peter Bombande.
On Sunday, 10th July, 2011, I went to Machelayili (Nalogni) to lead
the congregation in the Sunday worship. I carried along some posters
for the impending fiftieth anniversary celebration of the Church of
Christ in Ghana. This was an invitation to every congregation in the
country to participate in the celebrations. I also informed them that
every congregation was expected to contribute her widow's mite to
ensure the success of the anniversary celebration.
From there I came back to Nadundo to meet their church leader, Brother
Andrews. By the time I got there, they had closed from their worship
and I had to go to the leader's house to meet him. I had a few
discussions with him on how to keep his congregation together, since
he complained that some denominational churches had taken some of his
church members. I urged him not to give up. I got home late that
Sunday.
I worshipped with Yendi Church on Sunday, 17th July, 2011, since my
motor-bike could not take me to any of my congregations outside Yendi
that day. I went with my family in a taxi cab which I had hired to
take us to and from Church that day. The day was meant for for "songs
of praise". As a result, there was no Sunday School and Sermon. It was
a very inspiring programme.
The following Sunday, 24th July, 2011, I went to Kanimo to worship
with the congregation there. After the worship, I went to Diisikura. I
met both congregations.
On Sunday, 31st July, 2011, went back to Diisikura to worship and
discuss an issue which they brought to me the previous week, but I
could not discuss it with them. I left the congregation at about 3.20
p.m. GMT. I stopped at Kanimo on my way from Diisikura, just to greet
the church leader there.
Early on Sunday, 7th August, 2011, I conducted the Sunday School in
Yendi Church as I was put on their church programme for that Sunday.
Brother Stephen K. Morogo delivered the sermon. It was a very
inspiring sermon.
I went to Yingsala with Brother David Wumbei on Sunday, 14th August,
2011. We worshipped with the congregation there. Brother David
conducted the Sunday school and I conducted the sermon. This
congregation is one of Brother Adams ( Kuganaa's ) congregations. It
was my first time of visiting that congregation. We left the village
at about 1.15 p.m. GMT.
On Sunday, 21st August, 2011, I worshipped with Kuga church. I
attended with my family since it had been a long time we visited that
congregation. I delivered the sermon. I had pre-informed them of my
visit. After the worship I went with my family to greet Brother Adams(
Kuganaa), as I had not seen him for a long time. He welcomed us nicely
as Christian brothers and sisters. We spent about thirty minutes with
him.
The following week, Sunday, 28th August, 2011, I worshipped with the
Jagrido congregation. It was in the middle of the rainy season and the
stream was full to capacity. I nearly returned to Yendi, but after a
short prayer of encouragement, I gathered courage and waded through
the stream with my motor-bike. I was so wet that when I got to Jagrido
I had to dry my shoes and socks. I could not dry my trousers because I
had none to change.
On my way back after worship I waded through the water again at waist
level. I got to Yendi still wet.
I worshipped with the Wambung congregation on Sunday, 4th September,
2011. On that day, I went with Brother David Wumbei. We baptized ten
young boys and girls after the worship.
From Sunday, 11th September, 2011 to Sunday, 25th September, 2011, I
worshipped with Yendi Church. This was partly due to the fact that my
motor-bike was not in a good condition and I was also put on the Yendi
Church programme for those three weeks.
On 11th and 18th September, 2011, I was tasked to conduct the Sunday
evening Bible classes. On 25th September, 2011, I preached the sermon
and conducted the Sunday evening class.
2. Fasting and Prayers: We, the Preachers, still fast and pray on the
first Wednesday of every month for our partners. The second
Wednesdays' fasting and prayers are still meant for the physical and
spiritual growth of the Church in Yendi and its environs.
Some of the congregations still fast and pray every last Friday of the
month. Yendi church, however, has shifted from the last Friday of the
month to the last Saturday of the month.
CONCLUSION: From the above-mentioned, one can conclude that the work
in the North is still going on smoothly. I would like to quote a
proverb given by a renowned African writer, Chinua Achebe, that "The
lizard who fell from the high iroko tree said he would praise himself
if no one else did".
Even though the going is not easy for us in a muslim dominated area,
we are forging ahead. God will continue to make a way where there is
none.
I, and all the preachers and members of our congregations, have not
forgotten the efforts that you are putting in to make the work in the
North continue going. God Amighty will bless you all and your families
for your support for His work. THANK YOU.
NB: This time around, I have not been able to send you pictures on my
baptism exercise, because my son deleted the pictures which I
downloaded onto my PC. when he was formatting it. I hope to do that
next time.
