We sat a distance away from the bank and shared with President Amoh, of his struggles with members who had lost all, their needs and his only council to them of faith in the Almighty who knows all. We spoke of our love and support for he and his small flock. We shared our faith, with his, as we humbly knelt together in prayer. I distinctly remember President Oppong calling ministering angels to attend the families of that branch and witnessed a brother shed tears of thankfulness for the safety of all of the saints and concluding with our pledge to follow the will of Fathers. We embraced again and waded back into the river so full. I felt at peace and surely buoyed up from the experience I had witnessed with hand and heart. President Oppong, President Amoh and I still talk of that experience with soft tones and in reverence.
The following day we began to see that the river had not risen during the night and the rain had stopped for a while. Stories of people being recused were heard far and wide in the streets of the village. Sharing with fellow community members of meager meals was common; witnesses of the protecting hand of God were repeated in meetings and in groups of conversations; blessings were given to members and non-members alike who desired them. Water became a concern because of shallow wells that people depended upon in different parts of the village. They were now contaminated with the stagnant flood waters. We had a concern for the Medical Center in town that was manned by a wonderful assistant and two nurses. There was no way to send people to hospitals for serious illness or ailments. Their medicines were depleted and no way to be replenished. We had reports of people drowning because they needed food and were trying to reach their farm when they were swept down the river. No end in sight and very little food or water was the report we gave President Judd and the Area authorities. Each and every day we were in constant contact with President Judd. We felt his guidance and love for the situation at hand and his prayers were continuous in our behalf. Doctor and Sister Fife continually coached us of cleanliness and protect from diseases surely that would come. But with all of these reports and happenings, I knew we were watched over by angels. The faith of these members as they silently and quietly shared with those in need, has gone unsung. They themselves had very little to share but they gave freely. I never heard of anyone going without some type of food each day. There were those that harvested their farms that were on higher ground, knowing they would have little for their future. They delivered corn to families without fanfare or knowledge by most; they just saw the need and went about serving others.
Each day we met as a council at the Abomosu chapel with reports and plans for the future. I realized early on that the real challenge was to come after the flood had long gone. I instructed the council we must prepare for the time when the normal harvest of food stuffs would be non-existent, four to six months down the road. We must teach our saints to have faith in the God who created them and gives us all breath and substance. We discussed the testimonies we will be required to bear as we visit with the members. We leaned upon the Spirit even more when the realization of what the future would bring, sank into our hearts. We felt the inspiration of a loving Father as we discussed the future and the needs of our saints each day. I have felt prayers in Twi, in English, and words of thanks for all blessings of life. My testimony was fortified when Pam and I knelt each night and offered a humble report to our Maker. We never seemed to weary of His comforting wash, received so many times on our knees. I testify He watched over us in all that we thought, and physically preformed. Those days were special as I look back at them now five months later and feel that same peaceful sweet compassion to my very soul, even now.
The waters receded and life has resumed its pace, pleasures and challenges. Market goers tell no stories of the flood or the difficulties we experienced. Yet, the harvests are sometimes so small it has caused some to move to other regions for work and life. Some farms are still left empty and barren from the floods sweeping effects. But there are those that have returned to cultivated and replant with faith that God will bless with His Grace. I have followed trails to many farms and still witness the faith of those that trust in the Lord and have spent days toiling by the sweat of their brow. May you know of the nourishing prayers offered in faith as they sow once again on farms once under water. I have seen others that have lost their faith in whom all blessing flow; they have not gone forward with faith. Two weeks ago while attending Asunafo Branch meetings, the branch President stood and bore fervent testimony of God’s love for his children and related how he too, had lost all of his farms to the flood. No money to replant or way of sustaining his family was his God given plight. He wept as he shared examples of his saints in that very branch, who sustained him through those times. With their help on his farm as people shared plant starts and labored to replant food stuffs. He spoke of Plantain and Cassava, rice and Gari being left at his home when they were sleeping or while he was gone doing Church duties. He witnessed how the Lords hand had graced his family. He then pronounced a wonderful blessing upon his beloved brothers and sisters. I shall forever treasure that sacred moment in my heart, for I saw the spirit of King Benjamin that holy day. I have not heard a complaint, or a curse towards the Lord, or a faithless re-sowing. Instead I have knelt with families in their farms and heard their prayers of thankfulness, their dependence upon His goodness and mercy. Alongside priesthood brothers, I have carried a small harvest for others that have not yet received produce from their own farm; never a discouraging word by those without, just praise for the breath they have and the strength they see in the Lords arm, his bounteous blessings and tender mercies that sprinkle their life. I have been enlightened by this people of faith, displayed throughout their whole being. Oh, that I may be able to stand with these sons and daughters in giving thanks to our Father in Heaven with every breath of life.
I witness of His love and watchful eye; the gentleness of the workings of the Spirit and the loving arms of the host of heaven. He lives to redeem us from our follies and encourages us with His loving care. I am thankful for my sacred call to serve these disciples of God. May my faith always be unwavering as these brothers and sisters we now live alongside. I pray for their protection and care on life’s sojourn. May these events be so written on my heart that they will carry me through the eternities.
No comments:
Post a Comment