...he is my friend and brother...

William Frempong is a fixture here at Abomosu. He usually sets on the eroded foundation of his children’s compound right behind the market. Most people pass him by rather quickly due to his condition and slurring of his words. His daughter steps out and props him up occasionally during the day and brings him in about evening time. He speaks slowly and mostly with very slurred English, sometimes it takes several moments for his mouth to form the words. He is dressed usually in a collared shirt and a pair of shorts with bare feet. His legs are swollen; his hands are swollen as well most of his body. I use to walk by and say “hello” but seldom stopped to visit. Over the last few months I have spent more time with him- just setting side by side, without speaking much. Brother to brother in a land far away from both of our beginnings.

He was born in the Volta Region, married there and raised 9 children to be good citizens. He was an Elder in the Apostolic Church and had attended faithfully for over 50 years as a follower. He graduated from Ghana Technical School as a machine operator for Ghana’s Aluminum plant in Tema. Thirty one years of service until he contracted “Fire Blood” ten years ago. Continued exposure to hot aluminum causes a blood disorder that eventually brings death. William is in the last stages of his life and suffers tremendously with his distorted blood; once a handsome and strong man, now a swollen hulk dependent on loving family for care.

Last Friday, Sister Dalton and I sat with him a spell and before leaving we shook his hand, as we always do, and I felt prompted to tell him the next day at 1PM I would come with the truck and we would go on a ride to visit some of the new happenings going on within the villages. His eyes lit up as he tried to squeeze my hand, and spoke the words “I will be ready Elder.” At the appointed hour I opened the door to the truck and after quite some time he sat at a slight angle, but ready for the adventure. I was humbled as we traveled for nearly two hours visiting sites of wonder which William had never seen or even heard of the doings around the region. We visited the new Asunafo Medical center, the new Catholic primary school, mining sites along the river Brim. Our travels took us to Abrei where a drilling crew from the Church was drilling a new well for the small village there, the site of a new planned High School, the open market in Sankubenase, and the sights and color of Abomosu’s football field filled with children. He spoke of days gone by when he brought his family to the Abomosu village, and the great growth that had taken place since his sickness had stricken his abilities. We spoke of his children as heavenly beings that attended to his needs and his vision of heaven after his body is laid in the earth. It was then at that moment I asked if he would like to visit his Church building at the other end of town. He nodded and proceeded to tell me he had not attended his church for over 8 years and had only one visit by the minister at the beginning of each year to collect his contribution for his salary. I hurt inside as he spoke reverently of his faithful service to the people of Abomosu and Tema, yet now when he needed the loving support of friends and members, he was alone and forgotten by most. I bore testimony of the love the Savior has for his soul and the extended arms that will loving encircle him when he kneels before his Maker, even Jesus himself.

We stopped in front of a small building with a sign above the door welcoming all. I asked William if he would like to go in for a minute, and see his church building once again. With tears in his eyes he nodded. Time stopped for us as we made our way to the front door of that small Apostolic building. The door was open and many of the windows were open as usual here in Abomosu. There were probably 15 benches with a small podium in the front of the hall. We sat in the last pew just gazing forward in that empty building. I pondered how stark this building seemed compared to our chapels. It seemed void of a loving welcome we feel when we enter our chapels anywhere in the world. After some time, William raised his swollen hand and gently placed it on my knee and softly whispered the words I will always cherish, “Thank you my brother, thank you.” I love this man and know Heavenly Father was with us that day as hearts were knit together forever.