Kwabeng Groundbreaking Sept. 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...the purpose to build a house unto the Lord..

With the growth of the Abomosu District membership, church buildings are becoming more difficult to obtain and use. Most building in our district are smaller and two rented building were homes before we acquired the property. We have five branches, Asuom, Sankubenase, Abomosu, Asunafo, and Kwabeng. Each location has a meeting place for the saints. Asuom and Kwabeng are rented buildings and we have grown out of each. Asuom is on the second story that used to be a living flat by an owner who moved to the US. We have families living below and above our humble chapel. It has a large center hall with 7 rooms surrounding the center hall. The hall holds 100 tightly with another 30+ when you open the sliding glass doors and use the open air deck for our overflow. A 10’x10’ room is where Primary is held with 38 to 45 children; another 10’x10’ room is where the 28 young women meet each week; Relief Society has a 12’x14’ room for the average of 40 women who attend each week. The Gospel Essential class averages 12 investigators each week and meets in the Branch Presidents office during their class time. Each week we visit we marvel at the way every inch of the building space is utilized to further the work along.

Kwabeng Branch is also a rented building on the second floor of a 3 story building. It has no windows only screens over the openings. It has no restrooms only an outside cubical. Their building also has a large center hall and 4 other rooms. The chapel area holds 80 very tightly but most weeks there are more than that in attendance. The primary holds 40+ children while the Relief Society uses one room that is 10’x10’ no window. The Branch Presidents office is also the clerk’s office so they share one very small room. Land is scarce in Kwabeng and through the vision of our previous District leaders, a 3 acre plot was purchased some 14 years ago in hopes they would build a beautiful building where the saints could worship.

Abomosu, Sankubenase, and Asunafo each have a chapel the Church has constructed in their communities. Abomosu was constructed in the 90’s and Sankunbenase and Asunafo both within the last 12 years. They are beautiful buildings and filled to capacity each week. Abomosu Branch is in need of another addition or another building soon or they will be seriously over crowded. We are only overcrowded now with over 200 attending Sacrement meeting each week and one restroom for the women and one for the men; 80+ Primary children in one small room and Relief Society women in the courtyard due to no more room in the only classroom available.

These are wonderful challenges and will be remembered for lifetimes by many of the members. Stories will be shared of these days and faith will be strengthened in all that hear these experiences shared by the older members. It is a legacy that time will pass on to future generations. We all need to remember whose shoulders we are standing on as we continue the work of the Lord.

On September 12, 2012, 287 humble saints and several community dignitaries including the Chief for the Kwabeng township, and his council, attended a groundbreaking for the new Kwabeng Chapel. It was exciting and rewarding to all that attended. This faithful branch has struggled to develop and mature in the gospel to qualify for a new chapel. They are sweet humble people who love the Lord and his ways. The property purchased 14 years ago overlooks the community and will be a fitting spot for the Lords house in Kwabeng, Ghana. Elder Dickson, the West Africa Area President, presided and shared a gospel message of hope, fulfillment, peace and future growth to all that heard his voice. The Chief spoke of how the community embraced the LDS Church and pledged his help to further the message of Christ and peace throughout his kingdom. He was genuine and a pleasure to hear his concern for all of his people. Gold shovels broke the rich soil, pictures taken, children participated also, and the construction has now begun. We are truly blessed and know the hand of the Lord is upon this district and people. We thank Him and give all that we have for the building of his kingdom. 

Rita's small small shop

 

...wait patiently upon the Lord...

We met Rita when we first came to the village. She had a small small stand by the Zions Primary school. The school was 4 classes and over the year now has 16 classes. World Joy built the newer classrooms but they still use the old rooms because of the number of students. Rita would sell watchee and rice milk to the children before, during and after school. She was America’s equivalent of a lunch lady. She made a fair little business out of her little stand and life was fine. Rita has two sons, Frank a 11 and Stanley 9. They are very responsible boys that now run the shop after school until closing around 6PM. Over the weeks of passing by their little stand, we became friends and would purchase small items for a treat. They lived across the street from their small stand. Sister Dalton became fast friends with Rita when she introduced her to Banana bread and in fact, has baked in our kitchen with Rita making Banana Muffins to sell at her stand. Our purpose as missionaries is to beckon all to come unto Christ and Sister Dalton began the process slowly and eventually invited Rita and her two boys to visit with the missionaries. Frank and Stanley each were given a Book of Mormon and the whole family read together at nights. We were so excited and attended the first two discussions with the missionaries. We could see the spark in their eyes as they greeted us each time we passed their stand.

The home they were renting was owned by the Presby pastor and soon enough he caught wind of the gospel being taught to Rita and her sons. That very night, he stormed Rita’s home and told her to pack up and get out right away if she was to take any more lessons from those Mormons. Scared and nowhere to turn, she said she would ask us not to come any further. We were devastated but felt for her family and the predicament she now was to endure. Each day though we always stopped and kept close to the boys and Rita and our friendship has become even stronger. Last month Rita stopped us and said she had saved enough money to rent a nicer home across town by our chapel and invited us come and visit one evening. Stanley said “please bring us another Book of Mormon so we can begin to read as a family again.” It was music to our ears and tomorrow Sister Dalton and I will visit their home and deliver 3 copies of the Book of Mormon. We will also begin the missionary discussions and look forward to their attendance once again at our meetings. The Lord surely works in wondrous ways.

And the Presby pastor who demanded Rita to quite seeing the missionaries or move out, well, he and I have struck a friendship and are planning together for a community Christmas sing along we are organizing for December 24^th. Maybe the pastor and Rita will be together again on a pew in the Abomosu chapel someday- wouldn’t that be a blessing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

L-R Stephen Abu and the seven teachers involved with the SoccerTornement

 

...and their hearts were softened...

The final match time had finally come after 2 days of nonstop soccer games. All had come down to this final game that would determine the champion of 19 bush schools. The teams were called to come to the field. As I stood at center field, I could see a conflict brewing and knew our time was short for this tournament. The team that had been disqualified due to cheating, had banded together with 200 spectators and began to prance their way to the center of the field. The team that was to play was held back on the sidelines by another group of chanting fans. They came to the center of the field, chanting and with arms locked together insisting they play and not the team that had been moved up to take their place for the final game. By this time the team that had earned their way to the final match began to back off the field as more and more angry fans began chanting “we play - no Obruni”. With the missionaries standing mid field with me and many of the organizers seeing this as a riot situation, I spoke to the missionaries and said we were to leave right now and we took the game ball and left the field. We immediately jumped into the truck and drove away from the chaos of 2500 people gathered to watch the final match. The coaches and teachers for the disqualified team had in sighted this movement among the fans of their team during the final match of the Primary children, and had figured the “ole Bruni” would back down and let them play. Little did they realize the integrity or the purpose of the tournament and its organizers. As I drove away I could see in my rear view mirror a full out conflict between those for and those against the call of disqualification of the cheating team and their coaches. It was ugly at best but we were save and away from any danger.

The decision was made that Sister Dalton and I along with President Oppong and Brother and Sister Abu, we would go to each of the schools, the following week, that had not been awarded the new soccer balls and the two winning teams that never got the chance to play, and award the gifts to them at their individual schools. It was a plan that was most effective and rewarding as each school greeted us with open arms and cheered for the right they knew to be true. I shall never forget the wonderful faces of those precious youth as they were handed 3 new balls and the two championship teams received their deserved jerseys. It was thrilling and humbling as we walked the paths to some of these bush schools that had participated.

Now you would think that was the end to this saga of the donated soccer balls and the experience of these children, but know there is more to learn and see the wondrous hand of the Lord in people’s lives. The following Friday morning, one week after the tournament was closed, Sister Dalton and I had a “Agoo” at our door. I opened the door and was greeted by 7 teachers of the school that had been disqualified. We welcomed them in to our home and we formally greeted each one with “Akwabaa” as they sat in our living room. I noticed all of them were involved with the locking of arms and chanting along with hundreds of others before the final match. These were the instigators and those directly responsible for the closing of the tournament and even robbing many teams of the planned closing ceremonies and their awards. What could be their desires was definitely on my mind. Then one rose and asked permission to speak for the group. Humbly he began to ask forgiveness for the actions and conditions that transpired at the final day of the tournament. A spirit of calmness filled the room and all felt the healing power only given to those with humble hearts. He trembled as he spoke of their misdeeds and the poor example of their actions. Other chimed in as he stumbled over some words to express the sorrow of the 7 teachers who were present with him. At one time tears began to flow from all who witnessed the feeling of love. A long silence was felt, before Sister Dalton and I spoke from our hearts. We spoke of the meaning of the gift of the soccer balls by our ward back home in the US. I relayed their sacrifice and willingness to share their time and energy to raise the funds needed to purchase these balls and jerseys for the children. I relayed our only objective was to bless the lives of the children and give them a small feeling of enjoyment. We discussed the effects of their actions on their students and to others that were involved with the games. We read from the Book of Mormon of those that gloried in pride and their ultimate fate was sadness and despair. It was then at that very moment while feeling the spirit through the scriptures, they asked if there was any forgiveness option for them? Sister Dalton testified of the reality of the atonement and the opportunity for all to be forgiven through repentance. A plan was laid for them to write a letter of apology to the two schools that had not been able to play the final match. They were to hand deliver those letters to the students, teachers, and coaches of each school. They agreed and set a date of one week for their completion, where upon we would give them 3 new balls for their efforts. I still remember as they filed out one by one whispering “me dosei, me dosei”. As Sister Dalton and I sat down for a few minutes afterwards we still felt the lingering spirit of peace and warmth within our home. We soaked in what had just happened and thanked Father in Heaven for this wonderful tender mercy. The letters were delivered as promised and friendship rekindled between schools. Forgiveness was freely given when each letter was read to the students and teachers, and as promised, the new soccer balls were delivered to the repentant team.

During the next several weeks, missionaries were contacted by 5 of those humble teachers and asked if they too could receive a copy of the Book of Mormon. Over time, 3 of the seven have been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints and are fine members of the Abomosu Branch. Though they will be assigned to other schools in the future, they will never forget the lesson of honesty and example they learned in Abomosu.

Wonders never cease and truly the Lord is the Master of his vineyard. He knows his servants and the hearts of those he has prepared for those servants. May we all trust in His ways is my prayer.   

    

... and the last shall be first- even in football!

(I apologize for the delayed second portion of this blog but have experienced a major crash of our computer due to a missionaries corrupted flash drive. It has been 3 weeks and we are finally up and running with a make shift system that was available here in Africa. new rule- no one touches our computer again!)

Then a yell from the spectators was heard, “Ole Bruni, get in your boot and get a new ball so the game can begin again.” And with that, while both teams and a huge crowd of people were standing at center field, and over 2000 spectators watching, I promptly stated “the games are over if we cannot find the game ball” and walked over to the canopy and sat down with the dignitaries. It was a sober moment but all involved got the feeling I was serious and would not be pushed to dole out new balls every game because of a community attitude towards theft. There was a buzz over the whole field and within about 20 minutes, the game ball was handed to me while I sat under the canopy. It seems as though the parents of the remaining teams hit the bush and found the ball with the teenage boys on the other side of the medical center headed out of town with their new football. Game attitude was restored, spectators once again lined the field and two teams of anxious young boys and girls were at the center of the field and the game ball dropped by the “Ole Bruni” to begin the match. There was never another instance that the ball was missing that day or the next, for the next team slotted to play, gathered the ball and held it until their match began.

Match after match proceeded with great enthusiasm by the youth and fans. After each game the teams that had played, gathered with their support group back on the field and 3 new balls with a new pump was given to the team that was eliminated and would return to their villages.  A cheer was lead by the winning team for the eliminated team and they all ran off the field so the next teams could begin their game. Ten matches in all were played to determine the two teams that would meet for the championship match to be held the next day after the older youth finished their games and two teams would play for their age group championship crown. I remember the missionaries and myself being the last people to leave the field that night after all of the festivities and marveling how well the day had gone and the great excitement each primary child had as they either watched the games or represented their school on the field as a player. It was 7PM, tired and dusty, we started home with gratitude for the wonderful day, all of and the sights and sounds experienced, and especially all of the children’s gleeful faces imprinted in my mind.

Day 2- Up at dawn and over to the field as helpers relined the field with paint and chalk. The goal post were fixed again in the correct spots and nets re-hung in anticipation of the 11 games that would be played that day. Game time was to begin at 10AM but already huge numbers of people and players had begun to arrive. Stands of venders had appeared all around the field and women and girls already were walking around with their product for sale on a platter on their head. The local water company brought bags of water to sell during the day’s event, and the festival was already underway. Expecting another day in the mid 90’s, many people brought colorful umbrellas to hold for shade. By 10AM the field was combed for debris, drums were pounded, and the games began, this time with the older junior high aged youth. It was quickly realized by the 2800 fans and the missionaries as our referees, these young men we faster, stronger, and more intense on the outcome of the game. It brought more challenges and rewards to each game. Each game was scheduled as a 30 minute non-stop clock game. These teams wore tattered and torn uniforms handed down from older teams. Still there were 3 teams with no uniforms so teams would share theirs after playing. Most of these young players were bare foot also, but some players had real football shoes that were completely wore out and usually so big for their feet the boy could not keep them on during the game so would always remove them right before they began play. It was interesting to watch how they strutted those coveted shoes until game time.  

Match after match became more intense and physical as the hot sun beat down upon the participants and spectators. But at each scored goal, the fans would rush the field and cheer and dance as if this was a nationally televised game. It was sometimes hard to once again gain control and clear the field to continue the game or for the next match. But we managed and the ref’s (missionaries) were true examples throughout the entire day. Even the coaches were more intent and at times barked at their players and the referees. Some of the matches were decided by free kicks. This is where the goalie is the only person between win or lose. It was a fierce completion on the field but with free kicks, all 2800 pairs of eyes on one young man, you could feel the pressure intensify. On two occasions, after the limit of 5 attempts by each team to score on the goalie, the winner was decided by a flip of the coin. Those were tense times as the coin flipped through the air. You could hear a pin drop while it was rolling in space, but when it hit the ground, cheers could be heard all the way to Accra I’m sure and the celebration began. It usually lasted 8 to 10 minutes with dancing and music and running with all of the team players on people’s shoulders. Sometimes I would carefully watch the unfortunate team’s reaction and most of the boys were crying and lying face down on the ground in disbelief of their fate. Only on one occasion did I see a coach gather his team and help then regain composure and as a team line up and trot off the field together and humbly wait until the celebration died down and then as a combined organized team trotted back to center field for the presentation of balls and the cheer for the eliminated team.

Finally the match for the JHS teams to determine the two teams that would battle for the championship had come. Lined up on each side of the ball at center field were two teams with grit and determination. One team had just played so were dirty and sweaty while the other team was fresh with clean jerseys. I observed the coaches as one side barked at their players and the other side gathered for a team prayer.  The game was fast and furious to say the least. The referees were also tired but maintained their strength for this last most important match. 30 minutes and no score by either team though there were several attempts by each team. At the conclusion of the timed match, teams gathered at one end of the field at the goal posts. It was hard to breathe with so many people gathered together in a confined area to watch the proceedings. I felt for the lone goalie standing there barefoot with an oversized old sweatshirt as his uniform. The best player from the opposing team was to kick the attempt. No words were spoken as the young men stared at each other before the kick was made. A mighty eruption was heard as the ball hit the back net and rolled to the corner. It was pandemonium at best as the defeated goalie was carried off the field by his teammates. Now the roles turn and the other team’s goalie walked to the center of the posts. But quick observation said this was not the boy who played the game for that team. Rules state that the same goalie used in the match must be used to defend the free kick; this was an outright violation that both teams understood before the tournament began. Coaches for each team were in the face of each other and fans were involved as well. It was an all out riot situation as denials were expressed and cheating was chanted over the field. I gathered the young boy and quietly asked him if he had played on that team and particularly the position of the goalie- he said nothing. Again during all of this upheaval I asked the young boy if he had played the position throughout the whole game- still no answer and no eye contact. Coaches for each team were yelling at the boy and our missionaries as they detected the infraction. I hustled out of the confusion and asked an observer who was on the side lines close to the goal posts if he had seen any exchange of uniforms between boys and he confirmed and pointing to one of the coaches, told how he had taken two boys into the bush and had them change uniforms and sent the previous goalie home so he could not be detached. My decision was made and I announced the outcome to the fans and teams- the team had indeed changed the goalie and they would be eliminated from the tournament. The other team would advance to the championship game. Oh how there was an eruption by both teams and fans. There still was confusion and almost rioting on the field as I made my way with the Elders off the field for cover. Finally after several minutes all realized the “ole Bruni” had spoken and accepted the verdict.  

Once again,the two Primary teams who had waited for their moment to play their championship game were lined up at center field and the ball was dropped. It was really great to feel the excitement and see the primary children playing with all of their hearts. At the end of regulation play, the score was 1 to 1 and we once again gathered at the goal posts at one end of the field. After 5 attempts by each team- the score remained the same. A lofty flip of the coin settled the outcome and a victorious team was awarded 3 new balls, a pump, and a set of jerseys, while the less fortunate team was awarded their 3 new balls and a new pump. A cheer was given to all of the players and a calibration was had by all for the next 10 minutes by fans and players.

The final match time had finally come after 2 days of nonstop soccer games. All had come down to this final game that would determine the champion of 19 bush schools. The teams were called to come to the center of the field. As I stood there I could see a conflict brewing and knew our time was short for this tournament. ….to be continued……