"First the rich and the learned..."

I first met Samuel Dwamena while attending a funeral of an elderly woman who had passed away. He was dressed in traditional robes and setting with the village dignitaries. This time he was asked to come to the District Office for a visit with me by the Elders. He is thin with leathered skin from the sun. His hair is short and greying. He walks upright with head held high and with confidence. We set and I prayed for the Spirit to teach us. I asked of his family- married for 52 years and 6 children, 2 girls and 4 boys. He his educated and speaks English very well, his hands are softer than most of the town. I asked what his occupation was and with a bit of understanding of the traditions and culture of this area, he spoke of his responsibility to choose the Chiefs of this bush area. He was the person who searched for Chief replacements. He was authorized to install village leaders according to tradition and culture of his people. He also was depended upon by the communities to settle disputes over land boundaries and family challenges. Revered as an honest and fair man by so many in the area, and with his honorable appointment from the people, the 58^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants came to mind. Being bold, I asked if I may read from the scriptures about why I am here with him this humid evening. We opened the scritures and read of the supper the Lord was inviting him to. “…the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble,” “Samuel, if I may be so bold, I am here to invite you to a feast with the Lord. He who governs all of the earth desires men like you who will work to bring the Kingdom of God into this people’s lives.” He sat direct and peered into my eyes as he pondered the words I had just spoken. “I have a desire to be a part of that feast”, he said. “I have not been baptized in my life and believe your invitation is of God.” He rehearsed the missionary’s first two lessons and how his reading of the Book of Mormon had enlightened his feelings of an Eternal God. That very moment the Holy Ghost distilled upon our minds as we sat knee to knee in conversation. I recalled his comments of choosing the village chief and the scriptures of Mosiah 2 came to thought. “Samuel, would you read with me of a most honorable king in the Book of Mormon who has set a pattern for all kings, chiefs, and magistrates who humbly and properly rule with the Lords help? I know you would be most interested for your appointing of a village Chief is most important for your people as you shoulder that responsibility of searching ones heart to place in such a position.” He opened his Book of Mormon and taking turns with each verse, together we read verses 11-19. He once again looked into my eyes and asked where this noble king had lived? With gentleness in his voice, he continued, “I was bestowed this position by my father who was installed by his father and so on down through generations. I did not want this position, but for family honor, I accepted this responsibility over 40 years ago. It has been most difficult to know the hearts of these men who I have installed. I have brought shame on my family at times when the chosen ruler has heaped burden upon the backs of my people. Greed and pride have been a motive of some. Yet I have rejoiced over those that have ruled fairly with my common people. But until now, Elder Dalton, there has been no direction or pattern as you have taught me for seeing the heart of a Chief, beforehand. This will be my guide when I choose again.” He continued, “My father was a good man who lived in the Chief’s palace and advised him on issues. His name was also Benjamin as this king’s name and I know his heart was as King Benjamin’s of old.” “My brother, with all of your authority you mentioned, you recognize that you still have not been baptized for remission of sins and for an outward sign of your inward feelings. Will you be baptized by one holding the proper authority from God, even making a lifelong covenant to serve your God by serving your fellowman?” “I will, I will, and my family must hear this good news, too.” 

"...in that the rich are made low..."

He was of medium height, slight in his build, and wore glasses to read his copy of the Book of Mormon and Doctrines and Covenants, “…a supper of the house of the Lord…First, the rich, and the learned, the wise and the noble” he read out loud to me. “Will you be baptized by one holding the authorized authority this Friday afternoon? You are of this verse, brother, and the Spirit has whispered that to you” was my question to Jonathan. With a long pause, and a silent prayer in our hearts, With tear filled eyes, “I will, for I know Almighty God has lead you here to answer my lifelong search” was his reply. Some months back, Jonathan had studied with the missionaries but the weakness of the flesh, postponed the blessings of baptism. He had a life checkered with sin, indulgences of man and a soul racked with un-forgiven deeds. His lifelong quest was to relieve himself of those burdens that weighted his countenance and clear judgment. With Sunday after Sunday attending churches for the pleasing word of God, he fell deeper and deeper into the ways of the world that brought additional shame and disgrace. Married 3 times, divorced 3 times; children who had disowned him for his example, and heaped shame, shadowed this man’s life and existence. Reconciled to a worthless life, he lived among the beggars and thieves. Days turned into months and months into years for Jonathan and his search.

He is a school owner, university educated, prosperous with wealth earned by his mind. He held positions of leadership in the community, yet now was recognized as a man who had lost control of his actions and thoughts. He was the town drunk and most mornings found him lying on the streets before he staggered to his school. The teachers of the school were dedicated to the innocent children who came for teachings that would further them in this life. Jonathan was nowhere to be found most of the time and the monies of the teachers were give directly to them by the government knowing of Jonathan’s condition. It was here on the street, one dry hot day, two white shirt Elders spoke kindness to his heart. Days later they found his home and witnessed of the cleansing power of the atonement, the love of the Father for his soul, and charted a road to recovery for his life. Fighting urges of the flesh, he persisted with the Elders lessons. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and peace began to come to his heart. There were some who praised his improvements and others that continued his ridicule, but Jonathan held the course with help from above and the prayers of the branch members.  

He visited with me offering a contrite spirit and a broken heart as he outlined his life of folly, dishonesty, and heavy sin; all that racked his very personality now exposed in our interview. Months of pleading with the Lord; nights of an anguished heart of true sorrow for his sins, and how angels had sustained him through his darkest hours. I testified of the prayers of many that had been offered in his behave and the Spirit was abundant in our midst. As tears ran down his cheeks, we knelt and felt the healing hand of the Savior. It washed our hearts as one. Answers were given to our minds and we drank fully of the living water that glorious afternoon.

This past Friday Jan. 27, 2012, Jonathan was baptized by one holding the power to bind on earth and in heaven. Today he was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and completed his cleansing from sin with the pronounced “receive the Holy Ghost”. The members of that small branch could not contain the Spirit and all stood to hug him as he returned to his bench. It was truly a witness of the Hand of the Lord and the loving arms that await those that offer their full repentant heart. I shall always remember this day and the love Jesus offers me and to us all.

(the picture below with the man on the right in front, wearing the yellow shirt is Jonathan of who I write)

  

...for ye are my sons and daughters...

Each day of our mission we have tried to exercise in some way. We most commonly walk throughout Abomosu and some of our other villages as we work in those areas. It has brought great pleasure to us as we converse with the many people. It has also caused Sister Dalton and me to grow so fond of our association with the wonderful people of this region. We do most of our shopping in a large town just an hour north of Abomosu called Nkawkaw. The open market offers more variety of items that will sustain us for a month at a time. There are hundreds of small stands with fresh vegetables, fruit, dry goods and a large open butcher shop. Dairy is challenge to find and something we are learning to go without except for special occasions. The market covers a one square mile with thousands of people crowded everywhere. It was most frightening the first time we ventured to in the market, but has now become a real highlight of our month. We have tried about every kind of exotic fruit, veggis, and even hot meats. (Alligator, monkey, bush meat, and other things I was afraid to ask for the name) But the experiences we share weaving though the market on those shopping days are a memorable addition to our mission service. We have become “regulars” at some of the small stands and have become somewhat as “celebrities” as we mingle. The children run up to us and just want to touch Sister Dalton’s soft white skin. For me, they just want to rub my “hairy” arms. The Ghanaian men do not have hair on their arms as I do. The hockers at the shop always laugh as we respond with our version of Twi, but never have we felt threatened or uneasy rubbing shoulders with all of the other shoppers. We comment to ourselves how we love this experience, something we had never thought we would.

There is a tucked away stand we like for this woman’s smoked fish, mostly a small silver salmon. She carefully counts every fish and searching for only the freshest fish for our bunch. She always put one extra fish in the newspaper wrap and says it for the “pay of God’s workers” and closes the wrap and puts it’s in our basket. There is a crippled man who runs a tiny stand and he is a “bookie”. He always wants us to place a “righteous bet” but we have fun with him as we pass by his stand a couple of times during our time there. He has become a good friend to give us directions where to find different items. Last time I was asked to make a bet I said I will give him a sure bet, “the Lord loves him and I will one day see him walk and run alongside his grandchildren with strong legs.” I remember his shocked look as I pulled out 20 cedis and asked him to match it. We always make our way through the maze of people and shops to visit with a deaf young man. He is a bagger for a stand that is a bit larger than most. They offer canned goods, bags of rice, flour, and sugar. He is a member of the Nkawkaw Branch and carries a deaf government card that states he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a bit unusual to see that on a government issued card, but that is common as I have found out afterwards. He is a very strong young man of 24 and loves the church with all of his heart. We love buying something from the small store and he always then walks with us to our car carrying our basket and bags. With my limited memory of the sign language alphabet, we seem to have fun walking and signing. He always gives Sister Dalton and me the biggest hug you can imagine, we feel just like we are being hugged by a bear with his size. He is an Elder and is the branch Single Adult rep. and I’m sure serves well. I don’t think there is a person in that whole market that doesn’t know him and loves his spirit. He’s a real gem in our day of shopping.

                Each time we considered our experiences of shopping at this open market, we see the hand of the Lord in the lives of so many including our lives too. We always try to set on a small bench where there is each time an older woman who tries to tell us a story and we have no idea what they are saying. We laugh and sometimes cry with her as we listen to her express her feelings. Yet we always end our sharing moments with “yaa-bay-shee-yah”, (we will meet again) and she will then take our hands and gently rub them on her cheeks. It is humbling and so rewarding for Sister Dalton and I. We will meet again either here in Nkawkaw or in the hereafter. We will remember everyone we have encountered and united through the Spirit while here in Ghana. That is the most comforting desire for Sister Dalton and me. May you cherish those who you come upon during your journey through this life is our prayer for all.