While the work outreach team from Alabama was here I took the opportunity to do some necessary political business while also introducing them to local tradition. Each village has a
chief (similar to mayor, but also judge), an okyome (an advisor, liason and spokesman for the chief), elders and assemblymen. On Tuesday, we went to greet these men in our village of Amakom (pictured top,right), then after that we traveled to our neighboring village of Atafram (pictured on the left). The chief of Atafram is a sub-chief, meaning that he is the chief over the area (many villages) and has higher authority and the ability to go directly in to the Asantehene.
Our next visit was on Thursday morning. The team came by boat to the village of Dompa, while I drove and met them there. It was an overdue visit, my first time to greet this chief and elders. The visiting team has brought gifts of rice, oil, hats and a new torch (flashlight for the Americans reading this post). We were received very well. (pictured below, Michael Bentum standing with me as we explain the purpose of our visit) There were many questions about the clinic and how we can assist them with getting a bore ho
le (well) drilled since it's a town of 2000+ people and they have no well at all. Last year they had a cholera outbreak (and have had many other years we are told) and over a dozen died, over 70 admitted for treatment. It's a valid request, yet we don't have the funds yet to have this need met. After this meeting the chief asked us to speak to the community...this led to a two hour, town hall/court room style gathering where people were given the chance to share their grievances, questions and concerns to me. I was not expecting it, nor did I expect the type of questions that came. I praise God that the team was there with me, and that God certainly gave wisdom and discernment for the correct responses to the questions.
It was here in Dompa that I prea
ched this past Sunday and afterward we and the whole congregation went to the homes of two shut-ins to pray for them, give them a summary of the morning message and care for them. An offering had been taken up for them during the morning service. It was truly a meaningful and specail aspect of the service to me, and the visiting team.
'Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.' (quoted from 1st Peter 5:12-16, NIV)
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