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Ghana Newsletter Dear Friends, You may well remember, the terrible day that brought chaos to the airports, around Britain. Four others and I were anxious about our flights to Ghana and all the plans that had been made for us the other side. Nearly two weeks later, we discovered we need not have worried, because due to the instructions we had been given by the airport staff, we arrived too early. This put us ahead of the queue to Amsterdam. Once in Amsterdam we acquired the buggy we had ordered for Doreen and Joan as they were not able to take the long distance to the departure gate, so Berwyn Hughes and I jumped aboard too. Berwyn incidentally is the writer and tutor of the subjects ‘The Holy Spirit’ and ‘The Return of Christ’ courses. We arrived safely in Ghana much to the delight of everybody there as it was touch and go due to the restrictions that had affected everybody’s travelling plans. The next day we were all split up and went in different directions. Joan and Berwyn Hughes on their first trip to Ghana were taken to a place called Okim oda, where they took seminars and officiated at an Ordination service. The rest of us travelled towards Kamasi, 261k from Accra. The road was good till we approached the area where road works had begun on one side and then the road deteriorated and it became hard to drive causing long delays and making us subject to the road vendors selling their wares of coconut oil, bananas, oranges and other goodies. Soon it was time to move on and we passed through countryside peppered with jungle and villages that were still back in time. Doreen Moore, the writer and tutor of ‘Prayer & Worship’ and ‘Covenant Relationships,’ was dropped off in route at Konongo to take two Ladies Conventions. Steve Holmes and I journeyed on to Kamasi, where eventually we were separated to minister in different areas. Over the next four days I took several seminars and officiated at a graduation service and ordination service, which was a surprise to me. Among the students was one of my own, that I found particularly moving. One evening while in Kumasi, I was taken to a meeting in a place called Obuasi, which is a gold mining town in Ghana, and can boast more resources than South Africa. It was dark when I arrived, with no street lights it was difficult to see where I was going. As I made my way to the venue, I had to go over a rickety wooden bridge that was badly in need of repair. Working our way around someone’s home, being careful not to fall into the ditch along the way, then navigate a rocky slope to the church. It was also as perilous getting back to the bus. One has to have good eye sight for going into places off the beaten track. Later, Steve, Doreen and I were joined together to race off to another venue to officiate at an Ordination service for twelve new pastors in Obuasi, this time the approach to the church was a good one. It was an experience that affected us all. The young men who had been ordained, faced the congregation, there was a sudden rush towards them, each being hugged in turn, greeting the new pastors into the ministry. Singing and dancing followed. There was such the joy and exuberance from everyone. It was a vivid contrast to our own formal and sedate affairs. We returned back to Accra, on our way back, we stopped at a place called Nsawam, to speak at a New Bible school that had opened in affiliation with NBTC. It was hard to get to this place as it was on the edge of a busy town, traffic was bumper to bumper, and we had to edge our way to the correct turning, a road which was nothing more than a rutted track. Bible Schools are mostly started in either a borrowed church or in a building with corrugated roofing with no windows or doors. They usually are on a rough piece of ground, which they will develop later. Some can either be a house given over for that purpose or in an office block, where they have rented a couple of rooms. The NBTC is now affiliated with five Bible Colleges in the Kamasi area, who now use all our materials. On arriving in Accra, we were again spread out to various venues, before coming back to join once more. One of the Bible schools that I was to attend was cancelled, however this gave me the opportunity to go to another Bible school and sit with the Principle, well known to me, he shared his heart and vision of training young men from the villages to Pastor their own people. This Bible School was on the worst road that I have experienced in Ghana. The taxi I was in swayed like a roller coaster trying to avoid the potholes and boulders that covered the road, with a speed of only 5-10 kilometres an hour. We laboriously made our way up the road, fortunate that the taxi driver was willing to have a go. To get back to Accra, we took public transport, which is another story. The last weekend before departure, I was able to graduate six of our own students and hand them their Diplomas. The NBTC has graduated 11 students over the last 3 years. God willing there will be more next year. The last Sunday there, I was given the task to officiate the Commissioning of six people to the ministry of the NLOC (New Life Outreach Church) Osmond Owusu’s Church and I.G.O representative in Ghana. Soon the day of departure was upon us. Nobody mentioned that we had to be there four hours early. It was a long procedure, taking almost 2 ½ hours, queuing for baggage weighing, customs search and check-in. Finally we boarded the plane, and left a ½ hour later than scheduled for Amsterdam. Of the whole trip, I could sum it up in one word. – CHANGE. The whole structure of NBTC was changed, putting the right people in place, to ensure that the vision was enlarged, so as to accommodate the growing numbers that wanted to be a part of this God- given ministry. All who came with me were glad of the experience and aware of God’s gracious leading in their own particular calling to the people of Ghana. So what more can I say, ‘Next year in Ghana!’ D.V The Lord Bless you, Yours in His service and love, John & Sandra Levy |
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