Shirt Swap

We enjoyed a flurry of wonderful and hard work the last two days.  We apologize for being slow to update the blog. Late into the night we assembled all of the audio – energetic choirs, new health information from a local Birifor clinic worker, and messages from the pastors.

We recorded the clinician providing heath information for more than an hour.  The track on Hepatitus was almost 19 minutes long.  The Birifor will have important practical health information along with praise music and Bible stories.  The recordings will show on their cell phone with this spiffy embedded MP3 album cover I created.

Curious about the prevention and treatment of Malaria in the Birifor language? Here you are :-)

Each night, the cold shower rinsed off the salt and grime of the day. Often, we were too exhausted to stay up and edit photos.  But here is a quick catch up with photos….

We realized that a more traditional shirt with a more neutral color would be needed to video record Paster Emmanuel in one of the Birifor villages. So I suggested a temporary shirt swap. The pastor was a little stunned at the idea, but eventually agreed, and I stripped off my shirt and we swapped. Some of you might recognize my blue batik shirt. Beth made it clear, however, that yellow was not my color.

Clement and Cyrus, who are now calling themselves “C & C Productions” :-) moved Paster Emanuel into position and a prayer for the Birifor people was recorded. Before we return home, we hope to train C&C on some video editing, so they can produce a final version.

While C&C did their work practicing, Beth and I walked around the village and made friends.

At Golden Hour, we walked through the village and took some photos of daily life in the Ghanaian country side. At this time of year, food is abundant — watermelon, tomatoes, corn, and other fresh vegetables and fruit are are cultivated in the fields surrounding each family compound.

At the end of the walk, it was time to once again swap shirts. As I pulled off the yellow T-shirt, I noticed the Ghanaians wide eyes and curious smiles staring at my pale white chest. No, my muscular frame did not draw their eye, but it was my attractive chest scar from 2017. I explained how my new artificial heart valve worked, and together we thanked the Lord for the additional time I had been given, and that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are siblings. Borrowing clothes is just what siblings do.

10 thoughts on “Shirt Swap”

  1. Yellow is a fine color.

    We are thankful for your extra time in any color ;-)

    What a wonderful set of portraits!

    1. Thanks. I’ve been partial to orange, but yellow is indeed a fine color! The Ghanaian people are so friendly and beautiful, taking photos and listening to their singing is always a highlight. Extra time is indeed good. :-).

  2. I remember that chest scar! I’m sure it’s a bit easier on the eyes now than when I first saw it! :-) Thankful that your heart is healthy physically AND spiritually, Pete! It enables you to do what you – and love people in yellow shirts, too. HUGS, BETH!

    1. Thanks. Yes, that boy on the blue shirt was so cute. I love how after a few seconds of cautious curiosity, Ghanaians usually just feel the joy of the moment and enjoy new friends.

      And yes, initially I was a bit self-conscious about the scar the first few times swimming — but I’ve come to appreciate what it represents. It is a great reminder that my physical heart is one thing, and maybe a surgeon can repair bits, but my spiritual heart takes more than morning cardio to move from stone to flesh.

  3. Also! THAT BOY in the blue/white shirt by the tree!!!! I WANT to be his friend!!! SUCH a cutie!! And the lady pounding fufu – I want her arm muscles, please. :-)

  4. Love this post of sharing…clothes, smiles, stories. The portrait photos in the blog are captivating! Congratulations C & C!!

    1. Yes, lots of sharing going on here :-) The people are shy about photos at first, but once you show them one you have taken of them, they smile big and enjoy it. Beautiful people inside and out! C&C are doing so well, and it’s been so fun to bump along in the backseat of the truck hearing their stories, singing and laughing, and if you know me, some planning too…haha!!

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