{"id":1674,"date":"2019-01-30T10:43:22","date_gmt":"2019-01-30T10:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leopardshark.com\/ghana\/?p=1674"},"modified":"2024-09-24T00:20:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T00:20:47","slug":"bimbago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leopardshark.com\/ghana-trips\/2019\/01\/30\/bimbago\/","title":{"rendered":"Bimbago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t\n

No need for a wakeup alarm, the roosters begin at first light, and must relish strutting up to the window to announce another glorious morning in Ghana.  As each rooster takes his turn crowing with more vigor than the last, I rub my eyes and plead with Beth to make some instant Starbucks coffee as I unplug and untangle the USB devices we charged during the times of night when we actually had power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the mission house, our tireless hostess Eva is up and cooking with charcoal. The gas is empty, and the closest distributor is two hours away.  Chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, and pigs are sprawled out in front of the strong steel door, half asleep, enjoying the shade. It\u2019s my turn.  \u201cWHOOOHOOO GOOD MORNING!\u201d I yell running toward the front door and scattering the flapping, oinking, and clucking livestock.  The fleeing animals leave behind some gifts; we zigzag our way in the front door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Janet Juaba<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Janet’s youngest daughter. No smile for you… just a puzzled look. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Janet’s first born was to provide a smile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After a hot porridge of maze and ginger, we begin our day of recording.  It was a slow morning.  Pastor Jinjong, Richmond, Mercy, Jemimah, and Janet helped us record in Bimoba, the language used here near the border with Togo.  A deadly ongoing conflict among the Bimoba prompted pastor Jinjong to record an exhortation on living in peace and loving your neighbor. Please continue to pray for Pastor Nathaniel and Eva.  Life is challenging here, but they serve the community day and night, with broad smiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pastor Jinjong (retired)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shortly after 4:00, with the sun already casting long shadows, we packed up Ray\u2019s Nissan truck and started toward Bimbago.  A small church had prepared music for us.   During the dry season, stretches of the unpaved road seem like red powdered sugar.  Billowing swirls of dust follow us as we zoom toward the small town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Bimbago Choir<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Moments before the sun dips below the palm and mango trees behind us, we get a few snaps of the choir. Before long, a single glaring fluorescent bulb, hung high above the front of the unfinished cement church and dirt floor and my laptop screen provide the only light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The dimly lit church. The song leader twirls his ‘fugu’ as they dance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n