Motos puttered in loaded with families. It was Sunday, and gathering for worship was a joy. Tattered and worn bibles, pages thick and wavy from the humidity, were in hand, and ready. The music was vibrant, our voices filled the cement and block building and spilled into the village as the church filled to capacity. Ceiling fans and oscillating fans tried to keep us cool, but between the singing and the dancing, two white people were swaying both to the music and the dizzying heat. As visitors, we were offered some cool water as we sat down — a lovely Ghanian tradition, and an especially kind gift for Beth and I. At the fabric store the other day, the shop owner had offered us water, and with a smile full of kindness explained, “water is life”. Indeed.

On the wall, in the background of the photo above, the vision statement for the church reads:

“to be a lively and purposeful church of Jesus Christ which demonstrates to the world the All-Sufficient God who makes rivers in the desert”

A reference to Isaiah 43, from the first blog post. A wonderful reminder that we are here today with family.

Water

Exhausted from the singing and a bit of awkward white-guy clapping, Beth and I finally sat into the hot plastic chairs. The pastor’s message was simple: Satisfaction (printed on the banner behind him). Where do we get it? What truly satisfies?

Water is necessary to sustain my frail body. Every day we stop at small shops along the road and buy clean water — but it cannot quench my thirst. There is only one water for real life. It was the reminder I needed.

After the service, I made friends :-)

Responding with smiles, the aunties, uncles, parents and children all politely introduced themselves and asked Beth and I about our travels. We learned their names, favorite classes in school, and family relationships.

We couldn’t linger long, we had work to do, and people were waiting to record the missing community health messages, songs, and testimonies. Bags were stacked high in the back of the truck and Beth was sandwiched in for the drive. Beth is amazing. How is it that woman of so many talents, equipped with all the skills and capabilities I lack, is packed into the back of the portable oven with a gigantic smile?

A short drive later and we are at another empty high school, preparing for our work. Beth and I appreciated the large mango tree helping us avoid the punishing sun.

During breaks, I wandered around to meet people, take photos, and learn more about Sisaala land. The school complex is massive, and some of the staff live in homes or dorms on campus.

Preparing food is often a team activity. Mom spreads the ground corn to dry in the sun. The small girl chases away the timidly approach sheep and goats, looking for a snack. The son roasts the corn.

David Dinah is visually impaired, and teaches choir at the school. He is soft spoken, and generous with is time. The youngest of his sons guides him across the campus to a metal bench under the sprawling mango tree. We build a studio around him. A bit of nylon cord and a suspended suitcase transforms the tripod into a studio mic stand for drums and soloist. Our outdoor studio includes ripe, falling mangos. After each impact, a goat or sheep dash over for a snack.

David explains to Beth the he grew up a Muslim, but was drawn to the music and lyrics he heard coming from a church, much like the praise music that spilled out of the church Beth and I attended in the morning. Music is powerful. David writes his own music, please enjoy the video below of David, and his joyful music.

Next up, Nurse Zenab!

Zenab recently completed her basic nursing school. She also finished a specialization as a midwife — practicing by delivering 10 babies in the surrounding villages. She is excited to share community health information in Sisaala for the BiblePlus Audio Units.

In the video clip above, Zenab describes in English some of the health lessons recorded we recorded.

As the afternoon worn on, Ajara arrived with a large smile and helped edit and tweak the audio tracks Clement and Cyrus recorded yesterday. Yesterday, it was all business — she was steady, confident, motivated, and precise. Today, we are only editing the tracks. Ajara is full of joy and beaming with smiles. During breaks, she finds a stick and gently pokes the ripe mangoes, which immediately fall to the ground. Ajara puts them on the table, away from hungry mouths. When she can’t reach them with the stick, she puts me to work, reaching higher to retrieve the delicious fruit. I’m rewarded with one. Moments later, warm mango juice was dripping down my chin. A great day.

Postscript: The blisters on my legs are distracting. Some areas are a little better, and others have increased and spread. I’m carefully monitoring for infection, and wonder if there are two issues at work… The (suspected) blister beetle rash is the most severe — it is the deepest. The other rashes I believe are either from the heat or some sort of spreading of the toxin. In any case, I’m fine, but appreciate the prayers. I apologize for being behind in the blog. We are working long days, and the heat and other complications slow us down. But we are blessed, and the work is wonderful.