One challenge articulated by the
EPC is to assist local churches to roof their new church buildings.
The PC(USA) has helped with this in the past, though I hope that
I’ll be able to visit and get a clearer idea of what is
needed to finish the buildings, so that any of you who want to
help with that can join in!
Doug and I also spent a week with the Presbyterian Church of
Ghana, (PCG), mostly here in Accra. Some of that time was spent
in meetings in the head office with the leaders and directors
of the various departments. The PCG basically works through six
departments that relate through presbyteries, which in turn relate
through districts and the local congregation or preaching point.
They too are short on pastors, so there is at least one pastor
per district, with catechists at the various congregations in
that district. The departments include: Development and Social
Services; Mission and Evangelism; Church Life; Ecumenical Relations;
Administration; and Finance. Though I can hardly mention all that
they do, it is amazing to consider that the PCG started and now
is associated with more than 1,950 schools, 39 health institutions,
and a university, for which they hope to start two more extension
sites. They’re producing written materials such as hymnals,
study guides, and liturgies in a variety of languages. And they’re
involved in social ministries such as prison ministries, work
with refugees, lay training for both income generation projects,
and for church workers.
One unique program is the “Northern Outreach Program,”
which has long been supported by the PC(USA). It’s a ministry
in the southern part of Ghana—particularly in Accra and
Kumasi—to northern migrants. These people come to the cities
mostly for economic reasons. Here in the south, work is hard to
find, living conditions are crowded and difficult, and they often
do not speak the languages spoken here. In response, the church
has helped form congregations for people to worship in their local
languages. They also reach out to both Christians and non-Christians
through literacy programs, skills training, and some basic community
development. I don’t have space to write about this program,
or about the Akofi Christaller Memorial Center, a cutting edge
theological institution also associated with the PCG, but I will
do so in the next letter!
I can’t leave out Nigeria. Doug and I spent eight days
with the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN), on a whirlwind
tour focusing on two subject matters: HIV/AIDS and issues of partnership.
The principal clerk of the PCN, the Reverend Dr. Benabo Fubara
Manuel, whom we called “Ben,” led us. He had help
from the Reverend Okechukwu Iro, head of the health and development
section of the PCN and director of “Presby AIDS.”
We visited different sites each day, traveling by car, van, and
airplane. Often we met with presbytery and/or synod leaders, and
with local congregation leaders as well. It is clear that the
PCN has done much in terms of HIV/AIDS training, particularly
in the area of prevention. People were excited and proud to speak
of all they had learned and of their effectiveness in their own
congregations. AIDS is a growing issue in Nigeria, the most populous
African country. And the PCN has taken it very seriously.
People were also passionate in their discussions around partnership.
The PCN wants relationships with PC(USA) congregations, presbyteries,
and synods, and they’re willing to work hard to develop
them. Ben spoke about creation of real relationships, not based
on money, but on people getting to know each other. The experience
of many Nigerians is that “partners” want to give
and fix. But as they said, “We have lots to give ourselves,
including ourselves.” “We Nigerians are known for
oil, football, and corruption. We want people to get to really
know us though, and see the church as we really are.” One
interesting point is that the PCN has more pastors than churches
(though they are a large and growing denomination). They want
to be able to send out missionaries themselves. It will be wonderful
to explore ways to accomplish that goal—and to find the
partners that they so want to know and work with.
I close with a different glimpse of Nigeria. When we flew in
from Ghana, we were met by the Reverend Sam O. Ewah met us, along
with Ben. He took care of us as we left, too. Sam is married and
has four children. Here are the names of his children: Kelechi,
meaning “thank God”; Chukuvu emeka, meaning, “God
has done great things”; Chi ji oke, meaning “God holds
my portion”; and Chigozirim, meaning “God has blessed
me.” I went to Nigeria not feeling well, and arrived in
Lagos, a crowded, polluted, dirty city. I could have been overwhelmed
by those things alone, but instead I was overwhelmed by people
like Sam and Ben, filled with joy, and hope, and faith, and energy
and love. Sam named his children in a way that represents the
faith of those I met in Nigeria. It also represents my experience
of God there too. I hope you’ll come to love Nigeria as
I have begun to. And of course I hope that love will extend to
Ghana and Niger, continuing in Cameroon and Congo (DRC).
Please feel free to be in touch anytime. And, know I pray for
you all too, as you pray for me. Please do keep praying for me
for: friendship and fellowship; that this new home be a place
where people are welcome and sense God’s presence; for the
wisdom to know how to engage our partners; and the wisdom in planning
my schedule—when to travel and when to be home. May God
be glorified, and may He be glad with our ministry together!
With much love to you all in Christ,
Caryl
Please note my new address change:
3rd Circular Road
Devon Flats #3
DTD 84
Contenments, Accra
Ghana
Some people have asked about sending things. Generally, anything
that fits into a mailing envelope is good. If it’s too big
or comes in a box, then it goes to customs and that complicates
matter. I now have a mailbox at the apartment which has a slot
about an inch and a half tall. But the post office isn’t
far, so things that don’t fit can easily be picked up!
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
317 |
