The first time I ever went to Ghana, I had the usual excitement and anxiety of entering a new country.  It helped a lot that one of the primary languages, after the national language of Trii, was/is English.  That was great because then I didn’t always have to find an interpreter.  I was most surprised that a lot of the Ghanaians have as their middle name the day of the week on which they were born.  So one of my first conversations with the women was their interest in my birth “day”.  When I told them Saturday, I became Ama Patt and joined a sorority of sorts with other Amas.  How lovely to be included almost immediately into a culture.

The trip, the last of August and the first of September, was my 4^th trip there and I found the Ghanaians just as friendly and inclusive of me as ever.  J.L. and I are so grateful to the Oduros who, with their great staff, consistently sought to be of assistance, anticipating very possible need.

Juggling jetlag and adjustments to the heat and humidity, we joined several hundred students and their spouses for a BTCP (Bible Training Centre for Pastors) leadership conference.  It is such an honor to be among such attentive Christian leaders who have such a strong hunger for the Lord.  J.L.’s messages were wonderfully received.

After 3 days with them, we attended the graduation ceremonies for The NC College of Theology based in Wilmington, NC, of all things.  As it says in the pictures, the school has a program for classes by extension, especially for those in the Third World.  So it was a blessing to be among them – a happy event with proud parents and family, and the joyful graduates.  Bishop Addae is to be commended for his devotion to these men and women in their quest for further education to better equip themselves for ministry.

On a side note, J.L. and I processed into the ceremony with the dignitaries, faculty and special guests.  Let’s just say that we tried really hard to sway with the music, but white people, at least these two white people, struggled a little to get just the right moves.  I was glad that no one seemed to mind our missteps!  One highlight was to meet 2 Nanas (nana = chief, king) and have a time of fellowship with them.  Nana Owusu Ansah Sikatuo was graduating and I enjoyed spending a brief time with his wife, Lucy.  J.L.’s message was very powerful and opened up some good discussion with the nanas.  (And, believe it or not, J.L. message was brief!  I know, I was surprised too!)

And all of that was just the first week!  The second week was devoted to the Messiah Centre and farm with Yaw and Mercy Asante.  It has been both a pleasure to minister with them, and also to see the improvements each year to the Centre.  Little by little, the grounds have been improved and this year everything looked “very smart”.  About 120 men and a few women came for leadership training, some from the difficult north where there is a Muslim majority, and therefore persecution and suffering.

As you will see from the pictures, there were two main speakers, J.L. and Pastor Ransford Obeng; and then I spoke once on marriage. The theme was “Living and Working in the Light of His Coming.”  I am always challenged to be more productive in my Christian walk when I hear their stories of privation and poverty.  I am spoiled rotten and have no excuse for not being more disciplined, more of a prayer warrior, more obedient to the great commission.   Seeing how God’s word never returns void without accomplishing what it was sent to do, being aware of how God blessed what He had directed me to say (even with my inadequacies) was both humbling and exhilarating at the same time.

Thank you for supporting us with your prayers and gifts.  Surely you must know that none of this would be happening without the Lord’s strength, to begin with, and your partnership.  To God belongs all the glory!

Most gratefully yours in Christ,

Patt

Jude 24-25