Mr. Horchak and I met for breakfast, and were both ready when Reuel Dima showed up to take us over to services. Stepping outside I realized how hot and humid it already was, and realized our decision to change the order of services to allow everyone to go home a little earlier today was going to urn out to be a very good thing. Even before getting to the Church building, a 5 minute drive from the hotel, I was already sweating.

By the time we arrived quite a few were already there, and more were coming in a constant stream. It was good to see so many brethren I’ve known for many years. Smiles, handshakes and hugs all around! So many told me to give my wife and family, my congregations and all the brethren in the US their greetings that it would be impossible to list everyone. Just consider this note as greetings from over 300 brethren in Ghana!

Services were able to begin around 10:20, except we lost power right away. That means no lights, no sound system or video projector, and most importantly, no ceiling fans! But this situation is so common they have a small generator in the back room, so two men went to get it and carry it outside where it could run without disturbing services, then with a long extension cord they plugged it into the building’s power supply and we had lights, sound system and most gratefully fans!

Mr. Horchak gave the first message. His message focused on how what the Bible calls the mystery of the Kingdom ties into Passover and UB, and then showing how the message of the Holy Days all point to what we are to become as Christians, and points toward the coming Kingdom that is the hope we all have.

The congregations had prepared four pieces of special music. One was a group of mostly children and younger children. They had blocks and gourds covered with beads that were used for rhythm while they were singing. The colorful African rhythm and harmony is something I’ve grown used to over the years. While I can’t understand a great deal of what they said (I still struggle to understand a lot of Twi), I’m confident the lyrics were doctrinally accurate, and their presentation was joyful!

I then gave the second message. I titled it “Giants and Unleavened Bread.” After talking a little about the giants mentioned in the Bible, I related that to the battles against sin we all face. And from David’s example against Goliath in particular, I drew five lessons we should learn from the accounts.

Following services, Mr. Dima asked the congregation to be seated again, and they had several presentations to give. Hey gave each of us a traditional banner to be worn over the shoulder, and it had the word “Awkwaba” stitched on it. That means “welcome” in Twi, and the intent was that we are always welcome to Ghana. And they had a couple of thank you gifts for me including a glass plaque and a couple of charcoal drawings that had been made off pictures of my wife and me. These things are deeply touching and things I will treasure the rest of my life!

By now, it was mid-afternoon and I’d already sweat through my clothes, and with the brethren returning to go home it was time for us to return to our hotel and the welcome a/c!

We both have some snacks in our rooms, and not being terribly hungry, we opted to skip dinner, or just order something small if we wanted later on. And we agreed to meet for breakfast in the morning.

Toward sunset, I changed into shorts and a t-shirt and walked out on the stone surf barrier outside the hotel. I found a nice spot to sit and just watch the surf roll in and slam up against the rocks, and also watch as the sun dipped toward the distant horizon, ending both the Sabbath and the week of Unleavened Bread. I sat for 30 or 40 minutes just drinking in the tranquility and beauty looking out over the ocean. As it got dark, it was time to make my way back to my room for the night.

Tomorrow will be an important day for the local leaders, because Mr. Horchak will present a couple more classes for the International Leadership Program.