It's been over five years since I last made an entry on this blog, but the people of Ghana continue to be in my thoughts and prayers regularly, and I continue to draw on the enriching experience which I had in April and May 2014.
The over-riding sense of God's grace for me and for all God's people, something which was a daily reminder as I encountered God through the Methodist people in Winneba, Accra, Kumasi and Amankwatia and elsewhere still rings true for me as I serve God in my ministry in Bristol.
The toppling of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol earlier this year (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/07/blm-protesters-topple-statue-of-bristol-slave-trader-edward-colston) has reminded me not only about the links between Bristol and West Africa, but of the need to seek justice for all people, whatever our race, skin colour, age, gender, social standing, sexuality, experience of God ... the list goes on. Whatever our background and experience, we are precious in God's sight.
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I've been blessed by my continuing links with those who hosted my stay - 'my' Bishop - Rt Rev Dr John Kweku Buabeng-Odoom - is currently serving the Methodist Church in the North of Ghana, his term in office as Bishop in Winneba having come to an end. We are in touch every couple of months, and I am pleased to share this picture of him, complete with his motorbike and cassock, as he gets around the much more difficult terrain and roads further north.
Very Rev Joseph Sarfo Anning, who was the Diocesan Youth Officer in 2014, is now Superintendent Minister elsewhere in the Diocese, but I was delighted to be able to share in an act of online worship at Pentecost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WKg7k2yM
The link between Wesley Methodist Church in Reading and the community at Amankwatia has developed a little further, in that a number of laptops have been sent out for use in the school, building on the project work (fresh water and additional toilet block) completed in 2015.
I had hoped to arrange a visit to Ghana in 2019, then possibly earlier this year, but clearly that has not been possible in light of the travel restrictions due to COVID-19. I hope to be able to at some point, but will need to be patient.
Please continue to hold our sisters and brothers in Ghana in your prayers:
Gracious and truthful God,
bring your hope and peace to the people of Ghana
in the challenges they face each day;
may they see and feel your presence in all that they do.
May they, and all your pilgrims,
continue to follow you faithfully. Amen
(Written by me during my visit, published in 'Pilgrims on a Journey,' the Prayer Handbook of the Methodist Church 2015-16)
