Abundant rain the last few days has provided a fun swimming opportunity for these rural children who are thoroughly enjoying themselves! They invited us in, but . . .

Last week we attended the national gathering of the Women's Fellowship of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana which was held this year here in Tamale. We were invited to sit on the platform and bring greetings from the Presbyterian Church, USA. All these women (500+) wore matching outfits, a sign of their equality and unity. The theme for this year's meeting was "Be Filled with the Holy Spirit." In this photo, a song leader is teaching them a special song written by one of their members for the occasion.

Last weekend we visited the "witches camp" in the village of Gambaga. In traditional African understanding, when bad things happen (deaths, accidents, diseases, etc.), they are often attributed to witchcraft. Villagers identify unfortunate women as the suspected witches and often banish them from the villages as a means of self-protection. These women are left with no homes, no families, and no means of support. More than 100 years ago the chief of the village of Gambaga began permitting these women to come and live on his land.

Twenty years ago the Presbyterian Church of Ghana began a ministry to these women. A woman pastor/social worker has been caring for this community of women for the past 20 years. Through her efforts they have been able to become self-supporting, receive medical care and education for their children. She is a truly remarkable person who is deeply loved. I had the privilege of preaching at her church on Sunday.    

This is the church building in the rural village of Nyerzee. On Sunday morning it is a lively place bursting at the seams. Dozens of children meet outside under the trees for Sunday School. Adults squeeze together on benches inside. The congregation is thriving and growing and needed more space. They prayed and gave and saved and worked to build a new, larger chapel adjacent to the current one. A foundation was laid and slowly walls began to rise.

 Last month through a gift from the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. they were able to add a roof and have begun to worship in their new church home.

This is a group of students at one of the Presbyterian Junior Secondary Schools. Jerry, Rose and I have been doing morning devotions at one of the schools each week. While there is 80% illiteracy among adults in northern Ghana, the next generation will be different. We do our devotions in English and the students understand us very well. There are also at least 50% girls in these  schools which is a credit to their churches and families. The students are enthusiastic, attentive, and definitely know their Bible!

This is a typical school classroom in northern Ghana. Actually is is probably better than most. At least it has desks for both students and a teacher. Each desk is shared by 2-3 students. The only teaching resource is a chalkboard. Teachers bring their own chalk. Students bring workbooks. Discipline is a priority. Teachers all carry canes or switches which they use to whap anyone who gets out of line. This is a P-4 (Primary 4) classroom. Students must pass exams to move to the next grade. No social promotion.

This is a village woman from Yapala, one of the rural villages with a Presbyterian church near Tamale. She has collected shea nuts for processing into shea butter. Shea butter provides a source of income for many rural women in northern Ghana. She will boil and stir the nuts for many hours over a hot fire. It is arduous and time-consuming work. Despite many efforts reported on the internet to organize "fair-trade" cooperatives for shea butter production, these women see little of the profits from this highly sought product. It has been called "women's gold" but instead has been a golden opportunity for exploitation.