We boarded the bus to begin our day at 8 am after breakfast in the dining room of the lovely Royal Plaza Hotel located in Korforidua, Ghana. As the bus passed through the town of Korforidua, we passed two funerals in progress. Each funeral had huge numbers of people in attendance. Every person was dressed in red or black. Our Ghanaian guide, Reginald explained that these were the colors worn to funerals. I have always liked the colors of red and black in combination and saw red and black in splendor with a new cultural connation for these colors. I found it interesting.
We arrived at our destination to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary and the Inauguration
of the University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies in Burso,
Ghana founded by Osagyefuo (which means Redeemer]. He is King of most of
the eastern region of Ghana which consists of 900 towns. The King is a
former member of our church. He was called home from New Jersey in 1999
to Ghana to become King.
It was indeed a glorious occasion. There was drumming, dancing, singing and
an impressive program. I patted my feet, clapped my hands and bounced in
my seat to the drums as I felt a kinship with my African brothers and sisters.
Many Ghanaian Chiefs and their wives were present dressed in bright colors,
traditional African attire and styles. The dais was packed with politicians;
the queen mother; Regional representatives of government; a king from another
region; Pastor Soaries and many other dignitaries. They had all come together
to acknowledge Osagyefuo and celebrate the occasion. There were many important
speakers with inspirational messages. The two speakers who stood out for
me were Pastor Soaries and the King.
Pastor opened his talk with the presentation of a beautiful plaque from First
Baptist to the King, acknowledging him for his leadership and the Inauguration
of the University. All of us from First Baptist were asked to stand and
recognized as the delegation from America. Pastor gave a stirring and powerful
message to the group assembled for this historical event as well as the
opening and closing prayers. One of the powerful points made by Pastor
was that Africa has been drained by colonization and exploitation of its
resources. He used a metaphor of Africa being like a battery when it goes
down. It is not dead; it needs a charge from a working battery. Pastor’s
message was that Africa needs a charge; it needs a live cable to be connecte
to the drained cable. It needs housing, job opportunities education, etc.
Pastor told the story of how the King had been a member of First Baptist
for nine years and told him one Sunday in 1999 that he would be returning
to Ghana to become King in the Eastern Region. Shortly after Osagyyefuo’s
return to Ghana, Pastor Soaries received a letter from him. The letter
spoke to the difference he had observed being made in the community surrounding
First Baptist in regards to housing, education, etc. made by our church.
He asked if Pastor Soaries would be his partner in making this happen in
Ghana. I realized that we were in Ghana because of that partnership and
the purpose of our visit to Celebrate, Educate and Serve resonated within
me and I knew that we had just begun.
Osagyefuo began his talk with thanks to everyone who came to the anniversary
celebration and inauguration of the university. His entire message was
powerful and moving. He talked about Pastor Soaries recommending Rick Warren’s
book, Purpose Driven Life”. What really made a difference for him
was the statement from that book, “It’s not about you, but
the purpose”. He spoke about the ten years of challenges for himself,
his family and staff to get to this day. His purpose sustained his faith.
He spoke about there being more to life than just being alive or free and that
it’s about dedicating our life to selfless service, to public good
and that there is no greater service than serving our Nation. He said “on
your resume, God is looking for service, what you did for others. I’m
optimistic, the country has the opportunity, wisdom and courage and with
the right mental attitude and keeping the faith someday God’s blessings
will shine”.
I was moved to tears by his words. For me it was a speech about empowering
the people, a turning point for Ghana which will impact the country and
the world. When I reflected on the time spent by the King at First Baptist,
this day was a testimony for our church and Pastor Soaries. I was left
with how God moves in ways unimagined by us. The bible verse, Hebrews 13,
2 which states “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby
some have entertained angels unaware”. Osagyefuo sat in the congregation
at First Baptist observing the work of Pastor Soaries and our church and
is now making a difference in Ghana through what he learned.
This great joyous event was followed by lunch at the guesthouse of the former
President of Ghana in an outdoor setting on a beautiful sunny day. After
lunch we went back to the lovely Royal Plaza Hotel to relax, swim and reflect.
I thought about how happy I was that I came on this trip to Ghana to experience
this beautiful, inspiring, empowering day and reconnect with my African
roots.