Reflections from the Zambezi

In my earlier blog on Ghana entitled "Akwaaba Ghana" I briefly mention on evangelical work in Accra. Below is an email from Pastor Ferguson Kcofie of Truth Missionary Baptist Church, a Reformed Baptist Church in Accra, Ghana. Please read and pray for the work. On the left is Pastor Ferguson Kcofie with his wife and daughter (June 2008) ************************************************************************************* Dearly Beloved, It is a great joy to know that the Lord is still with you, and keeping you in good health for the sake of His name and ministry. For my part, the Lord is pleased, in a measure, to show me the suitableness and necessity of a humble, dependent frame of heart. A ceasing from self, and a reliance upon him in the due use of appointed means, I am far from having attained—but I hope I am pressing, at least seeking after it. I have attached a brief report of our activities since last July. • Church Business Meeting. We had a Business Meeting on...

Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle, is renowned for its charm, warmth and fun loving people. From the richness of it’s history and culture to the beauty of the countryside, it has a magical way of capturing your heart. On 17 th August 2008, I landed at Dublin International Airport in Ireland. This was after a long journey that started on 16 th August from Lusaka International Airport in Zambia at 07 20 using South African Airways. I had breakfast on the plane which I found not to be as much as in previous flights. Anyway almost 2 hours later I landed at O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. After doing the immigration formalities I requested to go into town so as to do some shopping and site-seeing. This was due to the fact that my stop-over was 12 hours long! I was met by Leon and the mum from Kempton Park in Johannesburg. Leon’s mum dropped us at the Festival Shopping Mall in Kempton Park. Before shopping Leon and I had a delicious lunch. Thereafter, we went shopp...

Gabriel at Kotoka Int. Airport Arriving in Ghana Akwaaba! Welcome! This is the greeting that you meet when you land at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Accra is the capital city of Ghana which means "Warrior Ling". The date is 27th May 2008 and the time is 14 00 hours. What brings me here and how have I gotten here? I'm here to attend the 3rd e-Learning Africa Conference at Accra International Conference Centre. My trip has taken almost 24 hours having left Lusaka on 26th May 2008 and spent a night in Addis Ababa at National Hotel. The trip from Addis to Accra has been almost five hours with a stop-over in Lome, Togo. Looking at the many goods being removed in Lome I think "wow the goods people buy in Africa!" All sorts of goods! Probably from Dubai, Hong Kong and China! At the Kotoka International Airport after the necessary immigration formalities I'm received by an e-Learning Africa host Afua who assists me to book a cab to my hotel. Gabriel wi...

Travelling to Kafue On 23 October 2008, I travelled to Kafue Secondary School in Kafue. Kafue is in Lusaka Province of Zambia. It has Kafue river (one of Zambia's four major river's). The town has been known for the now defunct Kafue Textiles and Nitrogen Chemicals. Other places of interest are Kafue River Cliff (a boating club), Kafue Gorge (where electricity is generated) and Kafue Secondary School. The town has not underone much change over the years. Most of the infrastructure is very old and in astate of disrepair. And yet the town is very close to the Capital city (45 km)! Memories of Kafue Secondary School The school is owned by the United Church of Zambia which works in partnership with the government. The school is 42 years old, though it existed as Kafue Trades Institute before Independence. My trip to Kafue Secondary School was in order to attend a funeral of Maureen, wife to my cousin Paulson. The first memento of my school (where I did my form 1 - 5 from 1981 to 8...

On 22nd October, I got an sms from Catherine my young sister that Maureen, wife to our cousin had passed away in the early hours of the morning after a long struggle with cancer. Maureen, who was a primary school teacher at Kasaka Basic School, died at the age of 32 and was married to Paulson our cousin. They had two young children. Left: Relatives to late Maureen lay wreaths Death of loved ones always leaves a void in our lives. We can never get used to it. But it's a reality we must face when it comes knocking at our doors. The funeral sermon preached at the Kitwe District Hospital Chapel stressed the need for those present to "set their houses in order" so that when death comes there is a readiness to die. Burial took place on 24the October 2008 at Jonas Cemetery in Kafue. The funeral was attended by close friends and relatives. We pray that Paulson will have grace to mourn his dear wife and look after the two children that have remained. We pray too that those that ha...