How much can you fit into one Sunday morning

What a whirlwind of a morning. I woke to the heat of the day and the inevitable power cut that goes on for hours. Thankfully we needed the generator for the church so we had the fans working in the Mission house which helped to keep the heat down.

We went first and joined in worship at Asebu and then thirty miuntes in it was time to move on.

We headed off to take communion to the  small Emanuel Methodist Church in a small village Emmisakrom. 

This is where I visited a church member who showed me his three plots of land and gave me some palm, and the sweetest oranges. We arrived part way through their worship  to celebrate communion. However, I was expected to speak for a  few minutes. So bible reading plus talk and communion. They just need funds to complete their building and I trust their faithfulness will be blessed. The farmer gave us some casava as we left.

Then we were off to Akoanso again to lead communion. Again bible reading, talk, prayers and communion. Not too many present as one of the brides at the wedding yesterday was at Asebu so were most of the congregation. Its a tradition here to go back to the church you married in on the Sunday.

We were then meant to go to another church but we ran out of time. So back to Asebu. But what  is this? Its rain! cool refreshing rain. It doesnt last  long.

So I rejoined Asebu congregation. After some singing and the gospel reading it was time to preach. This time the evangelist translated as I spoke. Now that would have been enought for most folk. But no we had a graduation. The group who had been studying with Revd Eric were to receive their certificates and be dedicated to their work. Eric was elsewhere and we had to wait to be joined by some people who were coming from other churches. So we sang some more and I was encouraged to get up and dance. This seemed to be greatly appreciated with cheering, stomping their feet and everybody getting up to look. I have to confess it was great fun but it just made me hotter than ever. The missing graduates arrived and I led the graduation.

 So a bit more preaching. Then a presentation of  certificates. Then a bleesing for each of them as they knelt, all 23 of them. Oh and of course a photo of each with me as they received their certificate.

Then more dancing as they did what can only be described as a mass conga around the church, I was tempted but stuck to taking photos.  

Eventually Revd Eric joined us and the the worship came to a conclusion following the church standing to pray for me, my wife, my family and the church at Firth Park. So a final blessing from me and their desire and mine to return to this amazing fellowship.

Oh we ended about 2pm . So next time you look at the clock in church and complain about the worship longer than the hour, just ask yourself can I only afford an hour for God?