2018 NYAC VIM Mozambique: Getting into Markets and Mission [PHOTOS AND VIDEOS]

Annette Griffith writes:

Greetings from Beira, Mozambique.  We trust you are well. We are all healthy and happy to be with our friends in Mozambique.

We began Wednesday with a trip to the market to purchase food that our gracious hosts will prepare.  It is always an exciting adventure to go to the market!  Pastor Eurico, our VIM coordinator, wanted to take us to the western style grocery store similar to what we are used to, but both were closed - possibly because of the power outages which may have shut down the computer systems.  The challenge in the market is to stay together in the crowed conditions, but the beautiful display of local fruits and vegetables is well worth it.  The prices are better than the conventional store too.

Next we visited a local primary school where the principal is one of the members of Pastor Eurico's church.  We saw smiling children in overly crowded classrooms (about 65 per classroom).  They are happy for the opportunity to go to school and learn.  Quite a few have to sit on the floor for the lack of desks.  They greeted us with a chant hello and very curious eyes.  The principal gathered all the children in the courtyard and we each introduced ourselves.  All 650 or so welcomed us together with a chant welcome.  The principal will distribute our gifts of back packs, pencils, and crayons to those children in most need.

We then proceeded to the hospital to deliver medical supplies. The hospital director, also a member of Pastor Eurico's church, greeted us and introduced us to one of two doctors in the hospital.  This was not the main hospital but a triage facility that could handle smaller medical needs, maternity and selected those who needed more care to send them to the main hospital.  The hospital normally serves about 400 patients a day.

We had a wonderful lunch of fish, rice vegetables and fruit.  We were accompanied by the daughter of Pastor Julio, a previous scholarship student who now is a professor at the Methodist University in the southern part of Mozambique.  We gave her a laptop to help her with her studies as she pursues a doctor of medicine degree.

Tania, Julio's daughter, needed a ride home which gave us the opportunity to see the Manga UMC, Eurico's first church.  The building was recently enlarged to three times the size that we remembered during past visits.  It was a thrill to see that the church is growing so much.

We ended the day telling stories and going to bed early.  Most slept very well.  We were all exhausted from our full day.

Thursday we hope to walk the beach on the Indian Ocean.

Together in Christ,

Annette

2017 NYAC VIM Ghana YAM Mission: Kids Worshiping and Serving Half a World Away

Children's Sunday in Ghana by Michael Hullstrung

We started off the day a little late. We were supposed to get up and be in the cafeteria by 8:30, but by the time everyone got up and ready for breakfast, it was closer to 9. After breakfast we headed out to church. Church was very fun, everyone sung and danced. The service was very lively and it caused many laughs. This Sunday was Children’s Sunday in the Ghana United Methodist Church, so the children did all the reading and even the sermon. After service, we went outside and started talking with locals for a short time. Some of them even asked us to take pictures with them. It was like we were famous. We went back to our home base where we sleep and we began to sort, and count all of our mission supplies that were to be donated to Ghana.

Children Running the Church! by Wodley Bruny

Instructions were to be in the cafeteria strictly at 8:30 a.m. But without our phones most people woke up late causing a late start in our day. Once we ate breakfast, we were able to get in the van and head to the church. It was Children’s Sunday, which takes place every 10 th Sunday. This is when the children practically run the church service. We watched from our seats on the side as all the children in the church happily participated in the service. Afterwards we went back to the compound for lunch. After lunch we were able to change into more comfortable clothes so that we could sort through the medical supplies that we all brought to donate. After sorting and taking count, we had a short break before dinner at 6. Everyone was happy to see we had something other than rice for dinner. Once that was done, we reflected on our day and had sad/glad tiime.Which we ended our day with.

What do I do with a baby? by Tim Bosco

Today started out waking up at 5:00 am, followed by the coldest, quickest shower I have ever taken. Before breakfast, which started at 6:00, was eaten my family led the group in devotion. After breakfast, we headed on the bus and drove to the worksite. Once at the worksite, a clinic run by the Methodist Church, we loaded off bags of supplies and waited for further instruction. While we waited, the small group of women waiting slowly grew to be more and more. Women clad in bright colors, some carrying babies, others baskets, all began to trek to the clinic. While at the clinic, we worked to clear away rocks, rotting wood, and other garbage in front of the nurses’ quarters that were being updated. We also worked to dig holes to put posts into. This was the worst because the ground was full of large rocks. After lunch, we visited a village near the clinic. The people here lived in compounds, which are mud huts connected to each other by a wall where a whole family would live. The people we met were very welcoming to us, and small children followed us around wherever we went. One woman even handed me a baby. After leaving the village we returned to where we are staying.

2017 NYAC VIM Ghana YAM Mission: Through the Air, to the Ground

The NYAC Youth Ambassadors in Mission are already putting hands to work and hearts to God at their Ghana mission site, below are some of their initial journal entries.

Do Not Be Afraid, by Ava Patino

“I’m on my way to the airport.”
“Dude, send pictures”
Picture taken out car window. Caption: The glorious eastside on our way to JFK
“…”
“I meant of Ghana...”

Stop. Wait for the light. Find yourself in a car in Queens. Knowing nothing. Stop. Feel your mom’s leg press against yours. Feel wind blowing in your face. Taste ginger, sugar coated. See the international airport terminal. Breath, process the fact that you aren’t in the wrong place. (Again.)

Get yellow tape. Tape it so that it is visible and easily identifiable. Throw out an old bag and consolidate the medical supplies. When you check your bags, chuckle at the fact that your two are blue suitcases. Find this an odd coincidence of the universe. Find this satisfying. Say Goodbye, Hug. I love you. Cling a little then go. Don’t look back. Don’t think about looking back…until you do. Feel your heart. Just feel it.

“I’m so nervous.”
“But it is not the time to be nervous anymore.”

Be endlessly amused by the moving walk ways. Wonder who and why thought that there should be such a thing. Eat cookies. Do not know the origin of these cookies. Hope that the baker reads the blog post and knows how immensely you enjoyed them.

Get on the plane. Marvel at the wonders of modern technology that allow you to have TV in your seat. Not at the selection of ‘entertainment options’. Marvel anyway. Unpack. Shoves off, blanket on. Vow to watch Ghostbusters. Eat dinner. Pay too much for wifi. Do not finish Ghostbusters. Whisper a secret, get one in return. Hold a hand during turbulence. Breath. At a half hour to landing chew gum and thank a friend, profusely.

Touchdown.

Breath.

(I am here, I am here, I am here, I am here, I am here, I am here)

Wait. Wait for the bus, for the line, for the food and cold water. Wait for someone to bring out cards. Wait to say ‘peanut butter’ with a smirk. Wait for your pictures to upload to Instagram. Then wait again. The plane is small. It has one aisle. On one side there are two chairs together and on the other one, only one.

Breath.

Film takeoff, take comfort in a small glass heart from home and dragon who breathes only fictional fire.

Breath.

Breath.

Relax. Enjoy the Quiet, enjoy the pie. Take pictures aplenty and breath.

You are here.

It hits you in this moment.

I am here.

Start the decent and do not be afraid.

You are here.

Do not be afraid.

Are We Really Getting on...THAT Plane?? By Imani Hall

We all met at the airport to leave for Ghana at 1:30 the latest. We had some complications but we made it pass security. We had a long walk from security to our gate. After our long walk we sat and waited to board. The flight was so long but I slept for most of it. After we got off the plane we all slowly bonded by talking about the things we did on the plane, like watch movies, sleep, eat, not sleep. Then we got our suitcases and went to eat. We were so surprised on how good and familiar the food was. Then we talked until it was time to leave for our next flight to Tamale. While we waited to board there was wifi, so we got to talk to family and friends until it was time to leave.

We were all scared to get on the very small plane. When we landed we got on a bus and couldn’t help but look beautiful Tamale. We were shocked at the poverty of the villages.By the time we got to the compound we were so tired. When the girls got to our room we decided that we all didn’t want to be alone tonight, so we all slept in one room. We spent the whole night talking about what we liked and disliked and just about life until we all went to sleep.

2016 NYAC VIM Ghana Dance Mission: Proclaiming God with Words. Dance, and Hospitality

O, give praise to God; praise God in His Sanctuary!

Our journey to Ghana is almost at an end. We have been blessed by the gracious hospitality of the Methodist Church--most recently in Kumasi Diocese, Freeman Society, as well as by the Ghanaian family of Rev. Dr. Leslie Duroseau. We were given an inside view to the community and culture from a local perspective.

As we prepare to minister Liturgical Dance along with the local youth groups, we are mindful of our Omnipresent God, adored here and everywhere the same, His presence felt so strongly in the litany of worship.

This Sunday morning began with a wonderful worship experience at the historic Wesley College at about 6.30am. it was attended by more than 1,000 students. Rev. Ewoodzie was invited to preach. The title of his sermon was "We are the witnesses of the Goodness of God."

Before the establishment of seminaries in Ghana, Wesley College was where all Methodist ministers, including Joseph's father received their training and experience.

At the Freeman  Chapel, Pastor Ekow Essel MacForson prrached a Word that God will always take what you have to bring you what you need. The law of the harvest is to reap more than you sow. Anytime God demands a seed from you,  it means He has a harvest in mind.

One of the pieces that we ministered today,  "More of you, Jesus," was choreographed and taught to us by Eva, a liturgical dance leader from GMHSU in Accra. We pray that our ministry of sacred, liturgical dance will reap a harvest that cannot be numbered in every region of Ghana and in the world. God will transform our small efforts into something that will astound the masses.

Be faithful! The blessing is always in the breaking. Amen.

2016 NYAC VIM Ghana Dance Mission: Dancing Deep in the Kingdom of Gold [VIDEO]

Praise be to God, we have arrived in Kumasi, home of the Ashanti Kingdom, where the Asante people originated!

Most of what is present-day Ghana was known as the Kingdom of gold. Development in Ghana started from the coastal areas inward from the Portuguese to the Dutch to the British.

The Ashanti fought valiantly to maintain their rich culture.

Bishop Christopher Andam met with us at the Freeman Methodist Center to welcome us, provide an orientation to Kumasi and to share our vision for liturgical dance ministry.

Although we were unable to begin our dance sessions the first night, that actually was a blessing as it provided us an opportunity to refresh our bodies and minds. Most of us woke up in the wee hours to follow the progress of the 2016 Presidential Election. With this on our hearts, our morning reflection and prayers were focused on our country and world. Click here, here, here, and here for dance videos on Facebook.

We visited the Manhyia Palace Museum and the Kumasi Cultural Center. This was very informative. One of our members, Leslie Duroseau, met family members for the first time whileft in Kumasi .  Her young cousin, Mohammed Abdul Samad is an entrepreneur and world traveler. He shared so many interesting experiences about working in New York, Los Angeles, Morocco and other places. He was so highly motivated and determined to make smart decisions about his life and how he conducts his personal affairs.

After an eventful travel experience from Accra to Kumasi, Rev. Joseph Ewoodzie, with the team, joined the Bishop and Rev. Alex Yawith Boateng at the Kumasi Diocesan office.

As we entered, we heard  the Kumasi Singing Band in practice .  It was as if the gates of Heaven were open and the angels were singing high praise to God! I wanted to dance in the Spirit for the rest of the evening.

We were introduced to the Kumasi dance teams--Vessels of Honor, Temple of Praise, Zoe Theatre, Pearls of Honor and Swich and their leaders.

They danced praise to God and thanks to God for his saving grace.

Tomorrow, God willing,  we will collaborate to blend our cultural styles into one for our one God. Amen.

Liturgical Dancers on a Mission Journey to Ghana

The Spirit Builders Praise Dance Team of the The United Methodist Church New York Annual Conference is on a mission journey to Ghana.  Their mission is to strengthen the partnership relationship between the New York Conference and the Methodist Church of Ghana.  The relationship between the Methodist Church Ghana and the New York Conference continues to grow in various ways.  Since the past decade many mission teams including Youth Ambassadors in Mission teams, medical teams, construction teams, and other leadership teams have collaborated with brothers and sisters of the Methodist Church Ghana in mission work.  This Liturgical Dance Team’s visit to Ghana is a game changer.  It is breaking away from the traditional work project oriented mission trip, with a very different approach.

Unlike the traditional mission teams such as medical teams, construction teams, For the first time a liturgical dance team will engage in a dance ministry with their African partners to  introduce liturgical dance as a ministry to Methodist Ghanans. The skills and deep faith leadership available in the liturgical dance team raises the relationship between American and Ghanan Methodists to a new partnership level.  The Spirit Builders Praise Dance Team will be in the building business like most mission teams, however they will build something far different from any other - they will be building new ways to communicate our faith!

Mission involves the encounter of different cultures, different national histories, different political systems and practices, different levels of wealth and power, different mission histories, and different spiritual and faith understandings. Please support our efforts with your prayers and best wishes - and by sharing the joy of this mission with others through raising awareness of our mission. Gye Nyame!