On Tuesday last week, Tracy lectured on religion and ethnicity as a political force in Ghana. A portion of the lecture focused on pastor Dr. Mensah Otabil and the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC). We know that the best learning fuses head knowledge with experience, and so this morning Tracy, Mark, and the Calvin students attended ICGC. After the service, they met briefly pastor Otabil, who, it turns out, sent a son to study electrical engineering at Calvin College. (I never had him in class, so I don’t know him.) Tracy is thankful to interim student Amanda’s father who arranged the meeting.
For dinner, we were invited to Samuel, Diana, and their children’s home for some traditional Ghanaian food. They served yam fufu with a light tomato, beef, and fish soup. I learned how to eat with my hands. (Mark and Catherine had already learned at school: parents are the last to know!. And, Tracy learned up north during interim.) Among other topics, we discussed Samuel’s upcoming fellowship in the Netherlands, our afternoon together in Akropong, recent sicknesses, childhood illnesses, and work. We appreciate their hospitality and friendship.
Funny story: Diana’s grandfather imprisoned Samuel’s grandfather in a dispute over chieftanship in the northern village where they grew up! We introduced them to the idom bury the hatchet, which they have obviously done.
—Matt
