Day 29:Happy Birthday Ben!

Accra - Today we took it easy again as we were still finishing up with plumbing repairs at the Guest House.  It gave me an opportunity to start reviewing the items we photographed at the national archives.  The archival information led me to the National Commission on Culture's 2004 "The Cultural Policy of Ghana" in which it is distinctly spelled out that the government is to promote the research and consumption of Ghanaian foods.

It's Ben's birthday today.  He is 24 years old!  The lord has blessed him by adding another year to his time, as they like to say here in Ghana.  Tim got the opportunity to see all three of his kids via Skype.  You could tell he was really happy to see and talk to them.

Tim wrote two poems about Ghana today.  Here's one called "A Tulip Grows in Ghana" . . .

All the people,
   every tribe,
      every nation struggling to stay alive;
Some who know and some who wonder,
   some who hope they will not die.
The Creator loves His children,
   though nothing good they bring;
Every tribe and every region,
   they may dance and they may sing.
The Savior died for people,
   the Redeemer speaks of life;
So much unfulfilled potential,
   so much inter-party strife.
God's love is overwhelming yet some still turn away;
So much unfulfilled potential,
   so much like yesterday.
All the people,
   every tribe,
      persistent in their work;
Ghana for Ghanaians,
   the Christians,
      and the Turk.
So much unfulfilled potential,
   there may yet be a way;
The Creator loves His children,
   he is twenty-four today.
Who will go and tell them after multitudes have gone;
Who will give them shelter,
   where will be their home?
Cold hearts may seek an option,
   a sovereignty excuse;
So much unfulfilled potential,
   moorings coming loose.
Struggling to find banku,
   trash upon the ground;
Multitudes are going,
   some raised a statue on a mound.
All the people,
   every tribe,
      every region in this place;
There behind a woman,
   the future's smiling face.
All the people,
   every tribe,
      some sing a special song;
The Creator loves His children in Ghana all day long.

Timothy E. Miller
June 19, 2014