Day 11: Faith, Fashion, Football

Accra - Brandi and I attended church at Calvary Baptist Church in Adenta today because we were invited by Dr. Simon Ademola Ajayi, who has actually been a visiting history professor at Kennesaw State University.  Currently Dr. Simon is a professor of history at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria but he is a visiting professor at the University of Ghana.  While we were at church, Brandi met a Ghanaian woman who makes traditional dresses and now she's going to make one for Brandi.  Finally we ended the day at Dansoman Park where Liberty Accra played Ashanti Gold in the penultimate week of Premier League play.  Gold was too strong and took a 1-0 victory in front of a crowd of 2,000.

Calvary Adenta is a mission church started by Calvary Adabraka but averages almost 400 attendance each Sunday.  Once each month, Sunday School is cancelled for there to be meetings for men and women separately.  Today was the day for the month of June.  Those of you familiar with Baptist churches will know what a Brotherhood is and also how difficult it is for churches to start new churches.  However, here, the Brotherhood of Calvary Adenta is starting a new church on its own!  Quite remarkable.  The women, meanwhile, are hosting a cooking class to which Brandi and I hope to attend.  After church this morning, all first time visitors were given a cold mineral (soda pop) in a glass bottle with a delicious cookie.

Dr. Simon Ademola Ajayi has written 21 history books on both Sub-Saharan Culture and the History of Baptists.  Today, we took him to lunch for taking us to church and he gave me a copy of his latest book, "Baptist Paid Workers: Job Security and Reward System."  He will return to his regular post at the end of July.  We had lunch in Adenta at a nameless restaurant.  Dr. Simon and I had grilled chicken with fried rice and cole slaw.  Brandi had grilled talapia with jollof rice.  Ghanaian food, yes, but we played it safe.

There was little food at the soccer/football match.  Fried corn, beef kabobs, peanuts, frozen yogurt, and coconut was available but, full of rice, we chose to forego what amounted to street food in the park.  We did meet our coco farmer friends from the other day and sat with them.  After the game they gave us a ride to where we were able to find a cheaper taxi and avoid O'Broni prices.  The game was exciting but, due to the small crowd, very relaxed.  Ashanti Gold scored their only point on a penalty kick early in the first half.  Liberty Accra missed a similar opportunity late in the game due to the superior skill of the Gold goal keeper.

Faith - This the men's ministry of Calvary Baptist Adenta.  They are starting a new mission church as a Brotherhood project.  Baptist work in Ghana is strong and growing.  On June 20 they will celebrate 50 years.

Football - Ashanti Gold v. Liberty Accra with the referee in red.

Fashion - this is the visitor reception after church.  Notice all the ladies' fine Ghanaian fashion.  You can see Brandi on the back row under the banner.

Fast - This is how premier league football teams travel in Ghana.

Food - Chicken with fried rice and slaw.

Faulty - Even in Ghana, hubcaps will not stay on a Toyota.  But here, instead of someone taking them, they find them and hang them up in a nearby tree in case the owner comes back looking.  If you are a Toyota driver, you always do.  And many times.  Just get some rims.

Fine Food - Talapia and Jollof Rice with slaw.

Fellowship - Tim with Dr. Simon Ademola Ajayi and two ladies who wanted to be in the picture at Calvary Baptist Adenta.