I was preaching at the 9 am service at the cathedral, came home for a snack of bread and jam with a Coke, then we were going to the Cathedral's outstation (like a mission offshoot from cathedral) It was about 30 minutes by car from cathedral in a part of the country that looks like it is being developed as there are many new house builds in various states of completion. Building a house here relies on having cash in hand as mortgage rates are from 30 to 80%. I understand there were people from cathedral evangelizing and holding worship service starting about 1 year ago. The Dean, Precentor and myself went for the Harvest after the cathedral service to support their efforts.
There seems to be many ways to raise funds here. In Canada we would put out an appeal, maybe put up a thermometer to show progress and slowly the money would come in. Here first there is a call for donations:100 Ghana, 50 Ghana, etc down to 1 and 2 Ghana Cedis. Next bottles of water (cost 1 Ghana Cedi) are sold for 20 Ghana, 10 Ghana etc, then Groups of yams were sold 10 Ghana, eggs at 1 at Ghana each.There was a pile of fabrics, looked like 2 yards a piece, and for 10 Ghana you could pay, the fabric put on your shoulder and then put back in a pile. I really liked one piece but Dean informed me it was not for sale. I gather the fabric would be returned to whom ever brought it after service. Coconuts went for 10 Ghana. Then there was a collection call for the day of week that you were born. I had not idea what day I was born until I needed to know it years ago at similar call. Interesting to see the laughter and fun that happened along with the selling or bidding.
There was a lay person conducting the bidding but Priests were totally involved as well. The endurance needed to get through 6 hours of church is remarkable and to have enough money in one's pocket to get through all the calls for money takes planning. I was wondering what percentage of the congregation had come from the cathedral service (will ask dean tomorrow).
This is an outstation, no church building yet, just under tents so called Tent Ministry. Two long awning type covers with a 25 feet by 15 feet piece of tarp on the ground in between to serves to cover the dirt. It just points out that the building, no matter how beautiful, could be eliminated and church and God's ministry still be alive and well. (so my not so subtle point here is don't let building maintenance get in the way of being and doing church)
FROM BEHIND THE ALTAR LOOKING AT ONE TENT AND
NOTICE THE TARP COVERING THE DIRT IN BETWEEN
LOOKING AT THE SECOND TENT COVERING THE ALTAR
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