The Taxi Driver Said Yes Please

Laura and I walked out to the main road near the Ruckmans' house this morning, and a taxi pulled over almost before we raised a hand. I leaned in and asked the driver if he knew how to get to the church in Apremdo. He looked at me and said, "Yes please."

If you have spent any time in Ghana, you know what that means. It means he had absolutely no idea what I just said.

I asked again, slower this time, and watched his face confirm what I already suspected. He did not know. But he repeated the name of the right neighborhood back to me, which told me we would at least land somewhere close. We agreed on a price before we ever got in the car, a lesson I learned the hard way years ago and have never forgotten since.

We got close to the church, and that is when the trouble started. He began to make a wrong turn; so, I pointed in the direction I needed him to go. He corrected course, then got confused again, as if he had never driven this road in his life. The poor guy was doing his best to untangle my English and Fante mixed together, and I will be the first to admit my Fante needs work. We made it to church right on time, and honestly, it was a fun way to start a Sunday.

Once we landed, the day only picked up speed. Bro. Ruckman and I are both coffee drinkers, and we spent part of the morning at the Ruckmans' getting ready for church over a good cup, which is always a solid way to prepare for a full day of preaching. Pastor Bob Reno preached at the church in Kojokrom for Missionary Jeremy Kenney, and Bro. Ruckman preached at his own church in Ntankoful. I taught Sunday School and then preached the morning service at the church in Apremdo for Pastor Dare.

We all met up for lunch at the Kenneys' house afterward, and it was good to sit down together and compare notes on the morning. The afternoon gave us a little time to cool off before the evening services started back up. Pastor Reno and Bro. Ruckman headed to Apremdo, and Laura and I took a taxi to Sekondi to be with Pastor Prince. We had good services all across the area, and it was the kind of day that reminded us why we love this part of the world. We got to see old friends and enjoy real fellowship with people who have prayed for us for years.

Supper was back at the Ruckmans' house, with the Kenneys joining us. We had KFC, which sounds ordinary until you actually eat it here. Ghanaian KFC runs a little spicier than what you would get back home, different seasoning altogether, but still finger-licking good. We stayed up well past my bedtime just enjoying being together, which is one of the best parts of a trip like this.

Tomorrow is a day off before the pastor's conference kicks off on Tuesday, and we are looking forward to it. I will be sure to tell you about whatever we get into. Thank you for praying for us on this trip. You can keep up with everything as it happens at consfords.com/connect.