Old Man, New Life

They call him Old Man, but it is not condescending. It is a compliment. A blessing. The white hair upon his head is evidence of wisdom acquired over many years. Some of these recent years have been with Jesus, but the majority of his life was far from the Lord. These two periods of Old Man's life have given him perspective - insight that helps him lead others closer to God.

Old Man is also known as Papa Aholou or Papa Ashabge. I don't even know his first name, but to use it would not give him the respect he has earned in my eyes and the hearts of many Christians in our area. He is faithful in the Vogan congregation but serves many of the Watchi congregations in various ways. His age and position of respect have served many of the churches when he has been called in to help find peaceful resolutions to problems churches experience from time to time. When a church started in the village of his birth, Old Man donated a large piece of land for the church to use. He is a teacher, too. Old Man has taught me on many occasions even though he has never used a Bible. He doesn't know books, but he knows "The Book." Never having learned to read, Old Man has been blessed to memorize parts of scripture and grab the essence of many others that he distills into pure truth.

Old Man has many children living in three countries, but he is just as concerned with his spiritual children in various churches among the Watchi. He has lived part of his life in Ghana and part of it in Togo, but he looks forward to the eternal life that he will spend in heaven. He went against the popular belief that only the young can repent and follow Christ, and thanks to Christ, Old Man has new life.

Little by Little: Profile of a Changed Woman

As I arrive in Fiove and walk to her house, I find Lydia eating a quick meal. By the grace of God, Lydia is learning to read the Bible little by little. Each week we read several passages together before we hear Ablavi shuffle down the path to join us for a study. When I look at these two women, I am often reminded of how God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Before becoming a Christian, Lydia served the voodoo spirits. She and her husband tried for many years to have children, but each time she gave birth, the babies died. They made futile sacrifices to the voodoo in hopes of having children. Seeing the strength of God’s power, Lydia became a Christian and began asking God for a child. She gave birth to a girl, but this baby, too, died. The doctors told them they were unable to have any more children. Lydia, refusing to give up on God, continued praying for a child. Last April, they gave birth to a beautiful girl who they named Esenam which means “He heard me”.

Lamed by quinine injections, Ablavi walks everywhere with the aid of a metal cane. Despite her crippled leg, she works hard in her fields and often walks 2 or 3 miles to market or to ladies’ meetings. But when you look at Ablavi, you see in her smile and eyes the joy of God. After years of struggling through life alone, she praises God for the family that she has in Christ.

During our hour long study, Ablavi, Lydia, and I have learned, laughed, and prayed together. As I leave, I thank God for displaying His strength and faithfulness through these two women.