And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.
2 Kings:2:19-22:
There is one thing I like about the prophets of old, they earned the trust of their people and they truthfully respected that trust. They upheld the presence of God and always interceded on behalf of their people. Even in times when their God was in bad taste with them, these astute men of faith could not tarry in delivering an unpleasant message.
I remember at the time of repentance my God asked me who I do want to be. Of course Jesus was my immediate answer until He led me to see Jesus rather as my lifetime companion than a model. So I spent some weeks reading my Bible to find someone I'd want to be like. I found one, among many, in the books of old! His name is Nehemiah!
In the days when God's people returned to their land, I remember the services of Ezra as he conducted the census; Nehemiah as he architectured the rebuilding of the ruined city walls; and Tobias and Samballat as the duo vehemently antagonized the project to save their own city.
Nehemiah's resolve to see to the end of what he started is my all time inspiration. As a prophet and king, the people of Judah found a rock as leader who led not only with far-sighted vision but also with mastery.
I heard God call out to my kindred to step forward to restore the devastations of old in the land of men -- Jacobu. It IS a tough call. The prophet-king shall have to stand in the chasm between the past and the future of the city whose men fell into silence after the war over some two generations ago. And the One must take the stance now, in the present hour!
One thing is for sure, The One shall be hated to be loved; derided to be revered; cursed to be blessed; persecuted to be worshiped. In the end, God shall honor every word to see to the fulfillment of the prophecy! Blessed is The One who shall respond to the call.
That night I sat with God till dawn. Those who kept us company were the moon, the stars and the cool night breeze. I saw the future of the land of my fathers, my motherland. In that panoramic vision, the foliage is green; the rivers never run dry; the forest giveth its best; food is in abundance; the mountains are still imposing; the land gives more than we know now - the gold kept spreading; there is a smell of oil; the skies are clear so I could see beyond the horizon. And I saw the rise of a new people. Their new name is the name of old - Jacobu. They are happy. Their marriage is sweet. The young people jump like an hare in the moonlit night. The children glitter like the morning sun. Their laughter lights up the city!
As we parted company, I opened my eyes and saw that the dust still prevail, the people are still divided, the kings are sleeping and the warriors have retired. The land is almost barren, our gold is in the hands of wrong people and children are begetting children.
Yet the walls shall be rebuilt! We too shall walk one the streets of gold like the new Jerusalem!
Elisha has spoken and the waters are healed!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Light On The Lampstand
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5: 14-16In just about four days Jacobu is to be lighted up for a night. The young people are resolved to announce their presence. On the 24th day of December, 2010, there's going to be a night of music, dance. poetry alongside a bonfire. The first of it's kind since the war.
I was contacted by a fellow kinsman some three weeks ago. His concern was a simple appeal that, as young people we need to ensure end of year festivities are marked in a grand style for the entire week during Christmas. I just looked on as he passionately went on pouring his heart for his beloved town. He knew I could help; and I was more than ready to do so!
In the end, he pledged to foot whatever bill for us to have this addition to the youth programmes. Right then and there, the two of us agreed on something. Something as entertaining as An Open-Mic Talent Hunt!
In simple terms, the night is going to be a stage performances of poetry, music: rap, hiplife, look-alike, demo, duo..., dance: choreography, freestyle... and jokes!
The bonfire is to remember our folks we lost over the year. The young, old and the very old. It is also to send a signal to whoever is observing that we mean well. Our intentions, aspirations; our visions and hope; we mean well and we can do anything, be it good or bad but especially the GOOD.
For some years now, The Jacobu Youth Association has been persistent in putting the Youth Agenda forward to whatever institution that is in town. We have earned the privilege to be recognized and allowed a hearing in almost every meaningful leadership office in town and across the District.
Our programs have not been all entertainment, games and sports. We have had some successful achievements in education, politics and communal labour. And we continue the strive to be at the forefront of everything Jacobu. I am looking forward to the day our long-term project -- The Jacobu Education Fund -- will be fully established. That shall be a day I will cry while smiling.
Till then, my kith and kin, you are always welcome to the land of your fathers. Your motherland. The city is still set on the hill. God is still the overlord and his chosen ones have responded to the call to rebuild the city walls.
Friday 24th December, 2010 begins this year's end-of-year line-up of activities. And I guarantee, it shall go into the history books as one of the most significant youth rallies of all time.
On Sunday, December 26th, 2010, we shall host the 7th Annual Fund raising Dinner Night at the newly opened guest house- Friends' Club. And on the 1st and 2nd of January , 2011, every suburb is openly invited to come partake in the 5th Annual Football Gala.
Things are getting better. Come be our witness!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Welcoming The New End of Year
The man that takes no interest in public affairs is more than harmless; he is useless! Pericles (Athenian Leader)
I have had small opportunities to work in bigger capacities; what I've learnt is simply this: politicians need not be paid for serving the public, the republic has done so much for politicians to the extend that we doubt what else they do with their pay. I am not shocked at their extravagance, the deed approves the necessary glitz and glammour that come with serving the public. What shocks me is politicians output; I am sure there is too much waste. We need to clean that from among ourselves so that the public's trust with statesmanship may not be betrayed. We can do what we do for free. I am a witness.
It's easy dreaming to be the leader, is uneasy becoming the leader. Once the leadership is achieved, many of us realize their unpreparedness in overcoming the temptations that come with the position we hold. The public is not so in the known what happens behind the scenes. Why else do you think the public must be served information of what is going on. In this thirst to know, people are mostly fed with no meaningful details of what goes into the projects undertake. We make sure to tell them what we want them to hear instead of what they need to know.
I have been involved in several socio-community programs financed from public donations. I am involved in almost five annual community events that seek to promote communal spirit rather than religious or political; these are competitive activities whose ultimate winner is the society whose sons and daughters offered to pay the cost. Our constant challenge is to make judicious use of the funds the public gave us so that the trust from which it was given may not be broken. Misappropriation of funds cannot be allowed to happen. The output must weigh the input on the balance. In effect, what we produce must be above the standards that was set us.
I must add that, monies that are given for most of our programs are mostly very substantial to be left in the hands of a group of youngsters, from poor backgrounds, to manage. Sometimes, man is tempted to be shrewd but to us, the public trust is more valuable to let our vanity taint it. We have been consistent in proving beyond people's expectations.
Strong leadership is having the mastery to attract a following instead of followers. Onces people bow to your command, you are really not on top of issues for many words are concealed in a commandment. When people follow you, leadership is what ensures that we asked for the opportunity so we can be who we truly are, not what we want to be. I am truly not corrupt, and I don't want to be as such so I live by some standards so as not to become one. The best how is to live above the mark.
Produce quality instead of mediocrity; speak truth in place of lies; and always try to see from the other perspective as well. By so doing, we will understand the deed that binds us to be in leadership. Whosoever leader that is principled this way shall never see lack in his leadership. The public shall see to it that all his needs are met. Then the King begins to live in abundance. The King that rules with mastery.
This End of Year, Jacobu shall be treated to yet another body-moving, people-uniting, talent-nursing, and social get-together of a happy people. We shall take advantage of the biggest religious festive occasion in history to invoke the community spirit after a full year of poor partisan political leadership, slow but consistent rate of infrastructural development, many loses of loved ones, religious stagnation and weakening chieftain authority.
The Youth of the old city have awakened to redefine the meaning of nativity. Our best bet is we believe in common unity. In return, the public entrusts into our hands, huge sums of monies to spread the awakening. Quite generous donations from the Odotobri Rural Bank, the MP, the District Assembly, individuals and simple business men. All that is required of us is to be truthful and bare good fruits. Thank God we have been living up to and trying to live above the mark.
We shall come your way with the 7th edition of the Annual End of Year Dinner Night. You will have a suave, executive and sexy night to remember;
We shall host the 5th Annual Football Gala. Every suburb is invited to come again with their gallant young men to the two-day high-spirited soccer action.
There is a new addition! For the 1st time, we shall be throwing an open-mic concert on 24th Dec! A talent hunt of some sort where all is given chance to perform a song, a dance, a joke or a poem. Side attraction include bonfire at midnight, a brass band and a heavy jam!
After it's all over, we shall make sure a substantial amount is set aside to be put into our coffers for future programs.
And believe me, I do freely contribute to making all this happen. And the public rewards me to my satisfaction! A lesson to the politicians.
I have had small opportunities to work in bigger capacities; what I've learnt is simply this: politicians need not be paid for serving the public, the republic has done so much for politicians to the extend that we doubt what else they do with their pay. I am not shocked at their extravagance, the deed approves the necessary glitz and glammour that come with serving the public. What shocks me is politicians output; I am sure there is too much waste. We need to clean that from among ourselves so that the public's trust with statesmanship may not be betrayed. We can do what we do for free. I am a witness.
It's easy dreaming to be the leader, is uneasy becoming the leader. Once the leadership is achieved, many of us realize their unpreparedness in overcoming the temptations that come with the position we hold. The public is not so in the known what happens behind the scenes. Why else do you think the public must be served information of what is going on. In this thirst to know, people are mostly fed with no meaningful details of what goes into the projects undertake. We make sure to tell them what we want them to hear instead of what they need to know.
I have been involved in several socio-community programs financed from public donations. I am involved in almost five annual community events that seek to promote communal spirit rather than religious or political; these are competitive activities whose ultimate winner is the society whose sons and daughters offered to pay the cost. Our constant challenge is to make judicious use of the funds the public gave us so that the trust from which it was given may not be broken. Misappropriation of funds cannot be allowed to happen. The output must weigh the input on the balance. In effect, what we produce must be above the standards that was set us.
I must add that, monies that are given for most of our programs are mostly very substantial to be left in the hands of a group of youngsters, from poor backgrounds, to manage. Sometimes, man is tempted to be shrewd but to us, the public trust is more valuable to let our vanity taint it. We have been consistent in proving beyond people's expectations.
Strong leadership is having the mastery to attract a following instead of followers. Onces people bow to your command, you are really not on top of issues for many words are concealed in a commandment. When people follow you, leadership is what ensures that we asked for the opportunity so we can be who we truly are, not what we want to be. I am truly not corrupt, and I don't want to be as such so I live by some standards so as not to become one. The best how is to live above the mark.
Produce quality instead of mediocrity; speak truth in place of lies; and always try to see from the other perspective as well. By so doing, we will understand the deed that binds us to be in leadership. Whosoever leader that is principled this way shall never see lack in his leadership. The public shall see to it that all his needs are met. Then the King begins to live in abundance. The King that rules with mastery.
This End of Year, Jacobu shall be treated to yet another body-moving, people-uniting, talent-nursing, and social get-together of a happy people. We shall take advantage of the biggest religious festive occasion in history to invoke the community spirit after a full year of poor partisan political leadership, slow but consistent rate of infrastructural development, many loses of loved ones, religious stagnation and weakening chieftain authority.
The Youth of the old city have awakened to redefine the meaning of nativity. Our best bet is we believe in common unity. In return, the public entrusts into our hands, huge sums of monies to spread the awakening. Quite generous donations from the Odotobri Rural Bank, the MP, the District Assembly, individuals and simple business men. All that is required of us is to be truthful and bare good fruits. Thank God we have been living up to and trying to live above the mark.
We shall come your way with the 7th edition of the Annual End of Year Dinner Night. You will have a suave, executive and sexy night to remember;
We shall host the 5th Annual Football Gala. Every suburb is invited to come again with their gallant young men to the two-day high-spirited soccer action.
There is a new addition! For the 1st time, we shall be throwing an open-mic concert on 24th Dec! A talent hunt of some sort where all is given chance to perform a song, a dance, a joke or a poem. Side attraction include bonfire at midnight, a brass band and a heavy jam!
After it's all over, we shall make sure a substantial amount is set aside to be put into our coffers for future programs.
And believe me, I do freely contribute to making all this happen. And the public rewards me to my satisfaction! A lesson to the politicians.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Come, Wine, Dine and Dance. Again!
De:16:14:
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and...the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
Thank God Christianity came with some freedom from the shackles of our past. Scriptural verses on joy and happiness abound in the bible that frees man to pursue some happiness for his own good. If nothing at all, I know for a fact that it is more healthy to be happy than to patronise hospitals.
In my last message, I paused on a joyful thought. The night of the dinner came, for once there was an occasion when it was considered proper to indulge regardless of who was watching. In that cold December night, my people were busy having fun: wining, dining and dancing! And the day been boxing day, the bazaar was just fantastic!
But even as I reminisce now, there are some lessons I learnt which may make sense to you as well. By the time the program started, we knew right then that we have bitten more than we could chew! As our invited guests were getting seated, we had to contend with the pressure at the gate, many people had come to pay whatever price to enter! Willy and Adolf were tasked to MC the program, I joined Grace and Helena (both are MRS now) to be in charge of welfare. Since I was quite freer, I came to the gate...
Before I could sell any ticket to anyone, I explained to the couple there would be not enough food to provide them. Drinks were in abundance. Thinking they would go away, they just didn't mind. "We have had our fill with food, today is 26th remember?" They would remind me. And yes, the party was 'jamming' enough to let go because of food. At the gate I sold more tickets than we sold all week!
I was still there when Adolf called out that it is time for the organisers' speech, a sort of welcome address. As I stood at the pulpit, Willy and Adolf on each side, the high table filled to capacity with statesmen, executives, and businessmen&women, dinner tables beautifully decorated and candle-lit, sweet looking people (singles, married, and still searching people) gleaming with surprise and wonderment at our joint success, I was inspired to say what I did't plan on. I don't remember exactly all what I said, but I remember the applause that followed. In brief, I challenged the leadership of the town, from the palace to politics to the chapels to give the youth a chance. Then the honour was mine to declare the feast officially started. Of course music and dance followed.
Right about then, our ladies started serving wine and later on the main meal. Then the major problem kicked in; how do we determine who paid earlier or at the gate? Everyone was demanding a full plate. I quickly rushed out to order more from our cook and she gratefully served me on the spot. Thank God! I walked that five hundred metres back to the venue, carrying the meal, and was in time early enough to satisfy our 'hungry?' customers. lol
For the next hour or so, there was this joyful staccatic noise of happy people seriously enjoying their hitherto newest, freshest, most jamming Christmas party ever! We were overjoyed!
Like all executive gatherings, we let time for speeches. Something politicians and the clergy capitalize on to reach out. But before any of them could speak, we sent out a passionate appeal to the people to contribute to the event so we can continue to organise it every other year.
The then DCD, Mr Sarfo Katanka, was first to speak, followed by the MP, Emmanuel Gyamfi, and then it went on... Thankfully none of them ended without donating 'something' to the cause. In the end, we were beautifully surprised the amount we realised. We all knew the Dinner Dance had come to stay. It's new name was born that same night: Annual Fund-raising Dinner Night. It made sense this way in that, for a fledgling youth group, steady financing is an essential requirement.
This year, hopefully 26th December, 2010, The Jacobu Youth Association (the new organisers) shall continue the good work those three rugged youngsters started. It shall be the seventh.
And it keeps getting better. So YOU are cordially invited!
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and...the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
Thank God Christianity came with some freedom from the shackles of our past. Scriptural verses on joy and happiness abound in the bible that frees man to pursue some happiness for his own good. If nothing at all, I know for a fact that it is more healthy to be happy than to patronise hospitals.
In my last message, I paused on a joyful thought. The night of the dinner came, for once there was an occasion when it was considered proper to indulge regardless of who was watching. In that cold December night, my people were busy having fun: wining, dining and dancing! And the day been boxing day, the bazaar was just fantastic!
But even as I reminisce now, there are some lessons I learnt which may make sense to you as well. By the time the program started, we knew right then that we have bitten more than we could chew! As our invited guests were getting seated, we had to contend with the pressure at the gate, many people had come to pay whatever price to enter! Willy and Adolf were tasked to MC the program, I joined Grace and Helena (both are MRS now) to be in charge of welfare. Since I was quite freer, I came to the gate...
Before I could sell any ticket to anyone, I explained to the couple there would be not enough food to provide them. Drinks were in abundance. Thinking they would go away, they just didn't mind. "We have had our fill with food, today is 26th remember?" They would remind me. And yes, the party was 'jamming' enough to let go because of food. At the gate I sold more tickets than we sold all week!
I was still there when Adolf called out that it is time for the organisers' speech, a sort of welcome address. As I stood at the pulpit, Willy and Adolf on each side, the high table filled to capacity with statesmen, executives, and businessmen&women, dinner tables beautifully decorated and candle-lit, sweet looking people (singles, married, and still searching people) gleaming with surprise and wonderment at our joint success, I was inspired to say what I did't plan on. I don't remember exactly all what I said, but I remember the applause that followed. In brief, I challenged the leadership of the town, from the palace to politics to the chapels to give the youth a chance. Then the honour was mine to declare the feast officially started. Of course music and dance followed.
Right about then, our ladies started serving wine and later on the main meal. Then the major problem kicked in; how do we determine who paid earlier or at the gate? Everyone was demanding a full plate. I quickly rushed out to order more from our cook and she gratefully served me on the spot. Thank God! I walked that five hundred metres back to the venue, carrying the meal, and was in time early enough to satisfy our 'hungry?' customers. lol
For the next hour or so, there was this joyful staccatic noise of happy people seriously enjoying their hitherto newest, freshest, most jamming Christmas party ever! We were overjoyed!
Like all executive gatherings, we let time for speeches. Something politicians and the clergy capitalize on to reach out. But before any of them could speak, we sent out a passionate appeal to the people to contribute to the event so we can continue to organise it every other year.
The then DCD, Mr Sarfo Katanka, was first to speak, followed by the MP, Emmanuel Gyamfi, and then it went on... Thankfully none of them ended without donating 'something' to the cause. In the end, we were beautifully surprised the amount we realised. We all knew the Dinner Dance had come to stay. It's new name was born that same night: Annual Fund-raising Dinner Night. It made sense this way in that, for a fledgling youth group, steady financing is an essential requirement.
This year, hopefully 26th December, 2010, The Jacobu Youth Association (the new organisers) shall continue the good work those three rugged youngsters started. It shall be the seventh.
And it keeps getting better. So YOU are cordially invited!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Come, Wine, Dine and Dance!
Enjoyment can wait. Do not be in a hurry to rush into the pleasures of the world like the young antelope who danced herself lame when the main dance was yet come.
Chinua Achebe, No Longer At Ease
Funny. I read this book from the African Writers' Series when I could barely understand a line. So I chose to do the good thing, I'd read the book anyway and try to write down every line that interests me, just like the quote here.
As a growing youth in Africa such warnings regarding happiness can be heard in every other house. Chasing happiness is tantamount to succeeding to fail to many our old folk. Tradition and culture ensured that, to bring us up to the thresholds of propriety, we deny ourselves some petty joyful moments. Little wonder funerals continue to gain much influence on the way we indulge. Here, every one who is at a funeral rite is at liberty to 'remember' that day someday. That's the only moment tradition frowns on propriety! So we weep, drink and get drunk publicly. On top of that we dance publicly regardless of who is watching. Funny...
Thanks to the initiatives of some three rugged young men, Jacobu now needs not only wait for times of mourning to indulge. There is a joyful better replacement - dinner dance!
In the year 2004, I happened to part of the three guys who 'did not know what to do with their time' but dared to introduce the most foreign concept since creation to the good people of Jacobu. We resolved to change the undoubtedly stale nature of things when it comes to finding a befitting place to belong as young adults at ends of year. We created a party of some sort where it would be proper for the modern Jacobite to indulge in a descent style just for a night. The Annual Dinner Dance was born to be reborn every December as we all remember the birth of the Christ.
Of course we had our hurdles to cross. I am talking about the time when there was no place to fit the standard of a guest house, club or lodge. I am talking about the time when most of elderly folks thought music for dance was for vagabonds. I am talking about the time when it was still considered improper for a young unmarried adult to publicly go out with the opposite sex. I am talking about the time when almost no one knew what dinner dance looked like! (I am being careful here)
We also had to contend with the few enlightened ones who thought spending time at such events, in the night, is like the biblical pleasure-seeking that Solomon refers to as vanity in the book of Ecclesiastics.
But God knew we would not give up. Not as long as I am in the group, because our intentions were good. So he sent some sweet ladies along to augment the fort. We had the unflinching help of Grace and her cousin Helena, both from Adolf's family. They would go out with the PR work on the rich, we would go out to the guys we knew had serious girlfriends, to convince them to take these girls out the proper way! The ladies offered to do the necessary shopping. With Willy and Adolf, we were 'many' enough to approach the newly inaugurated district assembly to let out their guest house to us. In the end we had the place for free! And a very nice venue it was then!
Then came the problem with tables and chairs, decorations and who will cook that 'huge' meal.
All things work beautifully in its time. A young lady had just opened a fast food joint; and so we were her very first 'order'. High Auto Soundz agreed to play for us (at a cost) but he gave chairs for free; as for tables, the three of us had to go round schools begging resident heads to offer us their office and teachers' tables. That too we had for free. But we had to carry them to the venue ourselves - on our heads!
Three days to the program, we had just sold ten (10) tickets. But we had ordered fifty plates! Drinks are always returnable so not much headache there. Where are the so-called guys?, I kept asking myself, for it was getting tiring. Soon the other two suggested we called it quits. Of course their voice was feeble so it went unheard.
Two days to the program and we had a call from our MP that we should come home. He was coming with his family! The DCD called us to his office asking for permission to speak to the gathering tomorrow. The bank manager promised he'd be there and so were many of the bankers! Soon we had sold close to fifty tickets! The happiest Friday ever! Real TGIF! lol
Then the night came. On Sunday 26th December, 2004, the maiden event of the soon-to-be-annual-dinner dance was finally born!
End of year in Jacobu has never been boringly same since then... for the main dance had come.
Chinua Achebe, No Longer At Ease
Funny. I read this book from the African Writers' Series when I could barely understand a line. So I chose to do the good thing, I'd read the book anyway and try to write down every line that interests me, just like the quote here.
As a growing youth in Africa such warnings regarding happiness can be heard in every other house. Chasing happiness is tantamount to succeeding to fail to many our old folk. Tradition and culture ensured that, to bring us up to the thresholds of propriety, we deny ourselves some petty joyful moments. Little wonder funerals continue to gain much influence on the way we indulge. Here, every one who is at a funeral rite is at liberty to 'remember' that day someday. That's the only moment tradition frowns on propriety! So we weep, drink and get drunk publicly. On top of that we dance publicly regardless of who is watching. Funny...
Thanks to the initiatives of some three rugged young men, Jacobu now needs not only wait for times of mourning to indulge. There is a joyful better replacement - dinner dance!
In the year 2004, I happened to part of the three guys who 'did not know what to do with their time' but dared to introduce the most foreign concept since creation to the good people of Jacobu. We resolved to change the undoubtedly stale nature of things when it comes to finding a befitting place to belong as young adults at ends of year. We created a party of some sort where it would be proper for the modern Jacobite to indulge in a descent style just for a night. The Annual Dinner Dance was born to be reborn every December as we all remember the birth of the Christ.
Of course we had our hurdles to cross. I am talking about the time when there was no place to fit the standard of a guest house, club or lodge. I am talking about the time when most of elderly folks thought music for dance was for vagabonds. I am talking about the time when it was still considered improper for a young unmarried adult to publicly go out with the opposite sex. I am talking about the time when almost no one knew what dinner dance looked like! (I am being careful here)
We also had to contend with the few enlightened ones who thought spending time at such events, in the night, is like the biblical pleasure-seeking that Solomon refers to as vanity in the book of Ecclesiastics.
But God knew we would not give up. Not as long as I am in the group, because our intentions were good. So he sent some sweet ladies along to augment the fort. We had the unflinching help of Grace and her cousin Helena, both from Adolf's family. They would go out with the PR work on the rich, we would go out to the guys we knew had serious girlfriends, to convince them to take these girls out the proper way! The ladies offered to do the necessary shopping. With Willy and Adolf, we were 'many' enough to approach the newly inaugurated district assembly to let out their guest house to us. In the end we had the place for free! And a very nice venue it was then!
Then came the problem with tables and chairs, decorations and who will cook that 'huge' meal.
All things work beautifully in its time. A young lady had just opened a fast food joint; and so we were her very first 'order'. High Auto Soundz agreed to play for us (at a cost) but he gave chairs for free; as for tables, the three of us had to go round schools begging resident heads to offer us their office and teachers' tables. That too we had for free. But we had to carry them to the venue ourselves - on our heads!
Three days to the program, we had just sold ten (10) tickets. But we had ordered fifty plates! Drinks are always returnable so not much headache there. Where are the so-called guys?, I kept asking myself, for it was getting tiring. Soon the other two suggested we called it quits. Of course their voice was feeble so it went unheard.
Two days to the program and we had a call from our MP that we should come home. He was coming with his family! The DCD called us to his office asking for permission to speak to the gathering tomorrow. The bank manager promised he'd be there and so were many of the bankers! Soon we had sold close to fifty tickets! The happiest Friday ever! Real TGIF! lol
Then the night came. On Sunday 26th December, 2004, the maiden event of the soon-to-be-annual-dinner dance was finally born!
End of year in Jacobu has never been boringly same since then... for the main dance had come.
Monday, November 22, 2010
All I Have - Myself
...and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6: 51b
Last weekend I went home to MC a friend's wedding reception. On the way, the songs I was playing on my phone's headset caused me to be all smiles. I'm sure there were some co-passengers who might be wondering why I kept whistling (softly) the music, why I kept gazing upon the foliage passing by and what might be so 'right' with me that kept me smiling happily.
I always am happy to apply my talents to a brother/sister's good cause. Really, that fulfills me. And I like it.
But I am not all the time happy anytime I visit home. There are certain things I simply cannot ignore no matter how unpleasant they be. And many are those things! And these things take my joy away, many times.
Where my family stays at Jacobu is first on the list. So close to a river that has, over the years, been polluted by our women folk whose business it is to produce cooking oil from palm kernels. That river is their main water supply 'system.' In the rainy season, the area is an eye-sore to stay at. In the dry season, we have some respite. Our environmental happiness depends on the whims of the weather. In any of the seasons, thick smoke from the kernel-mill is a force to reckon with. Fresh air is expensive where I stay.
The house my father could afford to build is only a two-room structure with a make-do kitchen built by my mother to keep her kitchen ware. As they occupy one, the other is forced on me so, once I am home, my folks could feel my presence the way they want it - 'close and together!'
My mother has been raising some cousins of mine (four in number), plus an ever joyful boy who was named after me. Paa Kwesi is his name.
Sharing accommodation with these folks is a daily daunting challenge especially since all of us are handicupped to build yet another space for them.
What does a young man think of such dire reality? I nearly said harsh reality.
Yet never have I been greeted with tears of sadness! Just a day home is enough a hope-builder than all days spent in lecture theatres and libraries!
In the house I am greeted with hope and welcomed with joy. When they see me, they see hope. My mother keeps saying to me, "If God will not grant my desires, I pray him to grant you everything of praise."
My father would say, "I thank God for you. At least you have so far reached everywhere I only dreamt of. But you did all this still sleeping under my roof, no matter how poor it looks."
My cousins try to put up their best behaviour once I am around for their 'big' brother has come home. My name-sake wouldn't want to sleep anywhere but with me on my bed! (And I must wake him several times a night so he won't pee on my sheets). And he calls himself 'Obrempon', after me!
My kinsmen, I do not seek to tell you a tale. I am telling you a life of a man born in a manger but carries the promise of a new world. This is not a story but a life breathed into a man in the land some of us have grown to dread. If I could have hope, regardless how little, amidst such misery, eternity is the limit for any other like me who simply believes his/her life is for a higher purpose than the bad s/he sees.
I remember that day Jesus told his people the quote above, they were outraged that the man could dare say, take my flesh and eat! They should have known better to decipher he really meant behold my life and learn from it. If the boy born in that manger is to grow to become the King of the New World, my goodness!, it isn't too much for God to turn that dusty city on the hill into a jewel on the mountain using you!
Come let us built the city walls for they still lie in ruins. I am ready. And all I have is my flesh which I shall give for the life of the old city. Jacobu, where my home is.
John 6: 51b
Last weekend I went home to MC a friend's wedding reception. On the way, the songs I was playing on my phone's headset caused me to be all smiles. I'm sure there were some co-passengers who might be wondering why I kept whistling (softly) the music, why I kept gazing upon the foliage passing by and what might be so 'right' with me that kept me smiling happily.
I always am happy to apply my talents to a brother/sister's good cause. Really, that fulfills me. And I like it.
But I am not all the time happy anytime I visit home. There are certain things I simply cannot ignore no matter how unpleasant they be. And many are those things! And these things take my joy away, many times.
Where my family stays at Jacobu is first on the list. So close to a river that has, over the years, been polluted by our women folk whose business it is to produce cooking oil from palm kernels. That river is their main water supply 'system.' In the rainy season, the area is an eye-sore to stay at. In the dry season, we have some respite. Our environmental happiness depends on the whims of the weather. In any of the seasons, thick smoke from the kernel-mill is a force to reckon with. Fresh air is expensive where I stay.
The house my father could afford to build is only a two-room structure with a make-do kitchen built by my mother to keep her kitchen ware. As they occupy one, the other is forced on me so, once I am home, my folks could feel my presence the way they want it - 'close and together!'
My mother has been raising some cousins of mine (four in number), plus an ever joyful boy who was named after me. Paa Kwesi is his name.
Sharing accommodation with these folks is a daily daunting challenge especially since all of us are handicupped to build yet another space for them.
What does a young man think of such dire reality? I nearly said harsh reality.
Yet never have I been greeted with tears of sadness! Just a day home is enough a hope-builder than all days spent in lecture theatres and libraries!
In the house I am greeted with hope and welcomed with joy. When they see me, they see hope. My mother keeps saying to me, "If God will not grant my desires, I pray him to grant you everything of praise."
My father would say, "I thank God for you. At least you have so far reached everywhere I only dreamt of. But you did all this still sleeping under my roof, no matter how poor it looks."
My cousins try to put up their best behaviour once I am around for their 'big' brother has come home. My name-sake wouldn't want to sleep anywhere but with me on my bed! (And I must wake him several times a night so he won't pee on my sheets). And he calls himself 'Obrempon', after me!
My kinsmen, I do not seek to tell you a tale. I am telling you a life of a man born in a manger but carries the promise of a new world. This is not a story but a life breathed into a man in the land some of us have grown to dread. If I could have hope, regardless how little, amidst such misery, eternity is the limit for any other like me who simply believes his/her life is for a higher purpose than the bad s/he sees.
I remember that day Jesus told his people the quote above, they were outraged that the man could dare say, take my flesh and eat! They should have known better to decipher he really meant behold my life and learn from it. If the boy born in that manger is to grow to become the King of the New World, my goodness!, it isn't too much for God to turn that dusty city on the hill into a jewel on the mountain using you!
Come let us built the city walls for they still lie in ruins. I am ready. And all I have is my flesh which I shall give for the life of the old city. Jacobu, where my home is.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Power of Will
I have brought myself by long meditation to the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a will which will take even an existence upon its fulfillment.
Benjamin Disraeli
I remember the days in Jacobu when we used to sit in front of the bank talking about how the future could be for us and for our community. We would talk so much about what our elders could have done right and what necessitated the present comeuppance of high illiteracy rate, poverty, weak chieftain authority, teen-pregnancy and of course the then deplorable (main) road.
Such a talk could go on for hours. Sometimes I don't really remember how we ended our talk but we get up and find a cosy place to wine down, like all good friends socially do.
As I grew up, I came to a point when I knew by instinct that none of those futures we projected could come out of nowhere. Should I desire to be in that future, I must will to make it happen. Daunting as it sounds, I believe I have some powers to cause things to happen my way. All I need is a will.
Willing to expend one's life bringing a deprived community forward is a noble ambition but not every girl will fall for a man whose dream it is to befriend a village where he was born. God have mercy!
But I am willing. Yet I cannot do it alone. No one can do it all by him/herself. It must be done with common unity in the community.
Jacobu's will must include every house of authority in town: the palace, the shrines, the chapels, the assembly, the markets, the schools, the sports fields, the farms, and the state. I am talking about writing the blueprint for the world tomorrow.
This way, we get kings and commoners, leaders and followers, teachers and students, farmers and traders as well as the merchants, the aged and the young, priests/priestesses and the men of God coming together to decide a new destiny for the old city.
Once the will is made, no individual is left off the hook to sit in apathy to 'see' what tomorrow might bring. No, we consciously begin to create our tomorrow in the now signature! Like the motto of the communist manifesto which reads, "From each in accord with their abilities, To each in accord with their needs." A whole new community shall have been born!
Jacobu needs your will in writing her will. Our contract with society is such that we bless it with our noble ambitions, and it grants us the desires of our will. That is how The Plan works. So has it been from the beginning, so shall it be in the end.
Benjamin Disraeli
I remember the days in Jacobu when we used to sit in front of the bank talking about how the future could be for us and for our community. We would talk so much about what our elders could have done right and what necessitated the present comeuppance of high illiteracy rate, poverty, weak chieftain authority, teen-pregnancy and of course the then deplorable (main) road.
Such a talk could go on for hours. Sometimes I don't really remember how we ended our talk but we get up and find a cosy place to wine down, like all good friends socially do.
As I grew up, I came to a point when I knew by instinct that none of those futures we projected could come out of nowhere. Should I desire to be in that future, I must will to make it happen. Daunting as it sounds, I believe I have some powers to cause things to happen my way. All I need is a will.
Willing to expend one's life bringing a deprived community forward is a noble ambition but not every girl will fall for a man whose dream it is to befriend a village where he was born. God have mercy!
But I am willing. Yet I cannot do it alone. No one can do it all by him/herself. It must be done with common unity in the community.
Jacobu's will must include every house of authority in town: the palace, the shrines, the chapels, the assembly, the markets, the schools, the sports fields, the farms, and the state. I am talking about writing the blueprint for the world tomorrow.
This way, we get kings and commoners, leaders and followers, teachers and students, farmers and traders as well as the merchants, the aged and the young, priests/priestesses and the men of God coming together to decide a new destiny for the old city.
Once the will is made, no individual is left off the hook to sit in apathy to 'see' what tomorrow might bring. No, we consciously begin to create our tomorrow in the now signature! Like the motto of the communist manifesto which reads, "From each in accord with their abilities, To each in accord with their needs." A whole new community shall have been born!
Jacobu needs your will in writing her will. Our contract with society is such that we bless it with our noble ambitions, and it grants us the desires of our will. That is how The Plan works. So has it been from the beginning, so shall it be in the end.
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