This is a brief update on the Ghana elections.  To make a long story short – we are still waiting for a winner.  The margin between the two candidates is a mere 23,000 votes.  One constituency with a registered 50,000 voters did not vote.  They will now vote on Friday January 2, 2009 after which a winner will be declared.  Click here for a good report on the situation.

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To view our Christmas card – click on the link: “God has raised up for us a horn of salvation in the house of his servant David… to save us from our enemies.”  Luke 1:69, 74  Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Many apologies to those who have not yet heard the advent of our first son is upon us!  Baby Isaac was born healthy and happy.  Sarah is also doing well. For those who want details you can email me.  Check out pictures here.  You will notice we call him lil Kofi as all boys born on Friday in southern Ghana have the name Kofi.  (Yes including Kofi Annan.)  Thanks to so many who have left such kind comments on the picture page.

Have you heard anything about Ghana’s election in the media?  If not I expect you are in the majority – click here to read an article requesting Western media to highlight the positive in Africa rather than the negative. Read the rest of this entry »

When so much coverage of Africa highlights the negative, we want to shout out that Ghana’s 2008 election has been a shining example of peace.  The margin between the 2 leading candidates is about 1% of the popular vote, but neither candidate has received more than 50% of the vote. Hence, there will be a runoff on December 28 so our family is digging in staying here in Accra until the second round is completed. For a good article on Ghana’s successful election click here.

In advent as we celebrate the coming of Christ and as we wait for the feast of Christmas in expectant joy, the Esalas are sending out to you our own Advent – Christmas photo.  Click here to view the photo. (Click on the photo to zoom in for a larger view)

It is a modern day Esala reenactment of the first Advent of the holy family coming to Bethlehem complete with an angel, 2 innkeepers, Mary, Joseph, a donkey and a spare room.  The photo is a true translation as we have a mix of cultures represented in Northern Ghana garb, in a Komba spare room, North American people, and an actual event that took place in the middle east two thousand years ago.

Sure its confusing, but its also something of the gospel that a people and a place so far from the original event, culture, time and place can also be caught up in the story to such an extent that North Americans end up in rural West Africa to translate a drama that unfolded two thousand years ago in a Jewish context.

May His Kingdom come among us also.

The reference to the famous play seems appropriate for us as we wait for delivery of the new baby here in Accra.  Moreover, it is Advent the time of the church year that we focus on Christ’s coming.  It also is about preparing for Christ’s coming as a child at Christmas and for us just preparing for the Christmas season.  As a child, Advent is also about waiting.  Waiting in expectant joy for the feast of Christmas.

Preparing, waiting, for the child coming is what we are all about here in Accra.  Waiting to give birth away from home (not for a census but for the modern day equivalent – the vote). Preparing the older children, preparing food ahead of time. Many people waiting to hear the news.