Our First Cape Coast Adventure - episode 8 - Baptism Beach
May 15, 2021, afternoon
The drive back to Cape Coast was a different route. We went along the coastline most of the way on our journey to “baptism beach” where the first baptisms in Ghana were performed in December 1978. If you remember, the revelation on the priesthood and all worthy male members was announced in June 1978. Ghanaians and Nigerians had for years petitioned the Church for missionaries to come and for the Church to be established here. That finally happened in December 1978. The baptism location, just on the east end of town, has changed appearance over the years. It is now used as a slaughterhouse. There is a large cement pad where the slaughtering takes place and ocean water is used to clean the place up.
The best part of that visit was to talk to
two fishermen who keep their boats there; Andrews and Isaac. They appeared to lack education except for
how to fish. Had a good visit and
explained why we were there and invited them to attend church. They will be fishing on Sunday because the
tides are right so they likely won’t make it to church.
They are two friends who work hard, together, day after day. We have seen the missionaries assigned to Cape Coast. Maybe they will meet these two some time, and talk about important things.
On the short drive back to the Hotel and as we drove into the town I suggested Elaine and I ride a “momo” around the town before we returned to the hotel. A momo is a motorcycle with a covered seat for two in the back. A three-wheeled carriage; instead of horse drawn, it is motorcycle drawn. We got out of the truck, let the Kittelson’s drive off to the hotel, and we proceeded to flag down a momo driver. That takes no time at all. They are everywhere. We negotiated a price to be driven around for 20 minutes or so. I think we made his day and we are good with that. All the sites and sounds and smells are so apparent in the open-air vehicle. The locals got a kick out of looking at us and heckled the driver a little bit. He didn’t mind much. His name is Kofi (Friday). A common name. I told him my name is Akwase (Sunday, the day of the week I was born). It was a great experience and I want to do it again. The Kittelsons had taken a momo ride to find the Church building in Ho, the previous month.
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