The Rev'd Samuel Boadu-Ayeboafo today preached his valedictory Sermon to say goodbye to the Trinity United Church. He has been with us for two years, which according to him, came too early. He was full of praise for the Minister-in-Charge, the Rev'd Dr Cyril Fayose and the other ministers. He expressed joy, appreciation and gratitude to the congregation and thanked them for their exceptional love and respect to him and his wife.
His Sermon was based on the theme for the day: Be strong: do not fear, have faith in the Lord. readings were from Is 35:4-7a; James 2:1-7 and Mk 7:24-37. Rev'd Boadu-Ayeboafo started by sharing some of his family's life experiences with us which stunned us and at the same time reassured us of God's faithfulness. His recount brings to mind MHB 511 (Begone unbelief..) verse 4 goes like this:Why should I complain of want and distress, Temptation or pain?He told me no less...
Experience No. 1: The Christian's life is not all rosy but full of challenges, which at some point can make us rescind our decision to walk with Christ as some disciples did. But when Jesus asked Peter whether he too would leave him , Peter asked...To whom shall we go?....
Rev'd Boadu-Ayeboafo and the wife lost their first child when she was 2 years and two months at the same time he was supposed to report at the Trinity Theological Seminary to begin his training. They again lost a second child when he was 1year and one month. On the birth of thr third child, they believed somewhere in their heart that he too will die in the 7th month. It took the Divine intervention of God for that child to live. Now they say to the Glory of God, they have 4 children.
Experience No. 2: His wife had a mental illness which ws very stressful; but he continued to pray and one day God healed her.
Experience No. 3: It has been his desire to be posted to Kumasi, because he has spent all his ministerial life in the rural areas. Much as he had vowed to work anywhere the Church sends him he prayed to God and put his petitions to Him. After a number of uncertainties, he has finally been posted to Santasi in the centre of Kumasi.
Other Experiences: Rev'd Boadu-Ayeboafo shared with us the story of a man who had a protruding tummy and was by all indications going to die. The Man, Mr Livinstone was full of faith and after some prayer sessions was healed.
There was the story of a 56-year old woman who conceived and gave birth at that age. She has 2 children now.
These experiences were shared to remind us that God hears us when we pray and He still performs miracles. What we are going through are not bigger than God.
The Mk 7:24-37 story talks about the Syrophenician woman who, although concedes that she is a 'dog' has the faith and the boldness to tell Jesus that the 'dogs' eat of the crumbs that fall from the children's table. Jesus was impressed and she received healing for her daughter. We are therefore to continue to be strong and have faith in God.
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