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HOMOSEXUALS AND LESBIANS ET CETERA (CONTINUED)

Most Homosexuals that I have met are deeply rooted in Judeo Christian Theology. Because that is the religious environment in which they were raised. I was quite surprised to hear at least three of them tell me, “I’m lost,” or “I’m damned,” or “I’m wicked and I’m on my way to hell.” In other words regardless of their biblically stated destiny they have accepted themselves for who they are and they have no desire to change. What a contrast to other forms of moral declension such as lying, stealing, adultery, fornication or idolatry? Transgressors in those areas, when confronted, invariably acknowledge that they screwed up and express not only some form of contrition but also a desire to change. I have yet to meet a member of the LGBTQ group. Who demonstrates any kind of sorrow, or expresses any form of mea culpa, mea culpa, over his/her lifestyle. Let me hasten to state that homosexuality is strictly forbidden in scripture by divine decree, “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” Leviticus 18:22. The concepts of sin, righteousness, justice and divine wrath are deeply embedded in every society in which I have lived, worked or studied. The most amazing phenomenon of the 21st Century, is that man has made himself God. Accordingly, he claims the authority to determine the difference between right and wrong. The Obama Administration didn’t think it was enough to merely grant special status to LGBTQ’s in the military, affording them protections and consideration at the workplace, and also in society at large. They felt that it was necessary to tamper with divine mandates. Historically, humanity has never been good at determining the difference between right and wrong. First of all we were never created with that kind of ability. As we read in scripture: “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV). Furthermore, we are warned: “Then the Lord will turn from his fierce anger, will show you mercy, and will have compassion on you… ¹⁸ because you obey the Lord your God by keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.” Deuteronomy 13:17-18 (NIV). Let there be no mistake about it. Mercy and compassion from the Ruler of the universe are contingent upon strict obedience to God’s laws. In a nutshell, The Creator has always reserved unto Himself, the sole prerogative to determine the difference between right and wrong. When the educational leaders and politicians of the 21st Century. Decide that in order to accommodate a special group. They have to fiddle with God’s Moral Law, then we are all on a very slippery slope.

It was a very dark night when the VIP Coach eventually pulled into Berekum. The passengers were travel weary from the long and tedious journey. But they pulled their hand luggage from the overhead shelves, and quietly disembarked. Several mothers had babies strapped to their backs; and most of those infants were sound asleep. Some people had food and drink on which they quietly feasted. As they slowly made their way down the crowded aisle of the coach. The hot Ghanaian air struck us all in the face, and deeply penetrated our clothing to reach the surface of each passenger’s skin. As we left the comfortable air conditioned atmosphere of the bus. We all faced new challenges now. Not just the sudden change in body temperature. But also to find a vacant room at a nearby hotel. Or to secure some form of accommodation, somewhere, for the night. I quickly pulled out my smartphone and called my female friend. I was looking forward to spending the night, in the beautiful and luxurious mansion, portrayed in the pictures she had sent to me. A woman answered the phone with a typical Ghanaian ‘Hello.’ No announcement of any name, or other form of self identification. I informed her who I was. Advising her that I had arrived in Berekum. She wasn’t surprised or taken aback in any way. Because I had called and spoken with her, upon my arrival at the Kotoka International Airport. She informed me that she would get her brothers, then come to meet me at The Berekum Station, as soon as possible. I waited patiently in the stillness of the night. Darkness surrounded me on every side. There might have been a few street lights here and there. But the lights were dim. I saw one armed uniformed soldier on the other side of the road. He was dressed in full military fatigue and brandished a formidable semi automatic rifle. Otherwise the area was desolate at around 1:00 A.M. I stood with my suitcase, alone and solitary as a stranger on a deserted island. Waiting and wondering if my female friend would ever arrive with her brothers. After about one and a half hours not only did they actually show up, but they also found me. I was tired, sleepy, confused and anxious. What on Earth had I now gotten myself into, I wondered? Being six thousand miles away from home and modernity, and also in a strange third world country. I attempted to find some self consolation by reminding myself that this was a journey that I had planned. Berekum, I discovered was a small dusty town. Located in the heart of The Brong Ahafo Region. Approximately 45 minutes drive by taxi, from the regional capital of Sunyani. All of the passengers that got off the VIP coach with me had vanished. They had all been picked up by relatives or friends. Or had boarded a taxi to a nearby hotel. My new found friends greeted me. The lady with whom I had been in contact was short and brown in complexion. Her two brothers were tall and slender.

From O’HARE To Berekum

My second trip to Ghana was in 2014. The lady with whom I corresponded on WhatsApp. Advised me that she lived with her uncle in a six bedroomed house, with just as many bathrooms. Since she sent me some beautiful pictures that seemed to authenticate her story, I believed her. I flew out of the O’Hare International Airport on a Monday, and arrived at The Kotoka International Airport in Accra, on Wednesday of the same week. It was a very long journey. But I was grateful that I overnighted in Dubai, on my way to Ghana. I suppose I was fortunate. But I also have enough knowledge and experience. To attribute all the benefits of my good fortune, to the providental genius of the Almighty. The Dubai International Airport seemed to be vast. Nevertheless I survived, located the right taxi, and ended up sleeping in the right preplanned hotel. Before continuing on my itinerary the following morning. Interestingly enough the hotel staff were young girls from Kenya. They were polite, hospitable, and gracious. My arrival at the Kotoka International Airport was full of surprises. The first unexpected reality was the small size of the Airport, in comparison to the ones in Dubai, Frankfurt, and Chicago. A most welcome and surprising experience however. Was the courtesy and friendliness of all the staff encountered, at the airport terminal. The Immigration officers were thorough, and the Customs officers mostly asked how much money I had brought with me, to spend in Ghana. I was grateful that they barely looked into my luggage. As soon as I exited the terminal, I purchased a VODAFONE chip. To be used in my smartphone, along with AIR TIME. So that I could make local calls. I promptly boarded a taxi after securing my luggage. Which transported me to The Kwame Nkrumah Circle. A veritable jungle of small shops, bazaars, minibuses, traders, and pedlars of every imaginable form of merchandise. Including useless smartphone chargers from China. This was the location from where I would board the V.I.P. Coach that would take me to Berekum. Which I subsequently discovered was a small town, nestled in the very rural setting of The BRONG AHAFO Region. The journey was long and tedious. The traffic congestion in Accra and Kumasi (the capital of the Ashanti Region), and Ghana’s second largest city. with a population of four million people and several universities. Were interesting diversions. After several naps and disembarking at two refreshment parks. To purchase food and visit the rest room. Approximately ten hours later we safely and finally arrived in Berekum.

After finishing my delicious meal, I dried my hands with the rag, (several of which I had purchased), I routinely carried around with me. To wipe away the sweat which regularly oozed from my facial epidermis. The merciless heat in Ghana is no joke. Although the natives seem to be accustomed to it. Since I live in North America, I attempted to ameliorate the sun’s dehydrating effect upon my skin, with the application of appropriate skin lotion. Every morning immediately after my bath. This therapeutic modality is supplemented by also massaging the same surface with vaseline. Because my complexion is brown, in comparison with most Ghanaians who are black. Inasmuch as I’m also a member of the black race, I was quite surprised when Ms. Edith and others challenged me. To tell them exactly how much money I had spent to obtain my brown complexion. Predictably, I was confused. I had no idea where they were coming from. My response to them was, “What on earth are you talking about?” They seemed puzzled at my ignorance, but proceeded to explain that if I went to any of the local cosmetic shops, I would be able to purchase bleaching lotion which was quite safe for use on the human skin. This lotion when applied to the surface of the skin over a period of several weeks, would effectively lighten the complexion of the user. I was shocked to hear such a report and I just didn’t believe it. About six years later while visiting one of the stalls in the Berekum Station. I saw the bleaching lotion that they had informed me about on full display and also for sale. As the saying goes, “We live to learn.” The Berekum Station is a complexity of pedestrians, ticket selling, food dispensing, and electrical wares, stalls. Within the same area you can also purchase knives, shaving kits, matches, bread loaves of every size and a wide variety of beverages. There are also large passenger carrying minibuses and taxis destined for Cities such as Dormaa, Wenchi, Sunyani, Techiman, Kumasi and Accra. Parked and waiting for passengers to board them in the same vicinity. If you are appropriately dressed several driver assistants will hail you with a greeeting, Sunyani? Dormaa? Techiman? The most I do is wave my head back and forth, to inform them that I wouldn’t be going anywhere on that particular day. Sometimes the vehicles are so closely parked together. That it’s a science just to negotiate my way between them whether I’m trying to enter or leave the station. Occassionally, you see some of the store keepers either taking a nap or eating. Depending on what time of the day you are in the station. The midday nap in Ghana seems to be a cultural norm. Because the practice is so widespread. The store keeper doesn’t shut the doors of his shop during the time that he is taking such a nap. He is still open for business. He merely stretches out on a bench to close his eyes. Any potential patron who needs his services will call to him gently and he will be up and ready. As Bob Hope the British American comedian stated, “I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything till noon. That’s when it’s time for my nap.” Occasionally, I run into two people disputing about something. Sometimes its about the amount of fare that the three wheel taxi driver has charged. The non violent combatants raise and lower their voices in a crescendo of sounds, without shouting at each other. They wave their hands in the air in a series of well calculated gesticulations. They look at each other with threatening gazes. But they never assault each other physically. This is a phenomenon found only in Ghana. In the U.S.A., Jamaica and Nigeria for example, arguments quickly deteriorate into physical violence and injuries. In the Gold Coast if there is even a hint of possible violence. There are powerful male bystanders to pull them apart and enforce the peace.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton