present there all the time.
As was often the case, we combined services, including two ordinations
into the second degree, for Amouzouvi and Edward Akotey who had traveled
from Ghana.
Amouzouvi had invited several local chiefs to the ceremony. Dressed in
colorful and embroidered garments, and with many gold chains, bracelets
and crowns, they sat in the front row. Honoring chiefs is not unusual in West
Africa where they perform many important functions in their culture, such as
resolving various disagreements among people and directing the use of land.
What I had not realized until speaking with them at the reception
afterwards is that they were surprised to be invited. Apparently