1982

We got a new preacher, Ralph Weinhold, who included the Holy Spirit in his teaching! We also did a lot of studying on tradition versus scripture. One of the biggest benefits that came from all this was a deepened understanding of the Holy Spirit. Later, in Ghana, one of our members was arrested, and suddenly there was a real discussion about the power of the Spirit. I found that so inspiring and uplifting.

1985

Ralph was experienced in short-term missions with World Bible School before he came to Clovis, and in 1985, he accepted an invitation from Jake Coppinger to lead the next follow-up campaign to Ghana, West Africa. Even though we had never considered the possibility of going on a foreign mission ourselves, I suddenly felt a strong desire to go! Looking back, it became clear that this was a calling from God. We've experienced it many times since then, and we call it 'out of the blue'.

Well, as it turned out there was more to it than just driving a hundred miles to the airport, we had to prepare to fly across the world. So, Ralph got me through all the preparations, including a passport and a bunch of shots! At that time the USAF was giving overseas shots to civilians for $1.00 a shot at Canon AFB in Clovis.

Three of us were going from Clovis - me, Ralph and Tex Underwood, who was a deacon at 16th. It was the first international mission for both me and Tex. I found it to be a great comfort to make such a long trip with friends. At that time I wouldn't go anywhere I hadn't been before, and suddenly there I was on a plane for Africa as part of a group of 12 people including 9 I'd never met!

WBS Team leaving from New York City for Ghana

We had additional adventures I had not anticipated. Leaving for Africa was like this: there was a thunderstorm raging in Clovis, and Diana was standing at the front door crying because of it. When we got to Lubbock, we stood in line for an hour while the Akens' received permission to take a sound system for street preaching. We arrived at Kennedy International and found the rest of our team, got on the plane and sat there for an hour and a half. The pilot announced, 'well, we've been on this plane for an hour and we've gone 100 yards!' So, we reached U.K. late, and our connecting flight had left, so they booked us on SwissAir and instead of flying to Africa, we flew to Switzerland! Saw the Alps and everything! Even sent Diana a postcard from Switzerland, and was she ever confused when she got it! "What's he doing in Switzerland?!" That little mystery wasn't cleared up till I got home, because after we flew out of New York, we had ZERO communications! No phone, ham radios were all restricted, and Diana received all of my written notes and cards the day before I got home, because the post office in Ghana wanted to have a full mail bag before they sent them!

We arrived at the airport in Accra, Ghana after dark, a day late. I had never been to a Third World country, so I was totally surprised when my traveling buddies said 'do you have your dash ready?' I said 'What's a dash?!' They gave me a dozen ball-point pens to tip the Customs officials with. I did that, and as we walked through the tunnel entrance to the terminal, one of my helpful teammates said 'oh look, they've patched all the bullet holes!'

I had been warned to hold onto my suitcases or I might never see them again, but as soon as we got outside, there were teenagers everywhere insisting on helping us -- we were about 50' from our ride and were surrounded by 100 kids. One of the people who met us took a handful of cedis (local coins) and threw them in the air. The kids all ran to pick up the money and we got our stuff to the vehicle without any assistance. Welcome to the Third World! As we left the airport, we drove past 2 military vehicles with big machine guns - another new experience.

When we got to our hotel, one of our members was missing - the one with the turquoise dress! She had stopped to talk to some of her Ghanaian friends from a previous trip. I was in the way, so they unlocked my room, locked me in and all left to find her! I was very uncomfortable at all the things that were happening. Ralph decided I was just too skittish and was making plans to send me back home, but when the sun came up I was fine and ready to work. I had no more problems the rest of the trip.

Our first morning in Ghana, rested & ready to go

George Franklin, Tex Underwood and Ralph Weinhold