This morning’s main event was the unveiling of the “improved” statue of Dr. George Faile II. Dr. Faile founded the hospital in 1958 and when he died in the US in 1989, the town decided to hold a funeral of their own for him. They erected a statue of him in front of the hospital and gave it glasses and a straw hat to protect him from the sun.
Today, to mark the beginning of the ceremonies they unwrapped the statue to reveal that it had been painted in great detail. I was moved by the crowd’s sincere enthusiasm and delight at this memorial to a man they all greatly respected. To the people of Nalerigu, Ghana this is one of the highest forms of praise and they are extremely proud of this man who 50 years ago came to their land and shared his God-given gifts with them. Most importantly he shared with them how to receive the greatest gifts one can receive from God – forgiveness and love.
