Ghana Update--final edition
Praise the Lord for His evident blessing on the last days of our mission trip. We had a safe return to Accra on Wednesday but arrived in the city during rush-hour traffic. (Perhaps the bus driver's stopping to buy an armadillo to cook for supper slowed us a bit.) We made it to the missionary guest house just in time for a quick bite of supper before the prayer service held on the front porch of the guest house. Our group sang and provided a testimony and special music as well as the preaching. About 25 nationals were in attendance.
On Thursday, we had donuts for breakfast to begin acclimating to American food once again. : ) Afterward, we headed to the market to dicker for carvings, leather goods, etc. It was an exciting adventure and two people were led to the Lord there. After a pizza lunch (more American food), we prepared our suitcases and then went to the University of Accra to hand out tracts and invite students to a special service that night. Two more prayed to be saved and several people from the market showed up for the meeting. After the services, they broke out more of their wares (carvings, etc), so the team enjoyed having the market brought to them.
Friday, we were up at 5:15 am to beat the rush at the airport. Twenty-four hours later, we were back home once again--the miracle of modern transportation. However, our bodies are still adjusting....waking up at 3:30 because our bodies think it is 8:30, etc.
We cannot express fully our appreciation for your prayers and support at every turn along the way.
In summary, we saw over 140 decisions to accept Christ (conservative estimate, and only the Lord knows their hearts) and we ministered to more then 3,000 people in formal services, bible clubs, etc., not counting visitation, tract distribution and so forth. None of this could have happened without your prayer support and the Lord's blessing.
So we sign off by saying it's been an unusual blessing to lead the team, and we wish all of you a great year in the Lord.
In Christ,
John and Beth Reese and the Ghana Team
GO FORTH BAPTIST MISSIONS SUMMER MISSION TEAM
Well we're back from our trip to the northlands of Ghana. The Lord smiled on our efforts, and we saw great things done for His glory
After our two evening rallies, we saw the culmination of the weekend's work in a double service on Sunday Morning on the grounds of the future Calvary Baptist Church building in Bolga-Tonga. This is the land that the Campus Church 2007 Christmas Project helped to purchase. Pastor Peter and the church members send their special thanks for the generous gift. The location is prime and the potential for future growth is excellent.
What a thrill it was to see approximately 75 adults gather under tent-tops and lift their voices in praise to God. Our team provided special music as well as an instrumental prelude (flute and trumpet). We heard a challenging message on Nicodemus preached by Joel Porcher and several responded to the evangelistic plea. Meanwhile, another 50 children met in a nearby area for children's church.
After a break, in which bags of water were provided for all in attendance, we transitioned into another service while half of the team joined a group going to the lake for a baptism. Dan Shepler preached on Daniel purposing to serve God, no matter the cost.
At the end of the second service, 11 people came forward for church membership and another 5 expressed interest in Bible School, including the interpreter. Altogether, our weekend outreach resulted in 30-40 solid decisions for Christ and 11 taking the next step toward baptism and church membership. What a thrill, and all for the cost of $150 (U.S) to rent sound equipment, tents, and chairs.
The Lord has impressed us to pray with the missionaries about acquiring a portable sound system for the missionary team. The one rented was of inferior quality (wireless microphones kept cutting out). A portable system would have multiple usages. Every month, all of the missionary pastors in the region (20-25) gather for two days. They have a fellowship in the morning and go soul-winning in the afternoon. It culminates with a special rally on a Friday night. Partnering like this really encourages the local pastors and helps to build their flocks (similar to our outreach this weekend). Other uses of the system would be to show evangelistic films as an outreach into the various communities. So you see how a good quality portable sound system would be a valuable asset, (and generators can be used where electricity is not available.) A Chinese-made system with amplifier, pole speakers, and five microphones would cost approximately $3,500 (U.S.) A better German-made version would cost approximately $4,200 (U.S.)
After church, we enjoyed an excellent meal of well-seasoned, chipped beef and rice (or potato fires) along with soft drinks. Our team of 15 plus the 6 national pastors and 2 missionaries ate for $100 (U.S. funds). The national pastors joined us for this trip to the northlands so that every American group going out on visitation had a national to guide, interpret, and provide general safety. We never felt threatened in any way! This has been a very good arrangement; parents and friends can rest easy knowing that the missionaries have much foresight and have been very careful to look out for our wellbeing.
Speaking of safety, after lunch, we went to a crocodile pond and had the opportunity to kneel beside a 10 foot long crocodile for pictures, (no, he wasn't dead; but he was distracted by a chicken which was to provide lunch for the big boy.) It didn't take long for him to devour the bird. He eats at least six of them per day. If he's still hungry, he will chase ducks at night for additional snacks. One of the crocs was 90 years old.
On Monday, we piled into the van for a trip to a game reserve on our way back to headquarters in Techiman. If you ask the team members what the most memorable part of the trip was, they would respond, “the bumpy dirt roads.” It made the speed bumps at Wal-Mart feel like turnpikes. In places, it was smoother to get off the road and travel through the ditches alongside the road. No wonder everyone cheered when we returned to paved roads on the way back to Techiman on Tuesday.
On Monday evening, we took a riding tour of parts of the 4,800 square km reserve. We spotted a number of antelope and water buck, but the highlight of that safari was getting the dual-wheeled, 23 passenger van stuck in the mud. Thankfully, many hands were able to move the van out of the mud puddle. Good thing too because there wasn't a tow truck within 200 miles probably. After a tasty supper on the veranda, we prepared to retire for the night. Wart-hogs and antelope passed within 25-30 feet of our rooms.
Early Tuesday, ten of the adventurous team members embarked on a guided walking tour. The guide carried a rifle just in case a bull elephant got ornery. While we were out, those who stayed back saw elephants and baboons up close as they wandered through the compound grounds.
The time has flown by even faster then we expected. We are tired but exhilarated at what the Lord has accomplished in these few short days. There are just three days of ministry left before we fly out of Accra early Friday morning. When we leave Techiman tomorrow, Erica will make her way to join the Ray Davis family in Tokoradi for another two weeks. Joel will accompany us to Accra and then return to Techiman for another two weeks to labor with the missionaries before he returns to the States.
Due to travel and our staying in the missionary guest house in Accra the last two days where there is no internet access, this will be our last update from the field. Thank you so very much for your prayers and support during this mission trip. We've seen several specific instances where those prayers were very clearly and directly answered. Surely, there are other answers to prayer of which we are not even aware. Your support for the team members will yield eternal dividends. Even our trip to the reserve turned out to be a divine juncture as my wife led two young men named Emmanuel and Komar to the Lord. If they and the scores of others who have responded to the Gospel message could communicate to you, they would have thanksgiving on their lips that someone cared enough to support an endeavor like this. As team leaders and on behalf of the Go Forth Mission staff, we say THANK YOU!
As I compose this email, we are packed into the van on the return trip to Techiman. Seated beside me is one of the national pastors, Pastor Steve Sarfo Adu. He works with two village churches where there is no electricity, and the people live in mud huts. He rides a motorcycle between the two villages as he ministers. I've asked him to give you a message from the national pastors in Ghana. These will be the closing words of this commentary. Consider them carefully.
“I am very happy to see the team come to visit. I'm thankful for their safety. We are praying that the Lord will touch the visitors, and they will come to help us here. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”
--Pastor Steve Sarfo Adu, village pastor in Boankron and Forikrom
Dear Prayer Partners,
Here's a brief update to let you know that we're scheduled to travel north to Bolga-Tonga for the next four days where the internet access is spotty. So, if you don't hear from us, that is the reason.
We had another blessed day. Thankfully, everyone on the team seems to be doing pretty well physically. The team finished the Christian school VBS series today; three prayed to be saved.
We enjoyed another traditional meal for lunch (corn cakes and fish along with yam fries. Afterward, we traveled to some nearby caves and enjoyed hearing the testimonies of the National Pastors. Some were saved out of idol worship, others out of Catholicism. It was blessing to hear of God's call on their lives. The common request is that we pray for strength for them each day and that additional laborers come to the field.
After a special effort to find a restroom for the ladies (very few of them in the region), we split into two groups and descended into two villages to run Bible clubs and go door to door visiting. One prayed to be saved. I had the privilege of sitting with the village chief and sharing with him. He really enjoyed seeing his picture on the digital camera screen. The kids continued to swarm around the van until we pulled away. What a blessing!
Please pray for the outreach in Bolga-tonga. We will be running two tent crusades with showings of the Jesus film and a strong gospel appeal. Afterward, we will be treated to a trip to a game reserve on Monday.
No, it's not a blue moon rising over the van. It's a big ball being volleyed over the bus at the Krobo Christian school. Over 300 attended the Bible club each day.
Eighty-nine children crammed into a open walled room to hear Bible stories and sing songs in the village of Adutwei as other team members fanned out along the main road in the village witnessing to nationals.
We now know why it's called the "rainy" season here in Ghana. The spigots in the sky opened up early this morning along with blustery winds (but little lightning and thunder). When it rains in Ghana, it is the equivalent to a snow storm in the northern U.S. Things grind to a halt because most people walk wherever they go, and paved roads are scarse. So, I have time to write this update in the a.m. hours before we get underway.
Good news! Miss Erica Pahlsson, our 15th team member who did not travel to Ghana with us because of responsibilities in Pensacola, arrived safely today. She got more of the African experience than she may have bargained for, however. Her plane arrived one hr late and then the bus she and "Uncle Ben" (church deacon sent to accompany her on the seven hour journey to Techiman) rode on overheated and had to turn back to Accra. By then the last bus destined for Techiman had left. They opted to catch a bus to a town forty-five minutes away and come in by taxi; they arrived safely at 4:30 a.m.! That's called WAWA around here: "West Africa Wins Again!"
Allow me to back up and mention a few highlights from Tuesday's ministry opportunities.
The school program got underway with three groups of students; K-3rd grade had 200 in attendance; 4-5th had another 65; and 6-8th had approximately 80 crammed into a room. The schoolrooms are very Spartan with a chalkboard and little else. My wife, Beth Reese, was in her element teaching and reviewing math while other team members conducted Bible lessons, taught memory verses, sang songs and played games with a ball we brought along. Children were very attentive and receptive to the lessons.
Then after a fine meal of sheep and beef (nobody on the team dare try the sheep intestine which they cooked!---I was afraid it would taste baaaaad!), our team went to visit one of the area kings who oversees 22 villages. It was very formal with protocol being followed at every step of the way. He used to use black power and be involved in idol worship, but he got saved about 10 years ago and has a strong testimony for the Lord--He donated 50 acres to the ministry of Steve Volante. He discussed the elements of his work and then accepted questions. He ended with a plea for Christian educators to come to Ghana; it was a moving experience indeed. He then posed for a picture with the group.
Next, several of us had the privilege of meeting the chief of all of Techiman who is assistant to the paramount chief (or something like that). He is a 90 year old farmer with five wives and thirty-two children! He remembered the visit that the Taylors paid him four years ago and the gift they presented. Though he is involved in idol worship, he was willing to listen to that gospel. He seemed close to salvation and did promise he would come to church the following night. And he did! He testified that as king for forty years, this was the first time he had been invited to church. He was placed in a chair at the front of the church, but admitted that he wasn't ready to receive Christ yet. When I witnessed to him, I mentioned that I would have people in America pray for him (he wants to come visit America). His name is Nana Techiman Hene.
Afterward our visit with the second king on Tuesday, it was off to village ministry visiting and helping with clubs. Some of the five villages are as primitive as one can imagine. We spotted a monkey running along a thatched roof house and watched women preparing supper over open fires. Our service was held in a open-sided, grass roof structure with a single flashlight as our power. The villagers really seemed to enjoy hearing the trumpet and guitar being played. We heard positive reports from the other village outreaches. The total number of professions of faith is approximately 40 as of Tuesday.
Today, Wednesday, got off to a soggy start, but the extra time to sort suitcase items, plan the agenda and assign roles for the team members proved helpful. The Lord must have known that a short sabot (sabboth) was in order.
By 10 am, the team was rolling with the institute module underway (despite some power outages which makes using a LCD projector a bit challenging). Since the school outreach was cancelled, the team got to spend time with Missionary Steve Volante and his national assistant Pastor Samuel. It was a great time of instruction.
Lunch today was fufu ¦made from plantion (sp?), yams, and/or cavassa (another root). It is somewhat like eating unbaked bread dough; the light soup it is in is spicy but tasty and it's eaten without silverware.
In the early afternoon, we visited the market and purchased pineapple for 60 cents a piece. Beautiful cloth for a shirt costs about $3 and another $3 will pay a tailor to make the shirt for you! Hey, maybe we should have the Go Forth team shirts for next year made here. J
We then had prayer meeting in two locations tonight, one with the king mentioned earlier in attendance and the other was in a rather primitive village. At first, there were just 3 children and 3 adults, so I began playing hymns on the trumpet; nice reverberation under the canopy of trees which may never have heard a trumpet sound until then (it was dark, so I couldn't notice whether or not any were wilting from the noise). Soon a flashlight popped into sight, and then another. Altogether 15 adults came and 25 children. They enjoyed pushing the valves on the trumpet while I blew air through it, and they enjoyed singing along with the harmonica. Eight children responded to the invitation, but I don't think they all understood. In any event, God knows their hearts.
Since I am running low on battery power (sprayed the bedroom for mosquitoes and am letting it air out), I'd better close for now and plan to email this in the morning.
We're so thankful for your prayers. Pray specifically for our health too. Ashley M. was a little under the weather, so we had her rest through the afternoon and she is doing better. One or two of the fellas are learning not to eat too much spicy food, etc. We're thankful for God's protection.
Also, remember the three Go Forth teams in Central America at this time.
Until next time,
God Bless and Keep praying.
Greetings from your ambassadors in Ghana.
It's hard to imagine how much we have crammed into the last thirty-six hours since we posted an update.
Our team is being hosted by four missionary families. The Petersons are keeping Ashley Miller, Rebekah Eades, and Jessica Wadland at their home. Erica Pahlsson is slated to join them tomorrow evening (Tuesday)
Joel Porcher and Daniel Shepler are staying with Pastor Migiel and his family from Mexico; Stephen Rigney and Robert Sperbeck are staying with Pastor Samuel and family (National Pastor) and Sarah Mundy has joined us at the Volante home. In addition to these kind missionaries, five other national pastors associated with daughter churches of the Techiman Calvary Baptist Church have been most helpful.
Here's a brief overview of Sunday and Monday activities.
Sunday morning, our team presented its package of music. The testimonies and introductions were translated into the local language called the Twii (pronounced tree) language. The rains that poured down just before the service began (this is the rainy season) reduced the numbers. Normally , there would be 175 or so. There were about half that number with one first time visiter. They were very friendly and smiled at us constantly. They saw us coming and volunteered to carry trumpet cases, materials, etc. as we approached the church building.
After doing our package of music, dependable drivers were waiting to wisk five preachers and teachers to the outlying villages to preach. Those left at the Techiman church were engaged in teaching as well; in other words, all fourteen team members were actively involved---after all if they went to all the effort to raise the funds, we want them to get their money's worth.
Since a 35 minute sermon takes 70 minutes to preach, the services are pretty long. Our service lasted from 10:15 until nearly 1 pm. Afterward we gathered at Pastor Samuel's home for chicken and rice while sharing highlights. I believe 3 adults and 6 or so children responded to the invitations and a number of others made decisions to follow God more closely.
On our way back to Pastor Volante's for lunch (with a flock of goats following), we witnessed part of an outdoor funeral with people dressed in red and black (mourning colors). Tribal custom teaches that each person who stops in brings a gift for the family of the deceased. The gift is announced over a loudspeaker, so we decided not to drop in. Somehow the announcement that a visiting mission team had donated one dollar would not be good public relations, though 60 cents will get you a nine mile ride in a taxi. I might add, that you may have second thoughts about riding in the taxi when you see it.
Sunday evening the six team preachers scattered to the village churches once again and the team Ladies group provided special music at the main church. Dan Shepler and yours truly (Dr. Reese) preached in churches with no electricity (with the exception of a few flashlights). The Lord blessed and two souls were saved while many others were encouraged. We not in this for the numbers, but we want to let you know that eternity is being affected by your prayers.
Monday May 26, 2008
Dr. Wicks and I presented a 3 hr. module for the Bible Institute while the remainder of the team worked a 2-hr Bible club. They began with 30, but when the outdoor games began, kids came out of the wood work, so the total reached 150 or so, a number of which were Muslim children. (We can hear the Muslim Imam calling Muslims to morning prayers at 4:14 each morning!)
In the afternoon, we split into small groups and went witnessing in an area near the church. The national pastors served as translators as team members spoke. We've had such a busy day, I've not gotten around to everyone, but 10 got saved, and several promised to attend church on Wednesday evening.
Immediately after visitation, the men on the team joined the Men's fellowship where the nationals challenged us to a volleyball match. It was keen competition with both sides winning games. Among the winners, too, were the mosquitoes which were out in numbers.
After supper, the lady members attended a ladies fellowship where Mrs. Beth Reese shared a devotional and the ladies fellowshipped while the guys did the supper dishes; we even have video footage to prove it!
So far, everyone is holding up physically very nicely. My throat is sore from speaking above the sounds of construction through open windows and the boisterous game being conducted in the Bible club, and two members have taken some tums to settle stomachs.
Thank you for praying. We're indebted to you. Tomorrow, we will be going witnessing in the villages after the morning Bible club. Also pray for journey mercies for team member Erica Pahlsson who will be travelling from Accra to join us in Techiman.
That's all for now.
In Christ,
The GHANA Team
