Thursday began with leading the Women’s Fellowship class. I used the scripture from Proverbs 31:11-31 where it addresses a “worthy woman.” They were very encouraged and engaged in the discussions quite well. Then in the afternoon Bright and I traveled to the village just beside us for the community football tournament. The communities come together for football and other various activities during the Easter Holiday. The village that I am staying at tied in both of their games. It was a lot of fun and always great to be in the community and involved in peoples lives. The football games are played by the youth, but the youth in Ghana are from 20-30 years of age. Following the football games, we headed to another village in the other direction beyond Akplale. This “village” as I found out only had one house, so for us to find it was a little adventure. We just cut off the main road and began to walk and after some time they realized that things were not looking very good for the route that we were taking, so we decided to head in a different direction. We did make it there and it was literally in the middle of nowhere! The closest place was miles away. The riverside, where they get their water, was about a mile away. The family was very welcoming and it was interesting to see the remoteness of some families. I would easily become lonely from the sheer isolation. The day was a very beneficial day with teachings, fun, and adventure.
Friday morning Bright and I went to another village by bike. There were many people coming in from the city to spend the Easter with the families. The one thing that I noticed is that Easter is a time of celebration much like in the states, but they do a lot of drinking!!! By the time, we got there around ten in the morning a lot were already wasted! I was very shocked by this in the sense that even those who were going to church that afternoon were drunk. After the very interesting visit we left for home (I am not really sure where that is right now?). In the afternoon, we went to watch some more of the football games. More people started to come out to the games as they came in. The rest of the day was very relaxing and enjoyable as we made a few more visits to a neighboring village.
Saturday we walked to the village on the island. Here the Volta River surrounds them. We hunted for some ripe mangos, played with a pet monkey, and meet with some of the residence. I found out later that this is a modern day Sodom and Gomorra! They are involved in fornication, incest, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and prostitution! I did not get to spend much time with people for they were all going for the games, market, and fishing. After the visit, it was back to the field for more football.
Easter Sunday! It was interesting to spend my first Easter away from family and the traditions that go along with the Holiday, but it was all right. With some churches in Ghana, it is celebrated with marches, prayer services, plays, and other activities, but in the rural villages not so much. Not much was done in celebration of this day. Church went on at the same time, a sermon was preached, and the people went home. As far as the sermon, I thought it was good. What I prepared for turned out better then I had thought. I have noticed that once you start preaching things start roll’n! I have found myself just having the words to say and the direction to go. All of this is truly because of the Holy Spirit. I am not even qualified to profess the glories of Christ, but through Him, I, a vessel of His, become a means of soul preach’n for some soul reach’n. With a group photo of the church and Ernest’s family, I said my good-byes on this portion of my trip and I traveled back to Tema. I will be here for two days to pack for my nine-week trip throughout the north.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Day 89 Week 13
Monday morning I went and spoke to a couple primary schools. I have done this many times since I have been in Ghana, but today I became frustrated with myself, with the circumstances, and I almost felt as though I was speaking a false hope. I spoke to the students and give a little talk to them about never forgetting their dreams, staying in school, and working hard. They always are very exuberant to have me come and speak to them, so I do it with much elation! After speaking to them, I allow for some questions, and the one thing that I have noticed is that they do not ask questions at all! I am not sure if the teachers do not encourage them to ask questions or they just do not see a need. It will remain a mystery to me. With this, the teachers, normally become the ones to ask the questions. I was asked some difficult questions today and my response in their eyes seemed far fetch for them to accept. One question was “what do we do if we have the desire to learn and advance, but have no support financially?” I told them that there are scholarships for those who study hard and are among the best, so study hard. I also told them that they could do work in the evenings and save up little by little to go to school. As I was telling them this, I thought about the realities of the difficult circumstance that they were in and for me to tell them this as an outsider, not fully relating to them; well my heart sank and went out to them. In addition to that question I told them that it is a generational cycle that needs to be broken and it will take generation that is determined to arise from the current circumstance to take the nation to the next point. The other question that sparked a minor debate was “What is one to do if they are orphaned with no parents?” To this, I told them that the families are very big and that I have been told that most families will take in most relatives, but if this is not the case, then I would challenge the community to take in the child. With this said I was told that that is not practical! They said that only 2% would believe in that, so I said that that should not be the case and no matter if, that is how things are they should change. I told them that the youth are the future of the country, so if you abandon the youth you are setting your future of the country to remain the same or to backslide. I really felt that I was talking to them as someone who has no idea that their lives are really like and cannot relate to them at all. I really wonder if the motivation and desire to change is there, or if excuses cloud the path of movement. Overall, it was a good meeting with the schools, but some of these circumstantial issues are starting to weigh on my heart! The afternoon Bright, Pastor Ernest’s eldest son, and I went to Tovue to make visitations. While there we talked to members of the church as well as some who were not apart of a church. Our time spent was very nice and the people were very welcoming! On our way back, we stopped by a mission were they provides free vocational training to women. It seems to be a very beneficial ministry, but being in a rural area the people are many, but many miles away. At night, we received notice that there was a woman who could not walk and so we took the motorcycle to see her. After taking her blood pressure and temperature, we gave her some malaria medication.
Tuesday I spoke to a few more schools in the morning. They were once again very welcoming and thankful for the message of encouragement given. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Tuve to make visitations to the residence. I find that this part of ministry is where I enjoy and feel the most comfortable. I t does make it a little more interesting when you do not know the people and you are speaking through a translator, but even with this I feel a better connection with people then behind the pulpit. I just connect better with people one on one for I can be more personal. We spoke to a couple of people who went through a prayer of accepting Christ into their lives and are in the process of making plans for being baptized. After they say the prayer then we talk to them about being baptized. We even ask when the best time will be, but for some they are nervous about it, so some times you have to go back for a couple of visits and just talk them through it more. The walk was very enjoyable to and through the village. What made the day finish even better was the walk next to God’s beautiful artwork in the sky as the sunset!
Wednesday morning Bright and I traveled by bike, a couple miles, to a school and led the morning devotions. This was the first school in all my meetings that actually asked questions. Some of them were very good and interesting. They asked about the ration of Christians to unbelievers, how long I have been preaching, what the schools are like in America. While in the village of Agbeve, we visited the family members of Pastor Ernest’s wife. This community is also located next to a river and with the coolness of the breeze mixed with the scenery and this place a very peaceful. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Adzeke. Here we continued with the visitations and meeting of the church members. We had the privilege of having a couple more women accept Christ and one even made the commitment to come to church on Sunday (Easter Sunday) and will be baptize after the service. It was a very remunerating day with the talk at the school and the meeting with the community members!
Tuesday I spoke to a few more schools in the morning. They were once again very welcoming and thankful for the message of encouragement given. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Tuve to make visitations to the residence. I find that this part of ministry is where I enjoy and feel the most comfortable. I t does make it a little more interesting when you do not know the people and you are speaking through a translator, but even with this I feel a better connection with people then behind the pulpit. I just connect better with people one on one for I can be more personal. We spoke to a couple of people who went through a prayer of accepting Christ into their lives and are in the process of making plans for being baptized. After they say the prayer then we talk to them about being baptized. We even ask when the best time will be, but for some they are nervous about it, so some times you have to go back for a couple of visits and just talk them through it more. The walk was very enjoyable to and through the village. What made the day finish even better was the walk next to God’s beautiful artwork in the sky as the sunset!
Wednesday morning Bright and I traveled by bike, a couple miles, to a school and led the morning devotions. This was the first school in all my meetings that actually asked questions. Some of them were very good and interesting. They asked about the ration of Christians to unbelievers, how long I have been preaching, what the schools are like in America. While in the village of Agbeve, we visited the family members of Pastor Ernest’s wife. This community is also located next to a river and with the coolness of the breeze mixed with the scenery and this place a very peaceful. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Adzeke. Here we continued with the visitations and meeting of the church members. We had the privilege of having a couple more women accept Christ and one even made the commitment to come to church on Sunday (Easter Sunday) and will be baptize after the service. It was a very remunerating day with the talk at the school and the meeting with the community members!
Day 86 Week 13
Thursday was a matter of doing a little shopping for supplies, packing, and office work. I completed the letter and sent it to Enoch, in which he will be adding to the April monthly donor article. We discussed the remaining schedule for my stay in Ghana, for this will be the last time I see Enoch until I return form the north in June! Enoch and his wife Lydia are leaving Sunday for the states for two weeks, where Lydia will undergo some testing to try to identify her sickness. With this in mind, I will head to the north before they return.
Friday I headed to Akplale, which is Enoch’s home village. I will stay until April 12, so that will give me just over a week. I also will be spending/preaching my first Easter Sunday sermon in Ghana. We arrived in the afternoon where I unpacked and mingled among the community for the remainder of the day.
Saturday I went to meet the headmaster of the school in which I will be speaking to on Monday to ask for permission to address the school, but upon arriving the teachers and headmaster were not there. With this, we decided to go to a village near a beautiful river. The breeze was amazing and the shading from the large trees provided a very peaceful and relaxing place. We spent an hour or so talking to some of the anglers and residence. While doing so you cannot just talk you have to enjoy some fresh coconut milk and meat! I really enjoyed this village and the scenery! I could stay at this place for some time. After or visit we returned to Akplale for lunch. In the afternoon, I began to work on my sermon. I was focusing on unity while working with the Palm Sunday remembrance. I found this to become difficult for some reason. I finally came with the idea of paralleling the battle of the Alamo with the ministry of Christ and the disciples. As hard as it may seem it actually works well.
Today is Palm Sunday and as I woke, I had a feeling come over me as I just sat and thought about Christ riding in on a donkey with everyone worshiping Him. It seemed easier to imagine this for palm trees and dusty roads surround me. Then I also remembered that at the same time in only a few days these same people abandoned Him and then crucified Him. For some reason today, it really sat deep in my stomach the sacrificial love that Christ has for me! How amazing is he! After this wonderful wake up note, church began. I was very impressed for the worship dancing stepped up even more by dancing out of the church and all around the perimeter! It really became morning aerobics! Then it came time for the sermon. I was surprised that only a couple people realized that it was even Palm Sunday! I guess it is surprisingly not looked upon as much at least at this church. After delivering the sermon, I sat down having no idea if this sermon made any movement into the hearts of the listeners. It seemed as though this day was no different from any other day and some Yavu (white man in Ewe) gave a mediocre sermon at best. You cannot hit a homerun every Sunday! The rest of the day was really good. Bright, Pastor Ernest’s son and nephew of Enoch, and I went for a canoe ride. While out we watched as the anglers were setting traps for lobster (shrimp). It was truly another beautiful setting and a great reminder of how amazing our Creator is! Then from enjoying God’s creation, we went to enjoy the company of God’s people. We traveled around to spend some time saying hello to the members of the community of Akplale and surrounding villages as well. I have taken splendor of the simplicity of this life that has been given to us. I find myself becoming lost to often in the daily tasks that cloud our eyes to the majestic aroma of Christ in the ordinary places. I am working on living in the now, for tomorrow will come and if I am not careful, I will miss everything that is around me. Christ truly will take care of tomorrow, so I must live for Him now!
Friday I headed to Akplale, which is Enoch’s home village. I will stay until April 12, so that will give me just over a week. I also will be spending/preaching my first Easter Sunday sermon in Ghana. We arrived in the afternoon where I unpacked and mingled among the community for the remainder of the day.
Saturday I went to meet the headmaster of the school in which I will be speaking to on Monday to ask for permission to address the school, but upon arriving the teachers and headmaster were not there. With this, we decided to go to a village near a beautiful river. The breeze was amazing and the shading from the large trees provided a very peaceful and relaxing place. We spent an hour or so talking to some of the anglers and residence. While doing so you cannot just talk you have to enjoy some fresh coconut milk and meat! I really enjoyed this village and the scenery! I could stay at this place for some time. After or visit we returned to Akplale for lunch. In the afternoon, I began to work on my sermon. I was focusing on unity while working with the Palm Sunday remembrance. I found this to become difficult for some reason. I finally came with the idea of paralleling the battle of the Alamo with the ministry of Christ and the disciples. As hard as it may seem it actually works well.
Today is Palm Sunday and as I woke, I had a feeling come over me as I just sat and thought about Christ riding in on a donkey with everyone worshiping Him. It seemed easier to imagine this for palm trees and dusty roads surround me. Then I also remembered that at the same time in only a few days these same people abandoned Him and then crucified Him. For some reason today, it really sat deep in my stomach the sacrificial love that Christ has for me! How amazing is he! After this wonderful wake up note, church began. I was very impressed for the worship dancing stepped up even more by dancing out of the church and all around the perimeter! It really became morning aerobics! Then it came time for the sermon. I was surprised that only a couple people realized that it was even Palm Sunday! I guess it is surprisingly not looked upon as much at least at this church. After delivering the sermon, I sat down having no idea if this sermon made any movement into the hearts of the listeners. It seemed as though this day was no different from any other day and some Yavu (white man in Ewe) gave a mediocre sermon at best. You cannot hit a homerun every Sunday! The rest of the day was really good. Bright, Pastor Ernest’s son and nephew of Enoch, and I went for a canoe ride. While out we watched as the anglers were setting traps for lobster (shrimp). It was truly another beautiful setting and a great reminder of how amazing our Creator is! Then from enjoying God’s creation, we went to enjoy the company of God’s people. We traveled around to spend some time saying hello to the members of the community of Akplale and surrounding villages as well. I have taken splendor of the simplicity of this life that has been given to us. I find myself becoming lost to often in the daily tasks that cloud our eyes to the majestic aroma of Christ in the ordinary places. I am working on living in the now, for tomorrow will come and if I am not careful, I will miss everything that is around me. Christ truly will take care of tomorrow, so I must live for Him now!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Day 79 Week 12 (March 29,2009)
Thursday morning there was more dawn preaching at 3 a.m. Then in the afternoon, we traveled to Apromasi village for the two baptisms. When we arrived, we were blessed by meeting a man who had heard us preaching and heard his niece was going to be baptized, so he decided it was time for him to do so as well. When we went to meet with Josephine, we found out that she was very hesitant. We found out that she was scared and highly influenced by here mother and aunt who were Jehovah Witnesses. The one thing that has really bothered me with both the Muslims and Jehovah Witnesses is that both receive and keep people within their religion by means of bribery and threats! She wanted more time, but did agree she would do it on the following Tuesday. After meeting her, we went out under the mango tree to talk with some of elderly men who were relaxing there. After we were finished talking to them they all agreed to be baptized on Tuesday as well! Out of a little set back with Josephine, God took two baptisms and turned into five with more potentially joining. God’s work did not stop there. Before we left the village, we wanted to meet with the chief. He had been living in New York for the past 35 years and just moved back. Pastor Paul had meet him only once before over three years ago, so he has never been able to make much progress in starting a church in the community, but when we meet the chief (Nana as all are called) agreed to help us out. He agreed to give ten plots for the church, an academy, and missionary house! Ten plots equates to 700 feet by 1,000 feet in dimension! Nana was so generous that he even asked us to come back on Sunday to see if the land they choose would be acceptable for us. As for payment, all he requested was for the church to give the community what they saw fit to help with more development. In the evening was the second night of the revival and I had the pleasure of preaching. The message went very well and it seemed to be well received. God has been doing so much and I feel bad for my lower than normal energy form this sickness.
Friday was another interesting day! It was our final day of dawn preaching. At times, I have felt bad for I feel that we are just preaching to the wind and the Bible even talks of random preaching, but we are sharing the Gospel, so if just one person accepts Christ then it is all worth it. I am struggling with analyzing time spent for lives changed evangelistic returns. This I feel comes with my youth and love for business, but Christ is not a business, so I heed myself. Later in the afternoon, Pastor Paul took me around to visit a few more sites. We saw the largest market in all of West Africa. Went to the teaching hospital, which is just one of two. It was there that we went to see the King Arthur sword equivalent for Ghana. A high fetish priest over six hundred years ago, supposedly, received a golden stole form the skies. It is this stole that the power of the Ashanti’s remains. If the stole is taken then the power of the Ashanti’s is taken as well. This fetish priest also placed a sword in the ground and no man has been able to remove it! People such as Mohammad Ali have tried to remove this sword and have been unable. Following seeing this we went to the World Famous Kumasi Zoo!!!! Ok this was a very sad site. It is extremely small, and the animals were few and far between. The conditions of these animals and the small size of living conditions almost made me feel guilty for even going.
Saturday God did stop moving! During the whole of last night the church got together to pray from 10 p.m. till 4 a.m. I was unable/unpermitted to attend for threat of the most deadly beast in all of Africa!!!! The Mosquito! After all the pastors recovered, we headed toward Abennase, which is the other village in which Pastor Paul wants to plant a church. Currently they meet every Wednesday for fellowship. It was very encouraging to meet more people and God was a moving once again! While here, through the sharing of the Gospel to many families by all of the pastors and I, there will be around ten or more baptisms on Wednesday with more potentially coming as well. The past couple of days have been very encouraging! I am unaware if this is common or not, but it seems no matter what that God has been busy! Very ones energy is very high and I have experienced that when God speaks through you, your message can leave footprints. From a message that I thought was ok, for I am still young in preaching, the pastors have been quoting and applying. This is truly God’s doing for I even forget some of the things that they have been saying as bad as that may seem. I love the energy that is being felt for it is very contagious to everyone we encounter. GOD IS GOOD! I also forgot to mention that I learned a new way to battle against the fetish practices or the practice of worshiping other gods…run them over! As we were, leaving Abennase Pastor Paul was backing up and could not see very well. The next thing we hear is a loud crash! We had run into and over a cement monument/statue of one god that was worshiped in the community. I love this tactic and plan to see if this is applicable back home!
Another portion of my stay in Ghana came to an end today. I concluded my stay in Kumasi with Pastor Paul, Pastor Jones, Pastor Hope, and all of Garden City Christian Church. God did so much in a short period of time and all, including myself, have been blessed by this time of unity. This morning I delivered the sermon and they actually gave me a whole hour to preach. They said that they have been extremely blessed by my, God’s, messages, so they wanted all they could get from me, God. Following the service, they presented me with beautiful gifts. They gave me kentia shirt, sandals, bracelet, and tie. The Ghanaian people are very hospitable and will do anything to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. One part of there hospitality is giving of gifts to the visitors. I have been blessed by everyone I have stayed with in which everyone has given me shirts and other such gifts. Upon resting, I received a visit from one of the members from the church who invited me to come to his house again to give me one of his paintings. He is truly talented in painting and actually does it as a hobby only!! His business is in graphic design, so he wanted to show me some of his work. He is doing well with his ability and is able to produce pretty good quality material! I was very impressed at his level of God given talent. He never went to school for art or anything for he says that it just comes naturally! After this visit, Pastor Paul and I went to the Bus terminal to purchase my ticket for tomorrow’s trip back to Tema. The night was good as I watched Ghana win its first qualifying game in soccer for the world cup. Now I am currently writing this update in “lights off” mode, which is common in both the village and the big cities!!
Friday was another interesting day! It was our final day of dawn preaching. At times, I have felt bad for I feel that we are just preaching to the wind and the Bible even talks of random preaching, but we are sharing the Gospel, so if just one person accepts Christ then it is all worth it. I am struggling with analyzing time spent for lives changed evangelistic returns. This I feel comes with my youth and love for business, but Christ is not a business, so I heed myself. Later in the afternoon, Pastor Paul took me around to visit a few more sites. We saw the largest market in all of West Africa. Went to the teaching hospital, which is just one of two. It was there that we went to see the King Arthur sword equivalent for Ghana. A high fetish priest over six hundred years ago, supposedly, received a golden stole form the skies. It is this stole that the power of the Ashanti’s remains. If the stole is taken then the power of the Ashanti’s is taken as well. This fetish priest also placed a sword in the ground and no man has been able to remove it! People such as Mohammad Ali have tried to remove this sword and have been unable. Following seeing this we went to the World Famous Kumasi Zoo!!!! Ok this was a very sad site. It is extremely small, and the animals were few and far between. The conditions of these animals and the small size of living conditions almost made me feel guilty for even going.
Saturday God did stop moving! During the whole of last night the church got together to pray from 10 p.m. till 4 a.m. I was unable/unpermitted to attend for threat of the most deadly beast in all of Africa!!!! The Mosquito! After all the pastors recovered, we headed toward Abennase, which is the other village in which Pastor Paul wants to plant a church. Currently they meet every Wednesday for fellowship. It was very encouraging to meet more people and God was a moving once again! While here, through the sharing of the Gospel to many families by all of the pastors and I, there will be around ten or more baptisms on Wednesday with more potentially coming as well. The past couple of days have been very encouraging! I am unaware if this is common or not, but it seems no matter what that God has been busy! Very ones energy is very high and I have experienced that when God speaks through you, your message can leave footprints. From a message that I thought was ok, for I am still young in preaching, the pastors have been quoting and applying. This is truly God’s doing for I even forget some of the things that they have been saying as bad as that may seem. I love the energy that is being felt for it is very contagious to everyone we encounter. GOD IS GOOD! I also forgot to mention that I learned a new way to battle against the fetish practices or the practice of worshiping other gods…run them over! As we were, leaving Abennase Pastor Paul was backing up and could not see very well. The next thing we hear is a loud crash! We had run into and over a cement monument/statue of one god that was worshiped in the community. I love this tactic and plan to see if this is applicable back home!
Another portion of my stay in Ghana came to an end today. I concluded my stay in Kumasi with Pastor Paul, Pastor Jones, Pastor Hope, and all of Garden City Christian Church. God did so much in a short period of time and all, including myself, have been blessed by this time of unity. This morning I delivered the sermon and they actually gave me a whole hour to preach. They said that they have been extremely blessed by my, God’s, messages, so they wanted all they could get from me, God. Following the service, they presented me with beautiful gifts. They gave me kentia shirt, sandals, bracelet, and tie. The Ghanaian people are very hospitable and will do anything to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. One part of there hospitality is giving of gifts to the visitors. I have been blessed by everyone I have stayed with in which everyone has given me shirts and other such gifts. Upon resting, I received a visit from one of the members from the church who invited me to come to his house again to give me one of his paintings. He is truly talented in painting and actually does it as a hobby only!! His business is in graphic design, so he wanted to show me some of his work. He is doing well with his ability and is able to produce pretty good quality material! I was very impressed at his level of God given talent. He never went to school for art or anything for he says that it just comes naturally! After this visit, Pastor Paul and I went to the Bus terminal to purchase my ticket for tomorrow’s trip back to Tema. The night was good as I watched Ghana win its first qualifying game in soccer for the world cup. Now I am currently writing this update in “lights off” mode, which is common in both the village and the big cities!!
Day 76 Week 11
Monday began with a trip to the cultural center, which gave more history of the Ashanti Kingdom. One would see this as just site seeing, but it adds into understanding the history of the community and the people of this area. Later in the afternoon, Pastor Paul and I continued in more house-to-house evangelism. Once again, this was very enjoyable and encouraging for both us and the people we were meeting. Throughout the whole day, I felt weak, but I could tell I was starting to slowly come around.
Tuesday I arose at 3 a.m. for my first ever, never thought I would do it, dawn preaching! This consists of driving to random spots in different communities and preaching to people whether they are there or not. The car has an amplifier and speakers on top, so we begin by driving around with music playing and then we stop when we find a place we want to preach. I asked how effective this method of evangelism is in Ghana and Pastor Paul says that many people have testified to coming to know the Lord through this way, himself included. This is definitely not one that grabbed my interest, but I know it is a passion of Pastor Paul’s. He has a lot of dedication and variety in reaching out to the community. Later in the day, we traveled to Apromasi, a village in the outskirts of Kumasi where Garden City Christian Church wants to plant a church. Here we continued with house-to-house evangelism and it was very promising. During this visit, we were encouraged to begin a church there. There is already a Methodist and a Roman Catholic church, but not everyone is attending these churches.
Wednesday I again arose at the glorious 3 a.m. for more dawn preaching. We decided to go to the village during this time to continue to make our presence known. In the afternoon we traveled back to the village for more house-to-house evangelism. During this trip we had the opportunity to had a great opportunity of a young women accepting Christ for the first time. We made plans to return the following day to baptize her. Then as we were leaving a young man, who had been spending the day with us, decided to also get baptized. The day was great and God is really moving in this village. Before we left we also received word that the community was going to be able to give us some land for a building or a room to rent for church. This was a great day and Pastor Paul was filled with much joy! Then in the evening it was the beginning of the revival that was going to continue for the following three days.
Tuesday I arose at 3 a.m. for my first ever, never thought I would do it, dawn preaching! This consists of driving to random spots in different communities and preaching to people whether they are there or not. The car has an amplifier and speakers on top, so we begin by driving around with music playing and then we stop when we find a place we want to preach. I asked how effective this method of evangelism is in Ghana and Pastor Paul says that many people have testified to coming to know the Lord through this way, himself included. This is definitely not one that grabbed my interest, but I know it is a passion of Pastor Paul’s. He has a lot of dedication and variety in reaching out to the community. Later in the day, we traveled to Apromasi, a village in the outskirts of Kumasi where Garden City Christian Church wants to plant a church. Here we continued with house-to-house evangelism and it was very promising. During this visit, we were encouraged to begin a church there. There is already a Methodist and a Roman Catholic church, but not everyone is attending these churches.
Wednesday I again arose at the glorious 3 a.m. for more dawn preaching. We decided to go to the village during this time to continue to make our presence known. In the afternoon we traveled back to the village for more house-to-house evangelism. During this trip we had the opportunity to had a great opportunity of a young women accepting Christ for the first time. We made plans to return the following day to baptize her. Then as we were leaving a young man, who had been spending the day with us, decided to also get baptized. The day was great and God is really moving in this village. Before we left we also received word that the community was going to be able to give us some land for a building or a room to rent for church. This was a great day and Pastor Paul was filled with much joy! Then in the evening it was the beginning of the revival that was going to continue for the following three days.
Day 73 Week 11
Early Thursday morning I began my journey to Kumasi. The trip was about four to five hours and I traveled on a very nice tour bus. Upon arrival I meet Pastor Paul and Pastor Jones who are two of the three pastors of Garden City Christian Church. Garden City Christian Church has been blessed to be able to support three full time ministers. There hope is to train pastors and then to have them take over the future church plants that are in planning for near by villages. Pastor Paul, from the very beginning, has been very hospitable. To much surprise they accommodated my stay to be in a very nice hotel. This is due for another family is staying with Pastor Paul. I enjoy the nice room and service, but to be honest I enjoy being with the families. I get to know them better and it feels warmer, but the family that is staying with them consists of a pastor who had a stroke, so this is not their fault.
After resting most of Thursday we went out for site seeing of Kumasi on Friday. We visited the Palace Museum and the Military Museum. The Palace that we visited is that of the Ashante Kingdom. This is the largest kingdom in all of West Africa. They have a long history of both power and wealth. To clarify they are very much a tune with the world and are by no means a kingdom separated from the world. There main source of wealth comes from gold. The military museum was very educational as well. The history of the country under Britain and their involvement in WI, WII, and UN peacekeeping missions are vast.
Saturday consisted of a prayer service for a couple of hours and the beginning of a very bad cold for myself. The service went well and I am growing so much in my praying, in both quantity and quality. Truly practice makes perfect, the more time one spends with someone (our father) in conversation the more easy it becomes to talk to Him. Later in the day I went with Pastor Paul for my first ever door-to-door evangelism. This was a very different situation to be apart of, but it has been very exciting getting to meet many people and learn more about them. It seems to be very effective in Ghana, for if they already believe, then it gives us time to encourage them as a fellow believer, but if they have not then we are there to welcome them to join us and to accept Christ into their lives.
Sunday I awoke to a very bad cough and extreme weakness. To my fortune I was to deliver the sermon for the service. This was another great experience were the Holy Spirit took control. In the matter of minutes my cough ceased, I gained some energy, and the message just flowed. It truly was amazing! A message I on paper that looked average, turned out to be a message that touched peoples hearts. I know that it had nothing to do with my little knowledge and all from the words of God. It was so compelling that Pastor Paul, who normally just relaxes the rest of Sundays, felt compelled to go and make house-to-house visitations. For a day that was full of sickness and weakness Christ showed me literally that when we are weak He is Strong!
After resting most of Thursday we went out for site seeing of Kumasi on Friday. We visited the Palace Museum and the Military Museum. The Palace that we visited is that of the Ashante Kingdom. This is the largest kingdom in all of West Africa. They have a long history of both power and wealth. To clarify they are very much a tune with the world and are by no means a kingdom separated from the world. There main source of wealth comes from gold. The military museum was very educational as well. The history of the country under Britain and their involvement in WI, WII, and UN peacekeeping missions are vast.
Saturday consisted of a prayer service for a couple of hours and the beginning of a very bad cold for myself. The service went well and I am growing so much in my praying, in both quantity and quality. Truly practice makes perfect, the more time one spends with someone (our father) in conversation the more easy it becomes to talk to Him. Later in the day I went with Pastor Paul for my first ever door-to-door evangelism. This was a very different situation to be apart of, but it has been very exciting getting to meet many people and learn more about them. It seems to be very effective in Ghana, for if they already believe, then it gives us time to encourage them as a fellow believer, but if they have not then we are there to welcome them to join us and to accept Christ into their lives.
Sunday I awoke to a very bad cough and extreme weakness. To my fortune I was to deliver the sermon for the service. This was another great experience were the Holy Spirit took control. In the matter of minutes my cough ceased, I gained some energy, and the message just flowed. It truly was amazing! A message I on paper that looked average, turned out to be a message that touched peoples hearts. I know that it had nothing to do with my little knowledge and all from the words of God. It was so compelling that Pastor Paul, who normally just relaxes the rest of Sundays, felt compelled to go and make house-to-house visitations. For a day that was full of sickness and weakness Christ showed me literally that when we are weak He is Strong!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Living for Christ
When Paul wrote, "to live for Christ", one cannot fathom to grasp the intensity of such a statement. To what degree does one strive to replicate the Son of God? Does ones life truly change? What affects does ones actions truly have on others and the world? "Truly, Truly I say" the affects of ones life and the affect one has on others is great! So, Why do we have a hard time being a slave of Christ, and to give ourselves in all actions to the one who has given us life?
From my experiences that I have indulged in so far, I have begun to immerse the vast life lessons deep into my heart. As I have been moving from place to place and meeting many people God has been showing His greatness and passion to reunite with His children. Life has not been without its pain and discomfort, but Christ has been glorified even in the sorrow and uncertainties. There have been many times when the words have been provided and hearts have been touched for the glory of God. I have been working on putting myself in the background and Christ in the foreground, but this can and is difficult. With my life at out my control, it has been the best opportunity for God to gain complete control. No worries are burdensome upon my heart, no fear for what tomorrow brings, and all hope in the one whom I serve. I am learning to humble myself in all regards to the point of getting on my knees and becoming, as Christ exemplified, the "feet washer". The greatest thing that I have been enlightened is that at some point you as the "feet washer" become the one to whose feet will be washed. The blessing of being a servant of Christ is that in all actions, assuming they are for Him, are cyclical.
I have been reminded and urge others to look at your life, your family, your job and see if Christ is the focal point. Sometimes we are involved in our own plans and miss Gods plans for us. Sometimes our families become so busy that Christ is briefly mentioned as an entrance to ones meals. When life's comfort of routines blind us from broken and lost people changes have to be made, priorities have to be reevaluated, and sometimes we need to get a little uncomfortable. I cannot explain the difference I have felt with not having control and trust being upon Him. More doors have been opened then ever before and there has developed visions and directions I would have been oblivious to had my heart not been open, my mind not been willing, and for all control to be out of my hands. Losing control is the most difficult thing for myself as it might be for you. Life seems so much easier to manage when we have the control of getting the best job we see fit, living in the place where we want to live, and to be able to choose how much involvement we will have in church and in the work of the Kingdom, but I tell you that God has been showing me how amazing life is when we serve him and live to do the work for the kingdom in all that we do! I pray that you take time and see if what you are doing is for the
So, to what degree does one strive to replicate the Son of God? One should be having the eyes of Christ in that no matter if you are walking down the street, sitting in the pews Sunday Morning, or at work, you are seeking the lonely, the hurt, the lost, and the misguided. Then take action and engage them with the heart of Christ. Does ones life truly change? Yes, your life will not be the same if you are doing everything for the kingdom and become completely immersed in the direction that Christ has for us. What affects does ones actions truly have on others and the world? Your affect can save lives that would have been disregarded by others, you can bring purpose and meaning to someone who feels worthless and scared, you will be the “light” in a dark world. By bring Christ to others you are bringing comfort, peace, grace, mercy, love, endurance, strength, meaning, trust, and care. The world that is lost and forsaken becomes a world where a hungry are feed, the thirsty are given living water, the pain is replaced with comfort, and people become united through the Son of God, the Giver of Life, and Definer of Love!
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
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