Another successful outreach!

So another year and another very successful mission outreach.  The souls won for Jesus like those in this picture are the reason we go.  Our hearts are filled with the joy of knowing our Lord welcomes so many new believers to the Kingdom.  We thank each and every one of you that supported this mission in any way - and ask that you keep us in your prayers as we turn to Ghana 2015 planning.  The Lord asked us to go, and did not say stop.  He blessed us mightily this year as in past years.  Lives are forever changed, in Ghana and in the US.  Thanks again for your comments, your prayers, your support in any fashion.  May the work this year be worthy of your time and sacrifice.  God Bless!

A day to learn a bit more about Ghana

A view of downtown Shama from the Fortress slave castle.  Off in the distance is a cross erected on those rocks in the ocean that has been there for hundreds of years.  This is the location where the first European missionaries came ashore from Portugal to spread Christianity to Africa.  This is the area in which our work started and continues today.  Joseph's family home is just 100 yards out of the picture to the left.

We also visited a local beach resort for lunch and a little relaxation.  It is important for us to decompress a bit before we attempt to re-enter our western culture after our very busy and emotionally draining work.

Just fun on the beach.  No swimming suites but we had a great time anyway.

Last stop before the airport was a visit to Kakum National Park and the Canopy walkway.  Seven segments of rope bridges between the tallest of trees in the rain forest.  Lots of fun and beautiful views if you are not afraid of heights!  Lunch followed at Hans Cottage and pictures with the crocodiles.

A new vision - a new mission house!



Joseph has been quietly working on a new vision for missions outreach in the Western Region of Ghana.  His family owns some land in Shama of which Joseph was given a parcel for a new mission house.  When finished, it will be a smaller version of the mission house in Kumasi, open to missionary teams up to about twenty in number.  The ongoing funding from Dayton United Methodist Church is a primary driver to make this possible.  When complete in a few years, teams will be able to use this structure specifically designed for our needs.  This better facilitates work in the Western Region for our outreach. 



The wells we financed...

A busy week indeed - we had three boreholes/wells to dedicate.  Akwasadiekrom and Nyamebkyre received wells with hand pumps as depicted here during the dedication ceremony.  The third village was large and had electricity.  They partnered with us to build an electrically powered well and tower holding tank.

Rachel and Sue pumping the first water after the ribbon cutting in Akwasadiekrom.  The previous water source was spring water bubbling up to the surface forming a small pool about 3/4 mile from the village.  All manner of things would wash down into this pool during any rain.  Still, it was the only water source.



Ribbon cutting at the blessing of the well at Nyamebekyre.

 

The team and the Methodist church administration at the dedication of the electricaly powered well at Ekumfi Otuam.  The large black tank behind the group serves as a water tower if power is off.

The Bishop tasting the first water from the faucets of the new construction.

The first Service of the Anopasu Methodist Church!

The road to this remote village is difficult to traverse when there is rain. Our team did as others did and flagged down transportation that could go where our van could not.  No less than four "truckloads" of people arrived at church this first Sunday service, riding standing up in the back!

As a part of the first Sunday at the new Anopasu Methodist church, Joseph did a bit of teaching on presenting the Gospel to neighbors and friends.  The five step track we used was created by Joseph some years ago just for this purpose.  The lesson will be helpful as this congregation tries to reach out to the Muslim community around them.

Sue brought the message this first Sunday with Joseph translating.

The first Sunday congregation, gathered under the newly completed pavilion.

Ruthie and Cathy, presenting Youth Bibles and Children's Bible Stories to the Superintendent Minister.  Also presented were NIV Bibles for distribution to the English speaking congregants and Bibles in Twi for those who can't.  The caretaker also receives a bicycle to facilitate transportation throughout the village.

Saturday - a wedding to attend!

Isaac, Vida, the wedding party and the Dayton United Methodist team from Indiana.  All of us have known Isaac since we have been coming to Ghana, as he has been one of our primary translators and evangelists.



"Mum Sue" as Isaac calls his American mother, presenting a blessing to the couple as they prepare to cut the cake.  Isaac was anxious to have his friends from the United States join him this day.



I (Glenn) had the honor and privilege of presenting the wedding message to the bride and groom. A first for me of course, but a blessing that I am grateful for. The topic was derived from a multitude of scripture from both Testaments on the Biblical vision of marriage and love. I pray it will be a blessing to Isaac and Vida.

Isaac Brown-Boateng & Vida Maameyaa Awuah, joined in the Holy sacrament of marriage!  The entire Dayton mission team was so pleased to be able to witness the occasion.

A new home away from home...



With the transfer down to the Western Region for the second half of our trip, we were no longer able to use the familiar mission house that Joseph build in Kumasi. This is our guest house on the coast, our home from Thursday through our departure. The staff and food were both fine, though we missed Grace, Stella and all the rest from up North.

The first night of the evangelistic outreach, Glenn brought the message in this predominantly Muslim village.

On the second night, Betty brought a powerful witness followed by the message of the Gospel.

The final night in Anopasu, Tom provided the message.  Each night a group of people came forward to respond to the call on their heart.  This is the beginning of the new Methodist church in Anopasu, and the first Christian church of any kind in the area.  We pray for great things to happen!

A worship pavilion for Anopasu

Bob and Tom passing up boards to support the roof sheets.



By the time we got to Anopasu, the pavilion was well underway. As it turns out, the person chosen and trained by Joseph to be the caretaker is a carpenter. Here he is, literally building his church; with the help of Tom, Bob, Glenn, some church friends, and sometimes Sue. Notice the recycled cell tower poles used for the steel legs. Later they will be encased in the block walls. 

The Anopasu children's ministry

Renee working with some children outside a school classroom on coloring pages of Bibles stories.



Bob praying with a young boy.

 

Laura and Rachel teaching a group of kids one of our silly children's songs.

The Methodist church in the Shama area received some Christmas packages from Samaritan's Purse just recently.  Our ministry was an opportune time to distribute the packages to the children of the village.  Betty, Renee and Elvis pictured here along with Bob were greatly blessed by this unexpected time.

Bob and the bubble ministry... The children loved to play with bubbles.  It was a great way to "break the ice" with new kids wherever we went.

We begin in Anopasu...



Our Pharmacy with Cathy, Lynnette and Ruthie.



Laura working with Prince, one of our good friends and volunteer translators.



Dr Cameron at work.  It is such a blessing to have doctors available to these villages.



The work in our second target village, Anopasu, begins with the medical clinic, just as in Kumi.  This village is poorer than the last.  Our clinic opens under a thatched roof town meeting place along with some rented tent awnings for waiting areas and an examination room.

Celebration time!

After the call to Christ each evening, a great celebration ensues.  The Ghanaians accept Jesus with child-like faith once presented the Truth.  This gift of life calls for a celebration indeed!  Betty, Ruthie and Cathy are dancing here with some of the children.

Renee's message

Renee brought the message during the last night at Kumi.  Thought it was the last night and many had already accepted Christ on previous nights, her strong witness made a huge impact.  Every eye was on Renee and the focus and anticipation everyone had as she told her story was quite amazing.  Lives were changed on Wednesday night in Kumi.

Village life

Besides preaching and recording our activities with her camera, we sometimes catch Sue out sharing with villagers and blessing babies.  This one just emerged from his bath.

Hangin' with Renee...

Hanging out under a tree while a gentle rain falls.  Usually short-lived, the rains didn't dampen the spirit of the team or hinder us; though the dirt roads certainly went from bad to worse.

Morning opportunities

Tom presented the morning message to the "waiting area" of the medical clinic.  Fresh off of a great talk Tuesday night, he was on a roll with another effective and ever-changing perspective on the message of salvation.

Tuesday evening

Tom brought the message on Tuesday evening after another part of the "Son of God" movie was shown.  A great message - another nice group of people claimed Jesus this day and received their salvation.  Tomorrow during the final night in Kumi, the last part of the film will be shown depicting the crucifixion and resurrection.  Renee is scheduled to speak the final night.

The crowd gathers...

The crowd is getting warmed up for the evangelistic outreach on Tuesday night.  Rachel is wearing a shawl because it's actually unseasonably cold here this year.  The days are comfortable compared to the heat we have had in past trips.

Everyone get involved in building the church!

One of the required tasks with metal roof construction in Ghana is to "make" roofing nails.  Betty, Elvis, Sue and Renee are pressing cap-head nails through small squares of roofing felt to serve as gaskets. 

Construction continues

The pavilion in Kumi continues to rise up from the hillside.  Our new truss design will make the finished structure seem larger.  Once completed as a church building, this provides additional space for fans and lights.

Preaching the Gospel at the clinics

Before starting up the medical clinics each day, one of our group would share the Gospel with those gathered to be seen by the doctors.  Laura takes a turn on this day while the rest of us set up the clinic.

Our mobile medical lab

Collins is with us again this year to help with the lab work.  Various tests including those for malaria and anemia were performed on those with symptoms to ensure proper treatment..

Hello... My name is Tom.

Tom enjoys talking with all the villagers, especially the children - when he's not over working on the pavilion.  He has a gentle and effective way of speaking truth.

Introducing more Bible stories

Even the classroom teacher is getting in on the coloring!  Pictures selected were not only for coloring, but to introduce Bible stories to the children.

Day two...

Day two in Kumi... the children are out in greater numbers and not so timid as the first day.  Here Renee is playing with our John 3:16 throwing rings.  This part of Ghana has more of the poorer homes like the one behind the children.