Cape Coast Excursion

The team took a road trip to Cape Coast today where we toured 500 yr old Elmina Slave Castle. It was very enlightening and educational to hear about the history of Ghana's slave trade and to see the actual holding cells and "point of no return" doorway.

On the way home we stopped for a
few minutes and played in the ocean. We also enjoyed some amazingly sweet pineapple on the roadside. We got an up close look at a local delicacy called grasscutter (bush rat) and feasted on fried plantain chips.

Our day ended with shepherd's pie and Cape Coast pineapple.

Fun day with the team!

Closing Ceremony

Education is Life Changing

If there's one thing Ghanaians appreciate, it is the value of a good education.

Our ministry partners at Shalom Church started a preschool last year with 30 children. By God's grace they will add 50 more students this next school year. They are doing this in an effort to reach the village children with the Good News.

Today we helped them shop for culturally appropriate curriculum and a few school supplies. We were so happy to locate 2 large whiteboards and easels.

KPatinga Witch Camp

Today we visited the beautiful women of KPatinga. We partnered with World Vision to help provide rice and grain.

Upon arrival we received the sad news that one of the women died this morning. We remember her very well
from years past. She was the village singer and she always had a song and
smile for us. We know she will be
greatly missed and our hearts and prayers go out to them.

We are well aware that there is a fine line between exploitation and awareness, so we are only posting a few pictures.

Just know that we had an incredible day visiting with the women. They appreciated the food but they appreciated the time spent with them even more.

Water Day (Thurs)

Today we had the privilege of seeing water flow in a remote African village for the first time. IHH has been involved in trying to get water to this village for more than 7 years. The arrival of water means healthier children and adults. It will also give those that carried water the opportunity to attend school. Water improves the quality of life in so many
ways.

In the afternoon our friends from
Pure Home Water gave us a tour of
their clay pot water filter factory near Tamale. This organization provides filters to thousands of villagers each year and we thank God for the work they are doing in the Northern Region.

The Children of Sankpem

Today we traveled to the remote village of Sankpem where we met with the chief and conducted a VBS with the children. We also visited the oldest woman in this area. She is 103 and going strong. She said she remembers running from lions and tigers when she was a child.

We also toured a clay pot filter factory where we learned how those in remote villages can have access to filtered water.

Widows and Orphans

Today we visited several remote villages and delivered maize to the widows enrolled in Shalom's Widow Care programme. They were very appreciative, especially since it the lean season and many of them have very little food.

The team had a lot of fun playing with all the children.

Sunday is for Worship

Team 2 arrived in Tamale early this morning and went straight to church in the village. We enjoyed chicken and rice for lunch.

This picture pretty much sums up our day.

Saturday in Sankpem

Chiefs and Orphans (Friday)

We have had a good, but busy day. We spent part of our morning in a prayer service with the Ghanaian team members, which was very special and uplifting. After that, we made a visit to the Chief of Tarikpaa village ( pic later) where we respectfully squatted before him and presented kola, a small token that represents our respect and gratitude to him for allowing us to work in the village.

We also visited the home of Pastor Mohammed, where we learned cultural traditions regarding mud hut compounds. Everyone was surprised to see a television in his hut. He watches the news every morning so as to be educated and informed so he can explain things to his congregation.
This helps to alleviate some superstitions and it also helps keep the villagers in touch with local and national news.

This afternoon we visited a local Private orphanage where we stirred up all the babies. Can you imagine how overwhelming it must be to them when a large group of strangers show up? Of course they were precious and we enjoyed every minute of it. We just held the children. No pictures were taken.

After another Ghanaian meal cooked by our dear friend, Cynthia, we headed out to Yipelegu village for a film showing. This is the same village we went to last night. The response was so great that we were invited to return.

We are praying as Team 2 departs the US today. They will arrive at 8pm on Saturday and we can't wait to see them!

A Day in The Village

We spent today in the village, visiting the International Heritage Academy. We were greeted by 30 beautiful preschoolers who recited the alphabet, counted to 20, and sang songs for us. We were more than impressed with the level of education they are receiving.

I also had the privilege of distributing nutritional supplements onto their lunch of jolof rice.

The afternoon was spent doing hut-to-hut evangelism with our Ghanaian team members.

Tonight we will return to the same village for a film showing. Pastor Mohammed will bring a message.

Everyone is smiling and laughing and having a great time.

Thank you for praying!

Tamale Day 1

We had a great flight to Tamale followed by a fun afternoon in Tarikpaa village, meeting and greeting church members and our Ghanaian teammates. The village children knew we were coming and they were beyond excited to see us. The feeling was mutual.

Everyone is doing well.

Here's a glimpse of our day.

Ghana Team 1 Arrival

The first team has arrived safely in Accra. We were delayed 3 hrs in customs, but in the end, everything was released. We thank God for that.

We also heard of President Mills' death shortly after arrival. We are very saddened by this news. The VP has been sworn in and everyone is very calm. According to a friend, the funeral will occur in about a month, in keeping with traditional culture.

Tonight we enjoyed rice and chicken for dinner, but mostly we enjoyed getting to know one another a little better.

We depart for the airport at 5:30am. We are anxious to meet our Ghanaian team and get to work.

Thank you for your prayers. They are crucial to the success of this mission.

Shalom Youth

Elisha Issahaku

Elisha has just completed Level 300 at the University for Developmental Studies.  He is working on a degree in Business Studies. His target date for graduation is July 2013.
Elisha is also a vibrant team member and a leader among his peers at Shalom Baptist Church. He is rarely seen without a big smile and his gentle spirit is appreciated  by everyone who knows him.

Mishael has just completed Level 200 at Tamale PolyTechnic, where he is working on a degree in Accounting.  He will graduate in July 2013.
Mishael loves the Lord and loves people.  He is an integral part of the evangelism team and someone that everyone looks to for spiritual guidance and leadership.

This is Priscilla, formerly known as Fouziah.

Pastor Mohammed says, "Sometimes it costs something for people like Fouziah  to be saved from hell fire."  That is the case with Priscilla, who was living with her parents in the village when she first heard about Jesus.  She was unable to attend church due to Muslim family members, so her grandparents suggested that she live with a Christian family in a nearby village.  Fouziah moved there and changed her Muslim name to a Christian name, Priscilla.  In fact, if you called her by her former name, she would not answer.
Taking the time and effort to rescue the perishing is what the Lord expects of all of us.

Sherifa is an orphan who lives in Tamale and attends school there.  She just completed her secondary education and will attend university.  Sherifa is the first girl in her village to attend university in more than 35 years.  We are proud of her efforts and accomplishments!

Eunice Alidu was one of our first IHH sponsored students.  She completed her secondary studies, but had no way of furthering her education due to lack of funding.  We are thankful for the donor who provided funds for Eunice to continue her education.
She has just successfully completed her third year of the catering program at Poly Technic, and has plans to graduate on July 2013.  After that, she will be able to help her support her family.  Eunice's father is a deacon at Shalom Baptist Church. 
Eunice is part of the Shalom Voices choir and an important part of the summer mission team.