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. 

Until Now

The village of Sankpem has never had clean water.  In the last few years, two bore holes were dug, but they both were dry.  The people of the village are sick from drinking unclean water and many of the young girls have to walk 3 miles to get water from the nearest clean water source.  That means that they do not attend school.

UNTIL NOW

Delivery of pipe

In the last few weeks, a water pipe has been laid that will bring fresh, clean water to this village.  And God is receiving the glory for the great things He has done.  Sankpem is primarily a voodoo village with a strong Satanic stronghold on the leaders.  Our prayer is that they will have "ears to hear" as the Ghanaian and American teams visit with the Chief and elders and villagers to share the story of Jesus.

Please pray for the people of Sankpem.  And let's thank God that they now have clean water.

a portion of the 3km stretch into Sankpem

The children are wondering how pipes will turn into water
( new village Mosque in background)

Community members helping off-load the pipe

Excavation from the main road

Excavation from the main pipeline

Sankpem villagers helping with excavation

Joining the pipe before laying in the trench

Covering the pipeline

Giving thanks to God for all things

Kpatinga Witch Camp of Northern Ghana

They aren't witches at all.  They are the beautiful women of KPatinga who we have had the privilege of visiting the past two summers. They have been marginalized and shunned by most of society, but not by God.

Pastor Mohammed shared the Gosepl with the women and explained to them that God had spoken to someone in the US who obeyed His voice and provided the food.  The timing of this was no coincidence.  The women were suffering because they had very little food due to the fact that is the lean season in the Northern Region. 

Pure shea butter, hand-proceessed by women in other villages, is used as cooking oil.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27