Wed June 20 outreach

Craig preaching Salvation Academy

 children at Salvation Academy

Lori and Lisa cutting Cassava for fufu

Craig pounding palm oil

making fufu pounding planteen

pounded fufu traditional ghana food

Wednesday June 20, 2012

‘Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not… when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them.’  Ecclesiastes 12:1

              A large percentage of the work of the mission team deals with school ministry. We thank God for the open doors into Ghana schools.  Invitation to minister in schools at present exceeds the availability of the local Assembly members.  We pray that God will show the way to solve this ‘good problem.’ 

              The team had the opportunity to minister to students at the Salvation International Academy in the town of Patasi.  One section of the group presented to the primary students and the other to the Junior High School students.  The program involved presenting the gospel through singing, puppetry, using the paintboard sketches and through sharing of personal testimony of team members.  The spirit of the Lord was felt in a mighty way as the students at the junior high listened in rapt attention as the message of salvation was presented clearly and simply to them through the paintboard. One of the sisters shared her testimony with the students and was able to make a very direct connection with her ‘before conversion’ experience of believing in ‘religion’ and ‘being good’ as means to getting to heaven with the very prevalent belief that we have heard being expressed that ‘being righteous, going to church, and praying every day’ are means of getting to heaven.  Students were also instructed to be aware of false doctrines which corrupt the true message of salvation.  All studentsreceived copies of the gospel of John at the end of the program. We pray that the message will be understood by the children and that they would understand that they are sinners in need of salvation. 

               Afternoon evangelism continued in the neighboring Truba Line community through the distribution of gospel literature at the main junction.  The goal is to establish a clear witness for the Lord in the area near to the Assembly meeting place at Daniel’s Webster’s home.

              One of the brothers from the Good News on the Move (GNOM) team ministered to the saints during the weekly Bible Study, on the topic ‘ Steps to Keep Oneself Close to God.’  All were encouraged and challenged by the message.  We thank God for the energy, effort and enthusiasm of the young people on the team.

                            Understanding the culture in which the gospel is being presented is important to the work of the mission team.  Beautiful fellowship was experienced around the participation of the team in the preparation of the popular Ghanaian dishes of fufu and palm nut soup.  As one sister remarked, the trust and cooperation involved in the pounding process, which is traditionally performed by the husband/wife team is a great picture of the marriage relationship.  All passed the test of eating the dish as the Ghanaians do. With the fingers!!

                             The team spent late evening preparing for a trip to the Cape Coast where some cultural activity will be combined with evangelism.  Pray for journeying mercies and hearts that are open to her the good news of salvation.