Team outside Elmina Castle

Hanging bridge at Kakum Park Lori with Meghan in the lead

All the team taking on the surf at Stumble Inn Cape Coast

Eating breakfast under the hut at stumble Inn

Friday June 22^nd

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works thy hands have made…

Then sings my soul my savior God to thee,

How great thou art!

Team members could not help but burst into songs of worship as we woke to the beautiful eastern sunrise, the palms waving in the breeze and the smell of the fresh, unpolluted air coming in from the ocean.

Our stay at the Stumble Inn, Cape Coast  was an experience we would not forget.  The environment was as natural as possible. The buildings were constructed to blend in with the natural surroundings.  The glory of God’s creation was evident all around us.

We left early that morning to visit the Kakum Park natural forest where we enjoyed the wonders of the tropical forest. The challenge was to walk across a rope path over the forest canopy to observe the flora and fauna. It was a sight to behold.  For those like the writer who were not comfortable with extreme heights it was indeed a test of faith to rely on God’s protection in practical things.  We were reminded that God did not give us a spirit of fear. 

The opportunity for evangelism was ever present.  Literature was distributed to the hundreds of park attendees who were encountered along the trail and conversations relating to salvation were held with park attendants.  We thank God for the freedom to do such a work.

The team enjoyed fellowship in the waters of the Elmina coastal area and later around a roaring camp fire. During these times team members had the opportunity to witness to the artisans who came by to display their goods.

We are drawing to the end of our short term mission.  Please continue to pray for the team as fatigue sets in and individuals’ natural resistance to illness is consequently lowered.

Schoolground children receiving tracts

June 19 , Gospel to Ghana

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”  Romans 10:15

We started the day with a teaching session from Daniel W. on the  “Call of God”: to  Salvation,  to witness, to meet with other Believers, and to grow and mature in the Christian faith.  Daniel’s practical teaching and the opportunity to apply these lessons, have been brought before us every day, and today was no exception.

Meghan sharing her testimony and that there is ONLY ONE WAY TO HEAVEN

Children singing at salvation academy

Jerry and JJ handing out gospel tracts

Bethany with Tim doing the rope trick

June 19 , Gospel to Ghana

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”  Romans 10:15

We started the day with a teaching session from Daniel W. on the  “Call of God”: to  Salvation,  to witness, to meet with other Believers, and to grow and mature in the Christian faith.  Daniel’s practical teaching and the opportunity to apply these lessons, have been brought before us every day, and today was no exception.

After a hearty brunch, the team left at noon to go to  a town called Kenysi, which is a short drive  away. After a few tries to park unsuccessfully, it is certain that the Lord directed us to the perfect place: a large space across from a National School. There were hundreds of students and people in the courtyard where a special outdoor program was underway with lively music and dancing.  Daniel W. and Emmanuel went to ask permission for our team to go around , giving out gospel literature  to the students. The Head Master not only welcomed us, but also asked if we would like to perform. Many hundreds of tracts were given out and  some of the team members were also given lessons in dancing to the delight of their student instructors! After the school program finished , the team was invited to the center of the courtyard to sing. We sang in Twi  two songs that we have learned. A sketch-board message was given with Twi translation.  Afterward , we all spread out through the town to give out gospel tracts and to speak with anyone interested . I was offered  a bench to sit down on at a  business stall to discuss the gospel message. One young man named Harry , whose English was perfect, explained to me that the Ghanaian people are taught that if they receive Christ and become a Christian, then they will gain material prosperity. Many shops  have a  Christian tag on their  storefront signs to attract business; Eg. “The Blood of Jesus Catering Business”, or “ God is My Refuge Hairdressing” ! Although the people are familiar with Christian terminology , they have no understanding of the simple truth of God’s Word and message of Salvation. However,  they will often give an earnest ear as we speak to them.  “By grace are you saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. “ Eph 2:8

In the evening, we went once again to Crown Prince school in Buokrom for the Childrens’ Club. There were many more children this week, than there were last week.  The singing was marvelous, the puppets were a hit as they sang along with the children and JJ gave a good message on the sketch-board using the numbers puzzle while being translated into Twi by young Immanuel from the Assembly here.

We were all tired but happy as we came back to Daniel W’s after a most satisfying and successful day in the Gospel effort. The joy of serving God in the way  that He has called  us to, must be experienced as words fall short to communicate this!

Cape Coast trip

Stumble Inn Cape Coast

Walking along rope bridges in the Canopy

Some team members walking along rope bridge at Kakum national park

Team at Elmina Castle

Cape coast on the beach at Stumble Inn

Eating dinner at Stumble Inn... Yummy

Team in the surf at Cape coast by Stumble Inn

June 21, Gospel to Ghana

It was an early start to the day with the team packing up and getting onto the bus for our journey to the Cape Coast.  The six hour drive was an experience of a  few miles of good road , followed by many more miles of  driving around huge potholes or over bumps.  What a thrill to see the African coast with the ocean sprawling out and the mighty surf rolling in to the shore.

  It was raining when we went up the driveway to the  Elmina  Castle fronting onto the ocean. There were many fishing boats  about and also a crowded shanty town  in the surrounding area where people lived and sold wares of every kind.  We were given a guided tour of the castle which was used to house African slaves in cells and very inhumane conditions before they  were transported to other countries.   Four hundred to six hundred persons into a room with little ventilation and no sunlight or toilet facilities was the accommodations for the slaves. The treatment  that the African people received at the hands of their Dutch captors  was described to us, and we were  escorted down a narrow and dark tunnel to an opening called “The Point of No Return”, that could only fit one person at at time as they  were loaded onto a waiting ship often after spending 3 months at this castle. They would never set foot on  African  soil again after passing this point.  It was a sober reminder to us that only with Christ can we have the mind of God  and a love for people that would never allow them to be treated thus.

 Afterward , we stopped into some shops beside the Castle and  even there some gospel tracts and New Testaments were gladly received and good conversations were had .  Heidi, spoke with a young man, who confessed to not being saved and also being troubled by that . He said that he would definitely read the literature that she gave to him! We afterward made our way  to  The Stumble Inn, which was our accommodations here in Cape Coast. For 10 Ghana Cedis per person per night (about 7$ US) we  were right on the ocean!  Our thatch roof dorm was rustic but comfortable, with an outdoor dining area, and  shower /toilet building. Lovely flowers were planted about the place  and everyone got settled and went immediately to the water to dive in.  It was cool and very refreshing,, not to mention  FUN jumping into the gigantic waves!

After our dinner outdoors, Daniel W. gave a short devotion on the Spiritual gifts together with a helpful questionnaire to aid us in determine  what each of our gifts were. We were able to also discuss how to best use this gifting of the Holy Spirit to the benefit of others in the Lord’s family.  A walk along the ocean shore, completed the evening for many, and it was early to bed, for an early rising the next day.