Day 8 Walking by Faith...above treetops and in the ocean

Psalm 9:1-2
I will praise you O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

We rose early again to the sounds of the birds and roosters(btw these sounds were an everyday occurrence).  We headed out to join University Practice Senior High School for their morning worship time.  Daniel G. shared a gospel message of Matt 7:24 and tied in our recent visit to Cape Coast to help give students a visual of the beach sand on which we build our lives.  He encouraged them to build their lives on the rock of Jesus so they will be able to withstand the storms and rising waters of life. Uncle Kwame always speaks after our testimonies and gospel messages to summarize and pull together the words we have for the students.  We think these summaries not only helps the students overcome understanding our English accents, it also encourages them to act on prompting of the Holy Spirit tugging on their hearts.  With urgency, he always tells them not to wait!  The time is now to accept Christ!  In an amazing and powerful way, we see the Holy Spirit work to bring the students forward to accept Christ or renew their relationship with Him!  Today, we were given a brief time to minister to about 10 students before students had to return to their daily class schedule. 

Uncle Kwame praying with students who accept Christ.

After our worship time, we were blessed to meet the student president of the SU club for University Practice SHS.  A sweet, well-spoken young lady named Gold. She told us a little bit about the challenges of being a SU leader for the school and the desire she has to encourage students to live out their faith as Christians rather than just using the word as a title.  As in our own country, we are guilty of calling ourselves Christians but not walking out our faith.  It's easy to go to church and enjoy the message and worship service, only to exit the building leaving our faith behind until the next week.  As we talked with Gold, we hoped to encourage her to keep up the work...keep praying for her classmates and loving them with the Love of Jesus.  It's hard as humans to love each other so we all get discouraged at times, but we've been reminded many times throughout this week we are not the ones who have a mission or ministry.  It's God's ministry and we just come along side of him.  Please join us in praying for the student leaders of SU in Ghana that the Lord would sustain them as a vessel through which His love is shared and help them be servant leaders of their fellow classmates in a way that is honoring and pleasing to God.

Talking with Gold, SU club president for Univ. Practice SHS

We went back to the Cape Coast University lodging to share a hearty breakfast and pack up to travel to our next stop at Kakum National Park.  The Canopy Walkway turned out to be our team's favorite recreational activity of the week (Uncle Kwame might not share in that opinion).  Kakum National Park is a beautiful spectacle of  God's creation!  The area is covered with tropical rainforest and was established by the local people. The canopy walk is 350 m or 1,150 ft. long and connects seven tree tops while reaching up to 40 meters high! A majority of us walked gingerly along the bridge holding onto the ropes, trying to maintain our courage to finish. The exception was, of course, Dan S. who exclaimed, "We walk by faith, not by sight!" as he pulls himself up on the ropes on the bridge so he can swing his legs around.  It was a thrill Dan S. could not pass up!  Don't worry though, he was kind enough to time his swing so as to not scare or alarm others. 

Physically walking back down from being above the treetops, we all knew we would soon experience the same feeling of coming down off the high of serving together in Ghana since this was our last full day in Africa! However, we still had the next 24 hours to cherish, and we did so in fine fashion!  Lunch was served in Cape Coast restaurant with a beautiful view of the Gulf of Guinea.  The "youngsters" ate quicker than usual so they could take a walk along the beach and step in the Atlantic Ocean. Momma D continues her tradition of doing a cartwheel at every beach she has visited...she just checked off Cape Coast beach to her cartwheel list! 

 

 Traffic into Accra can be brutal so we couldn't linger at the beach any longer.  We started back to back toward Accra and for a farewell reception with the SU board members. Again, we were blown away by the hospitality of SU!  One of the SU board    members opened up his home and we as we shared in a meal together and viewed a slide show that Comfort had compiled with music and pictures of our team as we traveled through Ghana!  Each of our team members took a brief moment to share with the board members the impact of our stay in Ghana and what it meant for us. A sweet moment together of fellowship with believers from different cultures who are all working together for a common goal-to spread the Good News of the Gospel.  Our STM team was able to present the SU board with laptops for their ministries. The SU board team surprised us with gifts-Welcome banners and Ghana colored scarves with our names and "Jesus Loves You" stitched in thread! These gifts will serve as treasured reminders of our time together!


Presenting a laptop to SU board member

Our first and last night of our trip were spent at the Institute of African Studies Yiri Lodge so it felt  like we've completed a full circle of our trip. Hearts full of joy, we slept...well.

Day 7 Cape Coast

Romans 5:2-5

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  

 We got up early again today to get breakfast so we could start our journey to the coastal town of Cape Coast.  Along the way, we were honored to be able to accompany Pastor Casely to his father's hometown and the Abura Dunkwa Methodist Church  where his father was buried. We gathered there along with Pastor Casely's brother, Joe Hann, and a hand full of relatives to pray and reflect on the life and ministry of Pastor Casely's father.

Pastor Casely and Uncle Kwame Pastor's Father's grave

Although you never know what awaits you on the roads of Ghana, our talented driver was so efficient and we reached the beautiful coastal town earlier than expected (the newly constructed roads and bridges helped make travels smooth).

For a special treat, we went to the Cape Coast Castle( slave castle) and took a tour...a sobering tour that left each of us reflecting upon the impact of humanity for many nations. Silent prayers were lifted for healing for God's people even generations after the slave trade ended.


Inside slave dungeon at Cape Coast Slave Castle

Cape Coast slave Castle tour

Right after the castle tour, we visited the very FIRST Methodist Church built in Ghana in 1835. This is a beautiful church inside and out with wooden pews, stain glass windows and painted columns. It is also a church rich in history as 3 of the first missionaries (and their wives)who came to Ghana to spread the Gospel are buried beneath the pulpit.  (Rev. Joseph Dunwell, Rev & Mrs. George Wrigley, and Rev.  & Mrs.  Peter Harrop sacrificed everything for the sake of spreading the love of Jesus!

Very FIRST Methodist church built in Ghana

We then embarked on a brisk stroll through the open market of Cape Coast. You can get just about ANYTHING at the market: fish, snails, bread, fruit & vegetables, jewelry, fabrics, clothes, spices, shoes, and even electronics.  The sights, sounds, and smells were ones we have never experienced before and made our market walk truly unique and interesting. 

 

Still in Ghana, we rode through Pastor Casely's high school campus-a place of distinct significance to Pastor Casely because its the location where he first accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior during a SU gathering.  We are all grateful for the impact SU has made on us and so many others through Pastor Casely's life!

Building on Pastor Casely's former high school campus

A short drive to the University of Cape Coast for dinner and lodging for the night. The youngsters and Pastor Casely did take one more little excursion that evening to visit a friend, look at the ocean, and pick up some souvenirs.
 

Along our travels into various regions of Ghana, we've been hosted by several SU regional directors.  They are wonderful and gracious hosts!! We thank God for each and every one of you and see for ourselves the important leadership role you play within the SU organization.  Your work in the schools is such a labor of love! Thank You! You blessed our time in Ghana immensely!!

 

Day 6 Singing in Sunyani

Psalm 67:7 "God will bless us and all the ends of the earth will fear Him."

Another delicious breakfast of eggs, bread, and this time baked beans.  We hit the road bright and early once again to present the gospel at Odumaseman Senior High School's morning worship devotion. Many dedicated students showed up to the optional service to hear Dan S. present the gospel through the story of the dead girl and the sick woman (Mark 5:21-43).  It was disappointing that we were unable to follow up with the student since we were late to the school and the students were on a tight schedule.


Dan S. bringing a Gospel message to students of OSHS

OSHS Students hearing Gospel Message

 

After the normal formality of meeting the headmaster, we headed back to the hotel before the next school visit. During this time, Osofo Casely and Uncle Kwame had the chance to go visit one of their friend's who is the local Anglican minister. They also had the chance to visit the Methodist church of Sunyani that Osofo Casely's father opened and dedicated on August 28, 1983. In a bookstore next to the church Casely's book, "Genuinely Ghanian: A History of the Methodist Church Ghana, 1961-2000," was discovered. What a joy for Casely to visit the church his father pastored and be reminded of his faithful service to The Lord.

The next school visit started around 1 and featured ridiculously energetic singing, dancing, and worship. Sidney blessed us all with the story of how God showed up in her life, focusing on Luke 5:27-32, God calls the broken so he can heal them. Melody presented the gospel by means of Luke 15:11-32, the Parable of the Lost Son (or sons). It's all about the love of the Father. An overwhelming number of students came forward at the opportunity to accept or recommit their lives to Christ at Berekum Senior High School.

Delaine dancing joyfully with the students

Student Worship celebration!
 

We headed straight to a Scripture Union Community Gathering at a local church constructed by the local SU volunteers. Many leaders, including the longest-serving member in Scripture Union's history (26.5 years) were present to hear Delaine's message on keeping the faith through suffering based on the exile of Daniel in Babylon. The time shared with the community afterwards was among the most precious time the team has spent building relationships with the faithful of Ghana. We finished our tonight. Casely concluded the night with this message: "When you love God, despite your circumstances you have no excuse to disobey Him."

Singing and worship during SU community fellowship 

time together with a short Q&A for the SU gathering. We were asked questions such as how worship in Ghana compares to worship in the US and what our personal reasons for joining the missions team at BACC were. Casely asked the crowd a few questions including how we would pray for them. A few of them joined us for dinner back at the hotel 

When asked what we could be praying for Scripture Union Ghana in this region they gave us the following prayer requests. Please join us in praying for:

1. That Scripture Union will impact children in schools in positive, powerful ways.

2. For a spirit of peace to continue in order to worship God.

3. That all corruption in churches will come to an end.

4. That the falsehoods and false prophets that are infiltrating the church will not shake the faith of the church.

Q & A at the SU Community Center

The team is resting and preparing for a long drive to Cape Coast tomorrow. Prayers for safety and team growth are appreciated as we bond on the road.

We'd like to make special note of the impact the young ladies, Sidney and Kiki have had on local girls. They are admired dearly, and have demonstrated what Paul refers to in Philippians 1:27, "conducting themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel." The love they show is a beautiful example to the rest of the team and Ghanians alike.

Kiki talking to students about starting their walk with Jesus

Sidney & Kiki ministering to students

We'd like to thank all who have been praying from the states and elsewhere around the world. God is showing up everywhere we go and He is doing powerful things in the hearts of our team members as well. Continue to pray for transformation of our hearts (Romans 12) and a reconfigured worldview centered on the gospel as we share the Good News here.

Day 5 Smiling in Sunyani

Numbers 6:22-26

The Lord bless you and keep you ; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

We wanted everyone to know that today was Pastor Casely's birthday and that this blog entry is being made by Sidney and Kiki, the youngest and most fun members of the team. (At least we think so)

This morning we woke up to bread, sausage and eggs. After we ate breakfast we all piled into our beloved mini van and headed off to our first school of the day. The name of the school we went to was Bechem Presbyterian Senior High School. This school was co-Ed with about 1,000 students currently attending. 

There we had Dan G give us his testimony which was very eye opening and afterwards Sidney shared the gospel for the morning, the gospel was on Luke 5: 27-31. She encouraged the kids to give their lives to Christ  because without doing so our life would never be the same. We had 52 students come forward and commit or renew their lives to Christ. It was so overwhelming and enjoyable.  

We left the school at around 2 to stop and try some tropical drinks and "biscuits" as Casely calls them. He was surprisingly right when he said they tasted incredible. 

Roadside snack with biscuits and tropical drinks

Both of us girls never get tired of seeing the women here in Ghana carrying huge tubs of things on their heads or babies on their backs. We will also literally stop our conversations with each other to point out a cute goat or chicken on the side of or in the road. 



Serwaa Kese SHS Students hearing Delaine and Kiki's message

After having a little snack,  we headed off to our second school for the day. The name of this school was Serwaa Kesse Girls Senior High School. This is an all girls school but, we liked it that way and it made things easier. It was especially easier for Mrs. Delaine ( Momma D) and Kiki because they spoke at the school. Mrs. Delaine gave her testimony first encouraging the girls to have relationship rather than religion then Kiki gave the gospel message using the story Footprints to help her explain we are never alone when 


we have trying times. Both were very  well spoken and contained such a great message.  We had about 30 students recommit their lives to Christ. 

Finally, we came back to the hotel where we had yet another great meal and celebrated Casely's birthday #PARTY #cake!! A Scripture Union pastor actually came to the hotel to pray for Casely's life and to celebrate with us. 

Celebrating Pastor Casely's Birthday with cake and sparkling juice

While most of the team enjoyed a brief trip into Sunyani to take a walk through town, others retreated to their room to enjoy an early bedtime.  

Both of us girls and the entire rest of the team want to ask you to continue to pray for us as we speak to the youth of Ghana. We ask you to pray that God will work through us so they can know of his love for them. Now we sleep...the rooster crows early tomorrow as we have 3 schools to visit.  

Day 4 Serving in Sunyani

Mark 10:15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

We all rested well after yesterday's exciting day. An oatmeal, poached eggs, and toast breakfast woke us up before we headed out for Sunyani, a two hour drive from Kumasi, the smoothest day of travel yet. On the ride Uncle Kwame gave us another orientation session, particularly related to questions Ghanian youth ask when they are presented with the gospel message.

We spent the afternoon at Sunyani Secondary School where approximately 1500 students attend (co-Ed ages 14-19). After Pastor Casely introduced the team, Dan S. shared his testimony and Melody presented the gospel based on Luke 15:11-31 (Parable of the Lost Son).  Uncle Kwame then

Students praying at Sunyani Secondary School

encouraged students to respond to the love of the Father and Jesus' knocking on the door (Rev 3:20). 16 students stepped forward to dedicate their lives to Christ, and the team then spent individual time welcoming the students to our family and encouraging them as they began or continue their walk with Jesus.

After eating dinner, Dan G. led the team in a brief devotion and time of prayer and reflection. It was a very encouraging time for every individual and deepened relationships that have been built over the first few days.

One of the unsung heroes of the trip is Comfort, the female leader SU provided to join our team for our time in country. She is wonderfully accepting and joyful of our differences and provides guidance as we experience new encounters in a different culture.

Comfort, SU staff and Amazing lady!

We go to visit two more schools tomorrow (Tuesday) and invite you to pray for hearts of the youth to be warm and receptive to the message The Lord will speak through our team.

Day 3 A Day of Worship and Celebration

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Church service Sunday morning started at 7 at Methodist Church Ghana Wesley Cathedral, Adum-Kumasi where Pastor Casely recalled recording his father speak some thirty years ago. He presided over the service with the local ministers, reading the gospel message from Luke 12:13-21. The message, focused on the question "Who is Jesus?", considered John 14, 1 John 1:1-4, 2 John, and 2 Peter 1:16-18 to answer the question. The spotlight was on Dan Green until the nearly 3 hour service concluded. *

Pastor Casely giving benediction during worship service

After a quick eggs, toast, and beans brunch, we loaded the SU (Scripture Union) truck with Bibles to


Loading boxes of Bibles for Bible Dedication Ceremony

be given to Yaa Asantewaa girls senior high school. In a ceremony featuring guest of honor Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills (former First Lady of Ghana from 2009-2012), 1900 Bibles were given away so that every girl in the school now has a Bible in their possession. It is the former First Lady's initiative to get a Bible in the hands of every senior high school student in the nation. We were blown away by the magnitude of the Bible dedication and presentation (Ghanian secret service for former First Lady, parades, impressive children's choir, stack of Bibles given out, media*). Osofo (Pastor) Casely gave the closing prayer and benediction after our team handed out the Bibles to the young ladies. We learned a joyful lesson about what it means to reap what we did not sow (check out John 4:37-38).

Happy girls waving their new Bibles in the air!

A quick dinner, featuring spicy Ghanian food, was followed by a second orientation session about Cultural Differences led by Uncle Jude Hama, former Director and current CEO SU. Rest time...

*If interested in viewing either the Ghanian Methodist church service or the Bible dedication ceremony, try tuning in to Ghanian local TV and look for Daniel Green's shining face front and center. Don't bother trying to find him in the team picture with the former First Lady however, he didn't want to steal the spotlight from Her Excellency.


Ghana Team 2013 with Her Excellency-notice Dan G. missing Dan S. looking for Dan G.

Day 2 Kumasi Road Trip

Jeremiah 31:10 Hear what The Lord has to say, O nations. Proclaim it in the faraway lands along the sea. Say, "the one who scattered Israel will regather them. He will watch over His people like a shepherd watches over his flock."

Ghanian Pizza-Yum!

We woke up to a breakfast of eggs and toast and a wicked grape juice that shocked even Casely and Kwame when they tasted it. We spent that morning in orientation, being introduced to the ministry of Scripture Union by Uncle Kwame. We were treated with Ghanian pizza as we left Accra. 11 of us piled into the 15 passenger van with our luggage headed for Kumasi.

On the road to Kumasi

 The typical 4-6 hour drive through various villages, across miles of unfinished road construction (you won't hear us complain about road construction in the states again!), with countless close encounters with head on collisions, ended up extending to a "record-breaking" 7 hour drive.
Another reason the trip took so long was due to the flat tire we got around hour 6.

Flat tire

Some may call it convenient, we call it divine that we found ourselves next to a tire repair shop at the time of our flat tire, along a dirt portion of the road in a small village. This led to our first encounter with the youth of Ghana. At least one marriage proposal later (no names will be mentioned...and it may have been more than one proposal, we couldn't tell what they were saying in their native tongue and broken English) we finished the drive to Kumasi. We went to bed early because we had to rise early for church the next morning.


New friends on road to Kumasi