It’s not just a job … It’s an ADVENTURE!
We awoke this morning to another day in paradise … with no electricity. I must confess this is beginning to take a toll on the Americans, but God’s grace continues to prove sufficient. The worse thing about no morning electricity is that we are unable to boil water for coffee. If you think it is bad to stand in line at Starbucks, try staring at a pot of water that requires electricity! Eventually the electricity returned and we all were able to get caffeinated!
As we finished breakfast, our Ghanian teams arrived ready for our departure from our base camp to the assigned schools for the morning. The roads today were not too bad — in fact, most of our journeys kept us on paved roads. Our three teams arrived at three different places and here is a report from each of them:
Jeff Andler’s team visited a school that looked more like an abandoned barn than a school house. The walls were old, cracked and the tin roof was sagging and falling in places. Many of the students were coughing incessantly which caused a bit of concern for Jeff. The students were very thankful that someone had come to visit them in their school, and listened attentively as Jeff shared the gospel message. When given the opportunity to call on Jesus, they did so with great joy. Jeff said, “Seeing such great response to the gospel more than compensates for any personal discomforts or concerns that are inherent with this type of ministry.”
Andy Poe’s team had the good fortune to be in a city school which allowed him to speak English without the aid of a translator. This large school included many Muslim students who were able to hear the gospel, for perhaps the first time. The simplicity of the message resonated with many in attendance and many of the Muslim students asked Jesus into their lives by faith. Andy said, “I am so thankful that GEM had the foresight to purchase New Testaments which were written in an Arabic language as well as English.” The local pastor explained to these students that they now have the responsibility to share this New Testament with their family and friends.
My team went into the bush to speak with two different schools. Upon arrival at the second school, I was nearly overwhelmed at the number of “workers” outside the school. The number of men with cutlasses (machetes) exceeded 50. I have to confess that the sight of it was a bit disconcerting, but I soon realized these were not for me, but for the clearing of trees around the campus. I laughed and joked with the men, many of whom were felling trees with one blow, and asked them if I could try. I did … and I could not! As I went to the assembly program, the men continued to work. As I was leaving the program, the men came to me holding three LARGE rats in their hands. Really? They offered them to me as a gift for coming. As you can imagine, I politely refused and walked to the truck. I watched the other men continue to dig for more rats. It was the most archaic work I have ever witnessed — cutting the ground with the machetes, digging into the soil with these and their bare hands, then going head first into the newly dug holes and putting out these vermin with their hands. ‘The work of field evangelism is not just a job … it is an adventure!”
Please continue to pray for us as we have more days of ministry in front of us. Thus far we have shared the life-changing message of Jesus Christ nearly 21,000 people. Pray that the Word of God continues to go forth in power and provision.