Pantano Christian Church

Today the team attended church services in the same the same village the water tank was dedicated by the first team. Was an inspiring service, much praise of God and joyful singing. Walt Tatham gave the message. It was on forgiveness. Senyo interpreted. I don’t have today’s photos, but attached is a photo from one of the villages where we would like to build a chapel. The Structure we’re standing in front of is where they now worship.

We are now in the Hotel in Accra. Tomorrow were traveling Northwest to visit the Village of Hope Orphanage, which Senyo considers a model for the Good Samaritan Orphanage. We also hope to visit the Kakum National Park. The following day (Tuesday), we’ll be boarding the aircraft for our return to Tucson.

Today the team participated in reviewing sites plans, at the site, for the Good Samaritan Orphanage and school project being planned for the 110 acres of land outside the city of Ho. After the on-site review, plans were further discussed at Senyo’s house. The team also traveled into the bush and supported Walt in interviewing two more villages for consideration for adoption by Real Life Christian Fellowship. The Drive into this area was scenic with high hills, green vistas and exotic trees. There were many quaint villages along this dirt road. Most buildings are made from mud bricks and have grass or palm covered roofs structured with bamboo. We stopped in one village where they were having a happy, laughing village gathering grinding cassava. This village contains one of Senyo’s churches, where William & Alice Kpobi are the field leaders/pastors.

After tonight (Saturday) we have two more nights in Ghana, but these nights will be in a Hotel in the Capital City of Accra. We don’t know if there will be internet to continue the blog report those nights. We’re planning to visit the Village of Hope Orphanage, which Senyo considers a model for the Good Samaritan Orphanage. If we have time we’ll also visit Mole Game Park. God’s Blessings to all readers and supporters!

Today was a joyful day in Lord supporting the second day of the BDGM teaching seminar. We were a little late because Senyo and I were busy making copies or the Growing Kids Material, so that each participant could have a copy for taking notes and to take home. It took a while because each one is 40 pages and we made 14 copies, hand sorted and correlated. Was sweaty too as the heat and humidly seemed to be rising.

But in this country people seem so patient. They didn’t mind that we were a little late. Everyone was waiting in the conference room and smiling. They gave us a very warm greeting. Again the teachings were very well received, by young and old, man and women. Kelly and Walt had an interpreters and pastors as part of the group to help with language and cultural differences, and to assist in discussing concepts in the context of the Eve culture. This was very helpful. And the end of the day Senyo lead a very flattering and humbling celebration and ceremony were we four from Tucson were honored to a level beyond what we could have every expected or imagined. Of course this filled us with more Joy and appreciation for these people. All those who helped send the teams deserve this honor as well. Thank you.

Tomorrow we’ll be going over site-plans for the orphanage, and interviewing a 2nd village for consideration to be adopted by Real-Life Church.

Today the team participated in the first day of a two day teaching seminar to Staff and Leaders from Fountain of Life Church and many smaller village churches. Walt Taught from his own developed material, Kelly taught a consolidated “Growing Kids God’s Way” curriculum, Marilyn and Kitty worked together to teach a Chi Teaching to the Women. There were a bout 25 men, so Walt and Kelly divided them into two groups. Tomorrow Walt will teach Kelly’s Group and visa versa. Since the Ladies kept their group together, tomorrow they’ll do a 2nd part of their teaching.

The teachings where very well received! How humbling we were to such praise and gratitude for the teachings. We received comments like: “If we had this training before our whole way of raising children would be different. From now own we’ll carefully follow these guidelines and teach them to the church.” Almost everyone had such a comment. Wow! At the end of today’s meeting we had lots of worship and praise, hands in the air, singing the African Way! Lots of clapping, affirmations and joy!

What a blessing today was! We participated in the mobile medical clinic in the community of Adaklu Waya. This is about an hours drive from Senyo and Augustine’s’ house. On the way we drove by a beautiful mountain covered with cliffs, rocky outcroppings, and huge exotic trees. The medical clinic was held in a building adjacent to a school, which was in session. About 250 people were already waiting for this free clinic when we arrived. The two doctors and several nurses arrived shortly there after. We also meet with the chief and the queen mother at their house nearby.

The Doctors starting seeing patients at about 9am and didn’t stop until everyone was seen near 6pm, more than 260 patients, including the chief himself. The community has no access to a hospital or clinic, so everyone was very blessed to receive the care. Some received referrals to the hospital. Most received medicine, much of which was donated in Tucson and brought in suitcases by the team. Before the start of the clinic they also received group biblical teaching and encouragement from Senyo, and health training from a nurse, who taught on how to avoid sickness, and how to treat some common sicknesses.

It rained a great deal nearby during the afternoon. We could see the lightening and feel the breeze from the storm, which was a cool relief from the heat; but it didn’t come to interrupt the clinic. The line and nurse stations were outside and on the porch. God appeared to protect the clinic from the Storm. Driving home in the twilight and dark, on muddy roads in the Land Cruiser, we saw just how much it rained nearby. We just arrived at the house and the power is still off from the storm. We wish everyone who supports this ministry, and reads these accounts, great blessings.

We are privileged to be here as part of the hands and feet of Jesus!

Today the team had a Glories Day in the Lord! We visited two remote villages. Walt Tatham is representing Real Life Church in Tucson. In the light of Matt 25: 37-40, this church would like to “adopt” a village in Ghana. So our first visit was to a village being considered for this relationship. Its name is Aformanokope, which means “your foot stays here.” Walt conducted the “interview” and he referenced a list of questions. The Headman of the village was there, as well as the congressional committee man. He answered most of the questions in English. The nicest building in the village was their church.

The 2nd visit was to the village of Mafi Srekpe, where we participated in a dedication ceremony for a water tank that was recently completed. The tank was built by BDGM with funds provided by a member of Pantano Christian Church. The dedication itself was a huge festive celebration of dancing, music, dance shows and fun for all. Their were 100s of people there! We were all very honored and impressed. What an honor this was to be part of; and how humbled we were at their gratitude and hospitality. It was pure Joy! Just as the ceremony and festivities were concluding a torrential Thunder storm moved it and it started pouring rain. Perfect timing from God to fill the water tank!! We went running for our Cars. Praise God to all who made all these things possible!!

The 2nd team arrived safely in Accra. We had planned an hour discussion with the outgoing half of the team at the airport, as they left on the same aircraft. But this did not work out. They were already in the check-in process, as the aircraft was an hour late.  We are praising God for safe arrival and providing Senyo to pick us up. He is a rock of reliability and stability. Good since we are in his hands and God’s during our visit. We arrived Safely in Ho, our destination, after a 3 hour drive. Photographed some Baboons on the road. We went over our itinerary with Senyo. It includes 2 days of teaching, visiting villages for adoption by Real Life Church, discussions on development of the land for the orphanage and school, orphanage visits, etc. We look forward to the second day when we will be more rested.

Easter Message to the church in the village of Vume Kpoviadzi “It’s Friday but Sunday is Coming” (Egbe Enye Fidagbe, Eye Kwasida ha Gbdna)

Easter Sunday was the final day in Ghana for Ed Harrow, Jeff Wesley, and June Crawford. On Monday morning they flew back to the States through New York. Marilyn Carney remained in Ghana and welcomed the second team on their arrival in Ho on Monday.

Easter Sunday was an exciting day for the team. They departed Ho early in the morning for the village of Vume Kpoviadzi, the home village of Pastor Senyo’s late father.

The team was welcomed by members of a combined choir made up of people from the surrounding village churches. Senyo and Ed joined the procession and marched into the church building for the service. The Easter service was attended by people from the surrounding villages and by all the “head men” of these villages. About 400-500 people attended the service. Prior to departing for Africa, Senyo had asked Ed to give the Easter message. Ed’s message was entitled “It’s Friday but Sunday Is Coming” which was the title of a message Ed had recalled from the 80s shortly after when he and Carolyn first accepted Christ. The text of the message was from John 11:25. The message was about the power of the resurrection of Christ and what that means to us today. Ed told the church a story of a worm that was placed in the center of a pile of dry leaves. The leaves were lit wi th fire and when the fire was just ready to burn the worm it was removed from the center of the burning pile of leaves. Ed stated..” the worm was me, I have life today because of the resurrection of Christ from the suffering of the cross. I have eternal life free from the burning fire of hell”. The power of the Holy Spirit was present throughout the morning. An invitation was given and hundreds of people stood for prayer to accept Christ and the power that comes from His resurrection. Before and after the service there was a lot dancing to the music of the native drums, tambourines, and maracas. The team participated in the dancing with the church members.

At the end of the service the team presented the Bible that Ed spoke from to the head man of the village. After the 3+30 minute service the team departed for Accra and the trip back to the US and Marilyn went with Augustine back to Ho to wait for Kelly, Walt and Kitty to arrive on Monday.

John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life no man can come to the Father except through me”

God led us to visit the village of Vume Klokope which is located approximately 106 miles out of the capital city of Accra. We turned off the main dirt road onto a road that looked like a bicycle path. We were greeted by the villagers running and yelling, “The white men are coming. The white men are here. We are being blessed”. The villagers have never experienced white men in their village. We filmed our visit in hopes that one of our local churches in Tucson would adopt the village. Senyo Cudjoe from Biblical Discipleship and Growth Ministry walked us through the village as we interviewed villagers.

Vume Klokope does not have a source for clean water. There is a stream approximately one mile from the village where the women walk to fill their basins with water. This is the same water that is used for bathing, washing, cooking and providing water for the animals. The village has a kindergarten but no elementary or high school for the children. Those that are able, walk to the next village approximately a mile in distance. We met six of the village’s orphans. Senyo told us that when a child loses his mother, he is orphaned. The father is out farming and fishing and has little or no time to spend with the children. Two of the orphaned children are not financially able to attend school. Senyo asked the orphans what they wanted to do when they grow up. The responses from the boys were a mechanical engineer and a cowboy working on the range. The girls have a heart to help others as three want to be nurses and one a doctor. Two other girls have chosen a career as a beautician and an actress.

We also met a young man approximately 14 that was mentally disabled and also unable to use his legs. He touched our hearts as he scooted on his hands and bottom following us thru the village.

There are two churches in the village and the presence of Islam. The church we visited is a thatched roof hut with benches and drum. Biblical Discipleship and Growth Ministry planted this church.

The main source of income for the village is farming. The men, women and children all work on the farm. Several women showed us how they make clay bowls and take them to market. It takes over five days to complete the bowl. First they go out to the pond and dig the mud. The mud is then stored in a large basket. The bowl is formed by hand, dried, sanded, and ready for firing. The bowls are placed in a fire and covered with wood and branches. The firing process is critical. One wrong move and the bowl can crack—one week of work wasted. The bowl is removed and laid upside down in a pile of leaves. This allows the bowl to cool and sets the black color. Once the bowl is cooled, the black becomes shiny. The bowls are then taken to market and sold for 50 cents each. This was a good illustration for us as to how hard the villagers work for 50 cents.

The needs of the village are many. They include clean water, a school, sponsorship of orphans, building of a road, electricity, and a mentoring program for young people to learn a trade. It is thru God’s hands that this village will be transformed.

We then traveled to Senyo’s village, Vume Kpoviadze and witnessed a crusade. The drums played, the people sang and danced. What a celebration. Senyo welcomed the villagers and introduced the Ewe translation of the Jesus Movie. The movie was shown on a white sheet using a generator for power. The crowd was very large, we estimated more than 500 people. After the movie, the local pastors delivered a message of salvation and an alter call. What a joyous event. God blessed his people.

James 2:5 “Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?”

Days one and two of the Men and Women Leadership Training Seminar was focused on leadership vision casting. Both men and women attended these days of the seminar together. The purpose of this training was for Senyo to learn and understand how Community Health Evangelism (CHE) could be used to assist in the transformation and church planting efforts of his ministry in Africa. CHE is a program which focuses on people taking responsibility for their own physical and spiritual health. The goal is to transform individual’s lives who then empower others and thereby transform the entire community. This is carried out through local training teams, community committees, and individual members of each community known as CHEs. Three facilitators were used for these two days, Dayo Obaweya from Nigeria who oversees all of West Africa for Lifewind (CHE), Emma from Kumasi, Ghana and Ed Harrow from Pantano. Over the two days, 13 lessons were provided to BDGM and Fountain of Life International Chapel leadership. The excitement from this training grew over the two days. By the end of the second day Senyo became vividly aware how CHE, when implemented across his ministry could make a difference in transforming and equipping his leaders and his communities and villages.

About 20 women attended the CHE seminar and on the third day, June and Marilyn taught the women. The weather was very hot and very, very humid so the teaching was conducted sitting on benches under a huge mango tree in the courtyard. The occasional breeze was a welcome gift from God. Agnes from Fountain of Life interpreted for them. The CHE lessons were about the role of women in the home as a mother and wife as well as a leader in the community. Two of the field leaders from the men’s group performed a short skit for the women. This depicted two men who were very upset because they thought women were allowed too much freedom which lead to all the problems in the village. In fact, later in the teaching one of the women actually asked if women were the reason that the Aids virus came to Africa and is spreading. This idea came from the men of the village. The lesson quickly pointed out that according to Genesis 1:27 – men and women were created equal. This led to a lively discussion and teaching. Next, the Wordless Bible was shown as a way to evangelize others. One of the responsibilities of a mother is to teach their children the story of the creation thru the resurrection. Each woman was given a “Wordless Bible” (colored material sewn together to tell the salvation story) and a written explanation of the colors. In addition, the women received foam crosses to decorate. They were eager to display the crosses when their pictures were taken. God blessed this day with learning, laughter, fun, and a greater understanding of the Proverbs 31 Women.

On the third day of training, Jeff had the privilege to teach approximately 40 men on the principles of Christian servant leadership. Much of the material came from Ken Blanchard’s book, Lead Like Jesus although a Ghanaian flavor was added to the applications and examples. Unlike many courses on leadership, this one focused not only on leadership style, actions and behavior but even more so on the heart and mind of a servant leader. The key scripture for the day was Mark 10:43 …Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. As mentioned, the weather was very hot and after lunch the men decided to follow the wise women’s example and moved outdoors as well. The Ghanaians didn’t seem to mind the heat but Jeff was close to thermal melt-down.

2 Tim 3:16 – All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.