Ghana '09 Mission

Plans for the Ghana '09 Mission are underway. For information
and updates please visit the new blog:

Ghana Mission '09

Ghana '09 Student Mission Team

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt. 9:37-38

Workers in the harvest field: (Ghana '09 Team Members)

Leah Crowe

Elizabeth Mateer

Audrey Salter

Tayler Insuaste

Birgitte Obenchain

Colton Read

Amy Adams

Caleb Cathey

Taylor Duggan

Jennifer Gray

Gabby Mezarina

Cameron Westmoreland

Ashley Whitby

Baptisms in Tamale

Check out this short video of some recent baptisms that took place in the villages just outside of Tamale, Northern Ghana.

Or click HERE to view it via the Ozment's blog.

The baptisms took place in a small village called Terikpaa. In total there were 24 new converts baptized in a flooded rice paddy. Some of those who passed through the waters were from Shalom Baptist Church in Terikpaa and some from Heritage Baptist Church in Kushibu.

Praise God!

New Convert

Haruna Alidu - senior prefect of Kushibo Primary School

From Pastor Mohammed:

I am happy to send you the picture of HARUNAH ALIDU. Harunah is the prefect of Kushibo primary school who converted through the evangelistic avtivities of HCA.

Baptism of New Believers in Ghana

From Pastor Mohammed in Ghana:

I am happy to send you the pictures of the 25 people we baptized on the 21st of September from the Shalom Baptist Church, 21 people are from Shalom baptist Church, while 4 people are from Heritage Baptist Church,Kushibo. We supposed to have baptize another 15 people from Sankpem Church but because of water lock in the area they could not come. Also in Kushibo, not everybody came, because the road at this time is not good, therefore the older people Heritage Baptist could not come so we are planing to get all these people baptize during dry season. I spend a couple of weeks to teached them about the requirements of salvation and then lead them to confess Christ as their persnal savior and Lord, and after the training all these people made the desicions to accept Christ into their lives.

You will be supprise to know that the senior prefect SP of Kushibo primay School was also accepted the Lord and is baptized,he got converted in one of the students from H.C.A. ministry to the students in the school.Please let the children in your school hear this,the boy's name is HARUNA ALIDU.

Pastor Mohammed, 2nd from left

For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.

Luke 19:10

Update on Fati

Fati is still in hiding in a small village in the Northern Region of Ghana, West Africa. She is living with a pastor's family and is safe, for now. Fati's father is still looking for her. Please continue to pray for Fati as she grows in her faith. Also, pray for her safety.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
Psalm 125:2

Village Children

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet (and hands!) of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7

Wise Words from a Wise Man

Wise words from Rev. Pat Ozment, IMB missionary to Ghana, West Africa:

God loves to use the insignificant to accomplish the incredible. We are well equipped from the insignificant side, and God’s supplies of the incredible are beyond our comprehension.

A discussion with Pastor Mohammed...

Here is a discussion with Pastor Mohammed on accountability and trials.

Prayer for Fati

Please remember to pray for safety and protection for Fati. She is 14 years old and has been persecuted by her father for becoming a Christian. He hunted for and found her several times, after she escaped from captivity. The last news we have is that she was rescued by a caring pastor and taken to a distant village for safety. Her father had used a bicycle chain to chain her to a pole from early morning until late evening.

Her father travels from village to village selling goods, and it is likely that someone will tell him where she is. He has vowed to put one of her eyes out because of her lack of devotion to Islam.

Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him ; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.

Psalm 91:14-16

Tilee Umbo

There are no words to express my deepest appreciation to all who devoted time to praying for the Ghana mission team. We witnessed the power of God at every turn, we saw the Glory of God manifested all around us, we felt His protection in front and behind, and we experienced His Spirit move in our midst. God was and is good, all the time.

We labored together, lifted praises and song together, prayed and rejoiced together...together with our Ghanaian brothers and sisters in the Lord. We prayed for Rafia, a dying girl who had been snake bitten and we watched and rejoiced, as God did a miracle healing. We bathed in prayer, our sister, Fatia, a young girl of 14, who was tormented day and night, for her faith in Jesus Christ and her refusal to deny Him. Her earthly father locks her inside and binds her with chains, but her Heavenly Father has set her free. She hides in safe places, even as I am writing to you now. May God continue to hide her in the shelter and cover of His mighty wings. We shared the gospel of Christ and over 100 souls came to salvation and they each received a new name, written in the Lambs book of life. We taught over 200 children, stories from the Word of God. We took part in the commissioning of a church. We were able, by the grace of God to register 275 people for government health care. The cost for a year of care is $9 for an adult and $1 for a child, but when a working man only makes $1 to $2 a day, this becomes difficult for families. For the Glory of God, 30 bibles in the Dagboni language, were purchased for churches that have none. We were invited to visit organizations that sponsor poverty stricken children, such as World Vision and Compassion International. We gave an offering for the purchase of chairs that were needed in a local church. We visited an orphanage, where 9 motherless babies were bathed, feed and loved on a daily basis by dedicated and called women. We had the privelege of training teachers in the community, to teach children in the church. We had wonderful meals and wonderful fellowship with missionaries, Pat and Peggy Ozment. We saw old friends and made new friends. We came to Ghana as Americans with American names, and left as Ghanaians with Ghananian names. And our hearts are full. Our hearts are filled with hope. Hope for the people and the country of Ghana. Hope for the growth of the churches, the strengthening of the new converts, the answering to the call of leadership in the churches, and hope for the continued spiritual awakening and the continued rescue for the many who are perishing. Our hearts are filled with gladness for the eternal friendships and relationships made as we labored together with our brothers and sisters of both colors of skin. And our hearts are filled with thanksgiving, for all the prayers and the sacrifices made. May we all be encouraged that our prayers were answered. And why is that? Why does God hear and answer prayer? That He might show Himself mighty and His Glory might be revealed. Our prayers are honored as precious jewels, purified and empowered. Our words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord and do not stop, until they reach the very throne of heaven. And so we say to God be the Glory, and to you, we say Tilee Umbo.

In Christ,
Chel-Pong (Vickie Daniels)

A team member's perspective

Well, we have now been home for just under 24 hours, and coming home to family has never felt so wonderful! I praise God for His guiding hand and providential care. I thank Him for all He has done through and in us whilst we have been in Ghana. It was never our work....it was always His.

Many thanks to all who have been praying for us and supporting us. I know your prayers have been heard and answered, and I consider it the greatest privilege to have been part of the team that went 'to the ends of the world' (see Acts 1:8) this past 2 weeks. To God be the glory!

I am sure that there will be many posts on this blog during the next few weeks, and I really want to encourage you to keep checking back regularly to read about all that has gone on in Ghana. It has been amazing, and at times we have been quite simply overwhelmed to see the visible hand of God at work! It has been both awe-inspiring and humbling to have been able to speak to groups of men who have NEVER heard about Jesus Christ. Because of your prayers and support, MANY people have heard about salvation through Jesus Christ for the very first time! How amazing is that?

I also have to make a very public thanks to our team leader Cheryl Read. Cheryl is one of the most self-sacrificial women I have ever met, and has a zeal and love for the Lord that is both infectious and also inspiring. She led the group with a clear vision of the plan that God had set before her, and it has been a great privilege to have been part of the team working with her in Ghana. Her ability to put up with us, lead us and help to bring out the best in Christ through us was wonderful! Thank you Cheryl!

My thanks also go to all team members, each of whom put their all (110%) into the mission. It has been an honor (in Christ) to have served our risen Lord by your side. I pray and hope we can all continue our work in Him, and together impact the lost for the Kingdom of Heaven.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11

Martin Jones

SAFE ARRIVAL IN USA

We are now safely home. Thank you for praying!!

New posts and pictures will be added in the days to come, so check back often. There's so much to share!!

The Ghana Mission Team

Uneasy rest for the weary....

Uneasy rest for the weary...., originally uploaded by cread4.

Thanks,

Doug

Arrived safe in London!

Arrived safe in London!, originally uploaded by cread4.

With sadness we said our goodbye's to pastor Mohammed, Frances, Cecilia and
Ghana. With joy we boarded our flight to take us back home. After six and
a half hours flight time we have arrive in London! Only about 12 hrs to
go!
Thanks,

Doug

On Our Way Home!!

Today (Mon) was a good day. The visit to Agbogbloshie was another eye opener for most of the team members. This is a Dagomba village of about 10,000 squatters, living in unbelievable conditions. We met with about 20 church members to pray with them and give them encouragement. It was wonderful to see Zaccheus, Rebekah, Joshua and Momma. Cheryl gave her a bracelet 5 years ago and she is still wearing it. Incredible.

The market was another cultural experience. We all wanted to be with Elizabeth because of her wonderful negotiating skills. I think she is now part Ghanaian. Gabby gets the prize for buying the largest gift. I have no idea how it is getting home. I don't even know what it is because it is wrapped in plastic.

The Compassion International site visit went very well. About 250 children sang, danced and quoted Scripture for us. We then visited two homes of children waiting fo sponsors. They lived in a "house" that was 5'X5'. There were 3 living the home.

We are about to enjoy chicken and french fries for dinner and then depart for the airport. We hope to sleep from Accra to London, but many of us will be too busy thinking about and processing everything we have seen and done this week. God has been so good to us and we are thankful for His wonderful goodness.

PLEASE PRAY US SAFELY HOME.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you. We are also discussing our first American meal. I heard someone say they were craving Chick Fil A. Personally, I can't wait to have a Dr. Pepper.

Everyone is happy and well. How can one be so sad and yet so happy at the same time?

Blessings to you all,

Cheryl

P.S. Martin's room was decorated from stem to stern in white toilet paper. The girls also printed out "Happy Birthday" and somehow got it up on the wall. Where did they find tape? He says "payback is sweet".

Arrival in Accra

We have arrived safely in Accra. The journey was very smooth, praise God. Thank you for praying.

We brought Pastor Mohammed back with us on the plane.

Tomorrow we visit Agbogbloshie, a Dagbani village near Accra. This is the first village Vickie and I went to 5 years ago. We will go there to see old friends, but also to pray with and encourage them.

After that, we visit the cultural center (market).

After that, we go to see Pastor Moses at All Souls Baptist Church. This also happens to be a site visit for Compassion International.

We depart Mon at 10:30pm, (ghanaian time). Please pray for a safe journey and rest. We arrive home Tues around 2:30pm.

The kids are having great fun this afternoon. It is Martin's birthday and they want to secretly decorate his room. The only thing we have is toilet paper, so we will see what happens. We have found out that he loves country and western music, so maybe we will sing him a song, Texas style.

Everyone is happy and well. The team has really bonded. Upon arrival to the Miklin, instead of going to our rooms for peace and quiet, we all sat around and talked for over 2 hours.

I am encouraging all the team members to post comments and updates on the blog in the days to come, so check back often.

We are anxious to be home, but sad to leave.

Blessings, Cheryl Read

Safe arrival in Accra! Happy Birthday Martin!

Safe arrival in Accra!