Blessings in Bosomtwe & Beyond

Growth in Ghana

Today as I write I am blessed by growth on multiple fronts.

One. The construction is moving forward rapidly.   During this week the walls are being plastered in the Inpatient Care Centre, plumbing being installed, ceiling and roofing put in place and painting beginning.

Two. Video/singing/preaching have taken place and lives drawn closer to Jesus in Duase and Dompa this week, led by Michael Bentum (Ghana, the project manager), James Sarpong (Ghana), Louise Monroe (N. Ireland) and Rebecca Hillman (California, USA).

Three. Nicolas is healthy and growing (pictured below)

Four. Our family is growing spiritually as God gives new perspective and guidance through the help of our leadership.

Five. The clinic capacity is going to BOOM this weekend as a team from Charlie and Mary Kay Jackson lead a team from Dunwoody, Georgia, USA in a medical and construction outreach trip.  We expect 200-300 patients each day for the visiting doctors, nurses and pharmacists to attend to while the other team members will be laying ceramic tile in the new Inpatient Care Centre.  They are keeping a blog about their trip, click to read.

Speak Up, Defend the Rights

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

                       Proverbs 30:8-9 (NIV)

“But from above, in the eyes of God, sorrow and joy are never separated. Where there is pain, there is also healing. Where this is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the Kingdom.”

by Henri Nouwen

A Smile from Nicolas

Nicolas is sending you greetings from Ghana today.  He is healthy and two months old! 

Last night he slept 7 1/2 hours!!!  So nice.

As we were in Accra for meetings all last week, he is very glad to be back in familiar surroundings back here at home in Amakom (in the quietness of the 'bush').

I'm reminded of Psalm 128:3,4

"Look at all those children, there they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees. That is the Lord's reward for those who fear him."

Invading the Impossible

  The doctor had been working for hours seeing patients after the long drive from Kumasi.  She remarked that this one child needed to be referred to a hospital because it was in need of a transfusion. Afrifa, the laboratory technician, heard this and quickly told her that 'no, we can do it here' - the doctor was totally shocked!  It was the first time that it's taken place here since we purchased the necessary supplies and tests from a donation by a church in Alabama. Wow, how great it is when we can be there to provide the needed care, love, and support for a child in need.

A little later on in the day, I had been checking out the constructions progress of the Inpatient Care Centre (workers pictured) that is underway and as I was approaching the road on the way back to the office I saw surveyors with their tripod and scope set up right in front of the Outpatient Building!  After greeting them and welcoming them here I asked what they were doing...working on improving the road. Without much further inquiry they said it would be gravelled and tarred with a deep roadbed, widened, and done properly - a contractor has been selected.  Later I 'googled' and found this article from a Ghanaian Parliament floor discussion on the improvement of our road. It's slated for 1st quarter of next year!  WOW!

Upon returning to the office I had a meeting with Sammy Adu, the administrative accountant, who let me know that with the expansion of the laboratory the status of the facility must be upgraded in order for us to be reimbursed by the National Health Insurace Scheme. We are able to be an accredited institution due to our membership in the Christian Health Association of Ghana.

Later this month we will be receiving a QBC Autoread Plus, QBC Centrifuge and Workstation, along with the Paralens system for malaria and blood parasite detection (some funds were received for this, more $1000 is needed if you would help, email Andrew). In addition, with the building of the Inpatient Care Centre (sponsored completely by churches and individuals in Northern Ireland), our status will need to be upgraded since we will have an Operating Suite (operating theatre, minor surgury/small procedures room, post-operation monitoring recovering room) in order for claims to the National Health Insurance Scheme to be paid.  The status required is 'hospital' - this is huge news!

On Tuesday, Juliana is to meet with the registrar of the Ghana Medical & Dental Council regarding her medical license - we are expecting a breakthrough! 

Many days lately we have seen victory in situations and as we approach these new things this next week, we go confidently trusting Jesus.  He is our strength and joy.

"My heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming'

"Do all the good you can.    By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can.  At all the times you can. As long as ever you can."

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you  burn"

                        ...both are quotes by John Wesley (English Revivalist/Evangelist 1703-1791)

I'm radically challenged for hunger, spiritual hunger for the presence of God, work of God in action here in the villages, to see those around us so desperately seeking Him and hungry for the ways of God and results following.

I was moved as Michael and I ministered from the Word in Dompa two weeks ago.  People are hungry for a move of God.  There was an air of expectancy, and it was exciting to be able to be the voice, the hands, the face of God to the people that day. As I reflect on that quote of John Wesley when he said 'catch on fire with enthusiasm' I think on my attitude so many times when going to speak to people.  Do they see enthusiasm? Do people see a radical lover of Jesus?  I hope today they see more of a radical lover than yesterday, and the next even more, each day more and more.

Juliana and I are on a track to radical extreme living for God and ready for where ever He leads us.  Lately it's been so wonderful to hear from the Lord in such specific ways, be warned of upcoming things ahead of time, and see God work in the people around us. Our Father God does the impossible, and it's so easy to loose consciousness of the God that invades the impossible.

The response of David in Psalm 27, verses 7 & 8 is a cry that I echo today, it says, "Listen to my pleading, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me' and my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming".
 

Compelled by Love

We are often refilled by books, and today we write with exciting news that there is a new book that we recommend to you.

What does it look like to trust everything to God?
In Compelled by Love, Heidi Baker gives you a glimpse of total dependence and authentic Christian community by taking a fresh look at the Beatitudes.

In the war-torn, poverty-stricken country of Mozambique, she and her husband have experience God's miraculous provisions and witnessed the transformed hearts of people caught in desperate life-or-death situations. Join them and discover the reality of God's kingdom here on Earth.

- For anyone wondering if they could truly live a life of radical love...

- For anyone wondering if the Beatitudes mean anything...

- For anyone wondering how to follow Jesus all the way..

Click here to order Compelled by Love, and while there order There is Always Enough.

:: feed the hungry, help those in trouble ::

Pictured: YaYa, the breadseller from Dompa, taken at the Sunday Community Service on the 20th of July. She walks two hours to the clinic through the villages with a smile, laughter and a very large aluminum bowl filled with sweet tea bread on her head. We often buy it for the patients and staff when she arrives at the clinic, so she stays on the bench under the tree for a couple of hours spreading her contagious joy. She is a lay leader in her church and attends the Church of Christ in Dompa, always with a loud and cheerful greeting when she sees me - giving me another reason to smile.

Today as I held hands with workers and prayed before they began working on the Inpatient Care Centre construction I again was reminded of the passage I read yesterday and then again this morning before getting out of bed.

"Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors. Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes." Isaiah 58:9-12 (NLT)

Last week I arranged for a meeting with the chief and elders of Dompa, the largest town on the shores of Lake Bosomtwe, where we have been desiring to drill boreholes.  Consultants came from Accra for bore hole sitings and research, the N. Irish team presented gifts, and in turn they gave a beautiful sheep as a gift of gratitude to the team. The next day it was cooked and quite a tasty stew was prepared for the many constuction workers, clinic staff, team and our family.  During the meeting with the chief I had asked permission to have a community church service the following week and they granted it. 

So, on Sunday, we drove by truck while the team met us by boat in Dompa.  Hundreds of people came and it was a beautiful sight to see. It was clear that many that were present do not normally attend church, while others represented the Church of Pentecost, New Apostolic Church, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Aventist, and Methodist churches of Dompa.  Although only a small percentage attend church regularly here in this remote and isolated (due to limited road access over the mountain) town, between 400-500 people were in attendance (including the chief and a number of the elders).

Pictured: Michael Bentum and I praying for the church leaders from each denomination present in the community service.

We enjoyed seemingly hours of such beautiful worship in Twi (local language) and a few in English (by our visiting UK team) and then a time of all the children (probably 200) come forward to sing with Hollie Combs leading them in local worship choruses. The account of the day is also told on Rebecca Hillman and Louise Monroe's blog.

It was after this that I called those who were sick and wanted prayer forward to be anointed and prayed for healing. I was aware of the presence and leading of the Lord as I prayed. I was so in hopes of a miracle of instant healing, especially since one was completely deaf (pictured), yet nothing happened visibly this time. Since I have experienced miracles of healing I am more and more willing and ready to ask of our Father. It's His desire to see people restored to the way he designed their bodies to function. While I am writing on this subject I encourage you to order the DVD titled Finger of God,  it's an extraordinary documentary by a skeptic of miracles (much of the footage is from Africa).

I mentioned Michael Bentum praying with me, he also did the interpretting and preaching with me. He has been working with us for over two years and just last week received word that he has been accepted to the Harvest School of Missions from October - December of this year.  It's a phenomenal training program for rural ministry in Africa that takes place in Mozambique at the Pempa mission base of Iris Ministries (members of H.I.M.) Would you consider helping sponsor his coursework there?  He is in need of the funds for the travel there, tuition and outreach.  After the school he plans to return to the work here with us in the villages of Lake Bosomtwe. If you would, email for info on how to send your check.

 

Update on Tuesday from Amakom

It's been a wildly busy day here on this side of the lake.  We began the day with unloading the truck that had come in from Kumasi late last night with a roof rack loaded full.  Devotions were after this at 8am, then a processional of the visiting team to greet the two chiefs in Amakom.  An hour or so later we were off trekking to Atafram to greet and present gifts to the chief, elders and assembly man there. 

All the while, the plumber had arrived from Kumasi late yesterday afternoon and has begun his part on laying the pipes in the expansion of the Inpatient Care Centre.  Isaac, an additional mason, arrived with two of his workers, and about 20 other laborers were busy working.

Once we arrived back from these two villages doing the political responsibilities, the UK team got to work as well in acts of service on the building site...and soon the rains came.  Some went off to Amakom to speak in the primary school - and this went very well.

Tomorrow is a day of traveling to visit/tour villages for Kente, Adinkra clothe, wood carving and greet church officials in Kumasi followed by a meal at Royal Park Hotel, then back to the lake.

Pictured:  Michael Bentum holding Nicolas

Nicolas is One Month Old

In church yesterday I shared how that when Ju's takes Nicolas out for a walk here the ladies have called him 'obolobo', meaning chubby and fat baby. 

We are grateful for a healthy boy that is one month old today. 

Lucas and Luiza are so sweet with him and he is getting love from everyone.

Showers of Blessing!

Nicolas was born on the 14^th of June at Lake Bosomtwe Clinic, with the help of the Angelina, the clinic midwife and Georgina, one of our health assistants, weighing 8 lbs. 2 oz., after less than three hours of labor! We were both fine and I was able to ‘assess’ him from the delivery table (no, I am not a super woman, but I could tell from a distance how well he was!) and give him a 10/10 Apgar score – once a pediatrician, always a pediatrician!  In a moment of temporary insanity (that is what happens when you deliver your baby in an institution where you are the medical superintendent – no one is going to argue with you!) I was able to walk to our house, a 100’ distance, 20 minutes later, followed by our improvised but very committed local prayer team (Andrew, Michael, James, my mom and Juliana) as we heard our interns Holli, Rebecca and Louise cheer from their porch with excitement, and as rain poured out on us. It was an unforgettable moment of extreme and overwhelming joy.  Nicolas is growing and adjusting very well to life in Amakom, being loved without reservations. Lucas and Ana Luiza are both very excited to have him around and, although it has been hard for Luiza to  loose her official title of baby, she has enjoyed being my ‘helper’ and big sis! We give thanks to our Father for a safe birth and for His presence with us, holding our hands!

About the name

NICOLAS (victory) ARAUJO (Juliana’s father’s family name, and also hers and the kids middle name, in a Brazilian/Portuguese tradition of maintaining the family name with the generations) JERNIGAN.

How surprised those around us seemed to be when we told them our baby boy’s name, even months before he was born! In Ghana, it is the norm to wait many days, sometimes weeks after the birth, before a child is given a name, which is done in a so called naming ceremony, an outdoor party when friends and family are invited to come and witness (click here to read about this tradition of Outdooring). But as much as we want Nicolas to be called by his name, what prevails in the end is his Ghanaian name, Kwame (in the Ashanti region of Ghana, it is the name given to a boy that is born on a Saturday), to us a true compliment and reminder of his African citizenship.  Some, like our friend Michael, even insist on calling him ‘Shower of Blessings Kwame Andrews’ since the minute he was born a torrential storm followed, and persisted for many hours. Rain is often a spiritual sign of blessings, in a land that carries dry seasons that may mean empty stomachs to those that need their crops to survive.  May he indeed be a blessing to those around him, and one that brings blessings wherever he goes, in the victory of the cross!

Posted by Juliana Jernigan

Construction Progress in Amakom

Work is now well underway at the Clinic extension following the arrival of a Team from the UK at the weekend comprising of 16 members from Northern Ireland and the England including former missionaries Dorothy and Phillip Parish.

The team wasted no time in getting into action when they arrived on the site on Saturday 12th July 2008.

Having prepared and trained carefully over the past six months, the Team's expertise and enthusiasm has already been evident as they have worked side by side with thea local work Team.

The programme agreed by local man Michael Bentum and joint team leader Alex Moorehead is designed to maximize the resources of the Team for the duration of their visit and the anticipated benefit to the clinic and area is significant.

Posted by Tom Millar (one of the Northern Irish team members, click to read his blog)

About Getting Fat, Guinea Fowls and other Cultural Lessons

‘Are you eating properly?’ and ‘You need to get fat!’ are the two sentences I have been hearing the most every time I walk out of our house in Amakom for a short walk to the clinic or the office where Andrew spends many hours of his day (working hard on keeping the clinic running, construction work going and preparation for teams scheduled for the next few months).

Now, don’t get me wrong: I do NOT need to gain any more weight on my third post-partum week. On the contrary. What I am learning in this culture having experienced pregnancy and delivery, and now with a newborn in Ghana has taught me so much in terms of  how these precious people deal with such a special time in a mom’s life. One of the things being the belief, rightfully so, that a breastfed baby needs all he can get from his mom, and therefore the need to get the mom well-fed, preferably with chicken soup (remember: chicken meat is a treat in the village, usually eaten on very special occasions, once or twice a year, like on Christmas and Easter holidays) and fufu (the national starch of choice, made with plantain and cassava), lots and LOTS of it! I even received a guinea fowl – very special! - as a gift from Mac, Juliana’s husband (see picture of them with my mom, in front of our house). On the other side of this ‘eating plenty’ conversation is the fact that my mom came all the way from Brazil to spend one month with us, and spoil us with her company, her joy and of course her culinary talent. Like I said, they are all serious about getting me fat, in a Ghanaian-Brazilian joint effort! The end result of all thi s talk is that Nicolas is indeed getting big, and already has a double chin and big beautiful cheeks (I AM biased!).

I have been culturally advised by close Ghanaian friends to stay in my room as much as I can with Nicolas, avoiding exposing him to the elements for the next three months – I hear that and I think ‘mosquitos’ – another wise survival-type advice – and heat rash in this tropical weather. Not bad for the introvert part of me, I do admit. Very hard though, when the world around me keeps spinning and I hear of patients coming and going day and night at the clinic(*), and while we are hosting three interns (Holli pictured with Nicolas) in our modest guest house. And as much as I want to believe resting during post-partum is a common practice among the women in the villages, I see too many of them carrying their tiny babies on their backs, on their way to farm, uphill, or carrying heavy logs on their heads in order to have fire to cook a meal for the rest of the family, right before and not long after delivering their children.

Life goes on, much like before, but I cannot help but notice the smiles I have been receiving from some of the people –specially the moms and grandmoms- I greet on the road. Call me a romantic, if you will, but I noticed they now carry something in their greetings to me that, while I still am and will always be an oburoni (‘foreigner’, literally ‘person from a distant land’ in Twi), transcends language or cultural barriers, something that says ‘you are closer to being one of us because you dared to BE one of us.’ And I can say to them with confident trust: ‘I dared because Jesus loves you!’

         *In case you are wondering, the clinic is staffed with a midwife (who does a lot of the work these days) and six health care assistants. We also receive a visiting doctor from Kumasi, Dr. Frank, on average once a week, who is especially a big help with the more complicated cases in this time. Since my arrival in the country, in April, we have been waiting for paperwork concerning my medical license to be cleared again, so I guess you can say I have been on ‘forced maternity leave’ since then. Lucas warned me in his 6 year old way that this would be ‘a time to trust in Jesus and get some rest’. We are still waiting for the Ghana Medical Council to approve my credentials and allow me to go back to work…

Michael in Ministry in the Villages

Over the last couple of years you have read of Michael if you have been reading our newsletters and blog. Today I give you an update since I have been reading the blog writings of current interns (Louise, Hollie and Rebecca).

Michael has been super busy in the work of clinic expansion, yet also in preaching in villages on weeknights and Sunday mornings. Last Sunday he gave the message in a congregation that met in a school building since their sanctuary was destroyed by a horrendous tropical storm in March. I'm glad that today he has the weekend off and is at his home church (Living Water Assembly of God in Kumasi). Next Sunday, he is scheduled to preach in two churches.

Read this from Hollie's blog:
"Michael is the ultimate go to guy and most of the day consists of hearing people call out ‘MICHAEL’ and him saying ‘YES’ and running to fix the problem no matter what it may be. He is licensed in electrical work and is the project manager for the construction on the clinic. When he is gone from the village you can feel the absence of his presence because he is always smiling and you can hear him singing very loudly on his porch which is a stones throw above our house. One night we heard him singing for literally 3 or 4 hours and would occasionally stop to laugh at his persistence and his absolute love for the Lord. He is sold out. He is a Ghanaian missionary to villages and has a love for people that is contagious. He has often led crusades where he translates for hours the Jesus film and hundreds have gotten saved through his ministry."

Another blog entry from Hollie records one of the evenings in a nearby village:
"Michael, who leads the program, calls to those who want to give their lives to Christ and many hands go up. He then asks the people if they want to be healed of any sicknesses and the same amount of hands go up. As he and the girls are praying for these people I start singing There is Healing in this place, Nothing but the blood of Jesus and We are standing on Holy Ground. A sweet presence of the Lord is there and in the dark, with only the light of the moon, people are turning their hearts over to Jesus and then being healed. It is miraculous and powerful."

Pray please, as he would like to attend the Harvest School of Missions (3 month school, classroom and outreach) in Mozambique. It would require sponsorship for the airfare and tuition once accepted. It's meant to prepare missionaries for village mission work - which is his heartbeat call from the Lord. We praise God that we get to work alongside a young man who is completely in love with Jesus. He moved out to work with us at Lake Bosomtwe and we praise God for His life.

Expansion of the Inpatient Centre

It's rainy season and it's raining so often, so much, and so much! It puts quite a damper...or dampness on the progress of the expansion of the clinic building that started a little over a week ago. The expansion project is funded through the generosity and hardwork of many people in the UK and N.Ireland and those of Seymour Street Methodist Church in Lisburn, Northern Ireland (suburban Belfast). One of their own, Louise Monroe, is here for almost two months (click here to read her blog writings). On the 10th of July, a group of 16 from Northern Ireland and England will be arriving for 16 days in Ghana to do construction and daily village outreach.

It's been quite an adventure in cultural learning during this building project since we are so far away from supplies. Yesterday, for instance, once we found a large enough truck that would deliver to us (a feat in itself) it had a wreck injuring the driver as it went around one of the treacherous curves on the roads getting close to our village. Today, eight of the workers from the construction went to go unload the wrecked truck and load two smaller trucks to bring the blocks, boat fuel and generator diesel fuel, and lumber.

At the moment though as I write there is music blaring loudly and an announcer working on a youth table tennis (ping pong) tournament that was organized and pulled off by Hollie Combs (click here to read her blog musings). Rebecca Hillman is taking pictures of the event and urging us to come see the action when she comes into the office to enjoy the air conditioning for a minute or two (read her blog, with a lot of great pictures).

We thank you for your prayers. We praise God that Nicolas is growing and doing so very well. Soon I hope to post some pictures of Lucas and Luiza with their new brother.

A new Jernigan born in Ghana

We are grateful to announce the birth of Nicolas Araujo Jernigan on the afternoon of the 14th of June in the village of Amakom at Lake Bosomtwe Methodist Clinic (where we serve in ministry) with the assistance of the midwife (Angelina)and a health assistant (Georgina). Ju walked back to our house about 20 minutes after delivery. Nicolas weighed 3.7 kg (8.2 lbs)at birth and is strong and healthy. He and Juliana are doing very well.

We know many of you were in prayer with us for a safe delivery so we thank you for your love. Labor lasted for about 2 1/2 hours, which was a great answer to Juliana’s prayers. On our side, we had our prayer warriors surrounding the clinic in those hours.

A tropical storm with heavy rain downpour came as Nicolas was born, which left those waiting outside worshipping and thanking God soaking wet (including his grandmother from Brazil, Eliana, who is visiting).

Great Expectations

'So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.' Romans 15:13 (NLT)

It's often so easy when not taking our thoughts captive to allow hopelessness and discouragement to rule. If we let our mind, our conversations, our interactions be formed by our weaknesses rather than from a transformed and renewed mind then there is no way for us to be full of peace since we are not living in the believe of Him but in reaction to our beliefs of ourselves.

What a powerful verse, and prayer that Paul prayed. We can take this and make it our prayer, our hearts desire for each other. For that matter, it should be our prayer for ourselves as well. Our relationships will be so much more fruitful is we are living in this mindset from the Kingdom of God rather than the way of the world imagining that our relationships are fragile and operating through insecurities that have weighed us down. Having the hearts desire for HOPE, that God will KEEP YOU happy and FULL of peace since we are BELIEVING in Him, OVERFLOWING with HOPE through the POWER of the Holy Spirit. Wow, a great verse to meditate on today.

The writing for today from Oswald Chamber's devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, online version is excellent. Click here to read it now.

Pictured: Andrew & Juliana, yesterday was the due date for our baby boy to be born, our third child.

The Office

On this scorching hot day in Amakom on the Lake I'm quite protected from the heat as I work away for hours at my desk. Today and yesterday have been long days in the office, actually it's the most time I've spent in here since our return. Currently we have an administrative intern, Louise Monroe from Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the months of June and July. Hollie Combs is here for the same period for a service internship as well. Rebecca Hillman is here beginning a longer period of serving in multiple capacities. They have been in Twi classes all morning with one brief break where Louise and Rebecca came and chatted a bit.

It's been especially busy as we are gearing up for a season of visiting work teams, their projects, and the logistics of each team. Planning and purchasing takes quite a bit more work here than expected. Louise snapped this picture of me at the desk yesterday as I was working on the projected costs for the clinic expansion which is the building project of the N.Irish/English team that comes in July.

I've also been in touch with Father Stephen McWhorter quite a bit this week since this past Sunday the opportunity was given at two different churches to give toward bore holes and the work of mercy ministries here. A phenomenal response came, so I've been researching now what it will take to fulfill the needs that can be met by these generous gifts. New challenges for the ministry here present new levels of faith.

The boat motor of the government boat we use for outreach recently had to be sent to Kumasi for repairs and it is coming back today to be put in service again. During it's demise the need for the larger clinic boat to be restored and functional was broached - and now funding has come to get it operational again. It will help so much when larger teams are here this summer (the Irish, the Georgia, and the Cincinnati teams) that require two boats each day. The resulting challenge now is that the boat house is not large enough for two boats, so I'm working on enlarging it and adding a storage room (for lifevests, fuel cans, fuel tanks, and supplies).

A days work, and it's only almost one in the afternoon on Thursday (the due date for our baby to be born...will he come today?).

The Picture Project

In collaboration with Rev. Steve Buchele, Brett & Leigh Anne Harris, and the visiting team last week from Alabama a brilliant idea of Steve's was able to come to fruition. Referred to as 'The Picture Project', click here to read and view this beautiful photo article.

New partnership, Answered prayer

During our time in the USA this Winter/Spring we visited many existing ministry partners and established new relationships. We received an email from Rolland and Heidi Baker (missionary members of H.I.M.) that invited us to the Revival Alliance Conference where they and Che Ahn, Bill Johnson, Duncan Smith, and others would be speaking. It was at this conference that we were introducted to Harvest International Ministry. Harvest International Ministry (HIM) is a network of likeminded people that come together for a common purpose, to spread the love of Jesus and equip the saints. It's an apostolic network of churches, missionary organizations, ministries, church networks, missionaries and marketplace ministers committed to loving and helping each other fulfill the Great Commission.

Today we received word that their executive committee welcomed us as members. The partnership brings support and prayer covering from a network of pastors and churches that we greatly respect. We are blessed to be in ministry with them. HIM is led by an outstanding minister Dr. Che Ahn and the executive committee (Che and Sue Ahn, Mark and Anne Tubbs, Rick and Pam Wright, Terry and Cheryl Edwards, Dennis and Lynnie Walker, Brian and Candice Simmons, Charles and Anne Stock, James and Michal Ann Goll, Jill Austin, Lou Engle, Paul and Joyce Tan, Wesley and Stacey Campbell) it's board of directors is a group of respected leaders (Che Ahn, Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Bill Greig, Sam Caster, Paul Tan, Rick Wright, John Park, Jeff Wright, Angela De Forrest, Mark Tubbs).

As God has called and equipped us to advance His kingdom in the villages of Lake Bosomtwe and beyond, we are blessed to have this partnership in ministry adding so many more churches and believers praying, interceding for the people we are here to love and care for in this mercy ministry at Lake Bosomtwe Clinic. Praise God for each of you in the churches that currently partner with us as missionaries with The Mission Society, and for those new partners in ministry through the H.I.M. network of churches, ministries, missionaries, and marketplace ministers.

Ephesians 4:11, "And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (ASV)

Reflection on Wednesday from Amakom

'The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things tought by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.' says Paul in a letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:1,2).

Today my heart is grieving for the lost sheep, for those that are not following Christ but wandering away and hurting. Recently I realized that a friend here in Ghana is hurting and abandoning the ways of God and in pain.  In this pain this person is acting out against others rather than seeking God for comfort - as they would say here in Ghana 'it pains me'.

On another note though, I am remembering with joy the group that left this past weekend after about 12 days of hard work, lots of love and care to our family, and cultural immersion from Alabama.  What a great experience we and they had here.

In just a couple of hours we are expecting our truck to pull back into the village bringing Hollie Combs (from Adairsville,GA, USA) and Rebecca Hillman (from Hughson, CA, USA ) as they will be working here for some time. On Saturday, our colleagues Rev. Kirk and Rev. Nicole Sims will bring Louise Monroe (from Belfast, N. Ireland, UK) who will be here for six weeks working in administration assistance. Their house, the one we lived in when we first moved here, has had a complete make-over - new roof, new ceiling, new wiring, plumbing, flooring, new kitchen, fans, beds, and fresh paint inside and out . The clinic grounds crew is cutting the 'bush' (the tall grass) that has grown high behind it as I write. Their fridge has been stocked and sheets on the bed. Pray that these young ladies will walk in the strength of the Lord, grow in Him during this time here, be content in the village life, and become friends with each other and local people.

Our eNewsletter program was hacked into...kind of :)

Some of you received a newsletter in our traditional format last week, but it was not written by Ju or myself! Relax though, our visiting team from Alabama requested to write Blessings, our monthly email newsletter on our behalf. We are grateful for their visit, and for their hours in putting together this news update for those who receive it. Click here to read it. If you would like to get it each month, click here to subscribe.

Greeting the Chiefs

While the work outreach team from Alabama was here I took the opportunity to do some necessary political business while also introducing them to local tradition. Each village has a chief (similar to mayor, but also judge), an okyome (an advisor, liason and spokesman for the chief), elders and assemblymen. On Tuesday, we went to greet these men in our village of Amakom (pictured top,right), then after that we traveled to our neighboring village of Atafram (pictured on the left). The chief of Atafram is a sub-chief, meaning that he is the chief over the area (many villages) and has higher authority and the ability to go directly in to the Asantehene.

Our next visit was on Thursday morning. The team came by boat to the village of Dompa, while I drove and met them there. It was an overdue visit, my first time to greet this chief and elders. The visiting team has brought gifts of rice, oil, hats and a new torch (flashlight for the Americans reading this post). We were received very well.  (pictured below, Michael Bentum standing with me as we explain the purpose of our visit) There were many questions about the clinic and how we can assist them with getting a bore hole (well) drilled since it's a town of 2000+ people and they have no well at all.  Last year they had a cholera outbreak (and have had many other years we are told) and over a dozen died, over 70 admitted for treatment. It's a valid request, yet we don't have the funds yet to have this need met. After this meeting the chief asked us to speak to the community...this led to a two hour, town hall/court room style gathering where people were given the chance to share their grievances, questions and concerns to me. I was not expecting it, nor did I expect the type of questions that came. I praise God that the team was there with me, and that God certainly gave wisdom and discernment for the correct responses to  the questions.

It was here in Dompa that I preached this past Sunday and afterward we and the whole congregation went to the homes of two shut-ins to pray for them, give them a summary of the morning message and care for them. An offering had been taken up for them during the morning service.  It was truly a meaningful and specail aspect of the service to me, and the visiting team.

'Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.' (quoted from 1st Peter 5:12-16, NIV)

Alabama team arriving today

It's a busy day here on the hillside of the beautiful meteor crater as we get ready for a joint team from St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Birmingham,AL, USA and First United Methodist Church in Sylacauga, AL, USA led by Father Stephen McWhorter. They left yesterday morning and are arriving in Accra, Ghana about 15 minutes from now (as I write this at (9:15am). Steve Buchele will be meeting them at the airport and bringing them up to Abono, where they all will stay at Lake Bosomtwe Paradise Resort. Steve will be fascilitating their orientation this afternoon and evening, then the group will be coming across by boat to Amakom to meet the clinic staff, begin working, and celebrate Lucas' 6th birthday.

The group will be involved in many aspects of work at the clinic. Church on Sunday will be at the 'Methodist society' in Dompa, with afternoon activities in Amakom. Monday is a work day on the clinic campus, Tuesday will start with greeting chiefs and elders in Amakom and Atafram, Wednesday will be a day of travel to Adamwaase to tour a Kente cloth weaving village, on to an Adinkra cloth village, then a wood carving village outing. Thursday and Friday are work days on the clinic campus, and Saturday they return to Accra to fly out early Sunday morning (June 1).

We are so blessed to have this group return again this year, with some of the same team members from the Feb. 2007 trip, and a few new team members.

'Doctor, We Need You'

It's 9:24pm on Tuesday evening and we're in bed. The all-to-familiar sound of the clinic night watchman's voice pierces through the night with 'Doctor, We Need You'.

We had gone to bed knowing that the third birth of the day could come anytime, but we had just gotten settled not long after watching an episode of House, MD (DVD of Season 2). Well, the call came and Juliana went since the mid-wife had gone to Kuntenase to get our monthly reporting forms and would be back early tomorrow morning.

Today was busy, Juliana and I had been setting up a new delivery room - which is being used tonight - with a new delivery table (very modern I must add and comfortable), an infant intensive care station (infant warmer), and other accessories for the room. Of course, you may remember, that Juliana is 36+ weeks pregnant herself and has worked all day on organizing, cleaning, etc. As we are waiting on the re-instatement of her medical license by the Medical Dental Council she cannot see patients at this time - she should hear news of their decision by the end of the week and can only go attend patients in emergency cases such as this tonight.

In the middle of a busy day, we had lunch (ocra stew over rice) on the floor picnic-style as our dining room table was covered with things as a sorting station during morning. I told Lucas of an email I had gotten from my mom that said that she would really like to send him his favorite home-made cake "Feathery Fudge Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Satin Frosting" but there is not enough room left for the visiting team coming this week from Alabama to bring it. I asked him if he thought he would have a cake for his birthday (it's on the 23rd) and he said, 'No, I don't think so. I can just have a popsicle for my birthday.' Oh my heart broke, it was at this moment that I wished for the biggest birthday party (Brazilian-style that his cousins have there). He didn't say it in sadness really, just realization that it won't be anything big. I'm glad that this team is bringing a cake that I bought/ordered from a bakery in Accra (the capital city of Ghana). It will be here by the 24th, and we will have 'party' with the team from Alabama, a 'family' gathering of sorts.

.... Juliana just came in for the truck keys and went out again... she said that the birth that she was called to has emergency complications, our truck has to rush her to the Catholic mission hospital that is 1 to 1 1/2 hours away (St. Michael's Catholic Hospital in Praamso).

I see the truck pulling out. I'm still waiting on Juliana to return to the house though and it's 9:51pm. May God intervene and strengthen this lady and her baby. Sustain them. I speak life and health to them in Jesus name. I come against all complications, and declare victory in the name of Jesus.

Update: Thursday morning.... we received word from the clinic driver that the baby did not make it. No details really, but the news is very discouraging.

Back at home in Amakom

We have been back in Ghana now for 18 days and it's been a wild transition back into the way of life. It's been quite an adjustment this time to get acclimated back into how things work here.

Today we are just overjoyed because we know that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, doing exactly what we are called to do and are victorious! We will see the Kingdom of God advancing in this place, in power and might, with people living and loving His presence.

We are very grateful for those of you who are praying for us, especially during this past week as it's been a bit intense re-entry. It's so very wonderful to be walking with warriors, not alone, but with a winning battalion of super fighters with us. Thank you! Thank you Jesus for the overwhelming peace in the middle of challenging situations. He is our great strength. Ju is doing very well in the pregnancy.

Psalm 33:18-22 (Amplified)
Behold, the Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield. For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name. Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.

Netting Nations - Partnership with Lake Bosomtwe Clinic

Check out, www.NettingNations.org, a great charity that has expressed interest and contacted us for partnership with them for July 2008 distribution of treated mosquito nets. They are working to raise $2500 so that we can distribute 5000 nets - wow, a lot less costly that the Nothing But Nets campaign.

If you or your group could help them reach their goal we would sure be grateful!

One more day in the USA

It's our last full day in the USA before returning to Ghana. Wow, it's been a full season here of work on this side of the ocean. We hope to get blueprints today for the clinic expansion and finish packing.

Yesterday we were able to speak in the two morning services at Metro Church in Birmingham, then my parents 50th wedding anniversary party in the afternoon - such a special time of celebration of two Godly people that are so active with the Lord and in life still. They have served with us for this time in the US, traveling and ministering with us. We praise God for them.

Thank you to all of the people praying for us and the people in the villages at Lake Bosomtwe, and the staff at Lake Bosomtwe Methodist Clinic - we are so grateful for your prayers. The financial support is coming in for the expansion, the ambulance, lab, and supplies - so we praise God for that and thank those of you have been giving toward it. New workers are coming this summer, teams from the US & UK, and it's an exciting time in the life of the clinic.

We bless you all and look forward to giving updates soon from Ghana!

New mission staff members

We are living in such victory and blessings as we share with folks of God's work and love for His people. What an amazing loving God! He is so lovely.

Juliana and I are speaking in the Wichita, Kansas area this week in groups, lunches, and gatherings - and it's great! Early on Sunday morning we got in from four days in Pasadena that were indescribably great at a conference there - a spiritual retreat that was very renewing and refreshing.

We are so blessed that Rebecca Hillman will be coming to work serving at Lake Bosomtwe with us - working in mercy ministry, with Lucas as he enters first grade, teams, and massage therapy.

During the months of June and July we will also have Hollie Combs (Georgia, USA) and Louise Monroe (England, UK) in interships as they explore their call into missions. If you would like to sponsor Rebecca, Hollie or Louise in their work to help with their housing and other needs email us (click here). Prayerfully consider it we ask.

Interview Online

About a week ago we were interviewed for the podcast from The Mission Society, click here to listen.

Until we go back to Ghana

It's a quiet morning in Sylacauga before the rush of travels hit again. Yesterday I got my doses of readiness from the travel clinic and the kids get their vaccinations tomorrow. We are off in a few minutes to go pack trunks in our storage unit, then lunch with ministry partners.

This Sunday, March 16th, we are at New Wine Ministries to give the message and minister in their morning service.

On the 18th we begin our trip to Kansas City where we will be from the 20th-24th for meetings with ministry partners and a conference at IHOP. Then on Wednesday the 26th-29th Juliana and I will be in Pasadena, CA at Harvest Rock Church for 'Releasing the Supernatural' conference, then it's to Wichita to speak at The Benton Church on the 30th. We will spend the week in Wichita visiting ministry partners, speaking at Seed of Faith and Udall UMC, then from April 4th-6th participating at the Global Impact Celebration at Goddard UMC , where I will give the closing life commitment message on the 6th.

It's back to Alabama on Monday, then I'll be ministering at Hueytown UMC in Birmingham, AL on Wednesday night the 9th, then Juliana and I will travel down to Lady Lake, Florida (near Orlando) to minister in the morning at Lady Lake UMC on the morning of the 13th, we celebrate 7 years of marriage on the 14th, then back to Sylacauga. On Sunday the 20th we will sharing in the morning services at Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham, then having a 50th Anniversary celebration for my parents that afternoon in Childersburg, Alabama. Then, on the 25th we leave for Ghana!!!

It's been a great time in the US for sharing the vision, thanking our ministry partners, and being challenged and renewed by the Lord. We have had time to read good books, and be renewed for returning back to the villages of Lake Bosomtwe. Praise God.

Spring Update Newsletter

Click here to read the latest newsletter that is mailed out this week.Download blessings_spring_2008.pdf

Pray like never before

Today as I was seeking the Lord I was deeply moved to pray like I have never prayed before for the people that do not know the Lord around Lake Bosomtwe, to pray for transformation, freedom and healing. Am I willing to do whatever it takes to see them serving Jesus?

Just a few days ago I received an email from Michael that he and others shared the gospel in one of the villages on the lake that does not have a church of any kind and about 100 people showed up to listen, and most of them responded to give their lives to Jesus.

John 20:21 speaks loudly to this as it says 'Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you"

He has sent us, He has sent Michael, and the other workers on the mission to serve and see hope and joy, healing and deliverance, songs of peace and visions of God. May His will be done.

Will you fast, will your pray like you never have before for the restoration of the villages around Lake Bosomtwe back to their creator, their loving Father.

If you will, let us know.

Always Enough

Juliana has recently read, and I am in the process of reading this book now so I add it here as a recommendation if you want to read about the extraordinary provision of God is mercy ministry in Africa.">
We are finding as we submit to the Lord and do as He leads us, that there is always enough to do what He is asking us to do. We have a amazing, loving and merciful God and it's great to see Him work right in front of us.

The Faith of a Child

Juliana writes:

"Being the only doctor working at the Clinic makes the workload sometimes overwhelming, not only to me, but also to my kids and husband, that don't get to spend so much time with their mom. But not to worry, since my son Lucas, our five year old MK, found out a true treasure: the power of prayer. It all started one night when we were praying together and he just burst out in tears to the Lord and told Him he really missed his mother and would like Jesus to make everybody in the villages around the lake well so nobody would come to the clinic the next day and he would be able to spend all day with his mommy, having fun together.

On the morning I went down the few steps walk to the clinic expecting to see a full load of patients occupying the benches by the front door but, to my complete surprise, found only the nurses and the clinic chaplain chatting on the same benches, instead. We all looked at each other with a puzzled look as we waited for a while for the patients to come. On that day, they never came. Instead I had a whole day to stay at home and enjoy my family. Lucas did not seem amazed at all when I told him what had happened (and even gave me the look that said 'why are you so surprised, mommy? Don't you know we prayed about it??' with the cutest smile on his face) and just rejoiced with the gift. Since that day, he has had a few other requests of more time with his mom, all beautifully and uniquely answered by His Father.

'Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.'
Matthew 18:2-4 (New Living Translation)

Let God's curse fall?

We have been in the US now for 2 1/2 months on our 6 month homeland assignment and I am still in culture shock I believe. It seems that there are so many people that are religious. I have met so many that are following a lot of other messages while holding the Bible, rather than the true messages of the Word.

In Galatians 1:8-10, Paul writes, "Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomes, let God's curse fall upon that person. Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant." (NLT)

I am challenged by these words since we are speaking in so many churches and groups while in the US. I want to make sure that I am living to surrender more to him, than living to please myself and live a more comfortable life. Being sincerely religious can become a habit for us so easily. Larry Crabb (in his book SoulTalk) writes of this trap like this

The god of convenience:
Get is reasonable right
+
The god of cooperation:
Life will work reasonable well
=
Religion: You can make your life work in a way that satisfies your soul.

There are so many traditional church attenders that are completely religious, that have a solid grasp of this combination of the god of convenience merged with the god of cooperation. It is much simpler to submit request for cooperation from god so that their life can be more convenience and comfortable. I ask myself as I reflect on these things, and ask you, if we can look at our view of God a bit closer. Are we living to please Him or ourselves?

God inspired Paul to say that God's curse will fall on those that are living for anything other than the Father. I am deeply moved to surrender more into His hands and long for ways fall deeper into a love life with Him.

Is God Calling You Overseas?

Are you interested in moving overseas in ministry?
Click to fill out the interest form today.

What does our world look like?

All loved by God, do YOU, do I love them all? Let's pray for our friends, and our enemies today. Love our enemies, bless those who do things we don't like. Wow, it's revolutionary. Are you revolutionary? Can we renew the revolution like this type of behavior?

Reflection on Wisdom

Francis of Assisi said,
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

The truth from the word that speaks on this is also found in the book of James, chapter 3, verse 13, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."