Blessings in Bosomtwe & Beyond

Police involvement in clinic construction

I received sad news today that it took Michael going to file charges against the carpenter that was to finish up the doors for the Inpatient Care Centre for action to be taken.  The police went with him and arrested the man, found him guilty and required him to produce the doors, and refund some of the funds. 

We are SO grateful for the direction Michael has had in completing this project.  The final two aspects are getting the doors, installing them, then putting curtains up.  It was very puzzling to me that it was taking SO LONG, yet since I was there for a few years I know how it goes.  It's great to see that he would take the necessary action to get it moving again after this stall.  I wish it didn't have to come to this, but I'm glad he did it.

 Funds are low at this point.  We owe The Mission Society several thousand dollars at this point since costs have continued even though we left Ghana and have discontinued receiving salary and benefits.  If you feel led to help it would be great!  Thanks for your continued prayers.  We have an update coming out very soon.  Email us anytime as well. 

We have just moved (five days ago)into our house in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and are getting settled finally.

Progressing at the Inpatient Care Centre at Lake Bosomtwe Methodist Clinic!

Today I received great news from Michael Bentum as he coordinates the completion of the Inpatient Care Centre in Amakom.  The doors have arrived, and many have been installed!  The next step is curtains in the wards and private rooms - which are made and ready to be hung.  It's great news!

Pictured: The new 4x4 Nissan Patrol Ambulance that was purchased by the gracious donors, friends and partners that responded to the need.  In the background through the tree foliage you can see the Inpatient Care Centre.

We are in constant contact with Michael as he continues working at the clinic, and ministering in the villages.  Would you pray for him as God guides him in ministry in the months ahead? 

Our family is in a time of transition and will have an update out next week.  Thank you for your prayers and support through this unpredictable time as we serve our faithful Father.

Finishing the Task

It's the first Monday of 2009 and I've just replied to an email from Michael Bentum (project manager) who is back from training in Mozambique. It looks like he has at least two more months of work to get the new Outpatient Centre completed. 

I am eagerly waiting to see what funds came in designated to Project 611 (the account for Lake Bosomtwe Clinic) at The Mission Society in December to see how fast the materials can be purchased and how many laborers can be on the job. 

It's lacking finishing tiling some rooms, about 40 doors, cement, delivery of sand, and the unexpected items.  As I write I am transported back in time mentally from this bustling metropolis of Belo Horizonte (6 million people) back to life in Amakom (600 people). I am SO very grateful that Michael is willing to continue working with us until the construction is complete.  I had thought that the tiling of the bathroom walls and the other remaining rooms had been completed, but it appears not. 

All this weighs heavy on my mind as I wish that I could have completed it before leaving Ghana. For the safety of our family I am VERY glad that we left when we did, yet it does make me sad to not have seen it done myself. It's 90% finished - but that remaining bit seems gigantic from this distance, from Brazil to Ghana.  I ask you to pray for Michael and James as they work so diligently to wrap it up. Pray the clinic workers, for the people in the villages of Lake Bosomtwe, pray for the supporters that have made the improvements there possible, and pray for us as we transition and seek God on the new work He has for us in urban ministry in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.  Thank you so very much!

Andrew Jernigan

My Christmas Gift

One year ago, Juliana and I made a fast trip up to Cincinnati, Ohio to spend the weekend with friends and a partner church - Four Corners Community Church.  It was a special weekend to focus on their special campaign called My Christmas Gift.  The work in Ghana, at Lake Bosomtwe Clinic, was to be part of the Christmas gifts of their members to make a difference in many lives.  They met their goal and now, one year later I realize that it has been through SO many people that a new clinic exists, that is really more like a hospital.  One year later, a new boat is there to serve the villages around the lake.  One year later, a new 2008 Nissan Patrol 4x4 factory outfitted ambulance arrived from China through the gifts of people all across the United States. 

I am excited that through the gifts of people at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hoover, AL and First United Methodist Church in Sylacauga, AL that villages will be receiving wells soon.  Our colleague, Mary Kay Jackson, whose ministry with The Mission Society is specifically bore holes (wells) and water purification, has accepted the challenge of making sure this reachest its fullest potential.

Our project manager, Michael Bentum, returns to Ghana, then back to Amakom to the clinic next week.  He has been attending the Harvest School of Missions in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique learning more about rural, village mission work.  He will return to update us on the status of the construction.  At this point, I know that doors need to be purchased and installed on all the rooms, air conditioners installed in the operating room and laboratory, and a bit more.  He will let us know the finishing touches and we will send the needed funds.

Thank you for your support to make the work we started come to completion!!!

Friends showing love

It was truly moving as Juliana gave a wonderful message of love and hope to the staff and construction workers on Wednesday morning. They heard the news that we are leaving the work here and moving on.  Many cried, hugged us tightly, and grieved with deep, heart-felt sorrow.

The new building, ambulance entrance side showing in the picture, is now about 85% complete.  A LOT has been done in the last few days even so that this picture looks old.

We have seen God move in our time here.  Over three years in Ghana.  The workers on the project have been working hard and have participated in building a dream - from a small clinic to now a small hospital that will be a 30 bed capacity facility.

We praise God for the friendships made, and the partners that have given so generously to make it all happen.  Praise God! I still have a lot to do before we leave Ghana. The building will be moving rapidly forward to completion.  The money given for bore holes/wells for villages that don't have water has been transferred to the Ghana Water Project of The Mission Society, which is led by Mary Kay Jackson, based in Accra. Water is a wonderful gift that I really can't find words to describe the deep, life-changing impact that these gifts will do for all the families in these villages.  Thank you to so many people that give so willingly to help us in sharing the love of Jesus here in Ghana.  Thank you!

The project manager on the construction of the 'doctor bungalow', our house (pictured in the background behind Luiza), the new staff house, the rebuilt old doctor bungalow, the outpatient clinic, the office, and the new Inpatient Care Centre is Michael Bentum, who is shown here with Luiza.

Today I spent hours with him going over building progress, receipts, plans, task lists, and projections. Pray for him through this time especially as he is seeking God about his next step of where to live and work as he serves God in missions.

Right Hand Man

Michael Bentum, Project Manager and right-hand man with Andrew discussing building situations as captured by Steve Buchele, co-worker with The Mission Society in Ghana.

Construction Projects

Life is wild at the moment with the building of three offices, renovations at the clinic, ordering a 30kva generator (donated by business men in Brazil), and getting internet service there in the next two weeks. It requires SO much energy to pick up supplies, find trucks to bring it in, transport the laborers and house them, and much more. 

A small project that would take 3 days to a week, takes 1-2 months at times.  It's a challenging task.  As we have folks who are asking to come and build we have to keep in mind that 90% of the work needs to be done before they arrive so that something can be done while they are visiting. 

Pray for me, Andrew, as I keep focussed on today and not tomorrow - on what I can do today and what I can do at all.  Thank you.

Project Design: Planning, Architecture and Cost Analysis

As we look consider the vision for the ministry we ask for your prayers.  We need to have professional site planning, construction design, and archectural consulting.  One of the options is to apply to Engineering Ministries International (EMI) to come with a team to do this planning.  Implementation, not funding, but construction management could also be implemented by them if they accept our application.

Funding from individuals, foundations, businesses, groups and creative advocacy is necessary.  Will you be part of it?   Would your church bring a team to work on it?  The 12-16 months will be a time of construction, will you be part of it? 

We need professional contruction cost estimation to be able to plan (1) mission house/missionary residence, (2) team/guest house to sleep 40 people, (3) clinic and wards, (4) staff housing.   

You help is needed, as the initial projections total $290,000 or £148,000 or 589,000 Reais (Brasil).   Email Andrew with questions regarding wire transfer, online giving, or mailing your contribution.

Guest House at Lake Bosumtwe Clinic

The Need: House for work/mission teams, visiting graduate students, interns, and family of patients

The Location: The village of Amakom on the property of the Lake Bosumtwe Methodist Clinic of the Methodist Church Ghana in partnership with The Mission Society

The Cost: $40,000

The Funding: People willing to give to make it happen. Would you help? Give online, and email us for more information on ways to give.

Clinic Renovations

Soon we hope to have running water from our bore hole, then the work can begin once the funds come in.  Would you be a part of sharing the costs of renovating the clinic buildings? 

They are in need of new roofs, electrical repairs, plumbing, structural repairs and furnishings.

It seems a lot, yet it's been an empty shell working without much help for a number of years now. 

Funds can be sent a number of ways.  If you are from the UK or Brazil, they can be sent via bank wire.  If from the US they can be sent to The Mission Society, Project 611, PO Box 922637, Norcross, GA 30010 or by check or credit card online.

Mission House

One of the major tasks rapidly approaching us is the building of a house in Amakom, near the Lake Bosumtwe Methdost Clinic.  It will be located on clinic property, owned by the Methodist Church Ghana, thereby being an investment for the Kingdom.  When the day arrives for us to move from this ministry they will be able to recruit a doctor to work there must easier than currently since there would be adequate housing.

Currently there is no running water and the house is not suitable for a doctor to live in with a family.

We should have drawings this week for a mission house and as soon as the Lord provides the funds we hope to start building it.  It is to take 4-6 months to construct we have been told.

Would you help?

The estimate need is $45,000 (US dollars).

Funds can be mailed to: The Mission Society, Project 611, PO Box 922637, Norcross, GA 30010 or you may give online.