Blessings in Bosomtwe & Beyond

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.

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.

A great week in Newport News

It's 4:34am on Monday morning and I'm sipping my coffee before loading the children, Juliana and my parents into the van for a 10 hour drive to Atlanta today to go to The Mission Society office and visit some relatives. It's been a fabulous week with Rick and Betty (aunt and uncle) and cousins, and a wonderful time of ministry at First Baptist Church - Newport News, VA yesterday. What a motivated, sound and great pastor they have in Dr. Randel Everett!  A joy to be with them.

Thanks to all those who are investing in the work as we share and minister here in the US and keep Project 611 going strong in Ghana in the communities of Lake Bosomtwe.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,”- Hebrews 12:28

...4x4 ambulance and ultrasound

In Ghana, we see people who need hope. Often, we get to transport them to a referral hospital, a facility with more...to do this we would like to buy an ambulance.

Would you partner to make it possible?

We want to be able to help more people than the Lake Bosomtwe Clinic has ever been able to reach before. A Nissan Patrol 4x4 ambulance will cost $31,000 - will you help make this happen?

An ultrasound machine is needed at a cost of from International Aid

Have questions, need more information?  e-mail us.

Thanks so much for caring, and helping us to assist in Ghana!

We are on the road in the US sharing the vision, expressing our gratitude to those who have been sharing and caring! This week...Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina, next week Virginia.

In South Carolina at St. Luke UMC

Our family is being cared for and hosted so well in Hartsville, South Carolina by a strong partner church - St. Luke. It was almost three years ago when we were with them last, and they have been in the heart of the work so actively over this time, with emails, cards, care and support that has empowered our family, many staff and patients in the work in Ghana.

Last night we spoke to the Family Matters class, this morning to Women in the Parlor, then a lunch meeting. Tomorrow a Men's Gathering Lunch and a dinner party in the evening, then Sunday morning two services and a Youth Event in the evening.

Being in partnership with the St. Luke church has been deepened as we have been able to get to know more of the people making it happen and see how their life works out in their environment.

To you at St. Luke, and all those everywhere that make a difference through our service possible - thank you!

Global Health Mission Conference

It was so good to be part of a fun, refreshing, refueling, and re-connecting event where we were able to speak to prospective new international health professionals, meet students interested in coming to Lake Bosomtwe, and learn how do our work better, as well as present perspective in a breakout session as well at the Global Health Mission Conference this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky.
It's an annual event, that is a recommended must attend for those interested in short term or career health care work with a US based faith-based charity. Everyone from Mercy Ships to The Mission Society, Samaritans Purse to InterServe, LifeWind to Red Bird Mission, WorldVenture to SIM to Pioneers to Tenwick Hospital.

If you are thinking of entering this field, and are from the US...then plan on attending. It's the first weekend of November each year in Louisville, KY. See you there!

After Beeson Divinity School

WOW!

I just got finished sharing with a group of men at Beeson Divinity School this morning and it was great. Such men of character and world-changers!

The new DVD titled The Safest Place to Be by Watermelon Ministries was a hit, as many remarked how well it portrayed the place and heart of working in Ghana at the Lake Bosomtwe Clinic.

I'm so grateful to Joshua MacLeod, Scott Dotta, Philip Kowalski, Paul Williams and all those who have supported Watermelon Ministries as they all created this work of love through the financial and professional contributions. They need additional support if you fee like helping them out. The DVD they made will really help us as we share of God's work in and through us and those at Lake Bosomtwe Clinic. Go to www.WatermelonMinistries.org to help them build the Kingdom.

Email us if you would like a kit sent to you to host a screening house party of The Safest Place to Be.

Getting Ready to Go

The house is buzzing with activity as we get it cleaned and organized to leave here for our US homeland assignment.  Oh how I wish we could touch down this time too in the UK to visit the churches and friends that support and pray for us there. In just a few days our house becomes the home of Dr. Olukoya Emmanuel and family while they serve here in our absence - coming in as a mission physician from Nigeria.

Lucas and Luiza are SO ready to see their grandmommy and granddaddy in Alabama! Andrew will be speaking in Amakom in the morning at church, Dr. Cam, Anne and Caylor Gongwer will be coming for lunch, and then at 4:30am on Monday we hope to leave the bush for Accra for three days of meetings before flying out on Thursday, arriving in Birmingham, Alabama, USA at 3:15pm!  We are sad to leave here, yet too glad to be able to visit so many that invest in the work here.  To those, I say 'see you soon', yet to those here I say 'we will miss you incredibly much and love you'.

Homeland Assignment Coming Up Soon!!!

Today our tickets for our first homeland assignment were purchased (if you are thinking what is homeland assignment...that is when our work location changes back to our home base - the USA) - and we are homeless, car-less, and traveling all across the country expressing our thankfulness for those sharing in the work, sharing the vision of what's ahead, showing our new DVD created by Watermelon Ministries, and raising support to expand and sustain the ministry.

So, all that said.  Anybody have an extra minivan/SUV/station wagon that our family can use from October 26th to April 21st and have it in Birmingham for us when we arrive on the 25th?  I know it's a lot to ask, yet we sold our car when we moved to Ghana. If you can think a way to help it would be great.

Pray for us as we transition from a simple, rustic, busy-but-in-a-different way life here in Ghana to the transient life of speaking in churches, houses, staying with people, staying in hotels (to maintain a sense of privacy and security for our family too), and eating in restaurants and peoples houses.  The abundance of 'stuff' in the western world is something that we need to adjust to as well.  Re-entry culture shock can be an issue.

Take a look at our schedule for the first bit...
  October 21 - Drive to Accra (6 hours) meet Dr. Olukoya Emmanuel and family   
  October 23 - have a Debriefing Meeting
  October 25 - Fly to Lagos, Nigeria to Frankfurt, Germany
  October 26 - Fly from Frankfurt, Germany to Chicago, IL, USA to Birmingham, AL, USA, drive 1 hour to Sylacauga, Alabama to Andrew's parents house.
  October 28 - Speak in a small group and two morning church services at Sylacauga First United Methodist Church
                       -   Speak in the evening service at Weogufka First Baptist Church (30 minutes from Sylacauga)
     October 29 - Andrew gets his wisdom teeth removed in Birmingham
       couple of days to re-enter the US
      Nov. 4 - Shine! Global Summit Mission Conference begins at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL
      Nov. 5 - Global Summit Mission Conference begins at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL
      Nov. 6 - Global Summit Mission Conference at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL
      Nov. 7 - Global Summit Mission Conference at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL 
      Nov. 8 - Global Summit Mission Conference at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL
      Nov. 8 - Drive to Louisville, Kentucky, USA as the Global Missions Health Conference begins
      Nov. 9 - Global Missions Health Conference - Louisville, KY, USA (Andrew recruiting)
      Nov. 10 - Global Missions Health Conference - Louisville, KY (Juliana speaking)
      Nov. 11 - Southeast Christian Church - Louisville, KY, USA
      Nov. 12 - family day
      Nov. 13 - Travel toward Hartsville, SC
      Nov. 14 - Begin ministry at St. Luke UMC, Hartsville, South Carolina, USA
      Nov. 15 - Ministry at St. Luke UMC
      Nov. 16 - Ministry at St. Luke UMC
      Nov. 17 - Ministry at St. Luke UMC
      Nov. 18 - Speak in groups and services at St. Luke UMC, Hartsville, SC, USA
      Nov. 19 - family day
      Nov. 20 - Travel to Newport News, VA for Thanksgiving with family
      Nov. 25 - Minister to a group at Newport News First Baptist Church
      Nov. 26 - Drive toward Atlanta, GA
      Nov. 27 - Arrive in Atlanta
      Nov. 28 & 29 - Meetings at The Mission Society in Norcross, GA, USA
      Nov. 30 - Arrive back in Sylacauga, Alabama at Andrew's parents house
      Dec. 2 - Minister in church services (to be determined which church)

It's a busy start in this first part of our six month stay in the US.  After December weeks staying in the Alabama area, we will then travel to Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, and Kansas.

Pray with us for this time of ministry, and if you have ideas and comments - we would love to hear from you.  Our number while in the US is 205-218-9641

 

Fire in Kumasi: 131 injured

A tragedy occurred in the city where we go for groceries, and friends were affected.  Read the story by clicking here of the Gas Station fire that injured 131 people as reported by the press.

The same day it had occurred to me to purchase gas for our cylinder, and it happened where we usually do our refills.  Pray for the families and businesses affected by this incident.

Leaving Brazil

It has been a great visit to Brazil and it is ending on Tuesday, the 7th of August.  We have one last speaking engagement tonight at Igreja Batista Principe da Paz.

On Tuesday morning we fly to Sao Paulo, then in the evening to Johannesburg, then the next afternoon to Abijan, Ivory Coast, then on to Accra, Ghana where we will spend the night, then drive on home to Amakom. Luiza asked yesterday if we could go home, she is ready and so am I. It is good to be here, was too short of a visit, but it is time to get back. The work here was beneficial, successful and of God and it´s time has come.

In Brazil

We have been here in Belo Horizonte, our home in Brazil for one week now. We have had quite a few ministry speaking engagements during this week and another church service tonight at Igreja Batista Principe da Paz in the city centre.

It's been 3 years since Ju has been home to Brazil and this 3 week visit is flying by rapidly. We go back to Ghana on August 6th. One of the unique a spects of this trip is that we brought a Ghanaian friend and staff member with us to Brazil whose name is Juliana also :)

Ju and I feel so at home, it's been relaxing even in the busy schedule. Lucas and Luiza are peaceful as well. We have all been sick, but trusting the Lord for strength in these times of physical weakness.

Thanks for your prayers. It's been great getting emails and having more time to reply. Find peace in your Father, in Jesus today.

Arrived in Brazil - Plane Crash

We arrived on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte, Brazil via Sao Paolo, via Johannesburg, South Africa, via Accra, Ghana. What a long trip. On the evening that we arrived a tragic airplane accident occured in Sao Paolo and almost 200 people were killed. A TAM Airlines Airbus slid off of the runway across a street into a gas station and building.

Wow. What tragedy!

We are in Belo Horizonte as it is where Juliana is from and it has been 3 years since she has been here. We have a large portion of our support for the ministry that comes from individuals, businesses and churches here so it is a time of touching base, sharing with them and expressing our grattitude for their work through our family through our friends in Ghana. 

It´s also a time for medical check ups (I have had a fever for three weeks now), dental appointments, etc.  We will have good email access while here so don´t hesitate to send us a note.

Friends to the Rescue

Today, one day after the truck wreck, some colleagues of ours that serve with The Mission Society, the Mozley family, had their semi-retired team van brought to us to use. 

Without it, we don't know what we would do.

It's temporary since they have warned us that it's kind of on it's last leg.

We praise God for it!

Oscar: The UK Information Service for World Mission

Today I write this entry especially for our friends in the United Kingdom as some of your prepare for your visit to work with us in the year ahead. 

Oscar.org.uk is the UK information service for world missions and has amazingly great resources.  We are grateful that they have listed us on their blog feed and directory, a special priviledge as we work in partnership with churches in England and Northern Ireland.

Spring Newsletter

Our special edition newsletter came out this week. If you would like to read it, click the link. Would you save it and then email it to others? Would you consider printing it and taking it to church, Sunday school, work, passing it out to friends?

Download blessings_jernigan_febraury_07_newsletter.pdf

"However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--" 1st Corinthians 2:9

Culture Clash

Today is our last full day in the UK and we are staying at a Hilton hotel in London using points, yet just a few hours ago we received a call from Ghana saying that the electricity lines to our house were cut!  Culture clash! We are ending a 3 month time in England tomorrow as we fly out at 2pm arriving in Accra at 8:55pm. 

Yes, due to a problem with our power bill that was to be solved long ago we just found out that it was not and we are not only without electricity, but that the lines were cut.  Last night I called a missionary friend...after another had called us to tell us of the problem.  One is going to try to resolve it and see what he can do to have them restore it before we get home on the 7th. 

So, as we enjoy the conveniences of high speed internet and the food of familiarity - even a latte or mocha tomorrow in the middle of being really ready to get back home, we face the thought of not having power for a week or so after we get back.

The calling is wonderful and we are learning a lot.  Pray for us as we walk in the Spirit and surrender from the flesh.

We love you all and thank you for your support.    Andrew & Ju Jernigan

In Liverpool, UK

Tonight I'm on the sidewalk outside a building with a WiFi connection so that I can download emails and jot this note to you all.

If you need to reach us in Liverpool, our contact number is 44-775-695-3669. Our mailing address is 6 Bowring Manor, Larch Close, Liverpool, UK, L19 OQN

Church in England and Ireland in October

Would you come to church with us?  It's been so refreshing to be in church here these last few weeks.  Our home church is Grace Family Church during this time in Liverpool.  I've been able to visit Aigburth Methodist Church for a worship service.

We will be part of the morning service at St. Mary's - Halewood on October 22nd. It's an Anglican and Methodist partnership congregation in Liverpool.

On October 29th, we will be in Lisburn, Northern Ireland for the weekend to share in the morning service at Seymour Street Methodist Church.

Then, on December 3rd we have been invited to minister at Wesley Methodist Church in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, which is about 2 hours east of Liverpool for a World Church Service by a couple who served as missionaries to the Lake Bosomtwi Clinic for 12 years in the 1970's.  How special to get to meet them!

Today, I work on an email newsletter that will go to our friends, partners, churches, and family around the world.  As we don't have internet at home while here in the UK I work from the library in the School of Tropical Medicine while Ju is in lab.

A New Culture, A New Language

The Language and Culture of Liverpool

We are so blessed and enjoying our time here.  Yesterday we moved in to our new apartment - ours for 3 months - and are amazed at what God is doing in our lives. 

Ju is benefitting greatly from her classes and labs at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

I've been in touch with several pastors at churches in the area and will be able to give the message on a Sunday morning it seems. 

One of the biggest joys is seeing Lucas and Luiza so happy with all the new surroundings.  It's taking a lot of adjustment to the cold, the new house, the foods, the newess of it all - yet they are doing well.  Thank you to those of you praying for them, and I ask you to continue.

Eliana, my mother-in-law/Ju's mother, is visiting for the next three weeks and has given us the rent for the apartment and outfitted it perfectly for us.  The children has been loving on her as if they were around her all the time.  It's sweet to see them together. Pray that the Lord refreshes her in this time away from work and busyness in Brazil.

My parents, Bob and Mona, will spend the month of October ministering to us.  Pray for them as they prepare to come and as they are here as well.

Thank you to all of you praying for the right 'home' for us while here.  It's perfect for us.  It's a block from a sidewalk along the river promenade that goes for several miles.  Will be great for the grandparents walking with Lucas and Luiza during these times together.

Story of Michael's Scars

"He is so sick he is not even crying anymore", the mother told the fetish priest as she held the baby in her arms. After performing his rituals and invoking the spirits, the screams came in the infant's mouth - his face was being cut and scared as a symbol that that life had been consecrated to demons. Michael survived the sickness and that day.

Years later, as a teenager, Michael came to love and know and gave himself completely to Jesus Christ. All the bondage from the past was broken as he grew in the Word and understood that God had created him for a purpose.

When we met him, Michael was living in a cargo container, with three other friends. We could see the love for Jesus this 24 year old young man has as he did electric work at our house. It didn't take much to see his love for children as he played football with Lucas and chases with Luiza. Along the months as we got to know him better we were reminded that we are all parts of His one body and that each of us needs all the others. Michael now lives here with us and works alongside our family in ministry.

This weekend, Ju and I were filled with joy to see Michael doing what he is passionate about - telling children how to live for God. There were 800 child gathered at the village of Konkoma. The drums beating, the energetic singing and all-out dancing showed that gave us the awareness that they love Jesus. Michael was inspired and animated as he taught them the Word of God and helped the memorize verses. We were part of a team responsible for children from many of the villages around Lake Bosumtwe that were gathered - some of them had walked for four hours to be able to join us - to learn about their Creator for three days.

One experienced and wise missionary told me that in the end of your time in a foreign land, one must look at the people around, at the ones that were part of your daily life in your new home, and it's then that you see the impact you had. After our first year in Ghana, I now look around and I see the impact that Michael has had in us. He is a constant reminder that God gives a new family to those that have to leave their families in order to serve Him. When I look at the scars on his face I remember the bondages that still dominate so many lives, but foremost, the redemption that Jesus' scars had on his life.

Training in Liverpool

As we get ready to start our ministry in the village of Amakom at Bosumtwe Clinic, and I face the perspective of being the only resident doctor in such an isolated area, our leadership guided us in the decision to apply for further training as a major tool in serving the patients at the Clinic.

I was recently accepted to attend a Tropical Medicine and Hygiene course for this fall (September, October and November) at the University of Liverpool, UK.

It has been a great chapter in this journey of faith. And a very rewarding one – because we know the One providing is faithful! Even before I write you these words, we had a dear friend calling us to inform that while in prayer, she received clear direction to pay my school tuition fees. We are in awe as we wait in Him for a place to stay (we contacted some churches and mission organizations in the Liverpool area), trusting that He knows our every need.

Last week I took our coats out of the boxes. Lucas is so excited that he can't help it but from time to time wear his coat around the house, for as long as the hot weather permits. As for Luiza, the challenge ahead is going to be getting used to wearing shoes.  written by Ju

In Accra

Today I write you from Accra (the capital city of Ghana). We had an amazing time on ministry in the Upper West region of northern Ghana (we did get to see lots of elephants like these while on the trip north) and I'll write more about it soon. I've just downloaded 150+ emails and catching up. Running errands, grocery shopping and more here in Accra while Juliana is at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for a conference for Pediatricians all week.

Thank you so much for praying for us! It's been wild and wonderful seeing God work in and through our family.

I ask for your prayers for dear friends of ours that have just separated and have four children. Pray with us for renewal of the marriage and we ask that you interceed and pray with us for the Lord to work in both their hearts as well for a complete restoration and healing for the whole family.

Will write more soon.
Andrew

Sunday Morning in Nwirem

I wish you could have sat with me on that bench under the palm branches listening to the caretaker of a new group of believers in the village of Nwirem. It was special.

Nwirem is a village on the edge of a forrest preserve in our region (Ashanti region), and about 1 1/2 hours from our house. We will be working with John and Bess Russell (other missionaries of The Mission Society here in Ghana) on June 12-14 as we provide free medicines, medical care, healing prayer - along with children's ministry and show the Jesus film in Twi with lots of house to house evangelism. Right now there are 31 people that have come to Christ in the village in the last month since preparations started for our outreach there.

Please be in prayer for June 11-14 as we will be working to see people come to Jesus, see people healed and loved by the power of God.

Yesterday was a long day out there, bouncing on really rough roads, yet it was sure motivating to be where there is no church building but just in a month they have 31 people eager to build a pavilion and draw others to Christ.