Giving Honor to the Work of a Man of God

On Saturday, Toby and John had the great privilege of attending the retirement ceremony of Rev. Peter. Rev Peter has been ministering around this area for 46 years. His story is an amazing testimony to the work of God.
Rev. Peter accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1960 and was baptized by a Baptist Missionary shortly after. He wanted to improve his education so around his 30's he went to public school! He received high marks. Rev. Peter went for further training at the Ghana Seminary.
Rev. Peter has started many churches in his years of preaching and teaching the gospel to villages in Ghana. He calls himself a traveling evangelist. God has used this man to preach the truth of Jesus Christ to many in and around Tamale.
At the Retirement Celebration Toby noticed the amount of pastors, church leaders, and Seed Ministry staff, Bible Club Leaders and Zone Leaders present. Toby also noticed how much of an impact that Rev. Peter had made because he was faithful to the Lord.
Rev. Peter stated at the ceremony, "Though I can't ride my bike the many miles that I used to, and though I can't see as I used to, retirement isn't quitting. I am still an Evangelist and will still preach and teach the gospel."
What a testimony this man's life is for the Lord. It teaches us that we are never to quit, no matter how old we get, or how grim things seem. We look to the cross at what Christ did for us. Nothing else matters.

Open air preaching in the village

This past weekend Seed Ministry, along with two local pastors, held a crusade in a village about an hour away from Tamale. This village is made up of people from two different tribes. One tribe is called Fra Fra and the other tribe, by a vast majority, is Dagomba. There was no church in this village and only 3 Christians. Pastor Alex (wearing the FINEXT shirt) asked if we could take our lights and music equipment. He asked Toby to preach and John translated. Seth and Caleb came along to help set up everything. Emmanuel drove us, of course (he is the one to the left of Seth in the first picture, the one about to climb the tree to hang the lights). We brought along other Christians to help with music. There were many who came out to see what was going on. They heard the gospel, most for the first time. God opened up some of their hearts. We preached on two different nights. They had their first church service in an old school on Sunday morning. There were about 25 new believers and many children. The sermon was followed with questions from the new congregation. Time will tell who is a true believer at this village. We know the God who is the giver of salvation is also the one who is the finisher of salvation.

Seedlings' Academy

Many of you know the Seedlings' Academy is a small school that Seed Ministry partners with. It is headed up by Thomas one of our great staff members. He spends most mornings there along with the other teachers Mary and Osman. In the picture Osman is having the children come to the board and practice writing their numbers. The school desks are actually benches. It is always good to see the children and hear what they have been learning.

"Seed Ministry Driver?"

We wanted to take a minute to tell you about (or remind you of) Emmanuel. We were with a pastor this week that only called Emmanuel, "The Seed Ministry Driver". We were thinking that it might have bothered Emmanuel so We asked him about it. He said "No that is fine. It is my profession. You call doctors, 'Doctor'. You call drivers, 'Driver'." Although he does in fact drive us almost every where we go, he has many other duties as well. He keeps the vehicles clean and in good condition. He is a Bible teacher at his church. He helps with the Bible Club here. What ever we need he can find. He practices self control in frustrating circumstances. Personally, Emmanuel is our protector, has a great since of humor, and has proved to be trustworthy. He is our dear friend and a godly man. He is married and has two young children.

"Number 3 please step forward."

Don't worry this is not a police line up. This is the help that we have been blessed with at the Sognaayili Bible Club that meets outside the Seed Ministry gate. We divide the 70 children into two groups. They sing songs, play games, and listen to Bible teaching. Not all of these workers can be there every time, but they all add so much when they are there.

From left to right their names are: Seth, John, Caleb, Thomas (holding his youngest daughter), Emmanuel, Martha, and Joy. John (the Baptist), Emmanuel (Assembly of God), and Thomas (Presbyterian) all teach at their churches. So, of course, it is always great to have them at the club.

"In the morning I will rise and praise the Lord"

This morning we were blessed to have a church come to baptize 5 new believers. We were surprised when earlier this week the pastor said that they would like to baptize at 7:00 am today.

Eight people came this morning at 6:45 am to start their baptismal service. Joy commented, "It was so nice to hear the words being sung as I was getting ready for the day, 'In the morning, early in the morning, in the morning, I will rise and praise the Lord. Good morning Jesus, Good morning Lord. I know you've come from heaven above. The Holy Spirit sits on the throne. Good morning Jesus, Good morning Lord.' What a great start to my day!"

Big Help in the Seemingly Smallest of Ways

Toby had some visitors come to the Seed Ministry site. A family came who were in need. Their child, probably around the age of seven, contracted an illness and was very sick for many months. Although the daughter was feeling better, the illness caused her little legs to quit working properly. Toby asked how we could help. The family simply asked for crutches so that their daughter could use them to go to school.

Toby found a set of "child size" crutches in the container. These crutches were donated by someone in the States. When the family saw the crutches they were so excited to receive such a gift! It was a big help to them. We want to thank whoever donated those crutches. Through that donation a little girl can now be mobile and can also go back to school!

Sunday's Baptism Service

And Peter said, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" Acts 10:47

A church came on Sunday to baptize 7 new believers. They had a small service and sung praises to the Lord Jesus. What a blessing we received by having them come to the Seed Ministry site for the baptism!

Big Smiles

Most of the Seed Ministry staff went out today to visit Bible Clubs. Caleb and Toby went with John to three clubs. We saw a lot of beautiful children (as usual). The leaders and helpers work hard every week teaching the children about our Lord. We were able to capture some of the smiling faces. Some of the children love to have their picture taken. We can show them the photo on the viewer of the digital camera. That always gets a giggle. For most of the children this is the first time they have ever seen themselves in a picture. When we look around at all those ear to ear grins it turns out that the biggest smiles belong to Caleb and I.

Sudent Teacher at Work

It was Seth's turn to teach part of the Bible Club children this week. He had Thomas with him to translate. We asked Thomas how it went and he said, "Oh, powerful." I don't know if that was hyperbole, but I know what God can do when His Word is taught. We are trying to train Seth, Caleb, and the other Seedlings to be able to share during the clubs. Mrs. Joy is working with them one on one so that they can explain their testimony briefly to others. Just like Seth did this week, all of the children are doing well when called on to do work for our Lord through Seed Ministry.