Zonal Meetings

As most of you know Seed Ministry started with a vision to teach the children about Jesus through Bible Clubs that meet once a week. With all the clubs that have been organized, we try to continue to encourage and support them through meetings and constant communication. Lately Toby and Thomas have been meeting with the clubs in their zones. At these Zonal Meetings, Thomas has been teaching new songs and strategies for teaching children the Bible to the Club and Zone leaders. Toby has been teaching a discipleship lesson, handing out much needed supplies (like chalk and rope for games), and asking for questions and concerns of the clubs.

Toby and Thomas have met this week with two out of the nineteen zones. They will continue to meet with the zones in the next few weeks until all the zones have been visited and then they will start all over again.

At yesterday's zonal meeting, the leaders asked for prayer that the unbelieving children would continue coming. Club leaders came with good Bible questions that had been asked of them while they were in the villages. Toby and Thomas answered as many as they could in the time that was given.

"Attention all Zone Leaders"

We were blessed to see the Zone Leaders at Seed Ministry this week. There are over 160 Seed Ministry Bible Clubs in the villages in and around Tamale, Ghana. There is a Club Leader and Club Helper over each club. They teach the children every week about Christ. Seed Ministry visits about 12 clubs per week. But there are some unsung heroes that help us. The clubs are divided into different areas (zones). There is a Zone Leader over each area. Each zone covers many miles. The Zone Leaders communicate with Seed Ministry any problems or needs that the clubs are having. These Leaders can visit the clubs under there zone much more than we can. So it is a way for us to keep in touch with all the villages.

We met with all the Zone Leaders to discuss strategies and struggles of the clubs. Each gave a report of their particular zone, there was praise music with John, Thomas led the meeting and Toby gave a message from God's Word. It was good to see them all and the meeting was a success. We want to thank the Zone Leaders for the work they do, taking so much time for the children of Ghana.

Joshua's Graduation

Seed Ministry Board Members Roger Dillon and Herb Fredericks celebrating Joshua's graduation with him. Way To Go Joshua!

Sunday Services, Rain and Crocodiles

What a wonderful day it was! Here is a summary of our last Lord's Day in the Northern Region of Ghana.

We drove far to a village where a new church is just getting started. When we were just outside of Tamale we saw big, black clouds in the distance and we knew we were in for a rainy day. The rains came and the once gravel road turned into a muddy mess! We traveled past a pond area expecting to see the usual large crowds of people washing clothes, bathing or gathering water, but because of the rain no one was there, instead we counted more than twenty crocodiles lazily swimming in the water!

When we arrived at the village, the people were gathered. The excited children were jumping and clapping when they saw us driving up. The church meets in a school building that has wooden shutters and a metal roof. We were singing our praises to the Lord and Toby had to speak loudly to be heard over the rain on the roof.

After services, Bob presented a church leader with a Mega-Voice (see picture). This man was so excited when Bob turned it on and out came Bible truths in the man's own language! This church leader plans on sharing the God's Story and will be able to use it as a tool to share about Christ.

In the afternoon, after we arrived back in Tamale, a group came to baptize new believers. We watched as these believers stated their professions of faith. This is so profound when you think of where we are located. "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I believe that He died for my sins. I will serve Him no matter what the cost!" What a testimony of faith! Some were young and some were very old. One by one getting into the water and proclaiming what God has done for them...amazing.

Happy Mother's Day!

We want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day!

Sognaayili Club, Part 2

Many children came this week with the responsibility of caring for their younger siblings. Since our club meets in the afternoon, many of these younger children are hitting into naptime. There were five children sleeping on the ground and some of the extra adult helpers also held the babies who were awake so everyone could listen intently to the Bible lesson.

The Tractor Goes To The Village

It is farming season in the Tamale area. The rains are late, but soon everyone will have their crops in the ground. It is to dry for most to plant, but after one good shower everyone will go to the field.

The Seed Ministry tractor has been working on some big projects around the compound. Seth was able to use the skills that he acquired in the States working on a farm. Of course, he loved every minute being called the Tractor Man. (The title was actually, Seed Ministry Chief Director of Agricultural Development Engineer, or something like that.)


The tractor has now been sent to the village. This is where the work really is. The farming seasons are short, so a tractor allows people to plant a larger area in the small amount of time.

The tractor will help everyone in the villages that it is sent to, but also as an income for the village pastors.

Sognaayili Bible Club, Part 1

We had a great time with all the children that came to the Sognaayili Bible Club this week (there were so many we divided into 2 groups). The Bible truth this week was when God provided protection to the Israelites in Egypt by telling them to cover their doorposts with lamb's blood. We emphasized that the Bible says, not just any lamb, but a 'lamb without blemish'. What a great picture this is for Christ, who was our Sacrificial Lamb, a Lamb without blemish!

Some weeks the children seem to be occupied by other thoughts, but praise the Lord, they were very attentive for this lesson. We pray that they understand that Jesus is the Son of God and that we can be the tools that God can use to provide His truth to these precious children.

Praise Him, Praise Him

On Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings we have Seedling class. Toby, Joy, and John teach a Bible lesson. John leads praise and worship time. We have loaned out our "good drums" to a village church that is just getting started, so we make do with the drums we have. In the picure Daniel is playing the drums. Caleb is helping out with a foot peddle on the floor. John and Uriah also play for us when needed.

Seth has been playing songs on the guitar during Seedlings and Bible Clubs. The small keyboard gets used once a week or so. Caleb loves to take his turn on the drums whenever he can. Joy will lead the kids in some American praise music for a little variety. It all sounds great, you could say it is our Seedlings International Choir.

Music and dance make up so much of the worship time. It is wonderful to sing praises and make our joyful noise along with the children. We love to participate in the time together, but some times we just stand and listen to (and occasionally stare at) the beautiful music and beautiful people.

Holidays

Today is May Day which is a Holiday in Ghana. I fondly remember as a child our annual celebration at my elementary school. It must have been the first spring activity to invite parents but there was always such an air of excitement for a good two weeks leading up to it as we prepared. Each grade had a song/dance they performed. I don't remember all the ones we did but 3rd grade always did the Bunny Hop and 6th grade did the maypole. Could hardly wait until I was in 6th grade. OK, just a little reminiscing - I am sure there is some deep theological thought in all of it. Yeh, we can go with the excitement as we prepare to see our Lord! That's a good one. Have a wonderful May Day. Bonnie