Waiting For Baptism

Remember the day you were baptized? All the excitement and apprehension rolled into one, showing up at the church or the creek or pool and after a short service there you are the one in the water? What a day to remember!

           This is a picture of a lady that came for her baptism today. Her denomination’s main church is in Tamale and she is a member of one of  their rural churches. Since she was coming from a village she had to take the car that brought her into town in the morning. She arrived at Seed Ministry at 8 am.

           We explained to her that her baptism would not be until 4pm. She simply said, “I will wait.” When it was time for the Seedlings to meet, she went with them and listened to the teaching. Then she came back to the verandah, spread out her cloth and slept until we brought her lunch.

            I wonder how many of us would have the patience to go and just wait for that length of time for anything including our baptism?

            I know God is going to bless her mightily through this today.

Toby took these pictures recently while on the way to a village. Everytime you drive out into the bush you'll see livestock in the road. Maybe some days it is cows that are just crossing. Other days it is goats and sheep stopping for a few kernels of corn that drop from a truck or a piece of smashed mango. Just as in scripture, the duty to watch over the animals falls to the children. It is hard to accumulate this many animals. The herd will be passed down from father to son. It is interesting that the animals are a big investment for the family over the years. Then it is sent out into the bush all day. The watchman for this investment is an eleven year old boy. This kind of responsibility placed on the village young people is the norm, from sunup to sundown, day after day. Bob (and Joy) have a soft spot in their hearts for these cowboys. If there is candy in the vehicle as we pass, then it is shared. It is a small thing that brings a big smile.

Seed Ministry Mission Camp 2011

Bob and Seth with the Mission Camp Participants



Toby taking questions during a training session

Seed Ministry hosted their annual Boy's Mission Camp last week. There were forty boys, ages 15 and up. They were chosen by the Seed Ministry Zone Leaders. They were young men who showed a willingness to learn. The schedule for them was fairly exhausting. They would spend 3 days in Bible study and Evangelism training. Topics varied, but the goal was to give tools that would help as they share their faith with those around them.

After three days of learning to share, they were put to the test. These young men were sent out to a distant village. They spent a few days witnessing to the unbelievers. Some of the godly young men that work with Seed Ministry were on hand to encourage and give wisdom as needed.

When they returned to Tamale, we had a praise time for testimonies of what God had done. There were testimonies about how God saved some of the villagers through the efforts of these missionaries (Amen). There were also testimonies about how God changed the ones that went out (Amen).

Dinner time at the Mission Camp

During the Mission Camp Seed Ministry provided lodging and food for the participants and their teachers. How hard could that be? Three meals a day, forty teenagers...that's a lot of rice. Meal times, of course, were a favorite. It gave everyone an opportunity to fellowship and to review what was taught.

Church Building Dedication!

What a wonderful Sunday morning we have had as all of us headed to a church building dedication. The church was the 32nd church that the Lord has allowed Seed Ministry to build thanks to designated funds by either individuals, families or churches all in the U.S.

Many people attended today. Reverends, Pastors, traditional community leaders came to the church. Most of the people were moved by what God has done for this church. Many of us had tears as we remembered Simeon, one of the church founders, and a Seed Ministry past employee, who died a few years ago at a young age. We all agreed that he would not want to come back because we know he is in heaven praising our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It always amazes Joy and I as we see what God has done through Seed Ministry. Through every person in the U.S. who prays and gives, much has been harvested for His kingdom. Many Ghanaian pastors spoke today about the impact that the Seed Ministry Bible Clubs have had on the children. How, many children, being tempted by the false teachings of the world, heard about Jesus and have chosen to live according to His standard and not the evil one. What a praise to hear each testimony!

Langbinsi Regional Rally

The Seed Ministry Bible Clubs are organized into 19 zones, which are then seperated into three regions. All the clubs send children to a zonal meeting place for a competition. In the competition children have to answer questions and recite passages of Scripture. The top children from each zone meet together at the areas "Regional Rally". They have to quote the verses and answer the questions word perfect. (For example Thomas gave a thumbs down when someone said "has" instead of "have"...ouch).

As always we are humbled by what these young people have accomplished. Can you name the ten disasters God brought on Egypt? Can you answer it in front of your church and family? Can you do it in under 15 seconds?

The first picture shows the tension in the room. These are the final three participants in the Langbinsi Region. Everyone was cheering for their Zone's representative.

The second picture is of the winner. She is standing with her club leader, club helper, Toby, John and Thomas.

"And the award for Seed Ministry Picture of the Year goes to..."

Bob really enjoyed getting to hold these newborns that we met out in a village last week. This picture was just too great to keep and not share!

More HLBC Team Pics!

More HLBC Team pics!

Women's Ministry and a Servant's Heart

The HLBC team left Ghana this week with many stories to tell. This group consisted of three women (Wendy, Sherry and Heather) and one boy (Clay). The women went out to many villages showing the love of Christ with the washing of feet. Also they applied lotion and polish while sharing the gospel. This was a great way to minister to the many hardworking women of Ghana.

The team also had many opportunities to pray for specific needs. The village women asked for prayer for lost family members and other needs. They also asked many questions about Jesus and what the Bible says.

Seed Ministry was blessed to have this team come and minister. Please pray for the village women that heard God's Word. Pray the seeds that were sown produce a great harvest for the kingdom!