Seth and Caleb's student outreach

As you probably know, Seed Ministry gets many people who come and make requests. We usually have a pretty full plate, but sometimes we just can't pass up the opportunity.

One day a man named John came and said he was a student at one of the Senior High Schools near Nyankpala. He wanted us to come and preach. He also asked for some Bibles. He had a paper with the names of the Christian students and wanted me to meet them. We said that we would look at the schedule and try to find a Sunday that would be good for them. He called and visited a few other times, always asking for teaching and Bibles. Finally we said we would come the next week.

Toby, Joy, Seth, and Caleb pulled into the parking lot and were given a very warm welcome. There were 23 Christian students, the Parkers, and the Head Mistress of the School (and the non-believing day guard sat in on the sermon) in a classroom. The worship was so sincere and they were so hungry for God's Word. I have never talked to a more engaged congregation. The teaching lasted well over an hour, followed by some question and answer time. It was a blessing to see these young people staying true to their faith even though they were very far from their families.

They were missing two things. First, no grey hairs. I talked to them about some of the inherent problems with their young congregation. They needed to seek out wisdom from older Christian men and women. Secondly, we agreed that they needed Bibles.

A few days later John, Wumpini, Seth, and Caleb took a Bible for each of the 23 Christians. The students immediately asked for more teaching. Seth, Caleb and the guys loved their visit at the school and, of course, want to go back as soon as possible. Seth reminded them of a Bible story where some young people, far from home, did not give into temptation no matter the cost.

Caleb took some pictures of their time at the school. He said that these young men and women will become godly leaders and were a great example to follow.

"Do everything without complaining"

We have been blessed to have Mama Laurie visiting with us this week. She has been meeting with some Bible Clubs and greeting some of the village ladies. She has a sweet spirit and is very friendly. She is also a trooper. We took her to Limo yesterday for church (one and a half hours on some of the worst roads), and she had no complaints.

In the first picture Laurie is passing out suckers to some smiling club members. The second picture is one of the clubs she visited on Saturday. On the left, in the red top, you can see Mama Hannah. She is helping Laurie this week with translating. You can see John in the back left and Peter on the far right. Standing beside Laurie is Matthew one of the Seed Ministry Zone Leaders.

Mama Cathy is still at Seed Ministry with little Jonathan. Cathy and Laurie are enjoying each others company. Cathy loves having another adult to talk to, and catching up on the latest news from their part of the States.

At Seed Ministry there is really no such thing as a day off, so please pray for Laurie as she goes out to the villages.

Coordinators come for "refueling"

(Picture: Toby sneaks into a picture of the Area Coordinators. Back row Paul, Nyankpala; Thomas, Tamale; Matthew, Gushiegu; Stephen, Salaga; David, Wale Wale)

We had our first Seed Ministry Area Coordinator Training Conference. Everyone arrived on Friday by 5:00 for dinner. Then we met to hear reports from each area. It was exciting to listen to the testimonies about some of the different clubs. They talked about how the churches with the clubs are getting stronger and brought a word of thanks from the pastors.

(Picture: The coordinators having a small devotion before breakfast)

Then they had a full day on Saturday. After breakfast Toby began the teaching time, seven hours throughout the day. Thomas also did a summary of the Foundation Training that all club leaders and helpers have to go through. As it is now Thomas goes to each area (or the participants come here) for the teaching. Soon each of the Coordinators will be presenting the training in their own areas.

There were round table discussions on what could be improved, what worked well, (what flopped) and brainstorming sessions. There was also time for questions and answers

Each meal was begun with a short devotion, so we could hear what was on the heart of each coordinator.

It was a productive time and it was a great time of fellowship; that is always a great combination. Matthew described it this way, "motors need refuel, stomachs need refuel, we came and you gave us a refuel." It was the same for us here also. Please keep in mind these five guys as they are on the Ghana roads doing the work.

Showing the Next Step!

We have been blessed to have 3 churches come to Seed Ministry in the last 2 weeks to have baptism services! A total of 27 people were baptized. Many of the ages of the new believers were in their 20's. What a blessing!

We have also been blessed with 3 rain showers in the past 2 weeks. Since the temperatures have been extremely hot (around 115 F), the rain is good at cooling things down. People in the surrounding communities are happy because the rains that we have received have filled the dams that they use to fetch their water.

Many praises here! Water to drink, to wash clothes, and to baptize!