Jeff's Journal - January 2006

 

ALL THE EXCITING NEWS AND VIEWS FROM JEFF HOSTETTER'S MISSION IN KUMASI, GHANA, AFRICA.

 

Double Wedding of Jessica Hostetter to Attah Osebreah, and Brittney Wood to Jeremiah Hostetter.

    On Friday, January 6th, at the Lake Bosomtwe resort, the site of an ancient catastrophe where a meteroite slammed into the earth creating a crater lake,  Jesus was exalted when we held a unique and wonderful double wedding for our two beloved children.  Since the Lord performed His first miracle at a wedding, I believe He is pro-marriage and blesses such events with His presence today as well.  Over 300 guests arrived by 4:00 p.m, when Binoy Thomas began things with a typical vintage and powerful exhortation about putting Christ's kingdom first in all things, including the choice of our life partners.  Then the brides descended a staircase to the assembly hall, which is normally an restaurant  fronting the lakeside and open on all sides. First, in a lovely hand-sewn wedding dress of her own design, came nervous, lovely Jessicah,whom I had the privilege of  escorting, plus, separately, her sweet mother who was also beautifully dressed.  Then came Brittney, who had kindly deferred to her older sister.  Her radiant, gorgeous smile brought sentimental tears to our eyes, as her happiness was contagious.Both brides had picked their own music, which actually blended quite well.  Then they waited expectantely for their handsome grooms to arrive soon thereafter by marching down the same steps.

   Our evangelists from all over Ghana and from Togo, plus Attah's relatives from Accra, representatives from many different congregations, and others were all able to hear my sermon, "Marriage:  The Ultimate Act of Faith?"  It was also encouraging to have Rhys and Sharon Thomas, Brittney's adoptive parents, and her grandpa there from the US, plus Binoy's younger brother, Bijoy, from Long Island.  (Pray for him, as he is not a Christian.)  After the sermon, we went through the wedding service with a big emphasis on Christ and His Spirit.  I am confident that all were edified and encouraged to review their own spiritual state as they witnessed this event.  After special music and the KISS, they were pronounced man and wife.  I did not become emotional until the last song of the wedding, "Say Won't You Say", by Jennifer Knapp and Michael Tate.  Thank goodness it was at the end!  I'm sure that I wasn't the only one.  I was especially happy and emotional about Brittney, shining and beaming with Jeremiah.  To think, that only the year before she'd repented and become a disciple of Christ!  Our God truly transforms us and makes us fit for His eternal home in glory.  Praise to His holy Name. 

    My wife and I would like to sincerly thank all of you who sent gifts and prayed for these couples.  I can truly say that these are heavenly blessed couples, well suited for helping each other serve Christ until they die.  How Sherrie and I have prayed and prayed for our children to be so blessed with wonderful mates, since the day they were born.  Our God is faithful!  I want to encourage you, dear saints, that you can raise up a child in the way of the Lord and when they are grown they will not depart from it.  All of your prayers and agonizing work as parents is well worth seeing them grown up in Christ.  What profit would it be if we saved the world and lost our own children?

 

"The LORD has been mindful of us;

 He will bless us He will bless the house of Israel;

He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless those who fear JEHOVAH,

The small together with the great.

May the I AM  give you increase,

You and your children.

May you blessed of the LORD,

Maker of heaven and earth." (Ps.115:12-15)

 

 WELCOME, NEW YEAR 2006!  

 

    Before the wedding, we had our annual New Year church bash.  I showed a Powerpoint presentation about the life of Joseph and Moses, as documented in a incredibly interesting book by  Dr. Lennart Moller (I called his agent in Scandinavia for permission), The Exodus Case.  We used Binoy's high tech projector to show this, and everyone was fascinated by evidence of Joseph's and Moses' existence in Epypt.  I urge you to purchase this book from Scandinavia Publishing House:  yvo@scanpublishing.dk  New discoveries confirm the historical Exodus.  I also used the same projector to show the movie, "Cinderella Man", a true story about James Braddock, the heavyweight boxing champion from New Jersey in the 1930s, during the Great Depression era.  His commitment to his family and bravery were inspiring for all to see.  I also had Jeremiah, Godwin, Stephen and Binoy exhorted us to live for Christ in 2006.  I made a HUGE bonfire that lit the midnight sky, but no fireworks, as they were banned this year. :(  (Probably because they can be a little dangerous sometimes, I expect.) It was a great party, and once more, Christ was lifted up, higher and higher. This was about our 20th such New Year's party in Ghana!  Being the eternal optimist, I expect this to be the best year of my life and for the Lord to move in a special way once more in our ministry.  Cheers, and a happy, prosperous and Spirit-filled, Christ-exalting  and God blessed New Years to each of you! God truly loves you, dear brothers!  Seek His face and find the ministry that He has for you, and pursue it with passion.  You can do all things through Christ, who mightily strengthens us!

 

"For I know the plans that I have for you', declares the Lord,

'Plans for your (spiritual and physical) welfare and not for calamity

 To give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) 

 

SCHOOL RESTARTS

 

    Having so many visitors - Sherry Dingman, BInoy and Rebecca plus our grandchildren, Bijoy,, Rhys and Sharon Thomas, Bill Compton and Jerry and Anna Hoffman (her second visit!) - was really encouraging.  I enjoyed: taking them to the coast to see the over 500 old Portuguese slave castle, Elmina ("The Mine"); taking them to and from the local Kumasi airport; going shopping for African handicrafts; visiting the nearby villages and churches - as all part of my ministry to them as tour guide and host.  Sherrie of course was cooking, cleaning and also hosting full-time.  We truly enjoyed their visits, but with the weddings over and the last visitor safely departed, we were ready to get back to our ordinary work schedule.  That meant restarting school.  We were sad to see a few students not return.  Sometimes the parents break our hearts by suddenly and unexpectantely withdrawing their children, after months or even years of laboring  to develop the character of Christ in them.  Only the Holy Spirit can comfort us.  I cannot do this ministry without emotionally investing in these little lambs. 

    How can strong African churches be developed without parents giving them the right upbringing, and without having enough education to read and understand God's direction through His written Word for their lives?  There is no instant, easy panacea for Africa's deep-seated woes.  Only by digging down to bedrock and strongly building lasting foundations in truth and education is there any hope for a real spiritual transformation, for restoration, and both revolutionary and permanent change.  Just handing out Bibles to illiterate or barely literate (i.e. functionally illiterate) villagers and expecting them to be mature, powerful disciples for Christ is a cruel joke.  They need empowered to be discipled in all things that Christ commanded us to obey.  Merely getting people wet in baptism without a thorough followup plan that includes providing long-lasting true shepherds for God's flock is not an option in this ministry. 

     Thank you for supporting our long-term ministry to thoroughly help these precious souls achieve maturity in Christ. Please pray for the staff of our school, BCA:  Abby, Lamisi & Caleb, Attah and Jessica, Brittney and Jeremiah(part-time), Gloria and Godwin, Amy, Beth (part-time), Paul (part-time) Adam, Renate and Sherrie and I.

 

"And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man,

 with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Chrsit. And

for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which

mightily works within me." (Col.1:28-29) 

 

 We really appreciate all of you and ask that you continue supporting this ministry with your prayers,  offerings, and visits.  Here a few comments from some people who visited us recently:

 

 - "Each day I think about the awesome work that I personally saw being done in Ghana. Much of the church in America will be looking for teachers and preachers from Africa before long." Jerry Hoffman, associate vice-president, Safeway Foods, California.

 

- "Words cannot express my appreciation , not only, for the opportunity to serve you in the work of equipping the saints in Ghana for the works of service, but also for the time spent with you and your sweet family." Bill Compton, evangelist, Oregon.

 

- "I will write more when I am able to digest all I saw and heard in Ghana. My summary for now is this: I had despaired of ever finding faith on earth. You have renewed my hope." Rhys Thomas, chemist/preacher, Missouri.

 

- "Thanks a million for you wonderful hospitality. Thanks for being such wonderful Christians, true lights in the world - your light shines clear over to the other side of the planet!!!" Anna Hoffman, nurse, Oregon.

 

 Well...you can see why these visitors were so encouraging to us.  We'd love to host you also, and show you the wonders of God's working in this tropical rain forest in the middle of West Africa.  We pray for you.  Pray for us.

 

In King Jesus's service,

His peace unto you,

Jeff Hosetter