JEFF’S JOURNAL
USA Tour 2009 Begins!
[Since I am not having access to internet, this is being typed at the local library, and will be briefer than usual. Don’t be too happy about that!]
Already, since landing at Dulles airport on Wednesday, June 17th, the USA Tour 2009 has been in full swing. The night after I arrived, Thursday, I spoke for the first ever awards night of the new Christian school in Hagerstown, Maryland¸ where Helen and Don have started a new work downtown on Jonathan Street. It was a pleasure and privilege to share on the importance of Christian education. The Malinowski’s have taken inspiration from our work in Ghana, and were also running the school in Bellevue, Michigan, at the same time we started in Kumasi. They have three black and three white scholars.
I took Jackson and Keziah to visit Fort Fredrick and then Antietam, the bloodiest Civil War battleground of them all – with 23,000 casualties in a single day! I want my kids to learn of America’s true historical heritage, not just to see the shopping malls, McDonald’s, etc. Jackson, who was born in Alabama, has never visited America since returning to Africa at the tender age of one.
On our first Lord’s Day, I spoke at two different congregations in the Virginia Mountains. One was at Waynesboro, the other at Harrisonburg. This is Stonewall Jackson country, and very beautiful it is. I really appreciate the hospitality of the Joyner’s and Martin’s, in particular. Also the generous offering of one couple that more than paid for Sherrie’s insurance deductable of $2500!! I was very sick during this time, with a strep throat condition. Binoy Thomas’s sister was able to call in an antibiotic from New York that worked in five days.
On Monday, June 27th, Sherrie arrived at the same Washington Dulles Airport. Immediately we headed down towards N. Carolina, for her doctor’s appointment in Greenville, N.C. the next day, concerning her knees. Praise God, they will operate on one knee on Tuesday, July 7th. Please, please pray for extra good healing. She has been in tremendous discomfort, and can hardly walk any distances at all, and always with pain. She can fly within two weeks, and should be released from the hospital within a day or so. This is a partial knee replacement, called an Oxford.
After arriving at Sherrie’s parents Tuesday evening, we left again for Florida on Thursday, first going to Raleigh and staying the night at a hotel so that we could fly out by 7:00 a.m. on Friday. Things went well there, with us sharing in various ways with the church near Tampa Bay and staying with the Staley’s, Ray and Marilyn, who provided wonderful hospitality. I was able to spend some more time with Jackson on the beach nearby, finding some very nice seashells for my collection.
Now we are back in Roper with Sherrie’s parents. We praise God for their hospitality. We will be visiting local churches for a time and primarily getting Sherrie’s knees fixed. Pray that I can develop deeper and better relationships with Jackson and Keziah – who has struggled with her attitude. I bought them some bicycles, and one for myself and we have some weights in the backyard to work-out together.
Ghana News
Before leaving Ghana, we had our awards night, a fun day at the local park, and a wedding of Jackson’s sister, Gifty, to David. Everything went great. I love seeing our kids play in the green grass. Many do not have that privilege ever, during the entire year. It’s nice having fun with them, after having to be the big, mean principal all year. The wedding was very big, in a rented hall, and I was privileged to preach. (My sermon is on the website.) We had 30 people at Sherrie’s table during this time, since we had 15 visitors, plus our usual 15. Going first to Togo, these visitors – seven of them nurses - were with Connie Gibbs, of Christ’s Church in Greenville. They were able to provide special encouragement and help to Bruno and Amy and Hammer and Dela, our brothers-at-arms there in Togo. Connie has returned three times since coming to be a volunteer with us about 5 years ago. She is also getting married to another of our volunteers, Travis, who is from the same church. We are excited for them.
The other big event in Ghana was Jeremiah’s graduation from KNUST, top of his college, with 1500 graduating. He was second of the entire university graduates of 5000. He was able to give a short speech and honor God, his family and BCA in so doing. Sherrie was thrilled to see her little boy graduate, as was his wife Brittney and Hannah. We all praise God and believe that Jeremiah will go on to do great things for His Son’s kingdom in the years to come. Right now he is seriously considering Cameroon as a possible mission field. Please pray. Also pray for Brittney’s health. We recently heard encouraging news, but she has been having problems.
Our legal hassles continue, and we have paid over $4000, that was not budgeted, on the case of Mr. William Amoah’s takeover of our mission property. Although it would have been easier to just have paid him off, we are doing what is needed to protect our future investment in Ghana, not only for us, but for all those working with us, like the Osebrehs and Wonders for instance.
Due to this unexpected expense, plus the need to cover Sherrie’s deductible, we appreciate all extra help. We have bought a small car to take back, if possible, which gets 32 mph. Gasoline is still over $5.00 per gallon in Ghana!
Shipping Container News
YES, WE ARE PLANNING ON SENDING ONE, the first week of September. All items will be collected by friends at Christ’s Church in Greenville, NC. We need everything delivered there as soon as possible. Call us about details: 252-902-8194 or 252-793-9067
This is another one-time, unusual expense. Please help, if possible.
God bless you all and keep passing us the ammo as we fight for Christ Jesus our King.
Jeff Hostetter