" And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (Dan.12:3)
JEFF'S JOURNAL
All the news and views from Kumasi, Ghana
MAY, 2006
NEWS FLASH! ... NEWS FLASH! .... BCA STUDENT IS SAVED BY CHRIST....
Before sharing the great news about our interesting Indian invasion with the glorious gospel of Christ last month, let me quickly share this good news. I just had the privilege of immersing one of the young men in our school, Richard Sarpong, into Christ in the bathtub next-door! Richard is from Atia, the same village where we have been holding our annual Christian family camp and also are working with William Amoah in refurbishing an old school there, in conjunction with a local congregation that meets in the same building. Richard (19) has been attending BCA, and I have been praying for him to choose to follow Christ for some time now. He has been helping in the Atia school and church on every holiday, and showing real interest in spiritual things. Please pray for him, now that he has the Holy Spirit's power, to grow from glory to glory and help William disciple the people in that area, plus help work in the school there in Atia. To make it a place where the children have the seeds of God's word sown in their hearts. This is good news, and we thank God for His mercy in allowing Richard the opportunity to be saved by grace through his faith in Jesus.
HOSTETTER'S - SENIOR AND JUNIOR - INDIA "INVASION" IS SUCCESSFUL
When we Hostetters - Jeremiah & Brittney, and Sherrie and I - landed at Dubai, on the way to India, we were overwhelmed with the combination of great oil wealth and modernity (McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, malls, cinemas showing X-Man II, etc.) and men wearing long white robes with towels on their heads in the same place. Truly this modernistic city felt cold and spiritually dead, since any evangelism attempt will incur a seven year imprisonment by the authorities! Having all the niceties of a modern humanistic, hip-hop utopian culture coupled with "moderate" Islam that brooks no competition presents is a weird juxtaposition.
This was the first time we have gone to India through Arab Emirates, and altogether, it as a much nicer experience than passing through Bombay, a real pest-hole if there ever was one, with so much crime and filth and corrupt airport officials. (Furthermore, Arab Emirates was cheaper.)After nine hours flying from Accra to Dubai, crossing over the Sahara, the Suez Canal and then Saudi Arabia, we stayed one night in this amazingly rich city-state. The next day we proceeded to Cochin, taking 3 1/2 hours to cross over the Arabian Sea. Here we were met by a very happy Thomas family, and we happily renewed acquaintances. How Anastasia's eyes sparkled with joy to again see her grandparents and new aunt "Bittney" and uncle Jeremiah! Nine month old plump Isaiah was all dimples and smiles, as usual. Ah, grandparenting is truly grand!
We were taken in their little Trac Judo jeepney car to their new house in the city of Ernakulum, of which Cochi(n) is a part. This is a great location from which to minister, since they are near the biggest junction in all of Kerala, Vittala Junction. From this strategic location, Binoy can easily catch a flight to all parts of the Asian sub-continent, or take buses, trains or his vehicle to any part of Kerala. Millions of people within a few square miles of his house. The city boy, a New Yorker from childhood, has come back to the big city.
But this ain't no Brooklyn or Long Island, "brotha"! Typical of all Indian cities, but with less obvious poverty than most, Cochin teems with people, businesses, schools, Catholic cathedrals (some Portugese from the 16th century, a rare ancient synagogue or two, Hindu temples. And traffic - lots and lots of traffic: rickshaws (autos), tiny Indian cars, beeping,speeding buses and rumbling trucks, all loaded with goods of all kinds, teak wood, foodstuffs and .. did I already say? .... lots and lots of people. Incessant noise makes an American city nearly seem quiet. Little stores and kiosks sell everything from cheap haircuts to freshly squeezed juice drinks and milkshakes. On the whole, I was impressed how polite (excluding the drivers - but nothing personal there), were to us as foreigners, compared to Ghana.
I never felt threatened or uneasy, except when a truck came inches from my nose - again, that was just typical driving, nothing personal.
SMASHINGLY SUCCESSFUL 3rd ANNUAL PREACHING SEMINAR
We had an amazing seminar. Binoy had visited preachers from all over India, with various backgrounds from many different congregations of the Church of Christ and Christian churches. He did an outstanding job organizing everything. These men also minister to hundreds of others as leaders in teaching and preaching God's Word. Our aim was to spark a spiritual revolution in India, using these great men as the catalyst. By creating unity based in truth, and working in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, we believed that we could edify and encourage them to further heights of glory, to expect greater things of God and to accomplish greater for God. Therefore I spoke seven times, mainly on the theme: "Discipleship." I also took some movies to stimulate their minds on Creationism - "Amazing Creatures That Defy Evolution", plus one about the Anabaptists called: "The Radicals", and another about a young Arab who is persecuted for his faith: "Behind the Sun". Jeremiah also spoke three times on several topics, including "The Age of Maturity and Child Immersion"; "Growing Up in a Godly Family" and "The Present Political Scene and Christianity: Five Growing Threats to the Lord's Church." Binoy, Craig Philips (from Bombay); P.K Varghese and several others also spoke.
All in all, everybody agreed that their hearts were burning within them and the fellowship was great. We thank God for this trip, and the inheritance that we received that enabled us to do so. After leaving, Jeremiah and Brittney stayed behind for a week, and he got to speak several more times in both the Thomas's house and in a nearby congregation. His zeal and knowledge, especially being just a 20 year old, really impressed and stimulated them. Brittney willing spirit and readiness to do whatever also made its impact. Our goal to demonstrate the power and love of God in our extended family and to encourage other leaders that it can be done, with God's generous help, by following the principles for the family laid down so clearly in the Bible. The bonds between our children were also immeasurably strengthened, which will pay off in great dividends for their future teamwork in the Lord's vineyard as full-time missionaries.
BACK TO BASE AGAIN
After speaking over 14 times in only eight days, Sherrie and I started the long trip back. Sherrie had been sick much of the time, yet never flagged in either the long trips or in serving the Indian visitors or here family. This was fortuitous because Rebecca was recovering from a respiratory ailment and her helper, Mary, did not report for work almost the entire time we were there.
TABITHA COMES BACK FROM HER BACK OPERATION
While jetting to India, we were able to stop in Accra and see Tabitha, who was recovering from her spinal operation. Two small metal rods have been placed in her back by the doctors to stabilize her condition. Her future prognosis? No-one is certain right now. But she should be able to live a very productive life in a wheelchair, and can bear children. It is possible that she will learn to walk, with much practice and physical therapy. Keep her in your prayers. We were able to take her back up to Kumasi on the same day and the same local flight on which we returned. She is now back in Brittney's basic introductory English class and attending assemblies as before. We hope to help her return to her homeland, Togo, when her condition allows, to show her fellow villagers the power of God's love in her life. Over $15,000 will have been spent on alleviating her condition. How much is one soul worth??
JESSICA'S HEALTH PROBLEMS AND BRINGING ORDER TO BACK TO BCA
Getting back to Ghana, we immediately plunged into getting the school in order. This was especially necessary partly because Jessica's had to have a minor operation in the local hospital by a Ghanaian doctor, due to a miscarriage. (This was successful, and she is now doing much better. Thanks to all who were informed in time to pray for her.) We thank God that we could be there for her and Attah in this time of affliction, and also for the really great attitude that they always showed in the midst of this trouble. We all still fully believe that God's time is still the best!
Meanwhile, in the school,intrepid Sherrie was able, despite lingering health problems and jet lag (India is five 1/2 time zones away), to get everything straightened out in no time at all, sending many erring students to my office to be instructed, in the error of their ways, with suitable punishment attached by the authority invested in me as the principal. Everything was soon shipshape and back in order.
BRIAN HARRIS ARRIVES!
We thank God for a new guy who came to us from North Carolina. A graduate of RBC, he learned of us from Chris Woolard, a fellow RBC graduate who visited us three years ago. He also was ministering with the youth at the church where Sherrie's brother Greg assembles, the Sunrise Church of Christ, at the beach near Kitty Hawk. Brian has plunged into all kinds of activities: Sunday school class of 13-17 year old boys, village visitation, soccer with the boys, basketball and weight lifting with staff and students, and individual Bible studies. We are keeping him as busy, busy, busy as an African termite chewing wood. He is 22, and has been on a mission trip to Indonesia before. His special girl, Jael, is currently serving as an intern in a mission work in Thailand. He will be with us for three months, and has a real interest in being a full-time missionary someday soon. He is one of three young men who were immersed in the Pasquotank River over two years ago when Jay Wilson and I visited RBC in October, 2004. Coming from an Catholic Italian family in New York, he has pursued the truth into the Lord's church and all the way here to Ghana. I like the fact that he is studying Greek just in order to improve his knowledge of the Bible, even though he has graduated and not for some academic reason. Please keep Brian in your prayers, for good health and spiritual growth while in Ghana.
A SHORT NOTE ON THE STATE OUR MISSION'S ECONOMY
Large special one-time personal gifts have made all the difference. With your help, we have also been able to "export" the success of our 23 years of mission work to India and report to the churches in American, some of them for the first time in four years, and some for the first time ever. Thank you so-o much! We will continue faithfully using these funds to permanently change as many Africans (and Kosovoans and Indians from time to time), one person at a time. God bless you all!