Stories from those who have seen!

"You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits."   Matthew 7:16-20

 

One of the measuring sticks Jesus gave us to tell where the truth was getting preached is fruit.  While we are not saved by our works, the fruit of our lives will indicate what kind of tree we are, good our bad.  From the testimonies below, you can see that the work in Kumasi is from good trees.  The Hostetters and those that work with them produce good fruit.  Not of their own doing, but the fruit of God produced by the power of His Holy Spirit working in these changed individuals.  Read the stories below and you will see the great things that God is accomplishing through the work there.  And if after that, you are so inspired, go and be apart of it yourself!

Chris Woolard

Greenville, NC

 

I visited Ghana in the summer of 2002. Myself and 3 friends spent 2 months working in the evangelical fields of Ghana. To say that the trip changed my life is a huge understatement of the fact. I was truly rocked to my core by the things i experienced there. I had the great chance to first spend a month working in Kumasi with Jeff. The ministry opportunities there seemed endless. Jeff's diligent schedule and persistent personality made each day a full one. I think I had a chance to teach or preach nearly everyday... for the days we missed there were days with multiple opportunities. We worked as teachers in the school during the day and then in the evening there was more work to be done. We had the chance to shadow several of the evangelists in the area as they did ministry at the University in Kumasi, the main two being Stephen Jantuah and Jeff's son-in-law Binoy Thomas. In addition to the daily stuff, Jeff took us on several trips to some of the more rural villages and even on an extended trip to the coastal villages. It was amazing to see how far the Bomso Church's influence stretches throughout the country. Dozens of churches speckle the landscape of the region.

In our second month we were more "freelance". The Hostetters had planned a trip to the US and we had agreed to spend some our remaining time traveling with some of the Ghanaian evangelists and the rest with another American missionary family in Ghana (the Icenogles). What an adventure! I cherish the time I had with the bothers and sisters that I met in this month. Hammer, Mighty Emanuel, Abraham, little Montana, Peter (haha...we called him Cephas), Dorcas, the one legged lady in Togo, and many more.

My time is Ghana was a great challenge for me personally; it was a time to really test what I was made of spiritually. I read the Word more intensely than I ever had before, I learned the importance of PREACHING the gospel, and I learned to challenge myself to greater levels of achievement. The Hostetter family was great to me. They made us honorary Hostetters, welcomed us into their home and even let us join in on their cherished Friday night family nights! I pray for the churches there and still keep in contact with a few of the friends I made throughout my travels.

 

Karin Miller

Billings, MT

 

I had the privilege of staying in Ghana twice. The first time was a two week stay with my parents. This visit left quite an impression on me. So much so, that the following year (’01-’02) I decided to go back for the entire school year.

 

Soon after I arrived, school started for the year. I had the privilege of being the supervisor for the intermediate learning center, which consisted of about 14 kids between the ages of 7-12. I had experience with the ACE system, so that made taking this class much easier, though it was far from easy. If you’re looking for “easy”, then Africa probably isn’t the best choice. If you want to stretch yourself spiritually, gain mental and physical discipline, and make a huge impact in the lives of others, then Ghana is definitely the place for you!  I just cannot express how important this education ministry is. To see kids come from impoverished families that can barely speak English, and some whose parents aren’t even in the church, and yet they find a way to be there, usually by walking. The majority of the parents want something better for their kids that they didn’t have. The dedicated staff of Bomso Christian Academy pours both heart and soul into training these kids up to have a great education, but most of all a love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

My time in Ghana was more than just working in the school. I was able to make a trip to Togo , many trips to Sunyani where former missionaries Steve and Jennifer Icenogle used to live, a three day/two night stay  in one of the evangelist’s village, and a trip throughout most of northern Ghana with Jeff and my husband, Larry (who was my fiancé at the time). In this trip we were able to visit some of the preachers and the work they were accomplishing.

 

Though all of these trips were wonderful, because they gave me a bigger picture of what was being accomplished in Ghana and Togo, I must say that what meant the most to me was the family time with all of the Hostetters. Christ truly is the center of their lives. We had family devotions every night that there wasn’t assembly , with the exception of Friday night, which is "family night".  I could go on and on about all of my wonderful family memories I have from my time there, but then this wouldn’t be a “short” write-up!

 

I will end with just saying again that my time in Ghana was one of the best years of my life. It made a lasting impression on me that I will never forget. Now I can look forward to when my boys get older and can have the same opportunity!