Bibleless People

Most people in Ghana's Upper West Region are illiterate. Less than 5% of the population can read their first or heart language. These men are watching and listening to a Pastor during a sermon. It was the first time a Pastor was ever at their church. The leadership of the church is given by a young man that recently finished Senior Secondary School and can read English. There is NO Bible in the language of these people.




Rev. John Russell visited this church that meets under a tree in the middle of a corn field. He gave a salvation message to the people in attendance. He used word pictures and demonstrated what he could. In this picture he was demonstrating the weight of sin. People listened. Seeds were planted. Only the Lord of the Harvest knows what will happen next.

Pray that the Bible will become available in all 79 languages of Ghana and in all the numerous dialects.

In what language would Jesus speak to these people?
In their own.

Friend or Foe?

This monkey is a pet of one of the churches in the Upper West Region of Ghana that I have visited. Most of the kids are afraid of him. Monkeys can sense fear just like dogs do, which doesn't help. But, if you at least try to act like you are not afraid, the monkey will allow you to pet it and feed it. (I did both.)

Many people in this region of Ghana believe if you have a pet whatever, that the animal will keep the evil spirits away. I can't help but wonder...is this monkey a friend or a foe? Is he just a pet (friend) that is tied in a tree and taken care of by people in the church? Or is he a foe and used as an animal to keep away evil spirits - a part of the ethnic religions that are so prevalant in the north?

Where do you put your trust? Is it in your job? your health? Your bank account? Your 401K? or is your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Reading Town Library Dedicated

Reading Town Library, Ankaase, Ghana

Hannah, Assistant Librarian (L), Julie, Head Librarian (R)

Books Needed to be Catalogued

Entering Data, Cataloguing Books

Children Enjoying Books

Reading Town Library, in the village of Ankaase, Ghana, was dedicated to the glory of God on Sat., Sept. 20. It has been in the process of being built for the last four years. The purpose of this library is to give the people of Ankaase a chance to improve their lives by reading, studying, literacy and computer classes.

A Gift from the Heart

What is the most memorable gift that you have ever received? (Other than the gift of salvation.) Perhaps it was a diamond, the promise of love and a life together. A child is definately a memorable gift from God. Maybe it was a family heirloom. Up to this point for me, it had been a teddy bear given to me by an orphan in Russia. But, I'm thinking the gift I received in Ghana will top that. I was given a live chicken - a rooster to be exact - by the people of the Lawra Methodist Integrated Health Ministries.

Now, what did I do with that live rooster? Well, I graciously accepted it and took it back to Wa where my friends live. I blessed their night watchman with it. I imagine it has been dinner by now.

What impressed me most, both by the teddy bear in Russia and the chicken in Ghana, is that the gift was given not out of the giver's excess, but out of the giver's meager possessions. They both were given sacrificially. The chicken was badly needed food, yet it was given with a grateful heart.

When was the last time you gave sacrificially? When was the last time I gave sacrificially? May God forgive us for being "spoiled Americans" in an "it's all about what I want or what I think I need" type of society.

Someone Who Has Touched My Life

This young boy's name is Kwabana. He lives in an orphanage in Lawra, in the north western part of Ghana. And, he has TB in his bones. He's the oldest child in the orphanage, yet smaller than most. When he smiles, he can light up the whole country. He doesn't have a "Woe is me" attitude. His attitude is one of servanthood, wanting to help. When I was there two weeks ago, I had taken some fruit for the children with me. Kwabana wanted to help, so he took a bag from me. It was filled with oranges! The poor dear tried to lift the bag and put it on his head to carry the oranges. His arm was shaking because of the weight of it. My friend, very politely said, "Here, Kwabana, let me carry that for you. You can carry this for me." and gave him a small, lightweight package. Kwabana held out both his hands and cradled the package as if it were priceless crystal. He carried it safely to it's destination, then went outside to be with the other children.

Sometimes, I, too, try to carry a load that is just too big for me to bear. And, my heavenly Father says, "Here, Sue, let Me carry that for you. You can carry this instead." And, what He gives me is something I can handle because He has taught me how to carry that type of load.

I pray that I will always be open to what the Lord has to teach me through others. I'm grateful for the lessons He has taught me and still continues to teach me. May I always have a teachable spirit.

God Heals Computers!

Yesterday, after church, a couple of friends came over for dinner and to work on my computer. Four hours later, after using the gifts God gave him, Chuck retrieved my pictures & videos from my trip, rebooted my computer a few times and retriieved all my data. God is good! I still will do whatever is suggested by the tech people at the office to insure the health and working condition of my computer. But, for now, I am so thankful to have the pictures back! Praise God!

Kolongo

Kolongo Methodist Society

Sharing God's Word

One of the opportunities I had while in Ghana was to visit several village churches. This church, in the village of Kolongo, meets under a tree since they have no building. They have no pastor, either. The people of the village wanted to worship the One, True God, so they drcided to start meeting together. The person who provides leadership for this church is Abraham, a young man who recently finished Senior Secondary School. We found out about the existance of this church only a few days before we visited. It was the first time they had an ordained minister at their service.

That's what it is like in the northern region. People have nothing, yet they want to worship, and they band together. Many give up the opportunity to earn a few cedis so they can attend worship. The caretakers (the people who provide leadership for the village churches) are barely paid. But, they do what they do because of their love of Jesus Christ. The worship at this church was incredible. Let me just say, God was definately there!

Back in the USA

I arrived back in the USA yesterday. Ghana was amazing again. I fell more and more in love with the country and it's people, especially with the children in the north who have been orphaned by AIDS. I would love to show you pictures. Hopefully, those will come. (My computer crashed while there and the pictures are on the computer.) The north is a poverty filled area where nobody chooses to live. There are no opportunities there. Children don't get the good education they need because teachers don't want to live in the north. The area where I was doesn't even have a doctor at the hospital.

I'll get off my soap box. Just know that there are many in the northern part of Ghana that need prayer, support and people who are willing to put their faith into action and go there to help people with their immediate needs and help them learn how to provide for themselves in the future.

Going "Home"

Tomorrow I leave for Ankaase, Ghana. I am so excited. I can't wait to see friends and all the children. I'll be working at Reading Town Library for the first four weeks or more. Then, I'll travel to Wa for two weeks to go to the orphanage and the school for the blind. I have no idea what kinds of surprises the Lord has in store for me, what opportunities that He'll present to me. But, I am ready, anxious and willing to do as He sees fit.

Is it Time?

As I have traveled to various countries, I have become painfully aware of the limitations I have because of the arthriris in my left knee. It has been very painful lately, and since I know I'll be doing a lot of walking in Ghana, I went to my doctor yesterday to have cortisone injected into it. I also asked for x-rays to be taken.

I was not ready for what I heard. I have not one, but, two bad knees. The left one is ready for a knee replacement any time I am ready for it. I was hoping to hear those words a year from now.

But, when is it time for surgery? I'd love to wait until spring or at least after the first of the year. I have trips planned, tickets bought and speaking engagements to fulfill.

When is it time?

A "Real" Newsletter - Finally!

Over the past several years, I have been trying to come up with the "definative" newsletter title and design that would work for me and reflect me and my ministry. It finally happened!

The name of the newsletter is "Living Water" because of John 7:38, "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from Him." I want to be a vessel, used by God, to share this living water. Oh, also because the Kazakh word for "water" is "cy" which is pronounced "Sue."

This is the first time I wrote my newsletter using the Publisher program. I had gotten the program several months ago, but, as I tried to use it, I wanted to throw my computer off of a really high, rocky cliff! This time, it was almost painless. To God be the glory!

I hope when you receive your copy of Living Water, you will enjoy it. If you are not on my mailing list and want a copy, let me know and I'll send you one.

Dolls, Dolls and More Dolls

I'll be leaving for Ghana in about 2 1/2 weeks. On this trip, I will be visiting the region of Wa. Wa has an orphanage in it. I have been asked to bring black baby dolls for the orphanage. Through the generosity of friends, family and even those I've never met, the girls (and boys) of this orphanage will have plenty of dolls with which to play!

Gray Days

Did you ever have a period of time when everything seemed "gray?" Not happy, not sad, but not normal.

I've been going through"gray" days. When I came back from Central Asia, I dealt with the time difference. But, then, there was a peiod of about two weeks or so when I was in a "gray" period. I think it was because when I return from a trip, I feel torn between two countries...the one I just left and the one in which I am a citizen. Don't get me wrong, I love the USA. I am blessed just because of the country where I was born. Within me is a struggle, where am I going, what am I doing?

Isn't that the same in our spiritual lives as well? We live in the world, but are citizens of Heaven. Here on earth, there are so many distractions to keep us from spending time with the Father. I feel that same struggle in a two room apartment in Ghana. I suppose the bottom line is to learn how to stay close to Him, with that relationship being the priority and everything else will fall into place. It may not be easy. Life will still have it's ups and downs, but the peace that comes from above will be within.