Methodist Church Ghana - Partnership Meeting

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana invited the team from Dayton United Methodist to visit his office while in Ghana. Before departing for the US, a number of our team made the trip to Accra to meet and share ideas around partnering to expand the Kingdom. A productive time, with many ideas exchanged, followed by a invitation to return each time we are in-country. Attending were: Very Rev. Samuel Mensah, Director for HR and Administration, Emmanuel Otsin, Christopher Agyeman, Dr. Cameron Gongwer, Dr. Curtis Gongwer, Thomas Mellady, Dean Lucas, Ruthie Fields, Evangelist Joseph Otsin, Cathy Woodard, Glenn Meiser, Prince Adjei-Mensah, Sue meiser, Enoch Osafo, Director for Methodist Health, Joseph Atta Amankwaa, CEO, Methodist Faith Healing Hospital, Very Rev. Adu Boateng, Director for Evangelism, Mission and Renewal, Julie Hamilton, Most Rev. Titus K. Awotwi Pratt, Presiding Bishop, Renee Dexter, Rt. Rev.Dr. Kwaku Asamoah-Okyere, Administrative Bishop.

The Very Rev. Joseph Donkor, Coordinator, UMC Projects in Ghana was not able to attend.

A story of a special blessing

The team met Gifty in our first village. She came through the clinic and saw the doctors. She was there for a basic checkup and didn’t give much history. As she was passing through the pharmacy, our lab tech, Collins, noticed she looked pale. Yes you can tell when the Ghanaians are pale. So I checked her hemoglobin. For those who aren’t a medical nerd, hemoglobin is in your blood and carries oxygen throughout your body. When the hemoglobin is low, you become anemic, or low on blood. Gifty’s hemoglobin was dangerously low. We knew right away she needed attention. Dr. Curt saw her again and tried to speak with her about her condition, but Gifty seemed uninterested in what we had to say about it. We offered to send her to the hospital, but she declined and walked away from the clinic. She was unable to be found by anyone for the rest of the day.

Fast forward to Wednesday, guess who showed back up to our clinic? Gifty! We quickly gathered the doctors and spoke with her, informing her of her condition and that if she didn’t seek treatment, she would die. We rallied and decided to send her to the Ankaase hospital. You see, Gifty had no insurance and no money to pay for anything. Even for a simple blood transfusion. Thankfully, we have really great friends that we have gained over the years. Collins spoke with some of the staff at the hospital and arranged for a few units of blood for free. So we sent her on her way.

I kept in contact with Collins as we ended our time in Kumasi and moved to the Central Region. He updated me frequently on her case. We soon found out she had uterine fibroids, which are hard fibrous tissue that grows and attaches itself to the uterine wall. These fibroids use the blood supply as their own and they don’t share at all.  Gifty needed surgery and needed it soon, or she would die. The surgery to fix this was going to be expensive. Where would she ever get a few thousand dollars to pay for it. She doesn’t work, because she is tired all the time from the anemia.

After speaking with the team, we decided that leftover money at the end of the trip should go to help her. I mean, that’s why we go right? To find those who really need medical attention and help them with the resources that we have. We collected the money so Ruthie and I  could deliver it the Methodist Faith Healing Hospital where  we were headed next week.

The following week, one of the first things we did when we arrived at the hospital was to find Gifty in the surgical ward. She would be having her surgery later that day.  We spoke with her and asked her if she remembered us, of course she did. We took the time to pray for her and her surgery later in the day.

Ruthie and I met with some of the nurses from the surgical ward, including Rachel, who was one of the charge nurses. We were invited to watch the surgery. We changed into our lovely salmon colored dresses, scrub caps and masks, and headed into the theater.

I won’t go into the details of the surgery, I wouldn’t want you all to get sick. The fibroids were large and there were a lot of them. But Gifty made it through the surgery and headed into recovery!

On Thursday, we were able to see her again and check on her. She did well over the night and her hemoglobin had nearly tripled from her original number. Praise the lord!

Friday was our last day at the hospital and we were able to say our goodbye’s to Gifty. Ruthie and I presented her and Mr. Amankwaa with a donation from our team to help with her medical expenses. Although the money wouldn’t cover the entire stay with the surgery, it will ease her burden. However, after speaking to Mr. Amankwaa, the CEO of the hospital, we learned that one of the greatest things for the patients at the Ankaasee Methodist Faith Health Hospital is that they never burden their patients with a bill. What Gifty and her mother won’t be able to afford, the hospital has funds available to help cover the rest so she will not owe them.

Very simply - your contribution to this trip helped save this young woman’s life. She is 34, unmarried, and no children. This surgery has changed her life. She will get energy back and be able to search for a husband. She won’t look as sick as she did. And the surgery helped clear out her uterus so that she may bear children one day. You helped do this for her. I pray that the next trip, we are able to find her and hear some good news!
Thanks to making some good friends at the hospital, we will be able to continue to hear how her recovery is going once we are back in the states. Gifty was discharged this week and will have a follow up soon. Her hemoglobin has improved back to a normal level.

We are the hands and feet of God when we step out of our comfort zone and heed His call. Her blessing was meeting us because God sent us to her. He goes ahead of us and picks those whom we are meant to encounter and change their lives. We thank Him for that.

It is amazing that we could follow this case all the way through. We don’t always get to do that.  -  Cathy

A well for Sabin Akrofrom

Our third well this year was a partnership between Dayton United Methodist and the local Methodist church dioceses. Together we were able to provide an electrically operated well and a storage tank for the community. Both of our church planting sites this year were near to a populated area where power was available; so we took advantage with this project. Obviously the tank provides for water in times of power outages. Here is the village chief, the Superintendent Minister and the Bishop at dedication.

Notice the innovation possible this year with an electrically operated well and a tan

k!

Dedication Sunday

Our second Sunday in Ghana, we dedicated the second pavilion of the two built this trip, and commissioned the new caretaker and the newly planted church. Dean brought the message. Bibles appropriate for all ages were presented to the church, and the caretaker gets a bicycle with which to visit his congregation.

The celebration is always vibrant and joyous - fun to participate in a new churches' inaugural service. We expect great things from this church in the coming years.

Teaching the children

 Every day some of our group would spend hours with the local children, sometimes in the schools and sometimes in the village streets. Whether teaching Bible stories or coloring pictures of them, there is a big interest and attentiveness. The children of Ghana are very polite and respectful, easy to work with.

Crayons are a rarity here, so adults along with the children are excited to color. At one point, all those in the waiting area for the clinic were working away on their masterpieces!

In the last picture, our new friend Thomas from Louisiana joined in the children's work.

It's all about you Jesus

 Throughout our days and into the night, we have so many opportunities to share the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. People find the Lord whenever  we are bold enough to step out in faith.

Over the five days of the medical clinics, different speakers brought encouraging words in the pictures below to those waiting to be seen. Every day many received salvation or spiritual healing, along with physical healing. People will come to Jesus if we but share. People will reconnect if we but encourage.

Cathy's turn!

I hate the idea of public speaking. I have never liked it. Ever!

However, when I returned from Ghana in 2015, I felt the call to speak. I tried to deny it, but God wouldn’t let me get away with that. So I gave in and finally said yes, but what shall I speak about?

Well God had an answer for that. He very clearly told me what to speak about. I knew that topic would be perfect for an evening testimony. So I agreed and told Sue that I would speak.

Fast forward to Tuesday evening…. I’m already nervous before getting into the van to drive to the village. I plug in my headphones and begin to calm myself down and prepare for the talk. It was an hour drive and I had a playlist created to get me in the spirit. When we arrived and got out of the van, the panic set in and I could no longer pretend I was OK. I sat down and allowed my team mates to surround me with prayer while listening to my favorite song that helps me feel that God is with me. After the prayers and some deep breathing I was OK. 

As the evening progressed, I went back over my speech with a blue marker, editing here and there. Then… Joseph called on “the preacher.” So up I went. It was a hot night and as nervous as I get, I was worried about passing out. 

God provided a gentle cool breeze as I took my place. I knew He was there with me. I looked out into the crowd and took the microphone. 

The speech came naturally. All the nervousness was gone and there were no tears coming. So I stood with Isaac and gave my testimony that God had told me to talk about. I scanned the audience every once in a while, looking at all the people that were there. 

About 40 minutes later, with some closed eyes, I finally finished my testimony. I wasn’t doing it for a standing ovation, the pat on the back, or the “good job”. I was looking to do what I was told to do by God himself. 

As Isaac called the people forward, it was humbling to see that there were a lot of people who appeared to relate to my topic. The women came forward and raised their hands to accept or renew their lives for Christ. My jaw dropped at this! I mean, I’ve seen this happen over the years, but to see a response like this from a topic that I spoke about (thanks to God for telling me), is just amazing. 

When it was all said and done, I felt at east. I didn’t pass out, I didn’t stumble over my words, and I didn’t cry. I spoke to a crowd without all the nervousness that I had felt only minutes prior. 

If you take anything away from reading this, just be still and listen, then obey. He will provide you with the words that you need to speak. He will give you comfort when the time is right. 

If I was asked to do it again….. Perhaps the same topic, perhaps a new one if He laid it on me to do so. - Cathy

My opportunity to speak

 
I believe God allows things to happen in your life so He can be glorified. And then He puts this burning desire in your heart to tell anyone who will listen about His love, grace and mercy. I've never been a public speaker, but when the Lord does a miraculous thing, it's hard to keep quiet. How can I describe the feeling of seeing upturned faces and hands raised as people are being led to Christ? It was definitely worth it. - Renee

Presentation of Bibles

At the conclusion of the work in each village, we present a pulpit Bible for the new church to the caretaker, along with personal Bibles in English and in the local language for his study.  In addition, we present youth level Bibles and children's Bible stories to the church for the development of the young ones in Sunday School.  The congregation gets personal Bibles of their own also.  Here Kevin is presenting Twi Bibles so that the church can hear the Word in their own language, though the children are getting quite good with English.

Pavilion Construction

Each year we build a pavilion in each village for the newly planted church to meet under.  Over time the congregation can complete them with a floor, walls and doors, etc., forming a church building not much different than one you or I have in the United States.

In the first picture you can see the steel poles set in concrete.  We place a beam across those posts and add temporary diagonal supports.  Then in the other pictures, you see us setting our hand-made trusses with lots of help from the local villagers.  You'll see the finished structure in dedication Sunday pictures.

The days are just packed!

The days really are just packed!  Travel to the site, set up the clinic, deliver the Gospel message to those waiting, provide medical and vision care to lots of people, play and teach the children, build wells and pavilion structures, travel back for an evening meal and dress for church, return to the grounds and deliver the message.

Whew!  Then dance and sing with our new friends and believers in Christ.  Tomorrow we do it all over again!!!

The well above under construction is nearly finished.  This one is at the edge of town where electricity is available and fairly stable so it can be electric.  A submersed pump is deep underground, with the wellhead in the box in the foreground. This rather large and significant project was possible through our collaboration with the Methodist church of Ghana. Just wait 'til you see an innovation we hadn't seen before (look for it in the dedication pictures to follow soon).


Then there is always the time we spend with the people in each village, just getting to know them and sharing with them.  Here Sue is making a new friend.  She collects a number God's children during a typical trip that become "her" people - quiet and reflective, they tend to seek her out every time we come, even years later.

Expanding the kingdom!

The best part of the whole mission, and certainly the primary reason we go, is the new souls won for the Lord!  This picture was taken near then end of an evening presentation.  Usually every child within earshot will claim their salvation when they hear the Good News, along with many adults.  Notice the very young babies slung on the backs of their mothers.  They often sleep there, right through the celebration and dancing that follows this moment.  Welcome to our new brothers and sisters in Christ!

The evening presentations of the Good News!

The first night of the gospel presentations, I delivered the message and Isaac translated.  The evening events always begin with praise, worship, dancing and prayer - just a bit different than back home in Indiana!  I always receive so much joy when delivering the message of hope and love, grace and salvation - especially when folks raise their hands and begin to make their way forward when I first mention that an invitation will be forthcoming!  On this night, a middle-aged man that was the first to come forward to accept Jesus, sought me out at the close of the service.  Tears still streaming down his cheeks, he wanted to share with me personally that he had accepted the Lord's invitation.  We talked a bit about what was next for him.  I look for great things from that man by the time we return next year! - Glenn

The medical clinics...

The medical clinics we provide each day in the village begin with a presentation of the Gospel in a short

message.  There are always a large number of people waiting by the time we get there and set up so we take advantage of the opportunity to win souls for Christ.  Once underway and we have gathered various vitals and pertinent information through interview, each patient sees one of the two doctors.  For those experiencing issues with vision, we were blessed to add eye care this year.  An eye doctor from the Ankaase Methodist Healing Hospital volunteered to help the first part of the week. 

In the picture above, our good friend Gify is taking vitals.  She has been helping us since 2010.

In the picture on the right, Dr. Cam is checking on the pharmacy team just as we are about to begin seeing the first patients.  Lynnette and Ruthie spent most of their days filling scripts while Cathy worked with Collins to do the lab testing for malaria and other blood related issues.  Dean, in his first year with Ghana missions, is experiencing many areas, including some time dispensing toothbrushes and toothpaste at the clinic.

A Growing Church

When we visited with the church in Asampanaye our first Sunday, I got to speak. It was great going back there to see how the church is growing. All of the land is now cleared, and there are cement blocks everywhere. There is an addition being added for an office and a storage room, and the walls are up several feet. James, the slender, gray haired man that we met last year, was good to his word. He is a mason, and promised to build the church. It was so nice to see him there worshiping. You can see his back in this photo. He is the man with the patterned black and white shirt on the second row. There I am giving the message with Joseph. - Sue

Well Dedications...

Take a good look at the water source above, used for years by a few hundred people living nearby.  It is actually little more than a puddle, with moss and algae growing in it.  Located in the lowest place for miles around, it is where the water collects.  It is of course also where excrement from animals and humans will likely wind up.  The trek to this spot is a few hundred yards from the nearest houses, or about a 8 or 10 minute walk downhill.  It was steep enough that many of us needed a hand to navigate the trail.  We can't imagine what it would be like walking uphill with a large bucket of water on your head!

Well, those days are now a thing of the past for these villages. We were blessed to dedicate two new wells this day, plus a visit to the third well placed last July just after we departed for the US.  That third well has been in service all this time, dedicated by the Bishop and the local church in our absence.  The story of our water wells project has been captured in a story on Ghanaian TV.  Maybe we'll load that video up to the blog....?  8-)

Those of us that have seen the water sources that must still be used in remote locations will never take the availability of safe, clean water for granted.  You cannot imagine the joy we as a church bring to a village when the clear water begins to flow from the pump near their home!  Well dedications are just the best - and these new wells were no exception.  More later - so keep reading...

Preparation for field work

A few more pictures of our preparations... Usually beginning Saturday afternoon or Sunday we organize our resources for the days or week ahead.  Medicines ordered have to be inventoried and sorted for the clinics.  Medicine purchased in bulk is often counted into typical individual prescriptions during this time to speed people through the pharmacy.  Filling scripts in the field can be the one thing that has the longest wait times.

Here are our doctors Cam and Curt Gongwer reviewing what they have available to use in the clinics this week.

The second picture is Renee, Lynnette, Gify and Julie counting dosages in the mission guest house.  The air-conditioning also makes this a more enjoyable task!

There is actually a bit of preparation for the children's ministry that goes on too.  We have printed bible stories depicted as a line drawing for coloring.  The children (and often nearby adults) enjoy coloring the picture while they hear the story.  Crayons are a luxury out of reach for most of the families in the rural areas, and actually hard to find in Ghana.  Then there are throwing rings and other such attention getters to be organized for the multiple villages we visit.  We are usually blessed with hundreds of children so preparedness is a must!

Good Morning!

Joseph and I have dashed into town while the others are working in the medical clinic today, or over in the school teaching the children.  We have purchased large quantities of food, diapers and other needed items for the orphanage we will be visiting in Winneba when we get down there tomorrow.  While we are waiting for the truck to load up, we stepped into this internet cafe'.  As Sue always says... never miss an opportunity (though I think she is usually referring to an available restroom!)  I can't post any pictures but I can type!

Things are going well, but we are very busy!  Our apologies for the lack of posts.  Last year we struggled with power or connectivity while this trip it is more of a time constraint or need for rest issue.  The heat really saps your strength this time of year.  We have heard you are expecting winter storms in Indiana but is over 100 degrees here most days, though it cools to maybe 80 at night.

A different experience this year - more like our 2009 trip where we are very near in to the city (Kumasi).  Many have heard of Jesus in our area of work, and many are already connected to one church or another.  They do not have a Methodist church however, and the few that worship and pray with the Caretaker pastor trained for this plant currently meet in the home of the local chief.  During the mornings we have been sharing with those waiting to see the doctors and of course again in the evenings.  Our Lord is faithful as always and the Kingdom is getting larger here by the day!  Thank you for your continued prayers that those with ears to hear will accept His saving grace.  By the time we return next year, we expect a large Methodist congregation to welcome us back.

Can't wait to tell you about the well we dedicated yesterday, but he truck is ready... Talk again soon!

BTW... it is encouraging for us to see the number of you following this blog and reading each post.  Hopefully there is be more for you soon!  Blessings in His Holy name!  -  Glenn

A Methodist Camp Meeting

After church on Sunday, both groups came together and immediately left for well dedications. There would be a few hours of driving to hit each site before the afternoon was over (Granola bar lunch today!)  Along the way we passed through a Methodist diocese that was just finishing up a four day camp meeting, where all the churches come together for worship, prayer and praise.  Joseph had been participating in the event up until he had to collect us from the airport on Saturday.  By stopping in just as the meeting was about to close, Joseph was able to share a few minutes one last time.  He also asked me to speak and promptly pressed the microphone into my hand! (Always be prepared when Joseph is around - you just never know...)  Among other things, I was able to bring greetings on behalf of our American mission team and the entire Dayton United Methodist Church as brothers and sisters in Christ.  It is good to see the body come together in this way and share the love of the Lord with our friends in person!  -  Glenn

Sunday School at Nyinawusu

On the first Sunday, Tom, Isaac, Lynette, Renee and I went to the Church in Nyinawusu. Here's Renee teaching the Sunday School class. As usual this was under a big shade tree. As I was walking out I could here her leading the kids in the old favorite, Jesus Loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so...
Kevin

The visit to the 2010 church planted in Nyinawusu

 Tom and Isaac bringing the message at
Nyinawusu. This Church was started in 2010.
As you can see the walls have been completed, and they are ready to add the ceiling. Definite signs of a growing Church.
Kevin

The return to Asampanaye!

Our group divided into two for Sunday visits to churches planted in the past.  These follow-ups are important for us to continue supporting the new congregations, but they are also so much fun!  My group revisited Asanpanaye, a village where we planted a Methodist church last July.  They are strong in the Spirit and growing!  We snapped this picture with most of the Sunday attenders in front of their pavilion.  Notice the land has been cleared around the structure and work has already begun on the transformation into a complete church building.  The walls are partially up, generally to the level of the windows, and the dirt floor has been fully leveled.  A foundation has been completed for an office and storage addition on one end.  All this in six months - and the work continues!

Sunday service was refreshing and uplifting.  Sue added a message to their morning routine and I presented them with a blessing on behalf of all of you at Dayton UMC!  On thing of note... it seems every year English is more widely spoken and understood in Ghana.  We were blessed to praise the Lord this year, singing in our own language.  We look for great things to come out of this young church in Asampanaye! - Glenn

For God so loved the world...

One of my favorite things to do when we first get to the mission house is to grab a handful of the Frisbee rings with John 3:16 printed on them and go down to spend some time with the neighborhood kids who are waiting out front.We may start out with 4 kids and wind up with a dozen in no time!  When they catch these flying toys and start reading the words on them, it's such an open door to talk to them about Christ.
Thank You Lord for letting me be Your hands and feet. These children are a blessing to be with.- Renee

We're here!

Hey everyone!  We made it!  Half a day of travel again today but we're now settled in to the mission house in Kumasi.  Having an awesome time visiting and catching up with some of our Ghanaian friends - or should I say, family.  The team we have collected up over the years includes our Ghanaian brothers and sisters, who are as much a part of our team as any of us from the states.  Can't wait to see the others on Sunday or Monday when they join us also.  Stella has been cooking up some wonderful "welcome back" food followed by a late evening ice cream run by the team. We were discussing as we unpacked how many of us feel like we're coming home rather than some far-off place. The Lord has certainly directed us here.

Great devotion this evening, as we turn our attention to the ministry which begins in earnest tomorrow.  Dividing up to attend worship at two previously planted churches to see how they are doing, encourage and celebrate.  Then we're off to dedicate the first of three new water wells put down this year!  The busy day will also be filled with preparations and staging for the work ahead next week - medical clinics, children's ministry, building the church pavilions and of course the day and evening evangelism events.

It's going to be an awesome mission - so prayers that we have continuous power and internet so we are able to share as we go along.  - Glenn

A Divine Appointment on a Plane

You should not be surprised! God answers prayers that coincide with His will. The more unselfish prayers He receives from His children, the more likely He will be motivated into action on the subject matter. One of my prayers before we started our 2016 journey to Ghana, was that God would soften the hearts of those He has chosen for His kingdom, wherever His bride, (the people of the church) should meet them, and to prepare opportunities to minister to them. God's timing is perfect. On the 6 1/2 hour flight from Amsterdam to Ghana, He placed a 17 year old High School junior from the Netherlands (a Dutch girl) next to me. Over the 6 hour flight, our conversation turned to Jesus. Brit had heard the name Jesus, but she said she didn't know much about Him. God had placed us both on a flight for 6 hours, where He ministered to her with the Gospel, from Genesis to Revelation, using me as a vessel of His Word. As a result of prayers, God claimed another one for His kingdom. Will you offer yourself to be used by God and pray, "Here I am, Lord. Use me how You will."? Be careful, though, because He will.

Giving Glory to our Great and Gracious God!

I am Bob Hartley, a child of God

Commissioning Sunday

It's commissioning Sunday at Dayton United Methodist Church!  One of the final steps in our preparation for departure on Thursday evening.  Pastor Mike led the congregation in the proceedings.  The prayers of the people are truly felt when they come upon you in waves as they did Sunday.  Powerful moments indeed as the church cries out in one voice!  This team extends our heart-felt thanks for the encouragement and blessing that comes through your intercessory prayers now and throughout the trip.

We stand ready to go forth, to the ends of the earth, as commanded by Jesus Christ and recorded in Acts 1:8, commissioned today by the faithful at Dayton United Methodist Church, and by Christ Himself over 2,000 years ago, and recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.  We go because You called and we heard.  We fear not because You go before us.  It is in Your arms we take refuge.  It is in Your name we go, seeking only to show Your heart to a hurting world.  We pray our witness will bring glory and honor to Your name, and a great harvest to Your Kingdom.