March 18, 2009
Hello all!
Well I simply don't know where to begin, the Lord has been working
so mightily!!
I guess I'll start with the latest and most
thrilling: I think you all know about Marion Kagni's family, her
staunchly Catholic father Mr. Charles and Momma Sara? She also has a
brother, Peter, who is a alcoholic. We have been praying much for
the Family's salvation.
About a month ago our brother Fii, the only saved one in the house
(we asked prayer for him?) asked us to start a bible study in the
family house as an outreach to his old friends. The family of course
has an open invitation, sometimes they come sometimes they don't!
Well last night Peter came right in the middle of the study, he
looked as if he was going to leave right away, but sure enough he
stuck around with a friend John--both having a hint of alcohol on
their breath.
Mr. Lucas preached a strong gospel message about denying self and
taking up the cross. Afterwards they both said they were ready to
leave their sin and alcohol behind them.. well, it's not that we
didn't believe them! James told them if they were serious then they
would come and visit us in the morning, *sober*!
Lo and behold, brother Fii brought them to us this morning, both
sober and repentant! Oh how much we thank God for this breakthrough
that we have been praying so much for. We hope you rejoice right
along with us and the angels in heaven!
Our trip to the northern region was very
encouraging. As I said we took our [African] brother John with us
and we were able to rendezvous with his friend Peter in Sawla
without problem. Peter is a Brifour and was born and
raised in the area, so he was able to show us all around taking us
into many villages giving us a lot of insight and vision. (All six
of us, packed into the car, driving around bumpy roads in the
bush--did we ever have a blast!)
We visited a few Gonja villages, all muslim/idol worshipers without
any christians, basically the purpose was to meet the chiefs. We
gave each one a loaf a banana bread and miscellaneous medical
supplies with which they were very pleased. One village, Mankuma, we
were sorta run out because they were about to do some traditional
burial rituals. In another village, Gruyire, we met the chief Kokra.
This was a brifour village so they were mostly idol worshipers with
no muslims.
After
the formalities we decided we would try to preach to the chief and a
few of the villagers. He agreed and sent out messengers! Well while
we waited some of us helped peel cassava, and James sat down next to
the Kokra and just chatted. He didn't realize it at the time but he
accidently sat on an idol and broke it right in half! (Kokra took
note of this.) Well a small crowd gathered and sat down on benches
and the nearby graves of the chief's late father and brother.
So James started preaching and towards the close
he pointed to an idol in the foreground, a tall mud pillar with a
pot on top and told the chief he must tear it down! He tried to
dodge, and so a group of younger guys spoke up and declared they
would tear it down!
Kokra quickly rebuked them and told them if they
did they would go mad. He pointed at us and said that we could tear
it down because obviously the idols have no power over us! We were
encouraged by this confession. However even when James offered to
smash it he made several excuses about the elders reaction and it
being his late Father's idol.
So he didn't tear it down--yet! But we see the Lord is working in
his heart, hallelujah!
Another Brifour Chief, Peerbe, of the idolatrous village of Kona
asked us to come back and do a bible study and tell them more about
Jesus!
Many more stories, but the big prayer request we have is that Peter
and others asked us to come and do a 5 week discipleship program in
Sawla--while those in the bigger village of Bole advised us we
should do it there! We prayed about it and agreed to come back to
Sawla with the possibility of doing one simultaneously in Bole, only
if God is willing due to the obvious transportation and time
challenges.
So John Burwell, John and myself will be going
back at the end of this month and will start classes on the first of
April. (We depart roughly in a week and a half.) Mr. Lucas will be
coming for the last week of teaching. I'll be taking
half of the teaching time and both John's will split the other half
which is a big load for each of us! We will be staying with Peter
and others from the Church in Sawla.
It goes without being said we would graciously implore you to be
remembering us in your prayers!! This Northern region, well, its
just, its downright Africa! It will be a challenge to be sure,
totally different language, food, accommodations etc! But we
are certainly looking forward to it with eager--slightly
nervous--anticipation!!
Praise the Lord I am 105% healthy and have been since the second day
of the trip! I thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!
Also note: We will be starting a discipleship course next Monday
there in Tarkwa. So far we have Solomon the great (he is 6 foot 6
inches) Peter, John, Samson Kagni, and possibly a man named Kumar.
(Briefly, we met Kumar on our trip north, he was drinking
heavily--mourning the loss of his mother before he planned on
committing suicide. I was able to preach to him and challenge him to
die to self instead. He tentatively said he wanted to give his life
to Jesus and come for the classes. Pray for our meeting with him
today.)
Well that should be enough for you to chew on and pray about!!
We thank the Lord for his goodness and faithfulness to us! He is
doing a good work, we pray the Lord would raise up more laborers!
Please if there are any questions or further clarification needed
feel free to ask!
Lord bless you all! --timoty
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