timo

 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

timothy timo