G H A N A H A R V E S T

Transcription

1 G H A N A H A R V E S T Go ye therefore and teach all na ons, bap zing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. (Ma hew 28:19 KJV) ISSUE 33 Visit us at >>>>> MARCH 22, 2014 The Ghana Harvest Newsle er is published for distribu on by to all who feel the call to follow the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Go, Teach, and Bap ze. This newsle er focuses on the Chris an Outreach happening in the Upper East Region of Ghana, West Africa among the Kusasi villages which is presently administered by Pastor Nicholas Salifu of the LCMS. This newsle er may be reproduced and distributed to anyone interested in spreading the love of Jesus Christ in these remote areas of Ghana. Philip L. Herr editor Rev. Nicholas Salifu content Foster photos 2014 Ghana Harvest, Inc. 143 Helen PL. Collinsville, IL MORE BOOKS PUBLISHED IN KUSAAL LANGUAGE The new books have arrived! After many months and many hours of translating; reading over draft after draft and making corrections and editing the proofs, the long awaited shipment has arrived. What we might think of as a simple procedure, getting a delivery in Ghana is no simple matter. You don t just answer the doorbell and receive a package from UPS. The actual delivery comes to the port near Accra and certain fees and duties must be paid to get the shipment released. From the translators first draft, to the publishing in Bangkok, Thailand to the final delivery, everything is orchestrated by Lutheran Heritage Foundation. And, oh, did I mention? LHF also covers all of the expenses. Miracles like this happen every day through the gifts you send to organizations like Lutheran Heritage and Ghana Harvest. God works through YOU, His wonders to perform. The new books printed in Kusaal include: Child s Garden of Bible Stories, The Lutheran Service Book, and "The Augsburg Confession PASTOR SALIFU RECEIVES THE SHIPMENT LEADERS EXAMINE THE BOOKS 1

2 PROGRESS CONTINUES AT KPALIGA The last funding transfer sent by GHANA HARVEST included funds to purchase the construction materials for the roof structure on the new Kpaliga Chapel. As you can see, the work has now been completed and is now ready for the metal roof sheeting. These funds were sent with Pastor WOMEN CARRYING BLOCKS PREPARING FOR ROOF Salifu when he recently returned to Ghana. I m sure the roof will be complete by the time we send the next newsletter, and before the rainy season begins. FINISHED ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE PERSONAL EVANGELISM Pastor Salifu has been calling on his uncle and his nephews evangelizing with them. He is explaining the love of Jesus and the price He paid for our sins. There is no offering necessary, just repentance and confession. Pastor is very concerned for their souls; you see, they are Idol Worshippers. PASTOR WITH HIS UNCLE & NEPHEWS Please pray for them!! 2 Visit us at >>>>>

3 NARANSAUG CHAPEL PROGRESS Construction of the new chapel at Naransaug is moving right along. The members took Pastor Salifu to the construction site to show him the progress that has been made. The building will serve some of the medical needs in the village as part of its ministry. Major funding has come from St John Church in Waverly, Iowa. MEMBERS TAKING PASTOR TO CHAPEL SITE MEMBERS IN FRONT OF NEW CHAPEL A VISIT TO KPAGOGO KPAGOGO BIBLE STUDIES Kpaogo congregation is very active and is growing as are all of the Kusasi Lutheran churches. They are worshiping in a mud walled chapel where they are led by Chairman Abraham Nderaug and Leader Moses Abugbila who handle the affairs of the church as well as scheduling all of the events and services. These two work closely with Pastor Salifu with evangelism programs and Bible studies. Recently a young Muslim girl, Fahanatu, was baptized and is now a member of the Kpagogo children's choir. FORMER MUSLIM FAHANATU ABRAHAM AND MOSES DISCUSS SHEDULES 3 Visit us at >>>>>

4 54 BAPTIZED AS ZIAKO HOSTS CHRISTMAS CONVENTION The Ziako congregation hosted the Christmas Convention this past December, and as usual it was very well attended. The usual festivities were planned and there was much singing and dancing. Of course the main celebration was the birthdate of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There was another reason to celebrate. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, 54 new members were baptized. Among them was a former Muslim woman who after her husbands MUSLIM WOMAN IS BAPTIZED death and funeral ONE OF THE 54 is glad to became a Christian. John Abane spoke about how it took him more than two years to tell Michael Maliki about Christ and Michael Maliki, a SOME OF THE 54 NEWLY BAPTIZED former Muslim encouraged everyone to be an evangelist for Christ. Since there is a large Muslim population among the Kusasi s and traditionally the men and women do not mingle, but mostly stay separate when there are gatherings, getting JOHN ABANE men to be active in the church is constantly being discussed. Sampson Abugri spoke to the convention encouraging SAMPSON ABUGRI men to be more active in the church in Mary Salifu, the oldest daughter of Nicholas and Cynthia, gave FORMER MUSLIM thanks to God for the blessing of good and loving MARY SALIFU MICHAEL MALIKI parents. Visit us at >>>>> 4

5 K U S A S I THE NICHOLAS SALIFU FAMILY MARY SALIFU WILL WED ON APRIL 22 BIBLE STUDY AT CONVENTION CYNTHIA K L I P S THE HARVEST BAPTISM NICHOLAS IN TRADITIONAL ATTIRE FORGIVENESS 5 Visit us at >>>>>

6 HOW ABOUT THOSE PICTURES!!! Maybe you have wondered, where do all of those photographs come from? Who takes them and how up to date are they? When Pastor Salifu travels from village to village, his nephew, Foster, serves as his chauffer and photographer. Their means of transportation is an older model Toyota with a standard transmission. Nicholas has never learned to drive a standard shift so Foster is with him most of the time. I usually get photos once or twice a month, sometimes more, so they are all current topics. Most of the pictures have brief caption as to what they are, and where the were taken. From this information and things I remember from previous conversations with Nicholas, the newsletter is put together. If something special occurs, I will get an explaining the event or activity. Presently we are experimenting with videos, and hope to keep improving on the quality and subject matter. The videos can be seen at the ghanaharvest.org website. If there is any subject you would like to see that we have not covered, please let us know. FOSTER DAN AZUUGA S HEALTH IMPROVING A few months ago the members of Tengnoog congregation began building a new house for Dan Azuuga because he was in failing health and his brother who is an idol worshipper would not let him stay in the family compound as he is a Christian. The house is nearly complete now and all that it needs is a roof. Also Dan s health is improving now, thanks to the prayers of all who remembered him in their prayers. Dan is very grateful for your prayers. PASTOR VISITING DAN AZUUGA DAN S NEW HOUSE PASTOR VISITING THE ZAWSE FAMILY 6 Visit us at >>>>> CHIEF DIES This is a picture of Pastor Salifu visiting the family of one of the primary Chiefs of the Kusasi people. On Pastor s last visit to America Chief Zawse died. There is one Main Chief and 4 or 5 major Chiefs in the Kusasi area. Nicholas always stops to visit these Chiefs when he is passing near their homes.

7 CONCORDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL NURSERY 2 STUDENTS WITH NEW BOOKS NURSERY 2 CLASS NUSERY 2 STUDENT NICHOLAS AND THE TEACHERS CYNTHIA AND THE VOLUNTEER COOKS 7 Visit us at >>>>>

8 CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR TWELVE BICYCLES Praise the Lord! On behalf of the church council I thank all the wonderful and spiritfilled ladies of CID LWML for the grant which we used to buy twelve bicycles for our church leaders. The bikes will help these leaders to get to their churches on time twice or three times a week. Some of them travel more than fifteen miles to their churches. A quote from Nicholas NOTE: This and photo arrived as I was preparing to send the newsletter. I added this page at the last minute. This is almost news before it happens! A red hot scoop 8 Visit us at >>>>>

9 I WILL CLOSE THIS ISSUE WITH THE BENEDICTION IN KUSAAL JUST AS NICHOLAS DOES IN THE NARANSAUG CHAPEL IN GHANA Zugsob na tisi ya yelsum. Zugsob na zo ya nimbaanlig. Zugsob na di ya suguru ka tisi ya suma asim, zina ne daar wusa. Amen. Amen. Amen. Please help by making a regular commitment to: GHANA HARVEST 143 Helen Place Collinsville, Illinois You can help tell the love of Jesus in a place where you cannot go, but you can go with your tithes to help the work of Pastor Nicholas Salifu as he continues to serve our Lord. May the love of Jesus Christ remain with all of you! phil 9