G H A N A H A R V E S T Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:19 KJV) ISSUE 25 DECEMBER 9, 2012 The Ghana Harvest Newsletter is published for distribution by email to all who feel the call to follow the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Go, Teach, and Baptize. This newsletter focuses on the Christian 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 newsletter may be reproduced and distributed to anyone interested in spreading the love of Jesus Christ in these remote areas of Ghana. Philip L. Herr Rev. Nicholas Salifu editor content photos 2012 Ghana Harvest, Inc. 143 Helen PL. Collinsville, IL 62234 IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED AT ZUUKU CHAPEL EIGHT YEAR OLD ZUUKU CHAPEL REMOVING TERMITE HILL Although Zuuku Chapel is over Eight years old, this mud walled building has been cared for, patched, and repaired, and still remains an adequate place to hold worship services. Solomon Asibi is removing a termite hill from the interior to prepare the floor for a cement surface which has been funded by Ghana Harvest. This will eliminate the termite problem, providing the worshippers with a solid clean surface for the interior of Zuuku Chapel. ANOTHER GHANA HARVEST PROJECT Wiidi Chapel was the first chapel in the Kusasi Lutheran Church of Upper East Ghana to be built with cement blocks, but it still has a dirt floor. Through funds from Ghana Harvest the members will soon be helping to lay a new cement floor in this sturdy building. It is important that the Kusasi Lutherans realize that there is an organization formed in the U.S.A. to support their spiritual and physical needs, thanks to all of you. WIIDI THE FIRST CEMENT BLOCK CHAPEL KUSAAL LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK Lutheran Heritage Foundation will be printing the Kusaal Lutheran Service Book very soon. Everything has been reviewed and approved. I have been privileged to view the entire text and this will add continuity to the various services held, not only Sunday worship, but also festivals, burial services, weddings etc. Permission has been given to us by LHF to occasionally print excerpts from it in the Kusaal language. What a blessing! 1
ZIAKO DISCUSSES IMPROVEMENT THE VALUE OF LITERACY Two of the many examples of the value of the adult literacy classes that are held on a regular basis under the supervision of Pastor Salifu are shown below. Elizabeth became literate and is now seen reading the second reading in the service at Kpalugu. Monica is now able to lead Bible studies in Bansakpanatenga when the pastor is absent. Without the translations this would not be possible. The Literacy class at Kpagogo is taught by Mr. Moses Abugbilla. JAMES ADDRESSING THE CONGREGATION Now that Ziako Chapel has a completed exterior with metal doors, cement floor, and an altar, the vicechairman, James Awiig is shown here discussing how to raise funds to make more refined improvements to the building. They include plastering the walls, wiring the chapel, purchasing a generator, etc. Ziako is the largest of the congregations MADAM ELIZABETH AKUM MADAM MONICA ATIBILA ASLEEP IN THE ARMS OF JESUS On November 15th Cecelia Ayindago was taken from this life to the arms of her Savior. As is the custom she was buried on that day and friends and relatives gathered for the burial service. Pastor Salifu as well as Timothy Adaam, vicechairman of the Kusasi Lutheran Church consoled the family and conducted the TIMOTHY CONSOLING THE FAMILY burial service. Three days later, at the Third Day After Burial Service for Cecelia. Many people attended including a large number of non-christians and Muslims. All in attendance were able to hear Pastor Sailfu tell the gathering about the joy of being a NICHOLAS PREACING ON THIRD DAY SERVICE Christian MANY IN ATTENDANMCE WERE MUSLIMS AND NON-CHRISTIANS 2
IT S TIME FOR HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES NARANSAUG CONGREGATION The chairman of Naransaug Church, John Ayaawin, began the Thanksgiving Celebration by addressing the gathering. The youth of Naransaug provided choral renditions which were enjoyed by all. The Kusasi Church Council chairman David DAVID, PROSPER, AND BABA Awini and Council secretary Prosper Atiiga were in attendance and assisted Naransaug Leader Baba Salifu by making presentations. NARANSAUG CHAIRMAN JOHN AYAAWIN NARANSAUG YOUTH GROUP MEAL TIME The return of Pastor Elisha, who preached, after spending three weeks in Accra was celebrated. He was received with great joy and the Kusasi Church is praying that he will be with them for a long time. There were also many events, celebration, and a bountiful supply of food was prepared. Join with the Kusasi Lutheran Church and pray that Pastor Elisha is allowed to stay and serve the Kusaal speaking people. PASTOR ELISHA PREACHING HARVEST THANKSGIVING 3
BUGZUNDE CONGREGATION The members of Bugzunde church celebrated their Harvest Thanksgiving Festival with many in attendance and many events and speakers. Since the national elections will be held SAMSON SPEAKING ON PEACEFUL ELECTIONS on December 7th to elect a president and members of parliament, Samson of Bugzunde spoke on the importance of peaceful elections. There were Bible studies for the youth. The Bugzunde, Sakpanatenga and Bansakpanatenga youth choirs as well as the YOUTH BIBLE STUDIES Bugzunde Women s Fellowship choir sang songs of praise. Jacob Abugri, the Kusasi Youth President addressed the gathering regarding youth involvement in church programs and activities. An abundance of foodstuffs were gathered to be used for future church gatherings and during the chapel construction. During the festival twelve people were added to the body of Christ through baptism and afterwards all were dismissed with God s blessing. SAKPANATENGA YOUTH CHOIR BANSAKPANATENGA YOUTH CHOIR BUGZUNDE YOUTH CHOIR YOUTH PRESIDENT JACOB ABUGRI BUGZUNDE WOMENS FELLOWSHIP 4
MORE FROM BUGZUNDE FOOD THAT WAS GATHERED BAPTIZING THE TWELVE DISMISSING THE NEWLY BAPTIZED IN CONTROL YOUTH ENJOY RARE TREAT ALICE AND THE YOUNGSTERS Alice Ajeba has her hands full as she teaches Sunday School for the little ones The youth enjoy a rare ride on the three wheeler. A special treat! 5
IT LOOKS DIFFERENT BUT IT S REALLY THE SAME This is the cover of the recently translated familiar book A Child s Garden of Bible Stories Pastor Nicholas Salifu has finished translating it into the Kusaal language. That is what looks different about the cover. If you opened the book, YOU could not read it, but the Kusasi adults who have been enrolled in the literacy classes of- fered by the Kusasi Lutheran Church will now be able to read these magnificent pictured Bible Stories to their children while their young minds can learn of the love of Jesus Christ. This happens through the ministry of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. They have worked closely with Pastor Salifu and arrange for the publication of these invaluable publications. Even when there is no other financing available, they find a way to provide the Word of God to each in his own language, the Penticost of Literature. Thanks and blessing to LHF. With the permission of LHF I have printed A copy Of THE LORD S PRAYER as it appears in the KUSAAL LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK ZUGSOB SOSUG LA (The Lord s Prayer) Ti Ba kane be saazug, fu yu ur na mor girima, fu na am na kena. Fu yela na maal dunia nwa ni, nwenne lin maal arazana ni si em la. Ka tisi ti zina diib, nwenne fun tisidi ti daar wusa diib si em la, ka keesi ti tuumbe ed n bas, nwenne tiname keesi ti taaba tuumbe ed bas si em la. Da ke ka ti kpen makir puugin ne, amaa ka yiisi ti tuumbe ed puugin. Daar wusa ane na am ne paŋ ne nyovor dine ka a naare. Amen. Please help by making a regular commitment to: GHANA HARVEST 143 Helen Place Collinsville, Illinois 62234 We 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 you all as we celebrate His Holy Birth phil 6