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 27 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org MARCH 5, 2013 The Ghana Harvest Newsle er is published for distribu on by email 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 PASTOR SALIFU HAS RETURNED TO GHANA After spending a month in the USA, Nicholas has returned to Upper East Ghana and has wasted no time in getting back to the work of the church. With the leadership system he has set in place, all of the churches were well taken care of during January. The next time he will return to St Louis will be for the month of June when he will again attend Concordia Seminary as he works toward his Doctor of Ministry degree. A special thanks to all who have assisted in helping to see this goal take one more step to reality. He should finish the program sometime in 2014. REPAIRS TO WIDI COMPLETE Rev. Nicholas Salifu content photos 2012 Ghana Harvest, Inc. 143 Helen PL. Collinsville, IL 62234 Widi Chapel was the first of the Kusasi chapels to be built of cement blocks, but was in need of a cement floor. With funds provided by Ghana Harvest this improvement was recently completed. Some of the members gathered at the Chapel for a picture. MEMBERS AT WIDI CHAPEL The new cement floor is being used quite often now that it is finished. Philemon Maslin leads Bible studies on a regular basis and other events now can be held under much better conditions. PHILEMON LEADING BIBLE STUDIES 1
BUGZUNDE GATHERING A LARGE EVENT The gathering at Bugzunde was well attended and there was much preaching, singing, studying, and great fellowship. The following Pictures speak for themselves > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > WOW! 2 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MADAM LINDA AYAM Many people attended the memorial service for Lynda Ayam who died in January. The Kusasi Women's Group was well represented and there were many who participated including Pastor Elisha who led worship, Mark Ayembilla read the Old Testament lesson, and Moses Aladago read the Epistle lesson. In Addition Evt. Mark Awidaan and Simon Alumbilla gave a narration of the death and bringing back to life of Lazarus. WHEREVER YOU ARE, IT S BIBLE STUDY TIME It seems that wherever people are gathered together, it becomes an opportunity to study God s word. The photos below bear that out. Under the shade of a tree these men strive for more knowledge of the scriptures. DAVID AWINI, NICHOLAS, AND MOSES ABUGBILLA MARK, SIMON, AND DAVID 3 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
BURIAL OF DOMINIC AKUM ELIZABETH AKUM In February Dominic Akum passed away. Dominic s wife, Madam Elizabeth Akum, is the leader of the Kusasi Area Lutheran Women s Group. His burial, as is the custom, was held the same day of his death and many were in attendance. NICODEMUS IS ILL PASTOR NICHOLAS VISITS NICODEMUS Remember Nicodemus? The man who said I want to be a Christian, how much do I pay?,the converted soothsayer who abandoned his idols and then said to Pastor Salifu, Pastor, touch my heart to feel how I have peace in it. is now ill. Now Nicholas can comfort Nicodemus and his family during this difficult time with the peace and comfort that is only found in the love of Jesus Christ. What comfort to us all that we are able to participate in this ministry and see firsthand God s work being done in Ghana. The seeds are planted and the harvest never ends. A life that was lost is now forever saved. Praise God! PASTOR VISITS A LONE WIDOW Please add this lone widow to your prayers. She needs our prayers and support. Nicholas, Baba, and one of the leaders made a special effort to call on her. 4 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
BEGINNING ANOTHER WELL LINER After having many problems related to unsanitary conditions around the community well in the village of Bansi, the prayers of the villagers are being answered. Ghana Harvest has received a contribution from Christ in the City Lutheran Church And CRAVE (the church s coffee house located at the St Louis University Health Sciences Campus) specifically for lining a well. Hopefully in the next newsletter we will see the finished product. God s love is ever present! CYNTHIA, QUEEN OF LEMONADE While Nicholas was staying with me in January we made a trip to Wal-Mart. He always appreciates a drink of lemonade (with NO ice). And as we traveled through the aisles, I pointed out the powdered lemonade mix on the shelf. I mentioned that we used something like that to make the lemonade. Always thinking, he thought that could be used for the children in the new school and maybe Cynthia THE FACTORY THE WORKERS could even sell some at the market. Long story-short. We left the store with 49containers, each with 6 envelopes yielding 2quarts, mostly lemonade but some other exotic flavors also. So Cynthia and her niece Linda went into business. This is what it lead to: THE PRODUCT More next time... GOAT BULLETIN Some of you have specified a preference for your contributions to be used in the Goat Program. The Kusasi Church Council and the Goat Committee met and decided to stop buying goats until June. Because of the hot weather the new goats could easily get lost as they are left in the open. The recipients of the goats have already been selected and they are in agreement with the decision. 5 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
NARANSAUG Meets in a mud walled schoolroom CHURCH REPORTS TENGNOOG Meets in a mud walled building SIMON ALUMBILLAH PREACHING CHAIRMAN MATHIAS ADDRESSES BABA LEADS BIBLE STUDY NICHOLAS PRAYS FOR A NEW MEMBER SIMON LEADS BIBLE STUDY TENGNOOG MEMBERS CONCORDIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL The enrollment of the new Concordia International School is now up to 132 pupils. There are three classrooms containing Pre K-1, Pre K-2, and Kindergarten. The plan is to construct two more classrooms before the next school year begins. A wonderful organization CCCS (Children s Christian Concern Society) has agreed to help with partial funding. This is a private Christian (Lutheran) School and will accept children from all backgrounds and religions. Please pray for it s success. 6 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
SAKPANATENGA CONTINUES TO GROW The congregation at Sakpanatenga continues to grow, not only in numbers but also in their love for Jesus Christ. Recently on a visit to the congregation Pastor Salifu baptized eight people, and celebrated the Lord s Supper with all of the members. Although this congregation usually meets in a mud walled chapel, there is still something very special about the beauty of God s handiwork, so the service was held outdoors in the shade SIMON ALUMBILLA LEADS WORSHIP of a mango tree. CONSCRATING BREAD & WINE DISTRIBUTION BAPTIZING PASTOR BLESSING A CHILD KUSASI AREA LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL A council meeting is held in the enclosed area that is the location for the Concordia International School. The wall serves as the back wall for classrooms as they are added. FAMILY OF LATE DOMINIC AKUM visit Cynthia (on right) and Nicholas to thank the pastor for the comforting message given at the burial of Dominic. 7 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
WHAT S NEW AT GHANA HARVEST?? Now there are videos on the Ghana Harvest website. A compact video camera was purchased about a year ago for Nicholas to take candid video pictures of the various happenings in the Kusasi Lutheran Church of Upper East Ghana. This includes every thing from Sunday services, choirs performing, baptisms, etc. to just scenes from everyday life happenings. I am amazed at the quality and excellent videos that have been taken already. Nicholas nephew, Foster usually travels with him as Nicholas doesn t drive and Foster has been his chauffer. He has also taken most of the photographs that appear in the newsletter. Now he is also our official videographer. In addition to the Classic SALIFU S HARVEST video there are more to view. The new videos are: The Baptism of Gladys Akengos, The Wedding of Baba and Gladys, Funeral of Jethro Amaasum, Pastor Salifu Preaching at Naransaug, Distribution of Holy Communion at Naransaug, Bible Studies at Naransaug, Special Edition Ghana Bibles, Presentation of Goats to Needy Women, and New Three Wheeled Transporter. Although you may not understand the language, you will understand what is happening. Just go to www.ghanaharvest.org and click on the video button. From there select one of the three options and then you will see the specific videos. If you have any problems let me know. Personally, I can t wait to get some videos of the women s and youth choirs. If you like the pictures, you ll LOVE the videos! Thanks for all of your prayers and support. We are officially about one year old now, just getting started. God has truly blessed the mission of Nicholas Salifu, and with all of us pulling together. GREAT THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN! I will close this newsletter with the benediction in Kusaal. ZUGSOB NA TISI YA YELSUM. ZUGSOB NA ZO YA NIMBAANLIG. ZUGSOB NA DI YA SUGURU KA TISI YA SUMA ASIM, ZINA NE DAAR WUSA. Please help by making a regular commitment to: GHANA HARVEST 143 Helen Place Collinsville, Illinois 62234 You can help tell the love of Jesus in a place where you cannot go, but you can go with your thes to help the work of Pastor Nicholas Salifu as he con nues to serve our Lord. May the love of Jesus Christ remain with all of you! phil 8 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org