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 31 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org OCTOBER 24, 2013 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. PHIL AND DON TAKE A TRIP Late in September, our Treasurer, Don Cochran, and I took a trip to MISSION CENTRAL in Western Iowa to visit with Gary Thies, a man who has been serving the Lord for years by supporting missionaries who have been sent literally all over the world by LCMS. As is the case with Pastor Salifu, there is little or no financial support from synod provided. Mission Central supports 20 to 30 or more missionaries in the field at any given time. It was a pure pleasure to meet with this man who has felt the call of our Lord to do whatever he can to see that the commission Go and teach ALL NATIONS baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Philip L. Herr editor Rev. Nicholas Salifu information and photos 2013 Ghana Harvest, Inc. 143 Helen PL. Collinsville, IL 62234 The property includes the office (the farmhouse), the church/museum (the barn), and a banquet hall (the building behind the steeple of the Wayside Prayer Chapel). This chapel was recently built along the road so that travelers may stop to meditate or pray. There has even been a small wedding performed in it. This is not a place you would just happen to drive by. Nor is it easy to get there, but it is one of the most interesting and inspiring places you could ever visit. Gary Thies IS NOT A PASTOR. He is a man dedicated to serve The Master and do His bidding. Praise God for laymen like Gary. Who always says remember, I haven't done anything here...it's ALL ABOUT WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE HERE It is because of Christians like this that the Kingdom will always be able to send workers to the HARVEST. Mission Central is located two miles East of Mapleton, Iowa 1
GOAT POPULATION ON THE INCREASE The Goat program has been around for quite a few years and there is no chance it will ever loose its popularity. Look at the happy recipients. These goats were provided by a variety of contributions from all over, but in this group many were from our friends in Montana. Some are young kids born to the goats presented two years ago. In the Goat Program everyone wins. Goats are not presented at just any time, just certain months when the weather and climate conditions are right. These animals are not kept in a restricted area but are all free range and survive from the natural vegetation. It is almost impossible to picture all of the presentations, but if you look at the video section of www.ghanaharvest,org you will see the actual process that is used for the distribution. 2 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
THE GIFT KEEPS GIVING These are the women from Bugzunde church who brought gifts of goats (kids) from what they received two years ago. These goats were given to four other needy women. One of the women remarked, the people in America blessed me and I thank God that I am also able to help another needy woman. THANKS TO THE LEADERS! The leaders of the Kuasai congregations are the glue that holds the people together. They conduct church services, Bible study, youth events and all of the congregational activities during the times when Pastor Salifu is visiting other villages. This they do out of the love they have for Jesus Christ as they strive to tell the Gospel to the Kusasi people. They are not paid for their work but happily give of their time to serve the Lord. Some of them are teachers in government schools or have some other means of support, but all of them farm their own land to provide food for their individual families. Ghana Harvest has provided each of them with fertilizer for their crops twice a year. Here you see them receiving the bags of nourishment for the vegetables they grow.... THANKS FOR JOB WELL DONE! 3 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
CONCORDIA PREPARATORY SCHOOL (CPS) PREPARING FOR NEXT YEAR ALREADY Because of a generous gift from Immanuel Church in Rock Island, IL and a grant from Thrivent, CPS is now building the classrooms it will need in the fall of 2014. These will be in addition to the five rooms already in use. The new construction is a little more involved than was done for the existing structure as a proper footing/foundation is being poured with the thought of later adding a second floor for additional rooms. The goal is to be teaching twelve grades by 2024. Over 60 volunteers are involved in this construction project with the help of a few skilled craftsmen to build the only Lutheran Christian Day School in the entire Bawku area. God s Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts and souls of people in America to see that His word will be spread throughout the Kusasi Nation in Ghana, from the cradle to the grave, to all people. Because of YOU this is happening and this is only a start!! 4 Visit us at
ONE OF THE CLASSES WHAT S HAPPENING IN THE CPS CLASSROOMS?? This year saw the enrollment include the first grade which increased the total number of students to 206 through the first grade. They now have memorized many Bible passages, the Apostles Creed using a very unique series of hand motions as they recite it, The Lord s Prayer and the Ten Commandments. There are also Muslim children enrolled which enables them to be Little missionaries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ when they return to their parents every evening. CLASS IS IN SESSION WHO NEEDS A BLACKBOARD? TWO YOUNG WRITERS HOT LUNCH PROGRAM TIME TO EAT RECESS IS OVER - BACK TO CLASS Without the help of organizations like Ghana Harvest, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, and CCCS KIDS, there would be no way a Christian School could exist in the Bawku area. However, all that these groups do is distribute the funds that YOU contribute. God bless you for caring! THANK YOU! CPS STAFF 5 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
MUSLIM WOMEN ARE PLEASED WITH CPS These Muslim Women are happy to be able to send their children to Concordia Preparatory School. Soon they will have their own Children s Garden of Bible Stories in their own language. This will encourage the parents to read them also. MEMBERS OF TENGNOOG BUILD HOUSE DAN AZUUGA S NEW HOUSE Dan Azuuga, leader of Tengnoog Church, has been critically ill for over a year now. The members of the congregation, because of their love for Dan and his mother built a new house for him. He had lived in the family house. but his elder brother forced him to leave. Apparently, his brother wanted Dan to engage in idol worship and sacrifices which Dan vehemently refused. Finally Dan had to leave the family house even though he is ill. Since the houses in these villages are constructed of mud, they must be constantly DAN AND HIS MOTHER COMFORTED BY PASTOR SALIFU repaired and finally replaced. What a great testimonial to a faithful Christian man shown by his brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Dan is still very sick and needs your prayers. VISITING THE SICK Wherever Pastor Salifu travels there are many people suffering from various illnesses that require a pastoral visit. Since these villages are spread out into the countryside and miles apart, he must address all of the needs while he is in each area. In the pictures above he ministers to the sick, praying with them for the healing only God can give. 6 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
NARANSAUG RECEIVES SPECIAL GIFT The congregation at Naransaug has been meeting in a small school classroom since its beginning but now the Lord has blessed them with a special gift from St John Lutheran Church in Waverly, Iowa. The members of St John have taken on the responsibility to provide the funds required to build a permanent building for worship. Already work has begun on a site donated by the Chief of Naransaug for this purpose. Soon they will be worshiping in their new chapel. NARANSAUG CHIEF PRESENTING GROUND FOR CHURCH PREPARIN G FOUND ATION S RKER E WO H T SING BLES MIXING SAND/ROCKS/ POUR I S LOCK NT B E M G CE YIN R R A C NG W ATER ON M IX RAISING THE WALLS 7 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
PASTOR SALIFU HONORED TO PRESENT BOOK OF PSALMS IN KUSAAL LANGUAGE After working with the Bible translators for some time, which involved many trips and much time with study and meetings, the Book of Psalms has been translated into the Kusaal language. Nicholas was given the privilege to launch this treasured work in an Assemblies of God Church in Bawku. It was a proud moment for him and I m sure he made an excellent presentation. What a blessing he is!! TWELVE BAPTIZED AT SAKPANATENGA FISHING FOR MEN! Twelve people were baptized at Sakpanatenga Chapel during the rainy season, which made it quite difficult traveling. In spite of having transportation, Pastor Salifu had to walk for over a mile though the flooded trails in order to officiate at this glorious event. BAPTISM AT SAKPANATENGA WIIDI CHAPEL WILL NEED WORK Wiidi Chapel was the first cement block building in the Lutheran Kusasi Church Group and will soon need some maintenance work due to its age. Pictured to the right is the Bible study group after regular services. DON T FORGET - YOU CAN REVIEW ALL NEWSLETTER ISSUES ON OUR WEBSITE 8 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org
EX-MUSLIM A MISSIONARY?? In the last issue we mentioned the Muslim, Michael, who brought a fellow Muslim who wanted to become a Christian,. We had no picture at that time but now one has arrived. Here Michael, Pastor Salifu, and Inusah, who is now called Abraham. They are being instructed in the Catechism by Pastor Salifu. WINGS OF HOPE MAKES COMMITMENT FOR WELL An organization in St. Louis, Wings of Hope, which is usually associated with the contribution of services connected with flying has agreed to help with drilling a well on the property of Concordia Preparatory School. About a year ago Pastor Salifu attempted to dig a well in that location but soon was stopped by a large rock formation. The location was selected because it bordered the main road used by travelers who were walking to Bawku to shop or sell goods at the market. The plan was to have a place where the travelers could rest and get a drink. Pastor even envisioned being there occasionally to wash their feet as was the custom in Biblical times, as well as distribute religious pamphlets and have religious music playing. The plan seemed doomed until Joan and Steve, members of WOH, and a friends of GH presented the situation to her group. They have now offered to pay for the mechanical boring of the well through the layer of rock. It seems that the Wings of Hope are really Wings of Angels. 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 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! 9 Visit us at >>>>> www.ghanaharvest.org