NEW FAMILY MEMBERS MOVE INTO BETHANY VILLAGE
“Do not suppose that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be members of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36. This scripture has often been misunderstood by non-Christians and even some Christians have trouble understanding it. However, here in the 10/ 40 window where we live among 90% muslins, this statement and fact is a reality.
Zackeria Boyo is a 12-year-old boy who has been separated from his entire family because of his decision to serve God and make Jesus his Lord instead of Mohammed. His own brothers have threatened to kill him and therefore, he has run for his life to Bethany Village – a city of refuge – with us. His mother and sister who also have professed Christ have been beaten and run off from their family house. “Baby Zak”, as we affectionately call him, has never been to school a day in his life. We have enrolled him in school and he is also being disciple. What the enemy has intended to destroy him with, God will use the same to bless and to elevate him. Please pray for “Baby Zak” that he will become a mighty man of God and can return to his village and preach the good news that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Shown is a picture of Pastor Zakaria Amidu and his wife Hanna, at their new home in Bethany Village. They have two lovely children, Pumaya (age 4) and Tifumi (age 10 months).Pastor Zak is involved with village evangelism, discipleship training, farm activities and dental clinics. He is being discipled by Alabaster Project and Commission Ministries. We are excited to have this precious family with us. We have known them for 4 years and our relationship has grown strong, they are indeed our brother and sister.
SOUTHLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH BRINGS CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER
Southland Christian Church members visited 8 villages during their short-term mission trip. Above is a picture of the team distributing soccer balls and soccer shoes to the children of Tarikpaa village. Oh brother, you aught to have been there to see the joy and excitement. Every school that we visited literally had the day off after distributing the goodies. Pastor Jim Bergen, Pastor Chris Hahn, David Welch and Jim Cox gave a brief message on “Who is my neighbor?” to explain to these excited children why Christmas had come in September this year. This has opened a door for evangelism for us at several of the villages and a great relation has been built with the Sanga Village. We will begin discipleship training in the village of Sanga this month.
WHY BUILD A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL?
The ladies were very attentive during this Sunday morning service. The village is called Walewale and Priscilla did the teaching. After the service, 8 young women approached us to explain their need to make more income. They are unskilled, with little or no education. The only thing they have ever done is farm and their knowledge of farming is not very much. In the past missionaries would just give money to people in their situation. There is nothing wrong with giving to the poor but what happens when the missionary dies or returns home? From our observation, the people will then look for another missionary to take care them. We are convinced that what these able bodied young people need is a vocational skill that they can learn and began to make a living for themselves.
At the Bethany Village Vocational School, we believe that God would have us to teach trades/skills such as: farming, animal husbandry, fish-farming and bee-keeping. Skills that will enable people live more productive lives and in turn help others to do the same. At Bethany Village the emphasis will be on discipleship while learning a skill. Unless there is a renewing of the mind, a change cannot come. This is not an easy task but a very necessary one. We are praying for funds to build the school, purchase tractors and other farming equipment.
FARMING PROJECT
Benton weeding around the groundnut (peanuts) at the Ying farm. It has been quite a learning experience for us to become farmers. Farming with hoes and cutlass is totally different from farming with tractors and plows. We have experienced the favor of God during every activity. There were times when we had to ask God to not let it rain and He did every time. The people of Ying Village are convinced that God is with us. We have just completed the harvesting of our corn and peanuts. We are truly blessed as beginners and still we were able to reap a bountiful harvest despite all the many mistakes that we made. Smile. Currently, we are planning to raise animals in addition to crop farming. Please pray for us! The Ying farm is part of the Vocational School program.
DENTISTRY IN ACTION
King is holding a freshly pulled tooth. The patient is from Kunyavilla village, where they have never seen a dentist before. The Dental Clinic outreach is really making a great impact. It is really opening up doors for evangelism and discipleship among the poor village communities. Daily, people are coming to Bethany Village with critical dental problems and health issues in general. We are praying that the Lord will send a doctor who can come and work with us in Bethany Village. We need funds to build a small dental/medical clinic that will cater to these suffering villagers. As we have already stated in our last newsletter there is only one government dentist to two million people. Most of them live in villages far removed from the city where the dentist is, and they cannot afford the dental fees. We need funds and volunteers very urgently for this compassionate care ministry.
PRAY FOR PEACE
A ray of hope in a dark hour, a hope for peace in time of tumult. As this picture of a sunset in Tamale promises a hope for tomorrow so do we pray that the peace initiatives that God has started shall bring lasting peace to Dagbon. As you may recall the king of the land in which we live was assassinated more than two years ago. This brought about a deep division among the Dagomba tribe. After a two year state of emergency and curfew the problem still has not been resolved. We however, feel a rumbling in the spirit that the Lord is about to use this violent and chaotic situation to usher in his kingdom in the northern region of Ghana.
You see, over 90% of the people here are muslins and disillusionment with their old religion is causing many to look for alternative answers. Jesus is the answer! Please pray for this tribe that God will cause them to turn from Islam. Pray for God to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus. Acts: 26:18.
BENTON & ELYSE
Benton and Elyse’s education has become a great concern to us. They have been attending an American school here in Tamale. However, for the past year they have not had the teachers that we feel they need. If you know of anyone or maybe you would like to come to Ghana and teach Benton-grade 6, Elyse-grade 3, “Baby Zak”-grade 2 and Pumaya-kindergarten; please contact us at our Atlanta address at the end of this newsletter.
Pease mail all contributions for Alabaster Project to:
P. O. Box 15008
Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
To contact the Hammonds in Ghana Write to:
Alabaster Project Ministries
P. O. Box 324ER
Tamale , Ghana
West Africa
All family support should be mailed to:
Mount Paran Church of God
2055 Mount Paran Rd.
Atlanta , Georgia 30327 USA