Ghana Update

We are focusing on the leaders and doing planning with them this trip. When we are teaching there is not enough time to do the planning and evaluating with the leaders.

Also this is a time for Pastor Palmer and me to travel together. It is much better having both of us here to talk with them. We work together as a great team and we both miss it when we lead separate teams.

We have been off from email. Because of no funds the phones at the compound are out, so no email. Also problems with Africa Online.

We also have the joys of electricity – once in a while. Not too bad, it is normally on for a day, then off for 12 hours, then on for another day. Eating and doing work by candlelight is a fun thing. But not always easy to do when signing.

I pray God will bless the next 3 days as we meet with the leaders and Evangelists. I know it will be different than teaching class.

Good News/Bad News

Good – we saw the President of Ghana today
Bad – he did not wave as he drove past

Good – it is raining at night and cooler
Bad – water is low in the dam and not enough electric power

Good – our cook for the group made “American style spaghetti”
Bad – the deaf did not like it very much – back to fish tomorrow


Ghana Update 2

In the middle of discussion…

The discussion how to lead and set up the leaders is started many months ago. The deaf leaders and Evangelists today decided to elect a “Chairman” for the group.

This is a new challenge as the 4 Evangelists have been doing the leading together. Now they are adding the structure. In the past they have made plans, but hard to follow through. Now with a chairman to be responsible – we pray they will be able to move forward more on their own! We are praying for the leaders and asking God to guide them!

Evaluation of the studies: We discussed the plans how they would like to continue. The classes are great, but of course they would like one of us to come over and stay a few months. How would this be possible? Who? How can we do more hands on training… UMMMM

We do have ideas…
We brought a set of the DeafPah DVD’s with us. They do work in the Ghana DVD players (English System, not U.S.)! So no problems for them to watch the DVD’s and use that for their studies.

So that is the next step – we are now copying 2 of the DVD’s here for them to use. If anyone would like to help with this cost would be greatly appreciated! The cost is 30,000 cedis per DVD (about $3.25) with case. We will have 50 DVD’s. To make 50 copies will cost 75,000,000 = $8150. That is our goal for the months ahead to help train the leaders. (Help!)

We hope to also bring a copy of the DIT Seminary Level with us next time.

They also discussed how they want to do outreach. They made a list of new areas where they know Deaf people who want to learn. They have 10 areas and want to invite 2 people from each area to come join us in our study program.

The people will pay for travel to Kumasi. We will help to feed them during the training. They can sleep in the rooms at night. Then we will help with travel back home. For many of the leaders they do not earn much and travel is much more expensive now with the petrol (gas) prices.

I know this is another cost too. But I think paying 400,000 cedis ($43.50) plus food for someone to travel and learn the Gospel for two weeks is worth it.

We told the Evangelists if they are willing to reach out, we will try to help with the training costs.

They were also very welcoming for the Deaf Leader who wants to come from Liberia to train with them. We will need to see about that cost too. It will be much easier for him to come to us.

We are really glad we came to do this planning. They are scared, but taking the next steps to be able to continue. Yes, we did several times ask them, “If we die tomorrow, how will this continue?” They did not like to see that, but we need to plan for it.

I know this is more like a business report, but that is what we needed to do. I am glad God is working in these leaders, giving them strength and guiding them, helping them to see His plan for them!

Please continue praying for them and for us as we travel.

Serving Him Together!

Pastors Reinke and Palmer
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Good News/Bad News

Good – a girl told Pastor Palmer he was handsome
Bad – she wanted him to dash (tip) her 2000 cedis (.22 cents)

Good – saw the wonders of Africa again
Bad? – did not seem strange – “like home”