From Pat:
Greetings in the Name of Jesus!
This missionary journey has been indeed a growing time in faith. Seeing what God could do when I doubted and experiencing God's presence in new and exciting ways. I pray that God's Word will comfort the people we touched as it has me these last weeks.
In my devotions this morning, the theme was "I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind." (Psalm 16:7) God's Word of grace and protection was indeed our strength and refuge while here in Ghana. We have felt the prayers and uplifting of so many of you who are praying for us. Thank you. God has heard your prayers and is blessing the planting and watering of His Word in the hearts of the Deaf in Ghana.
We are excited that so many doors for outreach have opened. Yet, with the difficult traveling situation, they may not be entered through immediately. There are also many roadblocks here, in respect to the country opening up ministries like the Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints). They are bringing in lots of money and building huge temples and the people are flocking toward them because of the display of monetary resources. They don't question their teachings or their motivation. Please pray for God to protect the people from wrong teachings and to want salvation rather than earthly rewards.
On Sunday we went to worship at the village in Adomrobe. It is located surrounding beautiful countryside but that couldn't hide their poverty. The Ghanians there have faces that show their pain and suffering; they look much older than they are. That village has 30 to 40% deaf; but they are looked upon as inferior--and taken advantaged of. The church purchased some land and bought bricks to start building a church; but the land was resold to another and their money was conveniently "lost". They are given little support for establishing trade or a business to which to earn enough money for food and necessities for their families. In church, which met in a three room school house, they sat on wooden school benches (however many have been taken by other towns people; so there were only a few left. To honor us; many went back homes and carried chairs to the schoolhouse so we could sit in the place of honor. They want to buy chairs (which they are willing to keep at their homes and bring to church every Sunday (so no one will steal them) but their are about 6.00 (US money) and that would be a luxury. Their offerings will be going to supporting deaf children going to school (yes, everyone has to pay for school. A couple of the children were not in school at this time, because they had no money to pay for it). Part of the offerings also go to a medical fund, when someone is sick and must go to the doctor. Yes, in Ghana, if you are poor you are prohibited from getting medical assistance. One of their members, a 37 year old woman, just recently died from tetnus because she couldn't afford a tetnus shot. Oh, how sad!
The deaf want to work and earn money. We are helping them buy a corn grinding machine in which they can earn money to help with their families, and the purchase of land and building a church again. We met with the landlord and had another four way translation situation (native Adomrobe, to Twi, to Native Adromrobe sign (wow, this is really different!) and into Signed English (the system in which the evangelist and we use here. During the meeting, chickens and goats wandering through. What was interesting was that the children seemed really happy; and of course they enjoyed posing for pictures and seeing themselves on the digital camera. That is really an ice-breaker when one doesn't know the language. The same as in the other village, the children followed these white people wherever they went. Many had never seen a white person before.
After the meeting, we went to one of our evangelist's homes. They hadn't had electricity for 2 months. We encouraged them to continue in serving the Lord and helped them make plans for for ministering to the deaf in the various preaching places. Also, saw interesting ways to get by without electricity--heat up an iron on an outside fire and much more!
Sunday night was the first night we didn't have anything scheduled! Praise the Lord!
Monday was back to a full day. The cultural center, a meeting at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana's office and a fun time with the Groths--LCMS missionaries in Accra.
On the way home, we were stopped by the police. We have gone through police check points over and over throughout the country and was never stopped. Apparantly they needed a little extra personal cash. After threatening us with being arrested, our Ghanian friend, settled the situation with a dash (money under the table). A sad situation of corruption that seems to be growing and growing. We did, however, give them some Bible picture books and pray that God works through them to see the wrongness of their actions.
Tuesday morning consisted of packing, preparing for another meeting, finishing letters, and emails. We will discuss future deaf ministry opportunities with staff at the church office and meet with the lead evangelist here again for discussing last ministry plans. He was really fastinated by my New Bible Dictionary I brought over to help me with teaching. I will be leaving it here with him as he has no library of resources.
Our short stay, makes me wonder how much of an impact we have on the training of leaders here, as well as sharing the Gospel in the deaf schools. Yet, God called, God empowered, God sent, God watered--we trust that He will bless the work and lead more people closer to Him. We pray that people learn to follow Jesus, not because of the law; but because of the grace of His love and forgiveness. This is a law-oreinted society with serious consequences for breaking the law. Even in the schools, the older boys discipline the younger by a stick.
I learned that in the school system here that the deaf schools only go up to 8th grade. After 8th grade they take a written test (very hard, I understand) and only the top students go on to high school. With the 12 deaf schools in the country, there is only one that teaches high school and only about 30 students are accepted. The other students go on the streets selling wares and baked goods. The deaf here want to establish a deaf school for higher education, including college, a vocational school and a seminary. A large and costly venture; we pray God's will be done.
Things I will not miss from Ghana will be the awlful roads and those paths, they call roads. The fast and aggressive driving, the constant honking, the pot holes and the bugs and ants crawling all over everything. However, the lizards and the geckos were cute and interesting to deal with. I am thankful that this trip was in the cool time; however, we (white people) still sweat alot and our dry clothes once put on--did not stay dry long.
Thanks for reading updates. I pray that if the Lord has given you the means please pray how you too can be a part of missionary work. All missionaries need prayer partners and those who write (email) encouragements. They also need supplies, both personal and ministry. You can't imagine the joy of receiving soft toliet paper or tea or Sunday School materials. Through the gifts this time we were able to resource seven schools, the 24 students, the evangelists and a few of the local people asking for handouts (even the police). There is also a great need for people to be involved in short term missionary work either with a skill God has given you or just helping digging wells for the welfare of other people. I never thought I could be used in this way. God showed me different. I was really fighting the unworthiness of participating in this ministry trip before I stepped on the flight. Now having seen some of the missionaries on the field, and sharing fears, frustrations and God's victories, I see God can empower and use everyone for spreading His Good News and love for His people. I pray that I have learned better how to love and care for people as God does--and I can put that in action each and everyday.
Again, thanks for your prayers! God's work is continuing and being blessed because of you! You are a vital part of our missionary team.
In His Service,
Pat Monroe