Ghana Update, July 8, 2005

This is it - what a day!

Started this morning making a run to the forex for some cedis. We need to make all the last minute arrangements and gifts - smile.

Then back to breakfast with the Deaf. They are already in the classroom practicing their typing on the laptops.

Today is finals day. We took a written test on the Old Testament. Plus we had a question and answer time on themes in the OT. It was great fun - still a few things we need to work on. We then worked together on their plans for homework the next 3 months and handed out the books for them to read.

I am not sure we will be finished, we have so many things they want to talk about. They said we should stay another month or two, but they understood our families would miss us - smile. Right Dear?

It is only in the 80's, many of our deaf are cold. Several came in their heavy sweaters this week. Finally this afternoon the sun came out and now they are feeling better.

For our Worship and closing party this afternoon we ate under the tree in the yard. It was great fun with all the Deaf eating Fufu and goat stew. They presented Pat and Joseph with cool Ghanaian clothes.

After the meal the Elders from the hearing Lutheran Church came for a 4-hour meeting about the school. Pat did a great job interpreting. I think one of their biggest jobs will be to get a good interpreter/signer. One of our Ghanaians here is starting to become good at signing so I know he will help a lot. Also several of the hearing church leaders talked with our deaf about teaching signs to them on Sunday afternoon. Pray God blesses this work.

We learned the Architect and surveyor have gone to see the land and think it is very good. Now we have set up a committee to help guide this process. I did not think we would be land - we have. I did not think there would be people willing to volunteer to help us - they are. I did not this the surveyor and architect would accept our retainer fee - they did. Now tonight they are starting to prepare the process. Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Lord HELP!

I did bring up that we do not have much money yet - they say God will provide. I talked with Pat and Joseph about my concerns and Joseph asked if I was a doubting Thomas - OUCH!

So now we see where God will bring the $2 million to build this Pastor/Evangelist training center, Senior Secondary Technical School, Vocational School, and future Deaf Lutheran University. This will equip our deaf to get good jobs in the technical areas to support themselves while they are spreading the Gospel. They said again they want to invite deaf from other Africa countries to come and be trained. This is an astounding, amazing, wonderful, scary, God thing! Please pray for us.

After the meeting our Deaf leaders stayed to talk for a while and say good-bye. Then we started to clean up. Amazing how much mess you can make in 2 weeks. Then we did more final discussions together and they went to practice their typing again.

Then we started packing our "junk."

It is now very late (2:30 am) and I think it is time to close.

Please pray for safe travel as we meet with people and go to the village with Akorful. We pray God will keep us safe.

Osofu Reinke

FYI

Pat melted her first cups pouring HOT water into the sink.

Clothes are still not dry.

Got the locks on the truck fixed and the radio works.



Pastor Reinke