Hugging the kids

After the service we walked around a bit and mingled with the children. They would stand and stare at us, almost afraid to get near. Finally I reached out towards one and hugged her. That broke the ice. They lined up for a hug. It was precious to me to hug these little children. They giggled and would push each other forward. Some would go back and get in line again for another hug. I pray they feel the hug of Jesus when I hug them.

I had pointed to my teeth to encourage the children to smile.

At all three churches we would lay hands on the children and pray over them. Several women came up to me and asked for specific prayers about spiritual issues or illness they were having. The boys laid hands on the children to pray for them too. This was a little different for the boys, but they met the challenge. Reid, who is my prayer warrior took the call very seriously. Several times I would turn to see him praying mightily over a child or adult.

It was a whirlwind day. We ate lunch with Rev. Wisdom and rested at their home which is part of the church and the orphanage. We were all beat and came back to the hotel early afternoon. We fell asleep about 7:00 pm.

Tomorrow would be our first adventure to visit schools.

Visiting the schools and the Women’s Mission

Aflao, Ghana
By Gloria Gault Geary
Victory Preparatory School of Victory Baptist Church

Our first school visit was Victory Preparatory School. We were greeted by wide-eyed children who were anxious to see us. They cheered at every point of the presentation. Rev. Wisdom was our translator and we shared the Gospel using the salvation bracelets. They were thrilled to get the bracelets and we were able to pray over them. After the presentation, the staff refreshed us with sodas and cookies. My children were thrilled with that treat too.

As we drank our sodas, I asked the Pastor of Victory Church about the school. They have approximately 100 students and offer first through sixth grades. Many of the parents are single parents and have a hard time providing for their children, but they want their children in a Christian environment and do what they can to keep them there. The church helps out where they can too. The land the school is on is available for sale and the church would love to purchase it. The cost of this land is approximately $3500.00. The school could also use help in providing supplies for the children. For $100 the supplies for twenty children for the year could be purchased.

(If The Lord is calliong you to help with this you may click below)

http://gearyfamilymission.blogspot.com/2008/06/please-search-your-heart.html

Our second school was adjacent to the meeting of the WMU. This is a pre-school and a couple of the children were afraid of us. Several of the children were napping while we were there. They were all precious. Hatcher shared the Gospel and the boys gave out the bracelets.

After the schools, we went to visit a group of WMU. When he told me this, I knew who they were. Women’s Mission Union. Just like back home, this is the Ladies Group in the church. We heard them long before we saw them. They were singing beautifully and praying out loud.

As I talked with the leader, Sister Florence, she explained, “We had just been interceding for the world”. Don’t you love that! They were spending their time together praying for other nations around the world. I knew immediately I was in the presence of a great host of saints who stand before the Lord and He hears and answers their prayers. Each Monday this group comes together to pray and fast for missions and missionaries

As I looked at this group, I silently prayed, “God, what could I say to this group that would be meaningful?” As God has done before, He gave me the right message for them. We prayed for them and then they prayed for us. It was a treat to pray with these women of faith.

Later that day as we were at the orphanage having lunch, a young girl walked in and dropped off two bags. One filled with bananas and the other with pineapples. The WMU had sent them to us. It reminded me that the pineapple is a symbol of welcome. I don’t think it coincidence pineapples were sent.

Please pray for all the prayer warriors around the world who intercede for the nations. Especially pray for this warm group of women in Ghana, who so graciously welcomed us.

“…and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Revelation 5:8

“He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints ascended before God from the angels’ hand.” Revelation 8:3-4

Witnessing to Ghanan orphans

The last church had 40 orphans in attendance that live adjacent to the church and are a part of the ministry of the church. This church was filled with kids and it blessed me to see so many children there.

Harrison shared the meaning of the colors on the salvation bracelet.

The Gulf of Guinea

Hotel Makavo Aflao, Ghana
By Gloria Gault Geary

Both Rev. Wisdom and Moses grew up in families where voo-doo was regularly practiced. It is still a common practice today in the country. Rev Wisdom had an encounter with the Lord at age 15. One day he felt a call to pray to God. He wasn’t really sure what that meant or how to do it, but he knew God was calling.
Photo: Part of our ministry team is Pastor Courage, Coffe, and Rev. Wisdom in front of our hotel.

The next day he experienced the same feeling and on Sunday decided he needed to go to church. His family members laughed when he told them he was going. At church he gave his life to Christ and immediately he was mentored by a man of God who led the planting of many churches.

Rev. Wisdom now heads up 73 (now 75, they have planted 2 more churches while we’ve been here) churches in the Lake Volta Region. They are of the Baptist faith.

Rev. Wisdom is a man of prayer and regularly spends hours a day in prayer. He is a man who knows and stands in his spiritual authority before the Lord often standing against evil and demons as the Lord makes them known to him.

In the country of Ghana, there are approximately 40% Christians and 20% Muslim. According to Rev. Wisdom, the statistics quoted by the country are higher for Christian, but they include many beliefs that are not truly Christian. The remainder are mostly practicing some form of voo-doo or are part of a cult. (I later learned that many who have been baptized and profess to be Christian still practice some form of voo-doo on occasion. When they are fearful, they sometimes return to what they were taught as youths.)

We traveled many streets filled with water and holes. We didn’t always stay on the right hand side of the road, because the left side was smoother. We arrived at our hotel and have a delightful room with a refrigerator, air conditioning and the really nice gift, a pool!

We settled in quickly to our new home in Aflao and slept soundly. Thank you God for safe travels and men of God who help get us settled.

Our first encounter with the local children on Sunday morning…a soccer ball transcends the language barrier.

Visiting the Churches

Aflao, Ghana
By: Gloria Gault Geary

We slept soundly. There was a knock at our door early morning and Rev. Wisdom had sent over a basket full of food for us. Fresh baked bread, raisins, bananas and peanut butter! What a treat. There was a thermos full of hot water and teabags for me and Milo (a chocolate, vitamin drink) for the boys. We were blessed!

When traveling in other cultures it helps to know the differences in customs. I had asked Rev. Wisdom the night before what we needed to know. He explained that when speaking to a group it is rude to make a gesture with your left hand. You should always use your right hand. I had put that in my brain, or so I thought.

We visited the first church and were warmly welcomed. I spoke to the entire congregation and Rev. Wisdom interpreted. I prayed and felt very good about the time with them. As we traveled to our next church I quizzed Rev. Wisdom about what we could do to better share with them. He reminded me about the left hand gesture.
I had totally forgotten all about it! I knew I had goofed because I am left handed. I decided right then I would not speak again unless I was holding my Bible in my left hand. That would guarantee I could only use my right hand to gesture.

At the second church Hatcher spoke briefly. Again we were greeted like long lost brothers and sisters returning home. I was touched by their kindness towards us.

Again, I think I made a slight boo boo. As the children filed into the church I waved to them. When I waved I moved my fingers up and down. In Ghana that means “come here”, so immediately all the children walked up to the platform. I didn’t realize what I had done but loved the opportunity to touch them and speak to them.

Looking back I have to laugh at myself. As hard as I was trying to be polite, I seemed to be making lots of mistakes. Of course, no one corrected me or even hinted that I had done wrong.

Father's Day

Father's Day Prayer
God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen

A Special Prayer for Father

God, bless all the fathers in the world. Guide them to be good role models and loving to all their children. Help them to be a father like You are. Give them grace and patience to handle situations in a loving way. Amen

Father's Day Prayer of Remembering

"Fathers young, fathers oldRemembering good times are our gold. Value earned through guidance givenHelping us go forth in livin'. Each father adding to our troveA treasure chest of love untold. Remembering fathers in our livesTaking time to realize. Fatherly love brings wealth to livingRemembering this, we go forth in giving. Fathers young, fathers old We remember you allAs life unfolds." Susan Kramer

President Bush's Father's Day Proclamation

"Fathers play a unique and important role in the lives of their children. As mentor, protector, and provider, a father fundamentally influences the shape and direction of his child's character by giving love, care, discipline, and guidance. As we observe Father's Day, our nation honors fatherhood and urges fathers to commit themselves selflessly to the success and well-being of their children. And we reaffirm the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Raising a child requires significant time, effort, and sacrifice; and it is one of the most hopeful and fulfilling experiences a man can ever know. A father can derive great joy from seeing his child grow from infancy to adulthood. As a child matures into independence and self reliance, the value of a parent's hard work, love, and commitment comes to fruition. Responsible fatherhood is important to a healthy and civil society. Numerous studies confirm that children whose fathers are present and involved in their lives are more likely to develop into prosperous and healthy adults. Children learn by example; and they need their father's presence as examples of virtue in their daily lives. A child's sense of security can be greatly enhanced by seeing his parents in a loving and faithful marriage." George W. BushPresident, USA

A Father's Day Prayer

Thank you, friend Jesus, for my father who loves me, for my grandfather who cares for me, and for God, your father and mine, who made me and is always with me. How lucky I am! Gaynell Bordes Cronin

A Father's Day Prayer

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father. Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children. Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives. Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing. Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect. Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart. Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own. Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides. Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children. And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us. Kirk Loadman