From the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Guinea

Hotel Makavo Aflao, Ghana

We had been awake and traveling since 4:00am. We flew from Madrid to London and from London to Accra, Ghana. Our dear friends the Heywoods (better known as the Brits) who were our hosts in London on our previous visit meet us at Heathrow airport and brought two suitcases of witnessing materials that had been shipped from home. We had a short visit with them. It was fun to visit with friends again.

Michael
On our flight from London to Ghana, one of the flight attendants recognized us from an earlier flight. His name was Michael and I was so touched that he would remember us. Michael is from Scotland and he questioned why we were going to Ghana. I shared that we are on mission and offered a website bracelet, which he happily took. I asked if he knew Jesus. Michael’s response is one I have heard over and over throughout my life. He was raised in the church but as an adult he has gone in a different direction. I immediately got a sense that he felt condemned. I also immediately felt the love the Lord has for Michael that he doesn’t yet know.

I shudder to think about those who lead churches than run people away from God. God holds those in authority responsible for those He has entrusted to them. God so desires for each of us to know Him more intimately and He delights in sharing His love with us. He aches for Michael to accept His love for him. God aches for all of us to open our hearts to Him and everything that happens is God trying to get us to turn to Him and seek His face.

“…nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her,…” Hosea 2:14

I don’t remember exactly what I said to Michael, but I tried to encourage him to be open to God again. We didn’t get to talk long because he was busy doing his work on the plane. I sat and prayed for Michael. After we left the plane, Michael twice walked past us and spoke. I was blessed by him and his genuine kindness towards us. Please pray for Michael to be touched and healed by God. Pray that he will open his heart to the awesome love of God.

Our flight arrived around 8:00pm. Within minutes of arriving I knew we would like Ghana. There is great warmth that exudes from the people here. After passing through customs, we were met by our host, Rev. Wisdom Shelter Ameku. Rev. Wisdom, Moses (a youth leader of one of the churches in the region) and Toalla (our driver) loaded up our luggage and we headed to Aflao. The drive was about 4 hours.

The boys fell asleep on the way, but I was able to learn a little about Ghana.

A Divine Appointment at a London Train Station

Divine Appointment
We often pray for God to give us Divine appointments with people and today He answered in a dramatic way. Adrian dropped us off at the train station. Once inside we learned that a lightning strike had stopped the trains and they weren’t sure when they would be running again. The boys and I decided to sit for a while and wait. I went to get a drink and as I paid, I felt led to give a tract to the man in the kiosk.
I shared we were on a mission trip around the world to share the love of Christ and asked if he was a Christian. “No, I am Muslim” came his kind and gentle reply. He then began to share with me how Muslims hold Jesus in high esteem. I became slightly anxious and prayed, “Lord, tell me what to say.”
May I just tell you quickly, I always feel inadequate to debate another religion and get a sense of angst when I meet someone of another faith. Yet I have learned that IF I pray and ask God to speak through me, He ALWAYS comes through.
The man spoke and I listened. Inside I wanted to argue every point, but I kept my mouth closed and nodded my head. Other customers queued up (nice English term for standing in line) so not wanting to hinder his business I took the opportunity to go check on the boys. As I sat down with them for a minute, the Lord spoke to me, “Pray for his relative who is sick.”
I looked up and the train ticket booth man told me the trains were running and we needed to get to our platform because he didn’t know when the next train would arrive.
On the way to the platform I saw my new Muslim friend was free. I walked up to him and said, “The trains are running now and I believe God stopped the trains so I could meet you. Do you have an ill family member we can pray for?” His look spoke volumes. “Yes, my daughter. She is brilliant and had a very good job in Brussels. Two years ago she became ill and the doctors do not know what is wrong.”
The boys and I gathered around to pray and at that exact minute the train arrived. Hatcher noted that our train was here and our friend encouraged us to catch it. “The next train won’t come for another ½ hour.” In my heart I knew there was no better time to miss a train than that very minute. Instead of running to catch the train, we began praying for Sarah, his daughter. Each boy sweetly prayed for this man and for God to heal his daughter. When I prayed I boldly asked the Lord to miraculously heal her so he would know that Jesus is the son of God. I trust that God will heal Sarah and in such a way that my new Muslim friend will one day be my old Christian friend.
Please pray for Sarah and all her family to come to know the love of Jesus.

Prophetic Evangelism
The above story is a great example of what is called prophetic evangelism. According to 1 Corinthians 12:8 the Spirit gives a word of knowledge. Sometimes the Lord does this so we can be a witness for Him. What a powerful way for someone to come to know the Lord, by the Christian to receive a word from the Lord for them. Be open for God to use you in this way and be bold to speak when He does. God will honor your faith in Him. I pray God will use you in this way this week to be a witness for Him

“For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:8

London, England

The Heywoods
April 29- May 2, 2008
One of the greatest benefits so far on this trip, is fellowshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ. To be able to speak of the deep things of God with fellow believers is such a gift. We were especially blessed to stay with “The Brits”, Adrian and Helen Heywood and their daughter, Abbey. Friends of my dear aunt and uncle, they really treated us like royalty. We were blessed to be there. Please pray for God’s bountiful blessings to fall on them.