The bus carrying the people to the baptism broke down, so the people were transported by motorbikes instead. The 13 people were baptized and safely transported back to Victory church. The church construction has been completed and a congregation had a celebration. Bibles were given to the 13 people who were baptized.
IFFO provided 12 bibles and 12 sheets sets to the widows in the congregation as well. Our God is great and is a strong refuge!

Fifth Week of literacy class and skill development at New C-WOW center at Ogua

Positive Problem!!!

When we got to one of the new C-WOW centers at Gomoa Ogua, it was overwhelming! We had underestimated the resources for the literacy class and the materials (beads) for the skill development. Each station in the previous weeks had presented between 30 and 50 attendees. So we went to Ogua with resources just enough for the week.

Lo and behold, the number of new members had shot to over 70 and more were still on the way coming. We pleaded with the local leaders to bear with us as we could not serve everyone with writing materials and the necessary items for the training of shoe making.

However, literacy class had to commence with several of the members present not having writing materials. Our understanding later was that, two villages were combined for the day since originally the other village Gomoa Odina was not considered in our plans. We could not stop them from joining in the excitement. Now we have to provide for over 150 participants in these two villages. People are flocking in their numbers to hear the message of hope in Christ. We still have one more new village (Gomoa Mampong) to reach next week. This presents a positive problem! It means C-WOW and Nick need a little bit more of resources to meet the unexpected additional cost.

Nick has had few falls from the motorbike with some bruises but still strong and excited to carry on with this unique ministry in Gomoa area. Please continue to pray for Nick, C-WOW members and myself. I’ve had fatigue issues with several travels back and forth with so much demand from several villages. It probably looks like we’ve ‘bitten more than we can chew’ but we trust in the sustaining power of our Savior Jesus Christ to see us through to the very end.

On this coming Friday, it would be the turn of the newly established C-WOW center in Ogua and Odina to be officially accepted to join the Christ-centered family of Church Without Walls. Preparations are ongoing, excitement is building and the people are enthusiastic. We pray for good weather and safe travel for most of the C-WOW members from all the other villages to Ogua to join in the official inauguration of these new centers.

Six members of Lord of Life went bowling for babies in February this year to help raise funds for TLC Pregnancy Services. A very striking time was had by Jeff and Malissa Straughn, Rick and Robin Mathieu, Ken Johnston and our newest bowler Matt Byars, who was one of the participants to raise the most funds. TLC Pregnancy Services provides free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to women, parenting skills training, mentoring for moms and dads, bible studies and provides new moms a chance to “shop” in their store of donated items. Please keep this ministry partner in your prayers as the Bible has told us in Psalm 139:13 “For you (God) created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb”.

 

Over 15 bins of clothing and items were sorted and priced by Lord of Life members on Saturday morning, March 12. Volunteers also picked up and dropped off the bins. This work helps support the Beautiful U Resale shop in Elburn which helps fund the Beautiful U ministry to help at risk teen mothers and their babies. Please see Amy Blackford for how you can help this ministry.

The basic training for LERT (Lutheran Emergency Response Team) held in January at Lord of Life had 65 participants. After attending this class, the participants can now respond quickly to disasters working in a variety of disaster outreach ministries, such as food and water distribution, sheltering, cleanup and debris removal, basic repair and property protection. More advanced training is offered on using chainsaws, how to use pumps in flood situations, and how to provide spiritual and emotional support to name a few. If you are interested in joining LERT, please see Larry Zagorski, our LERT team leader at Lord of Life.