February Newsletter

 God executes justice for the fatherless, the widow and the outcast, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. –Deuteronomy 10:18

Story:

Ten minutes outside of Nalerigu off an old motorcycle trail lies a village. If you are not looking for a village one could easily drive past. If you were to stop and linger you would notice that there are a lot of women and children, in fact if you looked closer you would soon realize that there are no men. The village is located on the outskirts of another village known as Gambaga but none of the residents of Gambaga will talk about this village. In fact, no-one in Northern Ghana will talk about the village or visit the women.

The reason why no-one will talk about this village is because the village is a camp (i.e. prison) for witches. (Yes, I just said witches. Yes, the people here really believe these women are witches.) The Outcast Camp is home to ninety women and children who have been accused of witchcraft. When a woman is accused of witchcraft, she is placed on trial in Gambaga. The chief of Gambaga kills a chicken and depending on which way the chicken falls will determine whether or not the woman is a witch. The people of Northern Ghana are terrified of these women, and will kill anyone who is suspected of being a witch. The chief of Gambaga provides a “safe” place for the women to live. The townspeople believe that once a woman enters the Outcast Camp, the power of the chief prevents the woman from performing spells. The longer a woman stays in the camp, the less power she has until eventually when she is an old lady she is allowed to leave the camp. The majority of these women have been abandoned by their husbands, parents, and friends. They are forced to farm the chief’s land in return for their safety. They are outcasts of society. 

Julia and I have partnered with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana to bring hope to these women. I goes twice a month to share Bible stories and hope with the women. We facilitate with volunteers and churches in America to help ensure these women are loved and cared for. When a lady is able to leave the camp and return to her village, we will help her transition back. We are excited for this opportunity.

Pictures:

The women in the Outcast Camp make necklaces and bracelets to help make money to purchase food.

Women hard at work.

Making sure each necklace has the right amount of beads.

Africans are the worlds most resourceful people. Who knew you could use your feet to stretch  necklaces?

One of the cutest little kids at the camp. Pray he is adopted into God's family.

A young girl coming back from working the farm.

Listening to a Bible Story

We started a youth group with the missionary kids. They named it D.O.G. (Defenders of God) and our theme is "Who Let the Dogs Out."

The internet is the worst part about living here. Pray I don't throw the computer across the room as I attempt to take an online class this semester.

It wouldn't be a blog without a pic of our cat. She's on the look out for snakes or maybe she's watching me climb up the tree to bring her down. Either way I think I'm a cat person.

Devotions:

Avoid sexual sin, Enjoy your Marriage

Looney Tunes and Sin

Prayer Requests:

1.   Please be praying for the women and children in the Witches Camp at Gambaga. T will be sharing Bible Stories with the women twice a month. Pray their eyes would be open to the Gospel. Pray they would know that though they are outcasts in society; in God’s eyes they are worthy and someone for whom Christ died for. Pray for Madame Larriba, she is a Christian who has been working with the women for years. She receives a lot of criticism for working with the women.

2.   We are progressing in our understanding of Mamprulli. We are fluent in Mamglish (a mix of Mamprulli and English). Pray we would be diligent/determined to put in the hours necessary to learn Mamprulli. Pray we would have ears to hear and tongues to speak Mamprulli.

3.  We are slowly but surely adjusting to life in Nalerigu. We are getting used to greeting EVERYONE as we walk down the road and getting phone calls from Ghanaians with no purpose whatsoever but to say, “hello”.  Pray we would continue to adjust to life in Nalerigu. Pray we would be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves when it comes to navigating culture. Pray we would have wisdom to navigate the culture and humility to laugh at ourselves when we make mistakes.

4.   A missionary family is leaving Nalerigu at the end of February and we have had to divide their jobs. T will be welcoming the new volunteers who come to serve at the hospital, as well as daily buying groceries and once a month traveling three hours into the city in order to buy a large supply of food. Julia will be overseeing the cleaning of all of the houses on the compound. Following behind the Ghanaians, making sure they have in fact cleaned. Pray we would adapt to our new jobs. Pray we would be able to juggle new responsibilities on top of old ones.

5.   The men of Nalerigu need to see a husband who loves and serves his wife. Please pray for our marriage. Pray that our marriage would be a picture of the Gospel to the Mamprussi people. Pray we would grow closer together as a couple. Pray we would thrive in Africa and not just survive.