You know you live in Africa when:

You know you live in Africa when:

• you seen an American product in the grocery store and you buy five of them because you might never see it again.
• women breast feeding in public doesn't cause you to look twice.
• you carry a roll of toilet paper everywhere you go.
• you answer to "white man", even if your a woman
• your feet are covered in red clay
• you fall asleep to the sound of bats, goats, pigs, and donkeys
• you are invited to eat a meal with everyone in town
• you place your furniture in close proximity to fans
• you get excited when packages or cars arrive in the mail
• you talk about all of the great restaurants you would eat at if you were in America
• you laugh at people on Facebook who complain about traffic and the weather
• you get excited when an email is sent on the first try
• you get excited when the internet works
• you read more books in eight months than you ever did in high school or college combined
• a three hour church service feels normal
• you are used to dodging farm animals and craters in the ground as you drive.
• you smell body odor and you don't worry because you know it NOT you.
• you only drink filtered water
• you bath in bug spray before going out at dawn and dusk
• you have a guard patrol your house at night. More for the snakes than intruders.
• you pay 70 USD for a twenty four pack of Dr. Pepper and it's worth every penny.
• you barter for your vegetables in market
• you pray all the food wont be scattered all over the floor when you go to the grocery store
• you have named all of the lizards in your house
• you sit down to make a list, "You know you live in Africa when..." and in a few minutes you have filled two pages and the list keeps going and going. I guess I will stop for now.

Now That's Funny

And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly, “Be sure that no one finds out!” But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout the whole area.-Matthew 9:30-31

I have been reading through the Bible during our time in Ghana and I am constantly amazed at how funny some of the stories are in the Bible. For example, in the Old Testament there is a story about children making fun of Elijah for being bald and Elijah calls a bear out of the woods to eat them. That’s funny! Or the story of the brothers who convinced a whole tribe to circumcise themselves and while they are lying on their backs recovering, the brothers march into the town and slaughter everyone. That’s funny! While these stories are funny and slightly morbid, one of the funniest situations in the Bible takes place when Jesus heals people and commands them NOT to tell anyone about what has happened. Now, that’s funny.

For example, in the Gospel of Matthew we read about a dad with a very sick daughter who comes to Jesus because he has heard that Jesus is able to heal the sick. The dad finds Jesus, explains the situation and Jesus is following the man back to his house when they receive word that the child had died. Jesus doesn’t turn around but continues to the man’s house, walks in and raises the daughter from the dead. He brings this man’s daughter back from the dead and then proceeds to command him NOT to tell anyone. If I were the father I would be like, “what are you talking about? My daughter was dead and now she’s alive how can I not share this news.” OR consider the story in Matthew 9 in which Jesus gives sight to two blind men and after healing them he commands them NOT to share what has happened. The men basically say, “Forget that. I’m telling everyone. I was blind and now I see, and we must share this news.” In both instances the individuals disobey Jesus and share about His power over death and sight with everyone they meet.

Today, we have it backwards. Jesus Christ has raised us from death to life. He has given us spiritual sight so that now we can say, “I once was blind, but now I see. I was dead, but now I am alive.” He has commanded us to share this truth with everyone but we keep our mouth shut. Now, that’s funny! We must learn a lesson from those who disobeyed Christ and spread the news about Jesus everywhere God has placed us! Go, obey Christ and share your faith while there is still time.

Lessons from our cat

Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole Earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.- Isaiah 40: 28-31

Yesterday, Julia and I were walking around our house doing the monthly inspection for wasp nests, holes in our mosquito nets and picking up tree limbs which had fallen in the last storm. We were enjoying our walk when all of a sudden our cat, Doritoe, comes tearing around the corner of the house and jumps into Julia's arms. Five seconds later, two African bush dogs also come around the corner, looking hungry and ready to attack. I ran them off and as soon as they were gone our cat started purring and acting sweet. Our cat ran to us because she knew that we were bigger, meaner, and tougher than the dogs. She jumped into our arms for protection from danger, we did not throw her down and yell at her for jumping into our arms rather we protected her from danger.

Life is hard. Sufferings, afflictions, and hardships are around every corner. We are stubborn and attempt to handle the hardships, "the African bush dogs" of our life on our own. We need to take a lesson from Doritoe and when we are faced with problems too big for us to conquer on our own, we must turn around and run straight into our Heavenly Father's arms. We must understand that our Heavenly Father is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole Earth. He never grows faint or weary; there is no limit to His understanding. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

Are you surrounded by danger? Are you tired of facing the "African bush dogs" in your life by your own strength? If so, run to your Heavenly Father, jump into His arms, and allow Him to protect you.

Great is Your Reward

Yes, says the Spirit, let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them.- Revelation 14:13

Missions work is not easy. In fact at times it is very hard and discouraging. This morning, was one of those days when I wonder why I wanted to be a missionary.

I planned on having a relaxing morning studying language and lounging around the house. I had settled into my spot on the couch with my language book when three children pulled up to my house on bicycles. These three children attend the feeding center where Julia and I serve on Tuesday afternoons. They informed me that all of the orphans weren't allowed to take exams because no-one had paid their exams fees. In Ghana every semester children have to take exams to determine whether or not they are promoted or demoted to the next grade. If the children can't take exams; they will be removed from school. I had been informed that the exam fees had already been paid, so, when the children arrived at my door I was angry with the school. I hoped on my moto. and drove to the school. I spoke with the man in charge of admission, the man in charge of school fees, the man in charge of sports fees, the man in charge of exam fees and finally the head-master. After two hours of being calm and talking to people who did not matter I finally was able to talk with the head master. He informed me that the school had made a mistake and hadn't informed the group which pays for the children's schooling about the exam fees. There was NOTHING he could do about the mistake and the exam fees had to be paid. I was livid! I got angry! After my rant at everyone in the room, I pulled out my wallet and paid the exam fees and stormed out.

Missions work is hard, however, I am grateful to be serving a God who sees my work and will reward me. I know that when I stand-up for those who have no voice I am acting like my Heavenly Father. I know that by serving in Ghana I am storing up treasures in Heaven. I have faith in future grace that one day I will be able to rest from my labors and my works on Earth will follow me to Heaven and my reward will be great! O, what a glorious day that will be.

May Newsletter

God is establishing His Kingdom on Earth through the planting of churches.

STORY:

If you were to come to Nalerigu, Ghana on a Sunday morning you would find Julia and I five minutes from the hospital compound walking up a dusty, dirt road with wooden benches on our head. We would be carrying those benches to Alafiafungo Church; aka Faith Baptist.

Faith Baptist was planted one year ago by Michael and Julie Coram. The Coram’s planted Faith Baptist to minister to patients who were admitted to the hospital with tuberculosis. Patients arrive on a daily basis; by the time a patient arrives at the hospital he or she is knocking on deaths door. The patient is administered to an isolation ward and if the patient responds to tuberculosis treatment and is no longer contagious, he or she is moved to Alafiafungo Village. At Alafiafungo, the patients receive additional treatment for six months in order to remove tuberculosis from their lungs. The patients remain in the village for six months and during this time they are encountering the Gospel on a daily basis. T and the Pastors at Faith Baptist Church have developed a holistic ministry in order to reach the patients with the Gospel.

When a patient arrives at the hospital and is admitted to the ward; T is there to welcome them and pray with them. This is usually the patient’s first encounter with a Christian or the claims of Christ. T goes back every day to pray with the patient and as God heals the patient through doctors and medicine the patient becomes more open to the Gospel. Once the patient is moved from the hospital to Alafiafungo Village; the patient discovers Pastor Coffee who prays with and administers medicine to every patient on a daily basis. Every Thursday Julia and I go to Alafiafungo in order to play with the children and pray with the adults. Every Sunday church is held at Faith Baptist which is located within walking distance of Alafiafungo. Before church T goes with the Pastor’s and they invite the whole village out to church. Once God saves a patient, the patient will join Faith Baptist Church and be taught the Bible for six months until they are sent home. Once sent home the patient returns to his or her village able to share the Gospel and encouraged to find and serve in a local church. God is using Faith Baptist Church to establish His Kingdom on Earth.

PICTURES: 

Families heading home after a great morning of worship.

Going over the Pastor's sermon as we walk back to our car.

The tuberculosis patients at Alafiafungo village bring their children with them when they come to stay for six months. Julia and I go once a week to play with the children and minister to families.

We are playing, What time is it Mr. Crocodile?

Thankful for our partnering church, West Mecklenburg Baptist for sending us a care package.  We couldn't make it if it weren't for all of you holding the rope for us!

I meet with the Pastor for Faith Baptist Church (church in Alafiafungo village) every Saturday in order to go over  his sermon to ensure that he is being faithful to the text.

This is Alafiafungo village. This is where patients who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis stay as they receive treatment. Patients stay  in the village for six months and receive treatment every morning. Julia and I have begun working with at a church in the village in order to reach the patients with the Gospel.

This is Faith Baptist Church. This church was started by a  missionary couple a little over a year ago in order to share the Gospel with patients. Julia and I have been working with this church since arriving on the field. 

Everyone does their share carrying benches to church. I didn't receive the memo that the benches were suppose to go on our heads.

The children found a short cut.

Women stop for church before heading to market.

This lady arrived at TB village 6 months ago, barely able to walk and a Muslim. Today, she is walking to church and singing praises to Jesus! 

Worship time at Faith Baptist. In Heaven the Africans are going to have to teach all of us how to dance.

Our fearless worship leader Chiny. He is a guard at the hospital and is quite famous, yes, he has a youtube page! 

One of the cutest children at TB village.  When the moms are admitted to TB village they usually bring their children to live with them for six months. 

Relaxing after a hard morning of dancing for the Lord.

The next John Piper!

Devotions:
Jeremiah 29:11
I am blessed

Prayer Requests:

1) We are progressing in our understanding of Mamprulli. We have both learned the story of Jesus calming and the storm as well as the story about Jesus going to Zachaeus’s house to eat. (No we didn’t learn the song). We have also learned Mamprulli proverbs; it is a treat to watch people’s faces when I make a point through the use of one of their proverbs. Language learning is going well but at times it is a real drag; please continue to pray that 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. Pray for us as we attempt to share Bible stories and proverbs in Mamprulli.

2) We have made it through hot season. WOOOHOOOOO!!!! God is good and has sustained us through 120 degree days and 100 degree nights. He is good! We are now entering into farming/rainy season. The men are beginning to head to their farms and our wondering why I don’t have a farm to work on. Everyone is inviting me to go to their farms and work. The rains have also been arriving and with the rains we have discovered that we have a few leaks in our roof. Pray for us as we do housing maintenance and learn how to farm. Pray we would continue to adjust to life in Nalerigu. Pray we would continue to be humble and learn from others. Pray we would be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves in navigating culture. Pray we would have wisdom to navigate the culture and humility to laugh at ourselves when we make a mistake.

3) Julia and I are working with a church plant which ministers to patients with tuberculosis. We agreed to help with the church after the missionaries who planted the church returned to America. We are in the process of equipping Nationals to run the church. This process comes with a lot of headaches, as every Sunday the Pastor’s are looking to us to make all of the decisions. Pray we would have wisdom to lead from the side-lines and equip our National partners. Pray we would have patience when they don’t do things as we would have them done. Pray for Julia and I as we seek to edify and equip the Pastors to do ministry at Faith Baptist Church long after we have left.

4) Every Thursday afternoon Julia and I minister to patients with tuberculosis by playing with their children. We play soccer, duck, duck goose, what time is it Mr. Fox, and sing Bible songs. While Julia is playing with the children, I attempt to meet the members of Faith Baptist Church in order to pray with them. Please pray that God would use our ministry to the children and the adults to grow the church. Pray that individuals who come to be treated for tuberculosis would see the love of Christ, encounter the power of God and would turn from worshipping idols to worshipping the living God.

5) Julia and I are coming up on our third wedding anniversary which will be on June 5^th. Please pray that we would continue to grow closer together during our time in Ghana. Pray that our marriage would be a picture of the Gospel to the Mamprusi people. Pray that we would decrease and God would increase in our marriage.

Serving Him,

The Welchs