Author: Sue Stevens

July 25th 2023

3:30 pm Arizona time. The team’s plane left Accra on time is in the air. Kennedy International, next stop!

MIA DOGO!

July 25,2023

Good morning to everybody back home. And yes, we did skip posting on day 10. Well today is our last day here in Ghana. It’s a little after 2pm here and in a few hours will be at the airport preparing for our flight home. It’s been an amazing trip, it’s been a blessing and an adventure. It’s hard to say goodbye but looking forward to being back home with family and friends.
Yesterday was a day of sightseeing as Senyo took us to the Cape Coast. It’s approximately a 3.5 hour drive from Accra. We traveled to the Elmina Slave Castle where we learned its place in world history.

After touring the Castle, it was back in the van for a drive over to Kakum National Park where we had the opportunity to stretch our legs and take a hike. We’re not quite use to the climate for that kind of activity, somehow, we survived. It was a beautiful experience though.

Now this morning we have checked out of the hotel, loaded the luggage and ourselves into the van and are off to see some of the sights of Accra, the capital city of Ghana.

We are asking you to lift us up in prayer, seeking the Lord’s favor over us as we travel home. And safe passage for Senyo, his son Aaron, daughter Jessica and the driver of van as they will make their way home after seeing us off tonight. Continue praying over the children who attended the retreat and all of the volunteers who made it happen. Lift up the rural communities and their churches. Lord willing, we will be safely back on the ground in Phoenix around 9:30 am Wednesday morning.

July 23,2023

Mia dogo ( we’ll meet again) my Ghanaian brother and sisters of the Volta Region. This morning we have checked out of our hotel, loaded up the van and are heading off to Accra. Stopping off first in Mafi -Tsakpo for Sunday morning worship service.

Afterwards it was back in the van to complete our trip to the city. This evening we have safely checked into our rooms, looking relax and get some rest.

Galatians 6:9

let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

July 22,2023

Today is day 3 of the children’s retreat here in Ho, Ghana Africa. It’s also the last day of the retreat. As we wrap up our teachings there was the opportunity for an alter call in which 16 children received Christ as their Lord and Savior. Senyo then decided to fill the baptistery of the new chapel building and preform the first baptisms there.

Following the last lesson of the day the team is now washing the feet of every youth as a way of commissioning them to go back to their communities and serve in humility.

After this the retreat was brought to a close in prayer and the children began their journey back home.

With the retreat now over, we are now safely back at the hotel for the night. We have begun packing up tonight as we are checking out in the morning and traveling back to Accra for the next couple of nights. We will be stopping along the way in the community of Mafi Tsakpo for church service. The plan is to spend Sunday and Monday nights at a hotel in the capital. Travel to the Cape Coast early Monday morning to visit the Elmina Slave Castle. And then Tuesday tour a little of Accra before going to the airport in the evening.

The lasted update on Beta. While still in the hospital, she is no longer in isolation and is now able to eat solid foods. Her grandmother Esther is at her bedside, and they are still waiting on further testing. Also, Dzidedi the girl from Klokope that was ill yesterday is doing better and was baptized today along with 8 other Klokope children.

We continue asking for your prayers, not only for us, but for all the children, all the staff and volunteers, for Senyo and his family. For everyone who made this children’s retreat a huge success. Praise the Lord once again for allowing us to be part of this amazing journey!

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!

July 21,2023

It’s day two of the children’s retreat.

Today’s lesson is, “Who does God Say I am”.

1. I am blessed.
   Ephesians 1:3
2. I am loved.
   Ephesians 1:4
3. I am chosen.
   Ephesians 1:4
4. I am holy.
   Ephesians 1:4
5. I am adopted.
   Ephesians 1:5
6. I am redeemed.
   Ephesians 1:7
7. I am forgiven.
   Ephesians 1:7 
8. I am included.
   Ephesians 1:13
9. I am marked.
   Ephesians 1:13–14
10. I am called.
    Ephesians 1:18

After the lesson the children are being asked who they say God says they are!

This morning a young girl named Dzidedi from Klokope wasn’t feeling well and was taken to the hospital for treatment. A few hours later she returned with medication and feeling somewhat better. Also, Beta remains in isolation and is awaiting further examinations. Here in Ghana, it’s not uncommon that hospitals don’t have the needed equipment or have the equipment but not the staff to operate it. Please be praying over both of these young girls. We are all now back at our hotel and will be going to dinner shortly. Today was once again amazing. We see the Lord working in so many lives. Thank you for all the prayers, they are truly working.

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

July 20th,2023

It was an early wakeup call here this morning. Today is the first day of the children’s retreat. Starting at 7:30 with breakfast and moving into worship and teaching. The children here are so eager and willing.

Lined up for breakfast!

After everyone had finished eating, we all moved into the chapel for opening worship.

Following worship, we broke up into large groups and started our Bible teachings. After the lessons we would break up into smaller groups for discussions.

It’s not all work and no play!

While it has been a long day and we are now safely back at our hotel, it’s been amazing day. We are so blessed to have been asked to come and take part in this retreat. This evening as we spend time working with Julia, Debbie and Theresa preparing them to teach tomorrow, we ask that you keep them in your prayers. Seeking a calmness to fall over them. Please keep us all lifted up in prayer!

3 John 1:4

I could have no greater joy than to hear my children are following the truth.

Today we stayed in Ho, Senyo’s home community and home to Fountain of Life Chapel International. The location of the upcoming children’s retreat which starts this afternoon around 4:00 with registration. After which everyone will be served dinner before opening ceremony.
Early this afternoon we learned A gentleman named Gershon from Klokope was bringing Beta and her grandmother Esther to the hospital in Ho for evaluation.

They have admitted her and we hear she is in isolation tonight awaiting test results. Please continue to keep this young girl and her grandmother in your prayers

This evening the youth of the retreat gathered in the church chapel for ministry and worship. Afterwards they have turned in for the night. The retreat starts at 7:30 am. So it will be an early start tomorrow.

We ask you to keep us in your prayers along with all the volunteers and every child who is here taking part in this retreat. Tomorrow will be a busy day for everyone.

Romans 15-21

I have been following the plan spoken of in the scriptures, where it says, Those who never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.

July 18th, 2023

This morning we had a little more time to chill and relax. The children here are still in school, so Senyo scheduled a later departure time from our hotel. Today we traveled another 2 hours by van, stopping along the way for lunch. Our destination was Mafi-Kopedeke.
This community has a population of close to 360 people. The school is what you might call an open-air school with approximately 128 students. Class size we’re told is close to 40 students per teacher. Like yesterday and the day before, today’s mission is about sharing God’s word, his love for them and relationship building.

Gathering the children in a circle to pray over their community, their school, their education and their future.

Learning to play the Ghanaian children’s game of Ampe. Where one is chosen a leader called player #1, challenger player #2. Clapping your hands and jumping in the air, as you land you throw out one leg. If you both throw out the same facing leg, player 1 wins, opposite facing legs player 2 wins. Winner faces next challenger.

Distributing soccer balls to the school’s teachers.

And a picture of Senyo encouraging the young ladies of the team.

We are all deeply blessed and encouraged as we see not only lives in Ghana being changed, but also seeing how the Lord is changing each of us.

Luke 9:6

So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.

July 17th, 2023

Blessed with a good night’s rest, we are ready for another day in the field. We understand it’s about a 2 hour drive to Klokope. A community Move Africa has been working in since 2009. But first on the ride out we are taken to Mafi-Kumase. Home to one of the region’s largest markets where the surrounding communities come to buy and sell goods.

Continuing on, we travel next to the community of Kpoviadzi. This was Senyo’s father home and is also where the children of Klokope go to school. The children walk approximately 2 miles each way for their education. We met with the school master and donated soccer balls to the school.

Off to Klokope where we would enjoy spending the rest of our time teaching and sharing the bible.

While in the community the Lord brought to our attention a woman and a child. As we spent time with them, we learned that the woman was the child’s grandmother Esther and the child is Beta, a 10-year-old girl. Beta’s father passed away approximately 4 years ago. Her and her mother are from western Ghana. After the father passed, her mom traveled East and left her daughter to be raised by the grandmother. Beta has been in and out of the hospital and is once again very ill. Members of the team spent time praying over them both. Senyo also gave one of the team members funds to give Esther in which she thanked and praised the Lord. Water and electrolytes were also left for Beta, along with instructions on how to administer it to her.

Before leaving and making the 2 hour ride back to Ho and our hotel we did have time to enjoy some fun and laughter with the children.

We are now safely back in our rooms, we have eaten and are ready for another nights rest. Thank you Lord, it’s been a blessed day!

Mark 16:15

And then he told them. Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone.

July 16th,2023.

Last night after checking out some delicious food and getting a good night’s rest, we started out today by having breakfast at the hotel.

Then it was into the van for the trip to Adaklu Kpestu where we attended church services.

We took the opportunity to join the women of the congregation in their worship line dance before service.

After church service some of the women from the church came forward seeking to be prayed over. Both Morrisa Berkley and Christina Hidecker took that opportunity to pray and share their love of the Lord over these women.

There was some time for fun and games as the teens broke out a few frisbees to toss around with the children. Relationship building is a major part of what Move Africa is about. The spiritual and physical are important to what we believe.

Then it’s back to the van for the ride back to Senyo’s where Augustine and her daughter Jessica had prepared a wonderful meal. After spending time with them it’s back to the hotel for another night’s rest. Looking forward to see what the Lord has planned for tomorrow.

Continue to pray seeking rest, renewal, travel mercies and the correct words of wisdom and encouragement for those who we are called to witness to.

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.