On Friday evening August 18th Bertha was released from the hospital allowing her and Grandmother Esther to return home Saturday morning around 10:30. This Wednesday the 23rd, 2023 they will travel 20 miles one way to the Akatsi pediatric child health care clinic for evaluation and further treatments. This will become a monthly trip for them. Please continue to keep this family in your prayers as the monthly health care cost of $100.00 will be an extreme burden on them. Watch for future updates as we have joined in prayer with our partner Senyo in looking to see how we can come along side Bertha and Ester in supporting the treatments needed long term.
Jeremiah 17: 14
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Latest news on the health of Bertha. For those who might be new to the website. Bertha is a 10 year old girl from Klokope, Ghana Africa, who is being raised by her grandmother Esther. Bertha’s father passed away a few years back and her mother left her to be cared for by Esther. Bertha had become extremely ill over the last year and has been in and out of the hospital, but do to the grandmother’s financial situation she was not able to get the medical care she needs. Through the support of a generous donor Bertha was admitted to the hospital in Ho for testing and treatment on the 19th of July. After initial thoughts of her having TB, or other notable illnesses, the tests have come back negative. She is extremely malnourished and is now on a special diet and medication. Her grandmother is staying by her bedside though out all of this. The support that has been given for their care is fast running out. That’s were you can help. We are seeking further financial assistance for the medical bills and Esthers provisions of food. You can help by going to moveafrica.org Click the menu button, then partner with us, then donate today, general fund. Your support will go a long ways in the life of this young girl.
Continue to keep Bertha’s health and wellbeing along with Esther in your prayers.
This morning shortly after 9am Arizona time we touched down at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. The flights home were pretty much uneventful which is a blessing. We are all now safely back home and reunited with our families. We want you to thank you for all the prayers that were lifted up. We truly felt them and were encouraged by them.
2 Corinthians 4:18
It is written: “I believe; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
