Jasmund Outreach – Page 59 – P R AY • G I V E • I N V O LV E

Praise God

The rains have been exceptionally heavy this season in northern Ghana, bringing some flooding and most of the crops yielded poor harvests. The rains have also remained longer than usual. The landscape is still green where it is usually dry and brown by now. The heavy rains delayed the drilling of the well (bore hole).Again, we thank you all who gave towards this water project in Gbeega, Pastor Clements community.

Some cool partnership work: A dear sister raised money by walking for dollars. Our grandson Jack’s kindergarten class raised funds through a mission awareness project. Our dears friends & partners 8 year old daughter gave from her piggy bank, Life Care ministry and a number of others gave significantly.

The bore hole construction was successful. Many “Yeah God” stories through the process, culminating with the celebration where the gospel was heard and responded to. – “Faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

Broken – Hurting – Outcast

Modern day – “Woman at the well”… “If you knew the gift of God,,,” – Jesus

Clement & Rashid

Approx 150′

Drilling through granite.

Fresh, clean WATER!

Our dear brother, friend and partner in the gospel – Clement

Our happy sister – “No more fetching water from too far.”

Constructing the apron.

Setting the pipe & pump.

“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.”

“Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Harmony with God life, better life, endless life)

Many of the people are still in Idol worship and sacrifice on alters and shrines. The Chief (107 years old) asked for, “The truth to be taught to our people”. “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth. For they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

“So Paul took his stand in the open space,,, and laid it our for them. It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, TO THE GOD NOBODY KNOWS. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you are dealing with… God does not live in custom made shrines or need the human race to run errands for Him… The unknown is now known, He’s calling for a radical life change…” Acts 17 The Message

We Thank God! We Thank You!

gary & siham

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“My Father is always working”

“God can do anything, you know –
far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
He does it – not by pushing us around – but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:20 The Message

We’ve returned from a leaders training/discipleship in Cape Coast, a large fishing area. 14 teaching/training environments over 4 days.
The theme – To Follow is to Fish. “Come follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” – Jesus

Once again, we are reminded that God is not looking for ability – just AVAILABILITY.

We believe, the best we can do – is surrender,,, to Him – Surrender to His great love.

God used you! God is using you! Thank you for your love and partnership in the gospel! Thank you for providing for the needs of others!

The last couple of months have been full — of Gods activity around us. We’ve traveled nearly 8,000 kilometers, numerous trips, outreach, teaching environments, etc.

Our dear friends Mark & Mary served with us in August: God used them ,,, His hands, feet, eyes, ears and heart!

Recent benevolence and outreach: God Provided a generator, two motorcycles (Pastors John & Clement), numerous seminars and conferences, aid to the sick (including surgeries). God Provided Katanga school support, God Provided numerous gifts to Pastors/new church plants who are serving in difficult circumstances and environments. God Provided the money for a water well in Pastor Clements community. God’s Providing the materials to finish the roof construction on a Church/school in a new partnership area in Garu, just south of Bawku. God used you to Provide love and help in the Name of Jesus!

Gods work around us:

A Ghanaian sister accepted Christ with Mary

A young engaged couple from Europe: One returned to Christ and one accepted Christ as Savior.

Katanga Church Community – nearly entire church came forward in public repentance, turning and putting their full attention back on God!

KunKua Church Community – 12 baptisms, including a father and 2 sons.

Bea Church and 3 other communities. “God opened doors that no man can open” – many heard and responded to the gospel; Gods love and gift of salvation, forgiveness and acceptance.

Siham & Mary facilitated 2 woman’s Gatherings/environments. The turnout and responses where awesome.

Marriage seminar with Pastors & wives in Bolga: Transparency, Authenticity and Open Confession among our friends – Resulted in Renewal & Re-commitment.

Recent graduates from West African Bible Institute (Pastor Robert & School) who have returned to their country of Mali, are reporting salvation’s and baptisms. This is HUGE!

While teaching in a local Church in our neighborhood ,,, all came forward in repentance & surrender.

“God is faithful and He will do it.”

Repentance: TURN and put our full attention – back on God! —- CELEBRATE!

Garu, just south of Bawku. The school/church where you are providing the roof.

“You wash your front and we’ll help you wash your back where you cannot reach.”

Elders responding in prayer.

“My Father is always working.”

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life,,,”

“They asked Him, ‘What must we do to do the work God requires?'”

“The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” – Jesus

What a great day for Clement and community.

A motorcycle has come, and greater than that,,, WATER IS COMING… “LIVING WATER” IS WHAT IS NEEDED!

Brothers and Sisters – Publicly Identifying with Christ: The suffering, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus!

Baptism: Father and sons – and 9 others. – Yeah God!

Yeah God! YEAH GOD!

Thank you so much for your love.

Thank you so much for your help and partnership.

Please Pray: For our brothers and sisters in Christ. For “good soil evangelism” and fruit that will last.

Please Pray: For those who don’t know yet,,, what God has given them.

Please Pray: For us to have wisdom, discernment, obedience and faithfulness.

Please Pray: For the resources to put wheels on the gospel in a greater way. We need your help.

Please Pray: For us to be sensitive to what our Father is doing and where He is inviting us to be with Him.

We love you.

We Thank God for you.

Please let us know how we can pray with and for you.

In Him,

gary & siham

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July 2012

Dear friends & Family,

We just returned from Kumasi and Bolgatanga in the north

On the way to a weekend program in Kumasi,,, couple of hrs before the start.

Thank God, we made it on time,,,

and had a great time with – God & Family!

Our grand daughter Lyric’s 13th birthday!

# 7 grandchild is on the way,,, Beginning of Jan. YEAH GOD!

In and around Bolgatanga,,,

Friends-

In Him – Brothers & Sisters!

the “Christian Life“, the lifestyle of a “follower of Jesus”,,, is all about,,, relationships!

Relationships with God – other followers and those who don’t know God yet.

Simple and beautiful!

Siham & Mavis, Pastor Roberts wife, our sister and dear friend.

gary & John with motorcycle that God provided through You.

Pastors Robert & John, our dear brother Ben.

We Thank God and we thank You!

love & blessings,

gary & siham

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Living Water

It’s now the rainy season in southern Ghana, which brings frequent and heavy rains. Everything slows down and becomes more difficult, like when it snows in MI.

Our friends in northern Ghana have been praying and waiting for rain. The last couple of years have been exceptionally difficult in the north. The people, animals, crops and harvests have suffered. When a family or community has a poor harvest, the resulting hardships and recovery often last for years.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth.” 1 John 3:17-18

WE THANK GOD! Friends have raised the funds to provide a bore hole (water well). While visiting Pastor Clement and the Church in Bea, outside Bolgatanga, they saw the need,,,

A bore hole will help support the primary school that is now held in the Church and many families in the area. We believe that this help will glorify God and display His love and compassion to the community.

Praising Jesus,,,

also heartbroken and crying out to God for the spiritual & physical needs of the people.

In Bea Church (Bolga). With one of the community elders who acknowledged the love and activity of God among them, has given his life to Jesus. Pastor Rodrick, Siham and a few of the Bea children who are now in school.

Recently we were blessed to attend a training weekend on CHE (Community Health Evangelism & Education). Moving from Relief and Recovery to DEVELOPMENT!

We believe that this is part of discipleship. – Not just decisions but Disciples.

Recent gatherings with CYI (Christ For Youth International) Praising God – in and through the rain.

With Pastor Roderick, CYI leaders and worship team.

Preparing for upcoming programs and concert.

We thank God and we thank you for providing a generator for the CYI ministry!

In Him, gary & siham

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Jan – Feb 2012

Akwaaba – Welcome/Hello

Enjoying a fresh coconut, bargaining for fresh snails and “Grass Cutter”. All, good eat’in.

Mike & Lillian arrived on Jan. 28 and the 1st “Breaking Free” conference/seminar began the following day.

4 full days in Accra, and at 0400, our team of 29 packed and boarded the bus for Bolgatanga in the north. Approx 18hrs later we arrived.

The beautiful ways that God connects us and joins us together in His love is one of the sweetest gifts in this journey with God.

One of our favorite things to say among our friends:

“Yen yen-ah yey-yey baaku!” – we are all one!

Bringing food for Katanga children.

The team hanging out and lov’in on Solomon & the Katanga community.

They were all amazing in their love and service!

Sharing a local meal with the community.

It’s amazing how much eating together builds relational bridges and breaks down walls and barriers.

we are one!

“I stand at the door knocking, if anyone will open door, I will come in and have supper with him.”

I will come close and we will have intimacy — In To Me See!

“Faith comes by hearing, and by hearing the words of Christ.”

Mike & Lillian left for the U.S. on Feb 8. 2 wonderful weeks. We believe, that God, as always, did His great work; Through them, around them and in them.

“He who began the work in us is faithful to see it to completion,,,”

We are ONE!

Father, I pray that they may be one as we are one.” Jesus – (John 17)

Birthdays & Blessings

We are traveling to MI, Siham’s mom is having heart surgery. You have supplied Solomon & the children with resources for the next couple of months. Life groups/home care groups have started up with the youth! God has used many of you to help, encourage and strengthen many of our friends and partners here in recent months. Please pray about you, your small group or church coming for a serving trip. There is so much to connect with and join in, with what God is doing. Please contact us and let us know what is on your heart and if we can get you more info about the many opportunities to serve.

In Him,

gary & siham

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Jan. 2012

Afi-shia paa,
Happy new year!
Oafee co be-tu ye,
May it come around again!

Nyame insha-rau,
God Bless YOU!

We have planned, prayed, prepared – planned & prayed some more,,, and,,, God has once again reminded us that “we write our plans in pencil and let God have the eraser.”
The U.S.M.C. taught us the 7 p’s; “prior proper planning prevents pitiful poor performance!” God says, “prepare the horse for battle, but the battle belongs to the Lord.”
We are continuing to learn to hold our plans loosely!

Since Christmas God has been working and moving around us in His amazing ways. Of course God is always working, it is we who don’t always recognize God’s activity, accept His invitation to join Him, or hear “the still small voice”.

In these recent weeks, God has taken us to Kumasi and Bolgatanga 3 times, 4 conferences, numerous teaching and speaking environments, Mike & Lillian Smith came & served for 12 days, 29 of us traveled, served and lived together in Bolga for one of the conferences, Food provision/relief to Katanga school children, A team of pastors from the U.S. went up to Bolga and met some of our friends & partners. we replaced car engine-again, God has used both our U.S. & Ghanaian friends & partners to serve and provide in amazing ways, etc…

Thank you for giving, praying and serving with us. We believe that God has touched and transformed many lives in these recent days!

CYI Camp/Conference

Friday with our dear CYI:

Saturday night: Kumasi Fufu with guinea fowl stew is excellent!

Kumasi, With Pastor Peter and Church family:

On the long-hard road to Bolga, when all else fails get the hammer! A hard working sister sympathizes with our situation, how humbling!

A Cool story:

A gas station mixed diesel and petrol fuels and it spoiled (ruined) our engine. We went to the station with our friend Norman to plead our case, they gave us 1,500 Ghana Cedi’s towards a used engine. Our friend Norman added 500 GHC totaling 2,000 GHC ($1,200.00 U.S.) That same day we went to Abusokai – the engine/car part grave yard/market of Ghana. We found, tested and transported the engine the same day. The next day we installed it. The performance was not so good, so we removed it. Over the course of a week, from before sunrise until after sundown; we shopped, bargained, transported, removed and installed 3 engines and then 2 turbo and fuel pumps on the final engine we now have. Each vendor received, reimbursed, traded engines and parts no questions asked. Gods favor encouraged and sustained us through the process. For the station to give the money was a gift from God. For the various vendors to also honor our agreements was another gift of God’s grace and favor in the midst of a tough situation & process

The men – gary’s friends & brothers worked so hard & diligently. We were able to pay 1500 GHC for the engine and bless them for their hard work and sacrifice.

During this time and process it seems that God used it to accelerate our cultural and language understanding. Of course we have only scratched the surface and have so much to learn. The language skills alone have proven invaluable and fruitful in recent weeks. God is allowing us to connectwith our brothers and sisters in a deeper way.

The day we finished the engine work Mike, Lillian & Life care arrived in Ghana!

Mike was happy to be here — but Lillian — seems reallyhappy to be here! More to come,,,

In Him, gary & siham

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year.

“Lord, teach me to number my days.”

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this city or that, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:13-17

Please pray for us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Gary & Joseph visiting with pastor Clement’s (Bea) Church community.

Gary & pastor John

Gatherings/fellowship in recent weeks with the CYI

Vision casting and teaching about life group/home group ministry kick off in Jan, 2012
Planning and preparing for Jan 5-7 camp/retreat/conference

We thank God and our friends for the CYI projector.

God willing, our dear friends from Life Care Ministries, Mike and Lillian Easterly-Smith will be with us in Ghana from Jan 27 – Feb 8.
Please pray for them as they are preparing. www.lifecarechristiancenter.org
We’ll host 4 days of conference/teaching environments with the CYI, travel north to Bolgatanga and host a leadership conference there.
The theme for these conference/environments is, “Breaking Free” – healing & wholeness God’s way. We are preparing for these environments now.
Please pray with and for us: wisdom, God’s leading and For God to use these times to change lives. “Fruit that will last.”

Please pray for the CYI retreat/camp this coming week and for us to communicate God’s truth clearly and effectively. We leave immediately after the camp, for Kumasi to the north where we will speak/teach in another conference and Church. Please pray for us to love well and serve well.

God willing, 3 pastors from the U.S. will visit us in Bolgatanga from Jan 23-25 and meet our friends and partners who are laboring in the Lord.
Please pray for their safety and for them to be directed by God; for them to connect with and see what God would have for them.

Please pray for siham’s mom Karimeh Kash. Just before Thanksgiving she had a massive heart attack, she is still recovering.
Please pray for siham, as it has been difficult being away during this time.

We pray that 2012 will truly be a NEW year for you.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.”

God Bless YOU!

In Him,
gary & siham

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Merry Christmas from Ghana

Merry Christmas from Ghana. In this season we are reminded that:

We Go because HE CAME!

We give because HE GAVE!

God Loved – God Gave!
We Believe – We Receive! (John 3:16)

“Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
Sin is not a problem for God any more, HE Took It Out of the equation between us and Him – JESUS!

“Now, a righteousness from God – apart from the law – has been made known,,,” We have a right standing with God – and it is from God!
“Anyone who comes to Him, will never be turned away.”

Who wants to order their Christmas goat? Sheep? Pig & Cow are also available??? Please let us know how many and when you need them.

Bolgatanga market in the north.

Siham & Joseph sorting and organizing clothing donations:
Our Friends from “Little Dresses For Africa” sent donations from the U.S., friends from our neighborhood and the CYI Youth Ministry sent gifts to our brothers and sisters in the north.

“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing i was eager to do.” Galatians 2:10

Happy Children: Merry Christmas!

Emmanuel, Rebeca, Happy Grandma with her new namesake “little Siham” – the 3rd Siham in Ghana named after “Mommy Siham”.

Solomon, Jacob, Beatrice and the Katanga school children.
Please Pray with us for sponsorship for the school.

The current School site/campus. Main church building, summer hut out building and cooking house. All 3 are used as teaching environments.

We have because He Came,
We are,,, because He Is.

May God Bless You with more peace, more joy, more love and experience of His amazing love for you!
Merry Christmas, we love you.
gary & siham

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traveling, Oct-2011

Dear Friends,

Recently, you helped complete both Pastor John & Clements Church buildings. We continue to thank God, and you for your sacrifice and partnership.
“Out of the most severe trial,,, – welled up in rich generosity,,, even beyond their ability,,, – sharing in this service to the saints.” 2 Corinthians 8The day we began the work on Pastor John’s Church, we got he news that our rented place in the south, outside of Accra had been broken into. Our friends Gaby & Jenan stopped by the house, and it seems that they interrupted the burglary. We and our neighbor (duplex housing) were being robbed simultaneously. We thank God that the damage was minimal, some of our things were found in the backyard and all we lost was a dvd player and a pair of shoes. A dozen burglaries were reported in our neighborhood in the same week. We thank God for His protection and for great friends who have been so good to us.

Purchasing materials for church, unloading with John, with John & some of the men.

Working & hanging out at the Church site.

Nearing completion, starting to celebrate.

Check out this Cool – Yeah God – Story!

A few weeks after completing John’s Church, a strong storm destroyed the roof of the land owner, who gave permission to use some of his property for the church bldg.
The church body came together and were able to donate metal roofing sheets towards rebuilding the land owners roof.
The land owner was so touched, that he gave full legal ownership of the property to the Church!
This is huge! Land ownership – issues, purchasing, monies, etc, are complicated and often very divisive in Ghana. Giving land ownership for free is nearly unheard of. The Church family is doing well, loving those outside the church.

Pastor John & Joseph. Joseph often serves with us in the north, he was with us in Kete Krachi in 2010
Joe’s been serving with us since 2009. He is a great worship leader and he continues to be a great help to us.

Pastor John & his family live a substantial distance from the Church. The Church family wants to build them a house on the property. Please pray with us about helping them with this project. They can do most of the building structure, with their labor and natural materials. Money for wood and roofing is often out of reach for our northern friends.

Pastor John works at the supply store (picture above). He makes no salary, hourly or daily wage. He makes something small from each bag of cement he is able to load and/or off load, which is not everyday. He draws no salary from the Church family. He says that he will not put or add burden to his people who are struggling. We have seen John display great compassion, generosity and servanthood to the Church family he leads. He had a job with a bus company, that would not allow him to be at church on Sunday mornings, he left that job 2 years ago.
We share this to give you a fresh picture of how some of our African brothers and sisters are living, following and serving Christ.

We recently visited friends from the Crossroads Church in Grass Lake CA., who opened their hearts and homes to us.

Jeff, Rich & Linda, Pastors Ed & John

Friends at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas NV donated books, music, bible study material, etc, for the cyi college youth/ministry we are serving with outside of Accra.
Another friend provided a projector for them as well.

Thank you for your love, friendship and support.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1

gary & siham

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August 2011

A great time of worship, teaching and fellowship with our friends, Pastor Roderick and the CYI, Christ For Youth International.

While in Bolgatanga the tired engine gave out. We thank God that the old 1996 Hyundai Galloper has taken us far, and been an invaluable tool in reaching out, especially in the remote north.

We traveled from Bolgatanga in the north, to Kumasi in the southern-central region to find a “home use” (used & – unknown source) engine and gear box (4×4 transmission). After a long trip down and a sleep over, we found the engine the next day from one of many piles and stacks of engines. We prayed throughout the process and believe that God led us to the right people and engine. We traveled with the engine and trans in the back of a small taxi up to Bolga. Being overloaded,,, it was a long 12 hr. journey well into the night. We thank God.

The next day “Elvis”(our young and talented mechanic friend) and gary got everything removed and installed and we drove that night.

After a long day,,, it’s time to eat some Banku, fish and okra stew!

The entire process and project (travel, transport, engine, transmission and labor) cost $1,800.00. We thank God for a dear friend and partner who provided for more than half of the cost.

gary with the Grass Lake Calvary Church/West African Bible Institute team, after gifting Pastor Robert and his wife Mavis with a motor bike. This transportation has already helped him and made him much more effective in his work and coordination’s.

gary is traveling to Bolga on Aug. 18. Please pray for safe travel and wisdom while serving there. Once again God has blown us away by providing for and encouraging us through His people!
Siham has been delayed in returning to Ghana, we thank God for our dear friends here in Ghana who provided the funds for gary to travel to the states. In the last month, Siham has had 2 deaths in her extended family, our daughter Theresa had eye surgery, and continued eye Dr. appointments for siham’s eyes and an experimental drug trying to regulate the pressures in Her eyes. Please pray with us for her vision.

Thank you all for your continued love, encouragement and partnership in His mission. “To reach this broken and lost world.”
In Him,
gary & siham

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