The week before last 18 attended the leadership training session in our home. With Pastor Angelo out, the training was still in full force! Our topics of the day were planning for an event and they answered a personal survey on their 'strengths and weaknesses'...It was a full day of praise, worship, and lots of questions! We had a great discussion on the topic of how even we as leaders and pastors have weaknesses and how we have to address our own needs as well and ask God to search our hearts and renew our minds daily. Although I was tired before the class started, my spirits were lifted during our praise and prayer time and before I knew it it was nearing 2:30pm. (our training is from 10:00a.m.- 2:00pm on Thursdays) What a lively and lovely time we had stretching our minds and fellowshiping with one another!
Last Sunday as Suleima and Annie and Marisol worked with the children's ministry teaching about Noah's Ark; I preached on "The Power of Forgiveness". We had a full service with 77 people in attendance and although the enemy tried to bring distraction in several ways, in the end the altar was packed! The majority of the church came to release those that needed to be forgiven and some came because they needed to be forgiven...we were also graced with 11 visitors, one of whom had recently come to Christ; formerly a Muslim, praise God!
Yesterday found me not feeling well and I decided to show the "Jesus of Nazareth" film. They were just glued to the "Tellie" as they refer to the TV here. They were so moved by what they saw; clapping at the miracles of Jesus and weeping when King Herod ordered the male babies to be slaughtered! Such appreciation! We also made an exciting announcement that as a part of the Thursday training we were going to teach reading and writing in English...there are many here that although speak English do not read it or write it very well or at all. This is another area of ministry that we will be endeavoring in while here in Accra. We had 11 sign up for the classes and they were very eager to begin thinking it would start that same day!
I praise God for giving me the direction and strength while Pastor Angelo has been away to continue these past 3 weeks without him here, we have been apart for about 10 days but not 3 weeks. All is going very well and the mission continues as strong as ever! I have been very happy in knowing that he was able to spend time with his father, mother and brothers and extended family members and friends both in California and at NLOI Church back home in Virginia!
Thank you all for your emails, support and prayers! Don't forget to ask God: "Who can I be a blessing to today? Who will you lead down my path to show them the Jesus Path?"
