We are back from the bush. You will be glad to know that we didn’t stay in the mud and straw huts, but in a motel in the next town over. The people there are beautiful. We performed medical missions and blessed the children with food and several soccer balls. In Aserakrum, the first community we worked in, we gave the pastor there 2 balls. He told us he had been praying for soccer balls for 5 years. These people are simple, yet so blessed. So, thank you VBS kids and workers and Patrick for sending these over. The next day (Thursday) we worked in Quashie, about 5km from Aserakrum. This is a larger village and the need that tops their list will astound you. They just want a toilet. They don’t have one. And, no, they don’t just hold it. So you can imagine the sickness that runs through that community. But they were all beautiful people. Our kids and adults were able to work both communities, walking the street, while the medical team worked feverishly to see more needs than time would allow. You just can’t imagine. No matter how much you have seen on Discovery, nothing does it justice. It is just horrible there. But we loved it and loved the people. And our girls “held it” all day!
Last night (Thurs) we helped with a crusade there. Greg, Amanda, Sara, and Christy shared their testimonies and some encouragement that God had laid on their hearts. Jason Myers preached and all 5 of them did incredibly well. Several people came forward to receive Christ, probably over 30. In addition, there were many more that came to Jesus through our street teams over the 2 days. God was moving in a mighty way. These people out in the bush whose very existence most of the world refuses to acknowledge are truly God’s children. And Dr. Morris was the very first doctor to ever visit the village.
As Stephanie said, we stayed in a motel about one hour away. It was not the best place in the world, but it sure beat sleeping in a mudhole. And their food was good (we have eaten well all week).
Today, we toured a slave castle at Elmina. It was very interesting. We learned a lot about the history of Ghana and slave trade. Quiz your child when he/she gets home. I’m sure you’ll learn something…unless they weren’t listening!
Thanks for your prayers and keep them coming stronger than ever. Tomorrow (Sat) we finish up medical outreach (you have got to see this in action), we will feed the aged people in the area, and dedicate the new children’s building. Thanks to all for donations as well. It helped us build the barn, do the crusades in the bush, and buy much, much more anti-malarial medications and mosquito nets.
This has been Stephanie and Steve and that’s all for now, time for bed! Enjoy the comments from your kids below:
Anna: I love you all and miss you so much can’t wait to see you!
Beth: HI FAMILIA AND FRIENDS!!!!!! Love you lots! I’m having the time of my life!!! Everyone is so nice! I love it here! God has done some amazing things! I taught the village children how to disco, and the chicken dance!!!!
Allie: Thanks for all your prayers and comments on the blog!!! You guys are wonderful and I can’t wait to be able to share my experiences with you all! I love you with all my heart- (mom—I’ve been taking plenty of pictures!!! I already had to delete pictures on my camera because I ran out of memory….don’t worry…they were old pictures that are already on the compy!!!) Love you!
Rachel: Thank You so much for your love and prayers! God has done some incredible things here and I can’t wait to share them with you all! Continue to pray for everyone here! It has definitely been a trip to have complete faith in God and he has been faithful to us! Love you guys!!!
Alison: Hi people! I do miss you all mom, Katie, Alex, Dad haha. Mom just to prepare you I need you to know that I may take off this spring semester and come back here to Ghana… I know you’re probably confused and that’s ok you’ll come around… love you lots, I wish you guys could just come here so I would get to share this place and these people with you plus I wouldn’t have to leave! Ok see ya soon!
Amanda: HI MOM!:) AND LINDSAY! I love you two very much, thank you for all the prayers, you wouldn’t believe this place. I have lots of stories! Love you!
Steve: Thanks for your prayers. We are not really looking forward to leaving, but we all miss our loved ones. The week is going great. You have much to be proud of, parents and grandparents and sibs. They have gone well above what is expected and hoped for. See you all Monday! Love you! (esp. Courtney!!)
Christy: Dad, I know you’re pacing the halls right now, wringing your hands in nervousness over my leg. I’m fine! Stop worrying!
Sara: Hey everyone!! I love you all so much and miss you. Especially you daddy!! I miss you and can’t wait to see you when we get home. All of your prayers have helped in ways you cannot imagine. This week has truly been amazing and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. See you Monday!! Love you and miss you dad!
Caitlin: Hey there! First of all, I want to say thank you so much for all of your prayers and thoughts because they are greatly needed in this place and God is working in powerful ways. He has taken many of us out of our Baptist comfort zone, which I am so completely excited about. Also, hello to Mom, Dad, Erica, Tara, and Philip. Cant wait to fill you all in on how God has worked here and in all of our lives. Thanks for your support. Night for now and Ill see you soon <3
Zach: HEY dad, mom, jenn, and becca I love you all so much I cant wait to c you again I miss you all its been a crazy experience see you in 2 days.
Dani: hey everyone back home your letters to us have been lifting us up every day. I know that we cant wait to tell you all the amazing stories that have happened to us to far so I hope that your ready to get a ear full. O ya and jen don’t worry about us it was different then what we expected. In fact, seeing all those people just filled all of our hearts. We could see all the love that had for us they were so happy I wish you could’ve saw us special beth she was the bomb with those kids is was just amazing, like awww. well I love all the prays and I can feel them just give all of us strength so I love you all cant wait to see you when we get home. But there is a piece of me that just wants to stay here it is so beautiful…well I guess I should stop typing because I have gone passed the word count lol! I love you all!!!! P.s. ryan how is pewee???
Greg: So, normal construction processes apply in Ghana…we’re behind! Rain, and jokes have slowed progress (these guys are very funny) but the most important work is going and the project will be complete before our departure! The bush was straight from the telethons. They need medical and spiritual help, and that’s exactly what God brought through us and you at home who are and have supported us. Thank you! God is awakening Ghana!
William W: Hi all… This has been such an amazing experience! I cant wait to tell all of you guys about it when we get home… love you dad… jon jon and seth don’t forget I love you jk
Jason M.: Wow! The bush was amazing. I had no idea how amazing it would really be. We got to walk down a road to little villages and shared Christ with them. Then the next day we went to another village and we walked in the African Rain. That was really an experience. Thank you for all your prayers.
Sponsors: Adam we love you so much!!! In fact you are our favorite sponsor, besides ourselves of course. So keep the faith and stop your whining. Proud of you little Pastor.
Stephanie
Phyllis
Jason
David
Steve
Jamie
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13 comments:
Jason,
I have checked the computer no less than five times today to hear SOMETHING! I am excited about the seeds you have all planted these last few days.
We are looking forward to Monday. We drove past the airport and Jaxon wanted to go today...He really misses you.
We know you are doing exactly what God has called you to do and we know you are loving it.
We continue to pray (and shop!;) See you Monday. Have a blessed day tomorrow!
Love with all my heart,
Molly
hi dani! Pee Wee is doing fine. I'm going to visit him tomorrow before work. I got my teeth whitened yesterday and they look really good:D I miss you so much! I can't wait to see you when you get back! I LOVE YOU!!
Love,
Ryan xoxoxo
What beautiful stories you paint with your words and I can feel the excitement, love and passion. I love, treasure and pray for each of you (especially Amanda pie!). I am sure you are feeling tired but just remember verse, Galations 5:6-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Thank you for all of your sacrifice, service, witnessing and genuine love and caring.
God Bless and Sweet Dreams!
Mom Hamilton XOXOOXOXO
Ah my heart is just soaring. I can't wait for the "debriefing" next Sunday and hope to hear some amazing stories even sooner (although I won't be surprised if you guys get home and crash for a week). You are seriously changing the world. I can't imagine being part of something like that, live and in person. God has CHOSEN each of you and CREATED pieces of each of you for this time in your lives and in the lives of the people you're touching.
Thank you all for taking the time to write to us! We had been hanging on every word of your blog and those 2 days of silence were tough for us. We'll continue to pray!!!
We have loved reading your posts and can't wait to hear more when you get home!
Love,
Blake and Courtney Connelly
I LOVED hearing from so many of you! (although we have YET to hear from adam!) It has helped so much knowing how to pray for you all during this time by reading this blog. ALSO, I feel like many of us now want to go there someday too! You have all done a great job at making us feel like we are right there with you - thank you! At the same time, I know God hand-picked EACH of you to be THERE at THIS time. When I think of each of your amazing hearts and passions for people, I can only imagine what great things God has used you to do for His Kingdom. It is my prayer that He will give you a passion to finish strong on this trip. Remember that He will continue to do a GOOD work in the people of Ghana's lives. HE is faithful! (Phil. 1:6)
Love each of you!
Katy
Christy, I stopped wringing my hands over that hours ago - I'm saving that for your flight home. I'll see you on Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm in Arkansas swatting mosquitoes.
Love, Dad
Will M - we are at grandmother and granddad's with the Apple's watching Madeline play ball! We miss you! Dad sends his love. Chandler says, "Hi and have fun!" Colby says, "I love you and I play games with you!" Everyone else says a BIG HELLO! Grandmother wants to hear all about your trip when you get home! We love you sweetheart and are praying for you!
We love you,
Mom
Dear EVERYONE,
Wow. Katy and I just read the last blog. I'm crying. I'm blown away at all you've done in Jesus' name for the people. Everyday before I pray at 11AM I sing the Newsboys song,"Glory,glory, Hallelujah, He reigns!" One day it even began playing on 102.3 at 11AM. Millie and I were singing and dancing around the house to open up prayer time that day!!!
God is reigning in the remote places you've been because YOU WENT THERE. Thank you. You all are so bold, yet, so tender. What you've been doing has brought glory to God.
I tell everyone in Tulsa about the blog. I even opened a Facebook account and have it written all over the place so hopefully people will read it. I believe lives will be changed (and are changed) through the testimony of the blog.
Well...enough for now...I guess until we see all of you at the airport August 4. The time has flown by.
Rachel...I love you...you ARE my sunshine. I miss you so much.
One more thing...the musical is....drumroll please...there are 4 words in the title...we watched it at the end of the school year when I was at jury duty...ONCE UPON A MATTRESS! "Because I'm shy. So incredibly shy."
All my love,
Julie
Karol, It is Saturday morning and we are thinking of you and anxiously awaiting seeing your sweet face!! We were so happy to get the long-awaited Friday blog!! Can't wait to hear your stories!! You guys are the best--what an incredible experience of caring and sharing!!
Love you, mean it!! Mom and Dad
It was so good to "hear your voice" Anna, thanks so much for writing!! We miss you and are counting the hours until Monday when we can see you again. We are looking forward to all the stories and pictures you have for us!! Love you lots,
Mom, Dad, Greg and Eric
Hey missionaries-
Was anxiously awaiting the report on the bush experience- once again, so great to hear how God worked. You guys are doing an amazing job- all of you- tremendous. We will be praying for a hugely successful wrap-up and safe trip home. Love to all...
Pastor Hess
ps- give RAchel another big hug for me!
All - I am so excited to have heard from so many of you. I am glad that our prayers are being answered through each of you. My life has been blessed this week through your work as well as those that are there. Can't wait to see you at the airport.
Allie - we miss you so much. Especially Millie! She wants you home. She has no one to sleep with. She says "woof!"
Love mom
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