The Tulsa and Austin components of the team

Coming home

hi to everyone. Everyone got on the flight for Amsterdam. So far we are all healthly. Thank you for your prayers. David, Dani, Heather and I are staying in Amsterdam for a couple of days, the rest of the team is returning home. As you can imagine we are having a variety of emotions when we reflect on our past week. We are all doing some deep soul searching and listening to what the Holy Spirt is telling us about our future commitment to Ghana. We are forever changed. Ghana will always be a part of us.
I am at the hotel and just had a minute to read all the comments on the blog. It brings tears to my eyes. You are the BEST church family ever. Thoughout the week we thought of you often and cherished all your prayers and support. You lifted us up to allow us to do more than we ever thought possible. The Ghanaian people saw the love of Christ, some for the first time.
We don't know what God has in store for us and our relationship with Ghana, but feel that it will be a long term relationship. Please continue to pray for our new brothers and sisters in Christ, in Ghana.
Phyllis

Tuesday

hi from Africa. We are getting ready for shopping and departure. Everyone flys out later tonight. We didn't have a computer while we were in the bush. In short, we treated a king and queen mother, chiefs of the tribes, and many many people. Over 150 patients on Monday. The service was very uplifting. Cary, Katheryn, Charlie and David gave a message about Christian fathers, mothers, family and community.
Please pray for safe travels. I am running out of computer time. So I must sign off.
God Bless all of you,
From the Ghana Team

Well..a lot has happened since we last blogged. As Americans we have little comprehension of how much we utilize because of its ready availability. In our time here in Ghana we have not only used up our internet minutes which you purchase as you would a pay as you go cell phone but we also used up our water in the entire Shiloh Guest House. Ghana does not have running water. It is pumped from a well, stored in large containers which you purchase from the water company and pay for it to be delivered. Apostle took care of us as he does all our needs which enables us to do the medical missions, preaching and teaching while we are here. The second medical clinic was in a village not far from the first one Rebecca wrote about. The numbers at the first clinic were overwhelming. We gave many who were unseen numbers to come to the next clinic as the second village was a walkable distance. Rebecca (Nurse Rebecca as she is now called) helped quell the crowds by giving general medical information about how to make your own rehydration solution, how to properly boil water to wash your face each night and answered many questions of the Aged who hung on her every word. The second clinic we were more organized and able to increase the amount of people seen but still many were left wanting. As the medications ran low and the crowds were still so great, it broke our hearts and left many of us wondering what type of impact we could possibly have. Apostle told us that what little you can do, you do because how do you save a soul unless that soul is still living in the next 3 weeks. We can not see everyone in the clinic but there are many who will be saved. At each clinic, Belinda Love and Milt Olsen pray with each patient either before or after they are seen. We have some now who are not only saved by the medicines that they receive but also by their accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives.

Friday was the medical clinic at the church and the all night vigil ending the 14 days of fasting for Financial Freedom. When Apostle Odai asked for testimonies there were many. One man stood up to say that he had been an alcoholic for the last 12 years. He beat his wife and mother-in-law. At one point he earned what would be $450 in U.S. dollars. He spent the entire amount in alcohol. At the medical mission, he gave his life to Christ and begun the struggle to stop drinking.

Skip has also great successes to report. One of the ladies that applied for a micro-loan told the story of how she had saved up $6. She had a trade business that she ran from only a chair and a small table in the street. Thanks to the Micro Bank she received a $100 loan for her business. She now has a flourishing business in a container and is continuing to increase her inventory and profits. Just as she has received a blessing of the microloan, she is blessing her church for the items of which it has need.

Saturday we went to the Bush. Seeing the well being drilled and the many children was one of the most relaxed medical clinics we have had. There was time to teach the children some of our songs and walk through with them the bracelets of salvation.

Through all of this each day our team has led children services, youth services, gave testimonies, preached to the point of wonderment that Apostle Odai has the endurance and strength that he does. It can only be God’s strength in him. The church feels so very blessed and in comparison to the villages. Out of what the church here receives, 70% they put towards missions in the villages and the Bush. That bit of news staggered us. In all that we have seen and done here the main thought I am left with personally is just humbleness. I am so small in comparison to all the Lord is doing in and through his people.

We are going to the Bush now and spending the night for the last two nights. We will see you all soon. We may need showers!