This is an article I wrote after returning from Ghana in 2006.

“This Trip Will Change Your Life.”

“This trip will change your life!” I had been told this from the time I decided to take this missionary trip to Ghana. Time and time again I was told: “This will change your life.”

As I think back on the trip and consider our experiences, I ask myself if my life has “changed”. Am I somehow different? I wonder?

I think about the personal hardships we endured on the trip: the long hard travel to remote villages; the heat; the conditions in which we lived; the strange foods we ate and the fear of disease or sickness; the long hours and little sleep. The poverty we all witnessed. The three and a half weeks away from family. These things and more were endured. Would this change me?

Then I think of the accomplishments we were blessed with during the campaign. The Word of God was spread all over Ghana. From the South Region to the North, then to the Eastern Region and back to the South!

I consider the numbers. Three congregations were established and several existing congregations were strengthened. Souls added to the church: 165! Unnumbered souls will assuredly be added to the church as Christians, new and old, were encouraged and will continue the work.

I wonder how many of the 437 people served will remember the church that provided the medical treatment and medication, free of charge, during the clinic we hosted? And how many lives will be changed by the wells the church has drilled providing safe drinking water. And how we were there to witness one of these wells joyfully opened for use. Will the church grow as “Living Water” is preached and provided with the “physical water” from these wells?

I think about all the preaching we did and the Gospel that we were blessed to spread, and how the Bible assures us that His Word will not come back empty.

Finally, I consider the life long friendships I’ve made on the campaign. We leave these faithful Ghanaians behind to continue the work throughout the year. These are men and woman who long for July to come around so that they can once again travel Ghana with their U.S. brethren taking the Gospel to their beloved countrymen.

So, have I changed? I think so. My experience leaves me with a greater compassion for the Ghanaian people and a greater passion to preach God’s Word. I have more confidence as well. I am also left with a feeling of accomplishment and a desire to do more. I see the “goodness” in people who support the work monetarily or through prayer.

So yes, I have changed. My faith has been strengthened. I better understand the plight of the missionary and his work and am more ready to support such works. I realize that anyone, even “little old me”, can make a difference when God is placed first in one’s life and we simply “Get to the Work.”

Am I ready to go again? As one of my Ghanaian brothers says, “Eveready!” To God be the glory in all things. Thank you for your interest.

Tim Simmons

A note from Kobby!

Hi all,
I’ve just received a note for you from my great Ghanaian friend and brother in Christ, Cobbinah. Kobby works very hard for the mission in Ghana. He is a great cook and keeps us filled with food and laughter while we are there!

His note:

"Fellow brethren in the Lord, my name is Emmanuel Cobbinah and I have worked with "GHANAMISSIONS” for the past nine years. I am appealing to you to support this worthy work for the Lords church in Ghana. Fellow brethren, any amount will be welcome; most of your help is used for drilling bore holes for fresh water wells, rural mobile clinics, street preaching, support for orphanage centers, support for rural preachers, and much more."

The dates are set!

Hi again,
The dates are set for our trip to Ghana. We will depart the good 'ol US of A on July 6th and be back on the 23rd, Lord willing. July is a good month for traveling in Ghana as the rains are just starting which cool off the evenings. The country also begins to get very HOT after July. We should be able to get much work done at this time.

A note from my friend and brother in Christ, Ernest Apeadu

Tim, It gladdens my heart to hear that you will be part of Campaign 2011. In July 2006 you and 3 obrunis: Bill Dillon, David Stearsman, Rick Kenyon and 9 Ghanaians helped make Campaign 2006 possible in the absence of Ted. As you rightly said... in your write-up after the campaign: "This trip will change your life." 3 congregations were established. 400+ people were given medical care. The preaching and the spreading of the Gospel was glorious; and the unforgettable life-long friendships that were made. If all these accomplishments do not change one's life what else could do that. We always long for July to come. And as you promised 5 years ago that you were ready to come again, we are also "eveready" to welcome you and the U.S. brethren on July 7th. With the Good Lord on our side Campaign 2011 will once again be productive, efficient and enjoyable to the glory of God. Your life will change again. You will surely add value to your life. God bless.

What we did last time!

Hey, just thought it would be neat to look at the 2006 trip accomplishments. Check it out: Totals from 2006 -
165 baptisms,
3 congregations established,
Seminars,
4 wells,
Clinic: almost 500 served (2 hospitalizations + free meds),
Much encouraging and exhortation,
49 more shortly after our departure.
Check out the old blog for pictures.
In Him,tim

To do list...

Hi,check in from time to time or sign up for the email notifications. I'll be posting here as the trip developes and then during the trip. I'll put up lots of pics, too. To do list: blog, get Ghana Visa, get malaria meds,blog, get some shots, blog, pray, fundraise, blog...seeya,tim

Back to Africa!

Hi all, It's been 5 years since I worked in Ghana for Christ. I have been working in the Panama mission field and now feel a need to get back to work in Africa. When I was there in 2006, our small group was blessed to start 2 churches, bring medical aid to thousands, and the Gospel of Christ to even more. I would like to revisit the Christians that were converted last time around and see how the work has grown. I hope to be able to widen the cause of Christ even more this time. We plan to concentrate on personal work, gospel meetings, and construction of church buildings. I'm sure we will be preaching in many remote places again, too! If you would like to see the blog from the 2006 trip, follow this link: http://ghanaquest.blogspot.com/ I hope you will come along as I blog my way to Ghana. Please pray for the work. If you would like to help with the trip financially, you will be a further blessing to the mission.

Please contact me if you would like to get involved: tvsimmons@comcast.net In Him, tim