Well, in about 2 weeks we will be off to Ghana. I still have a lot to do. I have my malaria meds and all my shots taken care of. I need to get by Good Will to purchase 14 sets of clothes to wear on the trip. We wear our clothes, wash them and leave them with Ghanaians who need them. This way, our pack gets lighter as we go. This happens with snacks, too. I'll bring plenty of Granola Bars to eat and share. Ted says we will be eating whatever we find on the way. We are not taking food or our usual cook this time. So, whatever the locals eat, we eat. (or I eat Granola).
I have my passport and visa ready to go. I am working on sermons and lessons that I will be preaching. The Ghanaians "soak up" the Word! It takes a few minutes to get the hang of preaching with a translator, but when you start clicking, it's awesome! Then people respond to the Word, and it's Totally Awesome! I'm really looking forward to doing a lot of personal work, too.
We will be doing some construction on church buildings, and will put on a medical clinic at least one day.
I'm still raising funds for the trip. We have our plane tickets paid for but are still trying to get enough support to travel, build, and do a lot of benevolence. I'm sure God will provide.
That's all for now. Thanks to all who are praying and/or have helped $upport us!
In Him, tim
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A note from Brother Ted Wheeler
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On July 7th we will be leaving for Ghana. At present, I am happy to have Tim Simmons and Jeff Sole joining me on the trip this year. We will spend our first night in Tema, worship with some of the churches in the area, before beginning our in-country travels the next morning. We will be working primarily in Kukurumtumi (Eastern Region) and in the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District (Norther Region).
Kukurumtumi is located a couple hours NE of Tema. The church has been established there for a number of years but due to their location they do not receive many visits or help from abroad. While there, we will be conducting a gospel meeting and helping them reach out into their community.
From Kukurumtumi we will travel to Saboba (Northern Region) before continuing on to Bunkpurugu. This is a long hard drive. Depending on road conditions, rain, etc. - it will take 10-12 hours to reach Saboba. Bro. Niipaak Laar preaches for the Saboba church. The church in Saboba is doing very well and has helped to establish and support a number of congregations throughout their district.
From Saboba we will continue on to Bunkpurugu. We now have 10 congregations in the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District. Our main work in this area this year is to reach out into some remote villages NE of Bunkpurugu along the border with Togo. We have found these communities very receptive to the gospel of Christ. Most, @ 96%, of the people in this area follow traditional religion. The remaining 4% claim to be either Christians or Muslims. This area is almost entirely agricultural - with the people working all day on their farms. So we will be driving (or walking) to various villages at night to preach the gospel. People in these villages often ask for the church of Christ to be established in their communities. Due to the mobile clinics, water wells, flood relief and more recently the relief we sent following some localized fighting - the people in the area know that members of the church are truly concerned about their welfare. This has opened many doors and provided many opportunities for us to help and teach.
We are also going to hold a district-wide service at the church in the Gbetimongpaak. We are expecting several hundred Christians and visitors from surrounding villages to be in attendance for this meeting.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this work,
Ted Wheeler
Group Expenses:
Air Travel...................$6000.00
In-Country Expenses..........$4000.00
Orphans.......................$600.00
Mobile Clinics...............$5000.00
Building Materials...........$5000.00
Support (4 preachers)........$4800.00
Total.......................$25400.00
If you would like to be a part of this mission, please pray for it's success. You may also help support us by a donation. See the link to do so.
Thanks, tim
On July 7th we will be leaving for Ghana. At present, I am happy to have Tim Simmons and Jeff Sole joining me on the trip this year. We will spend our first night in Tema, worship with some of the churches in the area, before beginning our in-country travels the next morning. We will be working primarily in Kukurumtumi (Eastern Region) and in the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District (Norther Region).
Kukurumtumi is located a couple hours NE of Tema. The church has been established there for a number of years but due to their location they do not receive many visits or help from abroad. While there, we will be conducting a gospel meeting and helping them reach out into their community.
From Kukurumtumi we will travel to Saboba (Northern Region) before continuing on to Bunkpurugu. This is a long hard drive. Depending on road conditions, rain, etc. - it will take 10-12 hours to reach Saboba. Bro. Niipaak Laar preaches for the Saboba church. The church in Saboba is doing very well and has helped to establish and support a number of congregations throughout their district.
From Saboba we will continue on to Bunkpurugu. We now have 10 congregations in the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District. Our main work in this area this year is to reach out into some remote villages NE of Bunkpurugu along the border with Togo. We have found these communities very receptive to the gospel of Christ. Most, @ 96%, of the people in this area follow traditional religion. The remaining 4% claim to be either Christians or Muslims. This area is almost entirely agricultural - with the people working all day on their farms. So we will be driving (or walking) to various villages at night to preach the gospel. People in these villages often ask for the church of Christ to be established in their communities. Due to the mobile clinics, water wells, flood relief and more recently the relief we sent following some localized fighting - the people in the area know that members of the church are truly concerned about their welfare. This has opened many doors and provided many opportunities for us to help and teach.
We are also going to hold a district-wide service at the church in the Gbetimongpaak. We are expecting several hundred Christians and visitors from surrounding villages to be in attendance for this meeting.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this work,
Ted Wheeler
Group Expenses:
Air Travel...................$6000.00
In-Country Expenses..........$4000.00
Orphans.......................$600.00
Mobile Clinics...............$5000.00
Building Materials...........$5000.00
Support (4 preachers)........$4800.00
Total.......................$25400.00
If you would like to be a part of this mission, please pray for it's success. You may also help support us by a donation. See the link to do so.
Thanks, tim
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Progress!
Hi all,
I am making progress in preparation. I have sent off for my Ghanaian Visa and our plane tickets are purchased! The fund raising is coming along. I have enough to pay for the plane tickets and the visa. I still hope to raise another $2000 dollars for the work in Ghana.
At this point, we can get there and preach the word. The funds raised now will go to our in country travel expenses, benevolence, medical and building programs, Bibles, and various other things that will come up.
It's getting close and I am getting excited to see my Ghanaian brothers and sisters, and to bring God's word to Ghana!
In Him, tim
I am making progress in preparation. I have sent off for my Ghanaian Visa and our plane tickets are purchased! The fund raising is coming along. I have enough to pay for the plane tickets and the visa. I still hope to raise another $2000 dollars for the work in Ghana.
At this point, we can get there and preach the word. The funds raised now will go to our in country travel expenses, benevolence, medical and building programs, Bibles, and various other things that will come up.
It's getting close and I am getting excited to see my Ghanaian brothers and sisters, and to bring God's word to Ghana!
In Him, tim
Sunday, May 15, 2011
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
“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
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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."
Friday, April 22, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, April 15, 2011
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.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
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
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
Monday, April 4, 2011
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
Please contact me if you would like to get involved: tvsimmons@comcast.net In Him, tim
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