Ghana Update – June 2012

Ghana Update – June 2012

LANGBINSI HUB

The Langbinsi hub is situated in the north eastern corridors of the northern region of Ghana. It is about two and half (2.5) hours’ drive from Tamale. It shares boundaries with the Nakpandure hub which is further north of Langbinsi. The hub is led by Pastor Asher Mohammed Peter, the head pastor of the local Assemblies of God Church in the Langbinsi community.

About two weeks ago the youth of the church were motivated after their Pastor challenged them to use bridges stories as a tool for personal witnessing. They went into a number of villages resulting in eight (8) new souls being won and about eight (8) persons who had abandoned church also rededicated their lives to Christ and started going to church again.

The breakdown of converts according to communities is as follows; Taangi-gbinni – 2 converts, Yaaroyili – 6 converts and Mimima – 8 rededicated their lives and returned to church.

Plans: Plans are far advance in the Langbinsi hub to collaborate with a Christian NGO known as Apostolic Voice Ministries to launch an outreach at a new community called Saamini.

NAKPANDURE HUB.

Hit by ethnic violence: The Nakpandure hub is currently experiencing a much tensed ethnic violence which has claimed a number of lives. In the past four days, an ethnic conflict involving the Bimobas and Konkombas ethnic groups who are the main tribes residing in the area broke out resulting in the burning of houses and loss of lives. It is not immediately known what exactly the cause is, but it is a volatile situations. I reached out on phone to some hub leaders to find out how they are doing, and brothers, I could feel so much fear in them thought it is not immediately known if any of out leaders is dead or have their house burnt and properties destroyed. What is worrying is that U4A leaders in the hub cut across the two worrying factions (Bimobas and Konkombas). As I spoke to Rev. Natuka Dawuda he told me there were some Konkomba pastors at the Novemeber 2011 training at Najong 2 eventhough the area is dominated by Bimobas. As I spoke on phone Rev. Natuka said this, “I fear and worry about my members, this farming there is no peace. They cannot go to farm; we are no longer able to preach the gospel because people fear for their lives”. I felt so disheartened as I kept listening, because I know that there is only one short farming season in the north of Ghana, and if they miss that season there will certainly be a period of protracted hunger.  The hub invited me to come over so we could try to see if we can check on some of leaders, but unfortunately the U4A vehicle has been broken down for about two months now.

New Converts: In the midst of a tensed environment fuelled by ethnic violence, the Nakpandure hub continues to break new grounds for the Lord. Four (4) new converts have been won and have joined the church at Najong 1 through the use of Bible stories by Pastor David Natuka. However, forty five (45) believers who formed part of a new church established immediately after the bridges training in November 2011 are still waiting to receive water baptism. This brings to forty nine (49) the number of new believers that is being prepared for water baptism later in this year.

Shalom – Sankpem Water project

At long last, the long awaited Shalom Baptist Church (a partner church of U4A) / Unite 4 Africa initiated water project at Sankpem has taken of. About seventy percent (70%) of work has been done. A three kilometer water pipeline has been laid into the community. We have run out of funds and are waiting for a representative who is helping to raise funds in the USA for us to completed this project. The church at Sankpem is however doing very well. Below are some pictures of the water pipe project.

CHE method of local contribution as taught by U4A,
Sankpem community is digging the pipeline

U4A Director (Paul Napari) got involved in the pipe laying process

A portion of the three kilometer pipe line to Sankpem

Prayer Needs:

1)    Please pray for an immediate stopping of the ethnic clash between Bimobas and Konkombas in northern Ghana.

2)    Pray for the safety of the U4A leaders on the field where the ethnic violence is taking place

3)    Pray that the work of God will not stop as a result of the conflict, but rather that the conflict will cease due to the presence of the Word of God.

4)    Pray for the entire north of Ghana, there are ethnic conflicts going on concurrently in all three regions in the north, with an attempted assassination of the chief of Wa the Upper West Regional capital.

5)    Pray for fast healing of U4A Ghana treasurer (Rev Silas Sulemana) who is currently back in the house from hospital.

6)    Pray for funds to complete the Shalom Baptist Church water project at Sankpem.

7)    Pray for Langbinsi hub planned collaborative project with Apostolic Voice Minsitries for mega outreach programme at Saamini.

8)    Pray for the resurrection of the U4A vehicle for more work to be done in northern Ghana.