Next Level Youth Ghana Mission

Brief Update

2010-07-20T19:15:00.001-07:00

Well today is the 1st day we’ve have internet access since we left for Nkwanta on the 9th. We arrived back in Accra today to spend our last night in Ghana. As I write this blog I feel the tear ducts warming up, because a brother is overwhelmed with the things the Lord has done and shown us.

As we close out this day where we visited 1 of the 2 slave castles in Ghana and witness Brandon touch a crocodile, the team is looking forward to getting back home. However, some of us have mixed emotions because of all the things we’ve seen over the past two weeks. We’ve got a bunch of highlights to share, but I just can’t do it effectively and be rested for tomorrows events which includes an evening flight out.

You’ll have to wait. LOL. But I will tell you that people came to the Lord, orphans were loved on, missionaries were supported, and each person has grown and heard from the Lord. Please continue to pray for us as our work continues until we touch down in Seattle.

T Cooks view

2010-07-09T01:24:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday July 9th it is going on our 3rd day in Ghana West Africa. We have been welcomed into the home of one of our new friends Alexandria who is a missionary’s kid (MK) she is a high school senior and she’s lived in Accra with her family for 5 years!

It was great to have ALL the comforts of home including internet access.

Yesterday we went to the market in Accra which is their central district for purchasing ALL types of goods. It was extremely crowded and hectic. Traffic was crazy and sadly our host missionaries son got bumped in the knee with a vehicle.

As we walked through the market we were clearly overwhelmed with the sights in front of us. We saw people sleeping on sidewalks, blind people, people without limbs.

We had a look on our faces that was slightly fearful. So my question to the group was... can we effectively share the Gospel with the people we are fearful of John 13:34-35 states to Love one another as I have Loved you by this ALL will know that you are my disciples IF you have love for one another! We ARE in a different place with new people but in order to Share the LOVE of GOD we must consistently SHOW the LOVE of GOD! We are learning and growing!

LETS GO!

Tracy

Seattle to Germany to Ghana...

2010-07-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Chaley! (basically “what’s up” in Twi). We are having an amazing time. After consistently flying solo on ministry ventures, it was so much fun being on the plane with the Ghana crew. Our GO shirts caused some folks to inquire who we were and what we were doing. And that, of coarse, led to Dr. Sims and Tracy Cook leading two people to the Lord on our way to Germany.

And if that wasn’t exciting enough!!!!

We landed in Germany around 9:20 am just in time for our 10:25 departure. By the time we reached the Germany security line (which was longer than summer school), we realized that it was 9:40. This, of course, brought a “small” sense of discomfort. A few folks had to get a little extra attention from security, so 3 of us went ahead to make sure that we didn’t get left.

As we approached the gate, the lady asked, “Are you the group from Seattle?” “Yes, we are,” we said with a sense of relief and there are 6 more of us. She replied “Well, you have 3 minutes.” I ran back to get the rest of the team, but to my relief they were walking down the steps. Praise the Lord, we made it on the plane and to Ghana safely! But to the Lord’s sovereignty our luggage would remain in Germany without us. So we spent the night in Tema at the Guest House, spent the day in the Ghana market place (details to come), and showed up to the airport at 5 to retrieve our luggage. Wouldn’t you know our wonderful luggage with fresh clothes, mosquito repellant, and snacks from home remains in Germany...until Saturday. Man, are we fresh!

One thing the Lord has spoken to us is to leave our agendas in America and allow Him to freely guide us as He wills. We did not realize that this would come at the expense of our luggage, but man are we excited to be living out James 1:2-4. I was moved to see the entire group’s maturity and not negatively respond to life without luggage. This has enabled the host missionaries to slow down as well as allowed us to share the gospel with people asking about the message on our Ghana shirts.

Keep us in prayer as we head to the villages tomorrow. We will minister to a village who’s heard the gospel message only once and share with the high school this coming Saturday. Hopefully, we will minister to the students with great joy for the gospel and the arrival of our luggage! Matthew 28:18-20, LET’S GO!!!

2010-07-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

TAKE OFF!!! The team loaded up and headed out Tuesday morning. Everyone packed accordingly and all bags weighed in under weight. It was nothing but smiles and excitement(well, there was a little bit of nerves thrown in there but not much!) Excited to hear about their trip!!! Our prayers are with you and the team.

2010-07-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

I shared my song with the crew, and Janae, being on fire like she is, quickly shared the 2 songs that got her excited and meditating on the overall purpose for missions. And yes, these songs do just that! SEND ME!!!!

2010-07-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

The Ghana Crew is in the building!!! The fellas are rocking green Ghana shirts, the ladies are rocking red, and the teen ladies are happily rocking the youthful yellow. As you can imagine, we all checked in with big Kool-Aid smiles, got some Chinese food and Wendy's (might be a rough flight), and now we're at the gate waiting for boarding time.

We had an awesome departing time at CKBF.org. Thanks to everyone who came out to send us off. It meant a great deal to the team. We were trying hard to hold back the tears it.

One thing I realized last week was that I really did not know what to expect, so with that realization I simply just made myself available to the Lord to do whatever he wanted to. Thinking this very thing brought this song back to my memory. and its become my Ghana anthem.

2010-07-01T23:29:00.001-07:00

This is a test. I'm trying to set up different ways to blog. This is from my phone.

Prayer Request

2010-07-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

As our journey to Africa quickly approaches, I find myself thinking about the many things I am asking God to do with the team and how we can get the body of believers involved in the mission. What immediately comes to mind is Eph 6:19: "and pray on" our "behalf, that the utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel."

Our goal is simply to make disciples and become better disciples ourselves. Please join us in asking God to allow us to see our goal accomplished.

-Jason Earls

2010-07-01T10:58:00.000-07:00