To Prison ...and a few other places

During the long break from school (summer vacation), we were able to travel and visit some brethren in other parts of Ghana. We were delighted to be invited by the Akolas to go with them to Hohoe in the Volta region for the very first time! We got to encourage the Lantame Family and take part in a mini VBS. Our kids had a blast with their 4 kids and had fun working on the farm and also visiting a waterfall and hiking. We are grateful for the chance to build memories with our kids and between our three families.

Galilee tuning guitar for mini-VBS

Kids building friendships to last a lifetime and beyond

We also had the opportunity to visit with family in Accra on two trips. On one trip we wend together with fellow missionaries, the Wonder family and were able to enjoy fellowship with them as well as get some necessary paperwork done. We enjoyed encouraging the saints in Accra as well.

Celebrating Chloe's birthday in a mall in Accra

   Thankful for all the safety in our travels! Driving through some flooding in Accra.

I also took the opportunity to make a trip with Godwin to a prison a couple hours outside of Kumasi. An acquaintance is incarcerated there for a few months and expressed desire in pursuing God. We visited with him and plan to follow up on it. Please pray that the circumstances he is in will continue to impress upon him his need to know God.

Update and visit with Matthew:
Matthew has suffered a lot over the past months. It has become evident that his mother has some mental issues which she refuses to get treatment for.  The last several months were tough as we tried to get her relocated- within walking distance of the school and to hire her as our cleaner. It was in this time we realized her mental instability. After countless complaints from neighbors, we had to relocate her again. After a number of altercations with neighbors involving the law, we had to search for relatives and relocate her in the village with her mother and siblings who are farmers.  They were extremely happy to see her as they had not heard from her in years. We planned to visit after a month to see how they were fairing in the village. He looked ok but was a bit malnourished and had an infected sore on his leg. He has become even more reserved. It was rather sad. We took him some gift and tried to relate with him and his uncle said that he constantly pretends to talk to us on the phone, but while we were there he wouldn't say a word and wouldn't even smile. It is evident that he is hurting emotionally. The family has noticed signs of his mother's mental instability and are planning to send her up north for rituals (exorcism) and this would not be good at all.  Some people come back seemingly ok and others never return. We fear for her and for Matthew. The family said they would alert us when they are going to do this and asked about bringing Matthew to us.  His mother wouldn't give him up without a fight, though. Please be in prayer as we don't know what God has in store but we are very concerned for his well-being.

Matthew's extended family

This was the last and toughest visit we made before school started back up.  More on the start of school in our next blog post.