The name is Teiman, not Tema...

I want to take a moment to clear up something about the exciting work that is slowly beginning in Teiman. When we went to the Chief and the elders, I shared with them that I had come to share the good news of God's love first and foremost. I stated that I believe in a good and loving God that can also meet us all at the very point of our need and in so doing meet all of our needs. That being stated, I shared with them my desire to listen to them and hear what they believed was the most pressing physical need of the people of Teiman. Out of all the possible answers, the Chief and the elders answered unanimously that the village of Teiman needed a medical clinic. The closest medical clinic is far away in Abokobi, only accessible by a long and rough dirt road. Add to this reality the sobering fact that most residents of Teiman do not have a vehicle and can only travel on foot and you begin to understand the need for basic healthcare close to home.

The people of Teiman speak Ga, though they can also manage some Twi and a tiny bit of English. All of my meetings with the Chief have included the pastor of CBC who can speak Akuapem Twi and Momma Comfort, a member of CBC who speaks Ga. In the midst of all this translating and relaying is your humble "obruni" (whiteman) missionary. I didn't understand a key aspect of the first meeting with the people of Teiman and I need to clarify the details of that meeting now so that you can join me in celebration.

I stressed to the Chief and the elders that the primary purpose for me being in Ghana is to share the good news of God's love, but I didn't specify how. After the Chief and the elders agreed to ask for a medical clinic, after they assured us that a land parcel would be specially designated for a medical clinic, friends, I want to tell you that without prompting the people of Teiman offered a second land parcel and asked that we build them a Southern Baptist church!

Why is this significant?

1. We didn't go to Teiman asking to build a church

2. Teiman has six other denominations represented in their small village, none of which it would seem are meeting the spiritual needs of the community, or why would the Chief and the elders offer an additional land parcel for a Southern Baptist church completely of their own accord?

How soon can a new church be started in Teiman?

The answer is simple because a church is not a building, it is simply a place of worship. A place of worship is simply a place the people gather to give thanks for what God has done and to share with one another in the abiding grace of God's love. I will tell you what I have impressed upon the leadership of CBC, a church in Teiman can be started this very hour. I said "I will go, who will go with me?"

I hope to have good news for you soon. The land in Teiman needs to be registered, a process that takes both time and money. Then the land will need to receive a permit before any structure can be erected, a process that will also take time and money. We also need to get a site plan, price out construction materials, labor costs and any associated fees. It is my hope and I hope you will join with me in prayer that I will be able to draw up and submit to you and the other partners a proposed budget and timetable for the medical clinic and the new church start at Teiman! Remember that the new church at Teiman can and should start long before any church building is constructed, so please pray fervently that people in CBC will boldly volunteer to partner with me in going to Teiman to share the good news of God's love. Pray that the Chief and the elders will be receptive to an immediate start for the church and will designate a house or other indoor or outdoor area for us to begin sharing the good news of God's love with the people of Teiman! As we meet to worship and praise our loving God, I am confident that the people of Teiman will be fanned into flame for the love of God as their faith is reaffirmed by the progress they will see on their medical clinic! Let us be known as the people that give themselves away. Let us be known as the people that sought a need and pursued a solution. Let a reputation of selfless service spread through the outlying communities and towns surrounding Teiman so that others may come and ask who are these Christians and what is all this work I have heard about in Teiman?

What to celebrate:

1. The leadership of Teiman is receptive to hearing the Good News of God's love

2. The leadership of Teiman have the hearts of their people in mind and have asked for a medical clinic, knowing that it will benefit not only Teiman but all the communities in the area

3. The leadership of Teiman, without prompting, offered a second, additional land parcel on which they would like to have a Southern Baptist church

4. I am no longer ill (I was not well for the entirety of week 2)

What to pray about:

1. The leadership of Teiman will have a sense of urgency about getting their paperwork in order

2. That members of CBC will volunteer to give of their time to begin street evangelism in Teiman

3. That members of CBC will volunteer to go and begin a "house church" or open air church in Teiman

4. That I will be able to come to you, the mission partners, with a proposed budget for the medical clinic and the church at Teiman by the end of November.

5. That God will put people in my path daily that need to hear the good news of God's love

I have great news to share with you about Awukugua and I hope to share it with you very soon!

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My next two posts will talk about the work at Awukugua, an orphanage called "Hope," my new Ghanaian name that the Chief of Awukugua bestowed on me and some of the foods I've had the privilege of ingesting! Be sure to watch for the next post! Remember, all you have to do is care and you too can...

Become the Change!