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Can't wait to tell you all the stories. Aug 11 is Mission Report day at church!

Steve's end of trip bullet points

-we have the best students on this planet
-bush experience was very difficult and demanding but just as rewarding
-lots of people came to Christ (hundreds)
-we distributed a couple thousand mosquito nets to many people in need
-we saw a village that had recently been converted from voodoo and we got to tear off some of the tree from the shrine (big deal)
-we were able to bless Ayibonte with the many supplies that were donated for the school. We also got to wok on the school.
-lots of medical mission work. Helped hundreds. Darin and Cathy did stellar work as did their teams.
-crusades were successful. Much difference in follow up and more emphasis on discipleship. That makes me happy.
-water well dedication in Krabo Kese was neat experience. God bless FBC Elk City for paying for that.
-pretty sure I was first white man along with Ryan to walk into a village this week--at least that's why they said on camera.

Home!

Monday at Frankadua (repost)

Wow.

Frankadua is everything I (Steve) was told it was. Awesome. What a neat experience to not only visit a place where girls live who were rescued from trokosi slavery, but also to meet the 14 girls who were recently rescued as a result of the Buy This Shirt campaign. I am probably not going to post pics of the new girls at this time, just to be cautious. But they are beautiful, adjusting well, and very sweet. You could barely tell they were new there.

We had a blast with them. Talking eating, and dancing and singing together.it was a moving time together we were able to bless Rev Grace with some money to buy some carpentry tools. Feels great to help when you see the great need.

The other 2 teams did medical clinic and construction. Medical hasn't made it back yet, but they were swamped and saw a ton of people. Maybe close to 200. Reports forthcoming.

Back from the Bush!

We're back from the bush!!!!
Made it safe and sound.
We will post updates soon.
Now headed to the airport.
See you soon!!!!!!!!!

WARNING

Just a warning!
We may not have internet until Friday morning?!?!
We'll be safe! See you soon!

From Alex

Blog by Alex Mortensen:

We are going strong heading on day four in Ghana. Today the group split up. Half of the group went and did a medical mission and construction. Personally I went to Frankadua to see the beautiful girls that live there. It was my favorite day so far, filled with dancing and joy. As we began to really interact with the outgoing girls, we had a huge dance party. Using my loud voice, I sang as loud as I could, leading the girls in several goofy dances and songs. The Frankadua girls laughed and giggled, hopefully out of enjoyment (but I’m pretty sure it was at me, the girl that lacks any rhythm trying to dance and sing: I’m use to it) It was a completely blast as the room boomed with a bunch of teenage girls having a blast. We split into groups to make bracelets that told of God’s love for them and the princesses they are. It was nice just getting to know such unique girls. It was a very special day to say the least. Excited for the next couple days that we will spend in the bush. Last year those were my favorite memories playing with the children and I’m ready to make some more! Thank you to all those prayer warriors out there. You are more powerful than ever in our lives! Shout out to my family!! Missing you so much mom and dad! JJ and Will, wish you were here with me. It’s not the same without you. Trevor, I miss you like crazy! Ill be home soon:) Grandmother and Granddad, the bibles are being used by God everyday; I’m so thankful! Thanks to everyone! See you soon America!

Sunday morning

We are in the midst of church this morning. What an incredible first service we had. Many gave their lives to Jesus or recommitted their lives. Money was raised to fund the crusade we are going in this week in Krabokese. Lance and the music team sang. I (Steve) preached. Tim shared his testimony (again)--seems like he will be doing that a lot as Bishop Odai wants everyone to hear it. Alicia also shared as did Mercedes from Elk City.

Kids are teaching Sunday school right now and 2nd service will begin shortly. Most of our group is leading the children and youth services right nowx pray for Ryan as he speaks and Sydney as she shared her testimony in second service.

Then we head to Winneba to worship in Lauren's Lighthouse. Pray for safe travel. Will report onthat later. Thank you for prayers and encouragement! Hope you have a wonderful day of worship. Give our love to SHBC!

Hallelujah! Amen!

Hallelujah! Amen!

Hallelujah! Amen! Hallelujah! Amen! Hallelujah! Amen!

Today was a success! Many were in charge of children services, Sunday schools, youth services, and church services. Steve Bullard preached the first service and Ryan Young preached the second.

Right after lunch we took a 2-hour bus ride to Lauren’s Lighthouse. The Crawley family donated two bikes to the pastor of the church, enabling them to share the Gospel with the villages who surround them! It was overwhelming and the goodness of God was so obvious to each one of us. He uses all things to accomplish His ends. Immediately after the bike dedication and worship within the chapel, we joined the community in a nearby field for the ground breaking of the Pearl House. This was equally overwhelming and moving as we joined together to pray for those in bondage across the world, and for the girls who will find grace at this future home.

After spending time playing “football” with the kids and giving out gifts and Bibles, we began out trek home. However, before we got on the bus, we were able to experience “the rain down in Africa”. It was wonderful to meet all of the precious people of Winnaba!

We were welcomed home to the guest house with delicious tuna sandwiches and a cold pop. After an encouraging time of stories and the sharing of events from the day, we broke up to rest. Jennifer made 12 cupcakes and the lucky ones got a bite. The rest of us took much needed showers and went to bed early! Up at 5 am tomorrow for Frankadua!

Continue to pray for stranded luggage in Washington D.C. and for continued good health of our team! So far, we have not experienced any major set backs in regards to our well being.  

We love it here!

We love it here!

As we jumped off the bus this morning we witnessed 200 children welcoming us in songs and dances. We were prepared for today’s children’s carnival, medical clinic, and school construction. Surprisingly our enthusiasm lasted throughout the day!

“Is he a Chinese man?”, referring to Richard Song, was Beth Wilburn’s favorite comment from an African child today. Beth took charge of the children carnival, and did a great job! Many of the Elk City and Tulsa kids were covered by kids grabbing, dancing, braiding hair, and giving lots of hugs. It was a sea of children singing songs and dancing to the Lord.

Just wanted to start a count for how many times Cherie gets proposed to on this trip. Lets start at 4ish today!

Lets just say medical was interesting today, but that’s Africa! Slow start, but many were able to see our doctor Darin Mann, and nurse Cathy Dalhrymple. Darin and Cathy were able to treat both children and adults today. Pray for them, because not only will they see 100’s of patients, they have to take care of us 24/7.

It’s seemed to the construction boys got quite the workout today! I can only imagine how many cement blocks that they lifted today? 300+? I’m glad that they had plenty of water to keep them hydrated though manual labor.

After dinner we went to the Youth Explosion! No, we did not explode youth, but we met different youth groups that share cultural dances and dramas with us. Not only did we sing but we danced all night! It’s so freeing to be able to dance to the Lord. Colton Richardson, Katie Wilburn, Kendall & Bryce(Elk City) gave their testimony then Clara Brown shared the message. Many youth students left encouraged sharing the gospel with their communities.

Pray for:

Jill Rokisky (migraine)

That the 7 Tulsa people will receive luggage

Traveling to the village tomorrow, and the service that will be given

The speakers of Sunday school, children’s service, youth, and church service

Tomorrow is Casey Meyers birthday so give him a FB shout out! 

Day 1-Saturday

We spent the morning doing medical, a carnival, and several boys worked construction here at MPM. Six others are working in Winneba today doing some construction. We will return tonight for Youth Explosion. We assume that it isn't meant to be literal. But I will take pictures nonetheless.

We are havin a great time. Please keep praying. One request: that 14 of our bags will arrive today!

We made it!

 We made it!!!!!!!

We joined Elk city in the Dulles airport yesterday around 4 p.m. We were supposed to leave for Africa by 10 p.m., but of course we were delayed by 2 hours. That was great news for us!!! We all crowded in a restaurant and watched the Thunder game. While we were having a great time, 7 of the group people from Southern Hills were dealing with hours of delay in Tulsa, trying to get tickets changed, and running with carry on through different airports. We boarded around 12:30 a.m. and patiently waited for the 7 people (Katie Wilburn, Beth Wilburn, Allison Lilly, Clara Brown, Annie Harrington, Gene Phillips, Zach Phillips) to join us on the plane. They had 2 minutes to get off board and race to our terminal. We cheer as each one walked though the doors! We are all so happy that we were able to come to Ghana as one group!

When arriving in Ghana we were welcomed by many Ghanaians, dancing to the pounding of drums. Our baggage arrived in great condition, but sadly the 7 people from Southern Hills will have to wait for their luggage until tomorrow. The weather is quite nice. It’s cloudy and not too hot.

For the rest of the day we are planning on running a children carnival type thing. Not sure what this is going to look like, but we are excited to love some African children.

No one is sick! No one is lost. All is well thus far!

Pray for the children that we will be witnessing to today!

Time to go!!

27 of us at the airport ready to board! 7 leaving later and 21 joining us in DC.

Ghana Trip Eve

We leave tomorrow at 12:15. Please pray for us as we go. Please comment your commitments to prayer, along with words, verses, or prayers of encouragement to greet our team when they land. Thank you!

Ghana Blog

Welcome to our blog! Please check back daily for updates from our trip. Also please keep the 55 of us in your prayers. This is so important!!!

We leave June 21. Please be there for our commissioning service June 17.

FBC Elk City will be traveling with us and working with us. Pray for them as well as it's their first trip to Ghana.