Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
I’m sorry that it has been a while since the last email was sent out. We still do not have a phone line to the house, so we are dependent on the Internet Café downtown. The past two weeks the service provider has been down, so we have not been able to check or send emails. We are finding that this is a common occurrence in Africa- it takes much time and patience to get things done over here. At times it can be very frustrating, but we are learning to be patient and make the best of what God allows.
Since the last email, my wife, Becky and Hannah all had mild cases of malaria which was treated and overcome. Overall, we have been healthy for which we are thankful to our merciful Father. We have experienced numerous blessings and trials over the past month. But the blessings always seem to outweigh the trials and hardships or at least our Father gives us a peace which passes understanding.
One of the blessings is the souls we have been allowed to see saved from sin! Six more souls have been saved as a result of the school ministry in B.U. But the highlight was to be able to lead three deaf men to the Lord Jesus in sign language! All three have been to the services and we are interpreting for them. Two weeks ago we began the deaf school ministry and I was able to preach in sign language for the first time. It has been a crash course in sign language and interpreting. Bro. Fred Asimoah is progressing much faster than me and is doing a good job communicating with the deaf. Pray for this young 18 year old man. God is dealing with his heart concerning the deaf ministry as a life long commitment. His parents who are not saved are pressuring him to attend the university. Just pray for God’s will to be done.
Another blessing has been to receive the container with our van this past Monday. It has been five long months since we loaded it on the container in Fort Worth. Now we do not have to worry about walking down the hill to the main road to call down two taxis for the family to go to church. Though it will be much more expensive than taxis, it will be safer and more practical. There are several church members along the way we can pick-up for church. By the way, the first time to fill up with fuel cost around 1 million cedis which is about $110.00. Ouch!
The Nigerian preachers were deported by the immigration service, but two are already back with passports in order. The next step is getting them work permits. But the excluded church member causing the trouble is complaining to immigration about their presence in Ghana without work permits. Now they are saying that the Nigerians will have to travel again until work permits are obtained. This is contrary to what they told us before they left the first time. Pray for the Morgan’s as this is putting a real strain upon them. They are fighting a good fight, but they need prayer to remain strong.
Also, pray for our family. We are really burdened about the deaf people here in Ghana. Since we have been really working on learning sign language, the Lord has brought a number of deaf people into our path. The three deaf men that were saved work at a welding shop where there are six deaf people working. At the deaf School in Secondi there are 217 students, which along with their families could represent over 1,000 people that could be reached with the Gospel through the deaf ministry. In Cape Coast, about one hour from Takoradi is another large deaf school. North of Cape Coast is a village that is made up of almost entirely deaf people. I’m beginning to believe that a deaf church is a good possibility here in Ghana. The deaf and the handicapped in a Third World country are not given the care and attention that they receive in America. They are neglected and many times treated as outcasts. Some even believe that the deaf are cursed or demon possessed. How are these people going to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him in whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher (in sign language)? And how shall they preach except they be sent? Pray that God will show us what His will is for us in the future. Our goal is to wins souls, train nationals, and plant churches.
May the Lord richly bless you as you serve Him!
Bro. Widener |
