Dear Friend of Missions,

I arrived in Accra, Ghana on Friday, February 6, after an 11-hour flight from JFK New York International Airport.  Then we drove for about 2 hours to our campus in Kasoa.  Thank God, the trip was uneventful.   

Immediately upon my arrival, I took an inventory of staff, students, and projects on hand to see what God is doing in each aspect of the work.  We have 257 students, 15 teachers (8 full-time, 4 part-time, 3 interns), 8 staff members.   115 of our students (48 boys and 67 girls) live on campus.  The campus is clean and neat.  I am pleased! 

There are 12 students who received scholarships this year here in Ghana.  I interviewed all of them to find out how they are doing academically, spiritually, and socially.  Overall, I am impressed with the students.  Let me share with you a testimony from one of them. 

Whynter K. Quiah:  ". I am highly appreciative of this great assistance that is enabling me to continue my education.  As a refugee, I see the scholarship as a turning point in my life.  At one point I lost hope and aspiration to continue with my education due to financial problems.  My parents are no longer able to pay the school fees for me and my siblings.  It was at this time that I was rewarded with this all-important scholarship by the mercy of God.  This is the greatest assistance I have ever received and because of it I am moving strongly toward my goal. ."

I hope you feel what I felt when Whynter Quiah talked with me.  Whynter's story shows why we believe that sponsoring underprivileged children is important. Of course, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

Let me give you another Praise Note!

In 2005 we launched the War on AIDS Program in Nigeria.  The goal of this program is to encourage high school students to practice abstinence?to say ?no' to sex outside of marriage and ?no' to illegal drugs.  Care is given to HIV/AIDS victims in the form of counseling and medication.

So far we have touched 30,000 children and still have many more to go. 

We rented office space and opened a counseling center for AIDS victims.  The same year, we rented a hall at a civic center (public building) and began a fellowship center with 8 people.  Today that group has grown to 150 members and is still growing.

For a few months now we have been praying and raising funds to purchase a piece of land to establish the ministry.  We saw many properties which were out of our price range.  When we finally saw one that was more reasonably priced, we did not have the money needed to pay for it.  So I wrote letters, called people and made presentations to churches.  Thank God, we were able to raise the $8,000.00 needed for the land.

I am happy to inform you that on January 23, 2009 the documents for the property were signed and ownership was transferred to our ministry.  HALLELUJAH!!!  He has done it again. 

One of the highlights of this trip is for me to personally dedicate the land and break the ground for construction, to the glory of God.  I am happy.  God has done it!!!  

On this land we will have our War on AIDS counseling center, a local church, and a primary school.

Thank you for your prayers and giving.   Your support has helped to keep us encouraged as we plough through the harvest field of Africa.  May God bless you richly.  

Here is my appeal this month!

As I write this letter, I am in URGENT need of $13,500 to help cover the cost of immediate needs on the Ghana Campus, my trip expenses and the African Region monthly budget.  See page three for the breakdown of this need. 

Would you please help me pray that God will provide for this urgent need?  If you send anything right away, the office will make sure I get it immediately.  I really need your help right now.  

Please use the enclosed response form and envelope to RUSH your gift right away.  I truly appreciate your commitment and support. 

Yours in His service,

David C. Akaji, Ed.D.

Vice President, African Region

P.S.

Pray for revival and growth among our staff and students in Africa. 

Pray for spiritual and physical blessings on our pastors and members in Africa.

Pray for me, for the anointing and wisdom, as I make decisions/lead this work.

Pray for safety as I travel.

Pray for daily provision of the financial needs of this work.

 Breakdown of the Appeal

Total Amount Needed $13,500

PLEASE HELP!!!

New Toilet for the Students?$6,000.00

Right now, we have an urgent need to replace the old toilet for the students.  What we have now is of no use, very old, filled up, smelly and is a health hazard. The Ghana educational board has giving us a mandate to replace it immediately.  We have over 270 people using this toilet.  We are in danger of health epidemic on campus.  This is serious and urgent!  It will cost $6,000 to construct a new one.  We have called the contractors but we do not have the money to pay them.  Would you please help us?

Travel Cost $3,500

I came here by faith.  My ticket was purchased on credit, and there are many needs associated with this trip.   I am counting on my supporters to help with this need.

African Region Monthly Budget $4,000

Our ministry budget of $4,000.00 covers our subsidies for Ghana and Nigeria, rent, scholarships for needy children, and travel expenses.  These are commitments we have to meet every month, and the single largest ministry financial burden I carry.  Funds given to ?support' or ?where most needed' accounts are used to help cover this need.  Also, anything undesignated goes to this account as well.  PLEASE HELP!!

No gift is too small!  THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIVING!!!