The question of how to properly motivate and challenge our children to capture a global heart for serving others was a principle reason for our trip to Ghana, West Africa.  In addition we are compelled to help our children see the need to create ways to extend the great heritage they have been given to protect and propagate.  It's easy to concur with Thomas Friedman when he writes; "The members of the first generation are nose-to-the grindstone innovators; the second generation holds it together, then their kids come along and get fat, dumb and lazy and slowly squander it all".  My parents were blessed and blessed me with a tremendous heritage.  I was motivated by their commitment to the American Indians, learning to do without, and making the most of the gifts God has given you.  We want our children to see the "rest of the world" and figure out ways to improve the lives of all human kind. 

We felt our primary focus was to teach in the Academy in Kasoa, Ghana as well as upgrade the campus as much as possible.  We taught English and economics on a daily basis.  The students are bright, determined and eager to learn.  As a result we established scholarships for a male and female student to be awarded at the beginning of each school year.  We also upgraded the roads and campus infrastructure during our visit. The children were terrific and we are so thankful for God's touch on Morgan.  She developed a fever few days after our arrival, but was well in less than two days.  Overall we felt we accomplished our mission and are confident God infused into our children's minds the need to circle the globe with His good will. 

Ghana is not a poor country by any means.  They have more natural resources than most individual states in the US. They have a labor force and a relatively stable government.  What they don't have is a sense of societal cohesion; a sense of "what is best for all of Ghana"? They don't have an adequate infrastructure to propel economic growth and they still look far too longingly to the United States for financial gifts.

In conclusion, how does one best assist in Ghana? Ghana does not need a "western gospel"!  The message of salvation through Jesus Christ cannot be monopolized by a nation, culture or denomination! Each citizen must accept God's gift of salvation, live obediently and realize that God has given them tremendous resources to manage.  The nationals are doing a good job of sharing the message of salvation.  They are doing a good job of running the Academy and advancing its potential!  What they need are individuals to assist them with fiscal management and hard asset development.  Ghana needs business leaders who will invest and who will go to Ghana and help develop the country's infrastructure.  The Academy needs investors to help build classrooms and a dormitory.  The EBM work in Ghana is on the verge of making a major impact on the whole of Africa, with a little help, they will get there!

Reflection from Richard Brown

EBM Missionary

I have been part of the missionary movement of the Church for 35 years.  Still, I have never gotten used to or flippant about the tug-of-war that goes only continually between God's army of disciples and Satan's army of demons.  This trip was filled with such reality.  And we can shout "Hallelujah!" because God's army won again!

Some 80 students stood up in Chapel in front of God and their fellow students to dedicate themselves to the discipline and mentoring that is required to become true disciples. In another Chapel service an estimated 180 students with teachers lifted their hands to surrender the assorted whatever that hold them back from moving into a deeper relationship with Christ.  And in yet another service an estimated one-third of the students with some staff members raised their hands to indicate that they are carrying "painful secrets" that remain unresolved and interrupt their walk with God.  What an overwhelming reality!

The spiritual warfare is real on both sides of the Atlantic.  It has been said that the Enemy has very subtly diverted our attention away from the gospel message that offers sinners a way to be righteous.  Also a way to escape the wrath of God, and toward a feel good gospel message that promises a wonderful plan for our lives that will solve all of our problems, make us happy in Christ, and rescue us from the hassles of life.  I was reminded again that the gospel is anything but a promise of a problem-free life, it is just the opposite.

Pray much, often and very specifically for the students and staff of Atlantic Wesleyan College in Accra, Ghana, West Africa.  They are in a battle for their lives and souls, and the future of many "nations.'