| Mission Opportunities with SICM | |
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David and Elspeth Masson |
 David and Elspeth at the SICM Missions Centre prior to leaving for Ghana |
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understand (though not from personal experience) that during a long
distance race there comes a point when a pain barrier is reached.
The runner has to work his way through it and then feels a surge of
fresh power and confidence that he can go on and he has a determination
to finish the race. We have no doubt that the prayers of many have
seen us through a pain barrier last week when a number of different
problems built up a distinct pressure. Quite suddenly our mood changed
and enthusiasm flooded our spirits. New doors have opened. The enemy
has left - even if only for a season. The problems of being far from
home with all its comforts and familiar surroundings seem less significant.
We really appreciate your prayers and want you to know that they have
been effective. Today as I prepared teaching on 'Maturing' for the
rural Churches, we had to apply the teaching to ourselves and get
on with the task in hand. We have been encouraged by the arrival of a team of six fine young people - five from Canada and one from the USA - with Life Force. They are here for four months to do rural evangelism. They live next door. It is good to be able to converse freely in English without having to filter out difficult words of humour. They have completed their first outreach to a nearby village with an unpronounceable name and have seen the foundation laid for a new Church. It was a thrill to join with them in support and take part in the open air crusade and to speak at the open air service in the village. The service in the local Church starts at 10am with a Church school teaching session for three quarters of an hour and then the praise starts, followed by preaching. At the Church school session, I am presenting a series on confronting Spiritual Giants (Deut. Ch.7). A programme has also been drawn up for teaching in the rural Churches, west towards the Ivory Coast, with a view to building up the membership. It will involve a lot of travelling, but at least the roads to the West are very good. Initially we were a little surprised when someone prayed each time at the start of a journey. However having seen the vehicles on the road and some of the driving, we now understand the wisdom of this. The Bible School has resumed after the holidays and a extra few days. The standard phrase here, where time seems to be an elastic commodity, is "He will come". But when? This term my courses are New Testament studies, The Holy Spirit and the Book of Acts. There are a few weekend sessions for people who cannot afford to join the Bible School as students but who want Bible teaching. The Bible School offers a shortened course all day Saturdays. I'm taking the seminar on 'Leadership'. The various people who have come regularly to improve their reading in English are showing clear signs of improvement. Since Elspeth is fully committed at the School, I have assumed the once a week session with these students. Elspeth has put in a power of work at the school, working with the Director who is also the Pastor of the Church and a science teacher. Apart from teaching English, Religious and Moral Education and Social Studies, she is involved in teacher training and setting up management systems, which were non-existent. However, everything is so different to schools in Scotland. Who needs windows and doors !! Some extra money has been found for new resources and improvements to the building. The young American and I have joined the builders in providing labour for cement mixing and painting. This provides exercise and a change of scene. It is fun drawing water from the well to mix the snowcem. I am confident that I can match the standard of workmanship here. Points of Prayer * Personal Health. David has lost well over a stone over the last three months and is watching the position carefully. * Travelling mercies for journeys to the rural Churches out West and a response to the teaching on 'Growth'. * Wisdom and guidance for Charles Addocco, the Director, whose vision it has been to upgrade the school. * That J.S.S.3. Pupils will respond to their increased work load and perform well in the National Examinations in May. * Health and finances for the Bible School students. Pray too, that the Holy Spirit will quicken their minds to receive all He has for them. Field address : Box 7, Esiama, Western Region. Ghana. |
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