From Kumasi to Buea--- the Long Way.

Hi, I'm George Owusu Ansah. I'm excited to be in Cameroon and would like to share about my trip and how God protected me through those times.

Me at the bus terminal in Accra, getting ready for the adventure of a life-time.... The trip from Ghana to Cameroon. Thinking about taking the world on for Christ and spreading the Gospel.

Let the adventure begin. This is Accra, the Capital of Ghana, the sign of stepping out of my comfort zone and heading to the promised land.

Appreciating the wonders of God and His creation. First time seeing the Volta River in Ghana- it was the biggest I had ever seen.... God is indeed great and His Greatness is expressed in the things He made.

I'm now in the Republic of Togo, a French speaking county and this is their Capital Lome. Their topography is generally flat and sandy. I could have a view of the ocean as well as the land.

    

Now in the Republic of Benin, in their capital Cotonou, where the road was still under construction. The most common and  cheapest means of transport was motor bikes which was so different from Ghana.

Lake Nokoue near the city of Cotonou in Benin. 

Spent the night at a bus terminal in Lagos. Lagos is one of the busiest states in Nigeria with over 20 million people:  about the population of Ghana. Rickshaws as a means of transport is very common in Lagos.
This place in Lagos is called MAZAMAZA, meaning hurry up. It is where I took a bus to Calabar, which is a 14 hour journey with few stops.

I'm here at the Calabar sea port and about to check in for my ticket. I spent the night here and intended to board the ship early in the morning. God surely did protect me at the port and I saw some amazing things.

When we were preparing to set sail, this ship came in at the port.

After sailing for about 8 hours, I saw the beautiful sight of Mount Cameroon and then I knew that I was near my final destination. I left Kumasi Friday afternoon, and finally reached the Hostetters' house in  Buea on Tuesday night. God kept me safe, and took me through any difficulties, thanks to the prayers of the saints. I'm excited be here and to help reach Cameroon For Christ.

Our first volunteer- George Owusu Ansah!

Our first 6 weeks back in Cameroon have been extremely busy- so much has happened.... we have gotten settled back into a routine, had my parents visit from Ghana, made a decision to move, reconnected with many of the congregations that we have been working with... and this past week, had one more exciting new development- the arrival of our first long-term volunteer. 

George Owusu Ansah is a young man and graduate of the christian school in Ghana where I graduated, and where Brittney and I taught for several years. He was one of my students, as well as one of my basketball players, and one of the young men I helped disciple and study the Word of God with. In Ghana, he was a student of the same university that I attended. George, since before we left Ghana, expressed a desire to come to Cameroon and help us in our ministry... to assist in our youth outreaches, help with the Gym, take some of the load of daily tasks that I have, and in other ways, help us improve and expand our ministry. As he was a student in Ghana, our thought was that he would be able to come and study here, as this would grant him a status in the country, and during his off hours, he would help out with the ministry. 

In Ghana, as he prepared for this work, George was very active in the work of the Lord. Though a full-time student, he also found time to teach a weekly Sunday School class, lead singing, help with youth programs, work a part-time job as a tutor, help with VBS and Youth Camps, help coach and arrange basketball games, and do more. He is a real go-getter and has, often with no support from his family, grown and achieved great things spiritually, educationally, athletically and in the development of his character. 

Two weeks ago, George made the daunting trip from Ghana to Cameroon overland. He was on a bus for over 30 hours, and on a ferry for another 8. He slept in bus terminals, and braved the dangers of travelling in Nigeria. He came without his Visa being processed, on the promise from his school- Pan African Institute of Development- which is also a diplomatic institution, that they will take care of his paperwork. It was really a monumental day to have him here. 

While here, he will be doing all the ministry work that we mentioned above, while pursuing his graduation from PAID with a degree in Development in Social Work. He is committed to being here for the next two years, and if God wills it, longer. As a Ghanaian, he is making the transition of cultures, diets, climates, and challenges quite smoothly. We are excited to find more and more ways for him to make a difference here. 

George needs your prayers- he is still waiting on his paperwork to be processed, he has to catch up on a number of classes, he is still going to experience homesickness, he is going to have a lot to learn and grow and do. He also needs your support. His school fees are about $2500 a year- monthly living costs will be about $100 a month. Right now we are paying for this out of our pocket, because we feel his help is more than worth it, but if you or someone you know would like to get involved in helping him specially we feel that it would be a blessing to know that you are equipping such a dynamic and God-driven young man. 

George will be sharing with you all intermittently about his impressions here in Cameroon. If you'd like to get involved in helping him out, you can contribute via paypal, or could send help through Hostetter Ministries to 506 N. Linn St. Fayette, MO 65248. God bless you all for your prayers and we hope you join us in thanking Him for all He continues to do in opening up ministry here in Cameroon! 

Hostetter's Visit part II

It was such a blessing to have the Hostetter Seniors here. Here are some pics to show you some of the many ways they were an encouragement to us during their stay.

More tag team! Dad teaching at Bolifamba Mile 16 Church of Christ.

Then Jeremiah doing the preaching time!

I love hosting people and we had an opportunity to prepare a meal for the Omame and Tabe families.

Fun fellowship!

And mom happily washed the mountain of dishes afterwards. :)

Mom and Dad helped physically and spiritually. Here dad is fetching water from a broken pipe down the road. 

Who wore who out? It's nice that the kids have such wonderful grandparents.

Cameroon is a beautiful country and it was fun getting to show mom and dad the beach.

Mom doing a Bible study with Kate about using the Bible to build your faith and not just what man says. 

Kate and her family. They presented a lovely house decoration for mom and dad. 

We also had an early Thanksgiving celebration while they were here. Hannah and Jonathan are showing their thankful trees.

Yummy food!

And this is just to make you smile. So thankful for Carys Faith.

Hot Water for a Hero Wife

This evening, while performing a simple action, heating up water for a bath, I was struck with gratitude and appreciation for my amazing wife. I grew up in Africa from my earliest childhood. The hardships and challenges of living in an undeveloped place such as this, while still difficult, are as familiar to me as the back of my hand. Brittney did not. While she did not always live in the best of neighborhoods and did face many hardships as a child, still, she could turn on the faucet and hot, clean, even drinkable water would flow out.

Now, if she wants water, she has to hope that either the water is flowing, or that our tank still has some water left. It just ran out today since water hasn't flowed for a week, but we had a little left in a bucket. She needed to do dishes, and then to get a bath. So, she asked me if I could get some heating for her. Here's how we do it.

As I went and filled up the bucket and then put the little heater in it, it struck me... if she hadn't married me, and devoted her life to serving the Lord in foreign lands, she would not have known these daily inconveniences and challenges. Her life would be so much more convenient and comfortable. She would have time for hobbies and socializing. She could throw dishes in a dishwasher, clothes in an always-working washing machine, and get a nice hot shower or bath while those machines took care of things.

So, faced with these and many many more burdens both great and small, does she complain, have a bad attitude, or just not get things done? No. She continues to be an amazing wife, and a devoted mother, bearing under these loads both small and great, being an amazing teacher to our kids, a hostess, an example to others, keeping our family clothed, fed and well taken care of... she provides a haven of love and encouragement even on the rough days.

I share this with you not to complain or show you how hard we have it, but so that you can join me in thanking God for this amazing woman, Christian and wife. Next time you turn on the hot water faucet, whether to wash your hands, do your dishes, get a shower or anything else... please take a minute to think of my wife, and to say a prayer for her, that even though she can't take a hot shower, she might have showers of blessings from God. I know I'm blessed to have her.