Ghana Clothes Dryer

Partners in Literacy Ministries - PALM

While in Nairobi, Kenya, I was privileged to meet w/ some of the Board members from PALM (Partners in Literacy Ministries). PALM was formerly named LEFK (that’s Literacy & Evangelism Fellowship of Kenya). They changed their name so that they could more effectively reach Muslim nations to the north.

The Board of Directors is very actively engaged in the operational strategy of PALM. The Chairman is Daniel Muvengi, (at the forefront of the picture). Daniel also serves w/ World Vision as Regional Director – Faith & Development/Christian Commitments. Also seated at the table is my good friend Joseph Matheka (pictured at the far left), Executive Director – PALM.

The Beauty of Africa is not limited to its people

No One like JESUS!

While worshiping at one of Maxwell’s churches in southern Malawi, I was taught a new song. It goes like this, “I’ve searched here and there. I’ve searched everywhere. But there’s no one like Jesus!” It’s sung in Swahili and other dialects across Africa.

Complete w/hand motions, it’s become a new favorite of mine. There’s no one like Jesus! Amen?

Maxwell is an LEI missionary serving faithfully in his home country of Malawi.

Paying a Speeding Ticket

After preaching earlier in the day we were enjoying a late lunch at the airport while seeing a coworker off on a flight back to the US. I was extremely relaxed after an intense morning. I was relaxed until I got the word that my Monday flight had been CANCELLED.

A cancelled flight meant I needed to get back across Abidjan, Ivory Coast to my hotel, pack and then back to the airport to catch my only other flight option until Tuesday. If I missed the Sunday flight, I would miss a critical meeting w/ the Minister of Education in Ghana. The taxi driver understood my urgency. So in route to the hotel he exceeded the speed limit a bit. As we exited from a particular parkway, we were met by four police officers, one with a STOP sign and the others to give us a citation. But while the taxi was still in motion, Gregory (LEI’s W. Africa Director) extended a certain monetary sum out the window. It was graciously received by the official and off we speed. The ticket was paid without stopping, in time to catch my new flight.

Praise God for my W. African brother who knows how to navigate across the city of Abidjan quickly.

Presbyterian Revival

An hour drive NE of Accra, Ghana in the heart of the Dangme Presbytery, a revival is in process. It started on a Tuesday evening, the night before I arrived and would run through Friday. The theme was Holy Spirit empowering. I spoke on the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit filling, which is PROCLAMATION.

4 years ago I worked w/ LEI missionary Bob Biederman and a team of Dangme speakers to craft an LEI basic reader. Proclamation is at the heart of the Bible content LEI formatted readers. It was my privilege to be back and see the fruit of our labor.
The Dangme Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana had fully embraced literacy as a major focus to build up the body of Christ & reach out to it's community.

May God's Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit continue to empower the Dangme people!

1.8 Billion Nonreaders

As you enter the office of the bible society of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, you are greeted by this banner . lt’s a beautiful thing to behold. Here is a major translation group embracing the need for literacy. Last month they hosted a literacy symposium to highlight the need for future literacy initiatives. The new head of the bible society for Africa met w/ myself and the Executive Director of Partners in Literacy Ministries and encouraged us to host an East Africa Literacy Training Institute in 2010.

Ivory Coast - Literacy Training Institute

It was my privilege to speak at the graduation ceremony of the Ivory Coast Regional Literacy Training Institute. 25 participants from 8 different countries participated in the two week training event. They represented Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo, and Sierra Leone. These participants were equipped to launch literacy programs in their respective countries.

May the Lord continue to bless the new vision for literacy mission across W. Africa. May God also continue to bless Rev. Gregory & Agnes Bangura in their leadership role as LEI W. Africa Regional Directors.