Groth Report March 2005

 

We were saved, and we have this hope. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People do not hope for something they already have. But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25

 

     It had been a frustrating week here in Ghana. The water pressure was often low. The power was so up and down that it blew out the breakers to the house five times in a row requiring trips out to the generator shed in the darkness of night. The concrete floor of the new garage was made to slope the wrong way so the water stayed in instead of flowing out. The new roof had two leaks. The workers were testing our patience to the max. Things seemed a bit futile, and our look at Ghanaian society mirrored those feelings.

 

            An ad which appeared only once in the daily paper said simply, “Concert of Classical Music sponsored by HuD at the British Council Auditorium.” “Why not?” we said to each other. “Nothing to lose but a couple hours of a Saturday evening.” So we went. The title of the concert was “Hope Alive.” This wonderful group of young Ghanaians performed beautiful music to the glory of God. They told us about their hope for their country founded in the hope of Easter and the desire to use their talents to glorify their risen Savior. From the opening prayer to the resurrection contemporary dance the evening was full of hope and we caught it!! It renewed us the way hope is supposed to. It pointed us toward the sure hope of the resurrection and reminded us that although we were frustrated we had a sure hope to give Ghana - the sure Hope of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

That is what this Easter Season does for each Christian. It renews our Hope. It reminds us that life’s frustrations are nothing compared to the glories of eternal life that we will share. So let us share a glimmer of  hope with you and ask that as fellow Christians and supporters you will share back with us the hope you see displayed in the life around you.

 

We have told you that our pastors must be bi-vocational. They need to find some means to support their families so they can do ministry. A student from our first class brought us a story of hope. He and his wife had begun a bread business. It had grown, and he was ready to expand. He showed us plans. He did research on machines. He set out a plan for repayment. His hope to minister and to support his family was becoming a reality. Some of you were part of this hope!!!

 

When the Sunday School project began we hoped that it would serve the Accra area well. Little did we know what God had in mind. Our Sunday School materials distributor began his journey to take materials around to the many villages in Ghana. One evening his hopes were dashed, as the bus to his next stop was full. Since time was important and the night was closing in with no more buses he decided to hop on top the bus and hope to reach his destination. He rode this way and arrived to a welcome by the local pastor. He had hoped for this arrival. Now the pastor set off on his moto to villages to alert them that the Sunday School materials were there for purchase the next day. By the time the distributor returned to Accra and several more congregations there, over 1000 copies had been sold. A reprint finished this project and over 1300 children in Ghana are using the materials. Now the distributor has organized a Sunday School Coordinator for each region to presell materials and make distribution easier and less costly. His letter reminds people of the need for Christian Education but also shows them how these low cost materials can assist the children in the need for print education materials at home. At one village the start of Sunday School was ten children. When parents saw the materials they went to get their children and the close of Sunday School saw 85 students. Jesus our sure hope had worked powerfully in hearts and lives.

 

We were hesitant to drop in on the School at Hemang. What would we see when our visit was unannounced? We had hopes and we were not disappointed. Lessons were happening!! Charts were on the walls and an increasing number of students had their uniforms. Progress was made on tuition payments, and hope for future expansion is there. The children sang for us, and we are hopeful that this progress will continue to make a great place to share with these children the sure hope of Jesus as Savior and Lord.

 

We have been blessed with visits from our area facilitators and our area business manager. Now another hope of ours is that he and his future wife will locate here in Accra. It would be nice to have another couple to share the hopes and frustrations of life in this part of the world.

 

We thank God for each of you and ask that the sure Hope of Jesus’ resurrection be a renewing, empowering force in your daily life.

 

With Easter JOY and HOPE,
Chuck and Jeanette Groth

 

Prayers Answered

Good distribution of Sunday School materials

Good health

Continued support from all of YOU  

 

Prayer Requests

Solutions to our electrical difficulties on the compound

Reliability of Computer Server

Family strength while we are apart   

Would you like to become part of our support group or learn more about the ways you can become involved in the Ghana mission? Write LCMS World Mission, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122, call them at 800-433-3954, or visit the web site at www.lcms.org.

 

Groth contact info:

Rev. Charles & Jeanette Groth
CT 839
Accra, Ghana
Email: Charles.Groth@lcms.org

 

Photos:  (click to see larger)

	Couple of Friends – just a couple we met for lunch one day. What an appetite they had!
	Amadu’s Report – Amadu shared some of his experiences on a two week journey to distribute Sunday School materials all over Ghana.
	Bus Ride – Here is the kind of bus Amadu rode on top of for a part of his journey.