Groth
Report June 2005
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1
We are busily finishing up projects, packing things up, making lists of what not to forget, and finalizing Chuck’s many speaking engagement for our stateside leave. In the midst of all this we cannot help but evaluate our positions here and what the Lord has called us to do here in Ghana. The words of Psalm 105 are so appropriate. We thank God for all that He has done and is doing. Being part of making His name known is truly a miraculous privilege. So let’s take a glance at things that make us marvel at the wondrousness of our God.
This last week we were privileged to have the Esala family with us; they are Lutheran Bible translators from the northern region of Ghana. We had just sent out our Sunday School courier with the next round of materials for July-October. As we talked about these materials Sara shared with us the following story. It seems their daughter Karissa has as playmates several Muslim children. Since they play together during the week it is only natural that they also go along to Sunday School with her on Sunday morning. They get their Sunday School papers and are delighted to take this precious printed piece home. Once there they share the day’s lesson with their Muslim parents. Do you believe in the power of the Spirit through the Word??? We do, and we thank God for the way He makes himself known.
God’s Word works!!! A pastor at one of our supporting congregations in the states sent us this story: “I must tell you about something that happened last night after VBS. A father came to tell me how much he appreciated the fact that his kids were so welcomed during VBS. He told me what an effect mission involvement has on children. He always gives his children an allowance. They are expected to put one half in the bank, and one half they are free to do with as they please. The pastor had made a push for mission offerings and asked each of the children to maybe give up something this week that they like and put that money in the offering. This father was thrilled that his child came home and took a twenty dollar bill out of her piggy bank to give to children in Ghana to help them with their school needs.” Our God touches hearts and lives as his message is proclaimed to the nations.
Oh how HE cares for us!!! One of our students from the north came to Accra and stopped to visit us. We picked him up, and he spent some great sharing time at our home. Then he went back to the church office. That evening he called to say he was missing his appointment book with his ID. He talked to Chuck, and I was unaware that Chuck had looked around and told him it was not here. The next morning I was out on errands. I asked Michael to stop at a little grocery. I opened the door to get out and saw a little black book on the ground. I picked it up and was ready to turn it in to the grocery operator when I saw our student’s picture. Yes, it was the lost book!! Yes, it was my surprise to find it since I didn’t even know it was lost. Yes, we rejoiced in a God who cares about even the little things in our lives - “As for you, even the hairs on your head are all counted. So stop being afraid.” Matthew 10:30-31.
We ask for our great God to continue His work here. We will be leaving with Sunday School materials ready to go, and plans for many other projects at various stages of development. We will be seeing some of you on our stateside leave. This is not our furlough, so we will not be speaking at our supporting churches. Chuck will be preaching and speaking at several district’s events and many congregations. I will be diligently working on writing my doctoral dissertation. God has brought me this far, and I pray for your continued prayers as I complete this project. All that we do here and stateside is part a privilege of working with our great God to bring His message to all nations.
Please use the charles.groth@lcms.org to get in touch with us from July 17 on. We want to hear what great things God is doing for you. We want to thank Him for all He accomplishes with and through us as partners in His mission. May His name be praised!!!
Prayers Answered: