Groth Report August/September 2005

Groth Report August and September 2005

(We haven’t fallen off the face of the earth - just been challenged by email programs and travel!)

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and . . .

Since our return to the United States the power of witness has drawn us in to one of the greatest natural tragedies in our country. We have heard of people telling about loss of family, property, pets, lives, etc. Their witness evoked empathy, caring and concern. Their witness has prompted many to action.

What have YOU witnessed??? If you are a Christian reading this letter you have something even more compelling to witness about. You have seen the faithfulness of a loving God. You have experience the waters of Baptism that has brought you from death to eternal life. You have witnessed the daily presence of a loving God. You have witnessed the difference that knowing Jesus as your Savior can make in the good and bad times of daily life. Have you talked about these blessings? Have you witnessed so that others can know the empathy, caring and concern of their Savior, Jesus Christ? The Holy Spirit can use your witness to prompt action in the hearts and lives of people who need to know the JOY and HOPE that daily life with Him can bring.

We have been privileged to witness in South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Arizona, Missouri, Ohio and through the earth!!! Many of you know that we were scheduled to leave Ghana in August. A call came asking us to come back in July as there were some needs for presentations; since our men were on vicarage, perhaps we could fill the slot. We changed tickets, put things in some order and left on July 20. We got to spend Chuck’s birthday (July 21) with family, and now he is truly a doting Grandfather since Kahlan, whom we’d seen only in 300 internet photos, reached out for him to hold her at first sight. We sat around with kids and grandkids and witnessed once again the magnificent blessings of a gracious God.

The day before we left Ghana we witnessed a focus group on our Sunday School materials. It hardly seems possible that we were finishing the last quarter of our three year cycle of lessons and evaluating ways to make the materials more relevant, useful, and clear. God has blessed this project with good Ghanaian leaders. While we are gone we are praying for the last quarter to be completed and distributed. These materials are an important witness to our Savior in many villages.

We started our witness trip in the U.S. by heading to South Dakota. While the miles were long, the great roads were a treat. We visited a Youth Gathering and brought beads for the young people to make necklaces. It was a good chance to share one on one and get to know these witnesses. We gave them ideas how they could witness using these Ghanaian necklaces and enjoyed the time we spent with them. We traveled on to several other South Dakota congregations giving presentations and sharing the wonderful things that God is doing in missions.

We soon left for Iowa. There we were to be witnesses to the global wedding of our business manager. God is so good and so caring as he brought together a South African girl, raised in Germany and living in London, to share life with a missionary from Iowa working in Nigeria. Our God goes to such lengths to bring joy to our lives. How glad we were to be there to share time with family and friends. The wedding was wonderful and the next day saw many of us together for a wonderful time of witnessing. This wedding became the launching for a great mission festival at Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa. What a celebration as several missionaries witnessed and shared God’s love and work in their area of the world with over 500 people. The day was sunshiny and “Sonshiny.” What a marvelous celebration of the goodness of our great God.

Our time in Iowa and Nebraska gave us opportunities to witness and share with congregations, LWML groups, school children, and countless hosts and hostesses. We talked to special people about their challenge to bring moving worship experiences to their church. We visited a school and witnessed to kids about their opportunity to witness with Kente bookmarks saying “Ablaze.” We witnessed the Spirit given gift of hospitality as we stayed with special people in their homes.

I, Jeanette, am witnessing God’s guidance as I continue work on my dissertation. It is going well. This week I’m staying home to write while Chuck goes on to tell THE STORY!! You know - what God has done and is doing throughout the world.

We pray for you witnesses wherever you are. The need is so great and the time is so short. Tell what God has done for you!! It’s better than any story on CNN!