U.S. Mission Team Visits Ghana

Paul, the President of the U.S. board for SOWERS, along with 6 others visited Ghana in West Africa. Our purpose was to see Sowers in action. We also wanted to help our friend Kwesi, President of SOWERS INTERNATIONAL worldwide, to do some work on his home. On our first day there, Kwesi took us to Kakum National Park. You have to see this place to believe it; it’s actually a series of seven rope bridges built over the rainforest and you walk these rope bridges from one massive treetop to another. On the way, Paul befriended Vincent, a sweet boy from a local school that was there on a field trip.

At Kwesi’s house, the team tiled floors. For break time, Tom, Holly & Brian; all from the great state of Montana would go out and play soccer with all the neighborhood kids, who were more than happy to pose in a picture with their new friends.

Working in Ghana was a new experience. Some days, we had no electricity, which meant no fans or water in the 100 degree heat and high humidity. Kwesi spent most of his time running for food and water for us. From the left is Evelyn (Kwesi’s wife), a young woman who lugged water (to make grout) for us from a neighbor's trough, Paul, Tom (in back) Bev (Paul’s wife), Kwesi, Kwesi’s friend, Holly, Brian, Donni and in front were our faithful Ghana tilers who patiently taught us how to tile the Ghana way.

Abraham was our faithful driver, who we nicknamed Jimmie Johnson, (A NASCAR driver). He works at a juice company and would bring us delicious mango juice.

Abraham is part of a team of Sowers that took us to a little fishing village and we experienced first hand as the team set up the sketchboard, walked up and down the road clapping their hands and calling for people to come. The amazing part was seeing dozens of people gather around to hear what the Sower would say. They use paints to tell the story about Salvation, but make it relevant at the same time. Abraham shakes the hand of the first person to come forward after he presented the gospel and then after all have come forward, the crowd will be counseled by members of the team. Abraham’s team has now planted a church here of more than 350 people.

Abraham (center front) and his team presented two sketch boards to the fishing village. On the right, the message was about ways you could try to get to God. You could climb a ladder, climb a tree, climb a rope, ride a rocket, but none of those ways would get you to God, the only way to get to God is through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for you. The sketch board on the left was about the 3 choices you have when it comes to Jesus, will you reject Him, neglect Him or accept Him? It was exciting to watch how many people came forward to accept Jesus when they were done presenting the gospel. Afterward as the team members dispersed into the crowd, they would counsel with someone who had come forward, and invite those standing nearby to be in the counseling session also, that way 100% of the people who attended the presentation were counseled even if they didn’t come forward. It was a unique way to be able to speak in a small group setting with all who came, and to personally invite all of them to church. This technique has been successful in bringing hundreds of thousands of souls to the Lord.

The first thing you will notice about Africa is the hard-working people. We saw a woman with a baby strapped to her back and another baby strapped to her front with 50# of something on her head, selling her wares on the sidewalk all day long. Even the children worked hard. In the heat and humidity, you know this takes a strong determined person. The balance required for this is nothing short of amazing, plus they are extremely happy people.

Holly attracted children wherever she went. Maybe they could smell the candy in her bag…

The team met so many beautiful people while we were there. Here is a group of Sowers from Accra. Team members from the left: Brian, Holly, Bev, Andrew and Tom in front and Paul and Donni are on the left. Kwesi is back center, Abraham is front by Tom and the Vice Chair for SOWERS Ghana is in center with his family.

Visiting Ghana was the highlight of my life and I think everyone should visit there. The Sowers were fantastic to watch. They were quiet, humble, meek people until they were presenting the gospel and suddenly they would become on fire, presenting the gospel as if their audience’s life depended upon it, and of course it does.

I would like to thank my team members who made this trip as much fun as it was amazing. Meeting the Ghana Sowers, who are working tirelessly for God’s kingdom makes me want to work even harder to raise money to help support them and the work they are doing. SOWERS INTERNATIONAL is the most amazing mission I’ve ever been acquainted with and it is my pleasure to work as treasurer of the U.S. board and raise money to support our Sowers!