"Lord, teach me to number my days."

    "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this city or that, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.'
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." James 4:13-17

Please pray for us: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Gary & Joseph visiting with pastor Clement's (Bea) Church community.                                                                                     Gary & pastor John

Gatherings/fellowship in recent weeks with the CYI

Vision casting and teaching about life group/home group ministry kick off in Jan, 2012
Planning and preparing for Jan 5-7 camp/retreat/conference

We thank God and our friends for the CYI projector.

God willing, our dear friends from Life Care Ministries, Mike and Lillian Easterly-Smith will be with us in Ghana from Jan 27 - Feb 8.
Please pray for them as they are preparing.  www.lifecarechristiancenter.org
We'll host 4 days of conference/teaching environments with the CYI, travel north to Bolgatanga and host a leadership conference there.
The theme for these conference/environments is, "Breaking Free" - healing & wholeness God's way. We are preparing for these environments now.
Please pray with and for us: wisdom, God's leading and For God to use these times to change lives. "Fruit that will last."

Please pray for the CYI retreat/camp this coming week and for us to communicate God's truth clearly and effectively. We leave immediately after the camp, for Kumasi to the north where we will speak/teach in another conference and Church. Please pray for us to love well and serve well.

God willing, 3 pastors from the U.S. will visit us in Bolgatanga from Jan 23-25 and meet our friends and partners who are laboring in the Lord.
Please pray for their safety and for them to be directed by God; for them to connect with and see what God would have for them.

Please pray for siham's mom Karimeh Kash. Just before Thanksgiving she had a massive heart attack, she is still recovering.
Please pray for siham, as it has been difficult being away during this time.

We pray that 2012 will truly be a NEW year for you.
            "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come."

God Bless YOU!
In Him,
gary & siham

(download)

Click here to download:

Happy_New_Year.zip (1.33 MB)

In this season we are reminded that:

                                                                                                                                                                        We Go because HE CAME!
                                                                                            We give because HE GAVE!

                                                                                                God Loved - God Gave!
                                                                                                    We Believe - We Receive!  (John 3:16)

"Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
        Sin is not a problem for God, HE Took It Out of the equation between us and Him - JESUS!
                Anyone who comes to Him, will never be turned away.

Who wants to order their Christmas goat? Sheep?   Pig & Cow are also available???   Please let us know how many and when you need them.

Bolgatanga market in the north.

Siham & Joseph sorting and organizing clothing donations:
Our Friends from "Little Dresses For Africa" sent donations from the U.S., friends from our neighborhood and the CYI Youth Ministry sent gifts to our brothers and sisters in the north.

 "All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing i was eager to do."  Galatians 2:10

Happy and grateful Children:  Merry Christmas!  
Emmanuel, Rebeca, Happy Grandma with her new namesake "little Siham" -  the 3rd Siham in Ghana named after "Mommy Siham".

Solomon, Jacob, Beatrice and the Katanga school children.
Please Pray with us for sponsorship for the school.

The current School site/campus. Main church building, summer hut out building and cooking house. All 3 are used as teaching environments.

We have because He Came,
    We are,,, because He Is.

May God Bless You with more peace, more joy, more love and experience of His amazing love for you!
Merry Christmas, we love you.
gary & siham

(download)

Click here to download:

Merry_Christmas_from_Ghana.zip (3.31 MB)

Recently, you helped complete both Pastor John & Clements Church buildings. We continue to thank God, and you for your sacrifice and partnership.
    "Out of the most severe trial,,, - welled up in rich generosity,,, even beyond their ability,,, - sharing in this service to the saints." 2 Corinthians 8

The day we began the work on Pastor John's Church, we got he news that our rented place in the south, outside of Accra had been broken into. Our friends Gaby & Jenan stopped by the house, and it seems that they interrupted the burglary. We and our neighbor (duplex housing) were being robbed simultaneously. We thank God that the damage was minimal, some of our things were found in the backyard and all we lost was a dvd player and a pair of shoes. A dozen burglaries were reported in our neighborhood in the same week. We thank God for His protection and for great friends who have been so good to us.

Purchasing materials for church, unloading with John, with John & some of the men.

Working & hanging out at the Church site.

Nearing completion, starting to celebrate.

 
Pastor John & Joseph. Joseph often serves with us in the north, he was with us in Kete Krachi in 2010
Joe's been serving with us since 2009. He is a great worship leader and he continues to be a great help to us.

Check out this Cool - Yeah God - Story!

A few weeks after completing John's Church, a strong storm destroyed the roof of the land owner, who gave permission to use some of his property for the church bldg.
The church body came together and were able to donate metal roofing sheets towards rebuilding the land owners roof.
The land owner was so touched, that he gave full legal ownership of the property to the Church!
This is huge! Land ownership - issues, purchasing, monies, etc, are complicated and often very divisive in Ghana. Giving land ownership for free is nearly unheard of. The Church family is doing well, loving those outside the church.
Pastor John & his family live a substantial distance from the Church. The Church family wants to build them a house on the property. Please pray with us about helping them with this project. They can do most of the building structure, with their labor and natural materials. Money for wood and roofing is often out of reach for our northern friends.

Pastor John works at the supply store (picture above). He makes no salary, hourly or daily wage. He makes something small from each bag of cement he is able to load and/or off load, which is not everyday. He draws no salary from the Church family. He says that he will not put or add burden to his people who are struggling. We have seen John display great compassion, generosity and servanthood to the Church family he leads. He had a job with a bus company, that would not allow him to be at church on Sunday mornings, he left that job 2 years ago.
We share this to give you a fresh picture of how some of our African brothers and sisters are living, following and serving Christ.

We recently visited friends from the Crossroads Church in Grass Lake CA., who opened their hearts and homes to us.

Jeff, Rich & Linda, Pastors Ed & John

Friends at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas NV donated books, music, bible study material, etc, for the cyi college youth/ministry we are serving with outside of Accra.
Another friend provided a projector for them as well.

Thank you for your love, friendship and support.
     "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you,
         I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Philippians 1

gary & siham

(download)

Click here to download:

traveling_Oct-2011.zip (2.1 MB)

gary and our friend Ben McNeer with our friends and partners at CYI, Christ For Youth International.

A great time of worship, teaching and fellowship.

Well,,,, the old girl,,, just got plumb tuckered out.

Last month we traveled from Bolgatanga in the north, to Kumasi in the southern-central region to find a "home use" (used & - unknown source)  engine and gear box (4x4 transmission).  After a long trip down and a sleep over, we found the engine the next day from one of many piles and stacks of engines. We prayed throughout the process and believe that God led us to the right people. We traveled with the engine and trans in a taxi up to Bolga. Being overloaded,,, a lot, it was a long 12 hr. journey well into the night. We thank God.

The next day "Elvis"(our young and talented mechanic friend) and gary got everything removed and installed and we drove that night.

The entire process and project cost $1,800.00. We thank God for a dear friend and partner who provided for most of the cost.

After a long day,,, it's time to eat some Banku, fish and okra stew!

gary with the Grass Lake Calvary Church/West African Bible Institute team, after they gifted Pastor Robert and his wife Mavis with a motor bike. This transportation has already helped him and made him much more effective in his work and coordination's.

gary is traveling to Bolga on Aug. 18. Please pray for safe travel and wisdom while serving there. Once again God has blown us away by providing for and encouraging us through His people!
Our dear friends here in Ghana have provided the funds for gary to travel to the states!  Scheduled to arrive on Sept 8th. and both returning to Ghana on Nov. 12th. Siham has had 2 deaths in the family in the last month, our daughter Theresa had eye surgery, continued eye Dr. appointments for siham's eyes and an experimental drug trying to regulate the pressures in Her eyes. Please pray with us for her vision.

Thank you all for your continued love, encouragement and partnership in His mission. "To reach this broken and lost world."
In Him,
gary & siham

http://jasmundoutreach.com/

(download)

Click here to download:

August_2011.zip (1.84 MB)

We Thank God & we thank you!

    The two Church bldg's we've prayed for are now complete!

-You also gave support/supplies to the school and to Mama Ladi's childrens home.
-Once again God stretched us beyond what we thought we could do physically, emotionally or financially. Building, Giving, Teaching, Preaching, Team Building, Blessing and being Blessed.
-Friends and partners here in Ghana sent us with clothing donations which we shared with the churches. Again our brothers and sisters were greatly encouraged by the love of Christ.
-The parents of the Katanga school children raised the money to buy the roofing sheets for the school cooking house. With lumber left over from the other 2 churches we were able to construct the roof and porch on cooking house and a 16' x 25' summer hut/covered structure for classroom space at the school.

Some of the Katanga children. We continue to pray for sponsorship for the school.

-Our friend Liz, an American teacher from Accra came up for a week and worked with the Katanga school, Solomon and the volunteer staff for a week.

John & Clement both worked and lead by example during the projects. We've been encouraged and spurred on by their humility and servant-hood.

The start of John's roof: Pastor John on left, Pastor Clement next to gary,
        Pastor Jacob (who is serving with Solomon at the Katanga church/school) white shirt.

Pastor John fetch'in water.
     Sharing a local energy drink: millet, ginger, hot pepper, garlic, onion and,,,,,,,various spices. Seriously tasty and effective!

John & Joseph near completion. The beginning of "days of celebration".

Starting work with Clement: You've heard of mashing grapes? how about mashing soils to create plaster?

While sharing about Jesus' basic call to - "Come follow me,,,"
     gary will often "demonstrate" in a visual way the principle of "following", being a disciple of a master, accepting the invitation to become
         a disciple of the real Master - The Savior.

Our bodies are aging and changing, we believe that we should use them, while we can, for His purposes and God willing for His glory.
    ",,,in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."

We usually take photos when we are relaxed or happy. Most of us seldom pull out our camera when we are stressed, distressed, sad or broken:
    We have seen God do some of His great work in this season and we have also struggled greatly in our bodies and Spirits through oppositions and difficulties.
        "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us."

"Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
        'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said." Acts 14:22 (Paul)

"i served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although i was severely tested by the plots of the Jews." Acts 20:19 (Paul)

  Pictures do tell stories, however most of our pictures cannot tell how some of our friends have or are suffering and struggling, or of our own struggles.

Please pray for siham, her eyesight challenges are difficult - to say the least. gary recently had typhoid and we thank God for continued protection and recovery.

"Therefore we do not loose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Thank you so much for your love, friendship and partnership.
We love you and we truly thank God for you! Our brothers and sisters here in Africa are rejoicing because of you and they are praying for you. Our friends regularly remind us that they are aware of your love and sacrifice for them in the Lord and that they are eternally grateful. Your brothers and sisters here send their deepest appreciation and love to you!
Thank you, Thank YOU!
In Him,
gary & siham

(download)

Click here to download:

JuneJuly_2011.zip (2.45 MB)

Photo's from a recent worship night event:

Awesome worship  - Christian rap, the ambassadors say, "we don't rap crap!"

"For we cannot help speaking about what we've seen and heard." Acts 4:20 (Something happened, and it changes everything!)

We are continuing to pray for you;
For you to "see" what God is doing here, and all the opportunities to get involved. That we would all continue to have our lives both shaped by, and focused on His mission. For the teammates to partner with God in this work, and together to do what we cannot do - without you! (To-Get-There we do it together)

In the last few months you have given some various gifts to our friends and forever family: approx 7,500 lbs of food, over 1,000 clothing donations, 2 motorcycles, numerous financial benevolent gifts. free schooling for 70+ children, health insurance for some of the Katanga mothers and children. Dozens of lectures/training/teaching environments.

Thank you so much for your love, help and friendship. Thank you for giving to the Lord. Thank you for praying for us and those we serve. Thank you for sending us on your behalf,,,on His behalf.

We Thank God!

In Him,
God bless you
gary & siham
http://jasmundoutreach.com/

P.S.   Some of you have asked about the car. 1997 Hyundai Galloper,  2.5 liter 4 cylinder diesal. We believe that we need a new (or home use as we call it here) engine. Our maximum speed at full accelerator is 60 mph, overtaking the many slow moving trucks and climbing hills is not easy. Our current engine does not burn oil, starts well and even though we are often wrenching, it has never left us stranded. It is just really slow, which is more of an issue here because of the roads and driving environment which is comparable to having no rules. We know, go figure, being slow in a car is actually more dangerous in Africa. We've been managing the way it is on the long journeys for 1 1/2 years. It adds 3-4 hrs of travel time when we go north, an approx 14-15 hr hard push. We have been seriously considering changing it. We have decided to continue managing it as long as we can. The engine replacement will cost approx. $1,200 - $1,500, with these funds we can buy the materials for one of the church roofs. We'll keep you posted.

(download)

Click here to download:

Traveling.zip (766 KB)

  We thank God that the NGO (Non Profit/Non Gov. Org,) has been established and granted in Ghana. It is called, Building For Eternity Foundation.

  The Calvary West Africa Bible College is currently in a rented house. The school also has church on Sundays. We are praying/preparing/planning and hoping to build a campus and church with the Bible college.

As part of the recent graduation/commencement we washed the feet of the 5 graduates. The major themes were,  "Sent to Serve"  -  "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples." (John 8:31)
Jacob is the first to enter into community service/internship. He is now serving and teaching in the Katanga Church/school with Solomon. We are now working towards accreditation/registration for the school. One our friends from home fellowship in Accra donated for the first 6 families in Katanga to receive health insurance. A mother & child are insured for $15.00 and about $3.50 for each additional child. There are now 16 new families insured.

Upcoming projects, needs and prayer: 3 partner churches below

With pastor Clement receiving the blessing of the Chief of Zourango, his Children & great grandchildren for the presence of the church (only a few represented as he has 18 children). The chief is 105 years old. He asked us if someone could come and record all that he knows of his people and land, and all the he has seen. If any of you writer/journalist's are interested please let us know.

Pastor John with his Bible in hand above. This church is growing and has many children. God willing we are going to help them build the roof in June.
The team of churches plan help and serve each other.

Pastor Evans and some of the church family. This borrowed bldg is the current church meeting place for 40 -50. This brother has similar eye condition as siham, much more progressed.

Pastor Evans had not talked to us about his leg, hardship or suffering. Solomon and the other brothers told us that he has endured more resistance and persecution than any of them.
We asked him to tell us about his leg and asked if we could take photos. He walks or rides a bike many miles on a regular basis, often daily.

We have partnered with 7 pastors/Churches in this new assoc.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

A dear couple who are friends and partners, donated $2,000.00 towards constructing Clement's church roof. YEAH GOD!!!  God willing, in early June, "we go" for this work!
We are planning to build Both roofs with Clement & John. We also want to do what we can to help Evans. Please pray with us for all the resources to accomplish this work. Please Pray for our brothers and sisters who are following and serving our Lord in remote, Northern Ghana. Please pray for us to have HIS LOVE, wisdom and discernment.

In Him,
siham & gary

http://jasmundoutreach.com/

(download)

Click here to download:

Building_for_Eternity.zip (1.86 MB)

We've just returned to Ogbojo in the south, from a wonderful time of impact, change and growth in the north. We served in Bolgatanga, Katanga, Zourango, Bongo and Vea. 4 communities came together and lived together for nearly 4 days in Katanga. We ate, learned, worshiped, relaxed and played together (Fellowship - A bunch of fellows in the same ship!)- In the church, under the trees and in neighboring compounds. We watched the Passion of The Christ film on an outdoor screen, good Friday night, the impact was profound,  many turned to Christ.

The following week was a similar program for the Youth in another village area called Vea. We worked/served with some of our friends and partners and also a new team from the Catholic community. 428 youth gathered for a 4 day convention/program. They lived in a neighboring school, the classrooms served as big bedrooms. Many of the children and youth walked 5 - 6 hrs one way to be part of this outreach. There were no beds and almost no food, they were prepared to fast during the days. You provided the food for both programs, the feeding of approx 650 people for 7 days ,,,                 "Not a small thing". The children were greatly encouraged and impacted by this provision! Those serving and cooking and the surrounding communities were also impacted.

We had the privilege to share/teach/preach 12 times in the first 10 days of our 16 day visit and many additional meetings, times of fellowship and gatherings. We returned peacefully exhausted. It seemed like God compressed time, multiplied efforts, resources and results! Our God is Amazing!!!

Please pray for all the youth from the Vea outreach program. Everyone verbally and demonstratively accepted Christ. Please pray for "Good Soil", for their protection and growth.

We have much more to share about what "we have seen and heard".

We will write again soon and share about; The new association of Churches which has now formed, about the upcoming work we believe God is leading us to do and facilitate and the many opportunities for you to get involved, the new Ghana NGO (Non profit, Non Gov. Organization) that God has put together  and granted us, called "Building For Eternity Foundation Ghana", the Katanga Church school which is growing, health insurance assistance to our Katanga children, motorcycles that you've provided to our friends/partners, new internship/community service (humble servant-hood) that we are adopting into the Bible college curriculum. Jacob, a student/graduate has volunteered to serve with Solomon in the Church and school and is the first to begin. Please pray for true unity and life changing results for all involved.

Please pray about coming over for a visit/survey trip,,,
                Please "come and see" what God is doing and how He may invite and use you to love, help, bless His children and grow His kingdom.

We "Go" because "HE Came"
        We "Give" because "HE Gave".

In Him,
gary & siham

http://jasmundoutreach.com/

(download)

Click here to download:

Easter_2011.zip (1.99 MB)

We arrived back in Bolgatanga last night. We Thank God for carrying us as always; record time, no break downs, 13.5 hrs.
Pastors Solomon, Robert, Clement, Emanuel, John & Evans have been working and organizing for a 3 day gathering - fellowship - celebration, starting tomorrow on good Friday. People and churches from surrounding villages and communities are coming to Katanga, arriving even as we are writing tonight. We will live together in the church, under the tree and at Katanga Church member's homes for the next few days. Tomorrow night after a community dinner, we plan to watch Mel Gibsons Passion of Christ on the outdoor screen. 

Saturday morning is a graduation/commencement - ceremony/celebration for 5 of the Bible school students.
                As part of our message we plan to wash their feet and present them with a white towel "Sent to Serve".

 Please pray with us for the family of believers to experience and share unprecedented unity & love, and for many hearts to turn to Christ!

Motorcycle for Solomon: Vehicle of choice in the North. Loaded on top of car, not as easy as it looks.  $850.00 U.S. including tax. Praise God!

Our dear friend Jenan's brother Jehad & his Father Norman donated many new aluminum pots & pans for our friends in the north.
They are Lebanese - Ghanaians, they are wonderful, we love them and thank God for them.

The community at Katanga has built a local mud/brick -  kitchen/cooking bldg for the school; the floor is made with pounded cow dung which is what most local floors are done with, it becomes almost as hard as concrete. They are now praying for roofing sheets as they are donating their labor but struggling for finances.

 Clements Church in a neighboring community; local style bldg with no roof for a few years now. He is a beautiful Disciple. Clement also makes and sells baskets to support himself and the church.  Please pray for him.

small area in the church for some shade.

 A few of the children from Clement's community and church.

 Today we are overwhelmed - weeping. Today our hearts are broken and aching for our friends and their needs. Today we are overwhelmed with compassion and with Gods love,
today we are under-whelmed with ourselves!

In His love,
gary & siham

(download)

Click here to download:

April_-_Bolgatanga.zip (2.12 MB)

Solomon & Robert receiving the laptops (loaded with books and bible study software) that God provided through you.

We had a time of challenges & delays trying to leave for the north, we finally determined to leave on March 26,,, no matter what! That morning,,, the car would not start and we set off a couple hrs late; lost the alternator/fan belt, water pump, and a number of other issues along the way. BUT GOD carried, protected and sustained us! we SOMEHOW avoided a massive & devastating accident by a couple hrs or so. We Thank God.

Roadside repairs - Rebuilding in Bolga; 2nd water pump in 2 weeks, timing belt, secondary oil pump, alternator wiring, radiator repairs, rebuilt fuel pump, glow plugs, control board, etc.
In recent weeks we've spent approx 70 hrs wrench'in. BUT GOD has built some new and wonderful friendships! It's easy to behave and respond well in a church. BUT where the leather meets the road (the streets) that's what counts. Please pray for us to Live it out. To preach the gospel at all times, in all places, whenever possible, and when necessary - use words!

Clothing donations: We thank God for providing hundreds of shorts, dresses and clothing supplies.

"God has made things right between He and us" - "We are free and it's free" - "We can't stop talking about what we've seen and heard."

"The word of God is the seed to the kingdom of God"

Dinner and fellowship

The Jesus film in the Local language. 8 new members at Katanga Church. The parents of the school children have come to together to build a local style cooking house to support the children and school. More of the parents are coming to church. A man who opposed the church and his own mother, (she's now an elder in the church) is now attending church and has been with Solomon and the children for more than a week. Please pray for him, for his life to show the love and goodness of God to the surrounding communities.

It is a difficult season for our friends in the north; food, medical needs and clothing are very real challenges. God used you to supply over 6,000 lbs of food supplies to the Katanga Church & school, the Bible college students & Mama Ladi's children's home; Rice, maze, millet, beans, gari, dried fish, salt, sugar, onion, pepper, etc... Solomon and the Church family were doing their best to feed the school children, they are now serving a daily lunch, the number of children continues to rise.

We will share more soon. Please pray with us:

Health care relief for Katanga. A mother and child can receive health care/insurance for just under $20.00 a year.
Support the children and school development,  feeding program/school staff.
Build bible college campus and Church
Micro finance for our friends to begin new businesses and attain education.

We are praying for lasting, sustainable and transferable models and solutions. We've seen that sometimes people just need benevolent help, often the Love of God is most clearly demonstrated by meeting us at our point of need and hurt. Many of our friends have suffered much in recent months. Please pray, Please consider coming over and see what God is doing and what He may invite you into.

In Him,
gary & siham

(download)

Click here to download:

Come_and_See_GOD_is.zip (2.32 MB)