FORKKIO NEWSLETTER

It is now 3 months since we set foot in Ghana. As we reflect on the months gone by, we realize that there is nothing extraordinary about us at all. Initially, we thought that our spiritual growth had progressed to a level of maturity that made us suitable to become missionaries; however, we now understand that we have merely taken a step of faith and that as our Father has held our hands, we have clumsily taken a baby step that has placed us in this country. The apostle Peter states in 2 Peter 1: 5-8:

… make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

And so, our journey has begun with faith and now our Father is leading us to virtue.

During our stay here, we have encountered a nation that feigns a devotion to Christianity. While statisticians may claim that this is a nation that is predominately Christian, the evidence before us suggests the contrary: churches tolerating a culture of fornication among their members; the establishment of demonic “churches;” and the predominance of the prosperity gospel. To be sure, from the heads of government down to the common individual there is a passion for religiosity. However, the gospel wanes here. Self-proclaimed Christians when asked how they know that they are a Christian will commonly respond with a litany of works that they believe are a prerequisite to gaining entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

Nonetheless, God is great!!! Recently, during our visits to the former Trokosi women, we were able to pray with an older woman—a true believer—who has been struggling with attacks from the enemy on her children. She has lost one middle-aged son in a tragic accident and a daughter became ill and died mysteriously. We prayed for another son whose emaciated body lay on the floor of her veranda as he dies from AIDS. By the Lord’s grace, both sons are Christians. Despite all of these trials¸ our sister Dorcas remains faithful to the Lord Jesus. Later that day, we were able to lead another former Trokosi woman to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior. God is good all the time and all the time, God is good!

The Lord willing on the 31st of May, we will be holding a Bible study for 30 former Trokosi women. The women will be brought to one location for a time of worship, fellowship, Bible teaching and prayer. Lunch will also be provided. We ask that all of you pray that this program will be successful as not all of the women are believers. If this event succeeds, it will be a monthly activity that will afford us a more practical and effective means for meeting the needs of the women that we are serving. This will also allow us more time to target the shrines for prayer and evangelism. Please pray for these women and don’t forget to pray for us, too.

We love and miss you all!

James & Denese

If you would like to partner with us in this ministry, you may give online at www.ecmafrica.org

click on “Donate Now” and designate to the Forkkio’s account.