FORKKIO NEWSLETTER
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Greetings Dearest Friends,
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! You are such a blessing to us. Thank you for taking part in our ministry.
We recently attended a forum on how human rights apply to the traditional practices here in Ghana. It was interesting to say the least. Human rights advocates spoke, as well as the leader of Afrikania Mission, a group dedicated to protecting the shrines. The Afrikania Mission speaker claimed that the Trokosi are privileged women who are treated like queens. One of our co-workers, Judith, fiercely refuted his claims. She is a former trokosi so she has experienced the slavery firsthand. That night Judith received a death threat. Please pray for her safety and for God to break these bonds of physical and spiritual slavery.
An important aspect of our ministry that we haven’t mentioned often in our newsletters is our visits to shrines. We are bringing them the gospel, knowing that only the power of God can bring light into the thick darkness here. Most of the priests and priestesses are very welcoming to us. They listen to the gospel and even allow us to pray with them. One priest, Chief Adukpo Agbenyegah, even asked us to pray for his salvation. He said his children have been praying for him to become a Christian and although he is not quite ready to repent, he would like us to continue to pray. The priest before him heard the gospel but did not repent. On the day
that he decided to pray to receive Christ, he passed away before he had a chance to pray. This is heavy on Chief’s mind. Please pray for his salvation.
One other priest who seems close to the kingdom of heaven is Chief Ngorgbeh of the Gborble shrine. He is very old. We have visited him on several occasions. He is glad to see us and willing to pray with us. He is also very proud of his daughter, who is a pastor, but he has not yet renounced idol worship. He has heard the gospel many times, but still wants to cling to idolatry. It is difficult for these priests to convert to Christianity. Some of their hesitancy comes from deep rooted fears of retribution from the gods. However, many of them also feel they would be betraying their fellow devotees if they turn from worshipping their gods. Chief Ngorgbeh seems to fit into this category. Please pray for him. He seems very frail and close to death. Pray that he will accept Christ before he dies.


We did visit one shrine recently that was not quite as hospitable. As soon as we opened our Bibles, some of the men started protesting. It was clear Satan did not want them to hear God’s Word. After much discussion, we were able to present the gospel without reading directly from the Bible. Despite the rocky start, the meeting ended very amicably with an invitation to return.
As part of our ministry, we get involved in the lives of the people we serve. One of the former Trokosi women, Forgive Gbetey, has been having a very difficult time. Her husband has been trying to kill her. Two of her children have been staying at the Haven of Hope while she has been in hiding. Forgive’s husband recently purchased a gun and found where she was staying. By God’s grace, ECM was able to help Forgive relocate to a safer place. Before the relocation, we brought her to the Haven of Hope where she was able to visit her children before she moved.
ECM founders, John and Lorella Rouster were in Ghana through June and early July. They brought a team to see the different ministries in Ghana and to do repairs at The Haven of Hope. While they were here, we celebrated The Haven of Hope’s 10th Anniversary. It was a nice time of fellowship with performances from the children and many guest speakers. One of the speakers was the Social Welfare Director for our Sogakope area. He rode with us on the long drive to The Haven of Hope which gave us time to get to know him. He seems to be a mature Christian who genuinely cares for the needy. We hope he will be a great asset as we try to bring change to the suffering in Ghana.
That’s all for now, may the Lord bless you all!!!

Prayer Requests
 Salvation of shrine priests
 Salvation and discipleship of Trokosi women
 Health & safety of all ECM workers & missionaries
 Liberation of trokosi women
 Spiritual growth of Forkkio sons

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.