Dear Prayer Partners,

Please pray for:

~The Ghana Baptist University College and School of Theology and Ministry as they seek to build a godly future through the Baptist youth.

~That the Ghanaian convention, churches and individuals will increase their support of the University and School of Theology and ministry, and realize the schools' great importance to the future of Baptist work in Ghana.

~West African Christians to put their lives and finances at Christ's disposition, no matter what the cost.

~Dr. Felix and Dene Greer as they finish teaching their last school year and plan to retire in 2010 after 31 (!) years on the field.

The Ghana Baptist Theological Seminary has recently become part of the new Ghana Baptist University College.

The seminary began in 1956 in the garage of IMB missionary Dr. William A. Poe in Kumasi. It moved to its present location in 1960 under the leadership of Dr. Gene Verner who served until about 1992. As we drove up the seminary's vibrant green grass and profusely flowering trees, as well as Dr. Felix and Dene, greeted Jeff and me in the intensely humid heat.

On our way north in Ghana to visit the Greers beyond the town of Kumasi, we were obligated to pass by gold sellers and mines—for Kumasi is the gold capital of Ghana. Unfortunately time didn't permit us to stop along the way to dig for gold or to gaze at gold jewelry creations, but the amazing, beautiful golden blossoms of campus trees will gleam forever in our memories. A petal picked is far simpler than a nugget dug.

Twenty-nine years ago Felix and Dene started their missionary career in Liberia but fled the country when fighting erupted. Back to Liberia, out of Liberia, to Cote d'Ivoire, to Nigeria and to Sierra Leone, where they were evacuated by helicopter, all during the first 18 years of their career. Three times, they lost all that they had, but kept on. They ended up temporarily in Ghana and have been there for 10 years! Felix said to us, "We've seen God at work in all of this, things that were blessings. A former IMB President, once said, `Carry your things in your hands, not in your heart.' Losing everything helps you see the relative value things really have. It's hard, but it's true."

Felix is teaching four theological classes this semester. Both he and Dene are available to the students for counseling and encouragement at any time.

In spite of arthritis crippling her joints, Dene fights through the pain to teach a class in English writing skills. Just the seemingly simple task of bibliographical notes needing to use the last name first, throws the students into confusion... They each use multiple family names and no clear surname. Easy isn't so easy! She also works in the seminary campus library, which looks impressive upon first glance, until you realize that only 7 of the 17 computers work and even the book supply that they have isn't enough.

Felix and Dene love the school, students and grieve that there is no one to replace them when they leave.

Jeff and I know well the terrible financial struggles of the French speaking countries' Baptist Conventions. They've not fully had the support of their churches and are in various processes of evaluation and reorganization. We also had a preconceived notion that all was well in Ghana. The convention has long been established. But although this is true they overextend and are in a financial crisis.

Across West Africa a problem prevails. Before coming to Christ people would gladly sacrifice all they had to achieve the blessings of their gods. But somehow, after surrendering to Jesus and receiving freedom in Him, many have failed to realize that all their resources come from Jesus and belong to Him. Many lack a spirit of giving sacrifically to Christ, albeit their sacrifical giving would be at a greater cost than ours. Pray for their hearts to change.

Pray for the Ghanaian Baptist leaders and the schools. May they thrive that thousands more will be trained to go out to where there are no churches.

Where does God want you?

In the next few weeks we will be writing many volunteer requests. Our countries need visiting professors, Bible teachers, leadership and management professionals, evangelism teams to work along side evangelists to win the vast host of unreached, school refurbishing teams, prayer walkers, women's teachers, health training, True Love Waits leaders…We've only six countries of great needs to cover...

Pray about where God wants you to serve. Then contact us.

Laboring where the laborers are few,

Barbara and Jeff