Commended from:  Shoreacres Bible Chapel, Burlington, ON '02

December 23, 2005

Dear Friends and Family,

We know that this is a very busy time of year for everyone so we wont take up much of your time. We just wanted to wish you all a very special and happy Christmas with your family and friends as we have the honour and privilege of celebrating the birth of our Saviour. May the Lord bless you in the year ahead!

This Christmas will be quite different for us, as we are not used to having the weather being in the high 40s as it is right now (and its still morning yet) and running the air conditioner rather than the furnace or fire place. No signs of snow, thats for sure! It will also be quite different not doing many things that we would normally be doing and be seeing many of you, if we were back in Canada though either. A couple of days ago we went to the village where Josephs family all are and brought them some groceries and things for them for Christmas and left some very hyper nieces and nephews behind as we left. Its so easy to give here, no matter the season. Its more like knowing when to stop is the issue. We are trying to keep in mind that no matter where we are, whether its in Canada or Ghana, the Reason for the Season never changes! Praise the Lord!

It has certainly been a very busy but rewarding year here in Kumasi. Thank you for your cards, letters, emails, and prayers for this past year in 2005! We greatly have appreciated them and look forward to corresponding with you all again in 2006!

God bless,

Joseph and Heather Frimpong

December 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

Greetings to you from the hot city of Kumasi! It’s hard to believe that it’s already the last month of the year. Time sure has flown by here for us. It has been a year of ups and downs and a year of answered prayers and learning experiences. It has been such a privilege to see many souls saved, baptized and come into fellowship, numbers increasing in attendance after we moved locations, and the spiritual growth within the assembly all within the last year. God has been good!

On Nov.25th we began a new group for young people’s, for ages 12 and up at our assembly. It was a great turn out of 40 teenagers for the evening. There was a brief introduction to the group, dinner provided, and watched the “Gospel of Luke” video. The numbers encouraged us and we know that it will only grow, as this was a meeting just for our teens that come out regularly. We had asked them not to bring their friends until next time as we wanted to treat them special for the first night and it would be difficult to provide dinner for them otherwise. Everyone there seemed to have a lot of fun, excited, and others looking forward to coming when they get older. We are especially encouraged that there is this meeting now because there is nothing for the teenagers to do in the evenings besides the local bars or getting into trouble. Teen pregnancy is such a high rate here and especially when they see it as the only way they think that they can earn money. The parents of these teenagers have greeted us with their thanksgivings that we are doing this for them and that they see a change in their kids since they have been coming to our home, meetings at the church and now the young people’s group. That has been encouraging to both them as parents, and to us.

Another development for us is that we are in the process of looking to purchase some property to build on, due to current circumstances. We are currently renting a place and the rent comes up for renewal at the end of April 2006. However, we have both been praying for the Lord’s guidance in what we should as we, by no means, want to renew our renting agreement with the landlord as he and his family has been making it more and more challenging for us to continue to live here. We have been investigating in different properties and feel that the Lord has perhaps led us to an area and in a price range that is reasonable. We would ask you to please pray for us for the Lord’s continued guidance and provision in this area, as this is something that needs to be decided on rather quickly. A man from our assembly said that he and his construction workers could have the basics of a house and the property in order for us to move within six months. The land that we are looking at to perhaps purchase is in an area that would quickly resell if we needed to in the future as well. The only disadvantage of this property is that it would be about an hour away from the assembly and that our house won’t be so easily available for them to drop in for questions or visits with us. However, we know that we would be available to those in the new area, as we get more comfortable there. We will continue to pray to see what the Lord would like us to do at this time.

Our Tues. night kids club is still thriving and over 50 children in attendance on a weekly basis. They have been enjoying the study of Genesis in the last number of months, and a series of “Questions and Answers”, and will be starting another book of the Bible soon with them. It’s been so encouraging to see on how many children come and the distances that they are willing to walk, even in the rain at times, to come with eagerness to learn more of the Bible and Christ.

We have also been asked to come and preach at a Liberian refugee camp in the New Year and they are all very excited about the possibility of us coming there. We don’t know if we should take this challenge or not. 

We are both eager to see what the Lord will have us to do in 2006 here in Kumasi and area. The Lord has been amazing in 2005, that’s for sure! At this time, we would like to wish you and your family’s a very special and happy Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Saviour! May the Lord richly bless you in the year! We look forward to corresponding with you again in the New Year.

In His service,

Joseph and Heather Frimpong

November 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

We warmly greet you from Kumasi! We trust that you are doing well and are moving on to the winter months when things get really busy. We have been informed recently that a number of our friends are helping out this year teaching Sunday school, Awana, and even preaching/teaching the older folks. That is encouraging news to us as that is exactly what we have been encouraging the believers here to get involved in. We pray the Lord to bless your efforts as you labour for Him!

As we have informed you in the previous months, the Lord has been working in the lives of some of the people that we are ministering to. Four candidates expressed a desire to be baptized on October 16th, but one teenage boy, Daniel, got sick the day before the baptism, thus unable to participate. The remaining three candidates were baptized after each one of them gave a clear testimony of their conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel has since recovered and he has asked us to baptize him whenever it is possible to make an arrangement. It is encouraging to see Daniel and other new believers attending meetings, reading their Bible, and seeking to be obedient to the Word of God. Please, continue to pray for them, as Satan is ever ready to discourage them.

Our co-worker, Daniel Webster, is a very good Bible teacher and encourager. He has been challenging everyone in our assembly to memorize the entire Book of James by December 17th, 2005. The Book of James, as you know, has many practical teachings to challenge a believer to walk right with the God. We hope to teach from the Book early next year after many of us become familiar with it. So far, four of our teenage boys have each memorized the entire Book and they can recite all five chapters without looking into their Bible. The girls are not memorizing them as fast as the boys, but they are coming up. One of the girls, Theresa, recently recited chapter two to us without making mistakes, she is now working hard on chapter three. It is a joy to see some of the kids come into our flat, and sit quietly for hours in our living room studying and memorizing the Book. When they are ready to say the chapter, they will call on us and say it to us. We then inform Daniel Webster who lives across the city from us and also does the record keeping. We the adults are confessing that we are having it quite difficult to memorize the Book at the same rate as the kids/teens who seem to have sharp minds. We are doing our best though, but…please, pray for us!

One of the leading brothers in our assembly, Ofori Agyeman and his wife, Alice, were married last year. They are expecting their first child this month in the will of the Lord. Alice have had a number of sicknesses since she got pregnant, thus many trips to the hospital. We are thankful to the Lord that she has been doing better lately, as her due date is getting closer. However, of October 31st, thieves broke into their little apartment and did a considerable amount of damage to their property while they were out. One of the thieves, a seventeen-year-old boy was arrested but other one managed to escape. This obviously has caused the couple to be upset, shaky, and insecure, especially for Alice who will soon be home alone with a baby. They would sure appreciate your prayers.

Heather is currently in Scotland meeting a friend from Canada who is bringing our much-needed medications with her. She will be returning on November 4th. Joseph was treated for malaria recently and he is currently battling with a stubborn cold.

Thanks again for your love, prayers and partnership with us in the Lord’s work here in Kumasi. We really appreciated that.

In His hands and care,

Joseph and Heather Frimpong

October 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

Greetings to you from Kumasi! We hope and pray that you are doing well. We are thankfully able to say that our health is in good order and no sickness at this time. We greatly appreciate God’s help in that area. Heather’s test results have continued to show more and more closer to the normal range as well, which is an answer to prayer. Joseph also is doing well at this time and no malaria symptoms either. Praise the Lord!

We are very excited to announce that we have had a very encouraging month once again in seeing the Lord’s workmanship here in Kumasi. We have had three teenage boys, one man in his 40’s and one teenage girl all come to join the family of God through their salvation. They are now all seeking to be baptized as well. We have also had others requesting to be baptized now too as they have been saved for a while but finally see the importance of following in obedience in baptism. The man in his 40’s has said numerous occasions that he has really appreciated the teaching of our assembly here and really wants to be a part of it. He has expressed the interest in baptism as well. He hesitated asking to be baptized and to come into fellowship though here because he has been living common-law with a lady for a number of years and they have two sons together. He intended to marry her years ago and even paid the dowry for it as well. However, they just “never got around to it” or had the money for it. After talking with him for quite some time he really desires to walk in obedience with the Lord and realizes that he really wants to get married now to this woman and soon. We expressed that it didn’t have to be a fancy or expensive wedding but it can be a simple one if they wanted. He always is telling us that he can’t express it into words on how excited he has been since he got saved and how he feels so different when he gets up in the mornings now. His name is Kwaku, and we are sure that he would appreciate your prayers as well.

Heather will be leaving on Oct.21 to Nov.5 to go to meet a friend from Canada in Scotland. She is going to be bringing us a lot of our medication that we take on a regular basis as the amount that we brought with us is running out. We are only able to purchase some of our medications here and it’s much more expensive here then in Canada. However, it’s more of a concern on that we are at high risk getting an authentic medicine and not an imitation here, as imitation medicine is very popular here and there’s no way of telling the difference. So with the elders permission and blessing from Canada, Heather will meet her friend, Eunice, (who was our maid of honour in our wedding exactly a year ago - Sept.25/04). We would appreciate your prayers in this area for safe travelling mercies, that we’ll be able to transfer the medications and things through customs, etc. safely and easily.

We just celebrated our first anniversary together. We decided to go away from the city for a few days to a resort that was recommended to us. It was a beautiful resort and it was difficult to realize something so nice could actually be here in Ghana. It was a nice time to get some rest and relaxation. The only negative thing about the trip was that while we were swimming in the Atlantic ocean there, the waves, current and tide were very strong (storm came afterwards) and managed to take off Heather’s engagement ring with one of the waves. It wasn’t that loose either but after six hours of searching for it, we were still not able to locate it. That was quite the disappointment but at least she still has her wedding ring. We have left it in the Lord’s hands and if the resort should be meant to find it, they have told us that they will make sure that we get it back.

Thank you once again for your very much appreciated prayers. God bless.

In His hands and care,

Joseph and Heather Frimpong

August 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

Happy greetings to you from Kumasi! The month of July was certainly a month of answered prayers, encouragement, excitement, and growth for us here in Kumasi.

We are very happy to announce that our shipment has finally arrived!!!! Yes, after eight months, numerous frustrations, phone calls, emails, confusion and emotions, we have finally received our items from our shipment and have them safe and sound in our home. The containers themselves were badly damaged as they “toss” things around a lot at these shipping companies, but the actual items themselves were not damaged. It has been like Christmas in July for us!!! We have also been able to extend that “Christmas in July” to many needy individuals here in Kumasi too. It has been exciting to see many people as they receive books, clothes, shoes, food, etc. that will help them greatly. It is quite a pleasure for us to be able to see the shock but delight on their faces as they receive these gifts from people they have never met and for no particular reason (e.g. their birthday). We let them know that there are many people around the world that are praying for them in one way or another and wanted them to have these items. They are very amazed, considering people that are in their own family never even give them anything. We look forward to seeing many other smiling faces as we continue to give these items out as we see a need. Thank you once again for your donations that we have collected to ship here. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you! Most importantly, thank you for your prayers that we would receive our shipment. To this day, we still have not been able to get a hold of our Canadian agent, but at least we have our items now.

We have also had some very encouraging news as we continue to see the numbers of children and adults rise since we have moved to our new location for the chapel. We have had many people come to visit and end up staying as they have been looking for the truth and practices of the Bible, as they have not seen this from the other numerous denominations here in Kumasi and surrounding areas. We now have over 50 children attending our “kids club” on Tuesday nights now too. This is a surprise but encouragement to us, especially as this is the time where we have a lot of rain and many want to stay home, times where the kids are helping out on family farms, and also exam time at most of the schools. We have been doing “Question and Answer” nights for a number of weeks now and the children seem to look forward to Tues. nights with attentive minds, as we do. They are able to ask a question or write it on paper and put it in a container with a slit in the top of it, if they have a question. This has been especially good for those who are shy or “too cool” to ask a question. The questions have a wide range of topics, that’s for sure. We also have been having a soccer game for an hour on Tues. nights before the singing and study time. They have also been enjoying this opportunity very much as well. We will be having our annual quiz on the last week of August and the first week of September, which we all look forward to, especially the kids.

We are also very excited to be able to purchase a washer and dryer the last week of July. We will be able to use it hopefully by the first week in August. This will be very helpful as washing clothes by hand the last six months has been very “painful” on the hands and legs, not to mention very time consuming. This has been another answer to prayer as well.

Daniel Webster, our co-worker, and Joseph are planning a training course for the next month or six weeks for some of the young men in our assembly that desire to learn more on how best to evangelize and preach the gospel. There are at least three Christian men that have been attending school for the past year and now that they are on summer holidays, they want to use this time to learn. We are all quite excited about this opportunity as well.

As we continue to do the work here in Kumasi, and surrounding areas, we are encouraged to see many things that the Lord is giving us the wonderful opportunity to do here in Kumasi. These things we would not have been able to do without your prayers and support, not to mention encouragement.

Love in Christ,

Joseph & Heather Frimpong

July 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

We would like to greet you again from Kumasi. We trust that you are all keeping well in health and in spirit and are enjoying the summer days. Here in Ghana we are in the raining season, and for this month we have seen very little sunshine, mostly rain and clouds. On one hand, the weather is not so hot, which is really good. On the other hand, the rain has brought in more mosquitoes, thus more malaria related cases. Weeds grow quite fast at this time and many gutters are choked with rubbish thus becoming incubators for the mosquitoes and it makes it easy to get sick, at this time, because of all the garbage flooding onto the roads and things and it is not cleared away either.

We would also like to thank you for your continued prayers for us. We are mindful daily that you are partners with us in this work of the Lord. We do witness answers to your prayers for us, so please continue to bear us before the Throne of Grace. Speaking of answer to prayers, on June 26th, our assembly had a baptism for two young men who expressed desire to be baptized. There were six candidates who wanted to get baptized and to come into fellowship. However, due to various reasons, only two were able to be baptized. Prayer partners may recall the name of Kofi Sadat, a young teenager, who was saved a few years ago from a Muslim background. He was one of the candidates. We hope in the will of the Lord to conduct another baptism soon. Please pray for them as they have now been added to our fellowship and that they may grow spiritually and serve the Lord with their spiritual gifts.

Daniel Webster, our co-worker, and Heather were each granted a one year work permit by the government last month. We really thank you for praying for that! They have now applied for a residence permit. After they are granted a residence permit, they will have to apply for a non-quota status in order to avoid paying a yearly fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00 USD). Dealing with the government here is very difficult, cumbersome, and time consuming to say the least! Almost each office you visit the employees don’t tell you exactly what paperwork you are required to submit, and when you do submit your application they reject it and make you go and come back again and again. We have travelled to Accra (about 5 hours from Kumasi) a number of times to various government offices seeking to obtain proper document. Joseph has not heard anything about his dual-citizenship application that he submitted about two months ago. We would appreciate it if you would please continue to pray for these matters.

As to our goods that we shipped back in December and January, sadly we are still without them. Apprently, our shipping agent in Toronto has run into financial difficulties with the shipping company, thus the shipping company has been withholding the container in Tema since March until the “demurrage” is paid. He also changed the initial agent in Tema who should clear the goods for us. We have now come up with the sufficient amount of money on our part to pay the shipping company and the Ghana Shipping and Harbour Authority for them to release the container to our new agent. However, the new agent is having difficulties coming up with the proper paperwork and Randy Houston, our agent in Toronto is nowhere to be found. Joseph is hoping to travel to Tema this week to work with the agent to see what can be done to clear our goods. We are praying that the price we now have yet to pay for customs and duty, and the fee for the agent here will not be too expensive. Please, continue to pray regarding this matter.

As to our health we are doing fine, except that Heather’s knees are continuing to give her much pain.

In His service,

Joseph and Heather Frimpong

May 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

We warmly greet you again in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We could hardly believe that we have been here just over three months now. Praise the Lord we have passed our probation! Time seems to fly by very quickly to us.

We would like to thank you again for you intercessory prayers on our behalf. We know that many of you have been praying for us and with us daily. We witness answer to prayers daily. Our God is faithful! Answer to one of our prayers is that we were able to purchase a vehicle about two weeks ago. What a huge relief it is to have a vehicle to get us in and out of where we live. The vehicle is already proving to be useful in many ways as it is helping us to do more than we could before. We are truly thankful to you for praying with us to that end!

On Sunday May 1st, at 8:00 a.m., our assembly launched a weekly thirty-minute gospel program on Kapital Radio 97.1 FM in Kumasi. Our co-worker, Daniel Webster, is the instrumental in getting the radio program going. The radio station is not only heard in Kumasi but in a number of other regions in Ghana as well. The gospel preacher is Mr. Minor Hawk, “The Voice of the Gospel”, a well know radio gospel preacher in America for about fifty years. Mr. Hawk presents a clear, non-compromised message of the gospel to sinners. He does not solicit for funds, nor attach money to the free gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is so common here to solicit for funds. At the end of the program, listeners are directed to contact our assembly or visit us for any questions or concerns they may have. We are exceedingly thankful to the Lord for enabling us to get the gospel on the air. We are trying the program on the air for three months. If it is successful, we hope to continue with a longer term of contract with the radio station. Please pray for the listeners that they might be convicted and thus respond positively to the gospel.

The Lord graciously provides us opportunities to be a witness for Him here daily, for that we are thankful. The children’s ministry is going on well although the attendance has gone down a bit both on Tuesday nights, and on Sunday mornings. However, those who do attend participate well. Two of the teenagers have expressed a desire to be baptized, so we are looking to the Lord for an appropriate time to baptism them.

Heather’s visa has been extended for three more months stay in Ghana. Thank you for your prayers in this area. However, she has to apply for a work permit in order to stay here longer. We traveled to Accra (over 5 hours away from where we live) to submit her application to the Ministry of Interior, but it was rejected. It was rejected because they made requests for additional paper work that they didn’t make us aware of beforehand. Thus, we are planning to go there again soon to submit it to the ministry. Joseph also has to apply for a dual-citizenship card from the same ministry. Please, pray with us that our applications might be received at this time and our requests be met.

We are still without our goods that we shipped ahead of us back in December and January. We were to receive the first shipment in the middle of February and the second shipment at the end of March. We don’t have concrete information as to when we will receive them. Obviously, this is a real concern to us. We would appreciate your continued prayers in this area. Once again, thank you for your love and partnership with us. May God richly bless you!

In His service,

Joseph & Heather Frimpong

April 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

Thank you once again for your love and prayers with us in His work here in Ghana. We trust that you have had a blessed and an enjoyable Easter. We had a very busy month, especially the last two weeks. On March 20th, four believers obeyed the Lord in baptism. We rented a swimming pool in a hotel not too far from where our chapel meets. The baptism was a real testimony to the saving grace of our God and for that we are thankful! Please continue to pray for the individuals that they may grow spiritually and maturely.

On Easter Sunday we had our first assembly picnic after the regular chapel meetings. It was a fun filled afternoon and evening. We transported about 70 people in two buses to Kumasi Girls Secondary School and played soccer and volleyball against their teams. Unfortunately, we lost both games as the girls demonstrated their athletic abilities. We presented the School with gospel tracts, fridge magnets with gospel verses on them, two soccer and two volleyballs. Despite our lost, we truly enjoyed the day. Please pray for both the teachers and the girls as they read the gospel tracts. The evening was ended with a powerful gospel film, as well as an award ceremony for those who took the challenge to memorize many gospel passages. Please pray for their understanding of the verses that might lead them to salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.

David Koehle and his son, Samuel, are scheduled to return to Canada on April 4th. Their visit has been a true blessing to us all beyond words! David is a very generous and selfless man as he provided much for many materially. He seems to captivate the children in a special way during his gospel presentations. He often ended his messages with a real life story, and a challenge to his listeners to trust the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. We will greatly miss them. Please, pray that the Lord will provide them safety on their journey back to Canada.

On the personal side, we continue to enjoy relatively good health. Joseph had a really bad cold recently though that made him lose his voice for a while. Boy, the house has never been so quiet! He is feeling better now but not completely over it. Heather’s knees continue to give her pain, especially at nights and after she has walked for a while going here or there, and when the days have ended. We have not received the goods that we shipped ahead of us. We are quite concerned because they are taking too long, and the agents don’t seem to give us valid information as what is happening them. We would greatly appreciate your prayers that these shipments will arrive soon and safely.

We are in the process of moving our meeting place from our current location closer to where we live. The reasons for the move are many. One of the reasons is that the radio station that we rent for our meeting place is moving out next year. That means sooner or later we will have to look somewhere for a meeting place. One other reason is that we have been having over forty children come weekly to our flat for bible study. They can sometimes be really noisy, as they are kids, and our landlord doesn’t want so many people on his property. Thus, we believe that the school we are hoping to acquire for our meetings will solve some of these problems.

Once again, thank you for your love and partnership with us. May God richly bless you!

In His service,

Joseph & Heather Frimpong

March 2005

Dear Saints in Christ,

We would like to once again express our grateful thanks to you for your interest and continued prayers for the Lord’s work here, in which we have been privileged to be involved with. It is amazing to us as we realize that we have been here just over a month now. It seems like yesterday that our family and friends, in Christ, committed us to the grace of the Lord and to His work here in Ghana. Over all, we have been enjoying good health and for that we thank the Lord!

Much has been accomplished since we arrived here. However, there are two main issues that need to be dealt with in order for us to settle here and get us going. One of them is the goods that we shipped ahead of us in two consignments. According to our shipping agents, the first shipment should be here by now but so far we have no adequate information about it. We’ve been told that there has been a problem with the ship carrying the container in Spain, but no adequate information has been received as of yet. The Lord graciously provided us with some needed materials through His people to aid us with the work here. Please pray for the safe arrival of our shipments. The other issue is that we are still without a vehicle, thus making it really difficult to get around. The government brought in a new budget last week, which has made it even more difficult and expensive to travel around these days. It is becoming close to impossible to find a taxi to hire to get in or out of our area that we live, especially once it gets dark.

The children’s work continues to be a blessing over all. However, there are some discouragements with some of the older teenagers. They are not showing much interest in spiritual things these days like they used to before, and are hard to deal with. We have been seeing many kids come out faithfully on Tuesdays and on Sundays. They are also making progress in memorizing some bible verses. Their current challenge is to memorize the whole chapter three of John’s gospel in an anticipating of a bible quiz later this month.

We have good opportunities recently to share the Word with two men who showed real interest in the New Testament teachings. One of them is a 36 year-old student at Mampong Teacher Training College. He visited our assembly on the 20th of February. He spent almost the whole day with us, and he was really happy to observe how we met and conducted our meetings, especially the Breaking of Bread meeting. He has been writing to Joseph while Joseph was in Canada about his desire to learn more about the New Testament teachings and practices. Joseph sent him a pamphlet about the NT gathering published by the Gospel Folio Press. He read it and sought opportunity to visit the believers in Kumasi to witness what he has read in practical format. The other is an electrician who did a repair job in our flat. Before each of them left, we gave them each two booklets from Everyday Publications (Eternal Security & Twelve Bottles of Milk) to read. They assured us that they would read them and get back to us again for further discussion.. Please pray for both of them that the Lord might speak to them clearly and convict them to seek to practice the truth that they have been reading.

Thank you once again for your continued partnership with us. May God richly bless you.

In His service,

Joseph & Heather Frimpong

January 2005

Dear Praying Saints,

We warmly greet you and wish you a Happy New Year at the same time! We trust that you have had a blessed time with family and friends during the Christmas and New Year holidays. We were able to spend about a week with Heather’s family at her parents’ home. Heather really enjoyed quality time playing with her nephews. It was quite a special gathering for us all considering that we will be leaving them soon.

Again, we express our heartfelt gratitude to you for your ongoing prayers on our behalf. We are gearing up to head to Ghana shortly. Lord willing, we will be leaving Toronto in the evening of January 24th, and arriving in Ghana the next night. We would appreciate your prayers for us, especially for Heather that the long flight might not be too painful for her knees.

Our new co-worker, Daniel Webster, will be leaving Vancouver on January 11th and arriving in Ghana the next evening. Daniel returned home early in order to attend his father’s funeral and to stay with his mother for a while. No doubt, it will be difficult for both Daniel and his mother when Daniel returns to Ghana. Please continue to pray for them. We are looking forward to team up with Daniel in the Lord work in Ghana when we arrive.

We realize in the light of the recent events in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, it is difficult to talk about peace and happiness at the beginning of this 2005 year. However, we Christians know that the Lord is still in control of the changing world. Could it be this year that He will come for us? Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Thank you for your continued partnership with us in the Lord’s work in Ghana. May the Lord richly bless you!

December 2004

Dear Saints in Christ,

Warm greetings to you in our Lord and Savior’s precious name.

We would like to thank you all for your love and prayers in the last couple of months. It has been encouraging to us to know that you are praying for us regularly. Heather and I felt that we had a wonderful wedding on September 25th, and it was a testimony to the Lord’s grace to both of us. The Lord also provided us with such beautiful weather to enjoy the day even more. We had previously requested prayer for our unsaved family and friends that would be in attendance at the wedding and that they would hear the gospel message. Since the wedding, we have had some positive comments from some of our unsaved relatives and friends about how they enjoyed the wedding and have even mentioned that they could see clearly on how we are committed to our walk with the Lord. We continue to pray that the Lord will speak to them about their need of salvation. Again, we thank you very much for your prayers.

It has been quite a while since we updated you about the Lord’s work in Ghana. We have been quite busy adjusting ourselves together as a couple, health issues, and a number of speaking engagements both here in Canada and the United States. We don’t seem to stop having projects. Now, we are running everywhere getting some needed items ready to ship ahead of us to Ghana before the deadline given to us by the shipping company. It takes about two months or longer for the items to arrive there so we are working hard to meet the deadline of Dec.10/04.

We hope to leave here for Ghana in the third week of January 2005, Lord willing. On one hand, we are excited about returning to the believers that we have come to love and appreciate. On the other hand, this is going to hard for us, and especially for Heather, as she will be away from her immediate family for quite a while. We look forward to what the Lord has in store for us on the road ahead. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for us in this area.

We are sure that some of you have been informed about the recent calling home, of Mr. James Webster, the father of Daniel Webster, who has been working with believers in Kumasi as a missionary. Due to his father’s passing away, Daniel has returned to Vancouver to be with his family for a while. He plans to go back to Ghana on January 11th, 2005. Please, continue to pray for Daniel and his family at this time of sorrow. The short time that Daniel spent in Kumasi with the believers meant a lot to them as they witnessed his sincere love for the Lord and for them. They miss him and are looking forward to seeing him again in January.

There has been some encouraging development among the believers in Kumasi in the last couple of months. Frank and Abigail got married early this year and now have a baby boy. Rose and her husband (Dominic – not saved) had their second child about a month ago. Clement Ofori Agyeman, who has been looking after the meetings there with Daniel Wiafe, who got married just recently, on November 27. The Sunday meeting and the Tuesday home bible study for the children are going on well and are also better attended.

Thank you again for being a partner with us in the Lord’s work in Ghana. May the Lord bless you!

Joseph Frimpong

September 2004

Dear Saints in Christ,

Warm greetings to you in our Lord and Savior’s holy name.

Please, pray for Ghana as a country. There is a general election at the end of this year. Thus, the citizens are heading to the polls in December. Here in North America we don’t have to be concerned too much about civil unrest during a general election, but it is often a different story in developing countries like Ghana. The last general election almost four years ago was relatively fair and peaceful. The BBC reported after the election that “that was the democratically election ever held in Africa.” Could that comment be heard again from the BBC this time? The National Security Co-coordinator of Ghana has stated that the security agencies would do all in their power to ensure public security in the run-up to the December general election. ''The military, the police and indeed, all other agencies are proud to fulfill their professional roles and are looking forward to the honour of serving the cause of democracy,'' he stated. Please pray that we may live in peace and have liberty to preach the gospel in the country.

The brothers in Kumasi have updated me recently about their work there. Conditions have not changed that much since the last update. Attendance in both Sunday school and the main Sunday meeting is down a bit. Also the number of those children who attend the Tuesday home bible study is about half the size of them now. Most schools will be opening in September and they are getting ready to visit as many schools as would be possible.

My niece Doreen has just started a bible study with some teenager girls in Kumasi. So far there are eight in the group and she hopes the number will be increasing when most schools open. She has had a burden for the girls for sometime and I am glad that she is now doing something about it. Doreen is a student in a vocational school studying catering. She is not only teaching the girl biblical truths, but cooking and proper hygiene as well. This is a real needed ministry and I’ll plead with you to pray for her for wisdom to lead them!

I’ve been requesting prayers for the brothers in Kumasi that they may find a suitable accommodation for Daniel Webster who will be arriving there on October 12th. Daniel will be commencing a missionary work in Kumasi and we look forward to joining him early next year, Lord willing. The days are fast approaching for Daniel’s departure, however they still can’t find an affordable place to rent for him. He might stay in a hotel or a guesthouse upon arrival, which is not all that comforting. Please pray that this might be resolved by the time he arrives there.

Our wedding is on the 25th of September. Heather and I are very busy preparing for it. We do appreciate your prayers that it might be a day of celebration as well as a day of testimony to our unsaved families and friends who will attend.

Thank you again for being a partner with us in the Lord’s work in Ghana. May the Lord richly bless you.

In His service,

Joseph Frimpong

August 2004

Dear Saints in Christ,

Warm greetings to you in our Lord and Savior’s name.

I trust that you are enjoying your summer days. I have had the privilege to travel around and visit a number of assemblies and believers in Canada who have been praying for the Lord’s work in Ghana. It has been mutually encouraging to meet some of these dear believers in person for the first time.

The believers in Ghana are going on well although their number has gone down a bit in the last two weeks. A number of schools are closed at this time and a few are still opened but will not be long as the school year is coming to an end. That means the two brothers in Christ Clement Ofori and Daniel Wiafe will have a little break from their visit to schools. However, they keep busy especially on weekends. Brothers Emmanuel Amankwah has been helping them preaching and teaching since he returned home from college three weeks ago. Emmanuel has just completed his second year in the teacher training college. He will be around for another six weeks. His has a good knowledge of the Bible and they are glad that he is there now helping out. Also the number of children that attend the Tuesday evening home bible study had decreased due to the end of the school year. Please continue to pray for their salvation and safety during the holiday season.

Perhaps some of you might remember how difficult it was for me when I was searching for a suitable accommodation in Kumasi when I arrived there. Well the brothers there are doing the same thing now searching for accommodation for Daniel Webster who will be arriving there in October to commence a missionary work. Please pray that the Lord might lead them to find a suitable one for Daniel. Pray also for Daniel’s health and preparations as the days are fast approaching for his departure.

As to my health, again there haven’t been many changes so far. I thank the Lord for the strength he provides me daily that enables me to carry on. The doctors cannot do much for me at this time. I believe that if my health remains as it is at present, then I’ll be able to return to Ghana in January 2005, Lord willing.

Heather and I are working hard preparing toward our up coming marriage in September. We thank the Lord for all the helps that we have been receiving from our families and also from the Lord’s people. They are really encouraging to us! We still have many things to do and we will appreciate your prayers for us.

Thank you again for being a partner with us in the Lord’s work in Ghana. Keep in touch.

In His service,

Joseph

June 2004

Dear Ones in Christ,

I greet you again from Mississauga in our Lord and Saviour’s blessed name.

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!" Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. Judges 6:12,13.

Gideon was not alone to ask that question. Many of the Lord’s people have asked similar questions over the years. If the Lord is truly with us, why then is this defeat, trial, loneness, illness, death, etc? The truth is that the Lord is not only with us, but the Lord is for us as well (Rom. 8:31). When Gideon realized this truth, he worshiped! (Judges 7:15). May the Lord lead us too to this realization!

I do like to thank you again for your ongoing prayers for my health. There have not been many changes in the past month. However, the Lord gives me the needed grace to carry on daily for that I’m thankful. I’ll be seeing the specialist again on the 22nd of this month, Lord willing.

I asked you in April to kindly pray for the registration of the assembly in Kumasi. I’m happy to inform you that it is now registered as the Asokwa Bible Assembly. With the registration now completed, they will be able to purchase a land in order to build a meeting place of their own. Please pray that the Lord might provide the suitable land, needed funds, and wisdom to know how to go about it. I’ve been told that the number of children who attend the Tuesday Bible in my flat has been increasing in the last few weeks. Obviously, my landlord is not happy to see so many children in his house. It is very difficult to control the behavior of so many children in the flat, so they are looking to rent a school building and move the study there. Please pray for them as they are searching a suitable place for this purpose. Thanks.

There is a possibility that a dear brother in Christ could soon be commended full time to join the Lord’s work in Ghana. So far plans seem to be in favor for his commendation in the fall. Please, do pray for this brother as he has many things to do and many needs to be met before he departs for Kumasi.

Well, I am happy to inform you that Heather Collyer and I are engaged and hoping to be married in September/October of this year, Lord willing. Heather visited me in Ghana for about five weeks late in 2003 and experienced many of the daily tasks that I’m responsible for. Heather will be an asset to me with the Lord’s work in Ghana. Heather and I have known each other for four years and believe that the Lord has brought us together to unite in marriage and serving Him in the work in Ghana. We would appreciate your prayers in regards to our plans in getting married and also in returning to Ghana, Lord willing, in January of 2005.

Thank you once again for your partnership with this work. May the Lord grant you a fruitful summer!

In His service,

Joseph

May 2004

Dear Saints in Christ,

Warm greetings to you in our Lord and Saviour’s name.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him (John 9:1-3). A man born blind (spiritually) cannot see “the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4). As a sinner he cannot find his way to God. He needs light. Thankfully, the Lord Jesus had announced in the previous chapter that He is the light of the world, and that "He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." May the Lord lead us to point more blind sinners to Him that they might be saved and have the light of life.

Again, I’m thankful for continually praying for my health needs. I have made some good recovery progress in the last few weeks. However, I’ve been experiencing some minor setbacks lately even as I write this update. The pains are not so severe like before, but they are enough to make me feel quite uncomfortable at times. I am not able to see the specialist sooner until my next appointment that is June 22. Thus, my family doctor is doing his best to assist me.

As to the Lord’s work in Ghana, Clement Ofori Agyeman writes from Kumasi, “We had our first home quiz on the 06/04/04. They were told to study from Genesis chapters 18-22. It was so competitive that if it keeps on like that, we will find it difficult to pick the winner, but now Prince Oppong is leading by nine points.” Ofori goes on to say, “Joseph, majority of the students have vacated. We had over forty people attended Church last Sunday. I preach about eternal life in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Since Ofori wrote me the above, I have spoken with him thus I got the latest update from him. The Bible quiz was a challenging one indeed and the children were pleased with it. Many prizes were given to the participants. They are looking forward to study hard the Bible lessons in the next few months in anticipation to make it to the next quiz. Please pray for them that they might not just study in order to make it to the quiz, but that they might be saved at the young age. The schools are now opened after the Easter break. Thus, Ofori Agyeman and Daniel Wiafe are busy visiting and teaching in different schools. They do face many challenges and would appreciate your prayers for wisdom from above to handle them.

Daniel who works with Ofori in the Kumasi area is now taking an English course to improve his reading and writing skills. Daniel also looks after the Kofi Dede meeting. Thus, he travels about 112 km one way each weekend on a public transit from Kumasi to be with the Christians there. He informed me recently that there are not many men showing interest in that meeting. There are several women and their children who meet there regularly, but sadly their husbands do not show interest in spiritual matters. This is a bit discouraging to him and to the women. Please pray that the Lord might save some men who could be used to serve Him there. Thanks again for your partnership His work.

In His service,

Joseph Frimpong

April 2004

Dear Ones in Christ,

I greet you in the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to  go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). The Lord Jesus had said earlier that, “it cannot be that a prophet should  perish outside of Jerusalem (Luke 13:33). Thus, as the Great Prophet of Israel (Deut. 18:15), He did go to  Jerusalem to suffer for you and for me. The apostle Paul also went to Jerusalem knowing that he was going  to suffer there for His Master’s sake, “Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place  pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, what do you mean by weeping and  breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the  Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:12-13). Am I willing to go to my Jerusalem where He is calling me to suffer for  Him???

I continue to appreciate your love and ongoing prayers for my recovery. I am making a good recovery for that I’m really thankful to God. I saw Dr. S. Sherman this morning (April 6) at the Toronto General Hospital. He updated me as far as his medical knowledge is concerned. The Carbon 14 Breath Test for Helicobacter Pylori that I had done came back negative which means that I’m free of the bacteria that causes stomach ulcer. He told me that it would take a while to get my full strength back after been drained so low so to speak. Good nutrition and exercise will help me a lot. My liver is in good condition and it is working all right. However, as a “carrier” of the hepatitis B gene he likes to monitor it for a while to make sure that it remains the same. As to the Liver Function test that he suggested I should do every six months, he’ll let
me do the test in Ghana and then forward the result to him in Canada. My next appointment is June 22/2004. 

The believers in Ghana are keeping well thanks to your prayers. I spoke with Ofori A. and Daniel W. last week. They told me that they have completed an application that will be submitted to the government this week to register the assembly in Kumasi. If the assembly is registered, they’ll have some privileges that they do not have at the moment. Please, pray for this that the application might be accepted.

A Christian radio station in Kumasi (Spirit FM) whose building they rent for their meeting in Kumasi has asked Ofori and Daniel to participate in a phone-in broadcast once a week. The idea is to have people in their listening area to
phone in and ask Ofori and Daniel about their believes and practices. Ofori and Daniel will ask the caller questions too from the Bible and if the caller provides correct answers, the caller will be given a brand new Bible. This seems to be a good opportunity to promote the New Testament teachings in Kumasi. If more people phone in and they see good progress that way, Spirit FM will give Ofori and Daniel a 30-minute free airtime weekly. So Ofori and Daniel have set fifty Bibles aside for that and are praying about it. Thankfully, the Lord has provided the Bibles already through a dear brother in the United
States. Please pray. Thanks again for your partnership in this work!

In His service,


Joseph Frimpong

 

March 2004

Dear Saints in Christ,

Warm greetings to you in our Saviour’s precious and Holy name.

Just as he (Jacob) crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip (Genesis 32:31). Jacob had spent a lonely, long, and weary night wrestling with a Man of God in anticipation of meeting Esau, his brother. Despite all that the Lord did for Jacob, he was still trusting in his dubious schemes and not in the Lord who had assured him of his safety (Gen. 28:15). “He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.” Jacob became a broken man no longer leaning on his own wisdom and strength. He was brought to himself as a poor, weak, and helpless man before the Lord. After then, the Lord blessed him. Just then we read that the sun rose on him – a brand new day in Jacob’s life! May the Sun rise on usas we yield to Him completely!

Again I’m very grateful to you dear Saints for your love and prayers on my behalf. I still have some pains and lose energy quite often, but thank God over all I’m getting better. I saw Dr. S. Sherman last month. He has scheduled me to have another test done on March 12 at 10 a.m. called Carbon 14 Breath Test to determine if the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori is still present in my stomach. During this test, I will ingest, inhale, or receive an injection of a radioactive material called Radiopharmaceutical. Once the Radiopharmaceutical travels to the area of interest a technologist will take pictures with a special machine called gamma camera. I understand that some people have a reaction to the Radiopharmaceutical procedure, thus I’d appreciate your prayers.

As a “carrier” of the hepatitis B gene, Dr. Sherman has registered me with the Canadian Liver Foundation in order to monitor my liver every six months. The reason for this monitoring is that according to Dr. Sherman, about 5% of hepatitis B carriers could develop cirrhosis (a form of liver cancer). He told me that my liver is fine. I even have some few positive factors on my side as I don’t smoke, drink or do too vigorous of activities that could stress on my liver. However, to be on the safe side he wants my liver to be checked every six months. Currently I’m waiting to hear from the doctor as to where I should have the test done. Thanks again for prayers and encouragement.

In His service,

Joseph Frimpong

--------------------------

Two brothers in Ghana (Ofori A. & Daniel W.) recently sent me the following report:

Dear, Bro. Joseph,

Warm greetings to you in Jesus name. We trust that you are keeping well in Him. Joseph, we are aware that you are waiting to hear from us about how things are going on with us here. On Monday February 23rd, Jonas, Daniel and I went to Seikwa in the Brong Ahafo Region. We visited one school called Presby Junior Secondary School. It is a mission school under the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. We were able to share the Word of God with some of their teachers. We presented twenty-four Bibles to the students as well as the teachers. They said that they found it very interesting that we would come back to teach them about the Word of God but the specific day for us to meet them was not mentioned but we exchanged contact numbers with them. We are waiting for a few days to call them. We learnt that the town only has one guesthouse in which we can go and lodge there for some time and to teach them about salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Furthermore we have been going to City Education Complex, Boatng Memorial on Tuesday evening, and then on Wednesdays and Sunday we meet weekly. We have not yet attended the Building Technical Institute as we are still waiting to hear from them to be invited to come. We visited Sister Angelica on February 25 and we discussed how the Agric Bible teaching could be resumed. We concluded that since we haven’t got the van to transport the sound systems, we’ll have to resume without using the speakers and see how it’ll go. From there we visited Kwame and some of those who use to attend. We encouraged them and told them that we’ll come to inform them again shortly before we start.

As to the Bibles, we have only sixty copies left.

Our Wednesday prayer and Bible teachings are going on well. We are still studying 1 Timothy chapter 4. We are gradually walking through the chapter verse by verse. The things we have learnt in that chapter have encouraged us. Cynthia B. asked a question about the use of speaking in tongues. We answered from the Bible starting from Genesis 11 where God confused their tongues. We gave many other verses.

Your niece, Doreen, has asked the question about why some people baptize children. Why do we baptize in the name of the Father, Son and the Spirit but not in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ alone? We agreed to discuss this question at a later date.

Concerning Madame Abena Asaah’s health, she is well but she’s waiting for assistance with her crutches. Kofi Dade members greet you all and they are receiving teachings from Daniel Wiafe every Sunday.

We would like to end here with many greetings to Heather Collyer and all the believers there, and we are praying for you all. Our Lord instructs us to pray without ceasing, 1Thess. 5:17.

Thanks and God bless you all.

Your brothers in Christ,

Ofori and Daniel

February 2004

Dear Ones in Christ,

I greet you in our Lord and Savior’s blessed name.

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body (James 3:1-2). What a challenge! Warren Wiersbe wrote the first Bible commentary that I read shortly after I was saved on the Book of James. We were cleaning and closing cabinets at Camp- Mini-Yo-We in the middle of October 1991. I found the small commentary in my cabinet and read part of it but could not finish reading it due to the short time I was there. So I purchased a copy as soon as I returned to Mississauga and read it through. “A teacher’s life is required to back-up what he teaches.” “Do what I say but do not imitate what I do is no, no in Christianity.” “Watch your tongue. It’s in a wet place where it’s easy to slip!” It sure contributed positively to my young faith!

Please accept my grateful thanks for your many prayers, letters, cards, emails, phone calls, visits, gifts, etc. I do really appreciate each one of them! The Lord knows how much you have invested on my behalf and He will certainly reward you!

I know that many of you have been regularly praying for my recovery and want to know how I am progressing. Well again Dr. Ross Woodward and I visited Dr. J. Keystone on Wednesday February 4, 2004. He told me that he has done all that he could for me as far as his specialty is concerned. The result of the tests he conducted proved negative except my white blood count, which is still on the lower side. As far as he is concerned, I need more time to recuperate but I should start to do things slowly. He wants me to continue seeing Dr. M. Sherman who is specialized in internal medicine. He told me to make sure to see him again before I return to Ghana in future. 

Oh, I watched briefly as Dr. Woodward practiced his Portuguese language with Dr. Keystone’s secretary who is a Portuguese. I could not understand the language but judging from her facial expressions, I believe that she was quite impressed to have Dr. Woodward speak to her in her native language. After all these years, he still remembers the language. Interesting!

Well, I saw Dr. Sherman last month. He confirmed that I am a “carrier” of hepatitis B. as a “carrier” I am not in danger to anybody and it has also made me resistant to getting hepatitis B in future. So it turned out to be a kind of a blessing in disguise. However, he is doing more tests to see if there is anything else. He suspected that I have been suffering from a stomach ulcer so he put me on a seven-day antibiotic treatment. I completed the treatment a week ago and have seen a positive improvement as I have gained enough strength to get around a bit. But I am afraid he might repeat the antibiotic to either a fourteen-day or a twenty-day treatment when I see him later this month. I understand that the bug that causes stomach ulcer is very difficult to eradicate. Yes, there are good days when I have less pains and body weakness. And there are bad days when I experience more pains and feel quite miserable, but the Lord’s grace is always sufficient!

I keep in close contact with the believers in Ghana. Thanks to your prayers they are doing well. I have been told this week that last Sunday’s meeting was well attended. The two brothers in charge – Ofori Agyeman and Daniel Wiafe are taking their responsibilities serious. However, they related to me that they are finding it very difficult to handle some of the teenagers lately. Some of them have reached the age where they are seeking to establish their identities. My advice to Ofori and Daniel is that none of us have ever been an adult before, but we all have been children before. We know what it is like to reach that critical age where we mostly practice mischievous deeds, and think that nobody understands how we feel. Some of them are quite clever and inquisitive. They need to love them, pray for them, and befriended them. It is a tough call, but with your prayers, the Lord will see them through. Please continue to pray for them.

Some of you may remember Madam Abena Asaah who was saved in a village in the Eastern Region, but remained quite sick physically. Madam Asaah is the lady who was cursed to suffer severely before her death by a fetish priest, but was graciously saved. She has swollen legs and has been confined to a floor-mat like, unable to do much to help herself. Well, thanks to your faithful prayers she is making progress. She is now able to crawl from her shanty room to sit outside. Her aim is to walk again so that she can walk to a river to be baptized. Despite of her awful condition, she maintains a shining testimony to the grace of God. The moment you visit her, she is ready to tell you what the Lord has done for her! Is the Lord honoring her faith? Please continue to pray for her.

Again, thank you very much for your interest in the Lord’s work in Ghana. Yes, we are partners together in His vineyard until He comes again. Keep in touch.

In His service,

January 3rd, 2004

Dear Saints in Christ,

Warm greetings and a Happy New Year to you all. I pray you walk closer this year with the One who said “Behold, I make all things new” Revelation 21:5. Could this be the year that we’ll see Him?

Again, thank you so much for your ongoing prayers for my health, and also for the believers in Ghana. Your phone calls, emails, letters, cards, and visits are really appreciated and I thank God for you all! You have been an encouragement to me and I cherish that.

As to my health, well even as I write the malaria has come back. I have been given another dosage of the medicines that were given to me two weeks ago with Ferrous Gluconate to help develop healthy red blood cells. Again I’m grateful to Dr. Ross Woodward and my landlord/lady for their willingness to help me. Currently, it is not known the kind of malaria parasite(s) that I’m fighting against. That makes it difficult to treat. I’m yet to see the doctor on the 6th. That is when I’ll know the result of the tests I submitted before the Christmas Holidays. The doctor would determine the course of treatment he should put me under according to the result. Right now, all that I’ve been told is to stay home get as much sleep as possible to avoid putting pressure on my liver which is quite inflamed at this time.

Reading the Word of God this morning I found such comfort in the following verses: “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” Psalm 118:17-18. Obviously, the Lord sent chastening for his correction, and he bowed to it patiently. He had such confidence in the Lord that he could ask Him in verse 19 to “Open to me the gates of righteousness, I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord.”

As to the Lord’s work in Ghana, the activities there have slowed down a bit due to the Christmas Holidays. Some of the believers traveled away to visit family and friends. They hope to resume activities when the schools re-open in about two weeks. The brethren in charge of the meetings are in good spirit and are looking forward to carry on visiting, preaching, teaching, etc. They are also hoping to improve the Sunday school activities to encourage more children to come out. Please feel free to write them a short note of encouragement using the same mailing address I had when I was there as: P.O. BOX KS 13469, Kumasi, Ghana, Africa.

Please continue to pray for the medical community that they might know how best to help me get better, should that be the Lord’s will. Please pray for wisdom, unity and commitment for Ofori Agyeman and Daniel Wiafe as they are working together preaching and teaching.

I’ll continue to update you as things develop. Thanks again.

In His service,

Joseph Frimpong

November 25, 2003

Dear praying partners,

Greetings to you from Kumasi in our Lord's holy name.

Thanks a lot for concerning and praying about the Lord’s work here and my health. I often feel so weak and sort of a burning sensation all over my body – sometimes, I feel little dizzy. Whenever I experience it, I take a cold shower and try to lie down for a while. I drink lots of glucose energy drinks (Lucozade). It helps me a bit and then some hours later I feel weak again. I still carry on with my daily activities, but whenever I’m beginning to feel weak, I go home for rest. I’m thankful to the Lord that I’m not in a stage that I should be in bed most of the time, but with Dr. James Cocking’s experience and advice I'm going to try staying in bed to avoid getting my liver worsen.

I saw my doctor yesterday after feeling quite weak over the weekend. I guess I did more than I should over the weekend, although thankfully the Lord gave me the needed strength but on Monday I felt quite weak. Dr. James Cocking mentioned a vaccine to fight hepatitis B to me (Gamma Globulin) so I saw my doctor to inquire about it. My doctor told me that it might be really difficult to obtain the vaccine in Ghana. And if it could be obtained, it would be quite expensive. He insisted that I should return to Canada as soon as possible to seek medical attention before I damage my liver.

I may have to return to Canada sooner than I had planned in March 2004 as I've been feeling weak more these days. I'm trying to train and hand things over to brother Ofori Agyeman, Frank Anokye, Daniel Wiafe and the rest of the believers. I talked with Frank and Ofori about it and they encouraged me to go sooner too so I'm looking to the Lord. I hope and pray that they’ll be able to carry on with the teachings that they have received.

It is really difficult for me to make this decision but I guess the Lord wants it this way at this time. Tomorrow, Lord willing, I’ll travel to Accra to collect my renewed passport from the Canadian Embassy. I’d appreciate your prayers for safety on the road. Thanks again.

I’ll continue to inform you if anything new develops. Thanks a lot.

In His service,

Joseph F.

November 2003

Dear Saints in Christ,

I warmly greet you in our Lord’s precious and holy name.

"…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame" (Romans10:9-11 NKJV).

That which would be impossible to man, God has already done in Christ. All the “doing” required by the law, has been accomplished by Jesus Christ, and everything that is required now from men is to believe what Christ has done. Christ has neither to be brought down from heaven, nor to be raised again from the dead; everything has been accomplished, and all that is left is to accept in trustful thankfulness. Faith has not to acquire or win a Savior, but to accept One Who has already accomplished the work of redemption. God’s righteousness is not distant and difficult, but near and easy. It only requires the act of believing, and its proof in confession! - W. H. Griffith Thomas, D.D.

Again, thank you very much for faithfully praying for us here in Ghana. We really really appreciate that! Please, allow me to update you of what that Lord has been doing through us in His work.

George, a retired schoolteacher has been attending our informal gospel meetings for several weeks now. He is the Secretary for the Agric Junction Unit Committee where we conduct the meetings. He comes ahead of time before the meeting starts, which is quite unusual for many Ghanaians who have little use for time. The first time that he came, he stood there for a while watching the Two Roads and the Two Destinies chart and listening to what I was preaching. Then he told a young boy to get up in order for him to sit down the boy’s chair. The boy got up and the old man sat throughout the rest of the meeting. After the meeting, he came and told me that he had been a member of the Methodist Church from childhood, “but this teaching is different.” He has been coming out and listens well to the preaching and asks some pointed questions sometimes. Last Sunday morning Bible study, he asked Ofori Agyeman to explain the plan of salvation to him and Ofori did it. On the past Thursday evening, he asked me to explain to him the plan of salvation again from the Bible. I did as he requested and pleaded with him and with everyone there to trust the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation before it too late! George seemed sincere and I’ll ask you to continue to uphold him before the Lord. It is obvious that the older one gets, the harder it becomes for him to be saved, but the Lord is able!

Thanks also for praying specifically for Kwame’s salvation. He is still not saved but we believe that he must be very close to salvation. He and his wife are very committed in coming out and they even set up the chairs for the meetings. Kwame does a pretty good job in reading the Twi Bible for me whenever I ask him to read a passage. I thought that they have only one child, but no, they have six children and Kwame doesn’t have a steady job. 

Another man to pray for is John, a drunkard who has lost his wife and three children due to his drinking habit. John’s mother-in-law asked him to choose one of the two wives that he had - her daughter and alcohol. Sadly, John chose alcohol over his wife and three children. John and Kwame are very close friends who are well known in the community for their drinking habit. But lately, their interest in the gospel meeting has been attracting others to come out too. 

The drinking bar owner and his wife who originally invited us to their neighborhood, suggested to us about three weeks ago that they were thinking to stop selling alcohol, instead selling some local dishes. We have never told them to stop selling alcohol - we have left that to the Holy Spirit’s conviction when they are saved. Anyhow, they have been coming to us to help them out financially to transform their establishment. This is very difficult for us to consent to their request knowing that they are still not saved. The wife has been showing much interest in listening to the gospel than her husband. And even if they are saved and we did help them financially, it might give the unsaved a false impression that we are like a humanitarian organization that provides financial assistance or employment to converts. Obviously, our first mandate from the Lord Jesus Christ is to preach the gospel and we wish not to deviate from that mandate. We have recognized that this is a work of the Devil who wants to come where the Lord wants to save precious souls. Please pray for us as we are seeking the Lord’s wisdom to answer them from the Bible. Please pray that they might not get upset with whatever answer that we give them.

There are about twenty people who have been coming out regularly to the informal gospel meetings but to our knowledge none has professed salvation. Please continue to pray that they might be saved before the enemy takes away the good seed from them.

We have asked our brother Clement Ofori Agyeman to accompany me on the regular basis and he has been doing just that. Ofori loves the Lord and His people. He is well versed and is very discerning in the things of the Lord. We are praying the Lord to bless our united desire to rescue the perishing souls with the gospel’s message as well as teaching and encouraging the believers.

The Lord has opened the door to preach in the Building Technical Institute (BTI). I was invited there on the Thursday October 30th, but when I got there the student h