Ghana 2010 - #3

Isn't technology wonderful?  I remember so many campaigns in years past when Jimmie would board a plane for Africa and just . . . disappear.  Communication was somewhere between "difficult" and "impossible" so I would have no idea how he was faring until he walked through the airport gate again.  I am so glad the world has changed in that respect.

Jimmie has called a couple of times since arriving in Nkoranza just to say everything is okay.  The calls were super brief (technology is still expensive, unfortunately) but today I managed to keep him on the line long enough to get some information.  He and Yaw have been conducting what Jimmie called a traveling mini-lectureship.  The general format each place they go is for Jimmie and Yaw both to preach and then they hold a question and answer session.  (Jimmie has talked about these Q & A sessions before.  They often last longer than the preaching.)  They have been averaging 3 of these a day - 25 so far and still more scheduled - so they are on the go from morning til night.  The emphasis is to edify the brethren, but they have also had 6 baptisms.

Makes me tired just thinking about it, but I must say that Jimmie sounded happy on the phone. 

Ghana 2010 - #2

Jimmie just called from Nkoranza!  I don't know if you find that surprising, but I was actually startled.  We had both expected him to be completely out of touch once he headed into the heart of Ghana.  I'm pleased to learn that technology has spread once more. 

Now if only it would improve the roads and buses.

I have no idea what the bus looked like that Jimmie and Yaw were on today - other than I'm pretty sure it was not an air conditioned Greyhound.  I looked online for a bus to Nkoranza and this is what I got. 

Unfortunately, Jimmie said that their bus broke down, adding to an already exhausting day.  A trip that looks like less than 200 miles on the map I have ended up taking longer than their flight from Atlanta to Africa. 

But they are there at last with little time to rest.  Their first Gospel meeting starts tomorrow.

Ghana 2010 - #1

 Jimmie and Yaw Boateng left Atlanta last night on a direct flight to the western horn of Africa.
His plane is due to land in the capital city of Accra, Ghana, along the southern coast of this nation, today.  But that is not their destination.  He and brother Yaw will spend the night tonight in Tema, not far from the airport, then tomorrow they board a bus taking them north to the Brong Ahafo region, almost the center of the nation.  For the next 2 weeks Nkoranza will be their base for a series of Gospel meetings scattered around that region.

Jimmie said that of all the traveling he had on the agenda for this long campaign, it's the bus rides to and from Nkoranza that he dreaded the most.  Ghanaians are of small stature so as Jimmie put it, those buses just aren't built for Americans.

If you want to know more about Ghana here is a link to info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana

Please keep Jimmie and Yaw in your prayers as they travel and work in Ghana.

July 2010 Newsletter

Dear Brethren,

By the time you read this, I will be in Ghana, West Africa. I will leave for Ghana on July 20th and from there I will be going to Zambia, Central Africa and will return on August 24th.

I will be traveling to Ghana with brother Yaw Boateng. Brother Boateng is from Ghana but now lives in South Carolina. He goes back to Ghana frequently to visit his family and work with the brethren in and around his hometown of Bomini. We will be going to Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo region and working in the surrounding villages holding Gospel meetings and Bible studies.

I have been to Ghana many times now and it is good and profitable for the Lord. This will be my third time to Nkoranza and I am looking forward to seeing and working with the brethren once again. It is my privilege to work with such a fine and faithful brother like brother Boateng.

Then on August 03rd, brother Boateng will be going back to the States and I will travel on to Livingstone, Zambia. There I will join up with brothers Ronald Gilbert, Rusty Stark, and Earl Alverson. Together, we will be teaching at the Zambia School of Biblical Studies, holding three Gospel meetings, and teaching classes in the International College of the Bible.

Brethren, it is our plan to return to Zambia every year and work with the Zambia School of Biblical Studies, the Siamafumba School of Biblical Studies, and teach classes in the International College of the Bible. I would ask your prayers that this effort will continue to be a work that edifies the brethren, brings glory to God the Father, and souls to God the Son.

Many have asked what you can do to help. We truly appreciate that question and the attitude of wanting to help to spread the Gospel of Christ. First, pray for our efforts together for our Lord. Second, continue your faithful and generous support of our work. Third, tell others about this work and ask them to pray for us and to consider supporting us financially.

At this time, I am still in need of personal monthly support of about $2,000.00 per month. Thank you, very sincerely, to those who stayed with me in this new work.

This new work is comparatively small but has great potential. Our aim, as it has always been, is to reach as many with the Gospel as we possibly can. This means helping to train others to teach and preach the Gospel of Christ as well. This is the work of International Bible Teaching Ministries. To do this we need funds for Bibles for those who cannot afford them and good, sound, biblical books for the schools of preaching and the International College of the Bible. We also need funds for bicycles for the preachers and food and other supplies for the students while they attend school. In addition to these funds, there is also the cost of airfare, lodging, and food to go there and carry out this work. It is our intent to stay longer on each trip to help save money. As you can see, brethren, we need financial support. Again, please pray that we will receive the funds that we need for this good work.

I will be sending a full report of our efforts in these African nations upon my return. May our God bless you and grant you peace, happiness, and success in all of your Gospel endeavors according to His good will.

In Christ Who Saves,

Jimmie B. Hill

New Hope Road Picnic 2010

The New Hope Road congregation is young, evangelistic and hard-working, so we are understanbly proud to be a part of it.  But ever since the congregation began we have gotten together one Saturday each summer just to play. 

Here are a few brief glimpses of the picnic we had in Dacula on July 16th -

   

On the homefront . . .

I can't believe we have not posted anything to this blog since Jimmie's return from Australia!  What could we have possibly been doing?

Actually, the last few months have been unusually busy - and I know “busy”. Since Jimmie joined IBTM we have hardly had time to sleep. The short list includes:

• Fundraising – Always a thorn in the flesh of any missionary but mission work doesn’t get done without it. Jimmie has autographed enough letters to qualify as a celebrity.

• Visiting – We made many weekend trips through AL, MS, GA and TN to supporting congregations, and will happily make more when he returns from Africa.

• Moving – Jimmie now has a work office set up at his sponsoring congregation, New Hope Road – but first he had to help renovate the building!

• Preparing our house for market – It was shocking how much work that was, but it is now listed for sale.

• Scouting – We took a couple of days looking around the Cookeville, TN area to get a better idea where we want to find a new home.

• Working with IBTM – We gathered suits, shoes, communion cups, hymnals, etc then delivered them to TN so that Ron Gilbert can take them with his baggage. (Since Jimmie flies to Ghana first taking them with him would be a customs nightmare.) Jimmie also signed diplomas, discussed future plans with Ron, and prepared 5-week’s worth of lessons for his Africa campaign.

• Celebrating – Our grandson, Cole, turned 4; we marked 37 years of marriage; and Jimmie’s latest checkup showed that he is still cancer-free!

In Christian love,
Linda Hill