Ephesians 6:18
Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people. — Contemporary English Version
Just before leaving Ghana I traveled to the Northern Region to one of my favorite villages, Larabanga. Much time was invested into future plans for expansion of the African Hope Library and multiple projects in this area. Sadik, the Imam’s son, has partnered with this ministry of hope and has been coordinating these projects. Larabanga has been a ministry focus area for several years and many long term relationships have been developed. Just yesterday I received a text message from my friend Sadik… technology is our friend.
After a week in Larabanga I had contracted a fast growing fungus and I was suffering from heat rash on 50% of my body. It was a pleasure to get into my vehicle and crank up the windows and turn the air conditioner on high. The 15 hour ride home quickly became a bit more complicated than previous trips when the power steering belt broke. Controlling the 4 wheel drive vehicle became quite difficult over the rough dirt roads. The repairs were only at the end of the trip and even with the AC on high I was sweating. This had happened before and I knew that it was going to be a long trip. Half way through the trip my severe heat rash was growing, itching and burning, further irritating the growth of the fungus. I was miserable! Additional complications occurred half way through the trip, the other two belts on the engine broke. I was without electrical system and my A/C was gone. The front windows are electric so they remained closed and the rear widows were rolled down; boy was I sweating and covered in dust. My brake lights did not work, the head lights were dead and there was no horn; gladly only 3 hours of the trip was in the dark. As I reached my front gate I was at the end of my endurance. As Kim opened the gate she laughed; knowing the car had just barely made it home. All I could do was laugh! The trip had been full of spiritual battles with many victories.
The text message yesterday from Sadik reminded me of the last trip from his village. Now I am getting excited about my October trip to Ghana to visit Larabanga. Much is planned for this trip and I hopefully will be able to report the progress being made on many fronts after my return. I am truly missing my friends in this area also… maybe you want to come with me to meet them.
Oh yea, just two weeks ago my rashes and fungus finally subsided. Praise God!
Keep praying,
Pastor Charlie
Tags: accra, africa, african, African Hope, bible, budd, Budd family, charlie, Charlie Budd, christ, christian, ephe, ephesians, ephesians 6:18, furlough, ghana, god, hope, imam, jesus, kim, larabanga, mission, missionaries, missionary, moslem, northern, Northern Region, ohio, outreach, region, sadik, west, west africa
