Dear Friends,
Soon you will be hearing the comforting words of scripture, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 10-1 1. Just as the angel pronounced the tidings of great joy, Linda and I have been inspired as we have met so many people within our church who are busy in other parts of Africa proclaiming the "Good Tidings of Great Joy"-The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Linda and I traveled to South Africa for a meeting of missionary counselors for Africa. The meeting was called by our Africa Area Secretary- Rev. Ken Greinke. It was great to meet old friends and many new ones and to learn about the work in other countries. Also there are discussions about challenges facing ministry, and we are thankful our LCMS faces these topics in such an open and loving manner. Our speaker at the S. Africa meeting discussed the issue: "Dependency Among Mission-Established Institutions." I was so impressed that we ordered the whole series on video, in which speaker Glenn Schwartz, World Mission Associates, 825 Darby Lane, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601-2009 gives some great insights to working toward self-reliance. Dr. Fynn, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana also seemed pleased and said these concepts should be included in the seminary curriculum. How to help people in a meaningful way that truly uplifts and enables them is one of Christianity's great challenges. We all know where to start-- with the "Good Tidings of Great Joy". Using the Bible truths as it relates to various cultures and situations gets to be the hard part. The concepts we learned would also work in mission churches in the USA also, I believe.
The good news is that our church is moving forward in Africa. Part of the movement is - like Martin Luther- addressing issues. We can all be thankful for our church , mission and partner churches as the Holy Spirit empowers us all to spread the good tidings.
After the meeting in Johannesburg, Linda and I visited some of our missionaries, Lutheran leaders and laymen in the eastern part of South Africa. We were warmly received and enjoyed learning about the people, history, agriculture and current problems facing the country. We also enjoyed a trip to the Kruger National Park where we saw a lot of truly African wildlife. We even got eye to eye with a lion looking through our car window. Believe me, all our windows were rolled up, as we got our camera shots.
Our Lutheran Mission in Cote D' Ivoire (C.I.) has received volunteers Glenn and Carol Borchers, who have a strong agricultural background in the USA. They also have received several other volunteers who have a variety of gifts and talents. Mike Squires (missionary from Togo), Linda and I were asked to work with the C.I. Mission and give them some ideas about working with agriculture and other social ministry. During the 2 weeks we spent there, we were very impressed by the ministry of the Lutheran Mission in C.I. They are already doing a great medical ministry involving several volunteers in addition to training local members and leaders in God's Word through several effective programs. The Lord is building His church in Cote D' Ivoire through Good Tidings proclaimed in Word and Sacrament.
As another harvest season is finishing, we have been asking farmers "Did you try what we have been teaching?" We have been pleased to find some trying new ways. In Abasa, Western Region we asked that question and Kwaku Ataria, a farmer who has done test plots with us for the last two years said, "Yes". We asked him to tell his fellow villagers what he did and what lie observed. Kwaku said lie does not burn his land when he clears brush. He observed that the yield increased when he did not burn. He uses goat manure to fertilize crops; previously he used to throw it away. During a visit of his farm last year, Linda asked him what he did with the manure from his goats. At that time he said "I throw it away". It makes us happy to see our recommendations followed, see positive results and watch a person teaching these ideas to fellow villagers.
1999 has been a year marked by sadness, surprises, adjustments and change. Vicar Peter & Angie Kelm returned to USA for Peter to complete sem. Our ELCG seminary professors, Eggerts and Blokers, left the field with health problems. Sandra Groleau left the field for a new calling in the USA. Rev Burt and Carol Benson accepted a call to serve with Lutheran Association of Missionary Pilots (LAMP) in Canada. Gloria Grooms returned to us after recovering from a broken leg. New professors, Norris & Bernice Crook and Ted Kuster, arrived to teach at the ELCG seminary.
The rains came late to many parts of Northern Ghana and then they were excessive. Many crops spoiled as a result of excessive moisture. North of us in the Sahara Desert is the city of Timbuctu. They had the heaviest rainfall in living memory.
Pray for complete recovery from cancer for Mabelle Bloker. Rev. Jim, Mabelle and Tim left the field this summer due to Mabelle's illness.
Pray that Rev. John Eggert completely recovers from his illness and will be able to join us in Ghana again.
Praise God for Glenn J. Schwartz, World Mission Associates, for his ministry that has aided our church and given key insights into developing self-reliance..
We are thankful Rev. Ted Kuster has joined Dr. Norris Crook and wife Bernice in serving in the ELCG Seminary. Pray for wisdom for them as they prepare leaders to share the good tidings of salvation.
Please pray for our fellow workers in the Lutheran Mission throughout Africa as we work together with national members to bring the "Good Tidings" to all the people.
ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS "For the Support of Delano & Linda Meyer" (our salary and benefits) or "For the work in Ghana/Meyers" (these fund projects chosen on the field): LCMS World Missions 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS TO OUR PROJECTS FUNDED BY LCMS WORLD RELIEF: LCMS-World Relief, 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295. Please designate the project you wish to support: Ag Extension, Community Development, Hand Dug Wells, or Motorcycles for Ag Coordinators.
1999 is ticking away quickly. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a blessed new millennium' We thank each of you for your friendship and prayers. We know you will put the future in God's hands and trust Him to see you through. Your friends in Christ, Delano & Linda Meyer