This report is from one of our International Mentors, Scott Purser.
One of the joys I have experienced in being a coach in our Discipling for Development ministry has been to see the growth of Samuel, and his team in eastern Ghana. Samuel first attended our introductory workshop, Foundations in Discipling for Development, in 2006. His hometown of Wli, one of the most beautiful locations in Ghana, is the site of the largest waterfall in West Africa.
Yet, not far from Wli, communities face many struggles common to Africa, including malaria, deforestation, and low crop yields. Samuel took what he learned from the Discipling for Development workshop, and taught a team from his church how to disciple each other, and how to mobilize local communities to solve problems.
This process is not complete, but already Samuel and his team have seen tremendous growth in the lives of people in the local church. The congregation has planted more than a 1,000 coco trees to raise funds for planting churches in the nearby country of Togo. Samuel has also seen his team members help each other with marriage issues and provide for their families’ needs by growing tomatoes, rice, peppers, and mangoes. One of the women on the team has started a seamstress business, and is putting her four children through school.
The Wli team meets regularly, and has begun to train a community development committee in the next village how to understand the root problems in their community, and how they can address them through training, and utilizing local resources. It’s encouraging to see this community being transformed.
Our hope for Samuel, and for all of us is that, “He who began a good work…will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6).
