Archbishop Gregory Holley

Amazing African Missionary Endeavors Continue!

Our Suffragan Bishop, Malcolm Wilson in England oversees and assists many West AFrican Works. This story from his close friend Bishop Donker in Ghana touched my heart.   

AND THE WATERS WERE HEALED

2Kings 2:19 – And the men of the city said unto Elisha.

Behold I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my Lord seeth but the WATER is naught and the ground barren.  And he said bring me a new cruise, and put salt therein and they brought it to him.

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters and cast the salt in there, and said thus saith the Lord, I have HEALED these water, there shall not be from then a any more death or barren land.

As I read this verses in the Bible I see the same problem in the Upper East Region of Ghana.  The land is dried and barren the water bodies in the region is not good for drinking because it is contaminated with guinea worms, oncho and other health devastative bacterial.

The terrible flooding of last year left over 4,000 hand dug wells and bole hole which was serving as a source of drinking water and for farming for the people was also contaminated with rotten weeds and flooded dirty water.

With this situation the economical situation of the Region worsened poverty rate arosed to 150%.  To relieve the people of this suffering Africa Assistance Plan intervened by sending food clothings medicines to help the people.

Africa Assistance Plan also tackled the water problem.  We set a target to rehabilitate one thousand of the serious affected bole holes and handing wells.   By God’s Grace and with the help from our donors, particularly Living Water International based in Houston  Texas USA.  We have now rehabilitated, disinfected and fixed new hand pumps on 65 wells.  And the waters were healed.  This intervention has brought hope and joy to the people in Bulsa, Kasena Nankana and Garu Tempane Districts all in Upper East Region.

FUTURE PLANS  - OPERATION SAVE LIVES UPPER EAST REGION

On the water front AAP target is to rehabilitate the remaining 945 well in the seriously affected areas.  This wells will be fixed with new pumps.  This is an urgent need as the wells are going to be move contaminated in these forth coming heavy rain falls which will affect the health of the people particularly children. 

I humbly appealing to you to prayerfully consider to support this program to help bring the love of Jesus Christ to this people.

Rehabilitating of a well  fixed with pump - $2,000

Thank you.  

Rev. David Donkor  

www.gaylasmagazine.com  www.rolemodelsofamerica.com

 

Mobile Surgical Unit Available for Immediate Dispatch

This Mobile Surgical Unit cost over 2.5 million U.S. dollars to be buit in 2005 and 2006. It has never been used and is jammed packed with all kinds of equipment. The first thought that crosses our mind is the vast need in China because of the destruction of local medical services. We have many other places in the world that this invaluable tool can be dispatched to. There is an outstanding bill on the construction and it must be paid prior to dispatch. Many hands make the burden light. We have another opportunity. Please press the 'email me" button and we will be available to talk to you about this marvelous opportunity to help those in need. (double click on the pictures to enlarge)

Operation Compassion

Today finds us in Cleveland, Tennessee visiting Operation Compassion. Cleveland is also the home of the Church of God who have been most valuable partners to Gayla and I for many years.  While at lunch we were blessed to see Donnie and Barbara Smith. Donnie Smith is the International Director of Care for the Church of God which has 6 million attenders and 26,000 churches worldwide. Their committment to excellence is known by all in our field of labor.

We went to see Operation Compassion in their new warehouse and office complex.  It is fantastic.  With adequate storage and temperature control they can bring in the donor product and move it out again in effortless fashion.  I saw loads headed all over the world in a most efficient manner.

Dave Lorency is possibly the greatest friend in relief one could have.  Thousands upon thousands of semi trucks run annually through his mobile office. I took the picture today of him talking on the phone.  It has been said that when I grow up I want to be like my friend Dave!  As I listen to load after load being lined up I see the compassion that started in his heart 12 years ago in a little town in Alabama. His daughter Lisa, like my daughter Angela, is a trusted ally and manager!

 

When you see an Operation Compassion vehicle in the storm or where relief is needed pray for the great folks at www.operationcompassion.org as they are clearly world class.  Their loads are already in California at the fire scene and I listened today as they were seeking money to ship the goods they have in stock to California.  Will you help?  Go to their website today and see what you can do!

For our homefolks, we are headed to the house.  As you read this we are travelling toward La Porte looking forward to a great day in the house at New Life this weekend!  Be there!

Center of Hope Disaster Relief

It was a foggy yesterday in Baker, Louisiana. But the absence of the sun could not darken the outstanding properties of Pastor Larry and Melanie Stocksill. The Bethany Church is an outpouring of faith and love in the midst of a world still trying to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.  The Center of Hope, a women's counseling arm of the church, has evolved into a fantastic outreach for the area with food distribution and assistance.

The three magnificent crosses rising out of the fog represent the relief that was found here after Katrina. Bethany became a place for those of us in distribution to send supplies. I am told that at one point there were 14 loads of water sitting under the crosses waiting for distribution. It seems to me Jesus told of the rivers of living water that would flow!

My purpose of visiting was to talk of the future with Roger Bower.  His awesome involvement in the relief effort is chronicled at http://www.bethany.com/katrina_relief.php.  We wanted to talk about the victories but be aware that the future still holds uncertainties.  We wanted to confirm our Friends in Relief and to those of the PRC that New Life would be assisting with our virtual "traffic light" hoping to continue to point the way in first responder mode.

Roger and I are standing in the awesome warehouse that even while we were there was distributing to the needy of his area.  He told of the beginnings of the warehouse. In 48 hours a friend of his, who had enough gas in his service truck, delivered pallet racking and they worked through the nights transforming this area into a receiving dock for the goods that were piling up!

The work goes on and on and on...  It is amazing how many times Gayla and I have seen the tragedies of a storm turn into the work that continues.  In this case Bethany and Centers of Hope merely expanded what they do so well in the care of people!  To prepare for the need, to share in the pain, to show love, to lead the way defines what we so in our visit.

Gayla and I salute Roger Barrow, Charles Carpenter, Pastor Jerry Claunch, Wanda Jordan, and the Stocksills for their outstanding efforts! Why not visit their website today and make a donation to help them in their cause? www.centersofhope.net