April showers

There are periods in ministry and our personal lives that feel dry and barren, like wandering in the desert in search of an oasis and a reminder of God's refreshing and life-giving water. This past month has felt somewhat like that for the first time since starting Etwene. The boys appear content but have seemingly plateaued in their daily devotions. Our staff is undergoing transitions, requiring reorganization, and we're looking to add members who can help us grow. In these times, it's easy to question whether God is still with us, if we're still following His will, and if we're being obedient to His call. As we have reevaluated and prayed, seeking the Lord for guidance on the next steps and how to use this time to refine and strengthen us, God has beautifully confirmed and affirmed that He has good plans and is faithful to His promises.

March was dry both in Texas and Ghana, reflecting the situation at Etwene. However, April has come, and in these first two weeks, God has provided the rain—refreshing and nourishing—to sustain life and revive the parched land. Amidst these showers, He has adorned the sky with rainbows, reminding us of His faithfulness to His promises. At Etwene, He has also initiated a drizzle of hope and encouragement as we introduce new prayer initiatives and prepare for a fundraising campaign set to launch on May 1st.

After Easter and a week of focusing on Christ sacrifice on the cross the students had a somewhat odd request for our next study.....LEVITICUS.... yes you read that correctly! I thought they were being sarcastic at first but apparently they were serious. Please pray that as they study they will not only learn something new in a book most have not read before but also that they will see how it all points to Jesus.

Prayer Points for April

• Wisdom as we continue to seek God's guidance and mentor these young men, encouraging them to grow in their faith.

• Spiritual renewal for each of the boys, fostering a hunger and thirst for God and His Word.

  • Pray for us to find ways to make Leviticus interesting and applicable to their lives today

• A new prayer initiative, with ongoing work on the details of its launch and implementation.

• Fundraising:

  • Trusting in God's provision and timing for our needs.

  • God to prepare new donors to contribute and partner with us in prayer.

  • Establishing new connections and networking opportunities.

• God to provide a new board member skilled in Marketing/Fundraising to help raise awareness and facilitate growth.

• Progress in finding and purchasing property, with wisdom to overcome the challenges that arise!