Seasons of Pruning

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." — John 15:1-2 (NIV)

Our lives are an ongoing journey of growth, and to thrive, we sometimes undergo periods of pruning, where things are cut back so that God can help us flourish in new ways. These pruning phases are seldom enjoyable or easy and can often seem like setbacks or even destruction. However, God consistently uses these times to fortify us and develop us into something greater, with a deeper, transformative faith.

Etwene is presently experiencing a pruning season, which has been somewhat unsettling and often overwhelming. However, the assurance that God is present in this situation and will use it to cultivate deeper roots and a more fruitful harvest provides perseverance and hope. We invite you to join us in prayer as we navigate these growing pains and strive to glorify the Lord through it all!

Our Students

The boys have just completed a challenging two-month study of the book of Leviticus! They persevered through it, even though many people abandon their Bible readings when they reach this book of laws. We focused significantly on how Jesus fulfilled the law and the reasons behind God's laws. As you might imagine, the boys are ready for a change, so we are connecting this extensive study of Leviticus to the New Testament by beginning the book of Galatians. Galatians emphasizes "Justification by FAITH alone." Paul, the author of Galatians, highlights why the Law cannot save us—only Jesus can! We are eager to see how these two studies will complement each other and enhance the boys' understanding of God's Word as unified throughout all of scripture, both Old and New Testament. The boys are also working on writing out the Gospel in their own words, as well as their personal testimonies, so they can share them effectively, concisely, and naturally. We hope to share some of those testimonies in the near future!

Fundraising

We are currently conducting a fundraising campaign to ensure that each of our students is fully supported for the next year, and, if possible, to add another 1-2 students. Please assist us by sharing our website, blogs, and social media with friends and family. Our aim is to provide at least 6 full student scholarships, which require a commitment of $6000 per year. These full scholarships cover all living expenses for a student, including food, transportation costs, data, and utilities, as well as a full year of tuition in their chosen educational paths. If you are able to fully sponsor one of our students or provide a half scholarship, we will send you quarterly updates on your specific student, and you may also send letters to them. We are also seeking to increase our monthly donor support to cover unexpected expenses such as additional healthcare costs, facility damages/repairs, and the salary of our wonderful mentor, Akolgo. Please consider whether you can meet any of these needs or share with others who might be able to help. Donations are easy just hit the donate button at the top of this page!

Prayer Team

We are launching a new prayer initiative and would be thrilled for you to join us! We will host an online prayer session every second Wednesday of the month at 12 PM (noon) to pray for Etwene and our students. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect our supporters with our students and staff as we come together from both sides of the ocean at the feet of Jesus. If you would like to participate in this initiative, please email Markh@etwene.com

New Leadership

During this season of pruning and preparing for new growth, we have experienced some staffing changes and recognized the need for additional personnel to manage certain areas. We aim to add a new board member based in the US with experience in networking, fundraising, and sales. This is crucial for our success and growth, and we ask for your prayers as we search for the person God has in mind to fulfill this role. On the Ghana side of Etwene, we are also implementing new structures. Akolgo will be expanding his responsibilities by taking on the position of a board member overseeing all mentoring aspects and future mentors of Etwene. We are currently in discussions with a potential candidate to assume the role of Director of Operations in Ghana. This individual will handle much of the administrative work in Ghana and establish local connections. We ask for your prayers for the Lord to reveal and clarify the best candidates for these roles and prepare their hearts for these positions.