The month of April has finally ended and that means another report about what all God is doing in Ghana!  April hasn’t been as jam packed as other months as far as school goes, but God is still continuing to do BIG things in Ghana!

      We finished the 3^rd Quarter of school on the 11^th and all of us were looking forward to a much needed vacation to the beach.  Everyone who lives at the house and other members of the Hostetter family went to Axim Beach to rest and relax.  On the way to the beach we went and visited Elimina Castle for a little while.  Elimina was used as place where slaves were kept from all around West Africa.  It was really interesting to see and hear all about the things that went on there, and learn about the history. 

      While at the beach we enjoyed all of God’s beauty with the ocean, plants, trees, etc that He made for us to see His glory.  It was crazy to think that I was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, even though I was in Africa, being miles apart from home.  While the waves back home aren’t anything as far as size and power, the ones here make up for it!  Another interesting fact is that all the hurricanes we get back home, start off the coast here in West Africa!

      Some of us got to go to a wildlife park which was about an hour away from the place that we stayed.  There were all these pictures of these animals that lived there and everything, but we didn’t see a single animal, not one!  However, it was fun to walk through the jungle and see these enormous trees and other beautiful plants.

      While at the beach, I had my 23^rd Birthday in Africa, that’s something I’ll never forget.  While it wasn’t off the charts fun, it was still neat to be here celebrating my birthday in Ghana, West Africa.  Thanks to all of you who sent emails, cards or Facebook messages (I really appreciate it). We’ll all have to celebrate when I get back, haha. 

      We returned on the 18^th for some more days of rest before the 4^th Quarter was to start.  However, a small group of us were going to go to Konkomba Family Camp.  Konkomba is in the northern part of Ghana and is 9 hours away from Kumasi.  There are 4 Konkomba’s that go to school here in BCA.  Konkomba country is the definition of bush and what you think of when you think Africa.  Mud huts with straw roofs and absolutely no electricity.  We got there on the 24^th, right as it was getting dark to set up our tents, so that was fun.  Especially with the tents being the shape they were in and the poles needed for them didn’t cooperate too much. 

      While everything was set up and we had opened Family Camp a little with singing and some teaching for a little while, it was time for bed.  Needless to say, in the middle of the night, God decided to show His power and might with a huge thunderstorm, winds and rains!  So we all rushed to put our stuff in the van and we slept in the van for the first night, I slept in the passenger seat with my feet on the dashboard (so just imagine that, haha).  Friday morning and throughout the day it was really cool, which was a blessing from the heat.  At Family Camp we studied 1 Timothy, which was really good and encouraging for everyone throughout the week.  During the afternoon I got some of the younger kids to play a soccer game which was fun to referee. The kids could play their hearts out all day and not break a sweat, no joke.  So at night there was some more teaching and a movie after that for everyone in the village to come and watch.  We brought a small generator to show movies and so we could have light at night.  I decided to again sleep in the van this time, but I slept on an actual seat, so that was a lot better compared to night one. 

      Saturday was extremely hot to say the least, so being in the shade was a must!  There was more teaching and singing which is really fun in Konkumba, because the people really get into it and dance, which is fun.  The people there have been in wars before with a tribe nearby and you can see their passion and warrior mindset in dancing and playing the instruments, it’s really awesome to experience and be a part of it all.  Saturday afternoon Mr. H had a strong man competition for anyone who wanted to be involved, which was fun to watch too.  Of course we played soccer too, you can’t go anywhere in Ghana and not see goal post up every few yards or so.  This time I actually got to play which is always fun, especially when everyone on your team and the other team basically doesn’t play with shoes on!  (Most of the games I’ve played in Ghana, people don’t play with shoes.)  Our team won 2-1 which was fun; it wasn’t anything too competitive, but soccer is a passion here in Ghana.  We again ended the day with teaching and watching another movie before everyone left to go to bed.

      Sunday morning there was another huge rainstorm, where it rained and rained for a while.  So we had to push Assembly back a little bit because of that.  I led a little devotion on 1 Chronicles 29 about the people offering willingly and offering with a whole heart to God. I would encourage you all to look at it see the emphasis David and everyone put on giving to God.  Mr. H led the Lord’s Supper and a small time of teaching since we needed to leave at 11 to get back to Kumasi with daylight.  We all had a good time at Family Camp and everyone had a positive attitude throughout the entire trip which made things go smoothly.  We arrived back in Kumasi close to 8 pm.  With us starting back to school for the 4^th Quarter the next day!  So we’re back to school now and doing our best to glorify God here in Kumasi.

      Well, with all of that said, April was great time of travel and rest in the Lord.  May is starting up now and God is still going to continue to do great things here and back in the States.  So I encourage you all to stay focused on Him and continue to reach out to those around you to win for Christ through your life and teaching the Truth.  Thanks so much for you prayers and support in the mission, I hope to talk to you all soon.  Have a great month in May! 
 
 

Prayer Request:

• Konkomba Church
• 4^th Quarter at BCA (students to finish strong and for us to be able to help whenever)
• The Church here in Kumasi
• Staying focused on Him through spending time in the Word, memorizing scripture and prayer
• Pregnant Ladies in the congregation

 
 

In Christ, 
 

Travis