My second rural missions experience with the Ghana Navigators was in April this year to the Challa people at Odomi in the Nkwanta district of Oti Region. Even though this was not my first missions experience I had doubts and unanswered questions in mind on the journey. The Challa people are one of the twenty unreached people groups we have been interceding for during our noon prayer session on Telegram for more than a year. Praying for the unreached people group continuously increased my burden for the lost. One of the questions that lingered on my mind as we journeyed was this: “Why do we have to travel this far to share the gospel with someone?” The questions on my mind did not hinder me from praying to God for utterance for enablement to engage the people on the field. I prayed intensely about this because I anticipated that language could be a barrier to reaching the people. God answered this prayer far beyond my expectation, I was able to share the gospel, teach songs, play, and communicate with the natives of the community. God reminded me of Twi (which is one of the languages predominantly spoken by the people) vocabularies to use as I engaged the different people at different levels. 

My convictions on the power of prayer deepened in the missions field. I was seated under a tree, in front of the house we lodged in, on the first day of arrival when some children came playing under the tree. I thought it was a golden opportunity to connect with the children, but I didn’t know how so I murmured a prayer asking God for His help and wisdom. The prayer was answered in less than 5 minutes and these children became a means to reach other children and their households because some wanted me to meet their parents. They responded positively to the gospel and came to our meeting place (under the tree) to learn and sing every day until the day of our departure. My heart was filled with joy as I heard some parents sing the songs I taught the children.

My encounter with Abena, a 9-year-old girl, in class 3 who could not write and recite the English alphabet was… At the end of the time we spent with them, she could recite the alphabet and even write her name and that of her family members. My question on why go that far to share the gospel was answered by the end of the period.  Abena and several younger ladies grew attached to me in less than a week. They saw a big sister in me, a model, a teacher, and a friend. There were days I shed tears just thinking and praying for them because God used the opportunity to remind me of the blessings I sometimes take for granted.

I am grateful to God for the women in my life who serve as good and godly models for me.  I noticed on the mission grounds the need for women to mentor and serve as godly role models for the ladies in the community. Some of them have become teenage parents who seem to have no hope for their future. Missions gave me the opportunity not just to share Christ with the people but also to share my life with them. I am currently in touch with some of the ladies I shared Christ with via phone and continue to thank God for their faith and the opportunity to be a part of their story. God is indeed fulfilling his promise in Psalm 2:8. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession (NIV)

I am convinced that all God needs to accomplish His work are empty vessels who are willing and available for His work, and He will sanctify them, and fill them with His spirit to impact the world. I pray that He will make us willing and available for His work. The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the labourers are few. 

Hannah Welbeck is a member of the Ghana Navigators Prayer Team. She coordinates the noon session of the weekday telegram prayers focused on the unreached people groups and the ministry’s expansion. She is currently serving as the administrative assistant at the National office of the Ghana Navigators and loves to dance.