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This newsletter is also available as an MSWord document, which might be preferable for printing: 2003q1.doc

Report from Richard & Linda Benskin with Joanna & Daniel

Dear friends,

The dry season is well underway and forage for the local livestock is in short supply. Most of the animals are quite capable of "rising to the occasion," like this little goat devouring our crepe myrtle. The part of the dry season often called the hot season is now beginning. Temperatures regularly reach triple digits by mid-morning and we rarely experience much night-time cooling. The bush-burning continues. We are scheduled to land in Austin, TX to begin our furlough on February 20th! This will be our first time to experience even a mild Austin winter in five years, and we are very excited about it. We were enjoying a cool evening last week. When we checked the thermometer we were surprised to find our cool spell was still 90°F. So, February in Austin may be a shock.

There is still some tension in Yendi after the trouble last Spring. Authorities are cautious about large gatherings. Nonetheless, the church at Yendi received permission from the security forces to host a New Year's party which included singing, a drama ("The battle belongs to the Lord," - from II Chronicles 20:1-30), and lunch. The day was so unseasonably cool (only in the high 90's) that the organizers decided there was no need to refrigerate the soft drinks! About 200 people attended, including church members from the surrounding villages, prominent Yendi (Muslim) leaders and clinic patients. We sill get stopped in the streets by people who came who want to thank the church for hosting the event.

The drama costumes included whatever clothing or props the people thought would convey their role: camo or wooden guns or swords for the army commanders, "fugu" smocks and/or sunglasses for all the most powerful men, and a hooded robe for the prophet. King Jehoshaphat, as an important "chief," naturally had an umbrella bearer! Daniel, playing an opposing army commander in an Ashanti Kente print and sunglasses, died very well.

The new Primary Health Care Worker Handbook is finally a reality! The first seminar for teaching the previously trained PHCWs how to use the new book, held here in Yendi, was well attended. Evangelists who work extensively in remote villages, such as Samson Laar (above), use their health knowledge to show the compassion of Christ almost every day. Samson and the other PHCWs were very enthusiastic about the new handbook, which will make it easier for them to provide modern, safe, and effective health care to the villagers they serve for Christ. We plan to stop in Kumasi to hold another PHCW seminar on our way south for our furlough.

The clinic building had a decorative block façade that posed problems, especially with bug control. International Health Care Foundation initiated renovations this dry season to replace the façade with louver windows and screens. The roof is also to be extended to shade the front walkway. This should make the waiting area much cooler. By rearranging the use of the existing space, we were also able to add a larger secure area for medicines and a small laboratory as well as another store-room. We have built lots of shelves and assisted in other ways with this project. Simultaneously we upgraded the overworked water system we share with the clinic and the Thorntons. This also required the construction of a new pump-house.

Although our personal role is mostly supportive, evangelism is the core of the work here in Yendi. The church in Yendi and the surrounding villages continues to grow. The prison ministry is flourishing as well. One of the Yendi prison guards is an active church member, and both the guards and the prisoners receive their medical care at our clinic. Area religious groups are assigned to provide church services at the prison on a rotating schedule, but the prisoners complained of many "no shows." So, on the days we are not scheduled for morning services, we still provide a well-attended afternoon worship service at the prison. Guards must stand watch when prisoners are born into Christ (photo). When a converted prisoner has served his time, Ghanaian church members help them locate Christians in their hometown so they will receive further teaching, counseling, and nurturing.

News, Notes and Prayer Requests

Fran and Jerry Thornton arrived back in Yendi in mid-November, followed closely by Dan and Kyle, and later Brenda and Tessa McVey. We often enjoy meals, dessert or a movie together. It is nice having other Americans around again.

The clinic is regularly treating about twenty wound patients. Of these, half have chronic wounds - some of which have lasted over 30 years! In addition to cleaning and dressing the wounds, we teach the patients about nutrition. Most slowly improve, but some cannot afford even the most basic protein sources, such as beans and corn.

• One of the Dagomba evangelists, Adams, just learned that his son has a severe infection in the hip joint. Please pray for relief of the terrible pain this young man is enduring, as well as complete healing.
• Please continue to pray for peace and a lasting resolution to the conflicts here in Yendi.
• Please pray for healing for our clinic patients, including the many with wounds.

In the Service of Our King,

The Benskin Family