Africa Regional Conference
Directors Find Encouragement and Support in Ghana
“Is mine the only ministry that struggles to make ends meet financially?” “How am I expected to manage increasing government regulations and demands?” “How can my ministry become sustainable when my patients are poor and unable to pay for most of the services that are provided?” “Is it wise to hire a non Christian to work in my clinic?”
These were some of the many questions shared by participants who attended the First Africa Regional Conference held in Kasei, Ghana. The Luke Society currently partners with eleven African ministries from eleven different countries in western, central and eastern Africa. This was the first time that all of the African ministries were brought together for a regional conference designed to have sessions of mutual encouragement as well as joint problem solving.
Prior to traveling to Kasei, all eleven of the Luke Society ministry directors and most of their spouses gathered in Accra, Ghana. Here they attended a worship service at the Emmanuel Eye Centre where they were warmly greeted by Ghanaian believers, after which they boarded a bus for the nearly ten-hour trek to Kasei. During the bus ride, a steady undercurrent of excitement was evident as participants engaged in conversations by which new friendships were developed and old ones renewed. In addition, they enjoyed scenic vistas of the rainforest which eventually gave way to the African savannah as they approached Kasei. It was in this remote location of Kasei that the Luke Society had its beginnings in Africa, partnering with Dr. John Boateng in 1988.
Dr. Boateng proved to be a very gracious and capable host. Conference participants were housed at one end of the sprawling 30 acre medical compound in the Boelens House, the Boateng Home and the White House. Meals were enjoyed family-style in these homes and participants were treated to a variety of savory traditional Ghanaian dishes each day.
Meetings were held at Vogel’s Nest, a comfortable community housing complex where several of the hospital staff are housed. It is also equipped with an educational training room. To get there from the guest houses, the participants enjoyed a leisurely stroll down a red dirt road canopied with mature cashew trees, which were planted as seedlings just 15 years ago.
Throughout the week, ministry directors and their spouses enjoyed lively presentations which addressed ministry challenges, needs and strategies for future success and development. Most of the directors publicly shared their personal testimony of how they came to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and how that decision ultimately impacted their desire to minister in the underserved areas of their country.
The book of Nehemiah was an especially relevant focus for devotions each day of the conference. Directors readily drew parallels between their ministry challenges and Nehemiah’s difficult task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem despite significant obstacles and adversity. Directors were then encouraged to apply the lessons learned from Nehemiah to their own ministry struggles.
In addition, many directors came from countries that had endured brutal civil war, and some of them spoke privately of the atrocities they witnessed or experienced personally. Today, these countries continue to struggle with the effects of such destruction. Liberia, for example, suffered for 14 years with civil war and now faces the daunting task of rebuilding. For the past several years they have not had the benefit of conveniences such as electricity, running water or sewage systems. In Sierra Leone, thousands of disabled civilians had one or more arms or legs severed by rebel groups who used this as an intimidation tactic. The social impact for this kind of care is overwhelming the country’s resources. And the Democratic Republic of Congo endured the Great War of Africa (also known as Africa’s World War) from 1998 to 2003 which involved eight African nations, resulting in the deaths of greater than five million people.
Relationships were solidified between African directors as they shared these struggles with each other, since they were uniquely able to understand these challenges.
Despite difficult circumstances such as these, each director emphasized a consistent and even more powerful message of hope and healing. Through Luke Society ministries, communities are being renewed, physical and emotional health is being restored, and the message of eternal hope in Christ is taking root in the heart of new believers!
Directors were also challenged to continue to manifest ministries in which excellence is the standard. “Our God is not a God of mediocrity, but of excellence,” stated Indielou Dougnon of Mali. In addition, they were asked to continue to show compassion to the poor by their example. Paul Kpanabom from Sierra Leone suggested that directors occasionally bring unbelievers and lower class citizens into their own home for a meal or fellowship. “Invite them to your home. If you are inviting them to church and heaven, but not your own house, it is a poor witness,” he said.
During the conference, each director and their spouse also displayed their love and allegiance for their countries in a colorful parade of flags. For this ceremony, a vivid palate of color was exhibited in the combination of bright traditional apparel and national flags. Participants proudly carried their flag as they marched down “cashew lane” to the St. Luke Hospital, through the waiting room and down the hospital corridors, all the while singing, “Onward Christian Soldiers.”
As a result of this regional conference, ministries and partnerships were strengthened, ideas were shared, future plans were clarified and the spirit of each director was refreshed. These servant leaders are now even better equipped and uniquely bonded as the body of Christ serving faithfully on the continent of Africa.
Greg Kuiper, MD