ISSUE 69
HE RE
I
A M!
MAY 2016
THIS IS WHAT A HOSPICE DOES
CONTACT INFORMATION: WAMM, P.O. Box 2028 Waukesha, WI 53187 Phone: (262) 347-7172 E-Mail: Either Brian or Debbie @WAMMGhana.com Website: WAMMGhana.com Facebook: WAMMGhana Twitter: @WAMMGhana
PLEASE PRAY WITH US: Pray for Nehemiah and for God to be glorified through his life or his death. Pray for the Dekus and the other workers at HOME especially as they care for Nehemiah. Pray that Mercy and Nyamekye will finally get to join their adoptive family in the US.
House Of Mercy (HOMe) is a registered hospice for orphaned and at-risk children in Ghana. By definition, then, we minister to children who are deemed terminally ill. What we have found in Ghana, however, is that “terminally ill” is a much broader diagnosis than it is in the US.
sponsibility to care for Nehemiah during his transition from earthly life to eternal life. When my wife expressed her sympathy and sorrow to the Dekus for their having to face this difficult time, William’s response reminded us just how precious this couple is to HOMe and to us.:
In Ghana, terminally ill not only refers to those who have an incurable condition, it also refers to those whose condition simply will not be cured unless care is provided by a ministry like HOMe. Most of the children we have cared for fit in this wider definition of hospice care.
“Oh! [Ghana translation: Please don’t worry about us], It’s OK. This is part of the ministry God has called us to and this is what God has chosen. We accept it with joy.”
Recently, however, we were reminded what being a hospice can really mean. A few weeks ago, we were asked to take care of a little one we named Nehemiah. Nehemiah presented with hydrocephalous, but upon further investigation with a neurosurgeon was found to have Holoproencephaly. From what we understand this is a condition in which the brain of the unborn child doesn’t develop into two hemispheres. Most children who develop this condition never reach birth. In cases like Nehemiah’s, the prognosis is a life expectancy of less than a year. When Nehemiah came into our care we had a “Name-the-Baby” campaign. Natalie, a ten-year old girl, saw his picture and said to her mother, “He looks
like a Nehemiah.” When her mother looked up the name, she found that it meant “Comforted by Yahweh”. Wow, could a more appropriate name have been chosen? Comfort by Yahweh is exactly what is needed at this point. Of course we are hoping that our God will comfort little Nehemiah as long as his little life will last in this world. We are told by doctors that little ones in his condition do not suffer pain. For that we are so grateful. We are also grateful that if Nehemiah’s little life should come to an end, our God stands ready to comfort him in heaven. No greater comfort will this little one ever receive or need. Our merciful, compassionate, loving God is ever ready to welcome him home. But the Comfort of Yahweh is also needed by William and Priscilla as they have the re-
Those words really came out of his mouth—unrehearsed. These are the kind of people God has blessed us with. Lives like little Nehemiah’s are truly what being a hospice is all about. Of course we want to see children survive and thrive. And this is what we continue to pray for this “hopeless” case. But when God decides to bring a little one home, it is our hope and prayer that we can insure that the transition from life to LIFE! Is filled with compassion and care. This is why we call our hospice House Of Mercy. We long for it to be a place where God’s mercy is clearly and undeniably recognized because we believe this is what truly brings glory to our God. Please pray for Nehemiah, for HOMe and for the Dekus as God’s purpose for this little life unfolds.
HERE I AM!
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MISSION’S CONFERENCE especially in the arena of missions. As it worked out, I believe Debbie and I were the recipients of the greatest encouragement.
This past weekend (May 7-8) Debbie and I had the joy of being part of a mission’s conference hosted by Hamilton Baptist Church in Hamilton Virginia (just outside Washington D.C.). I was invited to be the keynote speaker for this weekend and went with the intention of encouraging the people of this congregation,
This is an unusual church in our day and age. Lead by their pastor Steven Carne (pictured to the right while preaching in Ghana), this church has an uncommon passion to reach the world with the gospel.
and with Jesus. May God continue to bless your efforts to reach the lost. And may West African Mercy Ministries be as great encouragement to you as you have been to us. We felt loved the entire weekend. May God show you that same kind of love.
One of the questions we were asked in coming is “How Can HBC be a robust partner in your work?” I have to admit I have never been asked that before. All this to say, thank you Hamilton Baptist Church for your enthusiasm to reach the world for Jesus
SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES If you would like to . . .
Help create & maintain ministries in Ghana such as HOMe, WAMM’s Women’s Shelter, WAMM’s Guest House, etc. Sponsor a Baby Bed at HOMe Help Bring the McIntyre’s support up to 100%, insuring their continued involvement in WAMM Partner with WAMM in planting mercy-ministering churches in Ghana With a . . .
One-Time Gift of $_____________________________________ Monthly Gift of $_____________________________________ Annual Gift of $_____________________________________ Please fill out this form and mail it with your name and address to West African Mercy Ministries, P.O. Box 2028, Waukesha, WI 53187 Or Check out our Paypal option on the Website: WAMMGhana.org