Pastor Edward (Ghana National Director)
teaching Pastors in Chiana, Ghana.
FAMILY UPDATE
Hello again from the McCartys! A few months have passed, so it is time for another quick update on Family and Ministry! Thank you for standing with us in prayer and giving as we continue to work toward saturating Africa, and beyond, with the gospel! I have included a bonus “Prayer Addendum” this time with a few items and explanations to help guide your prayers for our work.
Tracy and the Born2Be Therapeutic Equestrian Center, staff recently passed their national re-certification with PATH, the governing organization over therapeutic horsemanship. It was a great amount of work, and we are really proud for them. Now, with school starting, the crazy schedules hit with all the additional school/mom duties, as well! She does a great job balancing life.
The Chidesters are in the process of buying their first house - and it happens to be near where we live! They both also continue to work with the youth of Denton Community Church, and love their jobs at Moore Supply and Medical City Lewisville!
Trinity moves into the dorms at TWU very soon! She is pursuing a degree in Dietetics. As I write this, she is shadowing staff members at a nearby hospital to get a feel for the different aspects her future career will entail.
Remington is starting her first year of High School at DCA, and is slightly nervous to have her dad as one of her teachers. Volleyball season has kicked off, and she is playing Outside Hitter, and doing very well! She is also Freshman Class President and serves on Student Council.
Sierra is now a 6th grader and in Junior High… where does the time go and how does it get there so fast? She continues to enjoy all aspects of 4H Club, and is serving as Club Treasurer this year!
Maw is FINALLY out of the hospital - we hope, this time for good! Since last September, she has had a revised intestinal track, a pacemaker, and several complications with each procedure. Just when she was all healed up from those, hernias made their appearance. Last week, we had those remedied. She is back home and recovering nicely - Praise the Lord! Thank you for your prayers!
MINISTRY UPDATE
Multiplying the Movement
I returned to West Africa for the first time in several years… it was my first time to be physically on the ground since I was “promoted” to Africa Director. What a blessing to spend time in the presence of West Africa Director, Stephen Aputara and his family! It was as if I had never left! One of the many things I love about our ministry approach at Strategic Impact is that relationships are expected to extend beyond work. We desire to truly be friends and brothers! Above, you will see Stephen (West Africa Director), Victor (Burkina Faso National Director), and Edward (Ghana National Director). These men are true men of character and commitment! They have been developing leaders and seeing many new disciples made over the past few years through their work with SI - now we are ready to shift to the next gear and multiply Church-Planting Movements so ALL may hear the gospel across ALL of West Africa, and beyond!
Transformed Muslim in Ghana
While in Ghana, Stephen and I (with some others SI Team Members) taught and encouraged groups in 7 different towns & villages in 7 days. The first Sunday, I was asked to preach in a small church in the village of Arigu, Ghana. No U.S. staff from Strategic Impact had been to Arigu, but Stephen and his team had launched SI there a few years ago. During praise and worship, I noticed an older man [photo on Right] in a traditional Ghanaian smock (shirt). He was a little more reserved than the rest of the congregation and appeared to hold the respect of everyone there, including the Pastor. I was curious, and asked Stephen who he was. After the service, the Pastor and Stephen introduced me to the man and I discovered he was one of the Deacons in the church. But what was truly amazing was what HE shared about himself. He is a local Chief in the village, and was a lifelong Muslim. Through one of the SI trainings, the gospel was shared with him and he trusted Christ for salvation. After sharing how he came to Christ, he looked me in the eye and said something which shook my soul. He said, “If SI had come 10 years ago, there would be no more Muslims in this village. They would all be Christians now.” OH! That we could go everywhere that asks for training!
Witch Doctor in Lesotho
I journeyed from Ghana in West Africa down to Lesotho, which is inside South Africa (about 3400 miles, as the crow flies… but NO crows fly that way). We have been working for several years in Lesotho, and have endured to see God bring about great spiritual fruit! The team there is nearing its time of release so they can multiply another leadership team. Already they have launched Strategic Impact in 5 different locations - 3 in Lesotho and 2 in South Africa! We had a brand new network of Pastors and Leaders to train this time during our Leadership Thrust! [photo Above] After teaching and discussion in the morning, we divided up into groups and went out into neighborhoods to share the gospel in order to plant new cell churches. One of the teams was welcomed into a home to share about the word of God. Upon entering, they immediately realized it was the home of a Sangoma (witch doctor) because of the decorations and paraphernalia around the house. (It is a commonly held belief in Lesotho that a Sangoma cannot be saved - they have gone too far to be won to Christ. Naturally, we teach that NO ONE is beyond the reach of the Holy Spirit!) They did not know what to expect, but the man said, “I am so glad you are here! Can you help me? I have been getting more and more worried that God will not accept me when I die. I have tried everything in my powers to satisfy this fear but cannot.” He went into the back of the home, came back with a Bible, and said, “I have even tried reading this, but I cannot seem to understand it. Please help me! I am so afraid!” They led him to salvation in Christ right then, and went back the next day to begin to disciple him in his new faith in Jesus. Soon, he will join the new cell church which will be launched in that neighborhood. God continues to do amazing things by the power of the Holy Spirit and through His word, which is able to equip every man for every good work!
BONUS: Experiences & Photos!
The Traffic Stop Shakedown...
We had no breakdowns or getting stranded experiences this time, but I did get pulled over (I wasn't speeding... this time) while driving in to the airport in Tamale, Ghana to begin my journey on to Lesotho. The Policeman at the checkpoint noticed I didn't blend in and waved me over. When I got out of the car, he asked for my license, so I provided it - a Texas Commercial Driver's License (I keep my CDL so I can drive the buses for Denton Calvary on occasion). He took a quick look and said, "This is not an International License. I have to keep it and you have to pay a fine to get it back." Stephen and I both knew this was an attempt to get a bribe. We stood around the truck and talked more with the Policeman. Found out we almost had the same birthday! Finally, he agreed to return my license to me if Stephen would take the wheel for the rest of the drive. Done! My only regret is that I didn't take a selfie with him!
The Temperature Down in Africa...
So I arrived in Ghana with Summer in full-swing. Ghana is just North of the Equator. Fortunately, the temperatures had dropped from the previous few weeks, down to a nice, cool, humid upper 90's range during the day. All went well - then I few to Lesotho. Lesotho is far South, and is actually surrounded by the country of South Africa. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, our Summer is their Winter! Add to the fact that Lesotho nestles into the Drakensberg Mountains, and you get a minor temperature adjustment! The coldest night there was 25°F! Frost on the ground every morning! I wore my coat and a stocking cap every day! Yes. It does get cold in Africa. You can bless the rains down in Africa... you can ALSO Bless the Snow (on occasion)!
Things I saw today... MONDAY, June 10 edition - Ghana
In Walewale, Ghana today! Taught 4 1/2 hours (almost straight) for 42 Pastors and Leaders from the area. Very encouraging time with the body of Christ in Ghana. We continue on tomorrow to another location. Here are some interesting sights from the drive and time today.
Things I saw today... TUESDAY, June 11 edition - Ghana
In Kpasenkpe today - basically out in the bush. 2 hour drive on dirt roads, sort of like growing up in Oklahoma! Encouraged 42 Pastors & Leaders today in this area and helped set up a future longer training for the Ghana team. Things are going very well! There is much work in evangelism and discipleship to be done here, as the area is only around 2% Christian!
Things I saw today... WEDNESDAY, June 12 edition - Ghana
Today we were in Gambaga (the former capital of Northern Ghana) speaking to some youth and setting up future work in the area for Strategic Impact.
Things I saw today... THURSDAY, June 13 edition - Ghana
Yesterday we were in Navrongo, Ghana encouraging and training 29 Pastors and Leaders who have been involved in with Strategic Impact. We also visited Stephen Aputara's home village of Mirigu where I was blessed to meet his mom, Abisiboba. Great day of work and time together! OH! Stephen also had a friend near his house call and tell him that their child had seen him bringing a white muslim into his home. (me) HA!
Things I saw today... FRIDAY, June 14 edition - Ghana
Today we were in the village of Chiana training 97 Pastors & Leaders from 17 different churches and setting up future work in the area for Strategic Impact. Great day together with the team!
Things I saw today... SATURDAY, June 15 edition - Ghana
Today 5 of us traveled to the village of Sandema, Ghana where we introduced Strategic Impact to 21 Pastors & Leaders from around the area to set up a future launch to help churches. A little less in the way of photos, since I was the driver all day - and taking photos while driving... well, Tracy McCarty would be displeased. :-) Ended the day with a good strategy session with Stephen Aputara (our West Africa Director), Victor (our Burkina Faso National Director), and Edward (our future Ghana National Director). The tracks are now set for some great work to take place throughout the rest of the year. Please pray for Burkina Faso! There are still jihadist acts taking place in the north there. Many churches have been attacked, and some bombed or set fire to. This is the reason we did not venture into Burkina as a team on this trip (I don't blend in, so it would be quite unwise to do so without extreme need). It is bad enough that 98 Pastors have left the north to seek refuge further south in their nation.Tomorrow, it's an early start to the airport for back to back flights with an extended layover in Dubai... then back to back flights to arrive in Lesotho to partner with our team there as they expand the reach of the kingdom, train more pastors & leaders, and bring the gospel to the lost!
