Allen’s Blog

Official Weigh-in

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:07:28 +0000

I mean really, how else would you weigh a baby. It works for the meat industry, so why wouldn’t it work for babies. Micah weighed in this morning at 8.5 kg (18.7 lbs)...right on target. He is growing and developing wonderfully and is such a joy to have in our home! Please pray for continual health for our whole family.

We take football (soccer) seriously!

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:59:43 +0000

Ghana plays Ivory Coast tonight in the Africa Cup and apparently they take their football matches quite seriously. When Amy ventured out today, this is what she found on nearly every street corner to demonstrate Ghana pride. GO GHANA! I think I am going to try it for the next game against Burkina:)

Reaching the Nations!

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:07:47 +0000

I recently had the unique privilege of leading a youth retreat for 50 international students here in Ghana. I was excited about the retreat, but because I have done full time youth ministry for the past 7 years of my life, I thought it would be another routine youth retreat...one that I could previously do in my sleep (or lack thereof)! It wasn’t until I found out that 9 nations would be represented on this trip did I realize the magnitude of this event. I had the opportunity to literally reach the nations...9 of them. What an amazing opportunity and an even bigger responsibility God placed in our hands. We prayed that God would change lives through this retreat, and He showed up in an amazing way! Several first time decisions were made to follow Christ and a bunch of students committed to a deeper walk with Christ throughout the weekend. Young men were delivered out of big sin areas in their lives and young girls began to realize that they matter in God’s eyes. What an awesome opportunity! Please pray that these students from 9 nations will reach their nation with a new passion and fire!

Giving that costs you something!

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:45:12 +0000

During my recent trip to the northeast corner of Ghana, I visited a group of believers that met in a small structure made out of mud. We had just finished drilling a well for the community and were at the church service to celebrate and dedicate this new well. It was a typical African church service...lots of dancing, celebrating, and a bunch of words I could not understand. I was about to zone out when we got to the tithe and offering part of the service. I experienced something that I hope I will not soon forget. I was expecting, like most services, for the men and women to dance up front and put their “tithe” in the basket...”tithe” being their money...but instead, they were dancing up with bowls of rice, beans, wheat, etc.

I didn’t really understand what was going on, so I asked the pastor, and he told me that the people in this village do not make any money, they are subsistence farmers, and what their land provides for them is all they have to give. They will sometimes trade it for clothes, or other foods, but what they produce from farming is all they have for the entire year.

A mom at heart!

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:49:19 +0000

I have been blessed beyond belief watching my dear wife love on little baby “M” like he was her own child. We have been given the privilege of fostering this beautiful child while Beacon House attempts to locate his family and every minute of it has been a joy (except for the times he is pooping or screaming). Please be in prayer for our hearts as we grow more and more attached to this little one with each passing day.