African Hope Update
04/16/2008By Charlie Budd
Greetings from Ghana, West Africa
The rains have come; the dust of the long dry season has been washed away, brown is becoming green and flowers are budding. The butterflies are returning in search of the new nectar. The dragonfly now searches for its favorite food... the mosquito. As the rain comes we enjoy long, deep, refreshing breathes, gone is the staleness of the long dry, dusty air. While it is raining the ground literally open with new life; the African termite has been incubating in the soil for six months. Whole communities, including the queen who has laid thousands of eggs, have been busy in their sub terrain society. The rain softens the hard, dry ground allowing the fully developed, winged termite to burrow from below to the wet surface. A few flaps of their wings and they are off to establish another under ground community. It is during the time of first flapping their wings that we see another wonder of nature. Inhabiting my compound are at least 50 lizards, a few tree frogs, and dozens of yellow spotted toads. It is time for their rainy season banquet. The rain brings a flurry of activity and new life; the complexity of nature is revealed and God is honored in His creation. Creation itself screams out the intricacy of the Creator. Can you hear it? Sometimes you must sit in the rain to gain your blessing and hear God's voice. As for this family we run outside when it rains!
The last few weeks have been quite full of difficult situations. We thank all of you who are praying for the Budd family and African Hope. Least importantly, we have a Dakota pick up truck that is driven by Kimberly when I travel to rural villages. As this is the case 3-4 days each week it is vital to the transportation needs of the family. This truck is used to deliver books, computers, and school supplies, also. Occasionally it delivers construction materials to rural schools and orphanages in need of repair. Sadly the engine has finally stopped functioning. We are praying about repairing or replacing the engine, which is now being dismantled to see the extent of needs. Please keep this in prayer as it is vital to ongoing ministry.
What has been heavy on my heart is the passing of my Grandma' Budd. Marcella Budd lived at Indian Lake and many of my most pleasant childhood memories included the time spent with her and my Father's father. Grandma and Grandpa Budd were wonderful! The love of fishing, boating, swimming and the art of just sitting beside the lake watching the water are all gleaned from these wonderful people. I have truly missed my Grandpa Budd since his passing many years ago, now I am deeply grieved to have now temporarily lost the ability to visit with my Grandma Budd. I visited her last year while we were in the USA on furlough. Her little house had changed only slightly and the childhood memories were rekindled as I sat and talked with her. We talked of yesterdays and of current family situations; both made us laugh as we discussed the humor in most situations... sometimes only discovered after the passing of time. She was quite curious about what was happening in Africa and how long I would stay so far away. When I explained it could be the remainder of my life she only laughed, saying none of us know how long that could be. Amen! She begged me to continue sending the journal entries/updates. Saying they had been a source of joy and pride in what God has done with me and my family. She then began crying and begging me to put all these experiences into a book so others could be encouraged to see what a changed life can do with God being my source. Grandma Budd knew I was from the least of the least, she knew my education was incomplete, that my beginnings were meager. Grandma knew that the current events in my life could only be accomplished through my changed life and with God's assistance. Amen!
It is sad that my journal entries did not reach her the last three months of her life. An internet hacker infiltrated my email list and the website host causing much turmoil. The company hosting my website (for free) suffered great lost, the men assisting African Hope with the website and in sending the updates volunteered many extra hours to correct the situation. Now we are partially restored in sending the updates, but not to the complete list. Over 350 people from the list did not receive the previous email and their email bounced back to us for some reason. Many family members and friends asked why they did not receive the update when other had. So the battle is ongoing, so I need your assistance. Please forward this email update to others who may wish to hear from us and pray for us while we minister in Ghana, West Africa. Forward this to your pastors, elders, brothers and sister to see if they are receiving this update. If they are not receiving thie updates have them go to www.AfricaHope.com and sign up for the newsletter... even if they believe they are already on the list. I want to give God glory and share the testimony of what He is doing in West Africa. I also wish to honor my Grandma Budd with the sharing of these stories of victory for the Budd family.
This week as I was away from Kim and the children a sense of even greater urgency stuck me in my quest to be an Evangelist to Ghana. Please tell someone about Jesus! Do it this week!! People are dying without knowing the truth, without ever hearing the truth. I will see Grandma and Grandpa Budd when my time is over here on Earth. They knew Jesus as their Savior. Tell someone today how they too can have a changed life in Jesus.
Keep Praying
Pastor Charlie