Note: The schedule in the newsletter mistakenly indicated that they will be at Talbot Creek Community Church on July 2. The correct date is Sunday, July 1.

This team has typically worked alongside of NEA in Ghana in the month of November. However, the planned election in Ghana in late 2012 could complicate their work for them, and so we have moved the date of the next team to April 2013.

For those interested in participating in this team, applications will be posted online in April 2012.

Please pray for health and safety for these volunteers as they face a long journey and a grueling schedule over the next two weeks.

NEA just hosted its second Christian Chiefs’ Conference. This year about 120 chiefs were present from 13 tribes; 60 of the chiefs were new to the conference. Just as last year, our days together were rich and full.
Some of the chiefs shared how last year’s conference had impacted their lives. These testimonies were encouraging for us and we wanted to share them with you:

“I want to encourage you with how the Lord works. Last year when we came together there was a very difficult situation in my place. The village was divided into two and it was very tense. I asked many to pray and now the whole town is together!”

“Even though I was a Christian before I came here last year, my faith deepened and I think that helped me know better how to speak to people because the Lord’s Spirit was speaking through me. It brought we more respect and people always wanted me in their midst before taking decisions because of the way I was trying to bring them together in Jesus name. Not just in my community but wherever I go.”

“I learned that I may not be able to create cement fish ponds but I can start somewhere. I called some sub-chiefs together and was able to get hold of some land in a valley that wasn’t being used. I was able to get rice seed and tractor services and formed a co-op of 80 women and 20 men who farmed in the area and when each farmer harvested their crops, they gave me a bag of rice. I’ve used the proceeds of that rice to send 3 boys to secondary school.”

“The way I live with my wife is different now that I have seen Dr. David and the wife. The important lesson I learned was that I need a partner to work together with for the Lord. Now we are together more and work together. Even in the village people are wondering what has happened!”

Apart from testimonies, the days were filled with discussions of common concerns, learning together from the Scriptures, touring the NEA project site, communion, and even a baptism!

Once again, as we closed, it was unanimous that we should meet again next year. The chiefs have gone so far as to elect zone coordinators to help facilitate organizing next year’s event.

Please continue to keep the chiefs in your prayers as they seek to be salt and light and to declare His praises in each of their corners.

First, GRID plans to release a newsletter to report back on the team’s experience. We hope to email it out in the week of November 22 – 26. To receive the newsletter automatically you simply need to subscribe to GRID’s quarterly e-newsletter by November 21st.  We will also post it on our website shortly after emailing it out.

Second, the medical team will be sharing a report with us at Uxbridge Baptist Church on Sunday, November 28th at 10:30 am. All are welcome!

Thank you all for your interest in and support of this team.

When they arrived at the airport they were met by a representative of the Prime Minister’s office who had them bypass the normal checkpoints. The team was very thankful for this blessing.

They boarded their plane to Heathrow at 6:30 pm eastern time.

On Thursday night a party was thrown in the team’s honour. Local women patiently taught their ceremonial dance to the Canadian women.

They saw baby Joshua from last year and he was running around completely healthy which was an emotional time for the people that saw him so sick last year.

The bloggers are too tired for an official update tonight. More details to follow soon.

• Sun. Sep. 12 (7:30P): Uxbridge Baptist Church, Uxbridge, ON
• Sun. Sep. 19 (10:00A): Talbot Creek Community Church, Brechin, ON
• Sun. Sep. 26 (10:30A): Westney Heights Baptist Church, Ajax, ON

Over 100 chiefs and 40 of their attendants met, despite the tribal differences that so easily could have separated them.  They were able to share their unique challenges with one another and receive encouragement to continue as faithful leaders in their communities.

Thank you for your prayers for this event. We provide an in-depth report with our next newsletter later this spring.