Gideons Bring The Word To Ghana

The sun beat down in the unrelenting stream of 110 degree heat of Africa in November. Unhindered by the extreme conditions, Gideons diligently piled boxes of Scriptures into cars, anxious to begin the 2014 Ghana International Scripture Blitz. With a population of over 27 million people, Ghana holds over 75 ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. The opportunity to reach out and touch the life of a non-believer in Ghana is great.

This November, a team of 21 international Gideons traveled to the cities of Accra and Kumasi for the 2014 Ghana International Scripture Blitz. On the first day of distributions, team members met up with local Gideons to place Bibles in hotels. The manager of the Allisa Hotel was thrilled to receive the Bibles in his hotel rooms. He told Gideons he had a guest check out and demand a refund because there was not a Bible in the room. The manager began looking for a way to provide Scriptures, and shortly after, the Gideons showed up. He was amazed Gideons provided Bibles at no cost to hotel managers. A full day of hotel distributions resulted in 12 personal salvation experiences and 19,570 Scriptures placed.

Sharing God’s Word in the Schools of Ghana

The team also focused on distributing to schools and universities. They experienced positive reception at the colleges. At the Nii Okini Junior High School in Accra, a local Gideon, Ernest Noamesi, met one of the teachers at the school, Mr. Bright Ntow. Ntow shared his testimony:

I was unsaved at age 23. I had completed my university training to be a teacher, and returned to my village in the Volta Region to teach. My friend had a Gideon-placed New Testament, and after reading it, he became a follower of Christ and a strong Christian witness to me. My friend led me to know Christ using the same New Testament. Today, I live in Darkuman, Accra with my wife and two children. I founded a Scripture Union at Nii Okini and have shared Christ’s love with many students, resulting in many changed lives for Christ. On November 6, 2014, my students and I received our own copies of the Word of God from the Gideons.”

The Word that Truly Saves

Blitz teams also distributed Scriptures at many hospitals, prisons, police and military facilities with excellent reception. During a visit to a military installation, Gideons found 300 top officers gathered to welcome them. The national chaplain prayed in the name of Jesus, and blitz team members presented a New Testament to each officer. Before leaving, Gideons met with the admiral who gave his blessing on their mission to spread the Gospel throughout Ghana, granting them access to all military offices, schools, and hospitals. A gentleman who received a New Testament during the blitz tells his story:

The same day I met the Gideons, I had just purchased a new car. On the way home, I was pulled over by local police. After a search of the new car, police found small amounts of marijuana and asked me who it belonged to. I explained it was a new car and the seller must have left it in the car. The officer noticed the blue New Testament in my pocket and said, “Bibles and drugs don’t go together. I believe you.” He let me go! Driving home, I realized it was God’s Word that saved me that day, and that God would save me every day if I would give my life fully to Him. So I did.

While visiting Nsawam National Prison, the largest prison in Ghana with 3,600 inmates, Gideons attended a worship service with approximately 300 inmates. The Spirit of God was truly present as inmates lifted their hands, clapped, and sang along with the worship leader. After Gideons presented a message and shared the plan of salvation, 60 men came forward to dedicate their lives to Christ.

By the end of the week, the original Scripture distribution goal of 450,000 was far exceeded and over 575,000 Scriptures were distributed. To God be all glory!