FEB 2 2 '|931-

GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

afsicak mission bvangblism
DAVID AND DEBORAH
COUCH
Fiid Address;
GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLBGB
Box $722
ACCRA, GHANA
Feb. 2, 1981
Forwarding Agent;
MrMrs. Fred Coacd
P.O. Box 108
Stoitiiv-ij-Le, Ind.
yo
Bear Friends,
By the time you receive this we will have completed our first year in Ghana, what
a year it has beenl We have tried to adjust to a new culture. In many ways we have
been able to. For others we need a lot more practice and time. But we keep trying.
AS you can imagine, we missed being with our families at Christmas this year, it
was quite different for us. However, there was plenty to keep us busy. Before class
es dismissed Dec. 17, the faculty had a Christmas party for the students, instead
of an American party with cookies, cakes, etc., we had a Ghanaian party serving rice
with a special stew, and minerals (cokes). Entertainment for the party consisted of
a couple of games, student poems and plays, and a Chrislmias filmstrip. The party
was thoroughly enjoyed by students and faculty alike.
The following weekend we attended the United Christian Churches Brotherhood Christ
mas Convention. Our Christmas day started by attending the service here at Abeka
Christian Church. We and Bridges ate Christmas dinner together which had been de
cided upon months in advauice. While all of you were around the table having turkey
with all the trimmings, we were thoroughly enjoying hamburgers and french fries with
all the trimmings. We spent the rest of the day resting and playing games.
The last few days of the year were spent in the city of Kumasi. Wo went to assist
one of our students in starting a church. Classes began again Jan. 6. in between
doing these things we were able to spend some time with some of the new friends we
have made here, since classes have resumed, things are back to normal^as normal
as they get.
The water problem in our part of Accra, Abeka, is not improving. There has been
no water in the pipes for two months. This makes us extrmuely thankful for our Bat-
sun pick-up, $0 gal. barrells, and nearby neighbors who usually have water. We haul
daily to supply enough water for the students and four faculty families. We also
were able to purchase a hand pump in Togo which is handy for getting water up to
our tanks on the houses, we keep improving and revising our "water ^stem". It has
Just became routine. The major complaint is the time that it involves. We can hope
that this is Just adding to our patience.
Thanks to all of you who sent CSiristmas cards and letters, w have just now been
receiving them. We appreciate them so much that we don't mind the mail being so
slow. We plan on keeping the cards and hanging them up next year.
Thank you for your support, in whatever form. Your prayer and concern is vital to
the work here. The Lord has blessed us greatly through you. We pray that each of
you will continue to grow in the Lord and the work of His Kingdom.
In Christian Love,
Dave and Deb
JUN 9 ^981
GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
A ? R I C A S MI 33 I OK BYANGELISM
D A-V I D. A N'D DEB I; E A H
COUCH
Eisid Address: ' ForwarddPig Aga^:,:
GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLBGS jr,Mrs. Fred Ooacb
3gx 5722 F-I-- 3ox i06
ACCRA, GHANA ...... 3&~tnvixie, Ind. U7ii58
JORDAN RIVER WATER
one of the church members stood up to give her testimony about how she had been
physically suffering. In her efforts to ease the pain she had visited one of the
many self-proclaimed "prophets" in the area. Yes, he could heal her. aH she need
ed was 50 cedis ($18) to buy scsne Jordan River water. The woman's testimony was that
she had refused to bring the money to the prophet. She thanked God for healing her.
Later-we learned that she had indeed paid the prophet a second visit to receive his
help.
This woman's situation is a canmon one in Ghana today. Many people converted to
Christianity have little or no understanding of its concepts and teaching. For seme
''!-od is a vending machine. One has only to do the right things and put the correct
y-ount into the offering plate to receive what is desired of God. Others view God
as a stronger fetish than 'the one they left to become a Christian. V-Sienever problems
arise, He must be appeased somehow. It may involve visits to a pastor or prophet to
intercede for the troubled person. It may be through a gift of money to the church
or the leader (s). purchase of candles, incense, oil and other items may be includ
ed. All these things are to help appease God so He will remove the problem or grant
.lie desire.
One of the greatest needs xjithin the church in Ghana today is an understanding of
what the Bible teaches. Numerous churches have sprung up in the independent and
"spiritual" stream. Thqy have no orthodox or denominational ties. This means "they
have little or no access to trained leadership. An untrained leadership results in
church members with a limi-ted and often confused understanding of the Bible. The way
is open for those who abuse the church and its members. Sometimes this is done for
personal gain, but often it is done out of ignorance.
At Ghana Christian College and Seminary we are working to overccme this problem.
Our approach is to wurk through the leadership, especially the pastors and preach
ers. Our hope is that by educating those who will be preaching and teaching, a bett
er understanding of Christianity among the churches will result. We hope that as
time goes by there will be less and less of the "Jordan River Water" testimonies.
OCCUPATIONS OF GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE GRADUATES
Carl Bridges, principal of the college, has done some research on the graduates
of Ghana Christian College. There have been 63 students in 12 graduating classes
since I968. of those 63 gradua'tes, are in full time Christian work. We feel that
-'s a plus for continuing the woik of the college. Following are the findings of
.'jro. Bridges?
jMll time Christian Workers
Ministers and evangelists with independent churches
leisters and evangelists with Christian organizati<
Ministers and evangelists with "orthodox" churches
Independent evangelists
Chaplains
Bible College instructors
Total
Secular workers 9 (lU^)
Seeking further education 1; {6%)
Retired/ unemployed/ occupation unknown U ($%)
Teacherg. 1 {2%)
19
(30^)
9
im)
8
(13^)
2
( m
2
( 3^)
5 ( 8^)
^5 (71^)
FUTURE PLANS
Graduation is oniy a month away (written May lii). On June 13^ four students will
receive their diplomas. These represent three years of studying on their part. Fol
lowing the graduation oer^omes the stuctents will b^in vacation until Sept. l^^
ViSien they retura for the new school year, tl^re will be a few changes on campus.
The major project for the college during the vacation will be the building of a
chapel. It will also serve as a classroom and be used by the Abeka Christian Church
for services. Our plans also call for seme remodel-ing of the present facilities.
We anticipate an increase in "the student body in the years to come. Therefore we
feel the changes and additions are necessary to enable us to continue to provide a
good Biblical education for our students.
The above information and letter from Dave and iDeb was received in about 10 days,
so the mail situation is improved somewhat. However, it still takes 2-3 weeks for
them to receive our mail (air mail). They appreciate so much your continued prayers
and support;- 'Again, ;they would be happy to hear frcm.any.pf you at any time. It
may be a while before you hear from them, but they will try to answer back. As you
can see from the Above, although school will soon be out, "they will have a busy sum
mer with the building projects. Remember Dorothy Eunson' also in your prayers, as
she will be feturnihg to Ghana in June. Pray for a safe and enjoyable trip, and the
Lord's continued blessings on the work in Ghana.
)
SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
P.O. Box 108
Smithville, jnd. .lj.7U58
May 28, 1981
.1 r"":"
Fred W. Couch, Fwd. Agt.
Box 108
Smithville, Ind.
8l2-82ii-9202
iVt.- ; i f.'..'. ^ 'iT.-
. i....
NON-PROFIT ORGAN.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
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permit No. 2
K,-
GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
AFRICAN MISSION gVANGBilSM
DAVID AND D E B 0 H A H
COUCH
?i9id Address: Forwardiung^env.
GHANA CHRISIIAK lOLLKGE MT-Mrs. ^acn
Q..,. ?.0'
ACCRA. GHANA Snitavi^^e, led.
"HERE I STAND" THE TALE OF A TRAVELER IN GHANA
Transportation in Ghana has boccme a major prctolem. No new roads ^ye been ?qV
years. The existing ones are in such a state of disrepair that driving is a g
on one trip into the central region of the country we spent three hours
miles. The return trip^ over the major north-south route through Ghana was on y
iy better. We had passed through the central region because the north-south roaa was
closed. The rains hai made it so muddy that nothing could pass.
Due to her econoniio struggles, Ghana is not able to maintain her "highway"
For those owning vehicles this is a great inconvenience. They have to be cons ^
repairing and maintaining their vehicles. Even buying the smallest and
part is a major purchase. Tires are scarce. This all adds up to a veyy uns e ^ ^
reliable transport system, sven the government ia:jnot able to maintain i s own
For those without vehicles (a majority of Ghanaians) this has become a serioi^
lorn. Every morning long ques (lines) can be found at any lorry park or us s P*
ber trying to see how many people could fit into a VW? in (3i^a that ^ riiace in
It is the way a person gets to work. Many people are out at 5 a.m. to l^a a g
a queue or catch a taxi- AS the prices of gas, spare parts, and y. (jaily
50 does the cost of transportation. Where a person once might spend luj xug o+he
wages on transportaticai, he now be spending 30-l|0^. That does no
expenses he must face, such as food, rent, clothing, etc.
This situation has affected all of Ghana's economy. Food cannot S^as.
farms to the cities without great difficulty. This adds to ho can
Often the things get "diverted" into a neighboring coun^ or to som ^
pay more. Workers cannot be depended on to be at their jobs on time. ppii
modities cannot be delivered idien needed.
For the students of the college, especially those from the far
ntanber of days to go to or from school, on top of the expense o av ^ broke dowr^
of the country. D^s of classes are missed because the State
on the road and it took 2 days to make the repairs. S^etimes it ^ paying the
hot sun all day and riding in an unsafe vehicle ail night. gnly pros-
high prices that are charged by the drivers or not going on the rip.
pacts for the future are higher and higher fares and more difficui y.
One of the amazing things about Ghanaians is the great thi-
for the difficulties they face. They have tiie ability to adapt one of the
ngs that we find difficult. The difficulties of transpo^ation are anotn
difficulties of life in Ghana that one ' must leam to live with.
On June 13, four students graduated from the college with three
only p(roblem for the day was rain. All the preparations had been ^ e tnpol people ha
nation outside because of the number of people attending. The nhfmc-ed our
set up the canopies and 250 chairs had been brought. Hoi^ever, the all
plans. Because of the rain the number of people attending was greatly nfori-'
were able to meet in the chapel. The speaker for the occasion was iiT. Wi
Atta, Chairman of the Council of State of Ghana.
We entered the three month vacation period with hopes of building ^
tunately the econony forced us to alter our plans. We have been abie^ o build-
of the chapel, but not to finish it. I^terials are scarce and
ing like everyone else in Ghana'bit by bit". Ve i^re to do eae remodaUn^.and
rearranging in order to prepaid for the pchool
The year opmed with 23 returning students and 12 new students. We have nearly fill
ed the hostel where the students live, one problem we faced was where to put the fe
male students. This year we have U wcjoen who wish to attend the college. Two of them
live nearby and needed no housing arrangements. One comes from northern Ghana near the
border. A place for them has been made in the administration building.
(The following letter from Dave and Deb was sent o^, to
supporting churches earlier^ but as we have some space in the
Newsletter, we thought you woild appreciate heairing more of their
plans for the future....)
Dear Friends,
O^eetings in the name of Jesus. Wa hope and pray that God continues to bless you as
you serve Him.
We are writing to inform you of our future plans. We thank you for your faithful
support and ask that you give prayerful consideration to our plans.
We will be returning to the states in April 1962, rather than in June. This is so
David can begin work at Cincinnati Christian Seminary on a Master of Arts degiree in
Church History. We to return to Ghana in August 19835 for three more years. At
this time we do not p'iaTi to return to Ghana after our second term.
The reason for the extended furlough is to enable David to conplete the requirements
for his degree. It will be an asset to our work in Ghana. However, that is not the
only reason for getting the degree. Even before oxir decisicn to come to chana, Davi
had plans of going to graduate school, vftiile we are hcme tja will also be making pre
parations for our return.
We want to spend seme time with you while we are home. Jf there is a time you would
like for us to visit you, please infom our forwarding agent. This will help us o
make the best use of our time. Because of schooling and the preparations for o^ re
turn, time will be limited. But we wQuld like to visit all of you, especially tnose
whom we were not able to meet before coming.
When we came to (Siana, we did not know that we would be returning. Now that our
plans are made, we wanted to inform you so you could decide whethOT to con inue su^
porting us. Jf you have any questions or would like more information concerning our
plans, please do not hesitete to contact our forwarding agent.
Thank you for your pr^^s and support of our work thus far.
Yours in Christ,
Southside Christian Church
P.O. BOX 108
Smithville, Ind. 171^8
V 1
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ave and Dcb
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