NEW NAMES WRITTEN IN HEAVEN

Yesterday was an awesome day at the Psychiatric Hospital. In fact it was so good I forgot to take the pictures I wanted to for you - - sorry about that. We were in an all-men’s acute ward where they actually bring in all cases for assessment and then from there will send them to different wards. I love to watch God weave the tapestry of opportunity together and that’s exactly what happened. I saw where he used some little Camouflage Military Gideon bibles into an opportunity to not only present the gospel in a clear way but to bring about 13 salvations. When the USS Elrod was docked along side us one of the men that was really impressed with our work brought over a box of those precious military new testaments. He didn’t know at that time how important they would become.

In the back of the bible it had highlighted several versus; John 3:16; Romans 5:8 and Revelations 3:20. I hadn’t really noticed them before we got to the hospital and was sitting listening to the pastor giving his opening sermon. The Lord led me not only to open the back and put these versus together to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loved every one of these “whosoevers”. I used one of my crew members, Nicholas and on the spur of the moment told him to stand and be Jesus on the cross. He was so accommodating and it went so well. As I explained to these men that I have a son approximately Nicholas’ age and I have often wondered if it would be possible for me to sacrifice his life for people I did not know or for people I knew would turn their backs on him, think him a fool, spit on him and mock him. I asked them if any of them could do that and there was a resounding “NO”. I told them I didn’t think I was capable of it as well and that proved to me the depth of God’s love. Then I explained to them that God demonstrated even more of his love by dying for us while we were yet still sinners. That we don’t have to be all cleaned up, religious or perfect in our own minds to come to Christ. The last verse was demonstrated by going to a nearby pole and knocking. Telling them that Jesus was standing there today knocking on the door. That he has already purchased the gift of salvation and wrapped it as a birthday gift and was standing on the other side of the door. Their decision would come in opening the door and accepting the present or let him remain standing on the other side of a closed door. I chose a Muslim man sitting nearby and walked up to him pretending to shove the present into his chest and told him that Jesus would not do that - - he does not force his gift on anyone because he wants us to chose him because he first loved us. The man’s eyes were huge as he started to understand. Before we broke into 4 groups; 3 bible study groups and a prayer group I told them that if during our time there they knew the Lord was calling them to spend eternity in heaven with Him they could find any of us and we would be glad to pray the sinner’s prayer with them. Three men came out immediately, one fell at the feet of my friend Rollie and two others came to me. I was so proud of my Crew Services team as they ministered under such an anointing through bible study and question/answer periods. When it was time to go the Pastor started to pray and say goodbye - - I walked up behind him and told him to give an alter call. I don’t know what he was saying because it was in Twi but he went over to the same pole and started knocking - - so I understood. Ten more men came forward immediately and our team was able to do one on one counseling and prayer. PTL there are 13 new names in the Lamb's Book of Life today. It was sooooo good. It was one of those days that I came home and immediately went to sleep for 3 hours out of shear exhaustion and joy.

There were many requests for bibles this day. The remaining 15 Marine bibles will make their way back to the hospital in 2 weeks. I asked a Christian nurse in charge of Ward 3 if she would mind distributing these bibles for us to people that come through before being permanently placed and she has agreed. I find it extraordinary that God has provided another “crossroads” in the psychiatric hospital just as He did with Jerusalem when he wanted His word spread.

If anyone would like to be part of providing new New/Old Testament bibles in the local Twi language to the patients of Pantang please write to me and I’ll give you the instructions how to make that possible. I have found a local supplier that charges approximately $5.00 per bible. One of the men that has asked for a bible is a Muslim – pray for him, his name is Gideon Quarsh.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME; AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.

Blessings and Love,
Robert & Susan Blanchard
Serving West Africa
M/V Anastasis currently in Ghana