Dear Prayer Partners,

Grace and PEACE to you. Recently a situation in a town nearby regarding a chieftancy issue came to a full boil and erupted. Houses were burned and people had to flee in the night.
While we are geographically close to the town where these problems took place, we feel safe as the situation involves clans other than the one related to our town of Nasuan. Our Ghanaian friends have been keeping us updated, and we have taken safety precautions, particularly in our travel since the town lies between us and Gbintiri where Nathan works.

Church leaders met together to actively pursue and help those involved pursue peace in this matter.

We are asking that you pray for these churches as they take on this courageous role—that they will have wisdom, good communication and discernment, and be able to act on their call to be peacemakers. The people here do not see this act of violence as a mere physical event that took place, but they are very aware of the spiritual implications that this type of thing has in their lives. Even though most are not Christians, they would be able to tell you that this struggle is not merely against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Please commit this situation to faithful prayer.

May God’s peace and forgiveness abound,
The Esalas

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

As we leave 2009 and enter into 2010, we thought we might offer you a little summary of what has happened in the past year in regards to the Komba Bible Translation, Literacy and Scripture Engagement effort.  For most of our 6 plus years in Ghana we have not been able to show measurable progress.  But this year the project is beginning to show signs of accomplishing what many have intended for it.  Our prayer continues to be that all these activities will be used by the Holy Spirit to further His work and our Father’s will and reigning kingdom among us.

Highlights from 2009:

• 30% of the New Testament (NT) translation is completed
• 30 community based Komba literacy classes and 900 learners
• Printed the Gospel of Luke and are in processing of distributing copies
• Our leading churches are already using it each week as we follow the Year C lectionary readings!
• A Memo of Understanding signed with Bible Society of Ghana with plans to complete the NT by 2012
• Another successful year of local community support raising towards literacy classes (around 200 communities gave tangible support towards the project and also some gifts from the Ghanaian local government structures)

Some Future plans for 2010

• We plan to finish another 30% of the NT.
• We hope to open another 40 community based literacy classes (1200 new learners).
• We plan to do some developing and recording of Scripture Songs in Komba.

Grace and mercy to you all through our Present Lord Jesus Christ,