Vision to Share through Video

Watermelon Ministries (www.watermelonministries.org) is the creator of our website (www.jernigan.info) and we are excited about working with them again a step to share our vision.

In just a few months we will be hosting a team from Watermelon Ministries to film and capture the work so that we can effectively share our vision for sharing Christ through our serving Christ here.

Will you contribute to Watermelon Ministries for this project? We could use your help. The funds go directly to them so that they can come and produce a DVD to use in ministry.

God is doing great things and we want to share it. We can get the message, the scenes, and the beauty of God's creation through multimedia into the hands of our friends, churches and introduce the vision to build God's kingdom here to new people. Part of our task ahead is to renovate the clinic and staff buildings, get running water flowing, build a laboratory, build a mission house, staff housing, and team/guest housing - a video/dvd would really help bridge the miles to the churches and villages that we will be working alongside.

Click here to find out more!

We need your help with to make it possible.

Thank you!
Ju and Andrew

Paul wrote to Christians these words, "You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. FOr your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ." 2 Cor.9:13 (NLT)

Story of Michael's Scars

"He is so sick he is not even crying anymore", the mother told the fetish priest as she held the baby in her arms. After performing his rituals and invoking the spirits, the screams came in the infant’s mouth – his face was being cut and scared as a symbol that that life had been consecrated to demons. Michael survived the sickness and that day.

Years later, as a teenager, Michael came to love and know and gave himself completely to Jesus Christ. All the bondage from the past was broken as he grew in the Word and understood that God had created him for a purpose.

When we met him, Michael was living in a cargo container, with three other friends. We could see the love for Jesus this 24 year old young man has as he did electric work at our house. It didn't take much to see his love for children as he played football with Lucas and chases with Luiza. Along the months as we got to know him better we were reminded that we are all parts of His one body and that each of us needs all the others. Michael now lives here with us and works alongside our family in ministry.

This weekend, Ju and I were filled with joy to see Michael doing what he is passionate about - telling children how to live for God. There were 800 child gathered at the village of Konkoma. The drums beating, the energetic singing and all-out dancing showed that gave us the awareness that they love Jesus. Michael was inspired and animated as he taught them the Word of God and helped the memorize verses. We were part of a team responsible for children from many of the villages around Lake Bosumtwe that were gathered - some of them had walked for four hours to be able to join us - to learn about their Creator for three days.

One experienced and wise missionary told me that in the end of your time in a foreign land, one must look at the people around, at the ones that were part of your daily life in your new home, and it's then that you see the impact you had. After our first year in Ghana, I now look around and I see the impact that Michael has had in us. He is a constant reminder that God gives a new family to those that have to leave their families in order to serve Him. When I look at the scars on his face I remember the bondages that still dominate so many lives, but foremost, the redemption that Jesus’ scars had on his life.

Training in Liverpool

As we get ready to start our ministry in the village of Amakom at Bosumtwe Clinic, and I face the perspective of being the only resident doctor in such an isolated area, our leadership guided us in the decision to apply for further training as a major tool in serving the patients at the Clinic.

I was recently accepted to attend a Tropical Medicine and Hygiene course for this fall (September, October and November) at the University of Liverpool, UK.

It has been a great chapter in this journey of faith. And a very rewarding one – because we know the One providing is faithful! Even before I write you these words, we had a dear friend calling us to inform that while in prayer, she received clear direction to pay my school tuition fees. We are in awe as we wait in Him for a place to stay (we contacted some churches and mission organizations in the Liverpool area), trusting that He knows our every need.

Last week I took our coats out of the boxes. Lucas is so excited that he can’t help it but from time to time wear his coat around the house, for as long as the hot weather permits… As for Luiza, the challenge ahead is going to be getting used to wearing shoes. written by Ju

To Greet the Chiefs

Tonight I sit at my desk reading in Acts as Paul writes of his trips to various cities and think of my journey tomorrow.

In the afternoon tomorrow I plan on driving to Amakom at Lake Bosomtwe to spend the night at the clinic. A friend will go with me, a missionary colleague (Lloyd). We will get up early on Tuesday morning to tackle the purpose for this trip.

The reason to go is to meet the chief and elders in four different villages on that side of the lake. It's the next step into our life and work in the region.

I know that God will give me the words to say. It's a formality, yet in the spirit realm it is shaking the mountains there. I go in the name of the Lord and I am His ambassador - what more do I need really. What a joy and priviledge it is to represent the King of all creation as I go to meet, to greet these chiefs.

My prayer is that I do represent Him well, that my words are as the very words of God. May they see Jesus when they see me, that they will sense the presence of God when we are meeting with them and be drawn to their Father.

I'm not sure what it will be like exactly. I'm not sure where I will sleep, what I will eat, or how - but I know who holds my hand and who protects me and that is all that matters.

I would post a photo, yet our internet connection
is way too slow :)

Living Completely Sold Out - Radical Obedience

Am I willing to do whatever it takes to follow the Lord and do what He says to me?

I'm challenged today by some verses I read this morning.

In Matthew 8:18-22 it says,
"When jesus noticed how large the crowd was growing, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. Then one of the teachers of religious law said to hiim, 'Teacher, I will follow you no matter where you go!' But Jesus said, 'Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a placet lay my head.' Another of his disciples said, 'Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.' But Jesus told him, 'Follow me now! Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead."

Do I care enough to obey God that I will do and go and sacrifice everything that is necessary to OBEY what He tells me to do. I'm listening and lately the calling is hard, the task will be huge and I'm a bit startled by it all.

In chapter 6 of Matthew it says "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."

Am I making the Kingdom of God my PRIMARY concern? I better be willing to do it if I want my Father to provide my needs as it says He will do...when I live for Him and make the Kingdom of God my primary concern.

I am not willing to move all the way across to Africa, live in Ghana and NOT obey. It too much to make this kind of life change to do it half way.

What about you today? Does this speak to you? Want to look further? Read Matthew 10:34-42, it's for us too. I hope to hear from you.

Blessings, enewsletters

Today I realized that some of you may not have received Blessings, our email newsletter until recently. So, I have listed the links to view the online version of each of these that we have send out.

Blessings, Jernigans in June - June 30 2006

On the road to the Upper West - Blessings, May 23, 2006

Blessings of being in Community Together, April 20, 2006

Partner Prayer Note - Blessings - March 8, 2006

Banana bread with the Jernigans - February 28, 2006

Undeserved Love - Blessings, January 29, 2006

Blessings, Dec. 24th - Christmas 2005

Blessings, November 30, 2005, World Aids Day

Blessings, Kumasi Life - September 2005

Blessings, Goodbye America - July, 31, 2005

Blessings, A Sea Container in Sylacauga - June 27, 2005

Blessings, Loving God & Living the Adventure - May 25, 2005

1st edition of Blessings, our email newsletter, April 28, 2005


If you would like to make sure you receive Blessings, our email newsletter, click here to subscribe.

Prayer Request

We are back in Accra. Yesterday Ju had a meeting at the Ghana Medical & Dental Council and was notified that she would have an exam and interview on Saturday to proceed in getting a medical license in the country.

Your prayers are needed so that nothing will hinder us from doing what God has called us to do here.

Thank you.

Our hope is in the Lord, our faith if steadfast and our peace is from Him.

In Accra

Today I write you from Accra (the capital city of Ghana). We had an amazing time on ministry in the Upper West region of northern Ghana (we did get to see lots of elephants like these while on the trip north) and I'll write more about it soon. I've just downloaded 150+ emails and catching up. Running errands, grocery shopping and more here in Accra while Juliana is at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for a conference for Pediatricians all week.

Thank you so much for praying for us! It's been wild and wonderful seeing God work in and through our family.

I ask for your prayers for a dear friend of ours that has just left his wife and four children. His wife is standing for restoration of the marriage and we ask that you interceed and pray with us for the Lord to work in his heart as well for a complete restoration and healing for the whole family.

Will write more soon. Please email us too, we long to hear from you.

Andrew

Is Today, Tomorrow?

When we got up this morning that was the question that made us smile from Lucas. He asked, "Is today tomorrow?"

He just turned 4 years old and we had a great party for him. It was a mix of Ghanaian children and missionary kids that had spray confetti all over their hair, each other, the yard and the house. It was a site to see. Great to see him running all around with his friends.

We grilled out hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken kabobs. We had been so eager to have people over and it was the first time to have a lot of the missionaries over for dinner. Good to see people that we have grown close to here, yet rarely get to talk to due to busy schedules.

We are really in a quandry these days though because Lucas is showing that he is 4 years old and we are learning how to be Godly parents making the right discipline actions and raising him right. It's a challenge and we ask for your prayers. Life here is taking a lot of adjustment for him. Pray for him for peace in our environment.

Sunday morning in Nwirem

I wish you could have sat with me on that bench under the palm branches listening to the caretaker of a new group of believers in the village of Nwirem. It was special.

Nwirem is a village on the edge of a forrest preserve in our region (Ashanti region), and about 1 1/2 hours from our house. We will be working with John and Bess Russell (other missionaries of The Mission Society here in Ghana) on June 12-14 as we provide free medicines, medical care, healing prayer - along with children's ministry and show the Jesus film in Twi with lots of house to house evangelism. Right now there are 31 people that have come to Christ in the village in the last month since preparations started for our outreach there.

Please be in prayer for June 11-14 as we will be working to see people come to Jesus, see people healed and loved by the power of God.

Yesterday was a long day out there, bouncing on really rough roads, yet it was sure motivating to be where there is no church building but just in a month they have 31 people eager to build a pavilion and draw others to Christ.

Internet Service Again :)

We have internet service at home again! It's been 2 months now and it is such a relief to be able to be back in touch with you again without having to go to an internet communication centre.

So, many of you got our Spring newsletter in the mail by now. If you wish you had, let me know and I will email it to you as an attachment.

We have A LOT of emails to catch up on now so be patient if you are waiting on a reply from us please.

Keep in touch, it's always SO good to get notes from you via email.

A Week of Attack

In this last week it's been a tough time really. We are victorious, yet as you must suspect...life in Ghana is not that easy for an American and Brazilian - picture a fish out of water. :)

Last week Luiza, 14 months old, got a Measles vacine. Today she manifested a reaction to it. We prayed and praise God, the reaction has gone away just within a few hours of asking God to heal it.

One week ago today we entered into a spiritual encounter with a member of the church/doctor/politician locally. We realize that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan and his forces. We are victorious! The clash turned into a meeting on Thursday with our Bishop of our partner church (Methodist Church Ghana), and it's peaceful now. We are victorious in Jesus!

I just got word Saturday that a close family member is having serious marriage problems. By the grace and mercy of God, hearing us as we pray, I believe the marriage will be restored and the whole family will be back together again.

We've been under heavy attack and we know that our God is giving us the strength to make it through this battle and on to win the next one.

Thank you for praying for us! We need you to hold our hands up in the air as we go forward.

Jesus said in Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

He has called us to minister here to those who work against what He desires. It's not easy, yet He desires mercy. I want to desire mercy and be full of love for those who are used of the enemy against us. Oh God, give me love for those that don't come easy to love. Give me love for those who are working against building your kingdom.

Psalm 55 was a comfort to me as my mother-in-law in Brazil called and told us to read it, and tonight I read Romans 8:37 that says "despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." Wow, so good to rest in Him.

God of Grace and Judgment

You know, we have an amazingly wonderful God! On Saturday morning I was sitting at my desk with the bible and my journal. I felt that I should read First Corinthians 5, not remembering what it was about. I turned to it and was puzzled after reading it. I journalled, prayed and then talk to Ju about it. It's a passage about how to deal with those who say they are believers yet are living in sexual sin.
On Sunday morning during breakfast Juliana decided to go outside for a minute with Luiza. While outside she caught our househelp/kitchen help lady that lives on our property sleeping with a man. It turns out that it has been happening for quite some time on our property without us knowing about it.
God gave me the passage the day before and then revealed this to us the next day. He is so good!
Today I was able to bring one of her minister to ask that her church take this opportunity to minister to her - as only those of her tribe could - and it was well received. I ask you to pray for her over this next week please. Pray that she will turn from her sin and come back to a life with God.
My heart is broken for Angela. Juliana and I are sadden and feel very betrayed by her and we ask for your prayers. We must, you can too, take this as a challenge to cleanse our lives of anything that breaks God's heart. May yours and our hearts be broken by the things that break God's heart.

Healing at the Hospital

Today I'd like to share with you how God worked yesterday in a situation. Juliana was waiting for me to pick her up from her day of working in the pediatric emergency unit at the hospital and while standing outside the door of the hospital a lady approached her. Since Juliana was wearing a doctor coat, she asked if she was a doctor here - she responded yes, what could she do for her. She said that since midnight the night before she had been having severe chest pains and it was unbearable and that was why she came to the hospital.
Juliana immediately asked if she was a Muslim or not. She said no, that she was a Christian. She asked if she could pray for the lady. The lady said yes. Juliana told me that she knew that something was happening and when she finished praying, this lady who was contorted in pain, leaning over and showing it on her face was standing tall as a different woman. She said that there was no more pain!
It was right then when I pulled up. That lady was healed! What an amazing God we have! It's so good to love Him and be able to be His hands here.