by Yvonne Twum-Barima
Dandelions mean the return of life, the rebirth of growth and green after a harsh winter, and a display of abundant strength and power. For BTBAB the last three years has seen us go through a season of stillness and very slow growth. With our five-year strategy now in place we look to God for a rebirth of growth as we move into 2023.
Isaiah 62: 4
‘No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah;
For the LORD will take delight in you,
And your land will be married.
We thank you Jesus for being with us through 2022 and there is so much to thank God for over the last year, God has seen us through so many different circumstances for which we are grateful and we give Him all the thanks and praise.
We shared our five-year strategy both at the ABM and Retreat and our purpose through this, with Jesus guiding us each step of the way, is to enable us to prepare for growth, nurture what and who God has given us, and provide a framework that will enable us to be good stewards of the increase God gives us as a people. BTBAB is now located in Liverpool and we thank House of the Open Doors for hosting us with our interim base there over the last two years. Esther has now moved to Liverpool and she is starting to build her ministry network as she is nurtured in her role as the Probational National Director for BTBAB UK, and we are looking in 2023 for God’s provision of a long-term base for BTBAB.
We were in Wales in March 2022 with a wonderful team led by Esther Price and we were blessed to visit Cardiff, Newport and Port Talbot and God provided the team with a Mercy gift of £285.00 for this trip. Even though we did not see anyone come to Faith, the team left Wales knowing our presence had been felt spiritually and on a practical level.
What a unique trip Esther and Alan had to Thailand in September 2022, after we as a ministry had received a word from God that we should bring the trip forward. We are so thankful for being obedient and going. God stepped in when we took our step of faith and even in that short period to prepare for this trip £880 was raised for this trip and used to bless a project for women providing for their rural communities and families by making material products.
Shirley, Jenny, and Tina despite insurmountable challenges took a step of faith and went to Ethiopia and South Africa. Praise the Lord. With our fantastic helper Abe, who if you remember received the blessing award in 2021, they were able to catch up with Pastor Tegene on the OCT project we are looking to develop to help the people in the village of Wonja Shoa. They were also able to see Emihle our then ACI candidate. We thank God for this trip and know that we have been able to find other potential ACI candidates for 2023.
2022 has been a year of God strengthening our foundation in the following areas to prepare us for growth in 2023. So, whatever that needed to be shaken was shaken in 2022 so that what remains would be of the Lord. We look for the rebirth of growth as we go into 2023 with our Toolbox Training program, our Overseas Community Transformation (OCT), Ana Claudia Initiative (ACI) and BTBAB UK.
Throughout 2022, our faithful BTBAB partners have been with us, participating in our times of prayers and fasting and financially supporting us and encouraging us. Just as Paul gave thanks in Philippians 1:3 (NLT), ‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.’ I also give thanks and praise to God for you being with us as we journey together in accomplishing God’s vision for BTBAB and the developing nations. We would not be where we are today without your prayers, encouragement, and provision. All of us in the ministry thank God for your support and know that He will bless all that you put your hand to as you move into 2023.
I leave each of you with this blessing prayer from Numbers 6:24-26.
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” AMEN
