Enduring a Thousand Cuts: Long-Suffering in Ghana Ministry

Enduring a Thousand Cuts: Long-Suffering in Ghana Ministry

In 2004, Ivory Coast tumbled into a full-blown civil war, and white people were no longer welcome. Our house sat on a hill that overlooked the main highway, and I had a clear, unobstructed view of the intersection below. Military trucks screamed past. Gunfire cracked. Explosions echoed. It felt like a war movie; but, it was real, and it was happening right outside. I gave our fellow missionaries, who lived just across the street, a live play-by-play by walkie talkies, narrating everything I saw. But then, things got worse. The national radio and television stations were taken over by a political youth militia called the “Young Patriots.” They began to issue alarming messages, calling for a mass uprising and demanding that all white people be expelled from the country immediately. Their broadcasts became hypnotic, playing over and over, fueling fear and anger. Then people began gathering outside our home. Dozens stood in the street, banging on pots and pans, blowing whistles, and chanting anti-white slogans. The messages were loud and clear: “White people, go home.” It was not just a protest; it was a siege.

Experiencing Long-Suffering in Ghana Ministry

That night was terrifying. Laura and I sat in our living room in silence, both praying and wondering what would happen. But as the night wore on, Laura suddenly realized that she was leaning on her own understanding. She remembered a verse that Dr. Vineyard had shared with us before we left for Africa: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” She turned off the light and went to bed, trusting God instead of her own fears. And she slept all night.

The next morning, the protest had not ended. The same people were outside, banging, chanting, and yelling. We stayed indoors for several days. Eventually, the U.S. Embassy called and offered us a flight out of the country. We told them we needed to pray about it. After speaking with fellow missionaries and praying through our options, we agreed we should go. The embassy instructed us to make our way to the Abidjan airport within 48 hours. We only had a few hours to pack and prepare the house for storage. Tom Vineyard, the son of the very man who had shared that verse with Laura, drove us to the airport.

The Challenges of Ghana Ministry

But our journey was far from over. At the airport, we met a representative from the U.S. Embassy. She told us that all American evacuation flights had been canceled, but she had secured two seats for us on an Italian military transport plane. She thought it was heading to Italy and said it would depart after dark. So we waited. We had been instructed that we should arrive before noon. The Italian military does not normally fly out of the Abidjan airport; so, they had no terminal or waiting area. Instead, we sat on the luggage conveyer belt for eight hours while we waited for the flight.

God’s Peace in Chaos

As we waited, Laura and I tried to stay calm. We had a warm bottle of water and a small bag of belongings, only ten pounds allowed per family. Laura, five months pregnant and full of cravings, joked about all the foods she wanted to eat when we landed in Italy. She smiled and listed them one by one: spaghetti, lasagna, garlic bread, pizza. It helped pass the time. The airport had been shot up, and none of the restaurants were open. The French military were in charge of the airport, and all normal businesses had been closed. We rationed out the banana bread throughout the day until it was gone.

The Power of Long-Suffering in Ghana Ministry

After nightfall, the Italian C-130 transport landed. It was massive, with a ramp-style rear gate and webbed bench seats lining the inside. We crossed the tarmac and climbed aboard, the only Americans on the flight. The ramp shut. The engines roared. And then came the battlefield takeoff. The Italians were concerned the airport perimeter might be under threat; so, they launched the plane using jet-assisted takeoff bottles, blasting nearly straight up in a corkscrew pattern. Did I mention Laura was five months pregnant? She started puking the moment we left the ground.

God’s Provision in Ghana Ministry

But God was not done with us yet. About an hour later, the plane began to descend. We looked at each other. “This cannot be Italy,” I said. “We’re still in Africa.” Sure enough, we landed somewhere in West Africa. But where? The ramp opened, and a crew member pointed to us. “You, exit,” he said, handing us our small bag. We stepped off the plane. The gate closed. And they left. We stood on the tarmac, stunned. I had no idea what country we were in, only that we were not in Ivory Coast anymore.

God’s Guidance in Ghana Ministry

We spotted a small terminal building in the distance, lit up against the night. It was our only option. We walked across the runway and into the terminal. A serious-looking immigration officer took my passport and scowled. “You do not have a visa,” he said. “Well,” I replied, “it would’ve been difficult to get a visa for a country when I did not even know what country I was flying into.” Just then, a kind woman stepped forward. “Are you Joe Consford?” She was with the U.S. Embassy. The Italian military, unsure if they could make it to Italy, had rerouted and dropped us off in Accra, Ghana. The embassy had made hotel arrangements, and she quickly got us into a taxi.

God’s Help in Ghana Ministry

We arrived after midnight. Laura was exhausted, and hungry. I headed to the hotel’s restaurant, hoping to find food. A man stood at the counter in a white coat, smiling. I asked if the restaurant was still open. He nodded and asked, “What would you like?” I looked around. No menu. I asked if he had any recommendations. He replied, “A beggar?” food.” I frowned. “I’m not a beggar,” I said. “I’d like to buy food. What do you have?” His eyes widened. “Sir, our beef beggars are very good.” I blinked. Then I laughed. “Ah, you mean burgers.” “Yes, sir. Beef beggars and chips.” “Perfect. I’ll take two.”

Lessons Learned from Long-Suffering in Ghana Ministry

That may have been the best “beggars” I have ever eaten. But God was not done with us yet. The next day, we began the process of finding flights back to the U.S. Our temporary visas were only good for 72 hours. But there was a problem; our bank had flagged our card for suspicious activity and frozen our funds. It would take three business days to resolve, and we had less than three. Desperate, I called a missionary office in Ghana, hoping for help. The man on the line did not even try to be kind. “You need to contact your sending agency,” he said. “My sending agency is my home church, and they’re doing everything they can. I just need information.” “We do not help people like you.” Click. It was disheartening.

God’s Faithfulness in Ghana Ministry

But God was not done with us yet. I tried a second number. A different man answered. He asked where I was, and he came immediately to pick me up. He understood our situation, took me to a travel agent, and personally arranged for our tickets. We skipped to the front of a long line of displaced travelers. The man paid for our tickets and gave me a U.S. address where I could mail a check when we arrived home. He was not from the same kind of church. He did not share our ministry philosophy, but he had the heart of a servant. I have never forgotten his kindness, and I have always wanted to be like him.

Conclusion

That was a long and difficult journey. But it was also a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. As we reflect on that experience, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God’s sovereignty and guidance, even when the world around us seems to be falling apart. And I’ve learned to trust God’s plan, even when I don’t understand what’s happening. We are grateful for the lessons we learned along the way, lessons that continue to shape our ministry in Ghana to this day.

“According to the International Mission Board, there are over 7,000 unreached people groups in the world, with the majority of them located in Africa.” Source

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For more information on our ministry in Ghana, visit our blog or our about page.

Would you like to support our ministry in Ghana? Consider partnering with us through prayer or financial support. You can find out more about how to do that on our connect page.

For more stories like this one, be sure to check out our book, “That’s My Goat!”, which tells the story of our time in Ivory Coast and our journey to Ghana.

Thank you for reading our story. We hope it has encouraged and inspired you to trust in God’s sovereignty and guidance, even in the midst of uncertainty and chaos.

As we close this article, I want to remind you that God is always with us, guiding us and providing for us, even when the world around us seems to be falling apart. And I’m grateful for the lessons I learned along the way, lessons that continue to shape our ministry in Ghana to this day.

Visit our Bible study resources for more information on how to apply God’s Word to your life.

For more information on missions and how you can get involved, visit the International Mission Board website.

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