Our God.

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.” -Revelation 4:9-11 (NIV)

So, as you most likely observed from reading the big bold letter directly above this sentence, I’ve been reading through Revelation. Besides the descriptions of things that I can’t even comprehend, like creatures with far too many appendages, what I’ve noticed the most is how often the book keeps coming back to simply proclaiming the glory of God. I think God has been using this book to simply show me how wrong I can be about him. Too often, I live with only a head knowledge of how great the God we serve is. I define God by what I think, and I make him far too small.

5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! -Revelation 10:5-6 (NIV) ((emphasis added by Sam))

This is the God we serve: the God that lives forever, the God who created the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. We, as a team, have been praying and thinking over what we want the goal of Ghana Rock 2013 to be. These passages have really been a great reminder to me that no matter what we decide, our God is big enough to do it. Ok, maybe more than a reminder. A rebuke. Yahweh is he who was and who is and who is to come. And my picture of him is often flawed, but HE is worthy to receive glory and honor and power. So my prayer is that we as a team (and especially me) will keep that in mind as we go about attempting to plan this concert.

Excuse my ramblings,

Sam

Serving the Lord

Hey everybody!
​From year to year Ghana Rock has been one miracle after another; God has been working in awesome ways with this group of teenagers. I know, without a doubt, it was solely because of Him that we’ve had success 2 years in a row (going on 3!). I know what some of you may have been thinking, “Gosh, this group of teenagers is outstanding! Look at what they have done!” I am not denying that this group of teenagers is a great group of people; however, we cannot take the credit for our success, it’s the Lord’s. Let’s face it ya’ll, I am on the team! Even with this deadweight (this blog was due two days ago…), our heavenly Father has granted us huge success! In Philippians 2:13, it is written, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” And in Romans 11:36, “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” I just wanted to remind myself and everyone that our God is great and it is through him that every good work comes. So let’s remember to praise him:

Psalm 29 -
“Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
Sirion[b] like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks[c]
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

This is the God we serve. Let’s remember that throughout our days. Only through him can we do all that is good.
-Micah Levinson

“9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”- Philippians 1:9-11

Rescue, Redeem, Revive.

"Over 7,000 children, right at this very moment, are in bondage. They have no hope, no future, and certainly no peace in their souls. I can picture little children with tears streaming down their faces because they have been worked harder than any human being. I can hear the bittersweet cry of a child simply desiring to be loved or even just cuddled. I can smell the stench of uncaring masters who only utilize these sweet, young souls for their own financial gain and don't even dare consider the spiritual and physical pain they’re inflicting. I have never stepped foot on Ghana’s soil, but I already care deeply for each and every one of those innocent children of God. I know that until every single child slave is brought to freedom, my heart will still yearn to help those still trapped. WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN when the rescuing of children lies within our grasp. We will do all that we can do, and do all of it through Christ. We pray He will guide us in the correct footsteps. We believe these children need a massive voice and Ghana Rock can be a part of that voice. We shout to Rescue, Redeem and Revive.

~ Lauren Blakey"

Ghana Rock 2013!

Welcome all! We are back! If you can believe it, Ghana Rock is now entering its third year; planning sessions are starting back up, dates are being plotted, and artists are being called. Last year was a huge success: God blessed us even in our weakest moments, and His blessings- in one sense you all, your prayers and support- led to the freeing and housing of 17 kids on the lake (the money to save the 18th is there, but the child hasn’t been identified yet. But for those saved; please scroll down to read more about them and our trip!). Seeing their smiling faces made the entire struggle worth it, and it’s a struggle we’re about to step right back into, hopeful of what God has in store for us, and the others still on the lake.

So, to update you guys, our team has changed a bit! A few members from last year-Madi, Katie, and Katy- have graduated, and are off in college, and a few new faces have entered to fill the gaps. So, it’s difficult to imagine Ghana Rock without Madi’s leadership. Her dream, her mission, started this, but here’s the thing: we know God’s purpose carried it through. And now, we believe God’s purpose is with us, a similar group of teens with the same mission and certainly the same purpose. There are nine of us, and over the course of the next few months, we hope that through this blog, and through local events, you all will get a feel for each of our hearts. John, Sam, Micah, Kelsey, Randy, Lexi, Lauren, Harrison, Helen, and Andrew; that’s us, and we’re oh so excited.

As we begin, and as this excitement pulls us forward, you guys need to know that both in Ghana and here there are so many things to pray for; here are a few:

-That 18th kid! He/she is out there! Pray that they would be brought in to City of Refuge soon, quickly, and safely.
-The kids are back in school, but it’s tough to acclimate after a life on the lake. Pray for their peace and comfort in City of Refuge.
-Health over there is always a concern, just as it is over here whenever so many little kids are running around. Pray that they would stay healthy!
-The school run by City of Refuge is open to the local village kids as well, but they can’t go without the help of a sponsor. Pray that sponsors would be found so that those kids can be put in school, and not end up stuck in the same cycle that put other kids on the lake.
-Pray for a new Ghanain house-parent. It takes a special person to look after so many crazy lil’uns, but without one, life is much more difficult on the home. Pray for that search!

But, let’s close with this: though we start meeting, though we try our best, this ministry is NOTHING without the power of Christ. Whether we’re freed or enslaved physically, neither us nor those kids will have ANYTHING without the spiritual freedom that the power of Christ offers. Again, pray for us if you can, because we’re simply a rag-tag group of stressed our highschoolers; pray that Christ would prepare all of us for a night of praise and prayer for a purpose- to Rescue, Redeem, and Revive.

We’re so excited to be a part of this!
In Christ!

Your 2013 Ghana Rock Team.

ghanarock.org
facebook.com/ghanarock
twitter.com/ghanarock

Meet Florence

This is Florence, she is 7 years old. After she was born, both of her parents abandoned her leaving Florence to live with her grandmother. She has been fishing for her grandmother instead of going to school for awhile. Her grandmother sells the fish that Florence catches.

Florence is very skinny and frail, which you can tell by the pictures. She has been drinking a nutrition drink daily to help her gain some weight or "tea" depending on what you'd like to call it. Florence will be going to Faith Roots International Academy in September with the other rescued kids. She is currently working on learning English, which I have no doubt she will pick up quickly.

Florence, as well as the other kids is such a blessing to all of us. Her life has been saved because of what God did through 9 teenagers and a room full of people at Ghana Rock... that is insane! I feel strongly the Ghana Rock community has the responsibility to keep Florence and the other (eventually) 17 kids in their prayers. We can't just rescue them and that be it. So, pray for Florence in all the same ways you have been praying for Sammy, Rapheal, & Benard. Also pray for her to find peace in Jesus Christ. That she will experience His love, compassion and the unending joy found in His freedom.   

-Mads

Meet Sammy!!

I don't know why, but there is something about this child that makes me want to hug and kiss him all over his face.  He is precious. This is Sammy, he is 8 years old. His father passed away a few years ago, and after his father's death Sammy’s mother married another man. Since then Sammy’s mom has been hiring Sammy out to work for fishermen on the lake. Sammy hasn’t been going to school and has been working long hours on the lake fishing. 

City of Refuge first found Sammy over two years ago during their first community entry event at Ada Kope, The village where he was living. Since living at CORM Children's Village Sammy has been working on learning english. He will be starting school in September at Faith Roots International Academy with Rapheal and Benard! 

Please pray for Sammy's transition into his new family. Rescuing them is only the beginning of healing and there is still a long road ahead. 

-Madi 

We're going to Africa!

With less than three weeks to go, the Ghana Rock team is counting down the minutes until we head to Doryum, Ghana! We all feel honored and blessed to get to be the representation of Ghana Rock in Africa for a week. While we are there we will get to serve with City of Refuge staff, meet some of the newly rescued kids, distribute 200 pairs of shoes courtesy of Samaritans Feet, and venture to Lake Volta to witness child slavery first hand and by Gods grace bring kids to safety and freedom!

We would love your support as we prepare for the trip and while we are there. For a lot of the team this is their first trip either out of the country or to a third world country. I am pretty certain there will be some culture shock! ;) I asked a sweet sweet man I love and respect so much how we even begin to prepare your heart for the poverty and hurt we are going to see, his response? You pray God wont ever let you forget it, you'll be more significantly changed that way. So pray with us, that we never forget what we see and come home significantly changed.  Pray for good attitudes in any situation (after all, it is Africa and it's hot... all the time). Pray every opportunity we have to share God's love, grace, and compassion we take... without hesitation, and that we will be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak God's word with boldness.

Also, pray we can miraculously pack all 200 pairs of shoes... look at all these boxes! 

- Madi 

P.S. Going to Africa is really expensive, if you would like to support the team in monetary or physical expenses please email ghanarockteam@gmail.com and we'll give you more details.