Living in a rural area of Ghana where it’s common for people to farm for their year’s food, Yvonne worked faithfully to change the idea that work was a curse. Centred around Genesis 3, it’s common to think that because the ground is cursed, the workers must be also.
But throughout her many years serving in Ghana, Yvonne saw the exciting change that can result from sharing more about God and his love for them. She collaborated with a growing team of Ghanaians in a local Bible school and in surrounding churches, to teach pastors and church leaders what the Bible says about business, money, and work.
“Amongst all the things we teach them about business, we teach them that God was the first farmer. When he put Adam in the garden in Genesis 2 v 15 the garden was already flourishing and all Adam had to do was pick the fruit.
“When farmers realise that what they’re doing is an honourable business and the same as what God did, it just changes them! They want to work, and they want to follow God.”
Alongside her teaching ministry, Yvonne set up a social enterprise with a pastor – which they hope will one day be a profitable business. Buying the land from people who knew little about God gave her amazing opportunities to discuss the Bible and pray for them as they work together on the land.
The connections Yvonne built over the years are ones she still values today and something that goes two ways. Forming close relationships with local women in Ghana is not something she found happened quickly, but Yvonne says being accepted by the women she was living close to was highly valuable to her.
“It can be years before they think ‘Yes I can trust this person and I will tell them things close to me’ … so that’s greatly rewarding when it happens.”
Whilst living in Tamale, Yvonne lived in a Muslim community, which always visited when passing through.
“I visited the men outside the mosque, I visited the women in their houses, the children came to play… and said to me: ‘Yvonne, you have never forgotten us. You always come and visit us.”
Continuing to build these connections gave Yvonne the time to share the gospel message with them, even if she didn’t always know how initial conversations would turn to talking about Jesus. But God worked through her and gave her the opening she needed to share about why Christ died on the cross for them. “These guys heard the whole gospel … and asked me lots of questions.”
Yvonne is now back in the UK, but continues to support the work in Ghana and would love to see new people join the team. SIM Ghana needs a treasurer and the social enterprise needs a food production manager – find out more about opportunities in Ghana.
Pray
- For God to send a production manager for the food production business.
- To see people free from spiritual oppression.
Enquire here if you would like to find out more about the production manager opportunity, mentioning Yvonne Mildred and the Zuru project.