GHANA

Since 1957 Ghana has been an independent

nation. Previously a British colony, she led
the way to independence in Africa. Presently
she is ruled by a military government which
overthrew the socialist parliamentary govern
ment on December 31, 1981.
\ ' ;Tlkr3.VWVi'^iii3iT& ^H
Ghana is struggling with severe economic
problems. Cocoa is the main export, but
much of it has been smuggled out for higher
prices. Corruption, thievery, and black mark-
eteering are commonplace. Most of the
people of Ghana, like those of other third
world countries, are poor. Some can afford
fine homes, cars, and refrigerators, but most
struggle to feed and clothe themselves and
their families. In spite of their problems
Ghanaians remain a friendly, respectful peo
ple.
COUCHES
David and Deborah both graduated from Johnson
Bible College in 1979. In February, 1980 they
arrived in Ghana. Carma Faith was born February
1, 1982. In April, 1982 they returned to the U.S.
for furlough. David is attending Cincinnati Chris
tian Seminary. The Couches plan to return to
Ghana in August, 1983.
Most of their work in Ghana is associated with the
college. David teaches New Testament, theology,
and history. Deborah helps with the college
business.
When able they visit with churches to teach and
encourage. Most of these are led by students or
past students.
FORWARDING
AGENT
Mr. Fred Couch
Box 108
SmithvUle, IN 47458
GHANA
COLLEGE
ACCRA, GHANA
Ghana Christian College has been training Gha
naian preachers and evangelists since 1966. The
college was established to train men from the
variety of churches in Ghana lacking Bible-
trained leadership. Regardless of church back
ground or affiliation men can come to GCC
to be taught the truth from God's Word without
denominational bias.
ilHBv I O A X S U N h
The college controls no churches, nor is it
controlled by any church or group of churches.
The college does not pay preachers or students
to work with churches. We preach, teach, and
encourage in churches we have opportunities
to visit. The purpose of GCC is to train
Ghanaians in leadership to work with their own
churches and to be supported by those churches.
The 1981-82 school year saw 33 students
studying at GCC. Since its beginning over 70
men have graduated. Seventy percent of those
involved in full-time Christian work in Ghana.
FACULTY
Christian Adjei
I Christian is a 1970 graduate
of GCC. Since that time he
has been teaching with the
college. In the summer of
1975 he studied at Cincinna
ti Christian Seminary. Chris
tian teaches New Testament
and preaching.
Carl Bridges
Carl, a graduate of Lincoln
Christian Seminary, has been
with GCC since 1976. Be
sides teaching Carl also serves
as principal. His wife, Glenda,
takes care of many aspects of
the college business.
.k <1
Dorothy Eunson
r
^ Dorothy, a graduate of Mil-
T ligan College, came to work
I with GCC in 1968. She
teaches English, Bible Survey,
J Bible Geography, and other
I courses as needed. She also
serves as faculty librarian.
Joseph Nsiah
Joseph graduated from GCC in
1974. He has been associated
with the college since that
time. In 1979 he received the
M.A. in Old Testament from
Cincinnati Christian Seminary.
NEEDS
Continued prayer:
-for GCC, the teachers and students;
-for the Christians of Ghana as they face
economic and political difficulties;
-for Jeff and Sherri Hostetter and Rick
and Coretha Fulton, recruits to Ghana.
Qualified and dedicated Christians, wil
ling to live and work in difficult con
ditions, to join the work of GCC.
Teachers and a business manager are
needed.
Used clothing, subject to guidelines, to
be given to GCC students at Christmas,
if interested please contact the Couches
for guidelines.
GCC is trying to improve its library. We
need books suitable for use by a Bible
college. If interested in helping in this
way please contact the Couches.
GHANA ADDRESS:
Ghana Christian College
Box 5722
Accra N, Ghana
U.S. ADDRESS & FORWARDING AGENT:
African Mission Evangelism (Inc.)
c/o Mi^ Patti Metz
4203 Parkside Dr.
Orlando, FL 32806
/o/
GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
A?RICAB MISSION BVANGKLISM
DAVID AND DSBORAH
C 0 0 C H
Fisid Address; Forwarding Agent:
GHANA CHRISTIAN C0LLKC5E Mr,Mrs. Frea Goacd
Box ^722 Box i-Ob
AOCRA, GHANA Sraitnviae, Ind. 47458
MARCH 17, 1982
CARMA FAITH
Hs came to Shane aa a couple and will return for furlough as a family.
We praise the Lord for the very precious gift of a daughter. Carma Faith
arrived a very healthy 8 pounds 5 ounces on February 1. David was present
through the labor and delivery. Together we experienced the miracle of
birth. After a few days in the clinic both mother and dauchter were allowed
to return home. We thank you for your prayers. Though only six weeks old
Faith has brought abundant joy to our lives. As typical parents we think
our daughter Is beautiful and very bright.
A CHANGE IN GOVERI#(ENT
Since our last letter to all of you, quite a number of things have
happened. The firstferm of the 1981/82 school year closed early In Decesditr.
The students departed for their month long Chrlstmii holiday. Before they
would return to school s n^ government would be In power In Ghana.
Even In Ghana we do not escape the busy Christmas season. The first
week of Decmnber was final exams week. It was a busy time for students and
faculty alike. Besides exams to give and take, the used clothing Dorothy
had collected on furlough was distributed. The students were pleased with
the good quality clothing they received. After the last day of exams the
faculty hosted a Chrlsfcreas party for the students. We had the coiwion
Ghanaian part foodrice n'nd stew. In addition we enjoyed popcorn and cake.
The party ended with wx-A Hinging and the reading of the Christmas story.
We spent the vacation catching up on the things tltat we could not get
done during the school tern. We spent a few days in Lome for a vacation/
shopping trip. It m% to be our last before the baby came and we returned
to the States. We also enjoyed the ccmipany of a number of friends over the
holiday season. Christmas day we attended the Christmas service at Abeka
Christian Church, n^ich meets at the college. We shared In a fine dinner ,
with friends at Dorothy*s house,
31 Decemi>ef has now become the watchword In Ghana. On that day Ghana's
civilian government %as overthrown by the military. Charging the govermnt
with corruption and Inability to cope with Ghana's severe ecoiwmic problems
the military began a revolution. The "holy war", as it Is called. Is aimed
at easing the plight of the workers and farmers who have been taken advantage
of under past regimes.
Most of the fighting took place on the other side of Accra. We were
not affected in Abeka. We could hear some shooting, but that Is as close
as it got. We tried to follow th progress on the government radio, but It
was also a focal point In the coup. We usually heard what those In control
wanted the people to hear. A6:(X) p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew MS Instituted,
causing the cancellation of our New Year's Eve service.
The government has formed task forces of students from the univer
sities to help deal with many of the country's problems. They are mainly
later pools for the government to send wherever they wantvx>rk done. Because
of the task forces, the universities have shut down and the students have
lost a year of their styJiss. Thus far our students have been exempted,
since they are theologies' students.
A few of our students faced some real difficulties In finding tran
sportation as a result of the coup. One student v1ked 27 miles before
he could get transport out of his area. Howeverp roost were able to return
for classes without too much trouble. By the end of the first week of
classes (January 8) all had returned.
Throughout the last couple of months we have been able to go about
business as usual $ for the roost part. There are the Inconveniences of the
10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew which 1$ new In effect. Always there are
the uncertainties caused by a unstable government. The 90V6fh5nt
moved to put an end to the smuggling vdilch has arained off Ghana s essentials.
Price controls are being relnstltuted. Citizens* defense conmltwes are
being formed to check corruption and abuses In their areas. As these
policies are Implanented goods become scarcer. Fanners f
their goods to market for fear they will be forced to sell at
low to benefit them. Shopowners who have had to pay high prices
goods are being forced to sell at lower prices. So. many '
this makes for very difficult times for the ^
are coming down, but goods are not available. Tte government Is iMkeing
some efforts to redistribute cownodltles. " ttewevtr
and canned fish and meat are sold at government outlet stores, ^wever,
these are sporadic and undepandable. Aday's waiting may net a person one
bar of soap, a few cans of fish and some matches.
Somehow life ooes on. Many Christians support the new government.
Ghana Christian College supports the alms Ju^^le
the conditions of the cosmon man who has suffer^ so
In Ghana Is not a political rale. The college has continued p!Lw
a number of regimes. We hope to continue to do so undeT the PeoP^
National Defense Council. Our purpose Is to Ghana's
will lead In Ghana's churches. In this way we hope .0 contribute to unana s
rehabllU^lofr. ~ __ __ .
FUROUGH
Bv the time you receive this we will be on our way to the
States' wl IZ rJve Ghana March 29 We 111 afew days In
Ennland visiting with some friends from Ghana. April 3 Is the date o
our arrival In Indianapolis. We hope during elenlncM
to visit with you. Then we can tell you personally about our experiences
In Ghana.
Southside Christian Ghiiroh
P.O. Box 108
Smithville, In. h7US8
David, Deborah, and Gama Faith
BOX I |^60U9
Kempton, ^
NON PROFIT ORQAN.
U.S. POSTAOB
PAID
PERMIT NO. 2
anithville, Ind.
GHANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
iftlCAlf MX a I 0 * IVA0I.I8H
CAVIB AND DEBORAH
COUCH
Fiid Addr3s: RoTtfardiJig hamti
CHAHA CKRISTIAK CCLL83* Mr.KPfl. Pr'i Couch
Sox 5722
mu,.
August 2?, 1982
Fylends'And Supporters,
The last four months have been quite a change of pace from
Ghanas Since mid-SJay we have traveled over 10,000 milea
visiting churches, camps, and lacation Bible Schools, We
are already tired of traveling, but the roads are much better
than in Ghana, It is difficult for us to pack up, climb in
the truck and head down the road. But once the trip is over
and we arrive at our destination we enjoy the fellowship and
the opportunity to share our work wii^h our supporters and
those interested in Ghana Christian College,
In addition to our traveling David was able to take a summer
class at Cincinnati Bible Seminary, He begins classes full-
time August 30, He will drive to Cincinnati and stay for
classes Monday through Wednesday, Because of his studies we
will have to limit our traveling during that time. The majority
of our traveling will have to be done on weekends. We appreciate
your pray(3rs for us,
A good deal of our time now will be spent in preparing to return
to Ghana, We have to try to supply ourselves for three years
with food, clothing and other supplies. We will try to calcu
late the things we will need and how much of each. We must
also determine what we will be able to find in Ghana, That is
about as easy to do as predict the American economy. We are
hoping to send our shipment in July, 1983*
One thing the college does each year is to distribute used
clothing to the -students at Christmas. We would like to take
back with us what used clothing we can. If you are interested
in helping us please contact us. There are certain guidelines
involved, such aa sizes and types of c^Iothing., This is one
way we can help our students and their families, because
clothing is very expensive in Ghana,
The news we hearlfrom Ghana is mostly encouraging* The cement
work on the chapel has been completed to the point the roof
can be put on. We ozvjered roofing sheets to be shipped from
the U,S, They should arrive in time for the roof, to be on by
the end of the first term in early December.
In mid-July six students graduated from the college. One of
them, Enoch Nyador, received a four-year degree. He is now
serving as minister with the Abeka Christian Church, the church
which meets at the college. The other five students received
three-year diplomas. Eight students were accepted for admit
tance next year. There will probably be a few more apply
before school starts in mid-September,
As far as we know the political situation is much the same.
The People's National Defense Committee continues to rule Ghana,
We have not yet heard of any substantial changes or improve
ments, but if they come they will take time. We are continu
ing with our plans to return in Au^cust, 1983, unless there is
a serious decline in the political situationr. which we do not
expect.
'to bs able to gimre with you some good news
finaneeg# For sotse time, due for the
part to tresjsndous economic problems,, the college
was under severe financial s t r n We were able to continue
our work as normal, but because of the poor exchange rate for
the dollar in Ghana tt was becoming extremely expensive* We
were not able to make any improvements or maintain the college
aa it should be# This meant difficult times for all concerned#
However, arrangements have been made which have eased the college's
financial situation# The college purchases Christian books with
its dollars# These books are shipped to Ghana by the publishers
where they are sold by African Christian Press. AGP is a dis
tributor of Christian literature in Ghana# They were facing
the problem of not being able to buy books because of the lack
of dallars# AGP sells the books in Ghana and reimburses the
college in Ghana'"s currency at a much better rate of exchange
than v/e were getting previously# *The legality of the situation
was checked and approved before the arrangements were made# We
are thankful that a way has been found to ease the financial
situation of the college# At the same time Christian litera
ture is being brought into the country#
This does not mean your support is no longer needed. It doss
mean the college will be able to make improvements and continue
its work with one'less problem facing it# As far as the mission
aries are concerned, there is no benfit to them# This is strictly
an arrangement for the college# We are continuing to struggle
with the poor exchange rate# The college is the important aspect
of our work, not our personal finances#
We share this with you because you hear from us when things are
tough. You should also hear when they improve. As you pray for
us in the diff^aulties we face please join us, in thanking uod
"TQr"tire~l.lnpiwMe^^
FOK PSRSONAL COHHESFOKmi-IGS!
Mr.t'Irs. David Couoh
69" iE. Union Ava.
McConnels^fille, Oh* 143756
Ph. 6li4-?62-l4?3?
J^UTLSIDS CURISTIAI^ CiiUECH
P.O. Box 108
Smithvllld, Ind# U71458
\ HORlZCtt^S
il^ssion Sewces
,p.O. Box 2.121
KnoxviHe? Tn 379
SgbiD ALL FUNDS TO:
Fred V. Couch, Fvfd* Agt.
P.O. Box 106
Snithvilla. In. UVllSS
Ph. 8I2-62I4-9202
KON-HIOFIT ORGAX.
U.S. TOSTAGS
PAID
Smithville, In.
Pemdt No. 2