Our powerful God

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)

GILLBT (Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation) operates on the tenets of partnerships, both internally and externally, with the latter being the dominant form of partnership. However, over the past few years we began the journey to achieve a certain level of autonomy, trusting God for his guidance.

To achieve this we needed to put in place strategic measures to become more visible and viable at the national level. This also meant that we needed to employ measures to stay in better touch with our local partners – churches, individuals and other stakeholders – to make sure they understood the ministry of GILLBT.

We prayed and believed that when we achieved the national objective, it would also improve and increase our local funding sources and have a rippling effect on making GILLBT effective at an international level.

The Advancement Directorate with support from the Executive Leadership Team put a comprehensive plan in place to have personal, face-to-face engagements with local partners, including churches and individuals willing to support the work of GILLBT.

After we put these strategies and plans together and were ready to proceed, the world was brought almost to a standstill with devastating effects by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our plans came to an immediate halt and we spent the time praying and listening to what God was telling us. During the pandemic, most GILLBT Staff came to the office on a rotational basis to allow for the social distancing protocol. Staff worked from home when they were not on the roster for the day.

We did not know what to do or where to look except to look up to God. Our trust was solely in the Lord and we were encouraged by what his word says in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” We looked to him to see us through the hard times and God answered!

Worldwide and in Ghana organisations and companies laid off staff in order to reduce expenses and stay in business due to the pandemic and lockdowns. To the glory of God no GILLBT staff member was laid off, neither were salaries delayed throughout the peak of the pandemic.

GILLBT leaders contacted friends about the financial situation and they responded positively. With the amount provided, we settled our indebtedness and took care of administrative expenses up to the end of the 2021. We are very grateful to the Lord for his provision. In that period, we cried out to him and our good God heard us. This is a clear testimony of how God ‘our powerful God provides for us’ in difficult times. We are working hard and will continue to call on him (Psalm 50:15).