JUSTICE’S BROTHERS

Our journey began with a serendipitous encounter with Justice Kwofi at an Action Sports Network gathering in Ghana back in December 2017. A follower of Jesus and a passionate surfer from the West of Ghana, Justice’s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. At this December gathering, Rehgert met Justice and has stayed in contact ever since. Since then, Justice and his friends started their own surf school called Justice’s Brothers and, recently, a girl’s outreach called the Obibini Girls Surf Club. Fast forward to 2024, we embarked on a mission to spread the message of hope and faith through an Aleph Discovery Seminar and Surf Camp in their village, a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose.

Planning a seminar and surf camp from South Africa, primarily through email and WhatsApp, and then traveling to places like Ghana, necessitates a ‘use what you can’ and ‘go with the flow’ approach to make things work. The journey of 160 miles by car took us a staggering 9 hours. Securing venues was also a challenge, often requiring complex communication networks. However, where there is a will, there is a way. We conducted our seminars on the roof of the surf club, on benches in front of people’s homes, and in the facilities of local church leaders who graciously allowed us to use their spaces for two days. These experiences were a testament to our trust in God’s guidance throughout the process. We also made a conscious effort to support the local economy, purchasing materials, bibles, and stationary from local vendors in the village, and engaging local cooks or restaurants to cater for all our participants during these seminars. 

We ran our Aleph Discovery Seminar from 25 to 29 March in Busua, Ghana. Rehgert also ran foundations training with a group of surfers who follow Jesus and want to start the first Christian Surfers Chapter in Ghana. 

We were deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the word of God in Ghana.  We encountered a dynamic and young group of believers who need discipleship and leadership. We were surprised when the group shared about how many humanitarian groups there have been in Busua to help out, but no one has been there with the focus to share about the Bible or Jesus. The challenges they face are significant, with a clear need for mentors to come in and support this emerging ministry.   While hungry for the word, the youth are also easily distracted by social media and the other scenes that unfold in this small but influential village.  The presence of aid workers and tourists, who often come to ‘party’ on the weekends, and numerous aid groups and charities, who do ‘good’ but disrupt the natural flow of things in these communities, further complicates the situation. The influence of modernity, even in these remote villages, is palpable.  Even here, the most sought-after ‘job’ is to be an influencer. We fervently pray for the local church to be strengthened here and for the shared word to take root.  We humbly request your continued prayers for Justice Brothers, the girls and the village of Busua, Ghana.