Greetings to all in the name of Jesus Christ:

     Rose and I arrived back in the US on December 17th. We arrived back a few days before our return date as Rose was having health issues. Rose had gotten Covid-19 in July and her health had been declining from that point. She lost more than 30 pounds and a lot of strength. She was determined to go to Africa no matter what the case as our daughter Martha was getting married in Salaga during this trip. However, as of the end of December she began to recover her strength. After many tests it was determined that her gallbladder was to be removed, which was done in February. It was also during this time that her mother, Virginia, got Covid-19 and was hospitalized. We shared time with the other family members staying with her at the hospital. Virginia is now home but at 92 years old she is in need of daily care and it is a difficult time for the family.

My normal schedule would have had me returning to Africa in February and returning to the states at the end of May, but the events here delayed my departure date to March 23rd. However, the day before I was to depart I got on the Ghana Embassy website and found that they were now requiring anyone entering the country to be vaccinated for Covid-19. Since I have had blood clots in the past my doctor pleaded with me to never get the J&J injection. I am now delayed for at least 30 more days. Since my US schedule begins in June and the case concerning Rose’s mother is uncertain, I may not be able to return to Africa till September. I am still considering ways to rearrange the schedule, but as for now I am not certain as to how I will proceed.

     Thankfully, I have great people to depend on for the work in Africa. As for the work there, it is going on well. Ulanja (the evangelist trained and stationed in Salaga) took his team to the village of Katanga. On the road that goes from Salaga to Kumundi there are three villages that have churches established. Katanga is along that route but there was no church there. Ulanja, along with the other churches, decided to go there to start the work. They baptized 6 people and someone from one of the nearby villages or from Salaga is going each week to have church and Bible studies. Joseph, another evangelist trained at Salaga, is overseeing the work we began at Zebaga on my last tour in November. This church is about 100 miles from Salaga on rough roads. Two of the churches in the area are sending teachers for most of the month while Joseph goes from Salaga once in the month. Sister Cecelia is taking care of the house management. Delegation is the key to keep a ministry running well. I thank God for those whom He has given me to carry on the work in my stead.

     I have been working on the website while I am in the states. We have added pictures and lessons with the hope of adding more later. If there are any subjects that anyone would like to see added to the lessons on the site, let me know. Visit us at: thesaintsatlima.com

     Keep the work in prayer daily please. There are many things going on. Francis Wajah, a preacher from Duuni, lost all of his seeds for next year’s crops in a fire, along with much of his existing crop. Ulanja has had two motorcycle accidents and is going through treatments now. Joseph, along with his family and Cecelia, were in an accident on a journey to the church at Kuwani. They are all recovering from cuts and bruises. And, of course, keep Rose, Virginia, and the family in prayer.

     May the God of eternal hope draw our minds to things above:

His servants

Bob and Rose Hartman

Send all correspondence and donations to:

Lima/Allen County Church of Christ

P.O. Box 1688

Lima, Oh. 45802

Email: robertlhartman@yahoo.com