Take Off!

Well it looks like the past 7 weeks have flown by.  We leave Ghana tonight for our long trip back to Florida for debrief!  While skyping my parents last night, we all commented on just how fast the time has gone, although it still felt like I hadn’t seen their faces in months. :) 

Our last week had a lot of rain, which made ministry difficult since everything basically shuts down in Ghana when it rains.  However, we got a few good church services in and still made it to the high school for a short amount of time!  For our last evening church service, we trekked through the jungle in order to see the route people from one remote village would take to get to church.  While walking it started pouring, and it was so dark you couldn’t see a step in front of you.  I was struck with the dedication these villagers have to their faith, walking a pretty far distance to church, and usually not knowing if they might face rain along the route…we had rain jackets and headlamps!  On another note, I did get to see a few amazing sunsets my last week in Africa.  African sunsets, as my dad pointed out to me in one of his letters, are the most beautiful you will ever see. 

On one rain day, our team decided to take the time to encourage one another.  It is easy to begin to feel empty and drained when you are giving all your energy to the ministry each day.  This time of encouragement was so rejuvenating and we were all so thankful for it.  Basically, we went around to each person and poured out what we appreciated in him or her and what their strengths were.

On a more light-hearted note, I want to touch on a few goofy things I learned during my time in Ghana:

Don’t bring gum that melts…or anything that melts.

Malaria prevention medication has about 10 billion side effects, which are identical to the symptoms of malaria.

You really don’t need a watch.

Putting your hand out to one kid amongst a large group of kids only means asking to have your arm ripped off.

When you are told to limit your water intake for an 8 hour bus ride in African heat, don’t take that to mean don’t drink water at all…you’ll probably end up in the hospital…whoops! 

I cannot thank each of you enough for the constant support I have had this summer.  Whether it was a letter, an e-mail, prayer or support, you have all truly made an impact and I feel so blessed by each one of you.  I hope to get a slideshow of pictures together soon!

Ally

Cape Coast.

Hello everyone!  We are at our last destination for ministry here in
Ghana and will be leaving Africa on Sunday!  After spending our first
four weeks in more remote locations, we are now in Cape Coast, and we
have running water for the first time in a month!  YAY!  Our time here
is a lot more laid back, as the missionaries know we are all pretty
exhausted.  There is a lot of sightseeing, since Cape Coast is a
popular tourist destination, and other than that we are at more
schools and having many evening church services.  I have had a chance
to be in a high school again, spending time counseling the girls, and
have taught junior high students about computers and American culture.
The late night church services are wonderful as well.  There is rarely
electricity out in the villages we travel to, so besides a few
lanterns, they are lit by the moon.  Although African worship has been
a sweet experience in every atmosphere, under the moon is by far my
favorite.  Ghanaians worship with all their heart, and when they pray
they all pray together out loud with enthusiasm and power.  It is
really a cool thing to see.  I have also really appreciated the
learning and growth I am experiencing from speaking so often in front
of large groups of people, whether it is at a worship service or a
school setting.  The sightseeing has included a beach day, a canopy
walk, and a trip to an old slave castle.  The beach was gorgeous, and
the canopy walk went through the jungle.  Although we didn’t see any
wildlife (there isn’t really much in Ghana at all…besides the goats)
the trees are so green and stretch for miles.  Finally, the slave
castle we went to was called Elmina.  It is the largest one in Ghana,
started by the Portuguese, then run by the Dutch, and finally the
British until Ghana gained independence.  The castle was a really
unique experience, although very difficult for all of us to walk
through and hear about the conditions people suffered in from our tour
guide.  The next few days bring only two more ministry days and
another beach day, wow, time flies.

Over a month in Africa has taught me so much about the wonderful
people here and their beautiful culture.  I have loved getting to know
the long-term missionaries we have been partnering with, and seeing
their hearts on fire for their faith is an inspiration to everyone on
my team.  They sacrifice more than I can even imagine and they have so
much patience with us, explaining every aspect of their culture that
we don’t understand.  And let me tell you, there is a lot we get
confused on.  I have met wonderful Ghanaian people that trust God with
everything, and acknowledge His work in their lives regardless of
their circumstances.  Talking with them and learning more about their
lives has taught me more about my life than I can even fully
comprehend yet.  The joy and smiles of every child lights up my face
even when I have about had it with my skin being poked, my hair being
pulled, or having “obroni” aka “white person” yelled in my face!
There is nothing quite like having a small African child curled up
asleep in your lap for a late night church service.  I see God’s
creation so evidently in their adorable faces and the sweet innocence
they have to fall asleep in a stranger’s lap that doesn’t even speak
the same language as them.  I have tried everything from sugar cane,
fresh coconuts, cocoa fruit, and chocolate bread, to bucket showers,
doing laundry by hand, a Ghanaian hospital, and HOT African runs.  We
have had a goat given to our team as a “gift” from a rural village,
named him Hezekiah, and found him in our food a couple days later
(yes, I did cry).   And that is just to name a few unique experiences.

All of these memories, more of which I will share over time, have
shaped my time here in Ghana.  I am looking forward to seeing what my
last week brings!  Thank you for all of your prayers, and I just ask
for prayer that my team be present these next few days as we are all
antsy to be back in the States!

Much love to you all,
Al

Banda!

Time is flying here in Africa!  I can’t believe we only have 3 more
weeks here!  The town we are currently in has definitely been my
favorite so far.  We are pretty busy, but I now understand the
ministry and culture better…I also got to hold a baby goat!!  A dream
of mine since arriving in Ghana!  We are still going into the
elementary schools for half the day, and I have loved teaching second
grade.  We worship and share a story from the Bible before going into
the classrooms, as we did before.  Lately I have been telling the
story about Jesus walking on water, while my team members act it out.
It is really refreshing to see the simplicity of the children’s faith
and the joy a short story or a few songs brings them.

We have also started to become more accustomed to the local songs and
dancing.  During our worship times with the people of the community,
we are dancing and clapping with them.  It is so fun!  One time we
travelled out to a remote village and worshipped with them.  They
would take turns, about two at a time, coming into the middle of the
circle and dancing while everyone clapped around them.  They laughed
when we all took our turns, because of course we looked ridiculous!
That remote community though, was probably my favorite time so far.
We took this flatbed truck about an hour out into the bush called a
“bone shaker”…the name is very appropriate, let me tell you.  We were
all laughing the entire ride, and seeing how the people lived in that
community was so eye opening.  It was there that I really started
seeing how Africa will change my life in so many ways.

Something that I have found myself being drawn to more and more is the
mental health system here.  Every so often we come across a man or
woman that is clearly mentally ill, just as we do sometimes in the
United States.  I asked one of our missionary hosts one day what the
care for mental health is like in Ghana.  There are no private mental
health practices here, just government run hospitals that family
members must check someone into.  There are only a few, in the bigger
cities, and they are obviously very expensive.  It struck me how
incredibly lucky we are to have that “in-between” mental health care
in the U.S.  The ability to have social workers in our schools,
counselors to go to, and that you aren’t just put in a hospital.  The
next location we go to there is a mental health hospital that another
girl studying psychology and I are trying to visit.

Thank you for all your prayers!  This next week is probably our
busiest so prayers for strength, especially now that we are all
missing home, are much appreciated!

Al

Hello from Ghana!

Africa is SO HOT!  While you all are sitting back at home thinking you are sweating, add a couple of gallons to it and you’ll feel me right now. ;)

Anyways, we are doing so much here, so I am just going to touch on a few of the highlights for now.  One morning we went to a vocational school, which was all high school age students studying for what their career will be.  It was such an awesome time for me because I have experience with high school students and I felt so comfortable there.  I gave a short talk on the Parable of the Sower, which was basically like giving a Young Life talk.  Playing volleyball with the students and chatting with them afterwards really made me miss all of my girls back home (I miss you all SO MUCH!) and made me really recognize my passion for high school ministry even more.  We have also spent a ton of time in elementary schools.  At the beginning we do a worship session and share a couple of bible stories, sometimes with schools of 600 kids!  After being sick it took a while for me to have the energy to play with the kids, so I have really loved the time we are given to go into the classrooms and teach.  The teaching style is much different here, a lot more memorizing rather than learning the concept behind it.

Something God is continuing to teach me, even though it was something I thought I was finally figuring out, is how to trust Him in all circumstances.  It is something I think we all strive for as Christians, but boy is the need for that elevated in a third world country without the comforts of friends and family.  I have found that my capacity to trust Him must always be expanding and adjusting to the circumstances I am surrounded by. 

All in all, the Ghanaian culture is something I am still in awe of when we go out each day.  Some parts are difficult, but the people are so kind and welcoming.  The Christians I have met are some of the strongest I have ever met; they are on fire for God and are an inspiration to my team and I.  They spend endless amounts of time in prayer and when they worship they do it with overwhelming passion and energy. 

In just one month I will be back home, sharing pictures and stories with all of you!  I am so appreciative of your prayers, and ask that you continue praying for strength and health, especially these next two weeks as we move into another town and will be very busy. 

Much love, Al

First Week!

Wow.  Definitely not what I expected from my first week in Africa! 

The first night here, two other girls and I got pretty sick.  I totally take for granted having air conditioning when you have a raging fever.  After I had fainted enough times and the other girls couldn’t keep any fluids down, our trip leaders took us to the local hospital the following night.  I had tried my best to keep my expectations to a minimum, but this was far from what I was prepared for.  Now that we have had a couple days to recover we have joined the rest of our team and are slowly but surely regaining our energy, and appetites.  I believe God was just saying to me “Ally, I know you think you’ve got this third world country stuff down and know how to handle it, but oh you are so wrong.”  He carried us through that time, as He always does, and praise Him that we are well enough to go about our ministry now!

We have spent time worshipping at a local school with the kids, teaching lessons in the classroom, and in their free time playing with them.  Part of the school is an orphanage, so based on my past experiences doing ministry abroad, I felt so comfortable there.  That was when I finally felt like I remembered why I am here, after really questioning what I had gotten myself into lying in a Ghanaian hospital bed!  We also walked through a local village meeting and talking with families.  The Ghanaian culture is so welcoming.  Whenever we would show up they’d pull up chairs for us and demand us to sit!  It is also really funny when you introduce yourself, because they clap if you have a biblical name, but a name like “Ally” they just laugh at!  They have trouble saying the “y” so I have reverted back to “Alexandra” to avoid complications. 

We also got to play a soccer game against the local high school team, which was such a fun experience and great way to unwind.  I had very little energy still but did what I could and loved it!  Kait, you would have been a superstar!  I wish you could have been here because whenever someone asked if I played soccer back home I’d say, “I used to, but my sister does and she is amazing!”  

A side note, as I mentioned before, not only do I take AC for granted, but I take water and power for granted too!  We probably have power 50% of the time and getting a full shower in…yeah no we just fill a bucket and make it work.  Prayers for the water and power to keep running are much appreciated! 

Our leaders (they work for Pioneers Africa) are so passionate about their faith and it is a blessing having them as inspirations to our team.  Each of them has their own unique personality and it has been so exciting getting to know them already.  

Again, thank you all for your sweet letters.  I wish I could thank each one of you personally and tell you what they mean to me.  Much love from Ghana!

Wheaton really is everywhere...

I forgot to mention this in my last post, but we went to an international church service this morning and we met a Wheaton graduate that was also visiting here!  She actually spoke in one of our chapels back in February.  How crazy that we would run into her in such a small service!  It speaks again to how big God is, and also really makes me believe it when people say "Wheaton is everywhere"!

A fun little addition to my day...one of my teammates and I were up on the roof of the house we are at jump roping for a little exercise.  When we started doing some jumping jacks we looked across the street and noticed a little girl watching us and doing exactly what we were doing!  So we ended up having a little workout session with us leading and her following, until we came down and went across the street to meet her :)

We head out to our first location tomorrow...not sure when we will have wifi but will update when I can!

Ghana.

We arrived in Ghana Friday night and have spent our time so far in Accra, the capital, getting acquainted.  We leave tomorrow and travel to the first city we will be staying in, and then will stay in two other cities after that!
Africa is amazing.  It is so great to be diving into a completely new culture and I have learned so much already.

Yesterday we learned a few things about Ghanaian culture:
-Never wave or serve others with your left hand
-"Pants" are "underwear" here (that can get awkward)
-Crossing your legs amongst elders is rude
-Saying "I'm going to come" means "I'll be back"
Just to name a few!

I have already witnessed God teaching me here.  During orientation we were given a time to sit in silence and really listen to God.  I always struggle to clear my mind and practice this, but once I was able to, the word that came to me was "time".  At first I was confused because nothing I had just cleared my head of had to do with time...until two days later when my "waterproof" watch suddenly filled with water and stopped working.  I looked everywhere for a watch at the airport in Miami and on our layover in London, but failed miserably.  Then it hit me, maybe this summer I need to give up one more thing I like to have control of in my life, the time.  When I got to Ghana we were made aware of how laid back the time is in Ghana...it definitely is.  Time is very flexible.  Coincidence or not, time is something I will be working to give up control of this summer. :)  

The last thing I want to reflect on is how our team has really realized how big God is...God is SO BIG.  And not even that, but God is the same here as he is back home!  It has been so comforting for us to remember that as we look forward to the next 6 weeks and some of the fears and anxieties associated with a new culture.

Thank you all for your prayers and for the wonderful letters I have been reading!  They have made me laugh and have brought tears to my eyes.  I am so thankful to have such wonderful people encouraging me and praying!  Miss you all!