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