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