My First Love

No, not my first love such as in a boyfriend, please do not get the wrong idea. I am examining my life and wonderning if my first love in life is Jesus Christ? Last week at bible study with the teachers, we talked about how it felt when we were first saved and just fell in love with out Savior. Do I still have that passion for the one who save me as I did then? Unfortunately, that is not always the case. For awhile, I was on fire and loved reading my bible but then I had a hard time getting up early. Christ is my first love and I need to live with him as my center and not be dead in our relationship. He wants me to serve Him with all my heart and love and I desire to do so. When I love God with all my heart, everything else will fall into place. What a beautiful Lord we have to serve! I also have to remember that my kiddos are my first love and it is my job to love on them. It is hard sometimes to keep calm but I need to do so in order to show them Christ's love. We have had some really good conversations lately and they have been asking the importance of accepting Christ and what happens if they don't. I have been honest with them because that is all I can be. These little minds desire to follow God and are very motivated to find the truth and share it with all. Please pray for these little minds as they seek after Christ and as they all go separate ways this summer.

In soccer news, which I am sure you are sick of hearng about, today was our last day of play. We played in a tournament and the girls and boys each played 2 games. Our team is hilarious and it takes a lot of effort just to get on the field to play. Getting them all to the field takes time and then some of them don't have the proper shoes and we have to hunt over the schools and with other players to find the shoes. By the time the game actually begins, I am relaxed as everything else is taken care of. My players always say calm down Miss Sopcisak, it's okay. They are right but it gets a little stressful to manage all of them. One of my girl players comes to me before the game and says we have a problem. She had on zip up shoes and she couldn't get the zipper down. I tried for awhile and then one of the boys said, "let me try the scissors" in all seriousness. I lost it at that point, they are just too funny! Eventually, two boys tried to tear the shoe off of her foot while I held on but then they eventually got it off. By this time I was rolling with laughter because nothing is ever simple but somehow we manage to put a team on the field and do our best. The boys lost the first match 2-0 which was unfortunate because they had chances. After the game, I had to stop the keeper from leaving the match but then I had to focus on the girls' match. They girls' won 5-0 which made it their first win and first clean sheet(no goals scored against them.) They were all very excited as you can imagine! I am so thankful that they were able to seal a win before the end of the season. The boys started their second match down by 3. At this point, the keeper had given up. However, by half time we had scored 2 and at the end of the game we got our last goal from our sweeper. Oh man, talk about exciting! We ended the game in a draw so we had a shoot out. Both teams scored every goal until we got to our sixth shooter and the goalie blocked it. I know it was very hard for him but I have been in that same position before. Overall, the boys had a good season and learned a lot as the year progressed. A lot of them are already excited about next year and I love that. We will only get better! The girls lost their second match 1-0 but they played well and were quite tired by that time! I love these soccer kids like my own and it is sad that it is over but it has been a fruitful year and I think we are all ready for a break. Please pray for these kids as a lot of them don't have parents who are involved in their lives and require us as teachers to lift them up and encourage them. I feel more like a counselor than a coach sometimes. One of my players is trying to make a decision of the school to attend next year. He is not a Christian and I desire him to be so I pray that he will continue to attend our school for the seeds to grow.

Exciting news! My parents are coming in a week's time! This is crazy that the time is already here. Please pray that they get everything packed and everything goes smoothly for them to travel here. I have a lot planned for them but I promised to give them some rest. I will be seeing some of you very shortly and I look forward to good fellowship with my good friends. Until we meet soon!

God's Sense of Humor

Aren't you so glad God loves laughter and is the inventor of humor? Life would be so dull without it! I feel like the humorous moments are when you really want to cry, scream, and pull out your hair but you can't so you just laugh instead. I love God during these times because it shows that he is in total control and we just have to take a backseat and enjoy the craziness. I feel like this happens a lot in Ghana which makes me love the place and clean on to my Lord even more. Of course, it somehow involves soccer. On Thursday, we were suppose to have a game on our field but rainy season has set in and thus our field flooded. I mean I am not going to complain about the rain but it can change plans. We moved the game to the other schoolk which is about a half hour away. Throughout the day, I tried to remember all the details to make sure we were ready. Unfortunately, I couldn't find enough drivers. I had all the girl players and three of the boys on the bus. I had the majority of my boys in a Korum and I was in a taxi with three other boys. It took us an hour to leave our area of the city which should usually take 10 minutes. I have never seen traffic that bad! We struggled to make a decision for a long time over what to do. We had to make the decision to either turn around, well at least try, or attempt to go to the game. You know I can be a little stubborn and I just couldn't justify sending them back without a game. Finally, my taxi broke through the traffic and we made the call to cotinue on. Right after that, my taxi ran out of petro(gas) and he had to push us back to the bus stop. We then quickly found another taxi. Unfortunately, the girls were all stuck on the bus so there wasn't time for them to play. My taxi and the other car showed up at 5:00, two hours after leaving the school, sick of being in the car and a little drousy. We had no balls with us and some of them didn't even have their uniform which was all on the bus. We put ourselves together and I managed a line-up while the other team had been practicing for a long time. It was a hodgepodge of players on the field but they were there and ready to play. By God's help, we were able to put in a goal even though the ref was their coach and we were getting no calls for our side. Even one of my sweetest players got a yellow card! The rest of the players showed up at half time and we were able to keep the win until the deal, making it our first clean sheet of shut out, meaning the other team didn't score. I am so glad for the win especially for the crazy day. I was thrilled until right after the game when the other team started cussing at my boys and they almost all started a huge fight. I was not happy as you can imagine because most importantly we play for Jesus. So much to learn but we are getting there. The fun never ended as it took us another two hours to get home, making it 8 oclock. Oh man, what I do for these kids. It makes it worth it when they say you know we love you Miss Sopcisak. They have a funny way showing it but they do need a lot of love and I am willing to give it out. Tuesday, two of the boys came home with me to help with kid's club. I think they were looking for goodies and they seemed appalled when I told him we give the kids biscuits(cookies) and water for snack. They think it is a real treat but when kids are use to more, they don't see it that way. Anyways, one of them was so cute and came outside with us and helped lead the songs with the kids. It takes a lot for a high school boy to be willing to sing songs and do motions. It is good for school kids to branch out to those on the street who have little.

Today, Saturday, there was a 5-5 soccer tournament at the nice, grass fields. I had two teams with my players on it and for once I wasn't in charge. That was a nice change although it was hard to not coach. I eneded up managing the games and making sure the next teams played. I had fun anyways talking to other players and watching good soccer. Some of the players from other teams came up and shook my hand saying good morning coach. I was taken back from this but it was a nice jestered. I asked Faith how they knew I was a coach and she said, "well you are the only white, American, and female coach around. Everyone will know you." very true statement! It was a successful day and one of my teams made it into the final game. I came out being very red and one of my only white players said we are just trying to blend in better. I think I have awhile until that happens. Soccer can bond so many people together and it is an honor to live in a soccer country where I can share my passion with so many. You never know how a conversation about soccer cna turn into a conversation about God.

Tonight, I walked to the store and one of my friends on the street came with me. It was so fun holding her hand and walking down the road laughing over crazy little things. We watched the planes dash out of clouds and talked about the food we liked. She is so precious and I am learning the important of loving on these kids as much as possible. They never go to the regular store as they buy most things on the street. It is important to share just little moments with her. I can't spoil her but I can love her while still withholding Ghanaian customs. I pray that you are all having a wonderful weekend soaking up Jesus' goodness and faithfulness.

Jehovah Jireh

When was a freshman in college, which was such a long time ago, Jehovah Jireh had a funny but important meaning. It still is important and impactful but because of one moment, I will never forget Jehovah Jireh. We were playing a soccer match in Chicago and our goalkeeper forget her gloves. Of course she was freaking out but our assistant coach kept yelling Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Jireh, God provides! At first we weren't sure what she was saying but then we figured it out and we were laughing hysterically. For then on, it became an inside joke and right now I still find it funny although you probably do not. That is okay because it has heklped remind me the importance of praising the Lord when he does provide in many glorious ways. This was evident this week with a trivial thing such as a soccer field. I have been fighting for a long time for our field and it finally became a reality just Friday. Trying to meet deadlines here is difficult and after passing one a week ago, everything finally came together. We had a game Friday and just that morning, they were still digging level ground for three of the corners, lining the field, and fixing the goal areas so there were less rocks. The field is a combination of rocks, dirt, sand, and trash but it is our very own. We ended up losing the game but to me it was a triumphant celebration because we managed to finish the field just in time. I was there Thursday night until after 7 in the pitch black putting up the goal posts while the van shone light on it. They dug holes, filled the holes with rocks and then buried it all up again. They seem to be holding so I guess it works. Usually my kids are down after a loss but they are learning to take each game in strides and we are improving each game. We now have more room to work on tactics even though we only have 3 games left. God provides and I need to give him the credit because it only gets done with his help.

In other news, we had a compliment party in class on Friday when they have listened well and earned compliments from myself or other teachers. We decided to have a breakfast party so the kids brought in their favorite morning goodies and we even wore our pajamas. We included a dance party and reading time snuggled up in the castle with our blankets. We didn't get much paper work done but we had a good time which needs to be done sometimes. I love these children dearly and don't want them to leave me. We must embrace each moment.

We also had our spring musical on Saturday and we did Sound of Musical. They did more of the songs then acting it all out but involved preschool students to grade 9. It was a lot to organize but it worked out well. The high schoolers were not too happy about it, especially my soccer boys, but I must say it was hilarious to watch them sing and dance. School functions help us all celebrate the talents God has given us and the unique school setting that we have as they all come from so many different backgrounds. Please pray that everyone can finish the year on a good note and strong as we are all starting to get worn down. My parents come in 3 weeks and I couldn't be more ecstatic!

In all we do, I pray that we can glorify the Lord and yell, "Jehovah, Jireh, God provides!" I need to continue to count my blessings but He does provide in ways I can't even fathom. Today the sermon was on getting ready for Christ's return and how we need to reach out to those who don't know the Lord. I pray that we can all be on our knees for those who have not accepted the Lord or who are turned off from His message. Let us be the light of Jesus and proclaim his name to every nook and cranny around.

Peace

To find tranquility and peace, some people seclude themselves or go to a restful place. When I want peace, I go to the village. Last week I spent glorious spring break with my beloved friends Christine and Kirk. The first day I was there, christine did not arrive until the evening so I spent the afternoon reading, doing crafts with the kids, and itting outside with one of the girls. Sometimes this is hard for me to jsut sit around and do things for pleasure. However, it won't last forever so I should enjoy it. Also, it is good to just be, enjoy people's company, and reflect on Christ. Monday night when I was looking over my journal, I came across a quote I must have written down from church. It states, "Do not let busyness be an idol." "Oh man, that hit hard as I stay bussy instead of being still before my creator. Today has given me the chance to read a boo the challenges my walk with Christ and dive into God's word. I should be thankful for that time with my Savior and look for ways to make that more a vital part in Accra. Afterall, my busy life will have no purpose unless it is rooted in God's truth and is connected with guidance. On Monday, I heard some of Chrisitne's past week which proved to be wearisome. They traveled to Mole with eleven of their friends to see the animals. Luckily, they saw 7 elephants but Christine saw her own nature. She decided to take a nap in the room until she was awaken by a banging sound inside her room. She looked up to see a baboon starting at her by the door. you can imagine the horror. She stayed in a corner but the baboon took a bag and ran out the door. That bag happened to possess all the supplies for a birthday party for her mother that the baboons enjoyed instead. Party crashers!





Thre is much drama that Christine must deal with living in a small town. Please pray for sanity and direcction as one of her foster children had to be in the mental hospital for over a week as she kept trying to run away. They are dealing with real life situations and need your prayers. Also, her father is very sick so she is traveling to the states. Please pray for her summer as she spends time with her family and finds a place to belong in Michigan.





For the rest of the week, we made our way to the village. Three of the girls who were from the village, lived with them for two years while they went to middle school in town. On Tuesday night, the girls had their last dinner with my friends before they went back to the village until they find out which high school they will go to. Some of these girls are 17 years old but it just depends when they have had a good enough education to continue on. Two of these girls didn't know English until Christine taught them 4 years ago. Even though they have a late start, they are still determined for an education to better themselves. Christine and Kirk have really impacted these three girls and given them an opportunity that most village kids don't see. I was filled with chills when the fathers of the three girls came to Christine in the village and thanked her for helping their girls. It hit me that these parents were getting an education through their children like they have never experienced. The parents cannot read or speak English but yet their girls can now pick up a novel and enjoy. A first generation is enjoying literacy that noone in the village has ever experienced. This is a huge deal and such an exciting step. Watching this in action helped me realize the importance of helping villages through education. It gave me the drive to partner with these village so they can better themselves and give them pride in knowing how to read.





For two days in the village, I spent time teaching these girls how to teach phonis first starting with how to say each sound which is always a good place to staet. They got pretty tired after awhile but we had fun especially when the small children sat in the class and we all taught each other. Picture this scene, four walled spider infested room with windows open for lighting. Looking out the window framed tropcial foliage with ladies and men coming back from their farms carrying wood and vegetables on their heads. This is typical life for them but picturesque beauty for me. This is real life and while they strive for an education, normal life surrounds them, that of surviving each day by working hard for the next moment.





It was an exciting few days teaching thse teenagers how to teach as it was my first step into writing curriculum and presenting it to future teachers. I spent one afternoon and evening writing down everything they should teach for 12 weeks of school. I am not entirly sure what I am doing but Iam learning as I go and that is a step in the rght direction. It really is a passion of mine to teach the children of Ghana and give them an opportunity to achieve their own goals. I am not sure what it all entails at the moment but these children have grabbed my heart as they have such a heart for longing. Everyone is so welcoming in the village and you can't beat living in the rainforest and taking a bucket bath under the crisp twinkling sky. We even saw the southern cross! Now you can't see that in the city!





Saturday morning was my favorite as Christine brought out the face chalk. It is like face paint but you can just draw on faces like with crayons. Now we are talking about real fun. The kids decided to go make a play so we made them into wild animals such as cheetahs, lions, zebras, and tigers, oh my! We found every kid we could to draw on them as it was just too fun. They made up a cute skit of a hunter shooting a zebra which looked so realistic as she twitched when she hit the ground. Christine said they see it all the time so it is realistic. Then all the animals ate the zebras. Too cute! If i would have known 5 years ago I would be in Africa painting animals faces on children, I would have said God you are too good to me. There is nothing better than just living with the children and loving on them in unique ways. I have village life in my blood now and it won't leave. I am hoping to take the rest of the family here in June and can't wait to share this part of my life with them.





We started this week again from spring break. The students handled themselves well. The big stressor came from soccer this week. I have been trying to get our new field forever! I thought we had it this week and after all week of waiting for a grater to come, they came on Friday and wouldn't do the job. I then spent 24 hours trying to play a new place to play. Let's just say it was a mess and even though we found a place, it wasn't ideal. God is good though and we survived. I am realizing I am too intense as a coach and need to learn how to relax. I just want the best for my kids and feel bad to disappoint them. We are all learning from this experience. They finally grated the field today and hopefully by next Friday we will play on it. Praise the Lord. Please pray for this as I just want it to work out but this is Ghana.





My parents come in 4 weeks! Praise the Lord for this! It will be such a blessing to have them experience life here. Please know you are all loved by our creator and me. God gets us through each and everyday. Let us live singing a song of praise to Him.