This is a picture from the retreat I chaperoned for with high schoolers. They had to dig a hole for their whole team to fit in. Is it weird to see people in bathing suits in January? Welcome to hot Ghana!
The high schoolers worked hard to find pictures in the sand with the ocean in the background. Great fun!
Oh how powerful the waves are. They remind me of God's power and goodness simultaneously.
I iced cookies with some of the kids on the street! They kind of got addicted to the icing, not use to that much sugar.
I took three girls whose father works for the school put putting for the first time. If anyone knows me, they know I love miniature golf! This is actually a nice place. Who knew in Ghana?
A typical new years day: watch the Rose Parade on TV while dreaming to be there in person one day, eating kinedle and zelle(bohemian), playing games, catching a few bowl games(not me though), and curling up in a blanket.
A typical new yeard day in Ghana; most people just getting back from church, sweating like usual, eating chicken and rice(always) or fufu, and leaving for a beach with 30 high schoolers for a retreat. What more could you ask for? I had the opportunity of going with the Youth Group from my church to Tills Beach for two nights. A lot of the kids go to AIS so it was fun to get to know them on a deeper level.
I love looking out into the ocean, that stretches forever. It reminds me of God's eternal love and life. I could just stare at it forever! Which I pretty much did when we were not having sessions. We had a youth pastor come from Minnesota who is a friend of a lady from school. He barely made it out before a blizzard hit the area. Praise the Lord. He was really relevant and the kids were listened to what he had to say. The theme was "Emmanuel" God with us. It is such a great reminder as God does seem distant sometimes but no, He really is with us through the ups and downs. I have been reading Hewbrews, and he brought up some scripture that I have been holding on to as well. When you take the time of actually thinking that God is always be our sides, it is such a great relief and comfort. The creator of our world thinks it is important to be with US, US, just lowly humans who know nothing! So many children see themselves as nobodies so it is important that they hold on to the truth that they are someone in Christ who does care about their trivial lives. Verse I find so promising are at the end of Hebrews.
Hebrews 10: 37-39
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come. and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."
Christ is coming back and we have the Faith to hold on to that truth!
Hebrews 9: 28
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
We had time to hit the beach and I did get out far into the ocean. It is so majestic, a symbol of our Lord. The waves were huge and it made getting out far difficult as they kept pulling us under. Some people were afraid and wanted to give up but then when it calmed down for a second, you could make it out if you swam quickly out. Then the reward came as it was calm farther out and we could just float in peace. This effort to get to calm waters reminded of our lives. There are so many rough waves in life that keep pullin us under. We allow it to swallow us and it beats us up good enough that we want to give up sometimes. However, if we endure the rough waves long enough, we get to the calm waters to rest. God gets us through the rough waves or circumstances that face us in life. If we persue Him and have Faith, he gets us past the rough times and unto resting in Him. Just like you have to swim fast when the water is calm, we need to keep our eyes fixed upon Christ so we follow Him into His truth and His rest. Amen!
Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily best us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
We returned from the retreat on Monday which refreshed me enough to welcome my students back on Wednesday. It was so exciting to see them all. We had such a great three days together even though they were still half asleep most of the time. I seem charged up with energy so I pray this continues. I can't believe a semester has gone by. I need to embrace every moment with them before it is gone.
Praise!!! We have bought land to build a new school as we are busting at the seams. It isn't that far from our location now which is nice. The best part is they are going to clear some land for a soccer field right away so we can start practicing there. Praise the Lord as the people in charge of the field where we play now are being difficult. Please pray that the plans will come through for the land and no complications will come as you never know what could happen here. Also pray for safety as we play on the land considering they have seen green mambas on the land. AKA: poisonous snakes! Yikes! Anyways, it is worth it, spoken by a true football player!
I pray your new year is starting off and you have had time to reflect on the goodness of our Lord and Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment