In the area but on the wrong road

Josiah and I are pros now at lining the field with lime powder and a water bottle. Who needs hand dandy equipment to line a field? Actually I found it quite relaxing.

This is one of my favorite faces as he was acting out the solution to a story read and pretending to be a girl. There is never a dull moment in class!

Josiah and a girl in my class whose parents work at the school. We had our annual watermelon carving party and they turned out great. This time even included the girls wearing their broken watermelons on their heads. Needless to say, they had to take a bath before bed or the ants would be all over them!

Today's event are behind the title as a friend of mine and I went to visit a man from church. He moved here two years ago after living sometime in Niger to help boys from Niger who sell onions. He has just opened his house to them and allows them to make themselves at home as they learn how to read. On the way there, the taxi driver misunderstood, well and I didn't give the best of directions, so we eneded up going way out of our way! We figured we could just walk back to the place but unfortunately took the wrong turn and wandered around the area for an hour, passing the US embassy atleast 4 times! This reminded me of our relationship with Christ. We are in the neighborhood with God, know how to follow Him, but yet don't ask Him for directions to fall at his feet and into His warm embrace. We wasted so much time and missed out with Gomer and His beauitful boys that need the Lord due to being lost. How much time do I miss out with Christ because I try to do it my way and don't rely enough on God. If I ran right to God, I would spend longer in his glory. God is good and learning more about his Grace each day!

You've Been Joyed!

Alright, a random title but it makes sense once I tell you a little glimpse into life as a teacher. Of course we are always working hard and fulfilling our duties to love on the kids but sometimes you just have to have a little fun yourself. As I might stress at least once a month, my theme in life is Having the Joy of the Lord and I try to remind myself of this along with other good friends at school which sometimes they don't appreciate! The business manager, sometimes doesn't want to be reminded of this and he told me this on Monday which kind of hurt my feelings even though I knew he was kidding. The kindergarten teacher and I thought we should not allow him to forget JOY so we wrote JOY on tons of small pieces of paper and threw them all over his office, in his desk drawers, and in folders while he was out of the room. We then waiting impatiently for him to discover the JOY which didn't take too long. At first he was mad at the cleaner and though she had thrown paper all over the place until he started seeing the word JOY and somehow he automatically knew who it was. When he walked in, we were trying to cover up our laughter but we were having a hard time with this! Yes, we teachers are working hard, but when a fellow colleague needs a little help with JOY, you have to help them out.

Sorry, that took a long time to write that but it was quite hilarious. God has proven himself many gracious and loving many times this week as he always does. I was struggling with something in my head and a friend reminded me of the importance of loving all and showing that love to all even in difficult times. This woken me up to my own sin and weaknesses and gave me the strength to pray for all people in my life. God is not a far distant God but one right here who hears our cries and wants to wrap us in his arm. I am learning how to go to Christ first with difficulties even when they seem small. God is better than we can imagine!

A special time of the week that I love with my kids is chapel where we just sing praises to the Lord! We can be undignified before him and just jump up and down with thanksgiving. My kids are definitely showing me how to love the Lord more each day as they really do have child like Fath. What a tremendous blessing they are in my life! One of the girls said, "I love Christmas time because it is all about Jesus!" Wow, usually kids talk about the presents! Another kid started his prayer with, "In Jesus' Name Amen, Dear God." It was hilarious and we were trying not to laugh but he really was sincere about it. My kids love Bible and soaking up God's word and I am so thankful to take this time to share how much Christ loves them and how he died for their sins. On Friday, their journal topic was to answer the question if they would rather be rich and lonely or poor and happy. I got some interesting answers but one girl nailed it on the head that it is better to be poor and have God than to be rich. She didn't quite understand all of it but knew she had learned this in church. We then had the opportunity to talk as a class about how it isn't bad to have money but we have to use it for the glory of God who blessed us. Anything of ours, is all from him!


This happened a week ago Friday but well worth blogging about! A week ago Friday, we had a day off so we thought the perfect way to spend that time was to go to Togo! Yes, Togo is a skinny county to the east of us and we have never been so thought it was worth the stamp in our passport. We are still asking ourselves if it was worth going but it was fun being with friends and going on a new adventure! Ghana is definitely good for adventures! We arrived at the trotro station quite early and an hour later at 7:30 we finally left the station since we have to wait for it to fill up. This is always a fun game to see who will get in the trotro and how long it will take. Actually an hour, isn't horrible! We set off going east and waiting four hours to see the bright blue ocean just beyond the goldish sand. The road at this point rocked us back and forth in the roomy back bench but we eventually made it to the small town just by the border. At this point, we set out on a waiting adventure as we had to wait to renew our visa which had expired a week ago. We finally cross the border which required us walking through this delapidated building, such a funny border crossing! Right inside togo we stepped up to this veranda where two guys were sitting behind a bench. They asked to see our visa and we said we wanted to get it there. They said we would have to go back to Accra to get one which we obviously couldn't do. I talked in the little French that I remembered and finally got it straightened out for us to pay. There were so many miscommunications and he almost kicked us out several times or wouldn't talk to us but finally he did the paperwork slowly and then walked our applications across the street and then back again. The name of the game this day was patience, lots of patience. Finally, inside Togo, we realized we didn't have too much time before we had to head back. We wandered the streets by the beach and noticed some changes right away. The main road on this side was paved and more motorcycles inhabited the roads as these are taxis. My mother would be bummed to know I didn't ride on a motorcylce taxi but we definitely had offers. It was fun using my French to get around and things started coming back to me as I needed them. One peculiar thing we saw was small minnows on the sidewalks. I am not sure why they were there, but there was large groups sporadically on the walkway which made tiptoeing so much fun! We finally decided to go down by the beach which was gorgeous and pretty clean. After Josiah went in, we were convinced to go in as well and even changed in a pretty clean bathroom! We must be magnetic because as soon as the locals saw three white people, they came to the attraction and had to swim right next to us even though there was a huge stretch of open beach. The smart college graduates that we are, moved our bags so they were closer to us but then a large wave came up and got our bags soaked. I was the only one that saw them and tried to stop it but unfortunately the ocean is much more powerful than I am which reminds me so much of God. While we were assessing the damage and our wet, sandy clothes, locals came by and somehow during the conversation with them, they took Kim's camera. If that wasn't bad enough, somehow after that, they took her phone but she was watching it the whole time. It was the most bizzare thing! We decided at that point to head back to our beloved Ghana and had no problems getting back across where things are computerized and don't take all day. Josiah was grabbed by a trotro driver to get on their trotro to Accra and away we went. Four hours later, we arrived back in the city after watching the sun set across the flat, African plain full of tall ant hills and green foliage, and picking out constellations in the bright starlit sky. Overall, it was worth it although I probably won't do it again for awhile at least.


Saturday proved to be a beautiful day in many ways. I began the day by touching up the lined soccer field with lime powder and cut in half water bottle. I found it quite relaxing and might have to make it a regular activity. Anyways, our soccer boys showed up fairly on time for our soccer match against Jack and Jill which we have tied once and lost twice to last year. It definitely proved to be an interesting as we started with a goal right off the bat. One of my midfielders chipped it up to the forward which beautifully headed into the goal. You can't get much better than that. Sorry, for those non-soccer fans out there who might find this boring but details are important! Anyways, the other team came back and scored but we kept up a nice pattern of scoring and then having them score until we reached 6-5 us and finally held it until the end. We kept telling them to stop allowing them to score but guess that advice didn't work. I was really proud of the boys though because one of my backs scored a beautiful goal and some of the newer players played pretty well. They are learning and starting to play more as a team. We still have room to improve but we will get there slow but surely!

Overall, God is continually showing me patience and falling on my face waiting for an answer. We must be ready to hear the Lord call us instead of running away from his feet. I pray that you will find comfort in the Lord and have an opportunity to share Joy to all you pass!

How Great Thou Art

Well I think the title pretty much sums up everything you need to know so there isn't any reason to keep writing! That is my blog and I hope you enjoyed!

Alright, I was kidding, but seriously with the words "How Great Thou Art" what more can be said? We sang this song at church today and I am so thankful for the reminder that nothing can separate us from Jesus because He is Great and Mighty! I need this daily reminder!

Last Sunday we traveled again to Pram Pram to teach Sunday School. All of the kids were back to start school and they were praising Jesus with all their might! I love their heart for God even with worries of their own. We had 13 kids from school go and they did a great job teaching the parable of the mustard seed. We even planted seeds but then the kids drowned them with water and made mud soup. Oh well, you can only do so much with them! This is so good for are kids who have so much to give to others.

At school, Monday started with one of the girls praying that if people didn't know God, that God would bring them to their knees infront of them and they would accept Him as their Savior. I am not doing her prayer justice but it was so eloquently said for a 6 year old. Praise the Lord! This month is reading month so the kids are reading every chance they get! Reading the bible counts as double minute reading so they have all been sitting there reading the bible. I am not sure all that they understand but it is so cute to watch them trying to read the words. Some wanted to know where it talked about Jesus and others wanted to know if there was a Hannah in the bible since we have one in class. Good conversations have come from this and I am thankful for every chance. I just pray that the Lord will put it on my heart to share every chance I get!

I am loving my kids even though they are crazy like me! Last week, my principal walked in and we had sticky notes all over us as we were learning possessive nouns. On my eye, was a sticky note that said Miss Sop's eye. He wasn't quite sure what to think but then the kids started putting sticky notes on him that said Mr. Crosby's shirt. It was hilarious and he quickly shut the door on our madness! One day, I had a student who I stuck out in the hallway to finish work. However, I could hear him still whistling in the hallway and then I looked down and found his shoes still at his desk. Oh well, whatever works! We have been learning about community helpers this week so whenever they see another teacher or security guard the say, "hello community helper." It makes me feel like maybe they are learning something but as I learned in church today, I must not keep the praises to myself but give the glory to God! On Friday, a teacher came to me saying there was a Korean student with a hard contact stuck in their eye. I am the only one with hard contacts so I left him with my kids which were reading their "fake excuses for being late to school" on a chair infront of the class. I am sure he thinks we are ridiculous as well, oh well. Anyways, as you know, a Korean's eye does not open much as it is especially when it is irritated. I kept looking for it in the eye but then was told that it was still on the eye, oops! I then showed her how to pop the contact out without using the suction cup. Praise the Lord, it worked after I prayed as I was nervous about it! I am thankful that the Lord constantly reminds me of being faithful in Him with just the little things. I didn't do much but noone else knew how to get a hard contact out. Thank you Lord that you use our experiences and knoweledge in little ways to help others.

On Saturday, we had our first soccer game. The fun started early as Daniel my guard helped us line the field. We just used a tapemeasure and a cutless to mark the spots. Then they used lime powder in a plastic bottle to shake it on the tape measure in a line. I love how things are done in Ghana. They are efficient in what they do even though it isn't the easy ways we have in America. Sometimes we are so use to convenience, that we don't know how to do anything inventive! Of course the other teams was more than a half hour late even though they kept telling me they were a couple of minutes away. You have to love Ghanaians and their time management! I shouldn't complain because I am turning into that! Anyways, the first four minutes were great as we scored but it went all down hill after that. It was definitely a learning experience for us all. I know we will get better though. I do love these boys and they know it. Earlier in the week, some of the boys came in my room saying there was a new kid who was a keeper. They told him I was there mom at school and if he needed anything they could come to me. I felt honored and it reminded me of how much I need to show them love even when it is hard. However, they will take advantage of me if I am not careful. It is a fine line but learning the balance.

After the game, I rushed to the tutoring which is a highlight of my week. The mom asked if I had had lunch since she knew I was at the game so she made me French Toast which was so cute! I just feel loved here and part of the family as we sit on the ground next to a coffee table doing work. I have been convicted though to share Christ more with this family so please pray that I will find ways to show them the Love of Christ and that we could have conversations in broken English since I don't know Japanese.

I pray that you can can all find comfort in the Lord this week!

At Your Feet

I am probably sure that I have titled a blog this last year but I just can't get enough of this concept. There are moments when there is nothing else to do but lay flat on your face at the Savior's feet and just wait and listen. Yes, this can be difficult, but I have found it so refreshing everytime. I have the tendency to share my problems or frustrations with others first but I have just been reminded repeatedly of how important it is to bring praises and concerns to the Lord. Today I spent time just sprawled out on my bed praying aloud which was a glorious time with my Savior. What an amazing fact that he hears us all at the same time! I cannot even fathom all of his goodness and mercy but I am thankful for every bit that he gives me! I pray that you can find time to just fall at your Father's feet and worship him undignified and openly. I know I need to do it more often so I am refreshed for each moment.

I am trying to think of random moments from this past week. Well, in the middle of phonics, for some reason I started making glasses with my eyes where you flip your hands around while making a circle with your thumb and middle finger. We have tried this before but not many could do it then. However, we taught everyone to do it and clapped each time someone else learned the talent! I was like great, you are going to go home and tell your parents the craziest things at school! One of my kids said, "Yeah, last time I went home and said mom look what I learned at school! I learned how to make glasses with my hands." That is right ladies and gentleman, parents are paying thousands of dollars at a fin American school so their second grade students can learn how to make glasses with their hands! I think I should get the teacher of the year award! I do pray that learning is going on and I have seen it happening as they share with their parents or me the different skills we have been drilling in our heads. Yes, some days we take 10 very large leap backwards but we then start hopping towards our goal. I am loving my kids and the time with them. In this time, I need to be intentional of sharing Christ with them and just how much they are loved by me and especially by Christ. On Monday, we ran out of water at the school which made it interesting in the bathrooms. Right at the end of lunch, the clouds opened and it began to downpour! One of my precious students said,"Miss Sopcisak, God allowed it to rain so we would have water at our school." Amen! I love the faith of a child which has taught me so much on how to praise the Lord for every blessing even sudden rainfall!

On Friday, one of my parents organized a "meet and greet" with other parents. I only had about 6 parents show up but this was still a great time to get to know them better and share wonderful moments that have been happening in the classroom. The parents were talking about how thankful they are for the school and how their child is loved for each day and are taught important Christian values. I loved hearing this as it gave me a renewed purpose for teaching as I do have the opportunity to share Christ with these children everyday and impact their families. Please pray for the families in my classroom as they would bond as a family unit and grow closer to Christ.

Today, Saturday, I finally spent sometime with the kids on the street reading with them. I am still trying to teach the alphabet to several of them and we are getting there slow but surely. These children are just starving for attention and love and of course I love showing it! I spoil them with stickers and cookies and such but they are worth it. They were so quiet just taking in the pictures of the books and trying to sound out the words. These children do not have much to do so it is nice to be able to offer them so harmless, educational fun. Please pray that we will conitnue to be able to share God's gospel with the children on the street and they would listen.

Enjoy your week falling on your face infront of your Savior and Lord! Try not to give yourself a broken nose or too many bruises!