My Hope is Found

Hope, a four letter word that packs a powerful punch!  Hope by itself isn't powerful, but hope founded on Jesus Christ is extremely powerful.  I have been reminded this week like all things, life is temporary compared to the hope we have of spending eternity in Heaven with Christ.  My stay in Ghana as a second grade teacher for three years was temporary, and that is okay, because it is all building to the day where I can stand before Christ and praise is Holy name forever. 

This week, I packed up my room, threw our the old papers, turned off my two lights that were actually working, and closed my creaking door for the last time.  As I was shutting it, I was reminded of the many memories spent in that room cutting out games, grading papers, laughing with other teachers, but most importantly making kids smile and watching their brains grasp onto ideas.  I had the opportunity of watching blossoming minds flourish and take a strong hold onto developing their own knowledge.  I will never forget our moments of laughter and joyfulness as we sang songs to Christ, chanted phonics sounds, or yelled simile as many times as we could.  Those moments are irreplaceable and I will cherish the lessons I learned from my little ones as they reminded me how to question, love one another, and be a life long learner. 

We spent the week doing random things of course like having a pajama party complete with a pillow fight and a water party which of course included water balloons and biting ants!  Never leave home without your biting ants to crash any party!  Most classes shut down the last week but we were still reading Freckle Juice and getting Freckles on our faces or writing a cursive alphabet book.  There is never time to stop learning.  It was also a joyful week as four of my students came back who had the chicken pox.  We all had spots to us and joined in with the unique faces.  I love my class who embrace everyone for their differences.  On Thursday, we had the awards program and then I gave out individual awards in my classroom.  I then was going to show a video of the year which I do every year.  Well, as I was about to show it, my computer stopped working even though I tried it earlier.  So, I had to shut down the computer and start again.  Then, right when it was working, the project went out!  God bless Ghana as there is never a dull moment!  We just watched it from my computer and made it work but it made me want to cry as nothing works out the way I want it to.  Alas, this is Ghana, and God has taught me to just flow with the difficulties.  None of the parents really minded, as this is Ghana, and this stuff happens all the time!  It was such a blessing to talk to all the parents and hear their thankfulness for the year.  The parents told me how their students really embraced the concept of Joy, Jesus, Others, and Yourself.  This just made me realize what a huge responsibility it is to teach as they are sponges and pick up everything that is said.  I must instill in them the important issues as they pick up everything that I say.  I will definitely miss the class and teaching in the regular classroom but God has opened the door for this new ministry in Togo and I am excited.  I will be visiting Togo next Monday and Thursday.  I pray that during this time I will stay in tune to God's calling and will be understand how I can be used in this beautiful place.

The hardest goodbye this week was with the kids on the street that I have gotten to know these past three year.  It took all the strength I had to tell them I was leaving.  The whole evening was difficult as we pulled up to the house which African children running everywhere, wearing their tie dye shirts that we had made two weeks ago.  They give joy and love to my being and I am so blessed to know this.  We enjoyed the evening by singing our favorite songs, eating pizza, and watching the Lion King.  That is until our little three year old neighbor tripped over the chord and knocked out the power!  God bless our little friend Rafik!  They are starting to understand that I am leaving although I will be back to visit.  Some of them will come over for one last goodbye and I welcome them with open arms. 

For three years I have poured out my struggles, triumphs, and just observations about this crazy place that I deeply love.  As I look back on the frustrations and smiling moments, I am so thankful that the Lord has taught me patience and unconditional love.  Thank  you for embarking on this journey with me as I couldn't have survived without your support.  I pray that you will remain with me as I prepare for Togo and help the teachers there fulfill their calling to instill Christian principle's in these precious minds. 

Six Beautiful Words

I heard the most wonderful words 6 words spoken one of my precious students.  Can you guess what it was?  "I love you" isn't long enough and isn't that wonderful.  The only expression it could be is " I want to be a Christian."  Yes, this is true and I was quite shocked by the news and the students had just returned from art.  Two girls came up to me and the one said about the other, "She wants to know how to be a Christian."  Oh such unexpected words and beautiful words that are most welcomed.  I got the kids started on a math game and then spent time talking to the other.  She explained that the other girls were talking about the difference of Muslims and Christians.  She said her family was Muslims but she wanted to be a Christian and she told me what that meant.  I talked about how Christ died for our sins and by believing in Him we can spend eternity in Heaven.  She said she understood this and wanted to accept Christ.  I then prayed for her and she then talked to God herself, asking God to come into her heart.  She was very excited and shared this news with her parents that night which seemed okay with the decision.  I am so joyful for her and thankful to God for her decision.  This has reminded me that I must always be willing to listen to my students and talk about God whenever necessary.  God is good all the time!

Friday was African Unity Day so there was no school.  In the morning we had breakfast with the school for a goodbye celebration.  I have been to these two other times but this time I was the one leaving.  It was quite a "pinch me this is really happening" moment but I guess I have to live up to the fact.  I am leaving and ignoring it won't make it go away.  There are so many unknowns but God is in control and will make a way.

During the afternoon, we took our last trip to the onion boys.  They were happy to see them and we were able to give each one a paper book of the alphabet.  This has been an enjoyable Saturday routine and God has taught me how to love and give my time to others even when I don't think it is making a difference.  Some weeks the boys seemed uninterested in us being there and other weeks they were engaged.  This past week, Josiah and one of the boys were saying fish in English and in Zarma which is hamissah.  At that moment, the boy pointed and said Hamissah, as a man walked by carrying fish in mini aquariums.  Oh we laughed so hard as what are the chances of that happening.  You got to love random Ghana!  Anyways,  God doesn't call us to be faithful just because we feel we are making a difference.  God calls us to be faithful and follow his commands even when we are uncomfortable or unsure.  God called us to faithfully visit the onion boys and sit with them no matter the circumstance.  We didn't openly discuss Christ but they knew we cared for them and wanted to take our time to be with them.  Only God knows their hearts and ours.  I might never know how these men have changed as a result of knowing Gomer and us.  However, I do know how the Lord changed my heart by loving on these boys who are normally unloved. 

On Friday night, we celebrated the futue weddings of three of our teachers with dinner and then dessert back at my house.  Of course we didn't have any electricity and had the celebration with candle light and a lot of sweat.  We all made the most of it and enjoyed ourselves.  After all, it wouldn't be a memory in Ghana without the lack of electricity.  The real kicker came when the electricity came back on immediately after everyone left.  Go figure!  Losing power didn't spoil the fun as Ghana has taught us to be content no matter what the circumstances may hold.  Yes, we do find ourselves complaining but God is working on us to help us be more content.  There are many people on my street alone who live withou electricity all the time so I have no right to complain when I lose it for several hours.  God is still working on me but I am so thankful for  the important lessons learned while in Ghana. 

Yes, I should be packing but hanging with friends is so much better.  That is why we went to Wli Falls in the Volta region today to hike to a waterfall.  This is my fifth time there but I love it everytime.  The exotic and overlarge plants envelope me and help me see God's beauty in a whole different light.  His uniqueness overwhelms me as I look out into the vast green rolling mountains with small villages placed neatly below.  This is my beloved Ghana which I will be leaving soon.  This is hard to believe but I know I have taken in the sights and smells that make this place special.  God's beauty and majesty is all around, including in waterfalls, bright blue dragonflies, banana leaves, and loose rocks!   May you be encouraged to find the beauty of each day that the Lord has made. 

When Life Gives you Chicken Pox....Become Unique

I feel like this week was filled with many opportunities where the Lord was teaching me to make the best of the situation.  This is such an important lesson and very vital for survival in Ghana.  I guess I should first put the disclaimer that no, I never got the chicken pox but I did have a student in class have it.  He stayed home longer than usual because he was self-conscious of the scabs left behind as they are more noticeable on darker skins.  I finally convinced him to return to school as the kids were delighted for his arrival.  I could tell that he was very nervous so I took him out in the hallway and asked him if life would be better if we were all wearing spots.  His smiled returned for the first time that day and I knew a deicision was made.  I quickly got out my face paint crayons and put white spots on all the children.  They eagerly accepted the spots as they love all of their classmates.  I told them that if anyone asked them about their faces, they should just tell them they are unique today and that is exactly what we did.  I love how they will stand up for each other and embrace their differences.  They show me genuine love each day. 


The fun continued on Tuesday as we finally did tie-dyeing with the kids on the street.  I don't know where this crazy idea came from to tie-dye, especially in Ghana where everything is more difficult.  As some of you might know, once an idea is in my brain, I must see it through until the end.  Remember, I am determined, not stubborn!  Anyways, we realized that the tie-dyeing powders are not as simple as in the states and require much mixing and plugging of the nose as it is potent! So please picture with me, 30 kids folding and putting rubber bands on t-shirts of all various sizes.  Our dress maker then mixed the dye in our small grassy area with hot water and the potent stuff as the kids crowded around to watch.  After she dipped both sides of the shirt, it was my job to cut away the bands to show the awesome design to the kids which they loved!  I will fast forward to 2 1/2 hours later where we had over 40 shirts sprawled out on the lawn, barely visible with only the front house lights on.  We did have a cultural difference moment as Joyce who was making the shirts, told us she had a little of the dye mixture left.  We told her she can just throw it out but of course you can never waste anything here so she mixed another some more to dip another shirt.  Then, of course there was a little left again, and the process continued.  I love that they never want to waste anything here and it is a good lesson to learn.   It was definitely an experience, an exhausting one at that, but one we will never forget.  The kids picked up their shirts on Sunday and loved showing them off as they put them on right away.  We have our last kids' club in a week and I am not looking forward to this as it is my last one.  God is good and will get me through this emotional night as these children have touched my heart and helped me realize how to unconditionally live.  They look at the Joy that I stamp on my hands every Tuesday, but they are the ones who have taught me pure JOY that runs deeper than the ink in a stamp.  Their JOY is contacious and I am happy to be a carrier.  Yes, there will be tears but I know our JOY will continue. 

On Saturday, we had our last soccer game with the girls.  They were amazing and I was proud of each one of them.  We ended up tieing the game but they had nothing to be shameful of as they put everything together that they have learned over the past several months.  My AIS Coaching career is over and yes, there have been some stressful moments but God is good and has been working through us and these kids to strengthen us all in Christ.

After the game, we hurried back to school and geared up for an afternoon at City of Refuge which we have gone to several times.  A senior at school was in charge of setting up a fun afternoon for the children of City of Refuge.  However, the fun began before we got there as a crazy storm came out of nowhere.  If there could be hurricanes or tornadoes in Ghana, this would have been on the list as there were dust clouds and tin roofs being torn off.  It took us two hours to get to City of Refuge whereas it should normally take half the time.  When we arrived, we noticed that the walls of the school building we had helped build a several weeks ago was torn down.  The wind had swept it away with one mighty blow which left the kids feel devastated after all their hard work of moving the blocks.  Some of them though right away said they would come and help rebuild it.  What a great attitude.  We gave gifts to the kids which was good for ours to be a part of.  Then we got down to business and played soccer!  Now remember, it had rained profusely so their soccer field was drowned.  This of course made great soccer conditions and we spent a time slipping, sliding, and rolling in the mud.  Let us just say we all all left happy and dirty.  It is important for our kids to spend time giving of themselves and not stuck in their own little worlds. We are learning and God is good to give us these opportunities.  Yes, it would have been nicer without the crazy storm but we were still able to go and have a wonderful time.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

Circle of Life belongs to Christ

Does the first part of the title remind you of something?  Maybe if I tell you that it is related to a popular animated film and famous Broadway show it will spark your memory to The Lion King.  So what happens when you combine the movie, broadway, 3-18 year olds, Ghana, and different cultural views?  Well, you produce the Lion King AIS style.  Yes, yesterday the kids performed the Lion King and they all had a special part to transport the audience to the Savannah where wild animals roam.  This was a treat for us in West Africa as we are bare to wild animals like lions, tigers, and bears, Oh my!(sorry couldn't help myself!)  Anyways, all the classes represented different animals or tribal people.  My kids were Ghanaian dancers who performed "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"   They were sensational of course with their outfits of brightly woven fabrics and their little dance moves which some elaborated probably more than necessary but allowed the audience to laugh.  All of the actors and actresses put so much work into their part.  The only downfall was the wireless microphones were not working so well and it was hard to hear some of the main parts.  However, we all congratulated them as we knew they were doing a wonderful job and kept the show going despite the problems.  You just got to love Ghana!


This week has been a bit emotional.  I guess the end of the year tends to have that effect on a lot of us but it is different when you are leaving the school for good.  Yes, I myself can't believe I am writing those words but I have to face the reality of the matter.  I have been doing well telling people even though my kids are really struggling with it.  They say, "but next year we just want to come and say hi to you."  Oh, it hurts but I promised to visit as long as I get back here quickly.  God is good and in control.  It has also been emotional in other ways with some issues arising but I cannot go into detail.  God remains to be faithful and if I reach out to Him and focus my attention to him, I am comforted. 

Oh, you must hear updates on my street.  Remember, it is under construction?  Well, now there is a huge ravine in the middle of the street which I found out when the power was out meaning there were no street lights.  Now, you have to climb up on the side gutter, walk across the gutter, jump to other parts of the gutter that are not connected, and then get back on the road.  Who knew there were so many adventures on just one street?  Try walking on it when it rains and you just sink into all the mud!

These are pictures from awhile ago but I thought you should remember how cute my kids are and how creative they are.  The top one shows their imagination on geoboards and then the cool guys doing their fairy tale play.  The bottom ones show the chefs creating their own fraction pizzas.  There is never a dull moment in second grade!

As today is mother's day, I must give a shout out to my wonderful mother and grandmother.  You can only imagine that they have had a journey with me growing up but I would not be the women I am(although I still have room for improvement) without them guiding me closer to my Lord and Savior! 

May Day plus hard work equals Joy Day!

This should have been sent a week ago but I had internet problems and lost half of the post. 

I have a question that I have been wondering for 3 years and I still do not have the answer to it.  Why do we get May Day off in Ghana?  I think it is linked with a British holiday but nonetheless we celebrate by taking the day off and rejoicing that we are in a our last month of school.  Can this be correct?  Yikes!  Anyways, on our day off, we took 20 middle school and high school students to City of Refuge which I have talked about in earlier blogs.  I was in charge of a construction group which meant carrying cement blocks from the ground into the unfinished school buildings for 2 hours; talk about some real genuine fun!  I did quite enjoy myelf although the kids were not used to caloused hands or tedious work.  However, some of them put on the smile, and did the job, knowing they were able to serve others by doing this menial work.  The best part was stamping the kids with Joy all over their faces and arms whenever they had a hard time finding JOY in the situation!  There were other groups who painted a building where young women will be able to make water sachets to provide for their family.  The kids had never painted before and it was quite a sight to see them attempt to put paint on the wall as the majority landed on them.  It was such a blessed day to be able to help build the school and paint for people who are impacting the community only an hour away from us.  Our students' eyes were opened to the term "real work" and they were able to share with each other highlights and areas of encouragement throughout the day.  We know this partnership will continue and we look forward to helping our students see the importance of giving ourselves even when it pains!

I continued the week of fun by taking my students on a field trip on Thursday.  I don't have any pictures yet but hopefully soon I can show you!  We went to a place where they make glass beads.  Each student got to paint three beads and then watch the workers put them into the clay oven to set.  This was a process none of them had seen before so it was such a joy to watch their eyes light up with this new experience.  The lady ran the workshop very efficiently as the kids learned how they grind up the glass into a powder, put it into the molds, make the holes, and put it in the fire to create beautiful necklaces.  They behaved well and really worked well as a group to make the time enjoyable for all.  Whenever they were working or waiting, they would pass the time by singing praise songs that we have learned in class.  What a joy they all are!  As they were working or observing, they would point out other little tidbits that we have been learning like similes or vocab words.  I love this age because they are sponges and soak everything up!  The time is fleeting quickly, thus I must enjoy every moment I have with them!  I realized how protective I am of them when a policeman got onto our bus at a check point.  When he turned around, I saw his long, enormous gun and freaked out that it was so close to my kids.  Of course the boys thought that it was awesome but I was not amused.  I mean, all the policemen carry guns that size but it seems more real when they are close to kids you care about!  Oh the days in Ghana!

The girls' soccer team had their first match on Friday.  They were quite nervous and weren't sure what to expect but they played well.  I am very proud of all of them for their hard work.  We ended up losing the game but nonetheless we are learning and that is all that matters.  Of course you know you are playing in Ghana, when chickens are continuously on the field or there is no real out of bounds. It just makes the fun more real and genuine!  We have another game coming up so we will keep working hard for that. 

On Saturday, we took our weekly trek to the onion boys and sat underneath the trees with them.  We had some ABC books that included pictures of Ghana which they thoroughly enjoyed since these were familiar items to them.  One of them asked us if we had fufu, banku, kenkey, etc.  We kept saying no and then they asked, "well what do you eat?"  ha, good question!  A lot of we eat would be so unusual to them!  At the other tree, we pulled out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom which is about the alphabet going up  a coconut tree.  They loved the words Chicka Chicka Boom Boom; I guess because it seemed more familiar for them to say.  We just laughed each time we found it on a page.  Of course they have no idea what it means since it really doesnt mean anything.  I tried to explain this in French but I am not sure if I got the job done.  I laughed internally even more as this was a book that was read to me in kindergarten.  In all of my wildest dreams, did I ever picture myself reading this book to young men from Niger underneath a large shade tree on the side of a busy road?  God is full of surprises and I enjoy each one he sends my way!

Enjoy the weekend!

Snap to It!

Friday proved to be a "snappy" day in more than way but mostly because of our third annual Poetry Slam!  This has proven to a be a fun event for the past three years and I had the privilege of helping with it again this year.  One of the most critical parts of the Poetry Slam is snapping instead of clapping after each poem.  Obviously, it isn't a real big sound but it makes the ambience more artsy!  My students were amazing of course and I was proud of them as they have all shown improvements in one way or another throughout the year.  Listening to them yesterday, you would have not known that I had three who came in hardly knowing any English, some too afraid to speak, and others not confident in reading.  Instead, my second graders showed the rest of the school that they can memorize and present poems with a great rhythm, stage presentation, and even enunciate although their teacher needs helps in this department sometimes!  Alright, I do sound like a proud teacher who thinks her kids are the best, but I can't help being proud of them.  They have taught me love, unconditional love and I know the Lord has placed each one of them in my life to be a true blessing.  I told them yesterday that I was leaving and as you can imagine this was a hard conversation to have. Of course, they started asking who is going to coach soccer which seems to be the first question out of their mouths but I reassured them they are in good hands.  Oh, it doesn't get any easier leaving except that I have confidence in the next door the Lord has opened for me. 

         THis week we also made fraction pizzas which has been a favorite for three years!  I lead them in covering their pizza with sauce, cheese, and other ingredients by calling out different fractions.  We then microwave them and they feel like real chefs which is hilarious!  Of course, they have sauce all over their faces and proudly allow it to remain for proof that they indeed cooked pizzas in class.  I love sharing moments with them that seem so common to me, like cooking! 

On Friday afternoon, we hosted minute to win it games for the middle school students.  We had them eating cookies off their faces, keeping feathers up, flipping shoes onto tables, and so many other random things.  Of course it was more fun to watch then participate but I am so thankful we can have fun activities for the kids and allow them to see that it is okay to look ridiculous! 

In other random news, they are still filling in the gutters on my street.  Yes, the war zone continues as I step in puddles in mud at least twice a day.  This week I learned an interesting fact I hadn't thought of.  The new gutters are a little farther away from the drainage pipes so right now the lovely things that come out of the pipes are just dumping on the ground.  I was told that we had to drill holes into the new gutter so the drainage pipes would drain actually into the gutter.  Who knew that was our responsibility?  Oh, God Bless good old Ghana! 

This morning I was running and I was called Chinese and then Korean.  I didn't respond, so they just went with Acos which means Sunday born since they think all white women must have been born on Sunday.  I never pictured myself looking oriental bur I am always up for a good laugh while running.  One of my kids asked me if it was racist to call someone black.  I said, in the states, you would never just yell that out to someone.  Then some of my white kids ask, "well then why do they call us white people here?"  What a heavy question!  The different cultures do pose interesting questions that even second graders can begin to grasp.

Today(Saturday) we spent the day at City of Refuge which I have been at before.  They rescue children from the Volta Lake where they are used as slaves to catch fish.  They also have a school and are working on many other projects.  Several teachers and one family went today so we could show love to the kids and survey the project.  We are taking around 20 kids on Tuesday, since we have May Day off, to do work projects.  We are looking forward to teaching good work habits to our students and showing them how it can be rewarding to serve others.  There are so many needs out there and I am thankful that the Lord is allowing to show us how we can share the Light with Christ with so  many of his children.

Truth with a capital T

Oh yes the truth, nothing but the Truth. I have been going through a book with my ninth grade small group about young lies that women can believe and how to steer away from them. Again, of course I know the Truth stems from Christ but it can be easy to get caught up into feeling sorrow for myself or other random feelings. There are days when I just don't want to get out of bed or do work and yes, I know we all have those feelings but I want to feel free and feel excited to start each day. There is nothing stopping me if I continue to stand firm in the Truth and run to Christ for my acceptance. I know, random thoughts but I like sharing struggles because it just shows how powerful Christ is!

On Saturday, Josiah and I went to read and sit with the onion boys. On Friday, I mentioned to him that at the first tree we go to with the boys, it just seems awkward and they are not as accepting to us. He reminded me of something I had written in an earlier blog about loving on these boys since noone else does and they are seemed as a lower class. I needed these words that were ironically written by me to remind me that we do not always have to feel welcomed or like we are making a difference but we are always called to love and to go to all people who need the gospel. Of course God showed reminded me of His Glory and the call we have to continue to love because we had a fantastic time with the guys. It might have been because we had been gone for three weeks but they loved reading and talking to us. They loved teaching us Zarma even more and hearing our horrible pronunciations. What a blessing God showed me through this time.

Today, I played in a gutter. I know this sounds ridiculous but it is oh so true. Before you have those thoughts of never wanting to be close to me again, it was a clean gutter that has not been used yet! Our street is putting in new gutters so it looks like a war zone right now. They decided to tear up the whole entire street on both sides before constructing each part of the gutter along the long road. However, it does become a great playground for kids! We spent some of the afternoon rolling a ball down the clean gutter, playing our version of "gutter ball!" I was helping Rafik jump across the gutter but then he was trying to jump on his own which makes me a horrible Auntie! He was then taking cement pieces and saying in Twi, "God has given me money!" He is such a funny little kid! Please pray for all of these children as they just need a lot of love!

In other random news, we went to an Italian circus in Ghana on Friday.  I know random  right?  It was something else to do on a Friday night and we went with some friends of ours from church.  Who knew that Ghanians are deathly afraid of snakes?  We really want to take some of the kids on the street since they never would  have this chance.  Please pray it works out.



I pray everyone has enjoyed there wonderful weekend and are ready for another fantastic week to praise the Lord!