A fresh new school year brings a fresh new blog! Our first year in Ghana was definitely challenging (probably an understatement). Sometimes I feel like I am in one of those seed-planting ministries where the only water I have is sweat and tears and the soil I’m working is rocky clay. Well I am proud to announce that God can make things grow no matter what! We don’t have any dramatic conversion stories (yet), but I have been privileged to witness some of God’s work in the lives of my students and co-workers and I know that things are growing in my own heart that I didn’t even know God planted there. He is full of love and surprises.
We had a wonderful summer in Colorado Springs. I did some child care and took two graduate courses, and John worked long and fun hours with a handy man. I loved on my family, I sipped Starbucks with friends, and I cried with my precious state over the fire and the shooting. We returned to a Ghana in mourning over the loss of her president, but also rejoicing over a peaceful and orderly transition. We’ve had some “only in Africa” moments like when a little gecko fell in the spaghetti sauce last night and we ate it anyway (the sauce, not the gecko). It is good to be laughing with friends, cooling off with Coke in a glass bottle, and high-fiving the neighborhood kids who call out, “Obruni,” or even our names because they remember us.
Now that we are back in Ghana, I am experiencing a joy and excitement that I honestly didn’t expect. I was looking forward to a new school year in my nerdy way, armed with my school supplies and new ideas from classes this summer. But then we had the first day of orientation, and I was infused with a different kind of excitement. The guidance of our leaders, the faces and personalities of some new staff, and especially the Word of God encouraged me more than I can express. I feel like I have a real watering can and some tilled soil now! I can’t wait to tell you more about this school year and what God does in the hearts of students, teachers, and staff. Keep praying and thanks for your support!