New Experience

June 3, 2009

I did not sleep well again. This time it was not because my head hurt, my head feels fine. Though I admit it is heavy. Today we are going to the Pastor training center that they are building,

So in Africa we run off black man’s time. When we set a time it really means at least thirty minutes after the set time. He came by and we talked for about two hours before we got on the road. This conversation was inspiring and heart felt.

Dad! I have an amazing something to tell you. You are going to have to brace yourself for such news…but just know…be proud.

Also readers good news for you too!! If you or anyone you know (I am also talking about groups of people ie. Churches and organizations) would like to come to Ghana for ten days or more lets say, I am the person you need to talk to. You will go on the same adventures that I have been going on. So you let me know, and you know that when I say something I am good for it, I will make it happen. I have a life long connection and second home amongst these people. I am a sister; I must be the black sheep of the group, or in this case the white one.

The first stop we made was to the church. They had been building more. There are half-walls put up on the other side of the building. Also there are now swinging doors. They are going to put cement up too. I only know this because they had been making cement blocks and they were drying.

After the church we left for the bank. So here is the weirdest thing about their bank. We park the car where we are directed to and then we give the keys to the security guard. I thought it was for security purposes and found it very clever, but James explained to me that it is if they need to move your car so that the car you are parked behind needs to get out. It is a different system but it works.

After we ate lunch, we drove outside of Accra to his pastor training center. It is huge and when it is finished it will look very nice. The build the frame for the room out of wood, but that is it. The entire building is cement, which they mix and make themselves by hand. There are no cement trucks, well none that I have seen on the road. He hired builders. There were two men when we pulled up that were under a tree. He gave me a tour of the place but then we went to the outside and he started talking with those men about adding a patio to the building. They were doing calculations in the dirt and then they agreed on a price. It amazes me that these magnificent building and houses are literally made by hand.

So! We are driving to youth group and Pastor James asks me what I am going to talk about. I said, “Excuse me.” He said that I would be leading the sermon for the next three days. Then on Friday, I will be speaking in two schools in the morning. WOW, let me say that again, “WOW!” So I had to think of a sermon in fifteen minutes and deliver it. We sang and prayed then I got up there. Pastor James introduced me, and with my translator, Pastor Eric, I started. All I can say is thank God for grandma’s book! I used my notes that I took on the plane to deliver my sermon; my first sermon! Heavens does that not sound even a little bit weird. I mean I have gone through and done things in my life that make me a sinner. Yes, I know by the power of Jesus all are saved and made new again. I mean…I do not know what I mean…but the feeling I have inside cannot be described in words. All I know is that I have a lot of work to do in the United States when I return. I was done and the feeling rushed through me…the “high.” The rush that I get when I am doing something I am passionate about. Curious as to what I talked about…ask me in person. I had to talk for 25 minutes and it was a lot. Just to give you a brief I talked about how God is the light and we are able to shine because He makes all Christians “light holders.” I also touched on how in Christ we are made strong, without Him we are weak. I finished up with talking about how tempting it is to complain about our circumstances, but God is molding each one of us into something great, we just need to let Him work through us. As I was talking people had out their Bibles and were talking notes on some of my key points. I felt like I was on top of the world. Or when I would say something and someone would shout out AMEN! What am I going to talk about tomorrow? Well…that is a great question. I am going to pray about it.

I cannot hold it in any longer!! I AM ONCE AGAIN LIVING MY DREAM! Speaking in front of people and motivating them, and with the Gospel, does it get any better?

Quote for Thought—“You are going to have to find out where you want to go and then you have to start going there immediately. You cannot afford to lose a minute.” J. Salinger (Catcher in the Rye).

I do miss my family. I cannot wait to hug them…and my mom better not cry because I already know that I will lose it. I love it hear, but I did promise a return home.

You have to love life and the ones in it, because without love of these things on will never fully be happy. Well here in my quote for thought…God Bless.