Well it's a good thing I didn't blog Tuesday. Why you ask? Well let's just say it was one of those days where you realize how incredibly ugly you are on the inside...and then you beg for Jesus to come in and take over, becuase you are being rotten...ever have those moments, days, years? Ok here's the scoop.
Now Monday was supposed to be the first day of language, but Ama, the teacher, had to reschedule for Tuesday. I called Tuesday and we had to reschedule for 3pm instead of 2:30, that was fine, except Tatum wasn't going to be able to come to the first day of training....well I got to the University at 3pm and waited at the designated spot and waited and waited and waited some more. All this time I was trying Ama's phone that kept saying "this handset has been shutoff and is not receiving calls...this handset has been .." I seriously dialed it 45 times and no that's not a Margaret exageration comment! So then the more I dialed the more mad I got. Then I started thinking of all the other things I could have been doing for the past two months not to mention the past hour, I was mad that I have been here that long and not started language training, then the anxiety ball inside my stomach increased until I left the "meeting place" an hour later absolutely frustrated and for lack of better words "pissed." I got in my car and drove to the gas station across the road. They have two for Tuesday pizza and I was picking it up for our family. Not exactly like Pizza Hut, but hey it's pretty darn good :) Since it's two for Tuesday, you can imagine....EXTREMELY busy. I was waiting in line and someone butted in front of me. I was already mad, it was like he was throwing gasoline on the fire inside....of course the cashier lady's shift was over right as I got to the counter, so then I had to wait for the new person to come on and count her money. By this time I had prayed a little in the car but not given it over... so I ordered and went outside to wait. That was when i really started begging for Jesus's mercy and strength. And of course He provided. As I drove home I kept thinking, man it's good to know that I'm broken and need Him. I can get so anxious, upset, mad then curse yell and scream in my car and He still loves me. I then was convicted of truly surrending earlier in the process so that it doesn't get to the point that I"m so mad I could spit nails....so of course The Spirits still got lots of shaping to do...
Then on Wednesday afternoon we met with some other missionaries and had lunch to send off part of the Ghana team, the Jernigans, to London. They're going for medical training and will be back in three months. After that Tatum, Mary Kay and Charlie and I all went to meet Ama, for the third try. I didn't have my hopes up by any means. Now here's the conviction part, I had gotten so mad Tuesday that Ama's phone was dead and i couldn't reach her, then Wednesday my phone went dead. Yeah, kind of helped me realize I shouldn't have let that make me quite as mad as it did. :) Thank God for grace :) Then we met with Ama and she was GREAT. She's very nice and really wants to help us learn. Today was another great meeting, unfortunately the Jacksons (Mary Kay and Charlie) won't be able to come because it's too far (sidenote, please pray for their language training....something to emerge) but Tatum and I met with Ama and we went over the alphabet and tones today...as well as some pronouns. Tatum picks it up great...and is one of those really organized note takers....so I have to look onto her sheet :) I do have a hard time learning ...I just don't pick it up well....but I'm really not worried about it..i know the Lord's going to lead me...hey He knows every language on earth...which by the way is absolutely amazing in itself!
Also, something that has started in preparation for dry season is twelve hour shifts of power outages. That's right my friends, we are out of power from either 6a-6p or 6p-6a. The 6p-6a shift isn't that bad right now because it's really been cool here. The hotter it gets though....the less fun that will me. It's so interesting to have been getting e-mails about how hot it is in Mississippi and here it's been so nice. Well...the table is turning....around Christmas time here wax candles start melting :) Anybody want to come for a holiday? :)
Here's the big request I have. Gifty Sebugah, she's in the picutres on the left, is going through some hard times right now. PLEASE be in prayer for her and her family and for reconilation among some of them. There are people here who are called "traditionalists" they believe in a type of vodoo and animistic beliefs. There are spells, curses, etc. Please be in prayer that people would see God's truth in these instances and have great discernment against the devils attacks whatever they might be. it's a good feeling when you know you are where God has designed you to be, even with the toughest days, He knows right when to show you how much He loves you and what that looks like through others. Nicole, Kirk and I sat with Gifty last night for hours just being family. What precious time.
We leave for a little get away tomorrow. I haven't really been here long enough to deserve this type of treatment...but I do love the beach. We're going about five hours west of here to relax a bit. Kirk, Nicole, the boys and Gifty haven't taken anytime in the past year to go off for a long weekend, so looks like I got here just in the nick of time :) We're going to spend time within our community growing it deeper, which will be good. Pray for safe travel and for those people we come in contact with on the way!!!!
love you all
margaret
8.30.2006
8.28.2006
august 28th update
It’s Monday! The past week has been good. Last Monday night I went with Gifty to youth. Youth is a lot different here it consists of people from age 18-30 and is really a time for young adults to hang out and worship together. It was good and I think Gifty had fun having a white girl there, trying to speak Twi! Everyone there laughed as I tried to speak their language. As the custom is here, if you’re a guest then they ask you to stand up and speak a little bit about yourself. With the British influence here, they have a President of the youth group and she asked for me to stand up and I thought she said, “sing” for us! I said, “Um…did you say sing? Because you really don’t want me to do that?” But she laughed and said no. She just wanted me to share about who I was and why I was there. It was a GREAT cultural experience. The night was beautiful. It’s the end of the rainy season and the breeze is cool at night and the stars were out, so we enjoyed the outside before we went into the church. You know how much I LOVE looking at stars!
The other reason I went with Gifty was to meet with Felix about a community Bible club. Nicole, Gifty and I have been praying about whether or not to start a Bible club for this community. There are a large number of Muslims here from the North and there are some churches in the area, but as far as we know, not a community club for kids. Gifty and Felix, both Ghanaian, are HIGHLY excited about teaching these youngsters more about a life with Jesus and what that looks like. Nicole and I don’t want this to be “An American” Bible Club, but we both feel like we can challenge and encourage the Ghanaian leadership. So we’re praying for three more leaders and I’m hoping when we have short term teams come over this will be one of the areas of outreach people can pour into. Please be in prayer about this, for leaders and for Felix and Gifty….. I NEVER thought God would be calling me to help start a Bible Club for Kids. But I’m thinking that’s precisely one of the reasons He had me in Ri-Zoo the past two years….and why I have great children ministry contacts back in the states that I can pick their brains J.
Also, I’m going to be traveling with a short term team that comes in October and videoing their trip. I’m very excited about this!!!
Yesterday was Ghana’s Annual Conference and I got some good footage. The Mozley’s and the Sims’ families were there so we got some good shots of the people they are pouring into and have been developing relationships with in the Methodist Church. It was a five hour long service, but I’m still praying that God continues to teach me how to love ALL of His creation and worship Him at ALL times. There are some ministers and lay people here that Love the Lord and want to do great things. I just have to remember their hearts are in the right place, but I still want to see the process challenged. Just because we do it one way, doesn’t mean we HAVE to do it the same way. I don’t think that’s an American thought…. is it?
Let’s see…also I’m continually thankful for Internet…I got to listen to the “we are gifted” series pod cast! Thanks for putting those on line Darrell/media team J
Friday was also a day where I felt a sense of accomplishment! Stephanie and Jimmy are married and arrived about three weeks ago. They’re here as teachers at a new school so I took them to a couple of places to start getting some things for their classroom. The AWESOME part was that we navigated around Accra, without getting too lost! HAHAHA J I did take one wrong turn that sent us on a motorway and we drove for about 30 kilometers without having a place we could turn around! Oops. But then we went and got carpet, blinds and more and put it all in my Golf! It’s amazing how much stuff that car will hold! Gosh, I just read the bit about carpet and blinds….you would think a foreign missionary does adventurous, dangerous things daily. I guess we all have days were we have to do the mundane ins and outs….but in everything we take refuge in Him.
I’m doing well emotionally. Still days with ups and downs, you will notice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were left out of the highlights in this update! That’s because it was full of things like cleaning, washing clothes, trying to get the girl who’s helping me, Lady, to understand if you don’t come to work in a week and a half and don’t call it’s not a good way to gain trust. I’m writing this Monday morning and she’s still not here…as of right now she’s an hour late. I’m trying to determine if I’m supposed to continue hiring her because she needs some people to speak Truth into her life, or if I should not rehire her. Be in prayer about this because it’s really hard because I know she needs the work and pay, but she’s also around all my personal information and things…so I’m still praying about what to do…
Oh and what a GREAT blessing…I got to see my mom, dad, sister and NEPHEW Saturday night. The Sims have a web cam and it was slow and distorted, but man was I happy to see their faces J I continue to miss everyone. It’s really hard right now because I just found out Brogan is starting soccer this year, so I will miss every game in his first year of playing sports. But I just have to hope that when I get back I will appreciate family even more than when I left and want to make the most of every game, even when it’s extremely hot and out of my way to go to….
Love to everyone who takes 20 minutes out of their busy day to read my thoughts and keep praying for this mission. God is my refuge daily and I’m learning more and more about the little ways in which this looks like. If you’re reading this then I probably have a relationship with you, unless you’re bored and perusing the internet looking for new people’s blog to read, and I’m so thankful for all the relationships God’s put in my pathway….
The other reason I went with Gifty was to meet with Felix about a community Bible club. Nicole, Gifty and I have been praying about whether or not to start a Bible club for this community. There are a large number of Muslims here from the North and there are some churches in the area, but as far as we know, not a community club for kids. Gifty and Felix, both Ghanaian, are HIGHLY excited about teaching these youngsters more about a life with Jesus and what that looks like. Nicole and I don’t want this to be “An American” Bible Club, but we both feel like we can challenge and encourage the Ghanaian leadership. So we’re praying for three more leaders and I’m hoping when we have short term teams come over this will be one of the areas of outreach people can pour into. Please be in prayer about this, for leaders and for Felix and Gifty….. I NEVER thought God would be calling me to help start a Bible Club for Kids. But I’m thinking that’s precisely one of the reasons He had me in Ri-Zoo the past two years….and why I have great children ministry contacts back in the states that I can pick their brains J.
Also, I’m going to be traveling with a short term team that comes in October and videoing their trip. I’m very excited about this!!!
Yesterday was Ghana’s Annual Conference and I got some good footage. The Mozley’s and the Sims’ families were there so we got some good shots of the people they are pouring into and have been developing relationships with in the Methodist Church. It was a five hour long service, but I’m still praying that God continues to teach me how to love ALL of His creation and worship Him at ALL times. There are some ministers and lay people here that Love the Lord and want to do great things. I just have to remember their hearts are in the right place, but I still want to see the process challenged. Just because we do it one way, doesn’t mean we HAVE to do it the same way. I don’t think that’s an American thought…. is it?
Let’s see…also I’m continually thankful for Internet…I got to listen to the “we are gifted” series pod cast! Thanks for putting those on line Darrell/media team J
Friday was also a day where I felt a sense of accomplishment! Stephanie and Jimmy are married and arrived about three weeks ago. They’re here as teachers at a new school so I took them to a couple of places to start getting some things for their classroom. The AWESOME part was that we navigated around Accra, without getting too lost! HAHAHA J I did take one wrong turn that sent us on a motorway and we drove for about 30 kilometers without having a place we could turn around! Oops. But then we went and got carpet, blinds and more and put it all in my Golf! It’s amazing how much stuff that car will hold! Gosh, I just read the bit about carpet and blinds….you would think a foreign missionary does adventurous, dangerous things daily. I guess we all have days were we have to do the mundane ins and outs….but in everything we take refuge in Him.
I’m doing well emotionally. Still days with ups and downs, you will notice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were left out of the highlights in this update! That’s because it was full of things like cleaning, washing clothes, trying to get the girl who’s helping me, Lady, to understand if you don’t come to work in a week and a half and don’t call it’s not a good way to gain trust. I’m writing this Monday morning and she’s still not here…as of right now she’s an hour late. I’m trying to determine if I’m supposed to continue hiring her because she needs some people to speak Truth into her life, or if I should not rehire her. Be in prayer about this because it’s really hard because I know she needs the work and pay, but she’s also around all my personal information and things…so I’m still praying about what to do…
Oh and what a GREAT blessing…I got to see my mom, dad, sister and NEPHEW Saturday night. The Sims have a web cam and it was slow and distorted, but man was I happy to see their faces J I continue to miss everyone. It’s really hard right now because I just found out Brogan is starting soccer this year, so I will miss every game in his first year of playing sports. But I just have to hope that when I get back I will appreciate family even more than when I left and want to make the most of every game, even when it’s extremely hot and out of my way to go to….
Love to everyone who takes 20 minutes out of their busy day to read my thoughts and keep praying for this mission. God is my refuge daily and I’m learning more and more about the little ways in which this looks like. If you’re reading this then I probably have a relationship with you, unless you’re bored and perusing the internet looking for new people’s blog to read, and I’m so thankful for all the relationships God’s put in my pathway….
8.20.2006
IM IN
I have officially moved into my apartment! Yeah! The Sims are letting me use their bed I was using in the guest bedroom until dry season. Then I'll buy a bed on the side of the road...when the mold isn't as prevelant!!!! This is my bedroom...more pics to follow on the rest of the house...
some pics
So this is the hill of rocks we went up in a 15 seat passenger van. I was holding a two year old in my lap...it was great fun. The man kept saying, "Use force...or you won't make it...use force...use force..."
August 20th update
What a great week. It's exciting to write that as much as it is for those to read it who have been praying for this mission! You ask...ok Margaret, "What was so GREAT about this past week?" For starters, I finished reading a great book that the friends who sent the birthday package included. God is Closer than You Think. Throughout this week God spoke to me through that book, the Pslams and through a new movie I watched, Shadowlands about CS Lewis' life during the time he met, married and fell in love with his wife. During the time his wife is terminally sick someone asks, "Have you been praying to God?" Lewis says, "yes I pray all the time, I can't stop it it flows out....it's not changing God, He's changing me." And through his wife's sickness and death (sorry I just spoiled the movie for those who haven't seen it) he starts to realize how much suffering causes us to love deeper and to grow in faith. So along with that movie and reading Ortberg's book, which quotes Lewis frequently, God really is working on my heart to have a heart of worship no matter the situation. And that is GREAT news.
Also, we went to Madina West. (the church that I've been struggling going to) There was a sweet spirit in that church this morning. It could have had to do a little bit with the fact that I got to experience a Ghanian tradition of marriage. The formal wedding was yesterday, but today was the vows before the church. Everyone was clapping and dancing as they said their vows and when it came time for the kiss, the groom politely kissed the bride on the cheek to which the preacher responded, "You didn't do it right." That sent the congregation into hoops and hollers. I still didn't understand but a couple words the preachers said, but God helped my heart be in the right shape this morning. One of the things Ortberg talks about in his book is how human creation is over all other creation. Including mountains, waters, sky the Grand Canyon...those HUGE creations that we marvel at, but yet we don't fall down in awe over each human. So I tried to remember that this morning and realized how thankful I am today that God is transforming my heart to look at these people with love. Wanting to know more and understand this culture more.
Another reason has to be that Nicole and I walked throughout the week. We had one day were we ventured off into an area that is very "typical" Africa. That meaning, run down shack housing with many people living out of one. No indoor plumbing, a bore head to get water. However I couldn't really tell you anything about the people because I don't know them. They were very polite and smiled at two white girls, who weren't really lost, just taken the off beaten path. You know it also makes you feel good when you pass by the stand you've been going to frequently and they wave real big and smile.
Another great part of this week was the fellowship. Tuesday night a group of five girls, including me, went out to dinner and started getting to know each other. You're thinking...out to dinner...hard life! Yes, there are restaurants here in Accra. Remember I live in a very busy, industrialized part of Ghana. It's not how a lot of people "picture" Africa. But we went to dinner and it's neat to see how God has put us in community to support and challenge each other...maybe even some accountablity partners immerging :)
To top it off yesterday was an adventure. I looked in the Bradt guide to find somewhere for an outing so we could see the countryside of Ghana. Well it worked. I'm going to upload a picture that we took as we were going up the mountain and were stopped when a bulldozer was shoveling rocks on the side of the mountain. The rocks were actually the road. And if we wanted to continue where we were heading then the 15 seat van was going to have to go over the rock hill. Keep in mind on the right side was a drop off....we were on a mountain. So one of the Ghanain guys tells Kirk, "you must use FORCE or you won't make it.." that being said Kirk revved the engine, put it in second and off we went. We dented in the bumper when we hit the slope, threw some rocks but Kirk kept in under control and we didn't roll off the mountain. I was holding a two year old in my lap, so I didn't get very many good pictures...(yeah kids don't have to ride in car seats here...it's kind of nice) So that trip was fun. We went to Aburi and checked out the botanical gardens there. It's about an hour north of where I live.
I know this is getting long, but also I went into the outskirts of the market all by myself Friday! I know, small celebration...but hey I was pumped. I have met a lady named Joyce who sells fabric for 20,000 cedis a yard. That's roughly $2usd. She's really nice so if you ever come visit and need some cloth....I know one place we can go :)
Also, I sat with Gifty and Nicole today and we talked about the possiblity of helping to start a children's bible club. It's in the prayer and talking phase right now. We want it to be Ghanain lead and owned by the people here, so be in prayer that we listen to what God wants us to do. Especially for Nicole and I as we don't want to make it an oboruni, Americanized club, but we also want to challenge the thought processes of the way to strategically help children here understand and apply Jesus' love.
And I called the women who has an orphanage not too far from here. She was out of town and is supposed to call me back...so we'll see!
love to all...thanks so much for the e-mails, the packages, the prayers...everything. I miss family and friends, but I'm SO thankful for internet!
Also, we went to Madina West. (the church that I've been struggling going to) There was a sweet spirit in that church this morning. It could have had to do a little bit with the fact that I got to experience a Ghanian tradition of marriage. The formal wedding was yesterday, but today was the vows before the church. Everyone was clapping and dancing as they said their vows and when it came time for the kiss, the groom politely kissed the bride on the cheek to which the preacher responded, "You didn't do it right." That sent the congregation into hoops and hollers. I still didn't understand but a couple words the preachers said, but God helped my heart be in the right shape this morning. One of the things Ortberg talks about in his book is how human creation is over all other creation. Including mountains, waters, sky the Grand Canyon...those HUGE creations that we marvel at, but yet we don't fall down in awe over each human. So I tried to remember that this morning and realized how thankful I am today that God is transforming my heart to look at these people with love. Wanting to know more and understand this culture more.
Another reason has to be that Nicole and I walked throughout the week. We had one day were we ventured off into an area that is very "typical" Africa. That meaning, run down shack housing with many people living out of one. No indoor plumbing, a bore head to get water. However I couldn't really tell you anything about the people because I don't know them. They were very polite and smiled at two white girls, who weren't really lost, just taken the off beaten path. You know it also makes you feel good when you pass by the stand you've been going to frequently and they wave real big and smile.
Another great part of this week was the fellowship. Tuesday night a group of five girls, including me, went out to dinner and started getting to know each other. You're thinking...out to dinner...hard life! Yes, there are restaurants here in Accra. Remember I live in a very busy, industrialized part of Ghana. It's not how a lot of people "picture" Africa. But we went to dinner and it's neat to see how God has put us in community to support and challenge each other...maybe even some accountablity partners immerging :)
To top it off yesterday was an adventure. I looked in the Bradt guide to find somewhere for an outing so we could see the countryside of Ghana. Well it worked. I'm going to upload a picture that we took as we were going up the mountain and were stopped when a bulldozer was shoveling rocks on the side of the mountain. The rocks were actually the road. And if we wanted to continue where we were heading then the 15 seat van was going to have to go over the rock hill. Keep in mind on the right side was a drop off....we were on a mountain. So one of the Ghanain guys tells Kirk, "you must use FORCE or you won't make it.." that being said Kirk revved the engine, put it in second and off we went. We dented in the bumper when we hit the slope, threw some rocks but Kirk kept in under control and we didn't roll off the mountain. I was holding a two year old in my lap, so I didn't get very many good pictures...(yeah kids don't have to ride in car seats here...it's kind of nice) So that trip was fun. We went to Aburi and checked out the botanical gardens there. It's about an hour north of where I live.
I know this is getting long, but also I went into the outskirts of the market all by myself Friday! I know, small celebration...but hey I was pumped. I have met a lady named Joyce who sells fabric for 20,000 cedis a yard. That's roughly $2usd. She's really nice so if you ever come visit and need some cloth....I know one place we can go :)
Also, I sat with Gifty and Nicole today and we talked about the possiblity of helping to start a children's bible club. It's in the prayer and talking phase right now. We want it to be Ghanain lead and owned by the people here, so be in prayer that we listen to what God wants us to do. Especially for Nicole and I as we don't want to make it an oboruni, Americanized club, but we also want to challenge the thought processes of the way to strategically help children here understand and apply Jesus' love.
And I called the women who has an orphanage not too far from here. She was out of town and is supposed to call me back...so we'll see!
love to all...thanks so much for the e-mails, the packages, the prayers...everything. I miss family and friends, but I'm SO thankful for internet!
8.17.2006
God is Closer Than You Think
I'm reading this book by John Ortberg, God is Closer Than You Think, hence the title of this post, and I just finished chapter seven. Ortberg is talking about how we have different spiritual pathways, or ways in which we connect with God. Some come more naturally than others and it's good to have a mixture of all of these. At the end of the chapter he closes describing that one pathway is no better than the other and as we realize people are all different it helps with judging and learning how to love deeper. The quote from Lewis is made from a reflection on the book of Revelation as John writes we will each receive from God a name that remains a secret between him and us throughout eternity...here's the quote I like.... "What shall we take this secrecy to mean? Surely that each of the redeemed shall forever know and praise some one aspect of the Divine beauty better than any other creature can. Why else were indivduals created, but that God, loving all infinetly, should love each differently? If all experienced God in the same way and returned Him an identical worship, the song of the Church triumphant would have no symphony, it would be like an orchestra in which all the instruments played the same note."
i think i'm an oboe. definetly an odd sound.
i think i'm an oboe. definetly an odd sound.
8.16.2006
august 16th update
branching out- ghana, west africa Let's see where to begin. Last week was full of editing. I blogged Wednesday about struggling with final cut pro and I think I've figured out it's editing using my external hard drive...but anyway. We'll figure that out! I spent Thursday, Friday and this Monday finishing the project, but praises...that one's finished. Yeah! I think Nicole and Kirk sent the dvd's out to their family today...so hopefully their relatives can enjoy seeing their grandbabies! I know i miss my nephew and it's only been a couple months. Their families haven't seen the grandbabies in a year I think. Also, pray for Gifty and Eli, they came down with some kind of sickness Saturday and are still not 100% yet. So needless to say Saturday and Sunday were pretty quite days around here. I can't remember when but Tatum and I also ran around town sometime this week. I think it was Monday? Uh oh..everything's running together. I'm going to have to start journaling better! So as far as ministry goes.... I called about volunteering at an orphanage today and am going to talk to the lady Friday and just keep praying about wether that's where God wants me...I start langauge training hopeufully on the 21st. I talked to my language teacher today and she's calling tomorrow to firm up a schedule. Nicole and I have been walking in the mornings and that's been really neat. We get some stares, I'm not sure if that's just because we're white women walking or what it is :)! We took a foot road today, one that doesn't really have car traffic on it, and there were many Muslims living and walking in that area. It reminds me constantly of the fact that there are many many people here who worship faithfully, but don't know Jesus. So be in prayer for the muslim communities here. I also, as you can see from the picture below have sawed the moldy bed in two and have realized there's A LOT of mold on the inside. So I'm back to square one with finding a bed and somewhere to store my clothes. I've been here since June 26, almost two months, still living out of a suitcase, but then i think of the blessing it was to have kind of bee being prepared for this the past three years. Never really settling long enough to unpack...seems to be a famaliar story in my life :) But all is well here, and HUGE praises I'm feeling a TON better. Thanks for the prayers on the sickness ... I can feel them. Don't have a whole lot to report. Still praying about what to get involved with...I'm excited about language training....de e yea (sleep well) margaret
the moldy bed
this is the bed after i sawed it in two. click on the flicker images to get a close up of the lucious mold on the inside. but hey it's all part of the experience right!
8.11.2006
tiff and me
happy birthday to tiff! I'm experimenting with flicker...and this is the first pic! On the right there is a link where I will be adding more photos. check each month to see the ones that "make the cut."
8.09.2006
august 9th.
It’s mid-week now…so I’m three days behind schedule on updating my blog! Oops J It’s neat as I sit down to type about last week, it’s almost hard to remember what happened. A week ago Sunday we went to Medina West, the church right down from where I live, and it was RAINING so there weren’t many people there that morning. It was the typical three-hour service with hymns from British influence, thoust saist the truth, knowenst that Thy lovest thee…I mean is that understandable? Sorry I need to be incarnational…but I just don’t think they even like it. I could be wrong. But when African style music is played the place comes ALIVE.
The good thing is that I’m constantly aware that worship isn’t about us, and I’ve been really praying God will teach me how to worship Him always. No matter the circumstances. And I know people have been praying with and for me. How do I know that? Well I believe one of the “desires of my heart” was given to me this past Sunday. I went to a service at a place called Asbury Dunwell and it was GREAT. Nice people, engaged in worship, smiling and friendly. It’s amazing how the worship of others is affecting my worship? I’m not sure it’s supposed to be like that? But that’s just being honest. It was a treat though and I was so thankful to be in and around people who truly wanted to be there and we ended up having a good time. I know church can be fun. It helps you through times of suffering to be connected to people who want to grow. But then I start to think, maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m here. Like Joel’s comment said, God will “mold” us and shape us in ways that we don’t necessarily enjoy, but the trial does strengthen us. I have been blessed since I started really living my life for Jesus to be surrounded by people who are looking for a deeper experience than just going somewhere because that’s where there parents went or it’s just what you do. So I think God’s stretching me to be able to understand what it means to worship Him everywhere no matter the circumstance. I am reading the Psalms and boy can I connect to what David is lamenting and rejoicing about! So that was last Sunday and this Sunday.
Now for in between…let’s see it rained and rained and rained and rained pretty much all of last week. So here’s the recap I’m sick again and stayed in bed all day Monday, the mold on the furniture GREW exponentially this week (because of the rain) even after I bleached it twice and I’m still not in my apartment. Tuesday was fun as Tatum and I spent the whole day running around in the car to check out what we needed to do about visas! (we got some good laugh time in…such a blessing she’s here…and no Tatum if you’re reading this I’m not just nice things because you said nice things about me on your blog…well ok…maybe just a little J just kidding) We had a new family, the Jackson’s, get here Thursday night. Can’t remember Wednesday? Eli turned two Saturday and we hosted everyone at our house for chili and a little fufu for Eli. He has lived half his life in Ghana, so he REALLY enjoys Ghanaian food! It’s cute. (By the way it was very cool here Friday/Saturday it felt like football season in the States…I mean it’s not 50 degrees or anything but it’s been pretty cool…nice compared to the 110 heat in Mississippi…hey my heats coming. September starts the dry season!) Then Sunday and Monday I was at the Jackson’s helping them move in and get settled! By the way…the group who sent my birthday box included a “stick the tail on the donkey” game, which I didn’t open my presents until late on my birthday, so everyone was gone. However, we used it for the kids at Eli’s party…it went over GREAT! So thanks again Sarah and the gang. Side note…Sarah has sent a couple packages and they seem to get here pretty fast, so if you have mailing questions…I would ask her about it…J
I taped Eli’s birthday all day Saturday and went to start editing yesterday and realized that my computer needed 16 software updates. The camera wasn’t registering with iMovie and something is messing up with the time code in Final Cut Pro…so if you want to pray for technological stuff (and the user) that would ROCK! Oh this technically goes into next week’s blog, but when the Jackson’s got here they got their dog, Ziker, who was living here until they arrived. SO, we got a puppy yesterday. He’s a cute Ghanaian mutt! I’ve been trying to upload pictures on the blog…but there just not wanting to go through L so I’ll keep trying. I want to show you guys what fufu looks like! Everything is well in Ghana…love to all
margaret
The good thing is that I’m constantly aware that worship isn’t about us, and I’ve been really praying God will teach me how to worship Him always. No matter the circumstances. And I know people have been praying with and for me. How do I know that? Well I believe one of the “desires of my heart” was given to me this past Sunday. I went to a service at a place called Asbury Dunwell and it was GREAT. Nice people, engaged in worship, smiling and friendly. It’s amazing how the worship of others is affecting my worship? I’m not sure it’s supposed to be like that? But that’s just being honest. It was a treat though and I was so thankful to be in and around people who truly wanted to be there and we ended up having a good time. I know church can be fun. It helps you through times of suffering to be connected to people who want to grow. But then I start to think, maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m here. Like Joel’s comment said, God will “mold” us and shape us in ways that we don’t necessarily enjoy, but the trial does strengthen us. I have been blessed since I started really living my life for Jesus to be surrounded by people who are looking for a deeper experience than just going somewhere because that’s where there parents went or it’s just what you do. So I think God’s stretching me to be able to understand what it means to worship Him everywhere no matter the circumstance. I am reading the Psalms and boy can I connect to what David is lamenting and rejoicing about! So that was last Sunday and this Sunday.
Now for in between…let’s see it rained and rained and rained and rained pretty much all of last week. So here’s the recap I’m sick again and stayed in bed all day Monday, the mold on the furniture GREW exponentially this week (because of the rain) even after I bleached it twice and I’m still not in my apartment. Tuesday was fun as Tatum and I spent the whole day running around in the car to check out what we needed to do about visas! (we got some good laugh time in…such a blessing she’s here…and no Tatum if you’re reading this I’m not just nice things because you said nice things about me on your blog…well ok…maybe just a little J just kidding) We had a new family, the Jackson’s, get here Thursday night. Can’t remember Wednesday? Eli turned two Saturday and we hosted everyone at our house for chili and a little fufu for Eli. He has lived half his life in Ghana, so he REALLY enjoys Ghanaian food! It’s cute. (By the way it was very cool here Friday/Saturday it felt like football season in the States…I mean it’s not 50 degrees or anything but it’s been pretty cool…nice compared to the 110 heat in Mississippi…hey my heats coming. September starts the dry season!) Then Sunday and Monday I was at the Jackson’s helping them move in and get settled! By the way…the group who sent my birthday box included a “stick the tail on the donkey” game, which I didn’t open my presents until late on my birthday, so everyone was gone. However, we used it for the kids at Eli’s party…it went over GREAT! So thanks again Sarah and the gang. Side note…Sarah has sent a couple packages and they seem to get here pretty fast, so if you have mailing questions…I would ask her about it…J
I taped Eli’s birthday all day Saturday and went to start editing yesterday and realized that my computer needed 16 software updates. The camera wasn’t registering with iMovie and something is messing up with the time code in Final Cut Pro…so if you want to pray for technological stuff (and the user) that would ROCK! Oh this technically goes into next week’s blog, but when the Jackson’s got here they got their dog, Ziker, who was living here until they arrived. SO, we got a puppy yesterday. He’s a cute Ghanaian mutt! I’ve been trying to upload pictures on the blog…but there just not wanting to go through L so I’ll keep trying. I want to show you guys what fufu looks like! Everything is well in Ghana…love to all
margaret
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