Happy because of all the work accomplished in building a church building and touching children's hearts in a 'very unique town.' (Tinga). David continues to call it 'Ephasus'. Tomorrow, we have three more trusses to raise and purlins to install to be ready for tin. Although this building required 3 days of foundation/floor preparation that Subinso didn't, we will be leaving only 1 day behind where we were at when we left Subinso last May. Things have gone much faster than David and Ebenezer ever expected! God has blessed us with health and a strong dedicated team who gave it their all!
Happy that the Muslim chief and elders welcomed us two weeks ago, and came today to accept our gift of school supplies, and in return they have us a huge gift (physically and monetarily)...a cow!
Happy that representatives from the district school board joined us this morning and heard the cry for more teachers for these schools...both from the chief and from David. All children across the country write the same acceptance exams to further their education. These children are trying to learn with 1/2 the teachers they need and very limited resources, while the children in Accra have a surplus of teachers and additional classes to help them have the advantage. Like David said to the area reps, the system is putting the children in this northern region in a position to only be the labourers for those in the south, yet they personally have the potential to be ministers of government, doctors, nurses, etc...if given the chance.
Happy that 5 people watching us and watching the building go up came to us wanting to find God!
Happy that we had the chance to meet Alex...one of the original visionaries and founding board members of NEA. He is an engineer and was the director of the the electric power system that runs Tamale (an area that is now almost 1 million people). He is now retired, but continues to stay busy with the many projects underway.
Happy for the opportunity to be a small part in the huge plan that God has for this part of the world and for The Church across the world. What a privilege it has been to hear David share how God works, and to know that the same God that did miraculous things in the Bible, still does them here, and back at home too if we would just listen, watch and allow Him to reveal himself! Tonight we were invited into the Mensah's home for popcorn and dessert that Brenda, Carol and Abraham had prepared. It was a wonderful social time with David sharing many stories about the house and how it came to be what it is today, his hunting expeditions and other things, but the spiritual lessons and challenges set out for us in regards to praying, fasting and being able to sleep well will never be forgotten. Knowing that no matter the challenges the next day holds, David shared that he sleeps well and he carries no stress or tension because he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is doing what God has called him to do, and whatever happens is in God's hands and for the greater purpose. Satan is always knocking at the door trying to get in by doing things like creating doubts by attempting to discredit work being done corporately, or through a foothold he has in someone's life that they are working with, but they stand firm that Satan has to flee in Jesus' name. The battle is won.
Happy to go home to be with our family, friends, work and church...ready to do what God has called us to do in our routines and do it all as unto Him...being His hands and feet everyday.
Sad because a part of us is left here once again.
Sad because we do not know if we are meant to be get to see these friends once again.
Sad because of the tears we saw in some of the young children's eyes when they realized we were leaving as they clambered around us and the truck when we pulled away from the school yard for the last time. Some of their faces will be forever etched in my mind. I pray that God keeps those faces clear in my mind so that even if forget their names (some of which I could never quite pronounce just right), that I remember to pray for them and be thankful for what they have taught me!
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Wow! It feels like we are leaving all over again! I know that happy/sad feeling. Sad too, because its like for 2 weeks you are all one family and sad that you won't have that dynamic anymore. Happy to be seeing your family at home, though! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing it is for us to be willing to be used of God for his purposes. It benefits those we help, but it also benefits us as well! Thank you for leading the new trip! I am sure it was a lot of work, but there is a lot of reward as well. Thank you for being such a good writer. Sometimes we take that for granted, but I am a bad writer and I think that it is amazing that you are willing to be used of God in this way as well! I know I have been blessed reading your blog!