1 Month... What!

So, since I have almost been here a month I felt it was time for me to share with you all a little bit of what I have learned in my time here. He has been showing me all kinds of things! And I think you will enjoy them =]

1. Our Maker is wonderful and He always knows what He is doing. Even when we question. i.e. I was not excited to teach at Seed Ministry because I had never taught before and it was super last minute and I had no idea what I was going to teach children that don't speak my language! But, it turned out to be one of my most favorite weeks here (thus far)

2. Mission trips and being a missionary are two totally different things. When you're on a mission trip you get to go with your friends and hang out with children and everyone praises your for taking time our of your busy life in America to come over here. When you're living as a missionary (depending on where you are) you are hauling water, taking out sawdust toilets and getting new ones, washing dishes, oh and making the lesson plans because when you're on a mission trip you are told what you are teaching. When you're a missionary you make the lesson plans and come up with the games and hope the children understand your American game.

3. Ghanaians LOVE Celine Dion. This is so true. I have heard the Canadian songstress numerous times  here! She was playing in a restaurant on our way from Accra, I heard it blaring in Tamale, and here is the best one. We have masons at the house finishing work on the Training Center and I heard one of them listening to her on his phone. HE WAS SINGING ALONG. "Cause I'm your lllaaadddddyyyyy and you are mmmyyyy maaaan." Not kidding. You can't make up this kind of stuff.

4. Don't ever question your gifts and talents. Romans 9:20, 21
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
This Scripture really hit me about 2 weeks after I got here. My mother is a blessing. I love her. Dearly. But, there is no way in the world I could (or would ever) be a bus driver. Many of you know that I am a *terrible* driver. (Terrible is an understatement) And I would be more concerned with if the children were having fun on my bus rather than sitting and me paying attention to the road. Jan Jan on the other hand is a fantastic bus driver, she has the focus and discipline it takes for that. I am still not quite sure what God is going to do with my talents just yet... But, I'm enjoying where He has me using them right now.

5. America is too convient and ungrateful. Microwaves, fast food, indoor plumbing, nice roads, good internet, dishwashers, marshmallows, electricity, Peanut Butter M&Ms, cell phone plans that you don't have to pay as you go... These are all things that I have at one time missed from back home. But, as I think about it now, I am grateful for these things and it would be nice to have a lot of them. Yet, if we had fast food I would miss out on meals and fellowship time with Terry and Amy and the visitors we have had. And even though the nice roads need to happen here I have been blessed to ride with Amy to Tamale numerous times and we have gotten to laugh about the terrible roads and had fun (maybe?) trying to dodge the hundreds of potholes, or choose which pothole is smaller cause there's no way around hitting at least one and we have gotten to know each other pretty well on our drives. I did dishes last week with Mandy a lot (one of the visitors) and we just had a ball doing them together. Just so you all understand, I am not coming down on you because I know that I take all of the above for granted. And I'm not gonna lie when I get back to the States I'm probably gonna have Peanut Butter M&Ms everyday. But, I think I have been so blessed (and forced to) stop and smell the roses in life. Its like on Pollyanna. I think everyday as a missionary you play "The Glad Game" and it really is kinda fun =]

6. Being a people person has its flaws. Bear with me here. I am definitely a people person. I love everyone, children are beautiful, teenagers are hilarious, college age is wonderful, adults need some TLC, and old people are just freaking adorable. I. Love. People. BUT, that should not be my main reason for wanting to tell them the Gospel. I have spoken with Terry about this a few times. The reason I have been so focused on sharing the Gospel with these children is because they need to hear about God, but I also love them and I want them in Heaven. But, Terry has a slightly different reason, of course he agrees with me and many other Christians. But, think about this. Every time someone denies God they are robbing Him of the glory He deserves. God is our Master and Creator and He deserves to be worshipped by everyone in the world. ALL NATIONS. When someone dies they either go to Heaven or Hell. If they are in Heaven they're praising God, if they are in Hell, well, they're not praising God. And He just plain deserves our worship. This thought has given me a new perspective on why I share the Gospel and why people need to know about Him.

7. God's heart for the nations. He loves every tribe, tongue, and nation. The whole concept of tribes has been made real to me in my time here because people are classified by their tribe here. Which, this is a total revelation to me. Cause, tribes aren't really a thing in the US. Anyway, God loves every single tribe and He desires a relationship with them. Just a few Scriptures I think you all should look up.
Psalm 46:10
Genesis 12:1-3
Psalm 67:1, 2
Exodus 12:37, 38
Deuteronomy 4:6
1 Kings 10:23, 24
Amos 9:7
Isaiah 26: 18
Just look at all those and the Word's emphasis on all nations.

8. My testimony is more powerful than I realize. I have always kind of thought that my testimony is a typical one. Grew up in the church, survived high school, and when to Bible college. Pretty boring right? So when people asked for my testimony I would only tell about when I was at SLCC and God grabbed a hold of my heart and led me overseas. I realized the other night that my testimony is actually a pretty big deal. Most of the amazing testimonies you hear that tug on your heartstrings are about people being delivered from something. And I was thinking about mine. And I was like, "what did God deliver me from?" And it hit me. MYSELF. I have been so freaking selfish. My dreams in life were to be famous and if I wasn't famous then to have a super cushy job at a big church being the "Director of Creative Arts" Talk about just smacking the Creator in the face and not asking what He wanted for my life. I feel like I was delivered about a year ago but I didn't realize it until now. (Go back and read my blogs from last year to understand more of what I mean) And, I don't know if I started really living it out a year a go though, that may still be in the process. But, I want to encourage you to think more about your testimony and how have you been delivered. Because, its a freeing feeling. I mean it.

I think that's about the main things. I have learned some Gonja and that is exciting. I learned how to make homemade marshmallows, that is equally as exciting. But, I just think that if those things are all God teaches me on this trip then it was totally worth it. But let's be honest, God never stops teaching us things and He has still has a lot to do with me! So stay posted for each months update and of course the little random updates I give you! Much love! Keeping praying!

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:10-13

I tell you what. Being a missionary brings the Bible to life. Much love.