Final thoughts

Having been back in the states now for just over a week, I have struggled to try to tie my entire trip into one nice neat little package. While I did realize that it’s not going to happen, I also came upon a common theme over the months that culminated in the last two books that I read while I was in Ghana.

Taking a few steps back, or more like a year back to one of my first blogs that I wrote in June of 2008, I see that I asked specifically for prayer for humility. In all honesty I don’t quite remember why that was at the top of my list at the time. Most people getting ready to be separated from everything and everyone they know and love for 10 months probably would have asked for courage, boldness, or strength. I guess God knew that wasn’t what I needed most. He knew that in order to be used fully, I had to realize first how useless I really am. And I did learn that lesson, time and time again. Then, in case I didn’t really get it the first thousand times I fell on my face and cried out for help, I read two books in the first week of June, my last week there, that really nailed everything home. In Francine Rivers’ book, And the Shofar Blew, she tells the story of a man who becomes a pastor of a church to build it up in the name of Christ, but glorifies himself instead. In the end, the church crumbles and he is inevitably brought to his knees. Then in John MacArtuhur’s book, Hard to Believe, he first quotes from 1 Corinthians saying “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.” MacArthur then goes on to say “It is human nature to want to be somebody. So the Lord decided to do it in a different way, choosing as his messengers the impotent, nonintellectual nobodies who the world considers nothing by its standards.” I believe that passage of scripture does a couple of things; it humbles those who need a good humbling, and encourages those who need a good encouragement. In other words, it puts us in our place, a loved child of God made in His image, but one that should not consider equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6). After all, when countless people asked Jesus during his ministry on earth what they need to do to come after him, he said “deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). It is not about us, for we are dirty wretched sinners (“there is no one righteous, not even one”) but it’s about who God is and who we are only through him. I am so thankful for those invaluable lessons in humility, as painful as they may have been at times.

Finally, I have one last child to tell you about. It is strangely fitting that he is the last child for me to introduce you to, as he was by far the most difficult kid for me to connect with. His name is Kobby and he is a beautiful and precious boy. He is 11 years old and is very guarded, obviously carrying more emotional baggage than I would ever wish on any adult, let along a child. He has a winning smile and a heart of gold, but a real hesitancy to have too much fun or get too close to any one person. At one point though in the last month that I was in Ghana, he sent a message to me via another kid who said “Miss Lindsay, Kobby wants you to know that you are loved by him.” While there was never physical affection or attention to back that up, that single statement meant more to me than anything else could have. I ask that you continue to pray for him and all of the other kids even though I am home. I may be back in the US, but they are still there, and their needs are just as real now as they’ve ever been.

Thank you.

Love,

Your dear obruni

Lindsay Hendrix

I'm Coming HOME

The past week at Haven of Hope has been challenging and tiresome, but also rewarding and full of hilarious moments. I guess I don’t know why I expected my last week to be any different than the other 42 that preceded it. I struggled with a couple of my students in class and said a few goodbyes, but after school we put on plays with balloons on which we drew funny faces and had our final dance parties. In retrospect, if I weighed the good and the bad of every week, no matter how difficult it seemed in the moment, I think I always came out on top. I thank God for His goodness and faithfulness to see me through this ministry that He called me to. It is true that He will never give us more than we can handle with Him by our side!

There is one thing that made this week stand out above every other, and that is the fact that in the last 7 days, 10 boys from the home have come to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord of their lives! Praise God.

On another note… in case you weren’t already aware… I’m coming HOME. In 3 days, I will be taking off, making a pit stop in London, and traveling the rest of the way home to Phoenix again. I know it is time; I am more than ready to see my friends and family. And while it may be a few days before I am on a normal sleep schedule, I am anxious to have some real social interaction again!

Our child today just so happens to be one of the boys who chose this week to pick up his cross and follow Jesus. His name is Osumanu. He is 8 years old and kind of short for his age, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in personality and pure spunk! He is wild and crazy, but has a soft and tender heart!

Wrapping up...

I don’t have a whole lot to say today. I hope that’s alright. Many of you have read all or most of my really lengthy blogs and for that I want to thank you. It’s been great to have an outlet for my thoughts and feelings, and even better knowing that someone other than my parents actually reads them! I hope that in some way you have been able to live vicariously through me and experience even a smidgen of the joy, satisfaction, and love that I have felt in this place. Now the trick will be to transfer all of these lessons to my life back in Phoenix and persist in pursuing God’s continuing will for my life. These kids are too much a part of who I am though for me to leave and never return. God willing I will be back, in due time. A teacher does get a couple months off in the summers you know! Maybe some of you would like to come with me next time (wink wink)!

With only a couple children left to introduce you to, here is one of our extremely precious and soft-spoken young ones. Aseidu is 6 years old and in P1. He is smart and helpful, and despite his quietness, even the older kids love and respect him. He has been such a joy and a constant source of smiles over the last 9 months.

Trust and Obey, there is no other way

The past couple weeks have proven to be great object lessons in obedience and trust.

Ever since we attended camp with the youth from Calvary Baptist, it has really been on my heart (as I have written previously) to make a connection between them and the children at our home for a variety of reasons. So, in obedience to what I felt like I was being called to do, I got up in front of the church and spoke for a short time about Haven of Hope, what I’ve been doing here for the past 9 months, and invited everyone to come and join us in a “Happy Birthday Everybody” celebration the following weekend, May 16th. I asked that anyone who was interested see me after church so that we could have an idea of how many to expect. There were only 4 people who got my contact information and expressed interest. Extremely disappointed, I went ahead with the party planning and resolved myself to the fact that we were going to have a heck of a time whether or not anyone came to join us. And we did! We had music and dancing and cupcakes and ice cream and enjoyed ourselves very much. The 4 people who said they wanted to come did show up and enjoyed themselves as well. However, a couple hours into the party, 2 taxis pulled up at our gate and 11 boys poured out. Evidently on the same day that I spoke to the Youth Chapel, our pastor also announced it to the Teen Chapel. These 11 teenage boys transformed the party, really engaged the kids, played an epic soccer game, and their presence meant more to our kids than they may ever know. Many expressed a definite desire to come again and it was a great success in every possible way, despite my doubts. Obedience is one thing, but learning to trust that the Lord will work in your obedience is quite another.

It is funny to me how I can teach my own students certain things, yet not always believe them myself. A lesson I find myself repeating often is the plea for obedience. I also want them to understand that I do not ask them to do things “just because”. Every rule and therefore every act of obedience has a purpose. More often than not around here it is to keep the children safe and healthy. I say these things so often that the kids have begun to say them to each other, but when it comes to believing that God has a purpose when he asks me to do certain things, I struggle. He has a plan. I just need to understand that every act of obedience is part of a bigger plan, not “just because”. Faith and trust in my God need to both precede and follow my obedience, because He is good.

Please pray this week for Fausia. She is a hyper, hilarious 14 year old. She is a great dancer and a good student, but more than anything, I would say that she is a good friend.

Life to the FULLEST

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.”

In this passage in John, Jesus is giving an analogy of the Shepherd and His flock, referring to his saving grace and the life that comes through salvation offered only by Him. Additionally, in Matthew, as Jesus is instructing the crowds how to pray, he says:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

To me, this means that the fullness of life does not have to wait. It is not something that begins only at death, but a glimpse of his kingdom is available to us now on earth! What does that “life to the full” look like though? I believe that it begins with the little things. The other day, I had gone into town and was getting back in the late afternoon. I arrived at my trotro stop about a mile and a half from our home and the weather looked clear as I began my walk down the road. However, due to the fact that we are now back in the rainy season and the weather is very temperamental, it started pouring down rain while I was still a half mile out. I walked that last half mile becoming a human mop and splashing mud on the back of my legs with my sandals, but in the midst of it, I was ultimately very happy. I laughed at the situation and found myself singing, thinking “there is nothing better than this”. If you can see God’s hand in everything and find joy despite circumstances, then that is life to the full. The beautiful thing though is that is only where it begins… there are no limits to the freedom of that life in Him!

This week there are 4 children, 2 sets of siblings that I’d like to introduce you to. The first, Sammy (5) and Kwame (9), came from very desperate situations on the streets over a year ago. They are both very energetic and precious boys who are always eager to help, but also quick to get into trouble! The second is yet another new addition to our family… Ama (2) and Prince (4). Please pray for these precious young ones this week!

One Month Left

Tomorrow, May 10th, leaves me with only one month left here in Ghana. Since Elise has gone, I’ve had a lot more time to think, which for me mostly means a lot more time to worry. I worry about the kids. Who will play with them when I leave, teach them Disney songs, laugh with them and tease them like me? I think that these are MY kids and I don’t know what I’ll do without them. What will they do without me? Will anyone ever be able to love them as much as I do? What can I do to solidify a good future for each of them in the next 30 days? I put an enormous amount of weight on my own shoulders to shape their futures. That is a lot of responsibility for any one person to carry; I thought I would have learned that lesson by now. Finally, after I’m stressed to the point of getting pimples and craving chocolate (which I have none of) I take a deep breath and realize how foolish my worries are. These kids at this home are not mine. They never were. They are precious children, created by God and they are held perfectly in His hand. I was simply allowed to be in their lives for a time. And while they have changed me and taught me, molded me into who I am right now, I cannot take them with me. I do not need to fret about the well-being of these kids. What freedom there is in the realization that we are not always in control.

In Matthew 6, Jesus says “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable that they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

I know that these children are more beautiful than any lily and more valuable than any bird. They are made in the image of the Most High God. I need to be taking my faith, what little there seems to be sometimes, off my own head and placing it in the hands of the only One who is deserving.

One of those precious kids is Adjei. While I know that he is bold and brave and I have seen glimpses of that, he often finds security in hiding behind his supposed “shyness”. He is a very handsome 10 year old with a priceless smile who loves football, friends, and big hugs from Miss Lindsay (but only secretly, for he has a reputation to keep).

Missing my Wingman

Tomorrow night I am losing my right hand man. Elise has been with me since the moment I stepped off the plane here in Ghana over 8 months ago. We have gone through everything together, both the good and the bad. We figured out how to get around the city and how to survive in a vastly different culture. We danced our hearts out at camp, and celebrated every major holiday together. We also have shared every frustration with regards to the kids and our feelings of missing home. We have experienced real Christian community and authentic fellowship. Now, she suddenly has to leave early in order to be with her family as her grandmother’s health is rapidly declining and the doctors don’t give her much more than a few days to live. That leaves Elise in a lot of pain and me still here, alone, for the last 6 weeks of my stay. I must admit that I’m nervous. I’m not so much nervous about getting around by myself or staying in our house alone. I’m a big girl and I was always the navigator anyways (sorry Elise but you know it’s true), but I am nervous about what God is going to do with me in the next six weeks. Recently I have been really craving social interaction with others my own age, and just as I start to feel that longing, the ONLY other person my age is taken completely out of the picture. I almost feel as though this is my final test. I’ve survived so far and relied on God for his strength and provision, but I’ve also had the unending support of a great friend. Now completely on my own, how will I fare? Will I falter? Will I thrive? God, test me and use me according to your perfect will. May my faith not be reliant upon that of those around me. May I stand firm on my own two feet and finish out my time here with a boldness, confidence, and strength that literally come from no one but You.

And friends, please pray for Aisha this week. She is a bright girl and loving sister to our handsome little Gabriel. She is athletic and witty, hard-working and hilarious. Keep this beautiful 11 year old in mind this week, as well as Elise and her family.

Slowing down, seeing stars!

Something that has been both a source of enjoyment and annoyance since being in Ghana has been the drastic change of pace. Back home in the States, it seems the philosophy is to get as much accomplished in a single day as possible. I was no exception. I can even recall my brother asking me in college if I had more hours in a day than a normal person. However, my lifestyle has taken quite the turn in a culture where time is of little importance and it seems the only thing people really need to do in a day is cook. While this has been slightly frustrating for a multi-tasker of my nature, it is something I have also come to appreciate. A side-effect of that slower paced lifestyle and living in a remote setting has been that in the evenings, there is little to no light pollution from big businesses or busy streets, allowing the stars to be seen more vibrantly than I have ever seen them! What a magnificent way that God has chosen to reveal His awesome nature to us.

“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name.” ~ Isaiah 40:25-26

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” ~ Psalms 8:3-4

God’s very nature and presence can be seen in His creation day in and day out and I know that He has revealed marvelous things to me over the last 8 months through these children at Haven of Hope, created in His very own image.

One of those creations is our very own Bequin. He is a handsome little 10 year old with long skinny legs and knobby knees who can kick my butt in a 100-yard dash any day of the week. He is lively and hilarious, quite the character, but also shows a softer side in little notes he writes to Elise and I. He is a precious boy and I ask that you pray for him and his well-being as you continue through your week!

Thinking bigger!

There comes a time when anyone is doing short term ministry that you begin to realize that you are not going to be in the field forever. I can still so vividly remember arriving here in Ghana in August and thinking that I would never be going home. Ten months felt like a lifetime. However, now with less than 8 weeks left, I am feeling a sense of urgency in accomplishing all that I set out to do here. In doing so, it has been very important for me not to look so closely at the next few weeks, but really examine the big picture and think about what lessons I can teach the kids and what experiences I can provide them with that will last long after I am gone. First and foremost, I want the kids to know that they are loved, that I love them and that God loves them. I think that goal has been in the slow process of accomplishment since the day we got here. More specifically, there are things I would love to instill in them in regards to their education.

I know that in one school year, I will not be able to equip my students with everything they need to know in the subjects of math, reading, and science for the rest of their lives. With that in mind, I am desperately searching for ways to show the kids that there is a purpose in their education and that if they work hard, they too can go to college and make a life for themselves with greater opportunities than their families were afforded. I understand that is a difficult task, so that’s where I ask for your prayers. At camp last week, Elise and I were able to meet some great Ghanaians who are our age, and nearly all are in some sort of college or University. Some already have jobs as engineers or nurses and are making a way for themselves via a quality education. My goal is to get the youth at Calvary Baptist connected with our kids here at the home so that they may see that even Ghanaians can go to college. That realization might possibly give them the motivation they have been so lacking in their school work. All the while I hope they will be developing relationships with young adults who can be good role models for them after we leave. I also think that connection would be great for the youth as well because it would help them to see the dire need just within their own country that many of them are oblivious to in their middle class neighborhoods and private schools only an hour and a half away. So I ask for your prayers as we attempt to make that connection in the next couple of months.

The other main point that I am trying to convey to the kids is the importance of reading. If these kids know how to read and read well, they can teach themselves everything else they’ll need to succeed. In order to emphasize that, while we are on vacation I have been doing a reading club with all of the kids from our school (whether they are from the home or the village) who are struggling with reading, as well as anyone else who would like to attend. Initially I thought my attendance would be low, but since the word got out, there have been over 35 kids in my class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings! What an awesome, fulfilling, and chaotic experience it has been. We have been making our own books, doing a variety of phonics activities, playing games, and even expanding our imagination through story writing!

It is definitely a change in perspective when you begin to realize your limitations, but I pray that I am being a good steward of my time here in making a lasting impression on these kids!

Today’s child is Abby. She is 10 years old and in P5! She is a subdued personality and can be overshadowed by others in her class, but she works hard and does well. She is also really great with the little girls and loves being a mothering figure for them. She can be quiet and hard to figure out sometimes, but I thank God for the glimpses into her heart that He has allowed us!

CAMP

Over Easter weekend, I think that I experienced the widest variety of feelings in 72 hours that is humanly possible. I attended youth camp with over 160 other Ghanaians my age. We had prayer time, worship, speakers, bible study, alone time, outreach, and praise. Sounds like an average Christian camp, right? Wrong. I experienced hunger from fasting for 2 days, fatigue from 4:30am morning devotions, embarrassment from being called on all the time, loneliness from being the “new kid”, frustration from being the object of racism, happiness from making new friends, joy from exuberant worship, satisfaction from helping set up a medical clinic, and excitement (and a sore body) from participating in the most epic dance party I have ever been a part of! I learned more about myself, my faith, and the character of people in those three days than I thought possible, however I don’t think that I can remember much of what the speakers talked about. It goes to show that experience really is the best teacher.

To expound on a few of those highlights, I would like to start by saying that I hope and pray that anyone who has even an ounce of racist tendencies will look very closely at their own hearts and lives and let them go. The reason being, I now know first hand what it feels like to be discriminated against for absolutely no reason, based on nothing but stereotypes of other white people that have been buried in their minds and dwelled upon creating anger and resentment towards innocent people. Now, that being said, I would have you know that 90 percent of the people at camp were very welcoming, outgoing, and excited about our presence. However, the remaining 10 percent had no qualms about letting us know that they were unhappy about our being there. So please, I beg you to examine your own attitudes towards those who are different than you, whether they are black, green, purple, handicapped, homeless, or addicted. Jesus made no exceptions in those he chose to pour his love out on and instructed us even to love our enemies. God’s grace and forgiveness is abundant for all people and we should follow his example and allow his love to pour through us in the same unlimited fashion.

To make another point, I would also like to say that there is great importance in hospitality towards newcomers, especially within the church. But as the newcomer, you must also be willing to go out on a limb, step out of your comfort zone, and make the effort to meet new people. As many of you probably know, I have been a member of the same church since I was 6 years old and it is my home, the members are my family. Until this weekend, I didn’t really know what it felt like to be the new person. However, I did not just sit back and expect people to come to me. I sought out people to sit with, introduced myself to everyone who would listen, and even went so far as to dance with them for 2 straight hours, becoming a sweaty mess while we all laughed and carried on together. In the end, it paid off and I had the privilege of meeting a lot of great people, making some new friends, and creating hilarious irreplaceable memories. Every situation is what you make of it, and while it is reasonable to have certain expectations of loving members reaching out to others in the church, the end result is really in your hands.

All in all, I am very glad that I went, I learned so much, and even got a few compliments on my attempts at dancing! Great experience… great weekend.

As always though, I still missed my kiddos at home and was so glad to see them. There are two kids I’d like to introduce you to today. One of a few sets of siblings here at the home, Janet (15) and Isaac (11) are a beautiful part of our home. Janet keeps herself busy reading all kinds of books while Isaac will surely grow up one day to be a football (soccer) star! They are great with each other and set a good example of brotherly love for the other siblings within the home. Pray for them, their individual well-being, and their bond as family!

An Inside Look

Fairly frequently, amidst all that can be difficult or disheartening, I am blessed to receive priceless little “nuggets” from the kids in the form of a funny comment, an unexpected hug, or a precious letter. These little nuggets do nothing less than sustain me, remind me why I am here, and give me the encouragement I need to continue on. This week I have had the benefit of many such nuggets in the form of hilarious pictures and videos.

Over the course of our time here, Elise and I have taught several of the kids how to use our cameras. They usually will ask to borrow them if we are all playing a game or doing some kind of activity. However, this week they have asked to borrow them in the evenings so that they can take pictures and videos of happenings in their dorms. What we have received from those nights in their rooms could never be duplicated! If there is one truth that I have discovered, it is that no matter the culture, background, or age of the kids, the idea of imagination, pretending, and playing, is paramount. It is a universal truth. The boys turned in pictures of themselves in karate stances, doing marching exercises, singing songs, and even dressing up like girls. They put together a play and took videos as they acted out everyday scenes and made up ones. The girls gave us pictures of themselves with pillows stuffed in their shirts and blankets draped over their heads as they pretended to be famous singers and beautiful queens. I am so thankful for these precious inside looks at their unhindered imaginations.

Another unintentional benefit of these pictures and videos has been to provide a funny introduction to our home and a welcoming environment to another new addition to our Haven of Hope family. Joshua is a 13 year old boy who just came to us from Accra. He has a bright smile and an outgoing personality, but I pray that his transition to our home will be smooth and filled with 46 new friends!

Additionally, I’d like to introduce Regina who is a beautiful 11 year old girl and younger sister to Mary. She is in P6 and is very smart, always working hard on her school work. She is a gentle spirit, but her quiet demeanor does not fool us, as she can dance and sing better than most! Please keep Regina in your prayers as she thrives and continues on to Junior Secondary School next year.

Pool Times!

“Swimming, swimming in the swimming pool. Days are hot, days are cold, in the swimming pool. Side stroke, back stroke, fancy diving too….”

Sorry, that’s all I can remember… but that was part of a song that I sang when I took swimming lessons in the backyard of a big house with a funny lady who gave out Skittles, many years ago. In America, learning to swim and enjoying a relaxing day at the pool are things that we take for granted, along with many other things, because they are so readily available for us. However, here in Ghana where an underground pool is extremely hard to come by, we have been fortunate enough to expose our kids to the joys of a pool along with their first swimming lessons.

Thanks to a generous gift from back home (you know who you are), Elise and I have had the privilege of taking small groups of kids to a hotel pool in Accra for the past two Saturdays, and we will continue to do so until all have had the chance to go. It has really been a thrill to watch some of our kids, who with both feet on solid ground are as tough as they come, cling to you for dear life when brought out into the water. While the kids have been to the beach a couple of times before, the feeling of being completely submerged in water is something very foreign, and frankly quite frightening to them. In a funny way, this fear on their part has brought me a happiness that I did not anticipate. Due to their uncertainty with this new environment, the kids tend to express quite often and quite loudly that they need me… and feeling needed feels good. That is a satisfaction that I have never felt before, but I’m going to venture a guess that most mothers out there can relate. However, I must also say that I have been very impressed and proud of how quickly they have picked up the basics and how rapidly their confidence can return. It is such a fun experience that I am so glad to have the ability to share with them!

This week’s boy is someone who is quite precious to me, whose first impressions are not always the greatest, but who has a heart of gold! His name is Enoch and he is a 7 year old boy with more energy than should be contained in only one child. Though his attention span is not long and that often gets him in trouble, he wants so badly and tries so hard to do the right thing. He is a young boy whose character is solid and I can’t wait to see what the Lord does with him in the future!

JOY

Frustrations were aplenty this week as a small group of boys decided that I am the worst thing that has ever happened to them! I have the uncanny ability to scatter a crowd now!

It’s humorous to write about now but a few days ago, I was not in such a light hearted mood. Following some misbehavior on their part, they received a punishment from their house mother. When I did not “take their side” and supported the mama’s decision, they snapped and began unleashing every hurtful thing they could think of. Later, a hilarious little spy hidden among the boys came to us and rambled off a list of insults that had been thrown out and then said that their main goal was to “pain us”. In other words, these few boys wanted so badly to make Elise and I miserable and they knew that because of our intense love for them, their words would cut us deep. And they did. It’s true what they say, that us humans have the capacity to hurt those who love us the most!

Their initial success in “paining me” was overcome after a little venting and much thought and prayer. I quickly realized that I do not need their approval. I did not come halfway across the world to be liked. That’s what friends and family are for. Rather, I came here to help these kids and to show them the love of Christ, whether that is displayed through a hug or a spanking. Besides that, my joy is not something that is contingent upon the consent of pre-teen boys, but it is something that comes only from the Lord and cannot be stolen. With my revised outlook on the situation, I continued my week killing them with smiles, waves, and as many hugs as I could grab. It frustrated them to no end and while they have not come around yet, I am confident that they will soon forget while they were even upset in the first place! In the meantime, please pray that they will have eyes to see the reason for our discipline and will learn to accept our love.

Additionally, please pray for Kofi. She is a quiet 9 year old girl who works hard in school, especially English. She enjoys playing dress up with the little girls and is a great football player. It took us a much longer time to get to know the real Kofi because of her shyness, but her amazing character is now very evident to us. Pray that the Lord would bless her with a boldness to accompany her other great attributes!

Reflections...

Throughout the course of this past week, much of my time after school has been spent writing the final exams for the end of second term. I can hardly believe that that time has already come around… again. Having been here for nearly 7 months now, I find myself thinking more and more about coming home. However, in thinking about coming home, I find myself thinking even more about how much I will miss these kids that have been my whole life for so long. So along that line of thought, I’d like to share a short list of things that make me happy as I think about my time here so far.

- The greenness of Ghana
- A crowded tro tro playing country music
- Having a baby tied on my back
- The way the kids take care of each other
- Rainy afternoons
- Getting stuck in that afternoon rain
- The kid’s laughter
- When they talk really fast to each other in twi
- The white powder they put on their black skin after they bathe!
- Taking them on walks
- Teasing them and letting them tease me back
- Prince’s prayers
- Kwame’s laugh
- Abigail’s dance moves
- Gabriel’s dimples
- Bernice’s voice
- Stephen’s stubbornness
- Sylvester’s goals
- Reading bedtime stories
- The joy that is found in small pleasures
- Drawing Disney characters with them
- Being independent and learning how to get around in a foreign place
- Seeing the stars at night
- Dancing to High School Musical
- The look on a student’s face when they “get” something
- Hearing that student teach another student
- Super speedy worship music (with a double clap)
- Seeing bright white teeth outside my window at night
- Fried plantain and honey
- Our vegetable lady
- When the kids hold my hand
- Trying to kiss them goodnight as they pretend to hate it!

Fifi is our precious 10 year old boy this week. He is a rock solid kid who you can always count on and who can withstand more pain than most, but is as tender hearted and caring as any I’ve ever met. He is also a big help with the little kids and has a sweet spirit about him. Please pray that he will be encouraged and that his spirit will be lifted up and he grows in age.

A week of CELEBRATIONS!

A burial celebration, my birthday celebration, and Ghana’s 52nd Independence Day celebration were all mixed into this week’s regular schedule.

While the first may sound slightly strange, it was actually a very unique and joyful experience for Elise and I as we attended on behalf of one of our students from the village nearby whose uncle had passed away. I have only been present at a couple of funerals in my life and both were rather somber, but this was a party in every sense of the word! The whole village attended, bringing out hundreds of friends and family. They were all dressed in bright clothing. There were traditional drums and dancing going on in one area while an enormous sound system played music in another area. People all around us were dancing, playing, laughing and singing (and bringing us into it all as well) as they celebrated the life of the deceased. It was wonderful and it is exactly the way that I think funerals should be!

Two days later, I celebrated my 23rd birthday with a full day of school, lots of hugs from the kids, a conglomeration of cards, letters, and drawings, a little bit of laundry, some homemade meatloaf, brownies, and a good movie! While it was pretty low key and much like an ordinary day here, I know it was probably the most unique birthday I will ever have.

Then on Friday, the kids and I, the house mamas and the cooks all piled into the small dining hall to watch the Independence Day parade on the television. Unlike our fireworks and festivals in the United States, kids from schools all over the country travel to march at Independence Square in Accra, Ghana. They are accompanied by the nation’s soldiers, and the military is put on display by land, air, and sea. It was interesting to watch, but what was even more interesting was the pride and patriotism that our kids display in regards to the love of their country. Maybe it is something that has been lost throughout the generations in America, and maybe our independence is something that we simply take for granted, but having achieved their independence only 52 short years ago, this nation of Ghana is well aware of it’s value and they thank God daily for it!

Now, Victory, Victoria, and Comfort are our children of the week, being our three baby girls. These three beautiful toddlers are two years old and bring so much life to the girl’s dorm and to the entire compound. Please pray for the growth and development of their bodies and individual personalities as they are raised in this place!

Beautiful Misadventures

Haven of Hope Academy got two days off this week to mark the midway point of our second term. So to celebrate, we took the kids to a place that is a favorite among locals called Boti Falls. We inquired whether or not this would be the best time to go since we are right in the middle of dry season, but everyone assured us that it would be great! So we all piled into the vans with 2 huge coolers full of rice and headed to the falls, but upon our arrival we discovered that the falls were really not falling at all. I was pretty disappointed as we walked a couple hundred steps down to where the waterfall pools and was afraid the kids would be severely disappointed as well. Instead of feeling bad for themselves though, they ran as fast as they could, shedding clothing along the way, and dove straight into the small pool of water where the falls usually descend. It was a beautiful sight. I was so proud as my kids taught me a lesson in making the most out of every situation!

After the kids had their fill of swimming in only a few feet of water, we went on a little hike to an area nearby that is the sight of what the Ghanaians call “umbrella rock.” Elise and I braved it and climbed the shaky bamboo ladder to the top and were met with a breathtaking view. We all ate our lunch, piled back into the vans wet and smelly, and drove home full and happy. That trip could have gone a lot differently and in the end made all of us miserable if it wasn’t for the glorious optimism of our children! There is so much they can teach us if we have the patience to listen and observe.

Paa Kwesi is the boy of the week and is also a student of mine! He is 8 years old and has a smile to melt even the hardest heart. He is very bashful and gets embarrassed easily when I smile back at him. He is a very smart kid but struggles with motivation in school, as I think is the case with many of the students. In a culture that relies very heavily on manual labor and street sellers, I can understand that it would be difficult to see a different future for yourself and therefore see a reason for your hard work in continuing education. I ask that you join me in praying that these kids see a glimmer of hope in a continent that has very little, and that they will remain motivated to work hard in school and change their futures and the future of Ghana!

Where's Waldo?

I never thought I would feel so comfortable being in a position where I stick out like a neon zebra!

For the past two weeks, I have been singing in the temporary choir (while the regular members get a break) at Calvary Baptist Church, the church that we attend in the city. I am one of two white people in the choir and only one of five in the whole congregation. It has been such an exhilarating and eye opening experience for me. First of all, I love being in a position to watch a congregation of several hundred Ghanaians worshipping in a manner that is more free and uninhibited that I have ever witnessed before. There are so many things that often stand in our way of expressing our worship to God so unreservedly. If any of you are anything like me and even the slightest bit honest with yourself, you may worry about any variety of things: who is standing next to you, what they may think, or what they may say to other people after church? Am I acting too conservative, too charismatic? Do I appear authentic, or will others think I’m faking? Or best of all… how do I look? Sometimes it can be just as hard or harder to focus on God in church than anywhere else. I know that there have got to be concerns of a similar nature here and all over the world, but it is apparent that those superficial concerns are of far less value to the people here. Then, in addition to enjoying the observation of that unrestrained and natural worship, I absolutely love the fact that I can also express myself so freely without fear of being judged. When there is less to hinder our communication with God and less junk fills our minds, the intimacy with Him is unreal! It is not our outward actions or appearance but the condition of our hearts that conveys our adoration. I hate that it has taken me so long to really realize that. Better late than never.

In a powerful song, “Clear the Stage” by Ross King, he describes what true worship looks like and in some cases, what it may take to get there.

“Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze if that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.
Jerk the pews and all the decorations too until the congregation’s few then have revival.
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends; until you’re broken for your sins you can’t be social.
Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store and know that great is your reward so just be hopeful.
‘Cause you can sing all you want to. Yes you can sing all you want to. You can sing all you want to, but don’t get me wrong, worship is more than a song.”

This week, I’d like to introduce you to Attah. While I think that all of our kids here are beautiful in their own way, I think that she is a truly gorgeous girl. She is 11 years old, in P5, and almost too mature for her age. Please keep her in mind and in your prayers as you go through your week!

Security or Service?

Monday through Wednesday of this week provided a much need respite from the daily stresses of working with these needy kids. I joined Elise’s family in traveling west of Accra to a town called Anomabo to enjoy a stay on the beach for a couple of days. The weather was beautiful, the waves were large, the food was great and the company was pleasant. I boogey boarded, read some books, listened to music, walked along the shore line, and watched the locals drag in their fish nets. All in all, it was a wonderful trip.

While I was gone, Carolyn, one of the other women here, offered to take my class for me. I prepared extremely detailed lesson plans for her and did everything short of threatening the kids that if they did not mind Miss Carolyn, they would have to deal with me when I got home. I have dealt with a number of trials with my students, some small and others much larger, but in the end, I love them dearly. The funny thing about my trip to the beach was that in the midst of my relaxation, I couldn’t stop thinking about my kids and how they were doing, whether or not they were obeying, and if they missed me. It was all too clear to me how much I missed them. As I sat on the lounge chairs and stared out at the sea, I realized that no matter how big my class is or how overwhelming it gets, how bratty the kids can be or how much they fight me, I love them and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If they were any better, I'd probably be bored. I know and have known for a long time that I am a person that NEEDS to be challenged. I thrive on the difficulty of my class. Complacency, security, safety, routine, and comfort are not words that excite me. God has placed in me a desire to be tested and stretched and pushed to the limits. It is then, at my breaking point, that I feel most alive. It is then that I am able to be used most effectively. I feel like it is in those situations that my pride is destroyed and my focus is really where it should be. Often times, whether it is intentional or not, I believe the church can stifle the passion in people by emphasizing things like security and comfort. Prayers to prosper us are often more common than the humble prayer to use us, no matter the cost. The places that need the influence of Christ the most are often the places that Christians are afraid to go. It is true that we are God’s children and he will never abandon us, but it is crucial that we understand that he promises us spiritual security, not always physical safety or financial well-being. He has big plans for us if we can put our fears aside and let Him take us where He wants to take us and challenge us like we need to be challenged! He promises us life and life to the fullest but we must make the choice to take advantage of that life. To live a fearless life of reckless abandonment with a full faith in God’s guiding hand is the greatest thing I can ask for!

Abraham is a young boy who demonstrates that fearless attitude in his everyday life! I can’t tell you how many times he fell off the skateboards they got for Christmas, or how many scars adorn his legs from climbing trees, playing football, or creating games of his own. All of the kids really display that zest for life and the passion to live it to the fullest; and it’s contagious. Abraham is a 10 year old in P4 and has been such a joy to get to know! I pray that he, and all of the kids, never lose that fearless passion to get the most out of life!

Breaking Down Walls

Again, we had a busy week! We went on walks, played with water balloons and bows and arrows, killed snakes, practiced our times tables, and welcomed two new kids into the Haven of Hope family! We had a blast, and then to top it off, Elise’s family arrived here in Ghana for a two week visit late Thursday evening.

However, in the midst of all the excitement I found myself extremely homesick for the first time since I have been here. As Elise showed her sister around the compound, I thought about all of the people at home that I would love to be able to experience what I am doing here. I got caught up in the moment and shed my fair share of tears. Visibly upset, I had to pull myself together and head to my classroom for the morning assembly. Because the kids are the most observant and blunt kids in the world, I was suddenly swarmed with attention and questions as to the cause of my tears. Instead of pretending I wasn’t sad, I decided to humble myself and explain to the kids that I was missing my family and friends at home. I believe my answer actually took them by surprise and they asked “Well then do you want to go home?” After I thought about it for a second, I realized it was an easy answer, “No”. While I miss you all very much, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am right where I am supposed to be, following God’s will for my life, whether I can see the purpose in it or not. And just when I thought I couldn’t see the purpose, a small bit was revealed to me. Through our discussions about how I was feeling about home, many of the kids opened up for the first time about their feelings about their home. Particular kids who have been very hard and guarded were able to see my humanity in my emotion and came around to sharing some of their thoughts, even if just for a short time. I am always blessed to see how God can use the moments that try us the most at the times when we question our purposes, to encourage others and in turn encourage us. He is faithful. God is good.

Seeing as though they are new to our home this week and are probably experiencing some homesickness themselves, I ask that you pray for Anna and Douglas, 8 and 11. Pray that their transition into the home and the school will be smooth and that the rest of our kids will be welcoming and supportive of them during this time. Our other child of the week though is Abigail Yawson. She is a 12 year old girl who walks with more sass in her step that anyone I have ever met. She gives great hugs and has a laugh that instantly makes you crack up. Her spunk and joyfulness are contagious, and I just pray that she learns to use them to spur others on!

Harmattan

When I come home, one of the first things that I will do is stand in a blistering hot shower for a very long time. Why, you might ask? Besides the fact that our faucet trickles cold water, the weather here in Ghana has been quite strange recently. In fact, I have never seen anything quite like it. The evenings are cooler and the days are still hot and humid, but there is a constant haze in the sky like the morning fog never lifts. This all started a couple weeks ago, around the same time that Elise and I realized our apartment was getting disgustingly dirty really quickly. Finally, when we asked what was going on, someone explained to us that every year during the dry season when the winds pick up and the weather cools down, sand from the Sahara desert gets blown all the way down here. That being said, I thought I was getting a tan when I realized it’s only a layer of sand from the Sahara. Some things you just don’t get used to.

This week I began teaching my kids about the eye and how it works. We used a spoon to simulate how the lens flips things upside down and made 3D paper-maché diagrams of an eyeball! I gave the Wednesday morning message at chapel and made the kids do the YMCA, but with LOVE. I played a lot of basketball and got a lot of letters from pre-pubescent boys. I read some, cleaned some, and cooked some. I was frustrated and stretched, overjoyed and blessed. I went to the youth chapel at Calvary Baptist, which is outstanding, and now I’m ready for another week. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” ~ Psalms 51:12

Dua is our boy this week. He is 11 years old and is extremely shy but has been really coming out of his shell recently. He’s very smart and is the fastest at the home (which is no surprise considering he has the longest lankiest legs in the world!). He’s also great with the toddlers and has an enormous heart! Please keep him in your prayers this week!

Of Waakye and Reggae

“To the weak I became weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” ~ 1 Corinthians 9:22

This verse has been one of particular significance to me for several years, but has taken on a whole new meaning since my arrival here in Ghana. While I do not boast any previous experience in missionary work or any degree in such a thing, it has been made very clear to me that in order to reach a people, you need to become like them. If I came to this country whose culture is so vastly different than my own and refused to learn their language, eat their food, ride their transportation, appreciate their music or attempt their dance, I might have saved myself from a lot of embarrassing moments, but I also would not have been able to develop relationships with their people. Elise and I have gotten to know several ladies in the local markets because we choose to do the majority of our shopping in nearby villages rather than at the mall, a location which would maybe be more comfortable for us. We have had countless encounters with the local people in tro tros who are shocked that the obrunis are joining them, but are eager to hear our stories. We eat dinner with the kids several nights a week and have even learned how to pound fried fish, pepper, and onions into a delicious sauce that you eat with yam! And even though it is extremely difficult and opens me up for endless ridicule, I try to learn phrases in Twi from the kids and let them teach me their favorite dance moves. While I thoroughly enjoy all of these things, I also believe that they let the kids here and Ghanaians elsewhere know that we care about them and their culture. Who wants to listen to what you have to say if they think your only purpose in being here is to change them?

Jesus set the ultimate example for us in the fact that He “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” I have rarely heard a more difficult yet feasible challenge. If only we can selflessly humble ourselves to such a point!

In a musical interpretation of the great commission, Derek Webb puts it well.
“Take to the world this love, hope and faith.
Take to the world this rare relentless grace.
And like the three in one, you know you must become what you want to save,
‘Cause that’s still the way He takes to the world.”

This week’s child is Matilda, a sweet 9 year old girl in my class. She is precious and extremely smart, but also extremely chatty. She always finishes her work early and tends to distract the others. Please pray that we work together to find a way to keep her challenged and on task! She has also recently been struggling with an infection in her right eye that is affecting every area of her life, so pray as well for the pain to ease and for complete healing!

Half Way There!

This week, I have a confession to make. While some may look at what I am doing here in Ghana as brave or noble, I have to admit that I absolutely love every minute of it and there’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now. In that regard, I feel completely undeserving of any praise, as I may be enjoying it all too much to consider it a sacrifice. However, on Friday I was humbled as I learned what it’s like to serve when you don’t particularly want to.

Due to the fact that our weeks are so busy, Elise and I cherish our weekends very much. For us, the weekend starts on Friday at 2, right after the bell! Last week though, Madam Salome, a Ghanaian teacher at our school had a death in the family and invited all of the teachers to attend the funeral for her aunt this Friday afternoon. We debated for some time about whether or not to go because due to commute time, it would take up the entire day. My own selfish attitude thought about how much I could get done during that time or how relaxing a few hours by ourselves would be. After a little coaxing, we decided to make the trek into Accra for the funeral to support Salome during her time of grief. It was the last thing I really wanted to do, but after seeing her face light up at our presence and recognizing her sincere appreciation for us being there, it was worth it. God does not call us to serve others only when it is enjoyable for us, but whenever he presents us the opportunity for service! Let’s jump on those opportunities!

The two boys this week are part of the reason I find little hardship in my service here in Ghana. As you can see from the pictures, their smiles pretty much melt away any anger, frustration, or difficulty I may have faced throughout the day and truly bring joy to my heart. Moses and Gabriel are both three years old and are loved not only by us, but also by all of the other kids here at the home. They are blessed with wonderful “older siblings” who enjoy torturing them as much as they enjoy hugging and kissing on them, but I ask you to pray that they are blessed as they grow up in this loving environment!

A Tribute to Parents

To anyone who is a parent… I applaud you!

To my own mom and dad, I hate to tell you, but you were wrong. You always said that you only disciplined me because you loved me but that I would never understand that until I had kids of my own. I’m afraid that understanding has far preceded my own children.

Being a surrogate parent of sorts to 45 kids has the tendency to break you quite quickly and teach you to do things you swore you would never do. I always envisioned myself being a “cool” parent and being able to treat my kids more as friends than children, but after only 4 months here at Haven of Hope, I have been made well aware of the fact that children need boundaries and discipline whether it is “cool” or not. This week I have had to deal with one of our oldest boys in a way I never thought I would have to. In addition to disciplining him as his teacher because of disrespect and disobedience in the classroom, I have had to carry out that discipline after school as his mother. It’s terrible. It makes me want to cry. It breaks my heart to punish a boy that I love like my own who has a great heart and an even better smile, but I know it is in his best interest to teach him these lessons now rather than later in life when the consequences will be far greater than extra chores or isolation from his friends!

While I may very well have failed Parenting 101 miserably during the first term, I have high hopes for a passing grade the second time around! In the end, I stand in great appreciation to all you parents out there who struggle with your children day in and day out. Your unconditional care is the closest thing to Christ-like love that we can see in this fallen world. If you are lucky though, your children may have the privilege of seeing how much you loved them one day, even prior to having kids of their own!

Our beautiful child this week is Maabena. She is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. While she is an extremely petite little girl, she plays just as hard as the rest of them and is even growing accustomed to our beastly puppies! She is quite a joy. Please pray for her throughout the week that she would grow strong in the Lord and be a small girl of great courage!

Love,

Lindsay

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everybody!

As cliché as it may seem, I spent a good portion of my day yesterday reflecting on some of the ups and downs of 2008. I usually like to set some goals for myself for the New Year, resolutions if you will, but this year I decided that I will forego setting those goals for myself and focus my efforts on the unchanging resolutions that Christ has already set before us, to love our God and love others. I know that is broad, but there’s nothing that can really be added to or taken away from that idea. Despite that simple yet lofty resolution, I know that I will fall short many times. I will continue to experience drastic highs and lows as have been common the past four months. I will know joy and failure, love and loss. But in the end, I look at the following passage from Ecclesiastes and take comfort in Solomon’s wise words and the fact that whatever 2009 may bring, God makes everything beautiful in its time.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.

Our first kid of the new year is Emmanuel Kwesi, an amazing 12 year old boy. Though reluctant to get attached at first, Kwesi has really opened up in the last few weeks, allowing us to see more of his beautiful smile and kind heart. Please pray that we continue to be able to foster our relationship and that he would feel comfortable enough to get out some of the hurt that he keeps neatly tucked away inside.