More Peace and More Happy Day!

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and 

minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

A sweet friend texted me this encouragement yesterday. I was needing some peace of my own this morning so after taking Elolo to school I took my time walking through town and told God about what I think I need.....a visa interview. I thanked him for some things and then I asked for what I really need....peace.

I got to my destination, the bank, but it was still 30 minutes before it opened so I sat on the front steps and waited. And suddenly I got this show!

The Police Wives Association was out marching for PEACE! A peaceful election in November specifically. They stretched out up and down the road and had police sirens and a marching band.

It was a treat to watch and hear the band and read their signs.

Then I came home and enjoyed a late breakfast cooked by these three (Sammy, Richard and Frank). They even cleaned up everything afterward. This is nothing short of a miracle! =) I was feeling pretty good, enjoying life and peaceful by this point.

And then this beauty came.....new mail! From the embassy! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord. The visa application issue is truly resolved, I completed it and we have Elolo's 'Take Two' visa interview on Monday, June 27 (my parents' wedding anniversary!!!)

As if the above wasn't cause enough for celebration, today was also my mom's birthday (which we celebrated with her from afar) and we celebrated Richard's birthday. His really isn't until Friday but since the boys headed back to school today we celebrated a little early. He'll be 17!

Oh Happy Day, Happy Day!

Not a 'happy day' with the embassy and Elolo's visa yet, but an even better, actually best kind of happy day. God is doing some big things here! Last weekend Patience and Agatha decided to be baptized. For both it took a lot of courage and for one it was breaking through years of fear. I was so honored to walk with them as they made these decisions.

Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Peace. 

This girl is kind of awesome. Peace. She's 18 and just graduated from high school. She has applications into the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast. We just have to wait for her national exam results (they'll be released in September); all her years of school, her grades, her involvement, being school prefect and winning the regional constitution contest....it all comes down to these test results. That's the only thing the University considers for admission (well...officially, that is). 

She wants to study law. And she would be amazing at it. She is an advocate for justice. She has the constitution memorized! =) She is a leader, a hostess and she can adapt to many situations and environments. I could see her as an ambassador or involved with the United Nations (she was an ambassador of sorts to me when I first met these precious children). 

A few weeks ago, I got to see her in action and I was so proud I didn't know whether I should laugh or cry. She got into a heated 'debate' with our taxi driver who apparently misheard us- twice-when we said where we were heading and then accused us all of lying (you know, because taxi rides are so fun here that we just like to fool the drivers into taking us on joyrides!). He was quite rude, a bit intimidating and gave us an earful. As Peace explained to him, respectfully, that he misheard us and that he shouldn't accuse us of lying, he told her to 'Shut Up!' Again, rude! But nope, she refused and told him so because she has freedom of speech as stated in their constitution! =) He looked to me to 'put her in her place' but I just laughed and told him, good luck....she's going to be a lawyer. It was great. Of course, arguing for arguing sake's isn't something I promote, but this was something special. This is a different culture. For a 'school girl' to stand up to someone older and especially a man was brave and bold. The two boys with us hadn't said a peep. 

The hidden parts of her though are that she experienced great loss at an early age and the grief resurfaces with new stages of life (which is totally normal), has endured a lot of unfair treatment, and attempts to be 'perfect' often.

Last weekend at church she went forward to ask Jesus into her heart. It was powerful and full of all kinds of emotions! The pastor had the word 'ministry' for her, nothing more specific, but God would use her in a ministry for His Kingdom.........an ambassador for God. Let it be, Lord, let it be. 

Please be praying for her heart, for healing, for peace for Peace =) and for her exam results to reflect all of her hard work throughout school and life.

While we wait......

But those who wait on the Lord 

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

I should be used to the waiting by now. 3 1/2 plus years. One thing I've learned (albeit slowly) is it's so important to keep on living 'today' amidst the waiting. To be present in the moment of today, not the tomorrows and when 'all is worked out.' It's a daily struggle and a choice to do so....actually an hour by hour choice. Some days I'm better at it than others. Thank goodness for God's grace!

As we wait on the embassy to resolve their online visa application glitches (for almost three weeks now...) and battle against emotions of anger and frustration, the Lord is keeping us busy. And I am trying to focus on what a blessing it is to be living life in Ghana. To be with my son during the waiting. Praise the LORD!!!!! To be able to pray for this country and its people right here while I walk and live among them. For the blessings God keeps pouring out on me through my kids and our friends. 

Frank's birthday was June 4 so Elolo and I took a little ride to his boarding school equipped with a cake and goodies. I received a positive report from his class teacher that he has started this term with an improved attitude and is working hard as she tutors him after classes. Thank you for your prayers.

We were treated to a soccer game during the visit. Three of our boys are at this school, all different grades. Two boys (Frank and Richard) played against each other on opposite class teams and the third (Sammy) was the referee.

This is the scene that awaited us at the National Health Insurance office a couple of weeks ago. One of our girls needed an insurance card. I made asked Peace to also come with us. We arrived a little after 9am. We were silly. These are all the people ahead of us. Trying to make sense of the order of this line was futile. I was actually told by a stranger to 'relax, it's Ghana' when I tried to help move the line along. =) Around 12:30pm after we had barely moved one row, I bailed on the girls (I do have to work). I felt only slightly guilty as I merrily skipped away from that sauna (so thankful for the excuse to get out). Sadly, those girls were there until 5pm!!! I kid you not. And they couldn't even get the card that day. We finally got it yesterday....and now something similar though not so horrible awaits us at the hospital/doctor's office.

We've been attending our Canadian friends' church now for over a month. And each week, we add someone new to our entourage that heads to Adaklu Mountain. Peace and Patricia have been coming with us and last Sunday, Agatha (a friend of our kids who has been staying with us) also came. It was a powerful and emotional Sunday for all of us.

We always enjoy a time after the service where we share a meal and everyone hangs out.

Elolo (hidden behind that palm leaf and playing freeze tag) loves the pastor's kids; he never wants to leave. 

We sang 'Be Magnified, Oh Lord' during the service. And I couldn't help but picture the hill we were upon and that our words and melodies were going out spreading over the villages below bringing God's truth and light to an area that needs it so.
Please join me in praying for Ghana.
For true revelation and revival.

And while Elolo is waiting for a return trip to his beloved Accra, he also keeps very busy. Here's the garage he built for his motorcycle! =)

The 'fix' he engineered for this leaky drainage pipe.

Hopping on the church drum set after service.