As I try to reenter into the American way of life, I can't help but think about the last 3 weeks of my life. I have hesitated to try and write anything on this blog for fear of losing the true experience and stripping it of all the importance it holds to me. But, I have many faithful followers of this site and so much support that it would be wrong of me to leave you all hanging after the last post.
To try and describe to you a chronological order of events over the last 2 weeks of the trip is not something I want to do, nor do I think it would be very interesting....So I will write out of emotion, truly the only way I really know how.
The sound of children singing, the smell of goat and sunscreen, sweat, fufu, and bottles of medication, the choatic roar of the crowd....these are things that I wish I could bottle up and take back with me. They are what I experienced everyday as my heart found it's peace in this beautiful country of beautiful people. The smiles from a child whose eyes you've caught, the curious children who stand and stare, the strong mothers who carry their beloved on their backs...There is love here and it is clear to see. There is also choas, depravity, poverty, and lack of opportunity. Sickness, disease, wasting away....But if I can give just one person hope, love, understanding, acknowledgement, freedom, then it is worth every moment away from home, it is worth every drop of sweat, every stomach cramp, every dirty squatty I peed in. And soon I find that this has become my home...Amazing how God can create your heart to find its peace and happiness in such far away places.
Of all that we experienced in Ghana what I close my eyes and see is people....People who come to you with hope and expectations that you will use your resources, your education, and your willpower to reach out and lift them up. People who give you their love and their smiles, their happiness, their song, their dance. People who give your heart a safe place to rest. These are all God's beloved children...what is it that keeps us from them but ourselves.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Week 1: Building a Vision
I can hardly believe the first week has come and gone. In somes ways it feels like a whole year has gone by due to how far we've come. This week has been filled with sweat, dirt, cement, drinking water, fanta, sunscreen, more sweat, and mangoes. We were able to help pour cement and lay concrete blocks with mortar. The walls are starting to rise....
God moved in ways I can't explain to you. To work hand in hand with men who are trained to do this labor-intensive, everything-made-by hand buildings is a little intimidating at first. Add in the language barrier and the racial divide, and mixing in isn't that easy. However, by the end of the week most knew all of our names and waved at us with big smiles on their faces as they saw all of us pile out of the van each morning....
God laid on my heart one man in particular named Rasheed, a Muslim man from Togo. He looked like he walked straight out of ancient Egypt with the bottom of his eyes lined in dark charcoal. If you've ever communicated with someone and used no words at all, you can picture what much of our time together was like. Very timid at first, by the last day he came on his day off to say good-bye. His neck had a huge scar across it which kept us all guessing for 4 days until he was asked about it, which he then said was from a car accident. The uniqueness of his exotic appearance caught my eye and getting to know him was for me the biggest part of this week.
Another man named Ebeneezer spoke English fairly well and always wore a Dr. Suess looking hat with the colors of the Ghanian flag striped around it. Many of us got to know him well and found he was a Christian seeking to make money in his trade before moving on to the next phase of life. His work ethic and patient teaching spoke for itself.
As the final day came, we were able to take a 30 minute break in order to teach these guys American football. One of the team members was the quaterback for the Air Force Academy and the contruction workers loved him. During the football game which resembled soccer with your hands, the unity of these two groups was fully revealed. What an amazing week. We left after being presented with Ghanian scarves made the the famous Kenti cloth from Ghana. But what we left with a better understanding of what it means to be made by one Creator, one Spirit, one God. The relationships formed is what we were looking for and it is what we found.
Tomorrow we begin week 2. The rest of our team arrived tonight at 6pm. We then went over to a missionary couple's house and met up with the doctors from Ecuador as well as an artist sent from his church in the jungles of Ecuador. We will see what God has in store for us.....
Thank you for your prayers....I can feel them and know that they are being said. There is much here to distract from the glory of our Creator.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
We're Here!!!
The internet connection is a little tempermental, so I must be brief! We have landed safely in Accra with only one flight delay from Denver to Chicago...We had to switch carriers to make our connecting flight in O'Hare. All luggage came safely with us! That is a first for me in traveling to Africa. Accra is a beautiful, colorful place with friendly people. Although, the lady at customs had a hard time believing I was here for vacation for 3 full weeks.
The fruit is delicious, the food amazing. We went to a church on the campus of the University of Ghana today. I will try to download video of that taken by one of the team members and put it on my facebook page. Much dancing and praise.
Many, many people are praying for us all over the world. We've calculated that at least several hundred people. Well over 500, though. Can't wait to see God move. Thank you so much. I love it here and we've only just begun......
The fruit is delicious, the food amazing. We went to a church on the campus of the University of Ghana today. I will try to download video of that taken by one of the team members and put it on my facebook page. Much dancing and praise.
Many, many people are praying for us all over the world. We've calculated that at least several hundred people. Well over 500, though. Can't wait to see God move. Thank you so much. I love it here and we've only just begun......
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
'Life in Haiti After the Earthquake: It Just Hurts'
This was written by Todd Scott. He works for Compassion International, an amazing organization that helps children afflicted by poverty, worldwide. I had the pleasure of meeting/traveling with him and and the Compassion workers last year in Tanzania, East Africa. I think what he says here is quite poignant....
Life in Haiti After the Earthquake: It Just Hurts
Posted: 01 Feb 2010 07:59 AM PST
Received from Scott Todd, our Senior Ministry Advisor, who is leading our(Compassion International's) medical team in Port-au-Prince.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, Jan. 30 – We had the chance to meet eight leadership students today. We sat in a circle in the parking lot listening to their stories as ashes drifted like snow upon us and the smell of burning plastics scorched the air. They spoke of how important Compassion’s work has been in their lives. Some shared with tears about being selected for the Leadership Development Program. I don’t know whether the tears flowed from joy, gratitude or something sad. Like the dream that almost came true. They had climbed so high. From the slums to the universities. But when we asked how many went to schools which had been damaged in the earthquake all of them raised their hands. We asked how many had lost friends or loved ones and all raised their hands again. At one school 90 percent (180 out of 200) of the students were killed. With buildings collapsed, professors and administrators dead, its hard to imagine how those dreams can come true now. May God have mercy on us if we fail to find a way forward for them. They are Haiti’s future.
I’ve been saying that this disaster is not about the earthquake. It’s about poverty. Most of those who died would have lived if their nation was not too poor to afford rebar in their concrete, too poor to have heavy equipment to rescue the many who were trapped, too poor to provide the needed health care. And as tragic as this disaster is, an even greater tragedy looms. The tragedy of the American media getting bored, Haiti leaving the front pages and the world forgetting – the American Christian forgetting – this country and her people. Again.It’s already happening. Mid-week I saw the headlines. No Haiti. What replaced it as “news”? A controversial gay kiss in a television ad. That would normally make me angry, but I was hurting too much to be angry. It just hurts. We must awaken the sleeping giant of the American church. Awaken her to her God-given mission. Her calling. That she would radiate light in her good works and that rivers of justice would flow from her for the sake of the poor and oppressed. That she would not be trapped and anesthetized any longer by our culture of… call it what you will… lusts and self-satisfaction. If the energy with which we pursue our own entertainment and appetites were deployed on behalf of the poor instead, then the world could be a much better place and we would find the life Jesus promised.
Life in Haiti After the Earthquake: It Just Hurts
Posted: 01 Feb 2010 07:59 AM PST
Received from Scott Todd, our Senior Ministry Advisor, who is leading our(Compassion International's) medical team in Port-au-Prince.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, Jan. 30 – We had the chance to meet eight leadership students today. We sat in a circle in the parking lot listening to their stories as ashes drifted like snow upon us and the smell of burning plastics scorched the air. They spoke of how important Compassion’s work has been in their lives. Some shared with tears about being selected for the Leadership Development Program. I don’t know whether the tears flowed from joy, gratitude or something sad. Like the dream that almost came true. They had climbed so high. From the slums to the universities. But when we asked how many went to schools which had been damaged in the earthquake all of them raised their hands. We asked how many had lost friends or loved ones and all raised their hands again. At one school 90 percent (180 out of 200) of the students were killed. With buildings collapsed, professors and administrators dead, its hard to imagine how those dreams can come true now. May God have mercy on us if we fail to find a way forward for them. They are Haiti’s future.
I’ve been saying that this disaster is not about the earthquake. It’s about poverty. Most of those who died would have lived if their nation was not too poor to afford rebar in their concrete, too poor to have heavy equipment to rescue the many who were trapped, too poor to provide the needed health care. And as tragic as this disaster is, an even greater tragedy looms. The tragedy of the American media getting bored, Haiti leaving the front pages and the world forgetting – the American Christian forgetting – this country and her people. Again.It’s already happening. Mid-week I saw the headlines. No Haiti. What replaced it as “news”? A controversial gay kiss in a television ad. That would normally make me angry, but I was hurting too much to be angry. It just hurts. We must awaken the sleeping giant of the American church. Awaken her to her God-given mission. Her calling. That she would radiate light in her good works and that rivers of justice would flow from her for the sake of the poor and oppressed. That she would not be trapped and anesthetized any longer by our culture of… call it what you will… lusts and self-satisfaction. If the energy with which we pursue our own entertainment and appetites were deployed on behalf of the poor instead, then the world could be a much better place and we would find the life Jesus promised.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Pictures of Construction Site for Week 1
This is a link to pictures of the construction site where we will be building the first week!
http://gallery.me.com/davidmarshallkealy#100088&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=14
http://gallery.me.com/davidmarshallkealy#100088&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=14
A few words before I go....
To all of those who have supported me financially as well as spiritually, I cannot thank you enough. I have raised well OVER the amount I need for the trip with the extra proceeds going to others who need to it as well as other mission teams going on future excursions. It has humbled me to see how generous people have been and continue to be. God, my Jehovah Jirah, has indeed provided.
With that in mind, I go with a true sense of responsibility towards you. Your money has helped pay for my flight, my immunizations, my lodging, and some of the team materials like tools, tape measures, health care teaching supplies, and flashlights. I go not just for myself, but for you and ultimately for the glory of God. Regardless of how much physical help we may provide, what will last eternally is seeds He wants to plant, nuture, and grow. May He be pleased to save those who long for what they don't yet understand.
I feel that I will take away from this trip much more than I could ever give, and I'm excited to experience it in a matter of days! I have always been so humbled to step off the plane and into a country and a continent where love abounds. To be greeted with smiles, hugs, flowers, songs, dance, and rejoicing from His African people is enough to make anyone see how important PEOPLE are in this culture rather than money, possessions, or status. It is like jumping into a pool of ice water after living in the American culture my whole life. I'm not romanticizing the culture of Africa, nor am I complaining of the American way of life. All I am trying to say is that there is a very stark contrast between the two. I leave it up to you to experience it yourself and form your own opinion. For those of you who know me well, it's obvious to see that I enjoy my experiences with Africa and Africans very much.
Please continue to pray for the group as well as me. Below are some specific requests. You can also see to the right the team picture taken at the church service this Sunday when we were prayed over by Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've given me. May God smile upon you and bless you in return.
Prayer Requests:
-Unity among the team. Humility. Love.
-Safe travel, health
-Open eyes and hearts towards the people of Ghana
-Focus on evangelism
-Building of relationships that will last a lifetime
-God's glory would be first in all things
With that in mind, I go with a true sense of responsibility towards you. Your money has helped pay for my flight, my immunizations, my lodging, and some of the team materials like tools, tape measures, health care teaching supplies, and flashlights. I go not just for myself, but for you and ultimately for the glory of God. Regardless of how much physical help we may provide, what will last eternally is seeds He wants to plant, nuture, and grow. May He be pleased to save those who long for what they don't yet understand.
I feel that I will take away from this trip much more than I could ever give, and I'm excited to experience it in a matter of days! I have always been so humbled to step off the plane and into a country and a continent where love abounds. To be greeted with smiles, hugs, flowers, songs, dance, and rejoicing from His African people is enough to make anyone see how important PEOPLE are in this culture rather than money, possessions, or status. It is like jumping into a pool of ice water after living in the American culture my whole life. I'm not romanticizing the culture of Africa, nor am I complaining of the American way of life. All I am trying to say is that there is a very stark contrast between the two. I leave it up to you to experience it yourself and form your own opinion. For those of you who know me well, it's obvious to see that I enjoy my experiences with Africa and Africans very much.
Please continue to pray for the group as well as me. Below are some specific requests. You can also see to the right the team picture taken at the church service this Sunday when we were prayed over by Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've given me. May God smile upon you and bless you in return.
Prayer Requests:
-Unity among the team. Humility. Love.
-Safe travel, health
-Open eyes and hearts towards the people of Ghana
-Focus on evangelism
-Building of relationships that will last a lifetime
-God's glory would be first in all things
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Truth
"Spiritual warfare often means coming to grips with what we are thinking and weighing it against the truth of the Word of God. You will be able to combat lies of the Enemy when you have God's word hidden in your heart. This key to fighting and keeping the faith."
'Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.' Phillippians 4:8
'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' John 8:32
How much of our lives are filled with untruth? What do we set our minds on each day as we wake up and go about our tasks, our jobs, our relationships? The very nature of truth leaves no room for exception. When something is truth, there is no other alternative. It cannot be true part of the time and at other times be false, for then it would not be true at all.
It seems that Jesus speaks of truth and freedom together. One leads to the other. In truth, we are free. How many times did Jesus speak truth and people were set free? Free from disease, free from shame, free from guilt, free from humiliation, free from laws, free from sin.....What would our lives look like if we lived in total freedom? He freed the Samaritan woman, He freed the leper, He freed the hemorrhaging woman, the criminal on the cross....He freed us from the Law. In Him we are accepted and loved completely. In perfect love, there is no fear. No fear is itself freedom.
What are we called to do that we ignore because we are not free? What keeps us from unleashing all of ourselves to serve Him as He has called us? It's a lack of freedom. Maybe we are not free because we don't know the truth. We don't know Him well enough to feel loved, to feel safe, to trust in Him, to take the first step.....
I pray that He would show us truth, so that we can live life freely, so that we can experience things and people that we are currently ignoring and letting pass by us.
"The moment you wake up each morning, all you wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in." --Mere Christianity
"What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could...be their own masters--invent some sort of happiness for themselves apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history...the long, terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."--Mere Christianity
'Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.' Phillippians 4:8
'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' John 8:32
How much of our lives are filled with untruth? What do we set our minds on each day as we wake up and go about our tasks, our jobs, our relationships? The very nature of truth leaves no room for exception. When something is truth, there is no other alternative. It cannot be true part of the time and at other times be false, for then it would not be true at all.
It seems that Jesus speaks of truth and freedom together. One leads to the other. In truth, we are free. How many times did Jesus speak truth and people were set free? Free from disease, free from shame, free from guilt, free from humiliation, free from laws, free from sin.....What would our lives look like if we lived in total freedom? He freed the Samaritan woman, He freed the leper, He freed the hemorrhaging woman, the criminal on the cross....He freed us from the Law. In Him we are accepted and loved completely. In perfect love, there is no fear. No fear is itself freedom.
What are we called to do that we ignore because we are not free? What keeps us from unleashing all of ourselves to serve Him as He has called us? It's a lack of freedom. Maybe we are not free because we don't know the truth. We don't know Him well enough to feel loved, to feel safe, to trust in Him, to take the first step.....
I pray that He would show us truth, so that we can live life freely, so that we can experience things and people that we are currently ignoring and letting pass by us.
"The moment you wake up each morning, all you wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in." --Mere Christianity
"What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could...be their own masters--invent some sort of happiness for themselves apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history...the long, terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."--Mere Christianity
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Itinerary!
With 2 weeks left before the trip, we had our final team meeting. Below is the tentative itinerary. I have added several links to places where we might visit as side trips. I am closer to my financial goal, but still haven't met it yet....Please continue to pray for me! Thank you so much for your support.
Week 1 (Feb. 7-13): Arrive in Accra on February 7th. Do construction work on a new health post site where a permanent clinic is being built (in the capital, Accra). This includes a lot of cement work/bricking. Currently it is 95 degrees farenheit with a humidity of 60%. (During this time we as a team will be staying in a guest house owned by an American couple who resides in Ghana.) Rest on Saturday.
Week 2 (Feb 14-20): Travel from Accra to Assin Fosu on Sunday. Medical outreach at Amoakrom on 15th and 16th. Medical outreach at Anhwiaso on 17th and 18th. Visit Elmina Castle on 19th. Maybe go to Canopy Walk at National Park as well. Radio Station dedication at Assin Fosu on the 20th.
Week 3 (Feb 21-27): Radio dedication at Asamankese (village of roughly 34,000 people) on the 21st. Medical outreach at Lartey on 22nd and 23rd. Medical outreach at Akurakese on 24th and 25th. Travel back to Accra on 25th. Medical outreach at Theo's church (founder of TheoVision) in Accra on 26th. Fly home on 27th!!
This might be helpful in seeing the names of the villages we will be visiting. It is hard to predict how many will be at the mobile medical clinics. I am currently working on finding visuals to help teach handwashing and general hygiene specifically to the women and children as they wait in line to be seen by the physicians. If you have any suggestions, thoughts, I'd love to hear them!!
As you can see, we do have a day or two of rest on the weekends and some weekend excursions to several tourist attractions. Elmina Castle is one of them. I have posted a link below. Again, thank you so much for all your support, encouragement, and prayers as I close in on the date of departure. I'd love to hear your thoughts.....
Elmina Links
http://www.pbs.org/wonders/Episodes/Epi3/elmina.htm
www.blackhistorysociety.ca/Elmina.htm
Kakum National Park, Canopy Walk
http://www.touringghana.com/ecotourism/kakum.asp
Week 1 (Feb. 7-13): Arrive in Accra on February 7th. Do construction work on a new health post site where a permanent clinic is being built (in the capital, Accra). This includes a lot of cement work/bricking. Currently it is 95 degrees farenheit with a humidity of 60%. (During this time we as a team will be staying in a guest house owned by an American couple who resides in Ghana.) Rest on Saturday.
Week 2 (Feb 14-20): Travel from Accra to Assin Fosu on Sunday. Medical outreach at Amoakrom on 15th and 16th. Medical outreach at Anhwiaso on 17th and 18th. Visit Elmina Castle on 19th. Maybe go to Canopy Walk at National Park as well. Radio Station dedication at Assin Fosu on the 20th.
Week 3 (Feb 21-27): Radio dedication at Asamankese (village of roughly 34,000 people) on the 21st. Medical outreach at Lartey on 22nd and 23rd. Medical outreach at Akurakese on 24th and 25th. Travel back to Accra on 25th. Medical outreach at Theo's church (founder of TheoVision) in Accra on 26th. Fly home on 27th!!
This might be helpful in seeing the names of the villages we will be visiting. It is hard to predict how many will be at the mobile medical clinics. I am currently working on finding visuals to help teach handwashing and general hygiene specifically to the women and children as they wait in line to be seen by the physicians. If you have any suggestions, thoughts, I'd love to hear them!!
As you can see, we do have a day or two of rest on the weekends and some weekend excursions to several tourist attractions. Elmina Castle is one of them. I have posted a link below. Again, thank you so much for all your support, encouragement, and prayers as I close in on the date of departure. I'd love to hear your thoughts.....
Elmina Links
http://www.pbs.org/wonders/Episodes/Epi3/elmina.htm
www.blackhistorysociety.ca/Elmina.htm
Kakum National Park, Canopy Walk
http://www.touringghana.com/ecotourism/kakum.asp
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Rachel Christen
As donations keep coming in from people close to me and those I barely know, I want to share with you the generosity of a family who lost their precious daughter in May of 2008.
After living in Fort Collins for only a couple of months, I asked a fellow co-worker where she attended church. She told me that she and her husband had just moved from Georgia to work with children's ministry at a church in Fort Collins. She stated that the she felt one of the strongest aspects of the church was their college group because of their love for each other and the faith they had in seeking out God. I gave her my phone number and told her I might call her about details of the services later.
That Saturday night as I was sitting at home thinking about where to go to church the next day, my phone rang. It was one the wife of the couple that co-leads the college group at this church, Immanuel Community Church. She talked with me about the services at church and the group's study. After talking for about 20 minutes, I hung up the phone and clearly saw God calling me to this church and these group of people.
Now that I've been a part of this group for the last 6 months, I can see why my co-worker was so passionate about telling me the strength of this group. How can a group of 20-30 kids love each other like a family and welcome new people with such open hearts? Well, maybe God used the loss of a life to teach them more about who He is and the love He has for this world.
Though I never met her, Rachel Christen was a good friend to many and a strong part of the beginning of this group that used to be 3 girls and a boy! She lost her life in a car accident in May of 2008 while driving back to Fort Collins from Rocky Mountain National Park. Several of her friends who are a part of this group were in the car with her. I cannot tell you who she was, because I never knew her.
I do know she loved mission work and wanted to become a nurse....in some ways her desires were identical to mine. After speaking with her mother and with several others in the church, I applied for the trust fund that was made in honor of her and her heart for people throughout the world. They have graciously given me a large portion of the funding I need for my trip. I am blessed beyond what I could ever deserve.
Here is the link to Rachel's website. There, you will get to know her better.....
www.rachelchristen.com
After living in Fort Collins for only a couple of months, I asked a fellow co-worker where she attended church. She told me that she and her husband had just moved from Georgia to work with children's ministry at a church in Fort Collins. She stated that the she felt one of the strongest aspects of the church was their college group because of their love for each other and the faith they had in seeking out God. I gave her my phone number and told her I might call her about details of the services later.
That Saturday night as I was sitting at home thinking about where to go to church the next day, my phone rang. It was one the wife of the couple that co-leads the college group at this church, Immanuel Community Church. She talked with me about the services at church and the group's study. After talking for about 20 minutes, I hung up the phone and clearly saw God calling me to this church and these group of people.
Now that I've been a part of this group for the last 6 months, I can see why my co-worker was so passionate about telling me the strength of this group. How can a group of 20-30 kids love each other like a family and welcome new people with such open hearts? Well, maybe God used the loss of a life to teach them more about who He is and the love He has for this world.
Though I never met her, Rachel Christen was a good friend to many and a strong part of the beginning of this group that used to be 3 girls and a boy! She lost her life in a car accident in May of 2008 while driving back to Fort Collins from Rocky Mountain National Park. Several of her friends who are a part of this group were in the car with her. I cannot tell you who she was, because I never knew her.
I do know she loved mission work and wanted to become a nurse....in some ways her desires were identical to mine. After speaking with her mother and with several others in the church, I applied for the trust fund that was made in honor of her and her heart for people throughout the world. They have graciously given me a large portion of the funding I need for my trip. I am blessed beyond what I could ever deserve.
Here is the link to Rachel's website. There, you will get to know her better.....
www.rachelchristen.com
'The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
Isaiah 61:1-3
Isaiah 61:1-3
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thoughts on Missions
God is pursuing with omnnipotent passion a worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshipers for Himself from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. He has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of His name among the nations.
-John Piper
'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' Psalm 46:10
The best that God's people have to offer is ourselves. Only when we put ourselves in direct, personal relationship with the people of God in the hard places do we begin to understand their needs and accompany them in the pilgramage of faith...It is no longer the rich stepping down to help the poor, but brothers and sisters in Christ stepping across to journey with one another.
-Daniel Rickett
'We want to work together wth you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith you stand firm.' 2 Corinthians 1:24
I support short-term missions...Such trips provide two distinct cultures a taste of the harmony that exists between members of the Body of Christ.
-Phillip Yancey
'Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit.' Ephesians 4:2-4
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
-Jim Elliot, Missionary to Ecuador, martyred in 1956
'That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!' 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
-John Piper
'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' Psalm 46:10
The best that God's people have to offer is ourselves. Only when we put ourselves in direct, personal relationship with the people of God in the hard places do we begin to understand their needs and accompany them in the pilgramage of faith...It is no longer the rich stepping down to help the poor, but brothers and sisters in Christ stepping across to journey with one another.
-Daniel Rickett
'We want to work together wth you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith you stand firm.' 2 Corinthians 1:24
I support short-term missions...Such trips provide two distinct cultures a taste of the harmony that exists between members of the Body of Christ.
-Phillip Yancey
'Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit.' Ephesians 4:2-4
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
-Jim Elliot, Missionary to Ecuador, martyred in 1956
'That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!' 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Did You Know.....
+ The country of Ghana is approximately the same size as Oregon.
+ 1,000 different types of butterfly species of been recorded in Ghana. (The entire continent of North American contains roughly 650.)
+ Ghana was named 'The Gold Coast' by the Portugese in the late 1400's due to the large amount of gold mined on the west coast of the country.
+Ghana supplied roughly 10% of the world's gold by the 16th century.
+In 1957 Ghana was the first African colony to gain independence from European rule. It has been accredited for leading the way for many other African countries.
+Main exports of Ghana include gold, cocoa, timber, and diamonds.
+ The population of Ghana is 22.5 million with an average life expectancy of 59.
+The GDP is $2,600 per capita.
+Climate is tropical, hot and humid in the south, hot and dry in the north.
+ Borders the Atlantic Ocean.
Facts taken from Ghana by Phillip Briggs.
+ 1,000 different types of butterfly species of been recorded in Ghana. (The entire continent of North American contains roughly 650.)
+ Ghana was named 'The Gold Coast' by the Portugese in the late 1400's due to the large amount of gold mined on the west coast of the country.
+Ghana supplied roughly 10% of the world's gold by the 16th century.
+In 1957 Ghana was the first African colony to gain independence from European rule. It has been accredited for leading the way for many other African countries.
+Main exports of Ghana include gold, cocoa, timber, and diamonds.
+ The population of Ghana is 22.5 million with an average life expectancy of 59.
+The GDP is $2,600 per capita.
+Climate is tropical, hot and humid in the south, hot and dry in the north.
+ Borders the Atlantic Ocean.
Facts taken from Ghana by Phillip Briggs.
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