...

Near tears with frustration but rather than a vent session I'll list the INCREDIBLE things God has done today...

1. Allowed the opportunity for me to share about His work in Ghana with a church in South Texas through which many have decided to support and partner in ministry. During advent season the children will be collecting money for items to put together school kits for children in a newly established school in the Volta Region.
2. The pastor asked me to stand with him and greet members of the congregation on their way out and the encouragement I received from the small amount of time I was there is just beyond words! I will remember their words and offering of prayers when I find myself in Ghana asking God, "What is going on?" :)
3. Got to have lunch with a vibrant young woman who has the desire to travel to Ghana.
4. Today the Lord provided all the money needed to ship donated materials.
5. I've been able to spend the last few days with Daddy packing up materials. I've really enjoyed my time with him these last few weeks!
6. Got to hang out with two beautiful young women for a couple of hours chatting about life and just being present. Fun stuff! It's nice to be able to be laid back and real.
7. God works everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose...

Still near tears... :/

God is faithful. This one thing I know. :) Prayers are much appreciated.

The Lord began putting things in motion (as far as I could see it ) almost a month ago and as of now it looks as though I will be leaving for Ghana on December 8th and will return at the end of February next year. This trip will be about the same length as my last trip, hopefully with no lengthy detour this time! With relationships already established, I hope and pray this trip will produce more in the way of disciple-making and encouragement in the body of believers and in the new school. But I trust all things to the Lord and His purpose, which is imperative in such a dynamic setting with two very different cultures working together!

I don’t know how many people you keep in touch with who are involved in mission work in our world but I do keep up with quite a few via blogs, newsletters, etc. I enjoy seeing what God is doing and I enjoy learning from the work God is doing through missionaries. One thing I don’t see very often with others (and I confess I’m not very observant) is the struggle in it all. At times I’ve really felt alone in the struggle. I ask all the ‘W’ questions, “Where God? When? What? Why? Who?”

I know the truth. The truth is we all struggle with the same questions no matter where we are in life and in our service to the Lord. Even still, with my departure date barreling toward me, I have some battles I feel like I’m fighting within my heart and sure would appreciate your prayers. If you are totally unfamiliar with the Third World culture and how things work, it may be beneficial for you to Google a little bit (if you’re a fan of research like I am) so that you might better know how to pray at this time. I would GREATLY appreciate prayers in regard to the following concerns:

· Pray that the Lord would provide the right interpreter, one living within the Volta Region. Rather than bring someone in from the city, I would like to use a local young woman, who would be able to walk side by side with me through my two and a half months in Ghana. I see it as an incredible opportunity to be a living witness and encouragement. The motorbike driver, Godson, who escorted me everywhere last year, is now serving under Pastor James and has been assisting with preaching within different churches. Learning this has been an incredible encouragement to me of what the Lord can do in a life. Many concerns come to mind when working with someone especially considering character traits such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, etc. My hope is in the Lord and that He will provide. Will you pray that I will heed His leading?

· Pray that as arrangements are made (after arriving in Ghana) to stay in a remote village (for a week at a time) that the Lord would work things out for my safety. I’m not one who usually prays about personal safety but for some reason I feel differently about this situation. Currently all I’m aware of that is available for housing is a tent…not exactly secure. I’ve always told people I feel safer in Ghana than in Texas, BUT I’ve never stayed as the only foreigner in a remote village. The people in this village are hungry for the Word and in June they asked if I would come and stay with them and teach them. The invitation is there and currently I am clinging to Philippians 4:4-9. No worries at the moment but I could certainly use your prayers that I can stay that way until the Lord provides as He’s promised (Psalm 32:8)

· Would you pray that the Lord would just reveal hearts as I work with new and old friends in Ghana. This was my prayer last year, and the Lord definitely steered me away from working with some people who seemed like upstanding citizens; in addition He allowed me to work with people with whom I was discouraged by some to have nothing to do with. After returning home I learned the answer to the “why” question and things that didn’t make sense in Ghana at the time began to make sense. I praise God that I heeded His leading and was able to steer clear of some possible difficulties. I want this to be my prayer again. Would you pray that God would just allow me to see and hear more than what a person is doing and sayign? That I would be able to witness their heart and motives as we work together in Ghana? That may sound a little out there, but in a situation such as this I think it’s pretty important. And God’s answered before so I know He will again if we pray!

· Finally, as a few of you already know, I have struggled at times with “reverse culture shock.” (This link defines it well… http://www.australearn.org/for_alumni/reverse_culture_shock/) For the most part it has been only family who has been up close and personal with my struggle to understand and ‘find my place’ within both worlds that I’m a part of right now. As much as I hate it, sometimes I find myself more emotional than usual OR I swing in the opposite direction and feel like my heart hardens itself to those around me. Usually I only have to work through this time when I return from a trip but maybe because I just returned five months ago, I’m still struggling in some areas. During these moments I can find myself quite frustrated! Would you pray that through it all, the Lord would keep my heart tender to His calling and purpose and that as I focus on Him the frustration would just melt away? I realize more and more everyday that opinions don’t matter and even the facts will fail in the end. The only thing that will stand is the Lord, His Word and His people! …but I can still use your prayers that, as I prepare, none of this junk will get in the way!

I will certainly keep you all posted on further advancements and prayer requests but these are the things that are weighing heaviest on me at the moment. And just a note…I can understand why people/missionaries don’t often mention the struggles they are in…because what would people think? That we don’t have it all together? Well, the cat’s out of the bag! I don’t have it all together but I trust in the One who does and I know you do too! This is one of my favorite parts of having you as my support team…I don’t have to do this alone!

Thank you all for your support! Thank you for allowing me to be candid and thank you for stepping into the presence of God on my account. Who could ask for more? Below you’ll find some lyrics to a song I heard this morning that I decided would be my prayer…

You lift the sun into the sky
You lift us up
Open our eyes
To see Your face
And what You’ve done
You took the nails to give us love
And we stand in awe before Your throne
There’s nowhere else that we can go

We’re waiting here
Waiting for you God
With our hopes and fears
We come empty hands held out
Lord draw us near
Heal these broken hearts
And lift us up to fall before everything You are
(Lift Us Up to Fall by Tenth Avenue North- Great Song!!)
I super excited about what the Lord has in store. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Love,
Sandra

God is faithful...

I leave for Ghana December 8th and return February 23rd! Prayers are appreciated!

Life Update

I haven't written anything on here since August so I'll play catch up...



August included time in the office at Hope for the Hungry settling accounts and turning in paperwork from the spring trip to Ghana (and the inadvertent side stay in the U.K.). This time was an incredible time in which I was able to work through some cultural struggles with the help of the compassionate missionaries at Hope. During this time I also got to make a trip to the Houston area and visit dear friends. This was also a much needed time of refreshment.



September and October I stayed busy. Each Tuesday and Thursday I spent the morning as a volunteer within a kindergarten classroom. My goal was to learn basic teaching methods and patterns for working with children and introducing the alphabet, phonics, rhyming, etc. In just a few weeks in the kindergarten classroom I think I learned more than I did the first time around 21 years ago! I learned many strategies and I also learned something about kindergarten teachers...they have mastered the art of A.D.D.! This teacher was incredible! She could be teaching and then turn to me and give me ideas on how to use natural resources in Africa to teach the same thing, and then she would go right on teaching! I'm telling you...kindergarten teachers are some of the most special people on this earth! If you know one, next time you see them tell them your friend Sandra says, "Thank YOU!" :)



Also in September and October, as my "tent-making job" I drove as a substitute school bus driver and I substitute taught a little bit. The school district kept me plenty busy but I thoroughly ENJOYED the opportunity to build relationships with other school district employees and just be real. We talked about family, friends, missionaries, kids, the community... There are some really neat people in this world and some pretty encouraging ones as well!



October included another significant event that I found myself devoting much time to and enjoying be able to do so. My dad accidentally cut his wrist while working one day. It has been a cRaZy month or so to say the least! During this time he was told his injury was nothing major, then two weeks later ended up having surgery and has spent the remainder of the time in a bit of pain as he heals. He took nearly a month of of work and is finally back at work. Daddy has been a great example of Christ likeness through his injury and healing process. While naturally frustrated at the inconvenience, he has handled this situation with grace and a thankful heart. While I would not at all wish this on him, I am grateful for the one-on-one time he and I have been able to spend over the last month.



Now we are into November! Already! I had hoped to leave for Ghana by November 30th but the Lord has not put things in order yet. So tentatively (until He shows me its a yes or no) I have the beginning to mid-December as my departure date and hope to return by late February. Currently my month of November includes a trip to North Carolina with a dear friend during which I will be able to meet some of my mom's side of the fam for the first time. I am excited to be there with my grandmother and see where her family grew up and where she called home. I think it will be a special time. Then we will travel to Kissimmee, Florida to hang out with some amazing friends and their beautiful new daughter! Our stay will be short but I look forward to cherished time there as well.

Over the next few weeks I will be traveling quite a bit visiting friends and family and sharing with churches the great things God is doing in Ghana, W. Africa! Your prayers appreciated and thanks for keeping up with me!!!