God is so good!

God is so wonderful! He can do anything!! My faith in Him grows daily as I learn to trust Him with all my needs. It is only Monday and two amazing events have already happened. First of all, I have a summer teaching job that will not interfere with this trip! I will be teaching a 4K class in the same school I am currently subbing. This teaching assignment ends about 1 week before I leave for Africa. What other summer employment could I have that would work so well with my schedule!!



The next wonderful thing that happened was that the principal has given me about three boxes of school supplies for Africa. I have yet to determine if the supplies are needed for the missions I will be working with, but I'm sure God will find a way for me to use the materials in a way that will glorify him! I can't help but think about the guest speaker on Sunday who has served with several missions teams over the years. He told a story of a trip where he brought yarn along when the purpose of the trip was to build a church or school. He didn't know why he brought the yarn, but figured why not. During his trip a woman came forward and explained she knew how to knit, but didn't have any yarn... guess what he gave her? If he hadn't packed it he wouldn't have been able to fill that need. I'm not saying I am expecting this same thing to happen... but what if?



I continue to pray for the wisdom to see God's work and plan for me. I want to follow His plan and not create my own. That is not an easy task!! I like to know all the details and be able to plan accordingly, but I am learning to just go with it at the moment. And, I'm learning that God works in His time, not mine. I want the comfort of knowing I will have a full time teaching job next year, but I am learning to find comfort in what God is providing for me now. I have a lot to find comfort in!

We Are FULLY Funded

I am in awe of God's wonderful power! Yesterday I was informed that our missions trip has been fully funded! But, I have a feeling God is not finished yet. Whatever money that comes in from here on out will go directly to the mission! I am so very grateful to have so much support for this trip (financially as well as in prayer). God is making it very clear that this is what I am supposed to do over the summer- there is no question in my mind.



I pray I will keep an open mind to do what God wants me to do while in Accra. I know I want to work with the babies, but I keep reminding myself that I will be there to help in whatever way is most needed. I cannot wait to see what that may be.



I am continuing with my preparations, putting it all in God's hands. I have scheduled my immunizations with the hope I do not have a negative reaction that would interfere with my possible summer teaching position. I am waiting to hear if I will be teaching this summer (which I am also laying in God's hands). I have also been informed that the school where I am currently subbing for a teacher on maternity leave may or may not be hiring full time teachers next year. I am qualified for two of the possible openings, but they may be conducting the interviews while I am in Africa. So, once again I am trying to give this to God and let him work out the details! The principal knows how badly I want to teach and that I will be in Africa. Hopefully we will all be able to work something out. Like I said before- I am TRYING to give this to God.



For now I continue to teach first grade and prepare for my trip in August. I am trying to be patient and let God lead me where he wants me to go. I will have a busy summer, but I have a feeling it will be the best summer of my life. (At least the most life changing!) Please continue to pray for me as I continue this adventure.

Mack & Leann's Guide to Short Term Missions By J. Mack and Leeann Stiles

I just finished reading a great book about short term missions trips. The authors caution readers to not go on these trips thinking of vacations, or saving a culture. It is not our job to change their complete way of life; it is our responsibility to share the gospel with them and help them to understand how God wants them to live. That does not mean we need to change their culture! We must be very careful not to impose our way of life onto the people we will be working with. We must have humble attitudes and go as servants of the Lord, not Saviors of the people. There is only one Savior, and I can assure you, that is not me! It is our God in Heaven who will be watching over us; I pray I can make him proud!

Thank you Ellen and Al for the great books! I am beginning to read the other book you sent as well: Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility- By Duane Elmer

Recently I had the opportunity to learn about an amazing mission "West African Mercy Ministries" (WAMM). Brian and Debbie McIntyre, missionaries of WAMM who share God's love in Ghana, Africa, spoke at my home church (Grace Bible Church) and their message touched my heart. I have had the opportunity to meet with Brian and Debbie and have felt the strong desire to go on a short missions trip to Ghana.

We will be working with WAMM to help the sick and dying babies. This ministry has a burning desire to help orphans, and it is my strong desire to help with these babies. However, I know God may have other needs for me to fulfill, and I am willing to be of service wherever God needs me.

Ghana, Africa is a West African Country bordering the Gulf of Guinea, and is about the size of Oregon. Ghana has a population of about 23,832,495, with an infant mortality rate of 51/1000. Ghanaians speak English, so we shouldn't have to worry about a language barrier.

I am excited to be able to participate in this experience and pray that God will use me to demonstrate his love and mercy. I am also excited to see God at work through this trip. I am going way out of my comfort zone by not only getting on the airplane, but also asking for help. I did a lot of praying before sending out the letters asking for financial assistance! I hope those who received the letters were able to see God's work in progress.

We are collecting old deactivated cell phones as a fund raiser for Ghana. It is a good way to get rid of your unwanted cell phones and give to a good cause! Contact me if you would like to donate your cell phone.

I'm going to Ghana!!

I never thought I'd be going to Africa! I have never been on an airplane, and didn't plan on ever getting near one. I guess God has another plan for me. In three months from today I will be getting on an airplane headed for Ghana (well, one layover, then straight to Ghana). I am excited and scared, luckily I find comfort in the Lord.

I have been reading as much as I can about Ghana, and preparing to get the rest of my immunizations. I haven't been able to get as much studying done as I had hoped; teaching takes up a lot of time! But, I can feel God at work in my life already.

This missions trip is being sponsored by my home church- Grace Bible Church in Adell, Wisconsin. Ruth (my mother-in-law) were the only team members going to Ghana this August- we were nervous, but we prayed hard and trusted God to provide us with a team leader. (Did I mention neither of us has ever flown before!) God is faithful! He not only provided us a team leader- he provided us with a team leader who has been to the exact place we are going! He has worked with Brian and Debbie (the missionaries we will be working with) and knows what we need to do. Jim is an answer to our prayers! He has been able to help us with everything!! He even purchased our tickets so we didn't have to figure that out.

So, our passports are here, our tickets and insurance are purchased, and we've begun getting our immunizations. I guess that means we are going. And no, there is no way I will change my mind. I'm committed to this because I know it is what God wants me to do!

Today I learned our missions trip is 75% funded! That is wonderful! Thank you to all who have given! And, thank you to all who continue to pray for us! Without you this would never be possible.