Hopeful Path

A Day in the Life

So its 5:10 am. I turn off the alarm that is on my bed, inside the mosquito net. I lay in bed talking to God in my mind (sometimes out loud with a song or two he-he). Anyway, I roll out not too long afterward and get that hot water going for that GREAT cup of instant coffee! I prefer Arocafe (India) over Nestle (if you are wondering). Isn’t great, I still have an opinion about instant coffee! The hot water heats in seconds as they have electric pitchers i.e. the electric coil is actually in the pitcher vessel in direct contact with the water. It heats fast and hot! No food for me, just coffee and vitamins.

I read for a while, stopping for conversations as the Lord leads, since my day does not really “officially” start until 8:00 am. I journal too most of the time in the morning. Then it is off to the races. Oh, I forgot to tell you about my commute. I leave my apartment, turn right and walk about 50 feet to my office!!! Oh, did I say I am SPOILED:) They have provided me with a lovely, one bedroom with bath, apartment. It has a kitchen/living space too. All freshly painted, new air conditioner and a bathroom. I will have to take a picture of my bathroom, they really did a wonderful job. I will really have to sharpen my cooking skills as Ghanaian hospitality requires my door be always open with food and drink available. I love it.

The work day starts at 8:00 am with devotion with the “entire” staff. Usually about 70% make it to the meeting as RMC always has guests, so some will always be busy. We sing and clap, take turns covering a verse or two, have announcements for the day, then end with “Shall We Say the Grace.” I go to my office after saying my good mornings to most of the staff (sometimes I have to run though). What have I been doing? Mostly observing and listening (at least I hope).

My role is as an consultant to the many mission projects and business in mission opportunities that they are pursuing. Of course, I have to learn much more of the culture, business practices, and ongoing details to contribute in any significant way. So that is why I join in business meetings, “shadow” employees, involved in some of the mission work, and otherwise ask a bunch of questions.

We go personal evangelizing. This past Sunday, two young men that we reached out to, came to church for the first time. It was gratifying to see and thanked God for His work in their lives. I am the teacher at a “house church” meeting every Saturday at the Cultural center with normally between six to 20 people attending. Director suggested I start with Matthew Chapter 5, 6, and 7. That was over a month ago, we are just now finishing Chapter 5! We don’t just talk about the verses, but we really spend most of the time on application. Most share willingly about their struggles, considering our forum. Oh, we meet under a nice shade tree!

We go to West Hospital to pray for the sick on Thursdays. Malaria is particularly bad this year (the nurses told me), so the wards are overflowing with patents. Our prayers are needed. We go as teams with Faith Bible Church members (except house church, where I have been alone). One of my most enjoyable “works” here is listening to people’s concerns about life and God. It is amazing the willingness of people to express and that think of their life in spiritual terms, not just physcial and material terms.

I also spent the last three weeks with Azuza Pacific University students, here on a short term mission trip. We went to orphanages, schools, and of course spent one night in Kulkpene. It was beautiful and enough for another story sometime. The APU team served in the orphanages, schools, and doing mission administrative work with me. They are a wonderful group of people and know that God is going to use them mightily, if they choose to stay the course.

I normally eat lunch; rice with cabbage or something similar. My work day “ends” around 7 to 8:00 ish. I also take dinner at the RMC, so I am not working straight through. On Wednesdays evenings, we go to the 7:00 Bible Study (I have led it too). On Friday nights, we have our prayer meeting. Then on Sundays, we go to church from 9:30 am to 12:00. The weeks are full, but not overfull as relationships are more important that getting a specific project completed by a certain time. Ghanaians are a flexible and loving people; relationships, interdependence, and community far outweigh personal success, individuality, and self-interest.

I am normally exhausted by 9:00 pm. I try and reflect a little about the day before actually closing my eyes, but have lost that battle more than once.

My HEART and PRAYERS are always for you: be strong in the Lord and the strength of His Might! Don’t lose heart or courage, but serve those God has put over you as if you are serving the Lord (which in fact you are).