Traveling Home

I have heard from everyone. We are home! There are stories to tell and adventures to share, but the end of the story is that we will all be diving into our real lives in one way or another today. Perspectives class with homework, trips to pack for at the end of the week, friends and family to reconnect with today. Laundry that will smell like the hard work in hot weather needs to be done and presents from the market sorted. And of course there is jet lag to fight.

I will keep praying for the spiritual lessons we learned not to be lost in the middle of real life. Hang on to what He has revealed. Thank you John for our team verse from Psalm 37.

Better the little the righteous have than the wealth of the wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in HIM.
Psalm 37:16,17,39,40

Work and Kids

Ghana is hot, but this morning when we got up there was a fog and humid, kind of rainy day happening in Adidome. As we drove the sun came out but there had obviously been rain in the village. How did we know? Bigger puddles in the potholes and white flowers that sprang up to welcome the morning. I hope we got a picture. They were gone by the time we drove out in the hot sun, but what a greeting.

It was a work day, a day of progress and a day of organized chaos with the 300+ kids who come to school. They walk from miles around and wear a purple uniform so they are easy to identify. I knew right away that the 3 big boys in Pre K were new because they had no uniform. They arrived this week when school returned after break. Somehow they were able to leave their work with the cattle and come to school. Big smiles and helpful hands. They are glad to be with the 6 year olds learning how to hold a pencil and sing songs about God's love.
To me these boys looked about 14 years old. I will try to find out their ages tomorrow.

So we sang songs, played kick ball, laughed and talked. How good is the Lord to remind us of His care for each and every child. How does He count the hairs on our heads and our tears. Emily said the class she attended had a girl with no book to do her work in. As the class continued, she cried to be left out. We do not know the whole story, but I am convinced that God knows and cares.

Praying for a soft heart and a willing, grateful spirit.

Settling into the trip

Ghana STMT January 14, 2010

The day arrived. First a gathering for prayer in Menomonee Falls Wisconsin was held. We prayed for our time to be filled with God’s gracious provision beyond our imaginations. We asked for mercy in Haiti as the word of the earthquake damage began to be told and we prayed for Pastor Bob’s heart surgery happening at that very moment.
Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona folks were going to meet in Chicago’s O’hare International and head on out to Accra via Frankfurt. The evening news has been full of flight delays, heighted security and terrible weather. We missed it all! Well the security is tight, but they let everyone in our group onto the Airbus 333 even if some of us did have our bags searched a few times. How great to have had smooth sailing on this portion. Seems to me that the team is a bit road weary, but feeling ready for the challenges ahead. We have learned songs for our Bible teaching in the school and read over cross-cultural tips for West Africa. Now to just get there!
Emily turned around in her seat and reminded me we are closer just now than we have been all week. YEA!

The passport control forms are filled out and we will try to nap until the plane lands.
Eli, Brad, Dayna, Marlilyn, Laurie, Scott, Carl, Carolynn, John, Jim, Tiffany, Emily and I are glad for all prayers offered on our behalf. Our hope is for a night’s sleep and then we are off to the next adventure!

arrival in Ghana

here is a note from one of the team members!

We would like to let you all know that our team has arrived safely in Ghana!! Today was our first full work day and it went well. It was around 90 degrees with 90% humdity and most of the church building took place in the open sun. We are happy to report that nobody got dehydrated! We are back at the Center now cool, relaxing and full from dinner.

Now that we have the internet up and running, we will try to post updates as we are able.

Thank you for your prayers and support - God is blessing in unbelievable ways!

From GO GLOBAL!

Hello Ghana Team! Please note that the restrictions for carry-on luggage for flights into the United States has changed. From United’s website… Effective December 30, 2009, all customers traveling from or through Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to the United States are limited to a single carry-on item. Your carry-on bag... must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin; should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 in. (23 x 35 x 56 cm) (length x width x height) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm); and may be required to travel as checked baggage if the bag cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight. You are allowed 2 checked bags each up to 50 lbs each bag (you will be charged for even one pound over 50) and 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Just a reminder to be sure to have the following important items with you: · passport · yellow immunization card · copy of your flight itinerary · medical insurance document · Emergency Contact Information sheet You should check in online at www.united.com within 24 hours of your scheduled flight departure. Plan on arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before departure. We here at I.N. Network USA are praying for you as you prepare for this journey, for your time in Ghana, and that God would bless you and your ministry to the people there. Safe travels!

2010 Arrives!

It has arrived! The new year and we are now counting the days to departure. Hope you have a basket full of goodies to put in a suitcase soon for the trip. Weigh it all and spend some time debating what really needs to make the trip across the ocean.

Don't forget your Bible! And take note of the new carry-on policies out of Frankfurt. What we are reading says one carry-on bag out of Frankfurt to anywhere in Africa. Make sure everything you bring can fit into that one bag.

I hope we can all meet in the Chicago International Terminal Food Court before we go through security for the Lufthansa flight. If all goes according to plan, the AZ folks should get into O'hare about noon. As you arrive, head on over to the spot just before security. We should be able to meet and greet! Our flight is scheduled out at 3:40 pm. We are supposed to have 3 hours in Frankfurt.

There have been some communication questions. Sometimes it helps if you have someone at home send out your emails to a list. If there is trouble getting an internet connection, we can send a quick note to one person who will spread the word. I hope you all have at least 10 people committed to pray for you while you are gone. We can put someone on sight in charge of gathering prayer requests to send out. Don't we have an IT person on the team? :)

Culture Shocking: Are you ready?

thought I would post some tips that I.N. Network suggests for team members
There will be a quiz Saturday afternoon January 16th

Traveling Outside Your Comfort Zone

You probably packed your favorite remedies for headaches, cuts, bug bites and that pink medicine for when you’re “intestinally challenged.” But what did you pack for culture shock? What is culture shock anyway? To help understand it, let’s imagine this scenario: When you arrive at your site, the warm weather feels great, the village seems quaint and friendly, and your hosts are engaging and responsive. But, after a few days you feel your attitude shift. The honeymoon is over. Now the heat is stifling, the village is closing in on you, and your hosts won’t give you a minute to yourself. Is that culture shock? In a definition, culture shock is the disorientation that results from unfamiliar surroundings and unmet expectations.

So, yes, culture shock has begun. Nothing is predictable, and daily living has an uncomfortable feeling. You find yourself critical and complaining...and disappointed for even feeling this way. You may even feel like going home. Just remember that these are all very normal feelings for anyone traveling outside his or her own culture. And, now that your awareness of this phenomenon is heightened, you will want to be especially careful of having a judgmental attitude as it’s one of the first things to creep in.

When things are different from one’s own customs, values, and behaviors, they are... just wrong or intolerable, or at the least, just plain weird. It’s even true at home. When someone does something differently than you do, it’s common to think that you do it the right way and they do it the wrong way. Experts say that people from every culture around the world think their way is the right way. This is called ethnocentricity. It’s very important to understand that the social behaviors of another culture are not necessarily wrong; they are just different from yours. They can be appreciated and enjoyed.

You may need to remind yourself of this phrase, “IT’S NOT WRONG; IT’S JUST DIFFERENT.”