Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
And Your glory above all the earth.
Psalm 108:5
Hello everyone!
I am writing this newsletter from a place of gratitude and Awe of my Heavenly Father. As we are entering a season that is for giving Thanks and celebrating our Savior’s birth, I want to take this time to express my gratitude to all of you for hanging with me update by update, month by month, season by season. Thank you!
As always, I would like to share some key quotes/scriptures/and song lyrics that have been instrumental in my own heart as I navigate the daily spiritual, emotional, and physical battles and here in Ghana.
People are people. They all need food and water and medicine, but mostly they need love and truth of Jesus. I can do that. We can do that. The same God created all for us for a purpose, which is to serve Him and to love and care for His people. It is universal. We can’t do it in our own strength or out of our own resources, but as we follow God to wherever He is leading us, He makes the impossible happen.
-KATIE DAVIS MAJORS
There are times I feel utterly overwhelmed. Then I stop and realize it is not about me, period. It is about God. It is about His family, and all of us working together.
-HEIDI BAKER
I’m gonna fix my eyes on Jesus
Walking with the One who walks on the sea
Oh, I’m gonna give my life to follow
Wherever You lead
-KRISTENE DIMARCO
UNITED FOR A COMMON VISION
An opportunity came out of all my traveling back and forth between two places that led to organizing a joint training with the group of teachers in Aflao I have been working with along with the group of teachers in the village where I have been doing my field practice hours in Ho. Gladys, who I met a few months ago, came to Aflao to facilitate a training on how to implement a literacy and numeracy program for vulnerable children that either have never attended, dropped out, or have fallen through the cracks of the education system and have no educational foundation. A lot had to fall into place for this to happen, and I praise God for how He provided every step of the way! It was such a joy to witness two different groups come together with a common vision, which is to show the love of Christ to children using education as a platform. Glady is so gifted in teaching and connecting with her fellow brothers and sisters from Ghana in a way that penetrates their hearts. Praying this will be a seed planted that will sprout in the hearts of various children in the near future!
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PREPERATIONS
The Sustaining Love Kids program has still continued on despite some logistical challenges over the past few months. The children who are committed, they have been consistently coming. The teachers have begun preparing the children to participate in a Christmas program which we will host the first day of the Christmas break for school children. We are planning to invite parents and anyone within the community who wants to come and participate and watch the children perform songs, dramas, and recite poems and scripture focused on the birth of Christ. Praying this will be an intentional time to shed light on the light of the world!! Thanks to provision from a sweet Sunday School class in Boaz, Alabama, we will be able to give the children Christmas gift, snacks, and make program an overall enjoyable experience!
YOU ARE INVITED
I often get asked, “what do you eat there??” So, here is a picture of one example! This is called Kontomere Stew, which is basically casava leaf, palm oil, spices, and fish all cooked together. This is a meal we prepared for Gladys and her husband when they came for the teacher training. We ate it with Yam. Food preparation sometimes is tedious and time consuming here, but the result is always worth it. Especially when it can be enjoyed in fellowship! It reminds me of Acts 2:42 when all the disciples devoted themselves to communal life and breaking of bread together. My prayer is that we as the family of Christ will get back to this way of life being the center.
To conclude this newsletter, I want to express again how my heart is full of gratitude! This season of life has been tough, but God is bigger than any obstacle, heartache, or disappointment. He has been so merciful and gracious in areas of my weaknesses. God has also faithfully filled in gaps I have felt recently through providing connections and unexpected fellowships with other sojourners on this side of the world. I am humbled and encouraged to be broken bread and poured out wine for Him, as He allows. My Buddy (Alawu) also says thank you all the love, support, and prayers!!
Good-bye for now! Sending love and prayers from this side of the world to yours.
Chelsi
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