There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Hello All!
I am so excited to share that the time has come, and I now have a return ticket and date for Ghana! August 9th is the date I will head back to the country that God has strongly put on my heart to return to and continue what He set into motion last year. It is no secret that if you follow my newsletters or even social media, that I LOVE sunsets. I found it a sweet blessing that shortly after purchasing my return ticket to Ghana, I witnessed this beautiful sunset. During my time back here in the States, I have been recharged, refocused, refined, stretched, challenged, and most of all I have been reminded and shown more and more of how amazing God’s love and provision truly is! I set out on a support raising journey in April after officially joining Equip International, and in just two months, I am so incredibly thankful to report that sufficient funds have been provided for the budget goal I set out to meet! To God be the Glory! The body of Christ around me have really shown up and showed out in acts of obedience and faith in gracious giving towards the ministry I feel led to do in Ghana. I have had the privilege of visiting several churches, groups, and individuals on this support raising journey and have been overwhelmed with love, encouragement, and support towards my return to Ghana. I sincerely enjoyed each speaking opportunity and visit with brothers and sisters in Christ. I also had the opportunity to speak to two different VBS gatherings which reminded me of how this journey all started for me. It was both surreal and humbling for everything to come full circle as I was able to share with children here about the children I will soon go to on the other side of the world to continue to teach about Jesus.
There have also been many exciting connections the Lord has provided during my time here that will help make ministry more effective when I return to Ghana. Equip has connected me with a “Member Care” resource, a couple who has ministered in Uganda for the past 12 years. I will be video chatting with the wife once a month to have a time of connection, prayer, and encouragement. I am very thankful and excited about this since I am in the village of Zuime independently as of now. There has also been much interest expressed from teachers here in the US to connect with teachers there in Ghana! My mom, who is a gifted and passionate teacher, has helped me brainstorm and create potential ways of implementing a cross-cultural teacher mentorship program.
Lastly, I will be participating in an online TESOL certificate program beginning in late August. Once I complete this program, I will be more equipped and qualified to facilitate the literacy evangelism ministry I feel led to implement beginning with the children and teachers in the village of Zuime. I have already connected with a professor from this program that has provided me some cross-cultural literacy recourses that I can have access and use in the program I will be focusing on. Most of this curriculum that has been provided to me comes from a Biblical perspective and uses Bible stories and songs to help teach English!
As I return, I know there will be some obstacles I may and will face. Some prayer requests I ask you to join me in are:
Saying goodbyes to family here and reconnecting to family in Christ there.
Exploring more long-term visa options and the requirements.
Discernment in forming new relationships with people to help with the new focused ministry.
Precious who is struggling with past addictions while he is in boarding school.
Keeping my eyes and focus on Christ through all the upcoming transitions and challenges and to consider it all joy!
I want to end this update with some words from a book I am reading called: “Serving Well.” In this collection of journal entries by a missionary couple, I have found great encouragement and needed guidance as I prepare to head back. The wife writes about writing her name in the sand in the land she is called to serve. She gives the example from the book of “Sarah Plain and Tall,” when Sarah expresses how her heart has taken up residence in a place that is both overwhelmingly good and harsh. As I read about this missionary’s experiences, I also felt I could completely relate. I sometimes get annoyed with daily life and struggles of the many East/West cultural differences and get discouraged by the sin problems inherent in an exceedingly corrupt society. Yet, I love the land I have been called to. I love the people God has placed in my life to live with, grow with, and disciple and be discipled by. I love the coconut trees, dirt roads, and beautiful barefoot children. I pray that my love, which can sometimes turn to frustration, will be sustained by God’s love in me for them to love and serve well.
In my last month here before I leave for Ghana, I would love to connect with anyone who might be reading this that is interested to learn and hear more about what I feel led to do in Ghana! Please feel free to check out my website: www.sustaininglove.org for ways to help, pray, and stay updated on all things Ghana! Also, my FB page Sustaining Love, or email at chelsi.matthews15@gmail.com are other ways to stay connected.
Thank you all for keeping up with these updates! God bless you all,
Chelsi Matthews
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