Here is a video of some of my photos from the trip!

Enjoy the African Music!!

My Trip to Ghana

It's Time To Go Home

This morning (Thursday), I emotionally didn't want to wake up. I didn't want to go to the schools. I didn't want to pack. I still don't want to go home. 

Chapel was fun today. In JHS chapel, we sang three songs and did a skit called "Sin Monster". The skit was funny and exciting for the kids. We were able to remind them that Jesus is the only way to get rid of our sin. After the skit, we each chose a child to come up front and choose their favorite song we have sang. The kids chose some great songs. We ended with their favorite, "JOY". It was a bitter sweet song that time, knowing that it was the last time we were able to sing it with the JHS kids. They were all so sad it was their last chapel with us. After chapel for JHS, Ivan wanted to get a picture with most of the school kids so we all went outside to the yard area, and had a teacher take a picture of most of the school kids from the third story. About 10 minutes later, we were finally able to stand still in a mob of kids smile for a few pictures. 

The primary chapel went well. We did the same sort of thing with them, and they also choose some great songs to sing. We also ended with JOY, and they just kept on singing. It makes my heart happy knowing that they can sing praises to God with Joy in their hearts knowing Jesus loves them. 

Our cook had made breakfast for us: Spicy Spring Rolls with ketchup and coffee! It was delicious, but we had to hurry to leave. It was very sad to drive out of the parking lot with over a hundred kids waving at you with sad faces. It's hard knowing you will most likely never see those kids again. 

We drove to St. Paul's to pick up the other group and see the superintendent of the Lutheran schools in Ghana. We sang our Ghanaian song for him, and he thanked us for our work in the schools and presented us with a coffee mug from the Evangelical Lutheran Church - Ghana.

 Heather had a hair appointment to get her hair plated (braided) so Ivan and Jennifer went with her while the rest of us had the afternoon to cleanup, pack, and hang out with each other. When they returned, we did our debriefing of the weeks, how things went, good, bad, what we could change in the future. Then we moved into our final devotion and affirmations. Getting and giving words of affirmation, encouragement and optimism from your team and to people you've only know for almost three weeks is an amazing feeling and very emotional. It was quickly ended because it was time to eat and head to the airport. The airport went fairly smoothly, it would've been easier if things were marked out, but everybody leaving today got through, checked in, and as I am writing this, we are sitting on the plane waiting to take off to London. The long flights home begin with a bittersweet farewell to my beloved Africa.  

Our Last Full Day

It was a little more difficult to wake up this morning after we have had a few days to sleep in. Everybody is just a little worn out. 

At JHS chapel today, our skit was called "Southern Fried Chicken" which is the name of a fast food place here. The customers came in asking for eternal life. I, as the cashier, asked them how they were going to pay for it. Their answers were good works, smarts, muscles, and money. These were all rejected. Finally someone said they couldn't pay because Jesus had already paid for it. The kids were able to understand it!  

When chapel was over, their SOS, (Superintendent of School) came forward for a presentation. They were so thankful for us being able to be there with them. After many more words of thanks and tears, they presented us with handmade Kente (kent ay) cloth. They are beautiful. 

Instead of having primary and nursery chapels separate, we had them together. Wow! There were not enough seats for all of the kids! The church was so full, It was so awesome to see. 

We had to skip out on our breakfast at breakfast time because we were late for our kindergarten craft time. We got to color the Jesus pictures with them and take lots of pictures. It was difficult today to keep up the energy with them. But they were excited to have us there with them. 

During their break time, we were able to hang out with them. We sat around and talked with them. I showed them pictures of my family. They were very curious about them, my home, America, and the seasons. It was fun to be able to share a part of home with them. 

For lunch: fresh fish! Yes, we did get an entire fried tilapia and we ate it with our fingers. By far, the best fish I've ever eaten! We also had banku, which is a very popular Ghanian dish that is often eaten with soup. It tastes sour, almost like sourdough bread dough. It tastes okay. 

After lunch, we made the Christian fish with the fifth graders. They really enjoyed the fish and were able to Tell us about the meanings of each part. They were glad we came to their classroom on the last day. 

When we got back to the guest house, Jordan, Alicia and I walked back to our favorite store Global Mama's to get some last final things. 

Please pray for Malinda and Alicia. They have been very ill this evening. It makes my heart sad to see my two roommates sick.