Taken for Granted

Living in America my entire life I have had so much more than I ever realized, even when it seemed like I had very little. Having many opportunities to travel overseas for short-term missions trips and recreation, I would see different things that I took for granted every day. For example, having a roof over my head, running water and more clothes and shoes than I could possibly wear. If I had $20 in my pocket, I was extremely blessed compared to most of the world. Working with orphans in Russia and Mexico I realized how much I took my family for granted. Doing ministry in Peru I realized how much I took my health for granted. So coming to Africa, I had an awareness of some of the things I will be without while I am here that I have taken for granted in the past. I was prepared to experience some of the realities of life here that I would never experience in America. But I had not considered what I have come to identify as the greatest thing I have ever taken for granted: I have a Bible and I can read it.

I have been aware of the fact that millions of people around the world do not have a Bible (after all, that is why organizations such as Wycliffe exist). So, I don’t know why I never considered the fact that here in Ghana people would be without Bibles. Growing up I have had many Bibles. Many Christians in the West have several Bibles in different translations; and still, many people rarely if ever crack one open. What people here wouldn’t give to have a Bible of their own!

I have been working in youth ministry for almost three years now and we have always stressed the importance of reading God’s word daily. Going to camps there was always a time set aside for each person to read their Bible. We have the Life Journals in Hawaii to encourage people to read daily. Coming into ministry here in Ghana, where a majority of the kids do not have access to a Bible, it has been a real challenge. I could not even imagine how I could grow in a personal relationship with Christ if I didn’t have a Bible. Now I really have to re-think the way I do ministry. Because much of the way people learn is oral (meaning through telling stories), I am trying to teach the word of God in a way that can be easily understood and yet still accurately portray what the Bible says.

I am so thankful that I get to experience this, even though it’s hard, it is such a huge reality check for me! I don’t think I have ever thanked God for my Bible until now. I certainly hope that you too, will be thankful for everything that the Lord has blessed you with. When you think of putting off reading your Bible, take a second to think about the millions of people around the world who don’t even have the choice to put it off. And please pray that the Word of God will continue to spread around the world. God’s work is not limited to the people who have a Bible, He knows and He is doing a mighty work in this place!

Adapting to the Culture

Adjusting to life here in Ghana has been a lot of fun. To say that it has been HOT would be an understatement! But the people are so friendly and generous that it is easy to overlook the intense heat of the day. I have been working on learning the language, which is about a half-hour walk at 2 in the afternoon to my language helper's house. But the journey is fun and I get to practice along the way. I am hoping to buy a bicycle soon in order to save some time. Nancy is the name of my language helper, she is a lovely lady and is very helpful in teaching me as well as taking me around to meet other people who also have helped me. You should see the response of the people when I greet them in their own language! They are so appreciative that I am trying and it is very encouraging for me and inspires me to continue to learn more. This has also helped me to meet several people that I can build stronger relationships with.

Working with the youth on Sunday afternoons has been the highlight of the week. We are working on a skit for Palm Sunday as well as a song, "Lord I lift your Name on High" (a classic...), I play the guitar and their eyes just light up. It is such a blessing to be a part of the ministry here in Tumu.

The girls and I (Charity and Gina, two of the short-termers here), are waiting for our house to be finished so we can move in. The electricity has been connected, and we are now waiting for the finishing touches and we will be moved in soon (hopefully). It is really nice to have some girls my age here and we are really connecting well. In the evenings, we usually watch an episode or two of "Friends" (my favorite) and have a good laugh. The Lord is blessing me so much already and I am very excited to see what He will be doing in the upcoming months.

Warfare

I have traveled to the Upper West Region of Ghana where I will be staying in the town of Tumu for the next nine months. There is a striking contrast from the hustle and bustle of city life in Accra to the small town vibe of Tumu. I am experiencing what some may call “real Africa” up here. Electricity and running water is rare, cooking is done outside the home, the use of a toilet or latrine is almost unheard of for most people, and the need of the gospel is astounding.

Islam is spreading like wildfire and there is a Mosque in every village. I am in a spiritual war-zone fighting for souls. When I asked what is so attractive about Islam to these people, the answer was surprising but it actually made sense.

Money comes in from Saudi Arabia to build a Mosque; they will then use the money to offer villagers a better life if they convert to Islam. They (the Saudi’s) will build a school next door to the Mosque and offer farmers new tools and so on. To the chief of the village, they will offer a plane ticket to Saudi Arabia and a truck. For people who are struggling to stay alive and feed a family, Islam promises a life of prosperity.

This did not rub me the right way at all. It made me wonder where the Christians are in all this? Why aren’t we building schools and giving people trips and vehicles? Then as I was reading my devotions, the Lord reminded me of the truth that I have known and proclaimed over and over:

Mark 8:34-37— Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Following Jesus clearly does not mean that all our problems here on earth will go away. In fact, he says that we will suffer for our faith. So then, why should anyone follow Jesus? Why not just convert to Islam and live a better life? Well, because it is not about this life, it’s about eternity; and it’s certainly not about us, it’s about God. He is not going to try to lure us in with all kinds of fancy things or empty promises, that’s Satan’s job. God wants our hearts, he wants our devotion and he wants a real and genuine relationship with us. The great thing about God is that He gives us love, freedom, peace, hope and joy; all the things that money cannot buy. But God knows our needs and he does provide (look at me, I’m in Ghana!), and He takes care of his children! There is absolutely nothing in this world that compare with a relationship with the creator of the universe. NOTHING. There are plenty of brothers and sisters around the world loving God and living in horrific circumstances who would testify to this. The challenge I am now faced with is to reveal this truth to people who are blinded by the promise of affluence as well as to disciple young Ghanaian believers to cultivate their own relationship with Christ that they may reach out to more than I ever could. I have a great mission ahead of me, but “one with God is a majority”.