The Silver Lining

Note: This blog entry was originally posted on the Waters Edge Ministry blog (weministry.blogspot.com) in late July. I resubmit it here; the feelings remain the same. AT What’s it really like? People sometimes ask me that question after I’ve returned from a mission trip. When you get there, it’s like a curtain has been opened for you. Your senses are heightened; you want to see, smell, hear, taste, touch everything so that you can experience it to the fullest. You’re the first one awake in the morning, and the last one to sleep at night because you don’t want to miss a thing by being asleep. Time sort of downshifts, and people move at a different, slower pace. Yet it also flies by quickly, creating a time warp for those who dare to step into this place. Every pore, every cell in your body is attuned to your surroundings. You see more stars in the darkness of night because there are no other lights competing and blocking out their brightness. The birds’ singing brings you into wakef...

Tuesday morning dawned with rain. Our trip this year coincided with Ghana’s rainy season. For two solid weeks before our arrival, it had rained buckets. Friends emailed us, advising us to be sure to bring an umbrella. Indeed, when we landed two weeks earlier, we landed in a rainstorm. But by the time we left the airport that day, the sun was breaking through the clouds. There was no rain at all during our stay – until the morning we were to leave. God knew what kind of weather we needed and He provided! The gray clouds on this day of our departure mirrored my mood. The suitcases sat by the door, glaring at me in accusation: WHY are we leaving this place? Since we had to be at the airport by 8:00 am, we had to leave by 6:30. This was a mighty early start to what would be a very long day. We shared a quick breakfast of rice water, bread with jam, and tea with Rev. James’ wife Mary one last time. (We already said our good-byes to Rev. James on Sunday...

Back to Ghana..... We woke on our final Monday with full hearts and a full agenda for the day. I always like to lie in bed at dawn, listening to the birds wake the rest of the world. I allowed myself this little luxury then rose to start the day. First was a quick visit back to the market! We'd purchased some bracelets on Saturday, and the lady was stringing them on elastic bands for us. So we went to pick them up; I was also getting some colorful waist beads for a friend of mine. I loved looking at the colors of the beads -- no two waist bead strings were alike! I walked through the market one last time, absorbing all of the sights, sounds, and smells into my soul, trying to burn them into my memory. The place is bustling, alive, organic -- and as I recall the tiny stalls filled with beautiful fabrics, colorful beads, household goods, dried fish, beans, groceries, and on and on...I'm feeling nostalgic. I can hear the "sss--sss--sss" of the young men as they pus...

This will be a short entry, unrelated to Ghana. I'll finish the Ghana series next week. But something occurred to me today that I feel I must write and share. My husband is a handsome guy, fun-loving, athletic, and FULL of energy. He used to say he had "all the energy of a 2-year-old" then a year or so ago he decided he had "matured" a bit so now he says he has "all the energy of a 4-year-old." That actually is a fairly accurate statement! He enjoys golfing, dancing, swimming, boating, scuba-diving, sky-diving, the list goes on and on...and he is really good at anything he tries. If you know me, you know I was the kid in school the team captains fought about who had to take me on their team. In recent years, I've had to take steroid medications to help me with breathing -- which has added several pounds to my already chunky frame. So today, we went out for a boat ride. It was a lovely day, and we swam a bit, played with Scarlett (who LOVES to...

Sunday dawned and we prepared ourselves for church service. Each of us on the team wore new outfits, designed & sewn by Richie's wife Victoria. Mine came with a headwrap, which I figured out how to wear, tie, and look halfway decent. I love worshiping at Christ Harvests the Nations Sanctuary. It is spirit-led, spirit-filled and I have learned much there. This morning was no different, the air was super-charged with worship when we arrived! Singing, clapping, praising -- a glorious riot of song and energy! I couldn't wait to get inside, to add my own voice to the praises and prayers being lifted high! Victoria sang a couple of songs, oh how I wish she would record a cd. Her voice is pure and strong and so full of feeling. Then the choir sang -- and the whole congregation stood, clapping in time to the music. Several church members gave testimonies. One young man spoke of getting an unexpected job offer; another talked of getting a pay increase. Then Chief Takyi, ...

Our last Saturday in Ghana, we loaded into the van and headed toward Accra. We'd "play" today -- most of our work was finished. The Kwame Nkrumah National Shrine was closed for repairs. We had hoped to visit there; I've been a time or two, but I like to share it with team members because it gives a good view of Ghana's recent history. The symbolism of the place intrigues me, also -- the building itself looks like the handle of a sword; indeed it is supposed to look like a sword buried in the sand up to its hilt to symbolize peace. We went to the Arts and Crafts market. What a busy place! Tiny stalls, jam-packed with jewelry, carvings, paintings, clothing, baskets, leather goods, drums, just about everything you can imagine! A riot of color and sound, with people calling out to you, beckoning you to come take a short look at what they have to offer. It can get a little bit suffocating, to be honest. Bargaining is commonly the way to shop, too. "Come, Madame, I...