Beauty of Africa...

As i sat in the OneHope office in Ghana last week i struggled to find the words to explain my little African adventure. I could hear the roosters crowing, the bleating of goats and the hustle and bustle of everyday Ghanaian living. There's always a lot of horns honking and people moving. When you are stopped by heavy traffic there's always someone trying to sell you something to make your wait just a little more pleasant. On the side of the road you can buy your lunch, water, chewing gum, a toy for the kids, sunglasses, phone chargers, car seat covers, juice, nuts and just about anything else you have ever needed while sitting in a car...the side of the road always provides just what you need! Just one detail of Africa's beauty...

We attended a GodMan showing on Friday night. I love being at GodMan showings, or book distributions or anything where i get to interact with the kids. What i love about kids is, they are fearless...they will ask you anything...and they are always honest! Definitely provides for endless entertainment. As we finished setting up there was already a group of kids on the out skirts of the "parking lot" we were using to show the movie. I told my friends "I bet right now they are daring each other to be the first to touch us, or talk to us or if they are real brave ask us to be their friends." Sure enough a few minutes later a few brave ones approached the crazy white girl and said "My friends dared us to ask you to be my friend!" What a beautiful way to begin a friendship!

Thus the journey began. Mavis, David and Daniel became our "proper friends". The questions started: where are you from, what do you eat in America, why are you here, can you come to my school, how old are you, can i come back to America with you...and so on. I would have say that my favorite by far was when little David, age 10, piped up and said "Andrea, have you ever given birth before?" Now because of the accent i thought i might have misunderstood...but he said it again and it was clear as day "have you ever given birth?" Usually people ask me if i have kids, but hey i guess it is just another way of getting an answer to the question. So i answered David "no...ha ha..no David i don't have any kids." David was satisfied with my answer and we walked over to sit down and watch the movie together.

David and I shared a chair throughout the whole movie, and when the kids were asked if they would like to pray and ask Jesus to be part of their life...David went up. How precious to see a 10 year old realize that he can't live a life with out a meaningful relationship with Jesus. Pray that God continues to work in David's life! This is an example of true African Beauty.



Until next time...ask some questions and enjoy the beauty of Africa...

Africa seeps deep in the cracks of your heart...

I can't believe that it is only a short 5 hrs before i leave for the airport to head to Ghana. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to update.

This is my first time to Africa in a year. It is hard to believe it has been that long. Before i took my first trip in 2007 to Africa i heard this phrase "The red dirt of Africa is not only embedded into the soles of your shoes, but it seeps deep into the cracks of your heart..." How true this statement is! I still have shoes that have a red tint to them and pants that will never be blue again. And a heart that was forever changed by the things that Africa taught me.

I leave tomorrow for Ghana. It is my first time to Ghana but i know the people are amazing! I look forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones. I will be there a week doing some set up for trainings we will be doing in May. We will also be working with a new program called 17 Stories.

It is so easy to go from place to place, follow the normal drill and allow it to become part of life. My prayer the next week, is that i will allow the Lord to change my heart again. Speak new things into my life, grow my passion for people and stir my heart.

Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, surprises, changes and different people. Its amazing to know that through the craziness of life - the Lord never changes and always stays the same. My goal and purpose in life is to make sure that everyone around the world know who Jesus is. That He loved us so much that He died on the cross.

There are people in Africa who may have never heard this message...so let's do it..this is the year i pray that Africa sees Jesus!

Until next time, pray for Ghana...