We have some people visiting Ghana from the NICS home office. They are supposedly here to discuss plans for the new school building that will be built in the next couple years, but I think they are really here to take us all out for a fabulous birthday dinner in honor of me! Ok, maybe not, but it will be a nice addition to the birthday celebration! Not only will we be getting a nice dinner on Tuesday night, but also in honor of my birthday, we will be getting Wednesday off of school! Ok, again, it's not really for me! But I'll take it! We are still trying to decide what to do with our day off...the beach would be fun, but it's still not really beach weather here in Ghana. It's still not that hot (really I'm not complaining!) and it's been rather cloudy.
Anyway, one of the NICS visitors did a devotional this morning in our morning meeting before school. He talked about the Golden Rule and the Silver Rule. We all know the Golden Rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The Silver Rule is the flip side of that. "Don't do to others what you don't want done to you." It's amazing how much more powerful Jesus' version is than this! You can do a whole lot of nothing and still abide by the Silver Rule. God has so much more for us! We must be active in caring for others and loving those around us. This was a great reminder to me to be loving the kids I teach, the teachers I work with, and those I work for here in Ghana. Sometimes I feel like a total failure when it comes to the Golden Rule. Even after hearing this message only this morning, I became angry, frustrated, and disappointed in those around me. Praise the Lord for new beginnings each day and an unconditional love to show me again what love really looks like.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Back For Year THREE
Coming back to Ghana...
No big deal right? I've been doing this for two years now. I have my routines. I get excited about trying new airlines and visiting new airports, but other than that I know the drill now.
I was thinking about this...I know how to travel overseas...I know what to pack...I know what to expect when I get there...I know what I will be teaching...I know a number of my students...I know EVERYTHING!
Ok, not really! It's scary how easy it is to rely on myself when I should be relying on God. Just because I know somethings, does not mean I am in charge. I have been learning the past few days that I need to submit to God and give Him control especially when I think I can do things on my own. Gye Nyame is a common symbol here in Ghana. It means except God, meaning you can do nothing except through God.
I was also given a little reminder of what it was like to come to Africa two years ago. Two women sitting near me on the plane were traveling to Africa to teach at an international school for two years. They had no idea what they were getting into or what they would be experiencing. I was excited at once for them. I tried to answer some questions and reassure them as I reminded myself of the amazing-ness of this opportunity that I have set before me as well. Yes, it can become routine or even frustrating, but God is still using me and He is still working miracles in Ghana. I am blessed to be a part of it!
No big deal right? I've been doing this for two years now. I have my routines. I get excited about trying new airlines and visiting new airports, but other than that I know the drill now.
I was thinking about this...I know how to travel overseas...I know what to pack...I know what to expect when I get there...I know what I will be teaching...I know a number of my students...I know EVERYTHING!
Ok, not really! It's scary how easy it is to rely on myself when I should be relying on God. Just because I know somethings, does not mean I am in charge. I have been learning the past few days that I need to submit to God and give Him control especially when I think I can do things on my own. Gye Nyame is a common symbol here in Ghana. It means except God, meaning you can do nothing except through God.
I was also given a little reminder of what it was like to come to Africa two years ago. Two women sitting near me on the plane were traveling to Africa to teach at an international school for two years. They had no idea what they were getting into or what they would be experiencing. I was excited at once for them. I tried to answer some questions and reassure them as I reminded myself of the amazing-ness of this opportunity that I have set before me as well. Yes, it can become routine or even frustrating, but God is still using me and He is still working miracles in Ghana. I am blessed to be a part of it!
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