Month 2 aka “All Squad Month” comes to an end today as we finish up our time with an LDW (leadership development workshop). This month has been beyond busy and overwhelming in the best ways possible. I’m looking forward to our 3 or 4 day trek to Cambodia so I can process and reflect on this past month.
After our month 1 debrief in Accra we took a bus to Sunyani where we have been partnering with a church called Elim City. Each day we go out to different parts of town to evangelize and build relationships with the locals and invite them to church. It has been a full month of building solid friendships, listening to incredible testimonies, and getting to know God’s heart for the people of Sunyani. What’s really interesting is that most of Ghana is predominantly Christian and there are more churches and posters for churches than I’ve ever experienced back home. It has been an incredible opportunity to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and challenge them to pursue a personal relationship with the Lord in addition to going to church on Sundays.
One of my fondest memories from this past month will be sitting under a beautiful tree and listening to the testimony of our Ghanian grandpa, Immanuel. He shared his journey with the Lord, his deepest passions and desires, and then cracked open his Bible to discuss different passages and beliefs with us. The team I was with when I met Immanuel had been visiting him regularly and it was so sweet to experience such a sweet friendship that had evolved over the course of only three weeks.
Another one of my fondest memories was getting to befriend a lady who owned a cupcake shop named “dat Cake life”. We frequented the shop regularly and got to know the owner and her passion for baking and cooking. It was fun to get a taste of her world and what she loved and talk about Jesus with her and build a friendship that would have never happened if we hadn’t been walking the streets of Sunyani.
I also thoroughly enjoyed playing soccer this month on Saturdays. A group of us would wake up early and head to Elim City Church and play full field matches with a group of men from the church. I enjoyed playing and getting to bond with people from the church over our common love for soccer. It was funny to see all of the guys have no mercy for one another on the soccer field and then the next day in church be kind and gracious with each other. Soccer has definitely been a highlight since being back on the field and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to play with locals!
It has been so fun to walk alongside F squad and see the different ways they have left a lasting impact on Elim City Church and the city! I’m living alongside so many talented men and women who are also so passionate about life and bringing God’s love to all. I’ve been so encouraged and blessed to hear their stories both from the past and present and to walk with them through this epic kingdom journey. I realized in a one on one with my squad mentor at the beginning of this month that I am literally living out all of my passions right now: getting to walk alongside men and women and disciple them while also serving in countries overseas and experiencing new cultures! I feel immensely blessed to be pursuing God wholeheartedly overseas again and to have the opportunity to pour my heart and soul into fellow believers who want to experience more of God and the abundant life He calls us to!
As always I have so many stories to tell but too little time to get them all posted as blogs. I’m hoping to write a few blogs during my transition to Asia and post them for you to read! Thank you for being patient as I figure out how to write and blog more!
Ghana has been such a rich country and a whole lot more comfortable than my Ivory Coast experience. 😉 I’ve had AC, a comfy bed, mini fridge, and private bathroom this month which has been SUPER nice! Thanks Lord for letting Ivory Coast come before Ghana!
West Africa has been an incredible experience and I am so sad to be leaving Africa. I love this continent so much and I’m sad not to know the next time I will be back, but also very grateful to have spent 5 months here!
Cambodia is our next country and I will be splitting my time between two teams! Yes, I am still calling this trip to Cambodia the “Redemption Tour”. So please be praying for my heart as I head back to my least favorite country from my race, I know God has incredible things in store for this upcoming month!
Overall, I am healthy and doing really well and loving every day of this incredible journey God has me on! Thank you for faithfully praying and reading my blog! Wifi will be better in Asia so plan to hear from me more often!!
Love you all so much!!
Until Next Time,
Michelle
(F Squad!!)
(Enjoyed working out with the squad this month! We did a tire workout that consisted of 100 tire flips, 100 pushups, 100 inclined pushups, and 100 burpess…I did more pushups that day then I’ve done in 5 years…I was sore!)
(Ghana has been absolutely beautiful!!)
Here is a pic of F Squad’s awesome leadership team! I love these coleaders so much!! Left: Cristen, Sylvia, Alissa (mentor), Zach, and Alex! My coleaders are still raising support for their time out on the field with F squad and I ask that you would join me in praying for them!!
Cristen needs $4600! Check her blog out! cristenpage.theworldrace.org
Sylvia needs $1600! Check her blog out! sylviabarrett.theworldrace.org
Zach needs $3500! Check his blog out at zacharylarson.theworldrace.org
AND last but not least check my mentor’s blog out at alissavanarnam.theworldrace.org
