Our team has been greatly blessed to stay with the family of Emmanuel and Maryanne and their seven children for our month in Northern Ghana. I have encountered God the most this month from their selfless, joyful, and faithful lifestyle.
I am continuously blown away by their faith. They constantly give glory to the Lord for everything from water to drink to waking up in the morning. Emmanuel and Maryanne have their own church that meets on their property, which includes all of their children plus about 20 other neighborhood kids and a few other adults. He calls all the children his “Engineers,” knowing how smart and gifted they are, and that God has massive plans for their futures. He constantly encourages them and speaks life over them.
The children gave up their rooms for us to stay in for the month, and rotated sleeping on the floor and the remaining beds. They are regularly serving us in every way possible. From doing our laundry to making our food, these children have been raised up to be selfless servants. It’s absolutely incredible, and they do it with a smile on their face and genuine joy.
They never let us wash our dishes or clean up anything. It was actually really hard to accept at first!
I mean, we came from half way around the world to serve the people of Northern Ghana; at least let me do the dishes every once in a while! Instead we are being served and treated like we are royalty. When we would go to do media outreaches in the surrounding villages, the children would load up all the equipment into the truck and set it up at each location for us!
All we did was the preaching! Don’t get me wrong, I realize that’s kind of important… it’s just been such a lesson for me in hospitality. I thought I was a pretty hospitable host, but I have been challenged to say the least.
The entire family, including all the children and many of the children in the community, fasted and prayed for us for the week before we came.
Today, Palm Sunday, they are fasting until dinnertime on behalf of America and our callings once we return back to the states.
Yes, all of you who are reading this: children in a remote village in Northern Ghana are fasting and praying for you and your impact on our own country.
Let that marinate in your mind for a second.
Emmanuel and Maryanne faithfully teach these children the word of God, and they live it out! This past Friday, they had a service at the home, and five of the children preached the Word. I was blown away again; these kids are after Spiritual Meat! I’m so impressed by the upbringing that Emmanuel and Maryanne are offering all of these children; they are raising up the future leaders of Ghana!
Emmanuel would probably have a fit if he knew I was posting this blog, because He’s consistently telling us to write praises of the Lords work, not our work! He’s one of the most humble men I’ve ever met. If there’s ever been a story to write about God’s impact on a community through a man, this is the testimony of it!
I thank the Lord for this amazing family. I have been changed for the better because of them.
