Truly truly truly I can't believe I am leaving in just a few days!! What an amazing day today was.  It was my last day of teaching, which was so sad - but it was a great day.  I took a walk after school today with some of the cottage mothers and the younger children.  Normally every Friday they walk to a nearby village called Kotoku, but we just walked to nearby to where some of the boys were playing football and cheered them on.  It was a treat to walk with the girls and sing, hold hands, and be silly, since a majority of my time with them has been in class.  I really enjoyed this.  Tonight at the dining hall was the "activity night" for the teenagers.  I just returned about an hour ago and it was so much fun!! They have this on Friday nights for the kids.  They bring out all sorts of games, crocheting, beads, embroidery, and set up Ping Pong too!  The six gentlemen that are here from TX are a true riot and were quick to get a Ping Pong tournament going.  It was a great time.  We closed the night by singing praise songs while the boys gave us a great drum beat and one of the men from TX had his guitar.  It is amazing to be in a setting like that and feel the presence of God as we sing!  What a great way to spend a Friday night! 

Just finished dinner at the dining hall with the children.  We had traditional African food for dinner - Kenke and tomato stew, with some fish!  Shortly I will be joining the ROS missionaries here and the team of mini-missionary men for a "dessert night" to honor the men that are here from Texas.  They arrived yesterday morning, and this morning started building a new playground for the children!  I hope to get some pictures this weekend as it progressively takes shape!

Teaching can be very challenging.  Today I am uplifted by Romans 8:28, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  I know even though I struggle, even though I don't feel capable, even though I may have no confidence, I can yet put my confidence in Him and in all things he will work for the good in every situation.  

Thought of the day today in Bible study: Our only hope in trials is trusting in the character of God.

Amen. :)

I can't seem to wrap my mind around that Monday is over already. Hm. This weekend was wonderful, I really enjoyed myself. I don't even know where to start - there is so much to take in here that I have been exhausted.  I have come to the conclusion that I am mentally on overload - and my mind is so stimulated, especially by all the things I see when we drive into Accra.  Parts of it are beautiful, but there is so much poverty. It is so different. Seeing these things has been a blessing; it truly solidifies how God has chosen each and every child to be here at Rafiki and to be used to His good purpose.  

Attached is a snapshot of me and a few children.

Teaching this week will be a challenge with the new age groups.  Please pray that the children will be obedient to me as a new teacher, and that God will faithfully equip me with all that I need and confidence to follow through it.  Sometimes I lack a sense of being sure of myself and what I am doing, even though all the while I do love teaching.  I suppose it is something that takes time to acquire. :)  I have been greatly encouraged and touched by closely watching the interaction between the older, teenage boys and younger boys this week.  I have watched with wonder as I realize how endearing the older ones are; they take these young, vulnerable, and sometimes unruly boys and encourage them in godly ways.  They are so helpful to the mothers, and the teachers as well.  It is amazing to see them treat the others as though they are true brothers, and has nearly brought me to tears more than a few times.  

Church yesterday was in Accra, and was a great experience.  The service started at 7:30, so we had to leave at 6:30! Wow, I don't remember waking up for church that early....uh, ever!  It was so nice though.  The service had such beautiful music; the Ghanaian people can TRULY sing.  The message was on the Great Commission laid forth for us in Mark 12.  I wish I could have recorded the service!  I also have become fascinated and fallen in love with the attire the Ghanaian's wear. :) ....Yes, I did buy a skirt and some fabric to bring home!

Please praise God for the way He works here at Rafiki and for how mighty he is.  

Pray for the possibility of three young boys who were orphaned last week and the chance that they might have to come have a home here.

Thought of the Day:  Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and Man, which reminded me of this verse:

1 John 2:1-2 "...But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous one.  He is the atoning sacrafice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

Wow, today was an amazing day!  God is so good and I feel so blessed to be here.  My sister tried to explain to my nephews before I left that I was coming to Africa to teach children about Jesus.  In fact, I think we had it mixed up....because in all reality, the children are teaching me about Jesus.  I am so amazed by the way God works in our lives. 

Thought of the day from Bible study: God's mercy is undeserved favor and grace.  It is not based on man's perfomance.

I went to downtown Accra today with the village director and childcare director.  I had an amazing time!  Seeing Africa firsthand is eye-opening.  There were so many people....We had a chance to do some shopping for African fabrics, look for fabric for the children's new pajamas and bedsheets, and buy some groceries.  This picture is of the childcare director and I - we are drinking a commonly-sold purified water "pouch" - Fun times!

Preschool this morning! Coloring was so much fun....they don't get a chance to do this much. Their smiles, "please madame"'s, and "thank you"'s make you melt. :)

Give a 1st grader a glitter glue stick, his/her eyes light up.  Tell a 1st grader to not make a mess with a glitter glue stick? Not so much. :) I had a great day today! I love introducing the children to art, coloring, even tutoring math has been fun.  I brought the preschoolers paper and crayons today and we did "outdoor" rubbings - creating and learning about texture!  Most of them did the same concrete bumpy surface, but it was so much fun.  They lit up while coloring, and were so excited to show me their creations and see if I would say it was nice.  I love their smiles and simple pleasures.   In first grade we finished our solar systems...glitter in hand.  I worked with sixth grade today on more Cubism drawings, blind contour self portraits, and some charcoal sketching.  It was probably my last day with this grade as I will be teaching art next week to class 2, 3, and 4....therefore we tried to cram quite a bit in!  They really enjoyed just using new media and being able to do something different and creative!!  

Teaching is tiring!  I am pretty much busy busy all day from Bible study at 7:30 in the morning until 6pm after dinner.  So...now I will rest, read, and go to bed early.  I am really looking forward to tomorrow.  I will be with the preschoolers in the morning for an hour, and then head to the market with some of the ROS here! It will be a great time; I really look forward to seeing the market in Kotoku.

As we are learning about Job these weeks I am here, I am finding this Bible study so fascinating.  I really  love learning about Job.  ...Thought of the Day on Day 2 is: A fruit of the spirit is kindness, but the fruit of spiritual arrogance is hasty and thoughtless.  Day 3:  Faith is trusting God in the midst of trials and suffering when nothing makes sense.  

School Sessions

What a beautiful and blessed day it is here.  Well...except the power just went out again... :)  No worries.   It seems that is a regular occurence here, once in the morning, once in the afternoon and it usually stays off for an hour or so.  No one here seems to notice; school sessions keep right on rolling, meals in the dining halls are kept right on eating!  The only reason I notice is because then the air conditioner and or fans go out making it awfully sweaty!  I am not sure what made me think that West Africa was hot + dry, because it's definitely the most humid!  So...where do I start..... Today is Tuesday and I started teaching today.  If you want to talk about diving into something, and not being 100% confident of your abilities, then please come to Rafiki.  I taught art classes to 1st and 6th graders today, I also tutored in math. (ME? What?) It is quite nice to have a copy of the teachers textbook for when I am clueless of the answers...:)  My days here are scheduled out from early morning, and packed until 6pm when I am mostly free for the evening to catch up on projects for classes, read, and rest.  We have a Bible study every morning at 7:30am with the National workers, which is wonderful.  They are a delight and truly humble me with their faith and their determination for godliness.  I move directly to working with preschoolers after this, for an hour, where it is very relaxed and we play, laugh and sing.  They LOVE to sing to me, and they all want to stand next to me and hold my hand.  I played "bowling" with them today too... They are so sweet, especially these small ones.  You can see such joy and hope in their eyes and hearts, and they truly make you melt.  Their laughter is contagious.  How gracious our God is to extend this love and mercy to us all, and how appreciative of His love they really are!  I walk to the primary school around 10, bouncing from math, art, lunch, and back to math and art.  The children are eager to learn, and very polite.  They greet me when I walk into their classroom "Good Morning, Akwaba (welcome) Madame Maria".  :)  I had several children ask me today in whispers "Madame Maria, will you come back tomorrow?"  One girl in first grade ran to me and asked if tomorrow, when we put glitter on our "planets from the solar system" we are creating, could please have the gold pen, "I love the color gold," she said.  So innocent and so sweet.

Every afternoon at 4pm I work with the STAR program - Story Time At Rafiki.  I read to a different cottage every day.  Myra, thank you for the brown baby doll you gave me, He has a home!  He is the new STAR mascot, the world-traveling doll from the US and Kenya!  The children are in 100% concentration when I read, and giggle if I do too. - They are so well-behaved, and so easy to fall in love with.

Mmm.. That's all for now.! I suppose I can't post this until I have power....

evening sky at rafiki

Arrived and Well

Wow, what a journey!  After a long day of traveling, and not being exactly sure what to expect, I am here - Praise the Lord!  I arrived this morning (7:30am Sunday) in Accra.  Driving to the Rafiki village was a great experience, as I just looked and looked at my new surroundings.   A woman who works here named Karen picked me up from the airport, along with a Rafiki student "Coffey".   We stopped at several roadside stands for fresh fruit (bananas, watermelons, pineapples, coconuts, avocados, roasted plantains!) for me to keep at the guest house.  I can't wait to eat it all!  Roasted plantains are my new favorite already.  

After resting for several hours, I am off to have dinner and orientation with the village director at her home.  I look forward to hearing about her role here at the village and getting to know her.  I feel so blessed and watched over today; God surely is good to me.   I am so encouraged by the overwhelming amount of friends and family that have been praying for me.  Thank you! I love you all.  Especially I want to say thank you to Sarah and Tracy, and the LT children for your beautiful and encouraging cards that I just opened!  I was deeply touched reading the notes and artwork from the children about my trip - I need to find some tape to hang them in my bedroom here!

Colossians 1:2b "Grace and peace to you from God our Father."  

Love,

Maria

Please visit www.Rafiki-Foundation.org to read and learn more about the amazing foundation I am traveling with. It is such an exciting thing that they are doing in Africa; I feel so blessed to be a part of it. To get a better idea of where I will be at, here is a map. I will be in the capital of Ghana, which is Accra.

As I have been preparing for my trip, and anticipating this new experience to come, this verse has been a stronghold when I feel any anxieties...

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you will go."