Our red-head goes on a journey {part 8}

Things you see in Ghana:

{And you can see these pictures bigger and clearer by simply clicking on the picture}

And isn't this just it?  I mean really....isn't everything?

The local highway rest-stop

Especially while babywearing...

So apparently, this is a problem....

There's one of these on every corner in America too, isn't there?

Just relax....

Finally, isn't it all?

Our red-head goes on a journey {part 7}

Apparently, this new American craze of baby-wearing isn't all that new.

Look at how content {and mostly sleeping} all the babies are.

Our red-head goes on a journey {part 6}

Fun sights from Africa; otherwise, known as really learning how to use your head.

Clearly, we Americans have overlooked how much our spines and necks can come in very handy!!
{These pictures can each be seen larger and clearer by just clicking on each picture!)

What can a teenager do for God in Africa??? {part 5}

Play games with the children during a midweek service....

{Simply click on the pictures below to see them bigger and clearer!}

Teach a missionary story during Vacation Bible School....

Make crafts with children during Vacation Bible School....

Use her new skill of making animal shaped balloons

for prizes for good behavior in Sunday School...

Build relationships with new friends....

Our red-head goes on a journey {part 4}

The trip was long and grueling.

8 hour flight from Dallas to London.

Layover in London.

6 hour flight from London to Accra, Ghana.

One night in an African hotel before an 8-hour bus ride to Techiman, Ghana.

We were relieved to learn that it was smooth and uneventful.

No one lost a single piece of luggage.

No one had gotten sick {yet.}

Everyone made it through every check point with every piece of documentation in place.

When Lexi and the rest of the team arrived at their final destination,

she found she would be staying with 3 other girls and one lady team member at a national pastor's home.

They were all so happy to get showers (cold showers felt great since they had no air conditioning),
and go to bed.
Sleeping was a bit of a challenge that first night with the 5-hour time difference from home,
only ceiling fans and no air conditioning, and the dogs sleeping on the front porch that would randomly
howl and fight through-out the night!
Then there was the Muslim call to prayer at 4 am that was broadcast throughout the village
via the megaphone like speakers mounted on poles.

In the morning, they lifted their eyes.....they looked on the "fields."
And they were really...truly white unto harvest.
{John 4:35}

In ways they had never seen before.

Our red-head goes on a journey {part 3}

**Continuing the series on our oldest daughter's amazing journey this summer.

We had a couple weeks worth of repairs done on our house in August, and 

then a special birthday to celebrate.

Trying to get caught up on all the journaling of all the grace.

Thank you for understanding.**

{Lexi with other girls on the team with Abby photobombing on the right!}

Send-off day finally arrived.

We had prepared for this day for nearly 10 months.

We had sent out 50 letters to family and friends asking for their prayer and financial support,

and the response had been overwhelming.

Some families sent $300, 

some $25,

some $100,

some $10,

one sent $500,

and all sent their prayers as well!

We could feel that on that day.

She was a bit anxious, but excited.

I was so very excited for her, but anxious.

I was not at all worried for her safety.....I can only attribute that to the peace of God that passeth all understanding.

But I was feeling emotional because I knew she was embarking on a journey that could possibly set the course of her destiny.

She has been telling us for awhile now that she thinks the Lord might be calling her to the mission field.

I was excited for her to get her feet wet in that ministry.

To see what missionary life is like......on a very short term, more controlled basis.

To see what it was like to live without air conditioning,

and limited food options,

and limited medical resources,

and physically taxing travel situations,

and limited communication with her family,

spiritual challenges,

as well as amazing spiritual victories!

I was excited for her to experience how thrilling it is to travel and see parts of the world we've only read about.

To see parts of the world that I've dreamed of seeing since I was 11 years old.

I felt like I sending her off on the adventure I always hoped to have,

and was praying that she would catch the importance of this journey.

{The whole crew saying goodbye...minus one wandering sister.}

Our red-head goes on a journey {part 2}

How do you prepare a teenager to see a world she has never seen before?

Of course there are the practical things.

Finding a local place that accepts a passport application.

Learning that we would have to send off for an original birth certificate (that we never needed before) from the state we don't live in anymore.

Figuring out all the documentation necessary to apply for a visa necessary for entry into the country.

Sending the brand new passport and original birth certificate back to Washington, D.C with lots of prayer that it returns in time for the trip.

Researching and praying about all the recommended vaccinations.

Deciding what she would and would not receive.

Finding the local health department that gives the mandatory yellow fever vaccination along with documentation that is necessary to enter the country.

It was an amazing opportunity for all us parents to have the missionary Lexi's team would be working with in Ghana at our church for several months in the fall.
He did several training sessions with all the team members as well as for the family members.
We were able to learn some songs in the Twe (Tree) language, as well as sample some of the food typically served in that region.
We learned about malaria and the different medications available to prevent it.
We learned about the appropriate clothing to wear in a culture that is predominately muslim.
He also taught us how the people there worship many gods and often view Jesus Christ simply as another god to worship.

Lexi also spent a couple days in Child Evanglism seminars and learned how to do these:

Then, of course, there was the physical packing:

She needed bedding.

And craft supplies for VBS.

And American OTC remedies for bodily upsets.

And bug spray....

with deet.

And lots of sunscreen.....

because she is a ginger.

Clothes....for 15 days....with no guarantee of laundry facilities.

Snacks.

And anti-bacterial wipes.....

for Mom's sake.

But was it all enough?

How do you prepare your child to see the world...through the eyes of the Loving Father who created it?

To feel His heartbeat for those souls who may never hear of His work completed on the cross that they might spend eternity with Him.

To see past poverty....

Pride....

Color....

Smells....

Wealth.....

Cultural differences?

To see what our God sees?

That we all depend on that next breath, and sleep, and a little nourishment.

And that often what seems to widen the gap between us is what actually draws us very near to each other.......that gnawing void in each and every human, no matter what color or country native we are.

That need for Jesus.