Never knew how Baptist I really was.

He is exalted! The King is exalted on high!
I will praise Him. He is exalted, forever exalted,
And I will praise His Name!

I can not express to you the joy I feel in my heart today. My heart is jumping up and down and shouting exaltations to the Lord higher than I have felt in a long time! I have been blessed today. Over and overly blessed. It reminds me of the song my dear friend, Susan, taught the children here:

Running over, running over, My cup is full and running over.

Today I went to church with the Seatons. We went into Accra to Calvary Baptist Church! What we read on the internet for the service time was wrong so we were a bit late but when we walked into the service the fifty voice choir was raised dressed in red and gold robes, the congregation was on its feet, hands were in the air and voices were singing, “He is exalted! The King is exalted on high!” The usher showed us to a pew towards the front that was reserved for guest and I could not help myself, tears started rolling down my face. There I was in my Ghanaian dress, make-up on in the front of the church crying. I did not feel so bad when I looked to my left and saw Libby just like me and then Rob. The spirit was so heavy in that sanctuary and they were singing a song that I knew, it was all too much. I have gone to some really amazing churches here and enjoyed them all however, I felt at home today. I knew the hymns, I knew the choruses, it was my church. I felt like it was my church. The sermon was on imitating Christ by renewing our minds. It had three points like every Baptist sermon I have heard in my life, there was an invitation at the end where three people came forward to accept Christ. I wish you could hear my voice and see my face. I feel as though I am glowing. God has really answered that prayer for me. I followed the sermon so well, the pastor was funny and encouraging. I think my understanding of the culture has grown immensely because some of his illustrations I would not have understood two and a half months ago and now I can laugh with the people. The church even has a little book store where next week I will purchase my Ghana Baptist Hymnal. This will be something that I can look forward to every Sunday! Oh, my heart is so full! Praise the Lord!!!

Now... on to the rest of last week.

This week we celebrated Ghana Day. That’s their Independence Day. This year Ghana is 50 years old. It was so amazing to be here for that celebration. Because of the holiday all schools and most businesses were closed Tuesday, for the actual holiday, and Wednesday, to rest from celebrating. In America we would associate that second day from getting over the hang over that one acquired from celebrating, but if you could see how these people celebrate, you would understand that is not the reason. On Tuesday thousands upon thousands of people crowded into Independence Square in Accra for the over the top celebration. There was no place to move and it was hot beyond belief. Those people had no air to cool them off and they were dancing and going on. They must have been completed exhausted when all was said and done with. Top officials, Presidents, chiefs, etc, from all West African nations, and European, and the U.S. were there to help celebrate. It was a day that no Ghanaian will ever forget.

Every year for Ghana Day schools from within Accra are chosen to march around Independence Square for President Kufuor. They march in military fashion and they do it well. While on our field trip last week we drove past many a football field and all were filled with schools practicing. It was pretty awing to watch. They also had native dancers and the head chief of nearly every tribe was there to do a little ceremony from the tribe. Most of those included offering libations to their traditional gods. Some tribes claim not to worship the traditional gods anymore, they just do it to show respect for the tribe, whatever that means. I learned a lot that day by watching this. (The entire compound watched this in the dining hall on a 19" television. Now if you have ever shared a 19" television with 70+ people you know how that goes.) I was sitting near some of the Rafiki Mothers and they were talking me through the entire celebration. Ghana’s view of Christianity in some places is really twisted. It reminds me a lot of the Native Americans and how they used Christianity as just another god to mix into their practices. I feel that this compound has been so blessed to have the Mother's that it does. Mother's that know Jesus Christ and follow Him and His teachings only and show the kids how to love Jesus as well.

We all had a really good time watching it together. The kids do not get to watch television very often so it was nice for them. Even little Dereck, the picture above, got into it. Our guard, Jake, was in the military and Dereck seemed to like his hat.

On Wednesday we had a swim day. All the kids came out in their swimming dress and we played water games, the little kids played in the little pools while the older kids used the slip-n-slide. It was such a blast! It was good for the kids to get out and have a good time with no school no chores, just good ole fun! It was nice to watch them enjoying themselves so much. Like most teenagers, ours wanted to act too cool, but as soon as they got out there they did not want to stop.

Last night Cathy, a missionary, came to the guest house and taught Libbie and I how to make ground nut stew. I can not wait to make it back home! Katie, it taste like the Tai chicken wrap from Love Joy’s!!!

Well, I guess that rounds out this edition of Ghana Girl’s life. Its been a really good week and I pray that it continues on to next week.

Always in Him,

Sarah

Prayer request:
-That the mood of the compound will stay positive
-Mothers
-Rest, I have been extremely tired lately.