the greatest love of all

i sing just to worship you. i wake up in the morning to worship you. the blood you shed on the cross was for me. thank you jesus.

as i sit in akosombo on the front porch of my friend’s house drinking my instant coffee my brain is full. i watch as school children walk to school in their uniforms of brown and yellow. some have shoes on, some don't. many have walked miles to get here. they pass me with a look of wonder on their beautiful faces. they stare at me until i wave, then they wave happily and run off giggling. the school they attend is a public school and therefore free. the kids need only wear a uniform. this might not sound like a big deal, but this simple reason is what prevents many children from attending school.

we went out and met them on the road. an instant crowd!

we went and visited their school

look at this beautiful little man ♥

they love having their pictures taken

chasing us down the road as we left...its hard to say bye to them...

men and women walk by on their way to work with goods atop their heads. i suppose they are on their way to the market to sell whatever occupies the perfectly balanced baskets. they are walking with children strapped to their backs and as they pass they notice me and wave timidly. i think they are happy to see me, but also probably wondering what i’m doing here.

young man carrying water back to his house. for most its a really long walk just for water.

an older lady carrying sticks on her head

im assuming a mama and her son going to sell

the house i’m staying in is at the bottom of the mountain and the weather is so amazing. there is a breeze that comes from the north down the mountain. it brings along with it the smells of africa. smells i don't even know how to describe. if you've even been here you know exactly what im talking about. they are amazing smells. when im not in africa i miss them. sometimes when im home in texas, i can close my eyes, imagine real hard then i can smell it. it makes me happy, really happy. they say smell is the biggest memory recall. i love the way africa smells. every time i step off the plane here in ghana, i ALWAYS have the biggest smile on my face. its as if this place is telling me "welcome home"

john fanning the fire under our dinner

alvin (whose house we stayed in) taking his turn :)

and my turn, but only for a few fans :)

the dream in my heart plays in my mind as i sit here. i imagine a place that’s mine. a house with many rooms and enough love to be shared among many. i see children laughing and running around. i see no beginning and no end. i see love pouring out of me like a fountain into the children. love that only comes from jesus. a heart like his to be shared among the people.

“fear is lost in all you are. and i would give the world to tell your story, because i know that you’ve called me. i lost myself within your promise and i wont hide it. jesus i believe in you and i would go to the ends of the earth for you. all the world will see that you are god." (hillsong lyrics) this song is my heart.

bittersweet

the end of the school year is always bittersweet. everyone is ready for the summer and holidays...but its so hard saying bye to the kids. even though i know ill see most of them again in a few months, its not the same because next year they wont be mine.

ive had the most incredible year with these kids. i truly love each and every one of them and sometimes wish they were mine. they are all so different and unique in their own ways. each one is precious to me. they are not the same kids they were when we met in august. what an amazing opportunity god has given me to be able to pour into these children in ghana. i think ive learned more from them then they have from me. what a blessing my job is.

my sweet first graders

word to yo mutha

my girls are so loving and sweet

i love you ♥

coming from the public schools to a christian school was hard for me to get used to at first. i would forget to pray with the kids, and they would have to remind me to do prayer requests...ect. after spending 10 months with these kids learning and growing them in jesus has been incredible. they have taught me so much about having a relationship with jesus. the youngest in my class is just 6 and her relationship with christ is who she is. its all she knows. she lives, breathes and sleeps god. this is because of how she is raised at home. it is the influence of her god fearing parents. its incredible. many times these kids would encourage me in ways i never knew was possible from a child. they would tell me don't to be anxious, that god knows my heart. that all i have to do is pray and it will be done. that god brought me to ghana for them and for a purpose. the things that have come from these children's hearts has really been a like nothing ive ever experienced. ive never known kids like this. so all that to say, im sad to say goodbye... i wish i could keep them forever. what they have taught me will forever be a part of who i am.

i praise you jesus because you know me, you know all things. you created me. i will serve you forever. may my life reflect you and your glory. give me eyes so i can see people as you see them and give me a heart like yours for this broken world.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6