Newsletter 1 - Ghana

July 11, 2008

Dear friends and family,

I hadn't really formed any expectations before boarding the plane at
Heathrow, because I simply didn't know what to expect. I'm not sure anyone
could have prepared me for Africa. The only sensation I could recognize for
that first week was numbness. It wasn't necessarily the poverty, it was the
spiritual oppression. Life is heavy here, I'm not sure how else to describe
it.

One of the things God has been showing me this year, and especially since my
arrival in Africa, is that sometimes we must allow our spirit to understand
without trying to rationalize with our minds. We are spiritual beings,
living in a spiritual world created and governed by a spiritual God. I've
discovered this dependence on the Holy Spirit is a lot easier said than
done. Our minds want to analyse and understand, and God is saying, "Where is
your faith?" I'm learning that we have to silence our fleshly desire to be
"in the know", believing that it gives us some semblance of control, and
rest in the knowledge that God holds the whole world in His hands and that
not one sparrow falls out of His sight.

Shepherd's Home is the name of the orphanage run by Thomas and Felicity
Okyere in the capital city of Accra, Ghana. The Okyere family (Thomas,
Felicity, and their two daughters) live on the second floor, (where I have a
room), and the seven children who are part of Shepherd's Home live below. In
the past, the children have had a "mother" that lived with them. However,
it's been a struggle recently to find someone willing to make such a big
commitment. These children are not necessarily orphans, but usually come
from one parent families where there is insufficient care due to lack of
finance and education.

Manyama, or Ama, is the youngest child at Shepherd's Home. She came as an
infant and is now three. Persistent and engaging, she has a smile from ear
to ear and loves to comb my hair at every opportunity. Kwesi is a handsome
six year old with a voracious hunger for knowledge and a determination to
teach me Twi, his native language. Anita is the eldest at ten years old. She
is absolutely beautiful and shoulders her responsibilities as the big sister
with readiness and grace.

Hawwaa, at eight, also takes a position of authority alongside Anita. She is
striking and has a tremendous ear for beat coupled with a natural affinity
for dance. Kwabena can jump higher than anyone I've ever seen. He's seven,
and his athletic abilities extend to climbing as well. He has a habit of
coming up behind me and climbing up my back and onto my shoulders in under
three seconds. The other athlete is Daniel. An avid soccer player, he's nine
years old and loves to joke around. Small Anita is eight, with the sweetest
nature and a charming, open face. She's a little quieter than the others and
likes to sit next me, holding my hand.

I wish all of you could meet them. They're fascinated by my red hair and the
fact that you can see my veins through my skin. Amongst their numerous
questions were: What's your belly button look like? What kind of money do
you have in England? Have you seen snow before? Can people live on the moon?
Do you know how to swim? What languages do you speak?

There are many stories to relate, but this last one made a great impression
on me. I went downstairs to play with the kids one evening as they were
finishing up dinner. It was yams with a sort of vegetable sauce. We were all
talking and Anita wanted me to taste her food. So, she gave me a bite from
her hand, and then everyone had to do the same. Little fingers holding food
crowded around my mouth because each wanted Auntie Rebekah to taste their
dinner. These kids get three meals a day, no snacks, and treats are a
rarity. They drink water, and occasionally tea. I have never heard them
complain that they're hungry, and whatever they have, they share.

I'm sure you're overloaded with information now, and I apologise for not
getting something out sooner. Depending on my internet availability, you'll
get weekly updates until my departure in August.

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. In all honesty,
these three and half weeks have been tough. (More on daily life in Ghana and
the other street outreaches in my next update). Please pray that I would
hear His voice and have His wisdom in the words that I speak, especially to
the children. Know that you are all in my prayers, and be encouraged. The
faith that I have met in these Ghanaians is strong and continually growing.
It's a first-century type of faith, and their love for their Saviour is
infectious.

With much love,

Rebekah