Less Than 12 Hours!

In 12 hours I'll be landing in the JFK airport to start off my 5.5 hour layover before taking off towards Ghana!  I can't believe the time is already here.  It seems so surreal.  This past Sunday, Mother's Day, I was able to say goodbye to my extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.).  My mom even made me an awesome cake!  Check it out!  :) 

Over the last couple days I've managed to get my bags packed.  One bag to check in (weighing 41.5 lbs), a carry-on, and a "purse."  My "purse" just happens to be big enough to carry my netbook along with several of my textbooks for the semester!  Several of my friends and family have also contributed to my packing by telling me their favorite scripture verses to write on index cards and disperse throughout my luggage.  I figure this serves two purposes.  First, it is encouragement for me as I find these cards throughout my time in Ghana.  Second, if my luggage is inspected then the individual doing the search will see the scriptures.  You never know what God can do through His Word! 

As I've mentioned before, I plan on blogging while I'm there.  Hopefully, I'll get this opportunity approximately every other day, but this will depend on where we are, what time I have, and whether or not I have an internet connection.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for safe travels tomorrow.
- Pray that the Lord would grant each of us an overwhelming peace knowing that we go in obedience to His calling.

Thanks again for your support.  If you have any questions, comments, or requests while I'm away, please feel free to leave a comment.  Not sure how well I'll be able to answer, but I would love to know what you're interested in hearing about!

God bless!

Wubekor Ghana? I am!

Good evening!  Last week we had an awesome training session with a local pastor who was born and raised in the Volta Region of Ghana.  He shared some helpful cultural tips and some language training before we leave in . . . 3 DAYS! :)  Just to give you an idea of what I'm preparing for, I wanted to share some of the information he shared with us:

Ghana was the first African country of the Sahara to gain it's independence in 1957.  Their culture is one of the most peaceful and well-educated cultures in Africa.  (And from my experience with Ghanaian friends so far, they are incredibly hospitable and generous people.)

Their rainy season starts in late June and continues through August.  We'll barely miss this!  March is typically the hottest month of the year so we'll miss the hottest weather as well.  Praise the Lord!  We're expecting approximately 90 degrees each day, but with much lower humidity that Virginia, it hopefully won't feel quite as how as a 90 degree day at the beach here.  Due to the heat, we were advised to bring a handkerchief as the dust will get kicked up and stuck to our sweat . . . what a lovely picture!  :)

We'll also be dealing with a slight time difference during out trip.  Ghana is four hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.  (e.g. If it's 10am here, it's 2pm there.)  Another interesting etiquette lesson - don't use your left hand for anything.  It is incredibly disrespectful.  And if you see are interacting with an adult you immediately remove your hat if you're wearing one.  Finally, we've also been warned about reverse culture shock.  Our awesome trainer said we may deal with some culture shock when we get there, but the biggest hurtle will occur when we return.  He said most people after seeing how people live there and the upbeat attitude and patience they have, it's makes you angry to see how people in America take things for granted and demand immediate response to their wants/needs.  (Please be praying for this on my return.  That I would come back with a healthy perspective, but also able to express my perspective in a kind, gracious manner.)

The main languages of Accra, Ghana (the capital city) are Ga and Twi.  Twi (pronounced Chre) is common in almost all the regions so this is the language we focused on.  The title of the post "Wubekor Ghana?" means - Are you going to Ghana.  We also learned some other very important words and phrases:

insio - water
Wu ca Brofo?  - Do you speak English?
Yesu - Jesus Christ
Nyame - God
derby - no
aiy (nasal) - yes
mipowcheo - please
Casa breo - speak slower
Fre Nyame - call on God

Some of my favorite phrases:
Chre Me - Teach me
Yesu do wu - Jesus loves you

As I mentioned early we leave in 3 days.  Please be praying for safe travels for our team and that all preparations would come together well.  Be praying for any anxiety our team may be feeling as we come down to the time of departure.  Finally, please continue to pray for us while we're there - protection, open hearts and minds, a remembrance of our authority in Christ, and an intense passion for the people we serve.

My intention is to blog approximately every other day while there so please check in for updates!  God bless!

T-9 Days

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:31-32

There are only 9 days until I catch a flight to Accra, Ghana with my team from Regent University! With so little time left I've been up to quite a bit over the last couple weeks since my last post. In hopes of not making this post too long, here are some of the highlights:


Commissioning:
This past Wednesday our team was invited to a special combined chapel between Regent University and CBN. At the chapel our team, along with a missions team going to Europe and another team going to India, was introduced and then Dr. Campo, president of Regent University prayed for us. It was an awesome commissioning chapel.

Visa:
My visa also came in last week so I can now officially enter the country of Ghana! As of now everyone on our team has their visa and vaccines. Now we're just waiting for the 11th!

Toys and Cards:One thing we have the opportunity to do on our trip is visit schools and orphanages. This particular aspect of the trip is especially significant to me as I love to work with children. For this reason I gathered together some small stuffed animals and other fun surprises to use with the children and leave with them. I've also enlisted the help of the children's ministry at my church. This Sunday morning I was invited to speak to three Sunday School classes to talk about where I'm going and ask them to draw pictures and write letters to the children I'll meet on my trip. The idea is to first show the children here that they can have an impact on someone halfway around the world and, second, show the children in Ghana that they are loved. The children's pastor at our church, Pastor Billy, and his wife, Kim, came up with an awesome idea to make cards. They provided the paper, cut-outs, markers, and time in their classes for the children to put these cards together. I can't wait to post pictures of some of them next week and pass them out to the children in Ghana! The cards are absolutely awesome. Our kids did a great job with them!

It was so funny to hear the questions the kids had.  They were very concerned about the animals there, what people wear, if they drive cars, and the best of all . . . where do they go to the bathroom in a village with no electricy or indoor plumbing!  I can't wait to visit the kids again when I get back so I can better answer some of the their questions and tell them some stories.

How you can help:
Many people have asked how they can help so here are several ways you can get involved:

Prayer -

Please be praying for our team. Pray that our minds would be opened to quickly understand and adapt to the culture and language. That our eyes would be opened to see these people as Christ sees them. That our hearts would love as Christ loves. That our hands would touch and heal and that our feet would boldly go wherever the Lord directs us. Pray also for safety along the way as well as open hearts and doors when we arrive.

Financial -
As I come down to the last days before the trip there are a couple expenses I could use help with. One of my flights, from Norfolk to New York, has not yet been paid for. This flight cost $120. Also, I'm gathering together small toys and school supplies to take to the children. If you would like to give money towards what I've already purchased or have small toys or supplies you would want to donate that would be great! If you feel led to give towards any of these opportunities please email me at crysfle@regent.edu.

Upcoming:This week we'll have language and culture training so I look forward to sharing that will you in the next post!

I'm sorry . . . how many shots?

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. - 3 John1:2

33 days left . . . and so much to do!  This week was busy in regards to getting everything prepared to leave for Ghana.  I bought plane tickets to and from JFK International airport, submitted my visa application to the Embassy of Ghana, and had a rather extensive meeting with Passport Health this morning!


VISA APPLICATIONS:  Our team should get our passports with approved visas within the next 10 days.  Please be praying that with everything going on in our government right now that this process is not delayed.  What an interesting process all of that turned out to be.  I've never seen such specific instructions before - down to how exactly to affix your passport picture to you application.  (If you apply for a Ghanaian visa anytime soon be sure to use glue and not staples!) 
 
IMMUNIZATIONS:  In researching the immunizations we would need before leaving, I had found what I would consider a rather substantial list and was not particularly looking forward to that doctor's visit.  This morning, however, I was pleasantly surprised.  I went to Passport Health in Virginia Beach to get all of my shots and was blown away at how helpful and kind they were.  I ended up being there for about an hour and a half, but unlike any doctor's visit I had ever been in before, I was actually face to face with my nurse that entire time!  She's a lovely lady named Eileen and I hope to be able to schedule all of my future visits with her.  Not only did they provide all the shots I needed, but they also prescribed some medications that could be helpful on my trip and even wrote me a book!  :)

In all, I received 5 shots today:  Influenza, Hepatitis A, Polio, Yellow Fever, and Meningitis.  My poor arms are still a little sore if I happen to move too much without considering my actions first.  I must admit though that it was much better than I was expecting.  In addition to these lovely shots, I was also prescribed anti-malarial medicine which I will begin taking two weeks before I leave and will continue to take it until four weeks after I return.  There is also a Typhoid Fever vaccine that can be received through a pill.  That one sounds so cool because you only take four of them, but since they contain "live" ingredients, the vaccine is good for up to five years!  Finally, I have another medicine to take only if I get sick in any other way while I'm there.  Basically, I'm set!  :)

WHAT NOW?: As of now I'm waiting for my visa to be returned, to pick up all my prescriptions, and to start collecting all the "extra" things I'll need to take with me.  As always, please be praying for our team as we prepare.  We'll be doing some culture and language training next week which I will be sure to pass along.  Thanks again for your support.  It's such a blessing!

(And feel free to comment or ask questions!)

Called Here First

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.- Luke 8:38-39

I am so excited for my trip!  It's less that six weeks away and I'm thrilled to see what God is going to do in and through us as we minister to the people of Ghana.  As I've been preparing, however, God has been reminding me of my first calling.  It's okay for me to be excited about going to a foreign land to serve the Lord, but I need to remember that I was called to my home town, my family, and my school first.  He's been reminding me to "return home and tell how much God has done for [me]," 

As I learned on my last mission trip, and seem to have forgotten rather quickly, I don't have to leave my city or even my street to serve others and share the love of Christ with those around me.  I can do that wherever I am.  So often, however, I get so focused and excited about what God has in store for me next that I forget what He's doing right now where I am.  If I'm constantly focused on the next thing, I'll never stop to see the great things He has prepared for me here.

For those of you keeping up with my travel preparations, we are five weeks from departure as of tomorrow!  I'll be shipping out my passport Friday morning to the Ghanaian Embassy to apply for my travel visa.  I'll also be getting a myriad of vaccines that same morning.  Please be praying for both of these events:  that all of our visas will be approved and returned quickly and that I react well to the vaccines.  Please also continue praying for the members of our team - that God would build each of us up and strengthen us in Him.  Finally, pray for open doors and open hearts in Ghana - hat God would prepare the way for us and be setting up diving appointments.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  I wouldn't be able to do this without you.

Let's Go!

Good evening!  My trip is less than 8 weeks away!   As we get closer I'm finding there are still so many things to get done.  Within the next week I need to apply for my visa and get the necessary immunizations.

Since planning and preparing this trip I've found myself so excited to go anywhere!  So many other international ministry opportunities have come up recently that I'm beginning to have a hard time sitting still.  I feel like a child stuck inside doing my homework on a beautiful day just waiting to run out the door and play!  Please be praying that God would grant me patience.  I know that He has placed this passion for travel and ministry in my heart and now I need to trust in His perfect timing as I wait.

Please also continue to pray for financial support for the rest of my teammates.  God totally blessed me in that my trip was completely supported not long into the fund raising process, but there are several others still trying to raise the necessary amount to go.  Also, pray for unity in our group and that God would be building up and strengthening each of us.

Just this past Sunday at my church in Williamsburg I found myself face down at the altar.  Have you ever had the opportunity to sit back and hear what God is leading you to pray for?  Well, this Sunday I found myself praying that when the time came that I felt I couldn't handle the pain and hurt I was seeing, that when my strength gave out on me, that I would be reminded that it is by the Lord's strength and grace I work, not my own.  It was amazing to me because I wasn't praying if I get overwhelmed or if I feel I can't handle any more, I was praying when.  Please be praying with me that I would constantly be aware of His Presence and His Strength supporting me.

Finally, I've managed to put together a map of my trip. To see this, simply click on the link.  It is a very rough sketch of the different places we will be visiting in May, but I hope to update it as we get a more detailed schedule and perhaps add pictures once we return.

Praise God for His mercy, compassion, and grace!

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. ~ Ephesians 2:4-9

Jehovah Jireh

It's been a while since my last post, but I have some wonderful news.  As of now I have received enough financial support to pay for the cost of my trip!

Our God is so good!  This past Sunday the special music at my church was a song called "Because of Who You Are."  The whole song is talking about praising God because of who He is.  There's a whole portion that is simply singing the Names that have been given to our Lord.  I found myself with tears running down my face as I sang about how my God is my Jehovah Jireh, my Provider!  He has certainly provided me with so much more than I could have ever imagined.  It is by His grace alone that I am a month and a half into the process of raising financial support for my trip to Ghana and finding that I don't have to focus on that any longer.

If you haven't heard this song, please take a minute or two to listen to the video clip below.  It's an awesome way to worship God and declare who He is in your life and why He deserves worship. 

God has really been speaking to me lately about the importance of praising Him simply because He is worthy to be praised.  Many of us come before God in prayer with a "laundry list" of requests.  During a time of prayer with some of my fellow students God brought me to my knees and gently told me that I needed to start coming before Him in worship and reverence.  He reminded me that He knows what I need (Matt 6:32), He knows the cry of my heart (Ps 31:7), and He knows the desires of my heart (Ps 37:4).  He wants to hear from me, He wants me to pour my heart to Him (Ps 62:8), He desires to have that kind of relationship with Him, but there also needs to be a time where I just worship Him for who He is.  I had lost sight of that.  I had forgotten how worthy is my God (Isaiah 40:12ff). 

If you've got a few minutes now or over the next couple days I encourage you to take a moment and just consider how wonderfully magnificent is our God.  Take that time not to ask God for anything, but just to praise Him.  Perhaps just tell Him all the things He is to you - Provider, Redeemer, Savior, Faithful Father, Prince of Peace, Giver of every good gift . . . Another suggestion I've heard recently is to pray through scripture.  The Psalms are wonderful for this.  Choose a passage and read the words to God.  The other day I did this with Psalm 31 and spent over an hour reading and praising God for all the things He has done in my life.


I will praise Your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.~ Psalm 145:1b-3