What Can You Learn?

What can one learn by spending 8 weeks in Ghana, Africa, living one month with American missionaries and one month with Ghanaian missionaries? The answer would be "A LOT!," if you asked Teri Hansell who chose to spend her summer doing just that. She adjusted to cultural differences by learning to eat chicken bones (that is how they get their calcium), keeping a sense of humor while waiting for anything (car repairs, immigration lines, x-rays at a hospital), slowing down since nobody "multi-tasks" in Ghana, getting up at 4:30 am for daily household devotions, experiencing Ghanaian public transportation first-hand (now that is scary), learning to appreciate the importance Ghanaians place on family, and developing a love for Ghanaian food which uses very little refined sugar (they aren't big on sweets).

While there Teri did a lot of observing/listening the first month and more experiencing the second month. During the observing/listening part she learned to slow down in order to hear what God was saying to her. She also was able to observe that missionary life is also living life with the people and not all ministry and activity like she was accustomed to on previous 9-day mission trips. Others need to see how Christians respond to the everyday pressures of life.

During the second month Teri visited orphanages and schools where she had the opportunity to teach hygiene and Bible stories to the children there. These were stretching times teaching in front of large groups of kids. She also ministered through puppets and helped with the distribution of supplies. Teri spent many days at a mission headquarters helping with the administration/secretarial work done behind the scenes. She also visited juvenile detention centers, handing out literature there.

Teri grew to love the Ghanaian people and the life there. She met many people who love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul. She also met many people who need to know of God's love for them.

Come hear more about Teri's experience on August 17th at 5:30 pm at Central as she shares through pictures.