We get stretched. Sometimes it is with anticipation, excitement, and willingness. At other times, a soft prelude of anxiety plays in the morning before dawn — the stretching is coming.
Wednesday morning, we left our oversized luggage garden and began the trek to Northwest Ghana. Our friend Laurie picked us up at the airport and provided a spare bedroom. We know the accommodations and hospitality well, and take the opportunity to clean up, nap, and sort through the nine assorted bags of gear and gifts.
The hard work begins tomorrow, but we took a break to drop off some of our supplies and meet up with staff at the Philip Centre. The normally locked gates were flung open in anticipation. Bright Ghanian voices rang out immediately upon our arrival.
“You’re Welcome!”
Beaming smiles, sweaty hugs, and laughter suddenly teleported thoughts lingering in the suburbs of Chicago to the soul of West Africa – people. Even for frequent travelers, it is all too easy to be distracted by scarcity and see razor wire, unpaved roads, and open sewage in gutters. But abundance is everywhere – love, joy, and peace welcome us. I consider the abundance my heart pursues. Can I be stretched?
The colorful new banners mounted on the walls at the Philip Centre are splendid! Before long, the staff shows off the new studio, where music, videos, and podcasts are being recorded. The work here is more vibrant than the colors of Africa – full of enthusiasm and compassion. Wow.
This morning we fly to Wa, a city in the Northwest corner of Ghana. Ray has spent the last two days driving the old truck north from Accra to meet us. The rough roads have exhausted him. When we arrive, I will take the wheel for the remainder of the trip and give Ray a break. The entire journey will stretch us – physically, spiritually, and mentally. The 2000km path will traverse through some of the harshest bush in Ghana. A heat wave is approaching. Temperatures will often be well over 100F, and the rains are threatening to arrive. The prelude has faded. The stretching has arrived.
Thank you for the update. Praying over you all as the Lord stretches you and you find His strength in your weakness! Please give Ray & the team my love and let them know I join in prayer.
Thank you. One of the team members has a sore throat and we appreciate the prayer.
Hot weather is the best to stretch in! Just don’t compress……with your head hitting the roof!
Praying for a great trip!
Yes, only stretching, no spinal compression :-) The roads are still rough, and Clement has tested the strength of the roof a few times.
Thanks, Pete, for your posts. I feel I am being stretched to follow your journey with you – taking us only to places we can just imagine rather than really experience! In the first place I can’t imagine even moving in those high temps much less do any meaningful work. May God attend to all your needs and be with you each mile of the way.
Heidi and i are continuing to pray for the two of you and all those involved in the work you are doing! So sorry you are going to be in VERY hot temperatures. May God continue to bless you and the entire group working with you. Love and prayers!
Heidi and I are sending prayers up for you, Beth and the team!
108 !!! That is hot.
Praying for your health, strength, and overall fruitfulness as you go do great things- again.
Your lives are a huge encouragement – because you are doing things that matter- basically loving God and loving people- even when there is sacrifice and yes even some suffering involved.
Love all of this! (Well, maybe not the heat.) sending all my love to you both and to our Ghanaian brothers and sisters