You see in a couple of days my husband is going to Ghana, West Africa.
Why???
Our church supports many missionaries. One of those is the Mephibosheth Ministry. In Ghana, people who are disabled are considered "cursed". They believe someone in their family broke a taboo to cause the disability. Sometimes the family is advised to leave the disabled person in the bushes and let nature take its course. Some parents cannot do this, so they make sure their child has some food and clothing. They may not be able to afford to send all their children to school, and not realize the importance of educating those with handicaps. Their goal is to equip disabled children to become productive members of society and share God's love for them and their families.
A group from our church went several years ago to Ghana W. Africa and helped them build some facilities. Two years ago another group went to do Vacation Bible School and a Teen Rally - and my husband was part of that group. You may think - hmmm pretty cool... no big deal.
But if you know my husband - this trip was a very big deal.
When the first group went to Ghana and came back and reported on their trip... Ray joked that he would never go on a missions trip, much less Ghana. He mentioned this several times... missions trips were not his thing at all. Well time passed and our Pastor started planning for another missions trip to Ghana. All of a sudden Ray starts talking about it, but nothing serious... just small talk.
Several weeks after Pastor mentions the trip to Ghana, Ray begins to consider this trip.
While on our date day, we pull up to Houlihan's and while sitting in the car Ray starts talking about the possibility of maybe wanting to go... I laugh thinking he is joking - but he was serious. As soon as we get into the restaurant all I could do was encourage Ray to call the Pastor and let him know of his decision and that hopefully it wasn't too late.
Well it wasn't too late and yes Ray got to go on his first missions trip to West Africa. He came back excited and wanting to return, no one could believe it!!!
He will be returning this Thursday to serve in Ghana - he is going to be doing VBS during the day, preaching several messages and teen conferences and rallies. And he is excited. I am also beyond excited for him and very proud of him.
God sometimes has totally different plans from what we might be thinking of. Ray said never ever will he go on a missions trip... and he is packing to get ready for his second trip...
Its these things that make me love him soooo much more. Not that he is going on a missions trip but because of his obedience to His call. Ray isn't going because he wants to go, he's going because this is what He wants him to do.
