Keep It Simple

David Mensah’s devotion on this, our final day, was titled Listen To The Leader from Acts 1:4-12. Although the disciples were under the threat of death, it was incredibly important that the disciples stayed in Jerusalem as Jesus instructed because at the proper time, people from all over the world would witness the apostles be filled with The Spirit. Prophesies would be fulfilled and thousands would accept the message of Christ and be baptized. In the same way, God does not give us a complex recipe to follow Him. We are simply asked to follow the simple instruction of The Word.

Both the build and teaching teams worked until lunch and then we started packing and distributing supplies. More concrete floors were poured, and the last of the foundation block walls were built. The teachers spent the first hour of the day in their morning classrooms and then, after taking class photos of approximately 250 kids, the field games began.

The architect, engineer and Mira walked the hospital site followed by a meeting. Everyone left with the necessary information needed to move forward in the different phases of the project. In the afternoon, we toured the hospital again as we had heard that the trusses were going up, and up they were!

At dinner, Steve S. shared that every morning, he and Donna opened a dated envelope from their children and/or grandchildren. Each envelope contained a note, scripture and/or pictures. After two weeks of opening the envelopes, one of the given verses, Psalm 96:1-3 has a whole new meaning for him. “Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name, proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Brenda spoke about how wonderful it was to walk together with us these past two weeks. She recounted the beginning of their relationship with each church represented in the room and the wonder of what God has brought together. Joy was found on the build site, on the hospital site and in the NEA shop as Aaron brought much relief and encouragement to Jackie, who works many hours every day repairing and maintaining a lot of equipment.

Soale shared with us that on the stretch of road from Wa (a few hours north of Carpenter to Kumasi and a few hours south of Carpenter), people have passed through and noted that it is only in Carpenter that new things are happening. He noted, “Although each person on this team came to Carpenter for their own reasons, it is possible that God wants you to see something you have never seen before. It is possible that God wants you to hear something that you have never heard before. God will guide and bless you”.

Tomorrow morning, we will gather at 5:30am for our final goodbyes. Our trip home will be long, but we’re leaving with David Mensah’s encouragement ringing in our ears: one step of obedience at a time.