, 

 

Do you know the meaning of undeserved love? I have learned a lot about it since we got here in Ghana - specially about the Source of it. And realizing more and more how the enemy targets our family (health, marriage, finances) have given me an even stronger sense of appreciation for the Body of our Lord Jesus, as we pray for each other and support each other in love, in the US, Brazil, Ghana and all over the world. Our Lord is an amazing, creative and surprising God and what a priviledge it is to serve Him! Our eyes have been opened to see people around us that worship 'spirits', pour libation and live in bondage to serve demons. And our hearts have been broken to learn to love them. As we learn their heart language, we have seen more and more smiles and noticed that many doors have been opened for us to enter and minister. To see Luiza responding to words in Twi, English and Portuguese is a strange but peaceful realization that we are living in obedience to His call. It makes me wonder what is going to be her first real word... Malaria has been a big issue and we are finally considering starting on prophylaxis, after a rough 6 month period. Other than that, parasites and typhoid fever remind us that we are in Africa. Andrew has been the one that got it harder and, 28 lbs. later, is starting to adjust to the local bugs. As a mom and doctor, my heart has been broken to see how so many children are so commonly victims of diseases and bondage with darkness. The health system here is a reflection of centuries of economic struggle and needless to say, not many people trust doctors or nurses around here. So often times their parents seek help with fetish priests looking for healing in return of spiritual slavery. That's the way it has been done for generations and although it seems obvious to us the price is just too high to pay, many of them see it as the only resource to see their loved ones healed. We praise our faithful and wonderful God as our children are growing strong and with His supernatural protection over them!

I am very glad to report that we are all going out of the first stages of cultural shock and while jumping into the next chapter (I am still adjusting my perception of time to the local pace, a lot slower and without any load of anxiety or worries about tomorrow) we can now smile at the differences instead of getting frustrated all the time. As we made some friends and started understanding their ways of thinking, feeling and seeing things, it has helped us tremendously to learn, adjust, be stretched and in the process grow closer to the Lord. Praises to our Lord for conviction of sin, and being in a different culture is a powerful tool to expose how prideful our hearts can be. Aware of that, we learned to lay our rights on the cross daily, specially the one to privacy, a very foreign concept in a community oriented society.   

Isn't it amazing how the Lord works? And in the same way He is drawing us near to Him as we serve, our prayers have been for Him to draw you closer to Him as we pray and encourage each other.

 

Nyame nhyira wo! God bless you!

 

Juliana

(and Andrew, Lucas and Luiza)

 

 

 

P.S.  Andrew writing...   You should see the joy in the ladies' faces as Juliana is able to prescribe the right medicine and help them get better.  It's so fulfilling to see God working through her here, and it's through your gifts that will expand that so much further this new year.  Thank you for your help!