Choose Joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found.
(Joy to the World)

Since it's November, that means I've built my Christmas playlists on Spotify and have begun listening to them while working in the office. One of my favorite albums is Steven Curtis Chapman's JOY. Sure, the songs are great - but the thing I enjoy most about it is that it was written after his family experienced a terrible tragedy with the death of one of their children. Dealing with difficult trials can make you want to give up, but the fact that he still has "something to sing about" encourages me to worship God when I'm feeling down.

You have to look past sadness, loneliness, discouragement, and bitterness to see the joy in small things.

Provision for Rejoice

Well I have to admit, I thought $10,000 was a pretty difficult goal to set - but many faithful friends, church members, and ministry supporters have proved me wrong! This morning we are able to say that Rejoice's surgery funds have been provided (and exceeded) and she is in the process of being scheduled for her brain surgery.

FOCOS Hospital in Accra will be operating on her in the near future. Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OrthoFOCOS

Please continue to pray for Rejoice, her parents, the surgeons, even Vincent who will be providing transportation and support for her family. More updates soon!

Thank you so much for your response in loving those in the far places of our world!

Rejoice's Surgery

I know you've probably been hearing a lot about Rejoice Vivor this week if you're involved with Holistic Christian Ministry in any way. She is the 10 month old daughter of one of our pastors (Philip) in the eastern Volta region of Ghana where my parents have served as missionaries for the past 7 years. She was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and desperately needs a shunt put in to relieve the pressure this water is causing.

I have not personally met Rejoice, but I do know that my heart is tugged towards children in general - on any continent - and hate to see them suffer. It is hard to look at a little one with her head swollen larger than the size of a cantaloupe. I can't imagine how fearful her parents must feel or if they wonder if she will be alright through the night. Especially when lately, I have seen firsthand the joy and sweetness a baby (my niece) can bring to a family. I imagine that in the same way, when your child is suffering, the overwhelming sense of suffering would be even more powerful.

We have been sharing the need with the "Facebook world" as we've discovered that her surgery and post-operation procedures will cost right at $10,000.
My brother-in-law phrased it only $10,000 - and I like that because realistically, a surgery like this for one of your children, grandchildren, or loved ones would be well over $65,000. We tend to have help like insurance companies or other benefits to fall back on. That isn't the case in Ghana. If the doctor receives the money, then he will operate. It's not a do the surgery now - pay later in monthly installments system. Philip and many other Ghanaian fathers like him work diligently with a yearly income of $200. That's less than what I personally make in one week! If you would like to bless this young father by helping him be able to provide for his child, please let us know!

We are over half way towards our goal of $10,000. You can easily give online by going to the secure link listed below and filling out a one time donation through our HCM e-giving page. We are definitely rejoicing in the needs that you all are helping meet for Rejoice! We've collected anything from $5 to $1,000 and EVERY gift is important in meeting this need that God has allowed us to be partnered with! WE'VE REACHED OUR GOAL! Continue to pray for Rejoice's healing and recovery!

Life As A Symphony

I'd like to think of my life as a symphony -
People, like instruments are always different,
but together, they strive for harmony.
Some parts need more practice, so a few bad
notes or measures can be expected.
Life is like the practices; mess ups, laughter, and all.
Some days are easy because you know the music.
Other times you sight-read, by putting the skills
you have learned to good use. 
Sometimes other instruments get better parts than you.
More interesting or challenging -
But even though patiently waiting for your part to come,
it seems as if the measures drag.
Finally the melody you're waiting for comes
and you spend the rest of the song enjoying it.
The best part of a symphony, perhaps, is the Conductor.
Your goal is to make Him proud and allow Him
to notify you of the times when it's your turn to shine. 

Written in my tent in Kotokata, Ghana on October 17, 2008

Preparations

Woke up early this morning to get lots of cleaning done around the house. I know you might think.....cleaning? at Claysey's house....but I managed to find some places to scrub!

I'm excited to be hosting 2 girls and a chaperone from the Matsiko World Orphan Choir for the next few days. The kids will get here Monday and perform Wednesday during our church evening service. They are a group of about 12 children and 15 sponsors. I'm a host home and am in charge of providing breakfast. I hope I won't mess that up too terribly bad. How hard is it to mess up toast? Well, I shouldn't jinx anything. ;) 

On Monday, I find out the ages of my 2 girls. The choir ranges from 6 to 17 year olds, so I hope I'll have little girls but will be happy with whoever! The group includes children from Peru (South America) and Liberia (West Africa). Only one country separates Ghana from Liberia, so I'm happy to visit with and talk about similar West African customs and to practice my minimal Spanish skills. Pictures soon!

Well, I better get back to some quality time with Mr. Clean!

-Clays

Time Spent

So this is the first time I have blogged in a LONG time! Sometimes it is therapeutic, so hopefully things that I deal with may help someone else--who knows?!


Lately I have been thinking about the fact that I graduated from high school 10 years ago. WOW--what happened to those years? Sometimes they seem so far away, and other times it seems like just the other day. 4 years of college, then working for 3.5 years, then living overseas serving as a missionary in Ghana for 1.5 years, and now back home. What a whirlwind of events! There's really no way to describe all the changes that took place in my life over that time. It would be better to just look through pictures--or look through my diary (but lots of the pages are ripped out...somewhat of a bad habit).


I believe that God puts every person in our path. Every smile, hand, hug, hurt...everything. I don't know when or if we ever get to look back and figure out why we go through things we go through. Do you ever feel like you wasted time worrying or wondering if things would ever work out the way you wanted them to? I have. It hurts sometimes to think about it. The amount of time you spend waiting anxiously to see what God has planned. I wish it was more clear than it is--to me at least.


Over time, maybe I will make sense of everything, but some things don't happen overnight.