bursting with joy

“Once you have tasted the waters of Africa you will always be thirsty until you drink them again.” My heart is overwhelmed with joy – I get to go back to Ghana this summer 2015! With my husband! And my family! Its been two years since I’ve seen my Ghanaian friends. A lot had changed for me: graduated from Bethel, moved home to Washington, flew to Guatemala twice, a few hardships — renting a little house, working at my church as the youth director’s assistant and as a para-educator sub at BVE, marriage <3, starting graduate school to obtain my Masters in Social Work, have a kitten. In July of 2013, right before we got engaged I went to West Africa. The trip to Ghana connected many of my passions: children, Africa, a desire to serve the special needs community. God is SO cool. This coming summer of 2015, we are beyond excited for this chance to serve Pastor Raymond and his church in Tema, Ghana (again).  Pastor Raymond and his family devote their lives to loving the deaf community, a community alienated by distrust and superstition.  I am looking forward to seeing my Ghanaian friends again, who are currently my pen pals! Our ten-day trip will be packed with working with local schools, teaching AWANA programs to the children of deaf parents, home visitation to the deaf and disabled, and more.  Not only are we preparing our hearts, raising money for our plane tickets, collecting supplies, Ryan and I are also learning sign language. Something I wish I had learned more of last time! We’re really excited about the opportunity to go to Ghana; it’s a chance to see God move unlike we have ever seen him move before.  “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth” // Psalm 108:5. We need your help and support.  Please pray for us as we prepare our hearts to follow God’s leading, especially as we pray about how we can serve others through mission work – either locally or abroad – in the next few years of our life. If you are able to support us financially, we would appreciate it. We also have an Etsy shop in attempt to raise money for our plane tickets and supplies: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThirstyAgain Thank you for your prayers and love, Ryan and Lauren Engelsma If you’re curious about Ebola we have articles too – email Lauren!