One Year... And A Few Days

     One year, plus a few days, I got off a plane in a country that was once a summer destination and was about to become my home. A lot has happened in this past year. You know when you have a birthday and everyone asks if you feel older? Well, I kind of consider July 2 my mission birthday. So if someone asked me if I feel older, I would confidently answer YES. I feel as if in the past year my ideas have matured, my thoughts have gone beyond tomorrow, my point of view crosses borders, and my walk with Christ is miles down the road from what it was a year ago. 

     One year the thought of college terrified me. I had no motivation to go or do anything that really involved going. I wasn't ready. In one month I am moving to OSU and rooming with three of my closest friends. I am going into school with a 4-year plan of what I want to accomplish and a scholarship to get me going.

     One year ago I was sending my exchange student Alba, who really become more of a sister, back to Spain after living with me and my family during our senior year. This week I got to sit by her on the beach because she came back to go one family vacation. 

     One year ago my mom was being released from the hospital after having her brain cancer removed and had a long road of recovery ahead of her. Yesterday we got news that she had a perfect MRI and PET scan. Even her doctor was shocked. 

     One year ago my sister and brother-in-law were living the newly-wed life. Today I am holding my three month old niece. I love her so much, but honestly I didn't think she would ever exist. 

     One year ago 20 girls sat in their mud huts in Ghana, West Africa with no hope of a real future. They were probably on the brink of having to choose to be married off or to move to Accra and find some way to send money home to their family. Now, those same 20 girls live at The Pearl House. Those girls attend school almost everyday and come home to a bed that they can call their own. The same girls that usually went to the farm everyday, can now speak English and read. They have a family they can rely on. 

     One year ago The Pearl House girls were being influenced by whatever religion brought a water well to their village first. Now, they are each involved in Lauren's Light House by teaching, preaching, and leading worship. They are at the point where they can go home to their families and talk to them about how God has transformed their lives. 

     Sure, it has been hard these past 6 months to not be at The Pearl House. I have missed them each day. Sure, I get sad sometimes that I'm not there when they a 100 on their test. Sure, I get jelouse when I see a picture of one of the interns with my girls. But, I think back on all that God has done this past year and I have so much to rejoice in. 

     The first six months of this past year I lived in Ghana, West Africa as an intern at The Pearl House. Being involved with starting the house from the ground up. I can confidently say that I have left my mark in the foundation of The Pearl House and life of each girl there. The second six months I worked state side with our board and founders. I was able to do a lot of speaking engagements and really tell people about my time living with the Pearl girls. I even got to go back to Ghana in April and surprise the girls. 

     So, yes. I do feel older on my mission birthday. I have met new people, grown closer to those I already knew, and sadly lost touch with those who simply cannot understand why I do what I do. I thank God for everything He has done in my life this past year. 

     For those of you reading, a majority of you probably didn't go live abroad for a majority of this past year. However, I encourage you to look back at this past year. Reflect on what you have experienced. Remember the people you have met. Learn from the things that made this past year difficult. I don't mean to sound cliché, but really, go do it. 

     A year ago, I was a white girl living in a black man's world. Today, I am a daughter living out my Father's will for my life. 

     

(Here)

This weekend made me look into the future with a positive attitude. After a year of separation, the fantastic four was reunited. Ellen Auer, Bailey Amis, Claira Hull and I were back on the same soil. These three girls are my roommates next year at OSU. Going in to a state school with a large student body and many worldly temptations makes me a little nervous. However, I know I am going with a strong accountability group. I am going with a group of girls who understand and share my heart for missions. Bailey worked with Bless the Children Ministries in Uganda, Ellen lived in Costa Rica for two semesters with SCORE, and Claira loves China. Throughout high school I met with these girls to fellowship and share our love for Jesus. They all had a huge impact on my decision to move to Ghana. It has definitely been all God when it comes to us all going to OSU at the same time. We all had different plans leading up to graduation. I had no idea what I was doing, Ellen was thinking JBU, Bailey had a roommate picked out at OU, and Claira had another year of high school left. But that is how our God works. After meeting together so many times with God's presence as the center, we gave Him our plans. We were all sent to separate corners of the Earth, not knowing how long it would be until reunited again. I know all of this sounds clichè, but I just want to share how God is working in my life. He took this uncertainty of going off to college and reminded me of His power and promises. It is still hard to be away from The Pearl House, but knowing I get to experience God in a whole new atmosphere with these 3 girls right by my side makes me excited to let Him lead me. 

Lord have Mercy... And Comfort... And Abigail

The day finally came when I was reunited my the precious pearls. The team and I arrived at The Pearl House Thursday afternoon. It took all I had to hold back my tears as we were driving into Winneba. Seeing their school, the familiar stores, and friends houses caused memories to overwhelm my brain. What was only a few hours seemed like days waiting for the girls to come home from school. Finally we heard them running down the road and I went to hide in my room to surprise them. As they settled down from seeing Daddy Steve, he had them close their eyes, and then I walked out. The girls quickly opened their eyes and sprinted off the couch. I was immediately enveloped in a group hug, being tossed back and forth, hugging anyone in arms length. Abigail was next to me, Rita held on to my legs like I would disappear if she let go, and Olyvia was in shock. Their reaction was better than I could have imagined. Within the first 10 minutes we were back dancing and singing together. I was back in The Pearl House groove. It was a relief. As I walked into the house I wasn't quite sure where my place would be. I wasn't really an intern anymore, my room wasn't mine. What was I? As soon as I saw my girls though, I knew. I am their family and they are mine. I am their friend and they are mine. I am a follower of God and will be where He wants me. The day continued on like it would have six months ago with chores, studying, dinner, and devotion. At devotion I told the girls that one of my reasons for coming on this trip was to show them that I will be in their lives and that I will come back. I pray that they can trust me and believe that I will always be a part of their lives. As I read with some of the girls after devotion I felt like a proud mother. The way they have advanced in their reading and sounded out the words amazed me.  So many things have changed and they have all grown physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Back On the Saddle

     The traffic, the yelling, that smell. That's right, to everyone's surprise I am back in Ghana. I have known about this trip since January, but have kept it a secret because I wanted to surprise everyone here. Mission accomplished. It is funny seeing friends having to do a double take when they see my walk through the door. I cannot even begin to write about how excited I was for this trip. I think about and miss my girls so much, that I jumped at the opportunity to come visit them. The main purpose of this trip is to shoot a documentary featuring The Pearl House, but I just came along for fun. With me is my partner is sarcasm and wit, father of The Pearl House Steve Bullard, the not so witty but equal loved, new friend Madison Smith, my beloved intern replacement Emilie McClanaflanplanbananahands, and a documentary crew of 2. 

     As I walked down the final hallway to exit the airport I see something. Something. Someone. Off in the distance. I see her running towards me. Could it be? Is it really her? It was. My soul was content when I saw the smiling Courtney Garland. In the middle of the airport with tear-filled eyes, we hugged like sisters. You will know the feeling of an overjoyed reunion if there is someone in your life that been a mother, a friend, a sister, and mentor all at the same time. Courtney was the one right by my side as I transitioned to living in a new country and I am so excited to be here to serve and encourage her. This reunion was emotional, I think I might need to get out the tissues for the next one with the girls. I cannot wait to see their improvements, hear their English, see their smiles. They mean everything to me and we are finally back together again! 

     Our film crew and team members got aquatinted with Accra during our first meeting. It was good to see the action of the city. Despite my exhaustion, it was the surprised looks of little Cynthia, Bishop, Junior, Pastor Niimoi, and Kingsley that got me through the day. I am excited to show Emilie all around Winneba and help her become aquatinted with her new home. 

     Please pray for God to protect my thought against Satan. I don't want to be thinking about my departure date and miss out on the time I do get with the girls. I pray for Emilie and Courtney as they figure out their new way of living and this time of transition.