Deserve

Injustice frustrates me.

It boils in me this anger and insistence that the right thing will be done; the bad will be punished and the good will get their reward and compensation.

Steve and I were friends when was celebrating his 22^nd birthday. I was at his apartment as he opened his table football set from his buddy Iain and was filled with joy until he realized that two of the four defenders were missing. Before he knew it, I was on the phone to the store stating my disapproval. When the help I received was not satisfactory, I called the head office customer services declaring “You wouldn’t ask England to play without Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand would you?!” I was one step away from calling a national state of emergency.

My irrational passion paid off: we were provided a new set as well as reimbursement for travel costs incurred. I had defeated “The Man”.

On my birthday, I received SOOO many lovely messages; my primary love language is ‘Words of Affirmation’ meaning I feel most “loved” when people say or write nice things about me (though oddly enough it thoroughly embarrasses me when people say them to my face!!)

“I hope you have had a fab day and been totally spoilt as you deserve”

“Hope you enjoy ur day, u deserve it”

“Have a lovely day you deserve it”

What do I deserve?

I don’t know why this word has troubled me in recent weeks

If you are deemed good then society says you “deserve” good things – a good birthday getting wasted with loads of presents…a great family…

I guess I struggle when I think of those who have the same birthday as me, born the same year as me, and what they got.

Dirty water? Family death? HIV?

Why weren’t their gifts good? Didn’t they deserve it too?

Yet while I sympathize, my actions tell a different tale.

Why does only the injustice of missing plastic football players drive me to the telephone and time demanding a wrong is put to right but I tell no one of the suffering of those both home and abroad.

Clean water.

Internet connection.

Rent payment.

Social networking.

Deadly mosquito bites.

Sinus trouble.

HIV.

Often our worries are petty, pathetic and pedestrian in comparison to the real issues of this world – education, healthcare, sanitation, communicable disease,

I think about my recent adventure to the African continent. Did Ghana change me?? Yes, it opened my eyes to another world, though I have experienced poverty of that magnitude in Nicaragua, and arguably in some places in England and America, but was I so changed that my life looks completely different??

Honestly and ashamedly, no.

It has affected my heart, yes. I look through my pictures and videos, or bring it up into conversation and the smell of the red ground permeates, as I am right there walking through the streets.

But still I am still.

Unmoved by these words:

“Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”

Check out www.GlobalRichList.com – it simply calculates where you in terms of the richest people in the world. Last year with my modest missionary wage (not including Steve’s money) I was in the top 13%.  This year despite no fixed  salary, I am in the top 14.81%

By simply being a part of the West, by my currency being strong, my country being a superpower, with no job I end up in the top 15%.

Do I deserve this?

People deserve to be equal. When I posted a previous note entitled “Feminists”, several of my favourite girl friends and I had a great discussion on whether we really were equal. I had several days and nights of pondering and questioning all that was shared.

Our world isn’t equal.

I read once that there is enough money in the world for everyone to have $17 million.

Cancer affects 1/3 of people during their lifetime.

Clean water is a merely a dream for too many.

People don’t always get what they deserve.

Sometimes they get more.

Sometimes they get less.

I am working on changing this guilt into action. 

Brave

We’ve all heard the stories.

The girl from Columbine who just before she was shot proudly stated that she was a Christian, knowing that it would lead to her death.

Or the men and women led by Martin Luther King who fought for Civil Rights, sitting on buses, protesting in the streets, staring into white faces intent on segregation yet still believing in an end to inequality.

And the suffragettes, those crazy women they teach about in English History, who wanted women to get a chance to vote, resulting in their imprisonment (and as I remember from my classes, getting dragged and run over by horses!).

Or the man who risks his life to save the [young boy/puppy/neighbour’s cat] stuck up a tree or floating down a river.

The people who don’t just sit and watch the six o’clock news, but desire to change the news.

To be the news.

To be brave.

I always look at these people and think, “How on earth do they do that?” But the truth I have discovered is that most of us would probably do the same thing if we were put in that situation.

I think of some of my American surrogate parents, a district attorney’s assistant and Dallas SWAT officer [for my 22^nd birthday, they dressed up as Batman & Batgirl – with their crime fighting skills in real life, the suits were very apt!]. They have these massively hectic lives often risking their lives to serve the community, serve at church in various ministries, and have gorgeous twins who they cart around to ballet, baseball and birthday parties.

I think they’re brave.

They would say “We just get on with it; this is our life”.

I think about the people on Pais who I have seen pioneer new nations. Starting out with tiny teams, little support, low finances but massive dreams of what a massive God can do.

I think they’re brave.

They would say “We are just doing what we think is the right thing”.

As I served with a local agency today, providing free bags of food and hygiene products to those in need, I had to get the people who attended to fill out forms detailing their financial status. Numerous times I saw families of 3, 4,5 surviving on well below the poverty line. One lady had no income and three children.

I think they’re brave.

They would say “We just do what we need to do”.

The truth is within all of us, there are two things:

The desire to be brave

and

The ability to be brave.

We have found that out this week.

On Tuesday within the space of 10 minutes we found out that my great-uncle in Jamaica had died [following a stroke that we believed on Sunday he was totally recovering from] and that Steve’s dad [Brian of navy-velvet-jacket-at-the-wedding fame] has a brain tumour.

Life is so fragile.

Life is so precious.

Life that can be so easily created in a scandalous bump in the dark, is so swiftly challenged, tested, illness-stricken, stressed…

…and so easily taken away.

But we are brave.

After the Ghana trip, we had (yet another) talk about children and said, “How would we do a trip like that with a child?”

The answer: “We would just cope.”

When faced with the challenges of life that could cause unraveling, we just have to do it.

So Brian waits at home, preparing for surgery on Monday October 18^th that will take out as much of the tumour as possible, and to find out whether it is cancerous or not.

Ironically the surgery is on the same day two of our dear friends find out whether the squiggling fetus inside of the wife has girly bits or boy bits.

Life is so sweet, so fragile.

So we,

ourselves and our families,

are called

To be strong.

To have a resilient hope.

To trust and hope in our Father God,

the creator of the world,

who we believe is our,

and everyone’s

Lord and Saviour.

Called to be

at this time:

Brave.

Why?

“We have to do what you we have to do.”

(Brian indicating where the tumour is)

Field Trip

Our last full day in Accra was truly a beautiful day.

Our hectic schedule included visiting an orphanage, a school, a market and a beach. Driven by Royalhouse Chapel's drive of 17 years, Harrison, we spent what felt like most of our day listening to the honking horns of Ghanaian traffic. But the long drives from place to place gave me lots of time to think and reflect. 

Our first stop was to see Miss Beckylynn runs Pathfinders, a home for children who have been orphaned as a result of either (or both) of their parents dying from HIV/AIDS. The children are aware that their parents have died, but not the reason why. This is for two reasons:

1. So they are not stigmatized by their school mates or those in the community around the orphanage

2. They do not stigmatize themselves (thus leading to self-fulfilling prophecy – where you believe bad myths about your race/gender/situation, and through your own fault, live up to the low expectations set by these folklores)

Twenty children, ranging in ages 2 to 17, gathered anxiously on wooden benches, excited that the number of guests exceeded them.

For once they wouldn’t have to share, but have one-on-one time with an adult.

Steve and I quickly became engaged in conversation with Selestina, a 15 year old with aspirations of being a civil engineer. Her father, only the day before, had dropped her off to be placed in the capable hands of Pathfinders, seemingly in the aftermath of her mother to that life-taking illness. For an unknown/unexplained reason, her siblings remained with her dad. Her manner was warm and educated. She was planning on setting up a Christian Club at her school as she wanted to see people genuinely living out their faith and encouraging one another.

Mavis, aged 17, was single, abandoned and pregnant. She only spoke Tre (one of the many regional languages of Ghana) which was a sign of her lack of education (Ghanaian students in good schools, are taught in English) so translation was difficult. As Selestina told me she was 7 months pregnant, all my questions seemed pointless and silly. I felt like I had no words of encouragement to this young troubled woman, who was painfully shy and embarrassed to be asked questions, embarrassed to be the center of attention when she had previously been ostracized by her previous community. She felt it was shame that had resulted in her arrival at Pathfinders.

Elijah, no more than 2, strode confidently over to Andrew (Pais:Ghana apprentice from Northern Ireland), reaching his hands upwards, as a signal to be lifted into Andrew’s arms. Andrew’s surprised but very paternal obedience to the wordless command brought a smile to the toddler’s face. 

We ran relay races played games, and sang songs. One girl's request of both ‘The First Noel’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels sing’ was met with stifled laughter, but as we sang and saw a smile rise, we realized that somehow these festive songs brought a joy to her spirit.

When so much had been taken away from her, who could we not happily meet her simple request.

Before we left, we handed out school supplies to each student. They lined up excitedly, as each apprentice passed over a coloured notebook and a decorated bright blue paper sack containing coloured crayons, pencils, erasers and a glue stick. Esther (Pais:Ghana apprentice from Germany) was firm in her ask for a yellow notebook stating “It’s that girl’s favourite colour.”

We somberly got back onto the bus; the scorching sun smudging make up, and sweat falling down our foreheads as we grabbed and shared the few water bottles we had between us. Carmen (Pais:Ghana apprentice from Mexico; was on Steve’s team Jan-June 2009) and I looked around the neighbourhood as we continued our journey. How different would our lives have been had this been our home? How much does the environment a person is brought up in shape the adult they become?

How easy it was to bring a smile to their faces with a fun action song, and a nicely decorated gift bag.

How easy it was to meet their maybe strange, but very obtainable, desires.

How easy it is to take for granted all that you have, then visit a place where others are in need, or see a sad story on the news, or read a harrowing tale of poverty in the paper…

…and have your heart moved, your gut wrenched, your tears fall…

…and tomorrow be no more changed than you were before you had even seen or heard.

My friend Anna, a self-confessed hater of all Physical Education in school, and all organized sport, ran in the Great North Run on Sunday.

13 miles, on a cold and rainy northern England morning, in a time of 3 hours 30 minutes.

She describes her idea of exercise as dancing at clubs on Saturday nights and walking to the fridge for a bar of chocolate. She lost toenails, bled through her shoes and has two almighty blisters but was led to put her “squidgy around the edges” body through it for a reason:

“I am running this to raise lots of money to help people with visual impairments like my Pa. Losing his sight affected his life in more ways than you could imagine and I hope that the money I raise will help support those who have lost their sight and also help in the research and treatment of diseases that cause blindness.“

Father God, would you make me a person, who doesn't forget, cannot forget, and is changed beyond words...

...and into action.

Tambourine

I finally got my chance to be part of the worship team on Saturday during the Pais commissioning service. And it wasn’t with a tambourine [someone else had that :O)].

I was on stage.

Holding a microphone.

That was working.

During worship.

My role?

There were no plug-ins for the acoustic guitars, so I had to hold the microphone by one of them so the audience could hear the music.

The audience couldn’t see me because I was hidden behind the Pais:Ghana banner that was on stage.

The past three days have been a flurry of manic activity and really understanding TIA – This is Africa. It is fast-paced yet slow; it is post-modern yet pre-modern; it is expensive yet cheap.

On Friday, it was our last day of “classroom style” Foundational Training [from Monday we will be doing a week of practical preaching and ministry writing work]. Saturday was our commissioning service and Steve and I were invited to speak at one of the Pais partnering churches youth leaders training sessions. Today, we arrived at church at 7am and left at 2.30pm.

What I am LOVING about Ghana is the worship.

The loud, exciting, passionate, joyful expression of people praising God.

Today at church there was a dance troupe of tambourine-clad older ladies rocking it out in a choreographed routine.

Some of the apprentices joined some Ghanaians in what looked like a Christian version of the Macarena.

The “Children’s Day” presentation involved three boys and a girl break dancing and rapping, as well as a massive group dance to Mary Mary.

And I am LOVING prayer times.

Just how passionate and excited people are about something that so many see as a painful obligation. How rich and deep their belief in Father God answering them is.

The Reverend at Royalhouse Chapel today spoke about how the apprentices from difference countries would go back changed after a year being with them.

I feel changed after a week….only three days left :O(

Treat

This was our treat last night.

A bottle of orange Fanta,

a packet of shortbread biscuits,

and the Kingdom of Heaven movie on the projector screen in the upstairs lounge.

As we passed the crate of drink and box of cookies round the circled group of apprentices, everyone whooped and hollered with joy and clapped.

A week ago I would have scoffed at this as a treat. If Steve came home from the grocery store with this, I would have sent him back for a large bag sour patch kids, a crate of vitamin water, and a big bag of the special kettlecorn popcorn I like that comes in a red bag.

So much of my perspective is changing. So many of the things I felt were essential are being diminished.

While most of us watched the first half of the movies in the upper living room, downstairs we heard the all to familiar intro to the Kingdom Principles series [familiar because we have heard it so many times in the last week/years but also because it is taken from the Kingdom of Heaven soundtrack!].

A small group of apprentices and support staff who had missed parts of the series for various reasons were gathered around a laptop watching ‘Use it or Lose it’. As we came down the stairs at the movies they were still involved in a deep discussion of the material that began after the 50-minute teaching had finished.  

So I guess treats are dependent upon two things:

one, what you are used to in everyday non-treat life

and

two, what you are hungry for. 

Buy

Today Steve & I finally got money changed and now can buy stuff!! The joy of cedis in our pocket was too much and the local trade was a glad recipient. My first stop was to the local dry cleaners [I know it sounds pretentious, but I spilt orange juice down myself on the plane and I was scared it would ruined my Ralph Lauren blanket…I’m not sounding any less pretentious am i?!]. Next was a local restaurant to pick up someone’s food for lunch, and then the gas station for a can of coke that Steve had been craving and finally a street vendor selling yam chips, chicken and fish. I was told that to prevent illness, not to eat from the street vendors. As the sauce for the chicken was poured into a black plastic bag and passed to my company, I understood why. After the days sessions, we went to the local market to pick up a box of biscuits and a crate of drinks for our movie night [Paul Gibbs will be glad to know that we are watching ‘Kingdom of Heaven’!]

My tour guide [aka the token Ghanaian person to take with me so I wouldn’t get ripped off] was Josephine. Aged 26, she has been involved in various missions across Ghana, and the Ivory Coast, making her well travelled for a young village Ghanaian. For several months she has been asking Father to show her a mission she could get involved in longer term, but she couldn’t verbalize what she was looking for. On Sunday, as the Pais promo video played in her church [Harvest Chapel International] she was suddenly confronted with the thing she was looking for. And after the service, she joined Pais.

As we walked she shared her life story; her passion was literally spilling out on the dirt road. At times with her fast Ghanaian drawl, it was hard to understand exactly what she was saying, but her excitement came through as clear as anything. She even recruited her friend Henry that same day to join as well.

Today’s schedule:

-       The Creed & the Vow Ceremony

-       Schools: Divinity – The Holy Spirit – Sebrina Miller

-       Schools: Doors – Mawunyo Debrah

-       Apprenticeship: Team – Steve Miller

I didn’t put the times down because the schedule went out of the window. Not in a disorganized way, but in a “Father God, we’re just following you kind of way”. Minster Isaac & his wife Pastor Hannah [leaders at Royalhouse Chapel International who have visited America previously] did an impromptu welcome talk in the morning as they hadn’t been able to come and visit the team yet. The Creed and Vow Ceremony, though we had less apprentices than most nations, was just so prayer filled that we couldn’t stop. My Holy Spirit talk ended up starting at noon…enter 40 mins of me speaking followed by words of knowledge, words of wisdom, speaking/interpreting tongues, prayers, affirmations, emotional healings…when I realized the  times was 1:50 we decided we needed to have a break…since no one had eaten since breakfast since 8am!! Father’s spirit was just so tangible…you could feel it…there was such power and an excitement to seek God..and imagining taking that power into schools and impacting students lives.

In Mawunyo’s doors talk she said something so amazing:

“I feel like Pais:Ghana, if it was lined up with the other Pais nations, would get asked the biggest question because it has the biggest opportunity”

And she is so right. The schools are so OPEN to Pais coming in, to preaching within them…assemblies to literally a thousand of students at a time, lessons, visits to an orphanage, missions into the local villages…There is so so much that these guys have been entrusted with, such a great harvest of students and children in front of them, ripe for the picking, ready to hear a word, ready to have their lives changed and transformed. Ready to be brought hope and love.

But we can’t force them into the Kingdom. We can’t pay them to enter. We can’t do their dry cleaning to get them there. We can’t buy their love. So we have to use the opportunity wisely. Strategically. Spirit-led.

But when it happens…when it all comes together…

BOOMTOWN is the only word I can think of.

I am soooo excited to leave for no other reason than when I go, their work out side of the conference room begins!!

People

Our first day of teaching training…yet I am the one learning so much…

The day started at 7am, meeting with the team leaders for extra training. 8:15 we met to start Haverim devotions (Pais’ new way of studying scripture daily as a team based on PaRaDiSe teaching & principles from Talmidin) outside in the courtyard – what amazes me is a cliché, but none the less a valid point – people are people no matter where they are from: Ghana, England, America, Germany, Togo, Germany…we all desire to learn more, and share ideas and thoughts on the word of God. 

As we worshipped and prayed together as the rain gently patted onto the corrugate iron roof, I couldn’t help but smile as I looked around and heard their voices raise, desperate to see God move this year in the lives of the people of Accra. As we sang “God of this City” we declared what we wanted to see happen – more students saved, a greater passion in this area, truth brought to these people….

Today’s sessions were:

-       Kingdom Principles: “Rubbish In, Rubbish Out” – Paul Gibbs (via video)

-       Schools: Delivery – Gail Whittaker

-       Apprenticeship: FriendRaising – Sebrina Miller

-       Apprenticeship: Mistakes & Lesson – Steve Miller

Everyone is keen to write down notes but not everyone had resources. Several of the Ghanaian team members were scribbling notes into abandoned diaries/calendars; one was even writing in the blank pages back of George Foreman’s autobiography! So 10 (of the 210!!) notebooks we collected as school supplies for the students were given out to apprentices – glad we brought as many as we did!!

Following the sessions, we were taken on a tour of the surrounding area. Despite being in the capital city, there is such a disparity between the wealth of the malls, modern stores, university and large houses surrounding the airport, and the clay red path and shack huts just a half hour away. Our guesthouse, one of the best in the city, is occasionally without water and electricity yet we just get on. The endurance of the apprentices, even the western ones, is astounding – it takes a very special type of person to be willing to live this uncomfortable life, but a life that is essential to be led in order to bring the gospel to these students.

As we strolled around the backstreets, led by the Ghanaian apprentices and support staff, random children shouted “obruni” (white person) and “obini” (black person) – with my cardigan jauntily tied over my shoulders and skinny fit twisted jeans, I am called “obruni”. As they came towards us, some unexpectedly hugged us and all were desperate to have their picture taken – it seems everyone in the world wants to be “Facebook famous”.

Ben, one of the support staff from Royalhouse Chapel International, talked passionately and candidly about the needs of the people in this area. Most would be born, live, & die in this near poverty, never seeking to achieve more because they were without the hope of Jesus: this hope, Ben said, was they key, their way out.

A bigger vision of God gives you a bigger vision of yourself.

From Ghana to America, Germany to England, Togo to Mexico and beyond.

That’s what people need. 

Accra

24 hours in Ghana is a like a lifetime of fun, beauty, joy, spirit-filled wonderful ness...I already know there will be tears leaving this amazing place with these beautiful people...


I feel something is coming...I have got words from Father that I am desperate to share with these guys but already I am learning so much from them, especially the Ghanaians - they have a strong, deep connection with Father and it overspills with enthusiasm to all around


I really feel that Father is going to show me more of Himself - I already feel as if He has - I don't want a "mission trip high" where I come and experience this and go back excited for a few days and then it fades like a cheap fake tan...I want something that deeply and eternally changes me.


At Accra airport after no immigration or customs problems, we were greeted by several of the team. As we left the airport, the haggling, bartering and people desperate to push your cart in return for some cedi (ghanaian currency) reminded me of Jamaica this summer and the desperation of peole to make money - for some i imagine their fulltime job is loitering, hopign to get a few lucky breaks from wealthy tourists or locals.


As we arrived at the guest house (where all 20 apprentices, directors and support staff have been and will continue to stay for training) i was impressed that they all came down to greet us despite our late arrival - some were even in pyjamas.


A culture, it seems, has already been set, of honouring your leaders, and I already feel a great sense of appreciation that we are here, when I feel appreciative of this honour to be with them.


Over a late dinner some of the team gave their first impressions.


1. I LOVED their hearts and willingness to share. 
2. It is evident that Ghana is a prayer-drive, spirit-filled environment - some of the team wake at 2am or 4am to pray together (the Ghanaian team members only - the "foreigners" are getting over their jetlag/getting used to such passion at all times of day).


Warned that church would be three hours long, four and a half hours into the service I was still dancing away, making notes, taking pictures, clapping my hands, excited and enthralled by the dancing in the aisles in celebration of giving offering or just sheer joy, the amazing professionalism and skill of the worship team, as well as their willingness to go with the flow of the spirit, the passion of the pastor as they introduced the Pais teams on stage...wow...I don't understand why every church in the world doesn't worship like this when we claim to believe in the same God as these people.


Tomorrow sees Steve, Gail and I each deliver our first sessions...EXCITED to get going and just pour into the beautiful team!!


Thanks to God for:

• Picked up the right "Gail" (Gail is joining us from Accrington in England - 40-year-old married mother of one, never been to Africa, doesn't know that much about Pais, ex-school teacher, saw Paul advertise that he wanted someone to help with Pais:Ghana training and responded after her trip to Mozambique was cancelled, dead excited, a real asset to the team!!)
• Safe arrival
• Baggage all came
• The team is AMAZING
• Fantastic time in church today - Harvest Chapel International, a new partner church in Accra - EXTREMELY welcoming and excited to have Pais
• Great unity/cohesion with the team

Things to pray for:

• Safety & health, for us and the new apprentices acclimatizing to Ghana
• Unity amongst the team
• Excellence, clarity & energy in the teaching of our seminars
• Support for Mawunyo
• Inspiring 1st year apprentices to rise up early on and commit to staying for more than a year on Pais in Ghana
• Great talks with Mawunyo and Royalhouse Chapel International pastors about future plans
• Seeing more of God
• Openness to whatever Father would speak to us about

Thanks so much to all the supporters who gave financially to make this possibility - believe me your money isn't being wasted!!

Wish you could be here...but pray that my notes will open your eyes to see more than just these words. 

HUGS

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Adventure

There is never a dull moment in the Miller Household...
...And there is never a still moment when you are looking to follow Father God.

Our latest random journey takes us to...GHANA!!

In September 2008, Pais set up its first African nation in Accra, Ghana. The first team has three people, last year's team rose to ten; hopefully this years team will have more. The previous teams have seen incredible fruit, working in eight local schools, teaching hundreds weekly and bringing many into relationships with Father. They have also done outreaches, in partnership with the local church, into the nieighbouring poorer villages to bring supplies, medical aid and practically meet other needs.

The nation is led by Mawunyo Debrah, who was on Pais:USA 07/08 in Arlington at the same church as us. We both got to know her extremely well – she is a hardcore prayer warrior, often staying up through the night to pray for her teams, and is so faithful in all that she does. Though she has worked hard, the one area she has struggled in is long-term leadership to come alongside her. This upcoming year, everyone on the team will be new to Pais:Ghana, with only one person having done Pais previously (another familiar face – Carmen, who was on the team Steve led 08/09!). 

Previously, all of the Ghanaian missionaries had to travel to the UK to complete their Foundational Training. With such a large cost, this training excluded many of the apprentices from receiving the much needed training. This year, she has taken the bold step to provide the Foundational Training in Ghana, for her new teams. However, that is a large undertaking for her to complete by herself. 

Mawunyo’s need is simple – she needs help organizing and running Foundational Training.

With both of our experience on Pais, and with Steve’s specific expertise in running conferences and training apprentices, we both jumped at the opportunity to go out and practically help. 


Our need is simple - we need prayer and financial support. 


The rundown of our trip is as follows:

• Travel dates: September 3rd-September 15th, 2010 (yes, in less than a month's time!!)
• Trip cost: $4,300/£2,700 (this includes flight, visa, yellow fever vaccinations, malaria tablets, and a contingency fund - all food, transport, accommodation and activities are provided by Pais:Ghana)
• Role: Before - helping the planning of the conference (this has already begun)
• Role: During - delivering Pais training and supporting Mawunyo and the apprentices. 

We need to book our flights by Friday August 13th so that we can apply for our visas in time.

If you can help financially support us please contact us by email (sebrinamiller@gmail.com or stevemiller@paisproject.com) and let us know how much you are able to donate (so we can keep track of our current balance) and how you would like to pay (cash, US check, UK check, paypal or direct bank deposit for both our US & UK banks)

We know this is a very last-minute thing, but we really feel this is what God is calling us to do. For those of you who don’t know, Sebrina recently resigned from her role on Pais. She was offered a job with an adoption agency, but after three weeks of planning, visa issues meant that she was unable to take the role. This was extremely upsetting to us both, but we trusted that God was in control. Had the job gone ahead, we would not have both been able to do this trip, so we are seeing the blessing despite the storm. We are really excited for the impact that we can make on the teams and the blessing that we will be to Mawunyo. Please keep us and Pais:Ghana in our prayers.

Looking forward to hearing from you – please email us your thoughts and encouragements!!

Steve & Sebrina