My Name is Alesha

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A week of “Welcome”. Our friend Dara has returned to Ghana for a 10 day visit and we are enjoying ourselves!!! Also in the coming weeks you will be hearing about Ghanaian Life from a new perspective. We have a brave, young volunteer with us until mid December. As I’ve been here so many years African life is just “normal” for me. I’d like her to attempt to paint the mental pictures for you of our life here.

My name is Alesha. I’m from Lisbon, North Dakota. I am 17 years old and a senior at Lisbon Public High School. I like school and sports, and I am very passionate with my music. I first felt called to Africa in the summer of 2006. Because I have enough credits to graduate early, I decided to come to Africa for the fall semester and resume school in Lisbon in January 2009. Being from the same small town as Kirk, it was easy enough to contact him. I meet Kirk in person for the first time in April of this year. After months of planning and e-mailing my departure date, September 29th, finally came. I boarded a plane for the first time and made the 24 hour journey to Ghana…alone. I will be helping Christine at the school as a math teacher for two months. I may also get the chance to teach the children some music on a small electric keyboard.

Those of you who have visited us in past months/years please share your experience and/or send some words of encouragement/advice with Alesha.

Try to find this in America; One morning last week one of my 2nd grade students, Godlove, was quite sick to the point of “loosing it” repeatedly from both ends. Obviously, he had to go home from school. His mother prepared him some soup and was encouraging him to try some. When I checked on him at noon he was then begging his mother to allow him to go back to school! The poor guy is this sick and STILL doesn’t want to stay home! My negotiations were simple, “Godlove, you need to take some soup. If you can ‘keep it in’ then you can come to school for the last hour of the day.” By this point the worst was over and he was able to return to school not only that day but for the rest of the week. These kids love and appreciate school.

Christine & Co

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Photos

That BRAVE girl - Alesha
At her age, I would never have considered a trip like this!

Welcome
Alesha (L) and Dara (R) with an abundance of "Welcome" gifts from the parents and students of Apebouso. Bananas, oranges, coconuts, plantain, cassava, green leaves and fresh peanuts.

Bubbles!
Saturday's "Welcome" fun - Praise style. He blows the bubbles and we chase them! Check out that pucker power.

Comments

[Peggy]

Welcome!
Hi all! And welcome Alesha! I'm so impressed and inspired by your adventurous spirit. I'm sure being there with Chris and Kirk and those beautiful, dedicated students will be an experience you'll treasure forever. And, wow! Praise got big!! :)

[Janet]

Love that pucker!!!
Okay, Praise, have you been sucking on lemons lately??? That is quite the pucker you've got going there!!! I'm sure that you had a great time with the bubbles! We have a few guys around here who love the bubbles, too!!! Boy would you four have a good time together!!!!

[Jeff]

Go Girl!
Hey Alesha, glad to read you have arrived! I lift you and the school up in prayer everyday and look forward to all that God has for you there. 2 Cor 9:6-15

[John]

The old man
It is great to know you are there doing the Lords work. I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished. Continue to draw strength from on high and He will give you the tools to complete your tasks. I love you, miss you and pray for you.