It's Goodger Here

Well, it’s almost here.  Departure day.  I find myself anxious, nervous and excited all at the same time.  Anxious because I can’t wait to go to this place called Ghana, Africa.  Nervous because I don’t know what to expect. And excited because I have the awesome privilege and responsibility of teaching Pastor’s how to use technology with the end result being that they can more effectively and efficiently study and teach their people about our Awesome God.

By the way – I have NO IDEA what kind of food we’ll be eating.  I sure hope they have stuff from the Brown Food Group – Chocolate (Cocoa is a main export from Ghana), Beef, Potatoes.  I mean come on – you know me.  I’m a picky eater right?  That’s why I’m bringing Peanut Butter, Granola Bars, Beef Jerky and a few other choice “Brown” foods.  Our former Pastor was in Ghana in 2003 and I remember him showing a picture of a red fish on a plate.  It still had scales, the head, the eyes, the tail, the fins, etc. and there were flies all over it.  When they put their fork into it – yep, bugs ran everywhere from under the fish.  I can see it now – my skinny 185 lbs will be down to my super skinny 160 lbs of my early 20’s.

Oh – those classes I will be teaching… You know as much about them as I do.  I have no idea what we (Matt and I) will be teaching.  I have had one email from Vincent who is my contact there and he tells me that they have Microsoft Word, Excel, and some Anti-Virus software.  So – that is something you can keep in your prayers for me – that Matt and I would be able to come up with a few classes upon our arrival that would be of benefit to the Ghanaian Pastors.

Speaking of prayers – here are a few other things to be praying for:

• Safe travel – we leave Tampa at 1:25 Friday and arrive in Accra, Ghana around 7:30 p.m. Saturday.  Ghana time is 4 hours ahead of us here in Florida.
• The West Africa Church Planting Summit – While we are there, I will also be assisting with the Audio/Video needs of this summit.  There are church leaders from all different denominations coming to Accra, Ghana for this summit.  Steve Childers, one of the leading authorities on Church Planting will be speaking.  If you would like more info on him and his organization, see www.gca.cc.
• My Tongue – Huh? You don’t get that?  Sarcasm is not a good thing in Ghana.  They don’t get it and they think it is rude, and they are right – sarcasm is rude.  But it is such a part of our everyday life in America that we really don’t notice it.  Pray that I would be careful with the things I say and at the same time pray that I would be able to adapt to their culture and not offend with my actions as well.
• My Spirit – I am really looking forward to this trip because I know God is using me to further His Kingdom, but I am even more excited to see how He is going to change me.  I want to be made more like Christ.  I want Him to be the Potter and me the clay so that I can be molded into His image.
• For April, Kendyl & Logan – They left this past Sunday morning for PA.  They went to April’s Grandmother’s farm.  We were just there 2 months or so ago to attend the funeral for April’s grandfather.  This is the first time that April will be there for an extended period without Pappy being there to tease her.  Pray for her comfort.  Pray for patience as she deals with Kendyl and Logan and their 40 questions about everything.  Pray for Kendyl and Logan – that they would obey mommy, make daddy proud and also have opportunities to learn more about God as He is so evident in His creation in the mountains surrounding the farm.

Ok – it’s 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday and I haven’t even begun to think about packing so – I’m not going to think about it.  I’m going to bed.  I’m not checking my postings for typo’s so I plead for you forgiveness in advance.

“Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your Renown, O Lord, though all generations.”  Psalm 135:13  That is the verse I am meditating on throughout this trip and I pray that God would show me new things everyday about His Renown!

For His Glory!

Scott