Have you ever gone to an intensive training program? I have several times, starting with police academy and continuing on through multiple trainings associated with my career in that field—trainings that were both physically and mentally intense. Recently, I met a woman through painting a town (long story, but true) who has grown into a friend of mine. Debbie is an RN and only just began a new job where she travels around a bit for a company reporting on medical things (okay, I don’t have a clue, but I know she’s good at it). Before she began for realsie (can you believe spell check won’t accept that word? Real-sy? Nope, no better…anyway…) she had to spend a week in North Carolina training and being tested on the computer software. When I saw her the following week she was happily volunteering for Point Hope, spending five hours removing sheriff patches from the sleeves of the donated uniforms we are sending to Buduburam. Deb said she was grateful she didn’t have to engage her brain to use a stitch remover as one week of this training had fried it! We laughed, but I know what she’s saying—intense concentration for an extended period of time, not my idea of a fun date! I have never been part of a language immersion program, but I have to imagine it’s very similar, only for a longer period of time. Not what I would envision as a relaxed, enjoyable, extended experience.
So, imagine my surprise to find myself sitting in the dark on a firm mattress (a piece of plywood might be as comfortable), unable to sleep because it is 9:45 p.m. at home even if it is 5:45 a.m. here in Ghana and I went to bed at 3 o’clock in the afternoon (or so my body clock is assuring me, even though my brain is trying rational arguments regarding what time zone I’m in). I took part in a meeting earlier this Ghanaian evening where I received a crash course in all things refugee as it transpired in Buduburam. Some of it I knew, much of it was new to me. I sat processing the information, interjecting questions and evaluating how the new input affected, or should affect, the plans in place for Point Hope in Ghana among the Liberian refugees.
In a few hours we will tour the camp, again. Unlike the last time I was here, however, this time I am the Executive Director of Point Hope. I will meet people whose names I would like to remember, I will see familiar faces from our last visit and greet them as people I have been praying for and I will be deeply in the middle of this month-long immersion program. This intensive program which asks the questions: How can Point Hope and its partners do the most good for the most people and how should we proceed to effect the blessings of change?
Dear God, I know You are here and have a purpose and plan. I am still amazed You called me and Gerald (even though he was fighting it more than me!) to this place, to this time, to Your purpose. Help us to see, to receive, to be able to visualize and verbalize Your plan. Oh, and even though it is really hot here, can You please make sure my brain doesn’t get fried?