Surprised . . . SPEECHLESS!

Saturday, June 14, 2008 . . . a day to remember in the life of my husband, (Rev. Jim Poitras).
It was graduation day for ACTS-Ghana, with 11 students to receive Associate Degrees. . . Bro. Raymond Woodward and son Matt here from New Brunswick, CANADA as guest speaker. . . Sis. Colleen Carter back in Ghana from deputation for a short visit. . .

A memorable day, but that was not the surprise. When Rev. Nick Sisco began speaking about Jim's 25 years of missionary work in Africa, I sat up straighter. He had called to ask me the exact dates so he would be very certain to get it right - May 13, 1983 - Jim's very first time to step foot in Africa (Nigeria to be exact).

Then, Rev. Sisco motioned for the Bible school instructors to move, and they brought in a LARGE gift-wrapped box - almost as tall as Rev. Sisco himself. I was trying to guess what was inside, as was everyone else.

When they removed the top, there was a beautiful globe on a lovely stand. It both revolved and lit up from inside. Each country was made of a different stone, and the oceans were mother-of-pearl (or something that looked like it). I began to cry, and my husband was surprised - for the first time I can remember since I knew him. He was thrilled, and totally speechless . . . for about 5 minutes anyway!

The honor of finding him a gift that means so much, and is relevant to his burden and vision - and finding it right here in Ghana . . . well! That is a feat we will all long remember and say "THANK YOU" to all who made it happen - especially Bro. Nick and Sis. Pam Sisco . . . part of the great team working in Ghana with us.

There he is. . . surprised . . . SPEECHLESS!