The power of words

Spreading the good news.  Bringing the gospel to those who don’t know Jesus.  Sharing the love of Christ.  While working on the ship we were able to spread the love of Christ in a tangible way as we worked with people in need.  At times we had the divine opportunity of sharing verbally the love of Christ to those we served and ALL the time we had the amazing opportunity of showing the love of Christ through our hands and feet.  After being on the ship for three years God has formed a passion to share the love of Christ in this way.  I would talk with patients, parents of patients, day workers, and even crew members about the love of Christ.  Last May when Greg and I found out that we were coming to the US I was soooooo excited but I was also really nervous and unsure about how God would use me while at home.  Could I be as effective for Gods kingdom?  Could God use me at home?

 

The following are some short stories about how God has been at work through my time home.

Appointment Testimonies:  Two days after we returned to the states I had my first prenatal appointment.  From that point on I met with the doctors (6 total) every 2 weeks and then every week for the last month of my pregnancy.  Each visit the doctors would look through my chart and ask something about the ‘boat I came from’.  Two of the doctors and I went into deep conversations about the work done in West Africa through Mercy Ships.  Then during my 3 -day stay at the hospital, after giving birth to Hailey, I was able to talk with all the nurses that took care of me and also the nurses aides and even a housekeeper.  All of these interactions were initiated by the staff, which made each one even more special.  A few of the nurses were so interested we would end up talking for 30 minutes or more which for a nurse is a VERY long time.  They asked for Mercy Ships website and also my email.  I pray that during these particular conversations that God was able to open eyes and soften hearts to his love and care for his people around the world.

            Gregory’s memoirs:  As I mentioned in my last blog it has been great being home not only to have Hailey but also for Greg to get to know my friends and family more.  I have told Greg many times that I think he should write a book about how faithful God has been to him throughout his entire life.  Keeping him safe during Liberia’s 14 years of civil war, getting him through a tough family upbringing, connecting him with Mercy Ships and making a way for him to become crew, and of course bringing us together in marriage.  Because of our extended time home Greg has been able to share stories with my friends and family about God’s faithfulness to him.  Not every person or friend of mine will have the opportunity to go to Africa but through Greg’s stories a little bit of Africa has come here to them.  I pray that through these times of sharing a better understanding of Africa will be created for all who haven’t been there.

            Ms. Hailey Faith Kulah:  So this is my first time having a baby but man o man do I feel blessed.  It has been so wonderful being a mom and loving and caring for this little life that God has entrusted me with.  Since having Hailey (4 weeks ago today) I have been able to have some of the most amazing conversations with friends from all parts of my life.  High school, college, Mass General, church, Mom’s college friends, Dad’s coworkers, the list goes on and on.  With about 3 months left here in the states, I am grateful for these times reconnecting with people I love.  Hailey has opened up a whole new ministry to my family and me.  

God can do more than we could ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20) and he has proved that to me once again during this time home.  Recently I have been reading through Acts and also thinking about how Paul shared the ‘good news’.  I saw that time and time again Paul would use his testimony to help convey the love of Christ.  What a powerful tool that is.  God has shown me that I have that same tool I can use as well, sharing the many stories of God’s faithfulness to me. Whether in West Africa or Chelmsford God has shown me that if I rely on Him he can use me anywhere.    

The US so far.

We've been in the US for two months already?  Crazy right!  

Our time home has been such a blessing.  In the past three years of being on the Africa Mercy whenever I have been home it has been like a sprint to see friends, family, to fundraise, and update churches.  This time home is more like a marathon.  I/we have been able to spend quality time with friends, family, churches, and each other.  We've also been able to do a bit of traveling.  Trips to Virginia, Ohio, NH, New York, and our course all around Massachusetts.  Greg and I have also been blessed in being able to spend time with our church family and really connect with old friends and also make new.  Blessings upon blessings.  

We put this slide show together to give you a glimpse of the many amazing friends and family that we have been able to see and catch up with over these months.  We don't have pictures of every event or friend but this will at least give you and idea.  

*sidenote: Thanks ESPECIALLY to Mom and Dad for letting us live with you, eat your food, take your car, and drive you crazy at times.  We are so excited to be able to spend this special time with you as we visit with friends but also prepare for the arrival of our little one.  We love you.  May God bless you in everything you do for His Glory!

At this point we are about 2-3 weeks away from meeting our little girl and are SUPER excited (and a little nervous) about her arrival.  I/we will update as soon as we hear or FEEL more.. hehe 

Ephesians 1:3 ~ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms, with every spiritual blessing in Christ

Baby Kulah kicks again...

HELLO It’s me again.  I’ve been bugging my mom at least 5-6 times a day to write again but she said I had to wait til I was over 30 weeks old in my water home.  Last Friday I had my 30-week-old birthday so here I am, Hoorayy!! 

For my 28-week-old birthday my Mom and Dad brought me flying.  I thought it was going to be really hard and scary but instead I just sat in a seat for a REALLY long time.  It was pretty boring so I decided to work on my kickboxing moves to pass the time.  I especially loved to try my moves on my Mom’s punching bag (bladder).  My Mom seemed to like it because she kept waking up my Dad so he could feel my new moves.  I can’t wait to come outside so I can really show off my new moves.

FINALLY by the time I had hair on my head we made it from my Dads country to my Moms country.  Our first stop was to meet my Mom’s family.  My Mom and Dad haven’t stopped talking about them since I was a small zygote.  I met my Nana, Grandpa, Auntie, and Uncle and it made me sooo happy.  They were all really nice and I could tell my Mom and Dad were really happy too.

For the past 2 weeks my parents and I have been staying with my grandparents in some place called Chelmsford.  Once we got here my parents and Nana brought me to see a new photographer to take pictures of me inside my water home.  This photographer wanted to take pictures of EVERYTHING.  She took pictures of my heart, my hands, my legs, my head, my tummy, my face, and my feet.  Then the photographer asked my parents if they wanted to know if I was a boy or girl.  I was SOOO embarrassed but I told them it was okay to find out.  SURPRISE, I’m a girl!!  I haven’t told them yet what I want my name to be but I like to leave my parents in suspense.

Over my 30 weeks of growing in my water home I have continued to leave my parents in suspense.  Since I grew eardrums, I have heard my Mom and Dad praying to God about me and all the unknowns ahead, (Ugh they worry about me so much), but like usual God continues to show them that everything is going to be okay if they will just continue to put their faith in Him.  I keep trying to tell them that but you know how parents can be. 

Anyway I should probably get back to working on my kickboxing cause my Mom is starting to get ready for bed but I am excited to meet you all when I come out of my water home in 10 weeks. 

Love you Mom and Dad.

Hi!

One of my sweet moves, Hiya!