Consfords Chronicles
Missionary Internships in Africa
Stories from the mission field where young missionary interns learn ministry, culture, and service in Ghana.
A Day of Preparation During a Missionary Internship Serving in Ghana
One of the most exciting parts of a missionary internship serving in Ghana is discovering that ministry rarely follows a predictable schedule. Some days involve teaching, others involve evangelism, and occasionally the day becomes a mixture of construction work, cultural learning, errands in the city, and preparing for important events in the church.
This particular day started quietly but quickly turned into a full schedule of ministry preparations.
I woke up around 7:05 that morning. One blessing of being on a missionary internship serving in Ghana is learning to begin each day with the Lord before everything else starts moving. The house was still quiet, which gave me time to read my Bible and spend a few moments alone with God before the day’s activities began.
Around 8:00 I headed downstairs to see what was happening in the house. At first, no one seemed to be awake yet, so I sat in the living room waiting for the rest of the household to get moving. After about thirty minutes the house began to come alive.
Mrs. Angie started making pancakes in the kitchen, while Bro. Ruckman was already hard at work studying and working on some Fante language material. One of the most interesting things about being involved in missions work is realizing how much language study goes into ministry. Even everyday conversations become opportunities to learn.
We sat down for breakfast around 9:00 A.M., and once we finished eating the real adventures of the day began.
Measuring Property and Preparing the Church
Our first stop was the church property.
When we arrived, several of the men from the church were already working hard putting up a sign along the road so people passing by would know where the church was located. Watching the men work together reminded me how much of ministry in Africa is built on teamwork and cooperation among believers.
While they worked on the sign, Bro. Ruckman and I began measuring different areas of the church property. Plans were already underway to begin building soon, and careful measurements were needed before construction could start.
Moments like this are part of what makes a missionary internship serving in Ghana so valuable. It is not just about sitting in classrooms or attending services. Interns see firsthand how churches grow, how land is developed, and how missionary work often involves practical skills alongside spiritual ministry.
From preaching the Gospel to measuring land for buildings, everything works together in the mission field.
Market Circle and the Search for a Sound System
After finishing our measurements, we headed into town to a place called Market Circle. If you have never experienced an African market district, it is difficult to describe the constant movement, noise, and energy.
Our goal that day was simple: find a sound system for the church before the upcoming wedding.
The wedding was scheduled for the following Saturday, which meant we had only about a week to get everything installed and functioning properly. Sound equipment is important during church services in Ghana because buildings are often open-air and crowds can grow quickly.
Eventually we found a music shop that seemed promising.
Rather than simply buying equipment and hoping it worked, Bro. Ruckman invited two of the men from the store to come back with us to the church so they could evaluate the building themselves. This way they could recommend exactly what equipment was needed and measure how much wiring would be required.
Back at the church they carefully looked around the sanctuary, measuring distances and thinking through how the speakers and monitors would be installed.
After finishing their inspection, we drove them back to their shop so we could look at the equipment they recommended.
Bargaining and Learning Mission Field Culture
One thing you quickly learn during a missionary internship serving in Ghana is that buying something rarely happens at the first price.
Negotiation is part of everyday life.
At the store the men showed us different equipment options: speakers, stage monitors, microphones, and all the wiring necessary to install the system properly. They also included labor for the technicians who would set everything up.
Then came the bargaining.
Bro. Ruckman talked with them for quite a while, discussing prices and trying to reach an agreement that was fair for everyone involved. Eventually they settled on a deal that included two speakers, two monitors, two microphones, all the required wiring, and the labor to install the entire system.
Watching that process was a cultural lesson in itself. Missionaries quickly learn that patience, respect, and a little negotiation often lead to good results.
A Stop at Melcom and Lunch in the City
Once we finished at the music store, we made another stop at Melcom, a large department store that carries many imported items.
I was planning to buy a recliner for my room.
That might sound like a small thing, but it was actually the first piece of furniture I had ever purchased myself. During missions work, even simple comforts can feel like major accomplishments.
While we were at the mall, we also grabbed lunch at Pizza Hut. It felt a little strange eating American-style pizza in the middle of Ghana, but after a long morning of errands it was a welcome break.
After lunch we loaded the recliner into the vehicle and headed back to the house.
An Afternoon with the Kids at Church
Once the chair was unloaded and placed in my room, we returned to the church again.
The plan was to get the money from the men of the church so we could pay the sound system installers the next day. However, when we arrived, the men who had the funds were not there yet.
Instead of wasting time, we simply helped out around the church.
At one point I started playing games with some of the kids using a football and a soccer ball. The children had a great time running around, laughing, and trying to teach me how to play properly.
Of course, I managed to fall down a couple of times.
The kids thought it was hilarious to see the “white boy” fall while trying to keep up with them. But honestly, moments like that are often some of the most enjoyable parts of a missionary internship serving in Ghana.
Ministry is not only preaching and teaching. Sometimes it is simply building relationships and sharing laughter with the people around you.
A Quiet Evening After a Long Day
By the time we finished helping at the church, everyone was ready to head home.
After a long day in the heat, the first thing I did was take a much-needed shower. Then I spent a little time relaxing before supper.
Mrs. Angie once again prepared a wonderful meal. That evening we had chicken, rice, and a red sauce that was poured over the rice. Meals around the table often become times of conversation, storytelling, and reflecting on everything God is doing through the ministry.
After supper I sat in the living room for a while, but eventually decided to head upstairs.
For the first time, I was able to sit in my air-conditioned room and relax in my brand-new recliner. After such a busy day, it felt incredibly comfortable.
And honestly, it was a small reminder that God provides for even the simple needs of life.
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow
The next morning we planned to collect the funds from the church men and return to the music store to finalize payment for the sound equipment.
There was still a lot to accomplish before the wedding the following week, but everything seemed to be coming together.
Days like this demonstrate the reality of missionary life. A missionary internship serving in Ghana includes ministry, logistics, cultural learning, errands, and relationship-building all woven together.
Every task, whether measuring land, negotiating equipment prices, or playing soccer with kids, becomes part of the larger work of serving Christ and helping a local church grow.
For those considering missions work, experiences like these are invaluable.
If you would like to learn more about how interns experience real ministry life overseas, you can explore the full program and stories from the field.
More Missionary Internship Stories
We’ll be thinking of you in your comfortable recliner.
I do love a good chair! It looks like a very comfortable one. Things seem to be going really well and we enjoy reading your daily updates.