One of the best ways to understand missions is not through statistics or reports, but through ordinary days. Those small, seemingly simple moments reveal what missionary life really looks like.
This journal entry captures a snapshot of missionary daily life in Ghana, told through Gilbert’s perspective during one of our first weeks back in the country. It was a day full of language learning, errands, laughter, and the small cultural discoveries that make life on the mission field so memorable.
Jet Lag and a Ghanaian Breakfast
Our morning started a little later than expected. Jet lag was still lingering from our long trip across the Atlantic. Anyone who has traveled internationally knows that adjusting to a new time zone takes patience.
Eventually we managed to pull ourselves out of bed and gather around the table for breakfast.
It was a simple meal, but it felt like a celebration of being back in Ghana. Fresh banana bread sat on the table next to a plate of bright yellow pineapple that had been cut only minutes earlier. Fruit in West Africa tastes different than what most Americans are used to. It is sweeter, fresher, and bursting with flavor.
As we sat together eating breakfast, the reality of our new schedule began to settle in. The day’s biggest event was about to begin.
Gilbert was heading to his very first Fante language lesson.
Language learning is one of the most important parts of missionary daily life in Ghana. You can preach through an interpreter for a while, but if you truly want to reach people’s hearts, you must learn their language.
And that process always begins with humble first steps.
The First Fante Lesson
Our teacher arrived shortly after breakfast.
Mrs. Martha Amoah is a wonderful Christian lady whose husband pastors a church in the coastal town of Shama. She has helped many missionaries learn the Fante language over the years, and we were thankful she was willing to help our family as well.
She brought her young son, James—who everyone calls JR—along with her for the lesson.
The moment class started, Gilbert realized he had stepped into something completely new. Everyone else in the group had already been studying Fante for several months. Some had been taking lessons for six months or more.
Gilbert, on the other hand, was starting from scratch.
At first, the words looked strange and unfamiliar. Fante uses sounds and spelling patterns that English speakers rarely see. But something interesting happened as he began reading.
Even though he didn’t fully understand the words yet, he was able to pronounce them surprisingly well.
Mrs. Amoah noticed immediately.
She looked up with a smile and said that he sounded like a native speaker when reading aloud. Of course, Gilbert laughed and admitted the truth—he had no idea what he was actually reading.
Still, pronunciation is an important first step. Language learning requires thousands of repetitions and careful listening.
Gilbert filled his notebook with pages of notes during the lesson. New words, new phrases, and new sounds covered the pages. There is still a lot to learn, but every missionary begins somewhere.
Mom and Dad sat in during the class as well, occasionally offering insights from their previous years in Ghana. Danny and Bonnie spent the time entertaining little JR, which kept the lesson moving smoothly.
Moments like this show the rhythm of missionary daily life in Ghana. Ministry happens, but so do children playing on the floor, laughter during lessons, and families learning together.
Errands Around Town
After the lesson ended, it was time to leave the house and run several errands.
Life on the mission field often involves tasks that look surprisingly ordinary. Buying tickets, grocery shopping, and picking up supplies are all part of the routine.
For lunch we stopped at a familiar place—the local KFC.
While some people are surprised to see American restaurants in Africa, they are fairly common in larger cities. The meal tasted great, and it gave everyone a chance to relax for a few minutes.
After lunch, several of us headed to the local airport.
Dad, Mom, Danny, and Bonnie needed plane tickets for their upcoming trip back to Accra. Driving from our area back to the capital can take six hours or more depending on traffic and road conditions. Because of that, they decided it was worth paying a little extra for a short twenty-minute flight instead.
While we were buying tickets at the airport, Mrs. Ruckman, Mom, and Bonnie headed out to shop for fabric.
In Ghana, it is very common to buy beautiful patterned cloth and have local tailors sew custom clothing. The fabrics are colorful and vibrant, and the results are often far better than store-bought clothing.
A Changing Ghana
Later in the afternoon, everyone met up at Melcom.
For those who have lived in Ghana for many years, Melcom is a familiar store. It is somewhat similar to a department store or a smaller version of Walmart.
When we lived in Ghana years ago, Melcom was much smaller. The aisles were crowded, and the store felt packed with people.
But this time we were surprised.
The new Melcom building was huge—two stories tall with wide aisles and neatly organized shelves. The store was clean, bright, and stocked with everything from furniture to groceries.
Walking through the store reminded us how much Ghana has grown and developed over the years.
Moments like this are another part of missionary daily life in Ghana. Missionaries do not just watch a country—they watch it grow, change, and develop over time.
Supper and Family Time
After finishing our shopping, we headed back home for a short rest.
Travel, language study, and errands can wear you out quickly, especially when you are still adjusting to jet lag.
That evening, Bro. and Mrs. Ruckman prepared an incredible supper for everyone. Sharing meals together is one of the great joys of missionary life. Food has a way of bringing people together and creating lasting friendships.
Once supper was finished, we pulled out a board game.
The game was Ticket to Ride, a favorite in our house. It didn’t take long for the competition to heat up.
Danny ended up winning the game, which he was very proud of. Gilbert finished in fourth place, which he was slightly less proud of!
Still, laughter filled the room as everyone joked about their train routes and missed opportunities.
Moments like these remind us that ministry is not only about preaching sermons or building churches. It is also about family, friendship, and the shared experiences that make life meaningful.
These small memories become some of the most treasured parts of missionary daily life in Ghana.
Ending the Day
As the evening came to an end, everyone started preparing for bed.
Jet lag still lingered, so sleep schedules were a little unpredictable. Gilbert hoped he might manage to fall asleep before 1:00 a.m.—which would count as progress.
Even though the day was not filled with dramatic ministry stories, it was an important one.
Language was learned.
Relationships were strengthened.
And another step was taken toward serving the people of Ghana more effectively.
These ordinary days may not seem exciting at first glance. But they are the building blocks of missionary work.
Over time, thousands of small moments like this shape a lifetime of ministry.
If you want to learn more about how young people can experience the mission field firsthand, visit our page about the missionary internship program here:
It will be fun to follow you, Gilbert!
That certainly is a full day of adventures. Prayers you all get some much needed sleep. Look forward to reading your future blogs.