Ardell Persenaire Hogeterp

Grand Rapids, MI

I worked as an art teacher for grades K - 12 at the American International School in Accra, Ghana. While living in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Ghana I apprenticed myself to learn the African crafts of stone carving, woodworking, batik, and weaving. I am struggling with depression. My art helps me search and give voice to shame I feel as a woman and the grace that I needed to feel from God and needed to extend towards others around me. I have four children, three boys and a girl aged 13 - 7 who keep me very busy after school! We just moved back from Ghana two months ago in March and as a family we are still adjusting to living in the U.S. We miss the street vendors selling food and goods in the streets. We miss the friendliness of Ghanaians who don't look away at greetings but start a conversation right in the streets I am searching for a heart to better know God.