Thursday, August 19, 2010
Ministry links
Just thought you might like to take a closer look at some of the ministries we visited while in Ghana. Handivangelism is the ministry that is donating both the temporary facilities and the land for the all new HOMe (house of mercy) for West African Mercy Ministries. Check out their international page. Rafiki has the type of setting that WAMM would like to use as they grow-with two parent homes forming a village around the HOMe.
Home
Yes, dear readers, I am home. Sorry it took this long for me to let you know. My head is still a bit fuzzy and there is so much to process. That last day in Ghana seemed to go so fast. Before we knew it we were on our way to the airport. That process was so typical of Ghana, with the long lines and impatient people but we made it through. We walked past all the shops and decided to use the restrooms before going through security. Good thing! Once through security, there were NO amenities at all....just half enough chairs for all the people waiting. We were taken to the plan by a bus and herded up the galley way like cattle....one big bunch of people all trying to get on the stairway wide enough for only one.
The flight itself went well and I was even able to get some sleep. Back in the US, we had to go through customs, reentry into the US, collect our bags, then check our bags, then go through security again. Then off to Chicago. During that flight we looked at pictures using Jim's laptop. That really helped pass the time. We arrived in Chicago 20 minutes ahead of schedule. Jim's one checked bag was damaged so he got to go pick out a new one. His wife picked us up and we were back in Mukwanogo around 2:30. Nick picked us up there and brought us home.
It was just so good to be home and to sleep in my own bed again.
I woke up around 4:30 this morning and have had a hard time with the time today. I keep thinking that it should be later than it is. All my bags are unpacked and everything is pretty much put away.
It is going to take a while to process all that I have seen and done and how that has affected me. The time in Ghana went so fast. And I have made some new and dear to me friends in Ghana. Brian and Debbie are some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet and I am honored to have been their guest. I have come to understand their hearts and their mission a little better and to see firsthand the difficulties of operating in a third world culture. Having seen and experienced some of them myself, gives me a greater insight into their world.
I have also had the opportunity to see their faith in action. Their desire to serve God by obeying His command to have compassion on the poor and sick and to love the children is evidence of that faith in action. They are facing some real tests of that faith now as they have to find a new residence for their family (which includes 2 babies and an intern) by the first of November. Costs are prohibitive and rent must be paid for 2 years in advance. I am looking to God to meet their needs in order that He can receive the honor and glory and that all will give Him praise.
I just learned today that baby Julianna is very sick. She is running a fever of 104 degrees and will have to see a doctor tomorrow and perhaps return to Police Hospital. I have been there dear friends and it is not a good place to go. Pray with me for her healing as well as for the family as they care for her.
I don't know how much longer I will keep blogging, but I will let you know when I decide to stop.
Good night, dear readers, May God bless and keep you all.
The flight itself went well and I was even able to get some sleep. Back in the US, we had to go through customs, reentry into the US, collect our bags, then check our bags, then go through security again. Then off to Chicago. During that flight we looked at pictures using Jim's laptop. That really helped pass the time. We arrived in Chicago 20 minutes ahead of schedule. Jim's one checked bag was damaged so he got to go pick out a new one. His wife picked us up and we were back in Mukwanogo around 2:30. Nick picked us up there and brought us home.
It was just so good to be home and to sleep in my own bed again.
I woke up around 4:30 this morning and have had a hard time with the time today. I keep thinking that it should be later than it is. All my bags are unpacked and everything is pretty much put away.
It is going to take a while to process all that I have seen and done and how that has affected me. The time in Ghana went so fast. And I have made some new and dear to me friends in Ghana. Brian and Debbie are some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet and I am honored to have been their guest. I have come to understand their hearts and their mission a little better and to see firsthand the difficulties of operating in a third world culture. Having seen and experienced some of them myself, gives me a greater insight into their world.
I have also had the opportunity to see their faith in action. Their desire to serve God by obeying His command to have compassion on the poor and sick and to love the children is evidence of that faith in action. They are facing some real tests of that faith now as they have to find a new residence for their family (which includes 2 babies and an intern) by the first of November. Costs are prohibitive and rent must be paid for 2 years in advance. I am looking to God to meet their needs in order that He can receive the honor and glory and that all will give Him praise.
I just learned today that baby Julianna is very sick. She is running a fever of 104 degrees and will have to see a doctor tomorrow and perhaps return to Police Hospital. I have been there dear friends and it is not a good place to go. Pray with me for her healing as well as for the family as they care for her.
I don't know how much longer I will keep blogging, but I will let you know when I decide to stop.
Good night, dear readers, May God bless and keep you all.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Goodbye Ghana
In six and a half hours will be taking off from the airport in Accra. We leave with mixed emotions; eager to return to our home and family yet reluctantly saying goodbye to new friends. We have learned so much while we were here. It is my prayer that God has been glorified.
The McIntyres received news this morning that they will have to move out of this house by Nov.1. That means finding a new home (they have to pay rent in advance) and moving their 3 children, the two babies, and the intern that will be arriving soon. Please pray for them......they only want God's will to be done and for Him to be glorified. Pray that they will find a wonderful home with sufficient room for all and that is affordable.
Yesterday was a day for relaxing? We took a three and a half hour ride up the coast and visited a rainforest park that had a canopy walk..7 rope bridges over a 60' ravine. It was fun. Then a on and a half hour drive to tour a slave fort. Then a two hour drive to the coast for a swim in the ocean. The waves knocked me down. It was a little scary....I didn't swim in it. We ate dinner at a restaurant on the beach. Then a long drive home and to bed.
The other team left early this morning to go to the village to help Dinah. They were excited to help her with her clinic even though they would be having a three hour ride there and again to return here. They will be leaving on Thursday.
I am sorry that we were unable to get more pictures for you to see on our blog. You will just have to visit and look at them or come to Grace Bible Church when we do our presentation. This Sunday will be a short one just to give you an idea of what is coming.
See you soon!
The McIntyres received news this morning that they will have to move out of this house by Nov.1. That means finding a new home (they have to pay rent in advance) and moving their 3 children, the two babies, and the intern that will be arriving soon. Please pray for them......they only want God's will to be done and for Him to be glorified. Pray that they will find a wonderful home with sufficient room for all and that is affordable.
Yesterday was a day for relaxing? We took a three and a half hour ride up the coast and visited a rainforest park that had a canopy walk..7 rope bridges over a 60' ravine. It was fun. Then a on and a half hour drive to tour a slave fort. Then a two hour drive to the coast for a swim in the ocean. The waves knocked me down. It was a little scary....I didn't swim in it. We ate dinner at a restaurant on the beach. Then a long drive home and to bed.
The other team left early this morning to go to the village to help Dinah. They were excited to help her with her clinic even though they would be having a three hour ride there and again to return here. They will be leaving on Thursday.
I am sorry that we were unable to get more pictures for you to see on our blog. You will just have to visit and look at them or come to Grace Bible Church when we do our presentation. This Sunday will be a short one just to give you an idea of what is coming.
See you soon!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Intense
The word intense is the only way I can describe what we experienced today at the yam market. It is called that because the yam trucks deliver there and the yams are sold there. It is a refuge camp of 23,000 people. The children mobbed us as we distributed uniforms, pencils, and pens. They hollered and screamed in excitement at the prospect of being able to go to school. They are undiciplined and needy. They are the poorest of the poor. Words cannot describe the sounds, smells, and sights of that place. Flys are on the food, garbage is everywhere, people live in abject poverty. The streets are dirty and littered with filth and what I will call sewer water for lack of a better way of describing it, ran everywhere. The children had no qualms about walking right in it. Everyone wanted to be 'snapped'-have theire picture taken. And of course, they then wanted to see themselves. These are people without hope. Handivangelism is working to change that with their ministry to the children. I need to work this out more in my mind before I can share more.
The morning started with worship at Haaco Center. Still Baptist, but when the congregation sang in their native tongue and style, with the drums and the hand clapping, I was engulfed. I loved it dear friends. Sometimes I am too Charismatic in my worhip if such a thing is possible.
Dinner was at Echoing Hills another partner with Handivangelism. It was delicious. Beth stayed at the house to guard against tomotoe allergy problems...incase they used the same spoon in one thing and then in another during preparation.
We have decided to try to go to sleep earlier tonight as we leave early tomorrow for a trip to the coast. It will be a long day, but a sightseeing excursion. We will see the coast, a slave fort museum, and go on a canopy bridge.....I will try to get pictures of that!
Then Tuesday, and the flight home. we leave Accra at 11 pm, but have to be at the airport by 8 pm. I am looking forward to coming home, but not to the airpoane ride that will bring me there.
I am trusting that the same God that brought me to Ghana will bring me home.
The morning started with worship at Haaco Center. Still Baptist, but when the congregation sang in their native tongue and style, with the drums and the hand clapping, I was engulfed. I loved it dear friends. Sometimes I am too Charismatic in my worhip if such a thing is possible.
Dinner was at Echoing Hills another partner with Handivangelism. It was delicious. Beth stayed at the house to guard against tomotoe allergy problems...incase they used the same spoon in one thing and then in another during preparation.
We have decided to try to go to sleep earlier tonight as we leave early tomorrow for a trip to the coast. It will be a long day, but a sightseeing excursion. We will see the coast, a slave fort museum, and go on a canopy bridge.....I will try to get pictures of that!
Then Tuesday, and the flight home. we leave Accra at 11 pm, but have to be at the airport by 8 pm. I am looking forward to coming home, but not to the airpoane ride that will bring me there.
I am trusting that the same God that brought me to Ghana will bring me home.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Early Morning Reflections
Even in ghana, this early morning time is so precious to me. God reveals himself to me in the new day as the birds begin their songs and the earth comes alive. Here in Ghana the sun doesn't shine until 6-ish, unless it is the rainy season and the sun stays behind the clouds.
God has been faithful throughout this mission trip. He is answering prayers and revealing Himself to me daily. I have found our daily devotion time to be both challenging and rewarding. It is such a blessing to talk about what being a Christian is all about...What does God expect from us.....How does He work....What about fear....and so much more. We are using John Piper's "Pierced by the Word" I have found the author to be very insightful and would encourage you to read it. It is a 31 day devotional meant to pierce the heart of the reader with the Word of God that he or she may become the very embodiment of that Word. How else are others to see Jesus in us. If we are filled with, satisfied in, and walking in His Word others will know that He is God to His glory. As God's Word pierces deep into our souls it changes us into who we should be.
The very first study was about the love of God and how His love is demonstrated in every circumstance....not just the good ones. This is the love that is in us in Christ Jesus...the Love of God. Piper say's ""Love is doing whatever you need to do to help people see and savor the glory of God in Christ Forever and ever. Love keeps God central. Because the soul was made for God." That is just a taste of what God has been revealing to me.
and every day, He is faithful to give me some challenge to use what He has shown me that day.
My prayer for you my friends is that you will come to this knowledge of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
God has been faithful throughout this mission trip. He is answering prayers and revealing Himself to me daily. I have found our daily devotion time to be both challenging and rewarding. It is such a blessing to talk about what being a Christian is all about...What does God expect from us.....How does He work....What about fear....and so much more. We are using John Piper's "Pierced by the Word" I have found the author to be very insightful and would encourage you to read it. It is a 31 day devotional meant to pierce the heart of the reader with the Word of God that he or she may become the very embodiment of that Word. How else are others to see Jesus in us. If we are filled with, satisfied in, and walking in His Word others will know that He is God to His glory. As God's Word pierces deep into our souls it changes us into who we should be.
The very first study was about the love of God and how His love is demonstrated in every circumstance....not just the good ones. This is the love that is in us in Christ Jesus...the Love of God. Piper say's ""Love is doing whatever you need to do to help people see and savor the glory of God in Christ Forever and ever. Love keeps God central. Because the soul was made for God." That is just a taste of what God has been revealing to me.
and every day, He is faithful to give me some challenge to use what He has shown me that day.
My prayer for you my friends is that you will come to this knowledge of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Rafiki House
We went to visit Rafiki House today. It was what we had on our plan and it actually happened.
This is a different kind of orphanage; one that McIntyres would like to fashion their baby home after, the difference being that they would having both mothers and fathers on site to raise the babies. The Rafiki here in Ghana is the first of ten; one in each of ten African countries. The goal of this ministry is to raise and educate these orphans from 1-1/2 to adulthood and see them life productive lives. By keeping them in ghana rather than having them adopted into families in other countries they hope to improve the country of Ghana. I know that I am not presenting this exactly as presented to us. But I hope you are getting the idea. The home is really a village. The children are in small homes with 'mothers' that have been carefully selected and trained. Besides those children that live there, approximately 50 orphans from the surrounding villages go to school at Rafiki. There is a school building, a dining hall, a medical building, and various other buildings. All these buildings are clean and well maintained. the children also are clean and well fed. This orphanage village is about a 45 minute drive (on a good day) from Accra. There are hills which are called mountains here, and lots of grass and some trees. It is by far one of the nicest places, aside from McIntyre's that we have visited so far. Tomorrow we will be going back to Beacon House with team two.
The weather today was cool (75)and cloudy with a few drizzles. The sun did shine for a few minutes. Perhaps it will shine a little more tomorrow, but I won't hold my breath.
This is a different kind of orphanage; one that McIntyres would like to fashion their baby home after, the difference being that they would having both mothers and fathers on site to raise the babies. The Rafiki here in Ghana is the first of ten; one in each of ten African countries. The goal of this ministry is to raise and educate these orphans from 1-1/2 to adulthood and see them life productive lives. By keeping them in ghana rather than having them adopted into families in other countries they hope to improve the country of Ghana. I know that I am not presenting this exactly as presented to us. But I hope you are getting the idea. The home is really a village. The children are in small homes with 'mothers' that have been carefully selected and trained. Besides those children that live there, approximately 50 orphans from the surrounding villages go to school at Rafiki. There is a school building, a dining hall, a medical building, and various other buildings. All these buildings are clean and well maintained. the children also are clean and well fed. This orphanage village is about a 45 minute drive (on a good day) from Accra. There are hills which are called mountains here, and lots of grass and some trees. It is by far one of the nicest places, aside from McIntyre's that we have visited so far. Tomorrow we will be going back to Beacon House with team two.
The weather today was cool (75)and cloudy with a few drizzles. The sun did shine for a few minutes. Perhaps it will shine a little more tomorrow, but I won't hold my breath.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
some pictures
Bush rat anyone? A small termite hill.
Beth taking a picture at Echoing Hills. A muddy drive home after church on Sunday.
The roadside as seen from the van. I will be bringing many more pictures home with me. Beth and I will be doing a presentation, I think, during the Sunday School hour the Sunday after we get back.
There is so much going on in my brain that I don't always know how best to convey it. God has been teaching me how difficult any ministry can be in this country. Having experienced some of the culture, the power outages and internet interruptions, among other things.
There are only a few days left before we return home. It will be interesting to see if the planned itinerary holds while the second team is here.
The house seems very full with the addition of 5 women, but we will all manage. It will be very empty and quiet for McIntyres after we leave. We have done our bewt to spoil the babies. Got to go.Talk again later.
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