News From Ghana

Sunday, March 15, 2009
so here is my version of the adventure thus far to germany... our plane to philly was delayed and delayed out of knoxville. it was suppose to leave at 3:45. we left at 5:00. we quite literally power walked like a bunch of grannies in wal-mart to get to out next gate which connected us to germany... rewind. in knoxville i had a window seat and happen to notice some disturbances outside of the plane, not all the luggage would fit on the plane. i glance around and i realize that i was a winner... my suitcase had not made it on. fastforward...power walking through the airport and realizing that my luggage is still in knoxville...i now sit in germany unsure of where exactly my clothes are, which is fine. it's all in God's hands and always has been. its roughly 4:30 am on my body time and i slept about an hour last night... keep praying.melynne
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Sunday, March 15, 2009
12:04 AM
Here are some Ghana tips and advice from a professional.
1. The heat won't hurt you until about 12:00 PM. The humidity is like Death coming at you with his scythe.
2. ALLWAYS BRING SPARE CLOTHES IN YOUR CARRY-ON!
3. BRING AN EXTRA FAN!!!!
4. Last but not least, NEVER ROOM WITH RICHARD SMITH!!! THERE IS ALLWAYS A CATCH!!!
5. BRING PLENTY OF BUGSPRAY!!
6. When your on the plane, bring something to do. The international flights sometimes have movies, but there are only a few and the get boring after you have watched them 4 times!!
I had a hard few days! All I ate was cheese crackers because of the disgusting AIRPLANE FOOD!!!! It was awful!!! Tell Karen Durham I miss her and wish she was here.
Alex Parham
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Sunday, 0010hours
Just want to say thank you to all the people of Farragut Church and their friends that praying for us...it has worked! Lost passports have been found, even 2 times in one day; only a few lost pieces of luggage; the good noodles and beef, homemade bread, and their have been no flat tires!
Pray that we as physicians and nurses can be sharp tools in the Master's hands, that teachers can collaborate with the school leaders and teachers here to teach the children to be lifelong skilled learners, and for the Love of the Master to be woven thru everything that is done here.
Jon
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12:40 a.m.
"Eight Days in Africa"
What is God wanting us to accomplish with us in Ghana, West Africa, and more than that what is God accomplishing in us?
Whose lives are we to touch and who or what is God using to touch us? Will it be the starving children, a brother or sister on the mission or might it be the local in their love for the Father and their worship that bring about a change in us. Perhaps this is God's call on our lives to refocus or perhaps we are to be still and truly know the Lord.
The sky is clear and bright yet we are here under what is a new sky to us---but certainly not to God. The universe is still declaring God's majesty. From the sky at some 30,000 feet it is clear that you are still the Lord of Heaven and Earth. The view of the Swiss Alps and the arid lands of the Sahara desert were breath-taking. If nothing else God is calling us back to worship him. Worship is truly what precipitates all that we do in service to God. It is our desire for other to worship You that we are here. Thank you Father for being so amazing.
Thanks everyone for all of your prayers and support. I am missing you all, especially A,B,C, & D.
Love,
Paul
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Sunday, March 15, 2009
6:59 AM
Flexibility is an important word. Applying it's principles often is a quick response to unforeseen changes.
Upon arrival at the VOH late last night was that the clinic schedule was changed from Monday-Thursday to Tuesday through Friday. Which means the Tour of the forest and castle have moved from Friday to Monday. Teacher seminars will have to be rescheduled.
Life is good.
James
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Having experienced this trip last year has not diminished the wonder of being here again. I find myself looking around going - wow - I am in AFRICA, again. Everything is so remarkably the same. Driving out to the village, sights were familiar, and it felt so welcoming. Everyone should feel the homeness of a foreign land to remind us that we are all one, with only One Father. I get ready for church this morning with anticipation. Last year service at Fettah was an unexpected blessing, this year an expected one. I will not know all the words but it will not matter.
For my missing Teresa - I miss your presence, but I am not the only one - a little guy has already talked to David Gentry looking for you - David says he will bring you the message. J
For our missing companion, Eric, please know our prayers are with you, along with the precious prayers of your brothers and sisters in Fettah.
For my family - much love your way, thank you for your support and encouragement, even when I am stubborn J David and Abby take good care of your Daddy. Mommy loves you very much!!!
I am off to take some pictures - so surprising. J
Michelle
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Letecia says hello to Ryan ,Kym,and Kaleigh.We arrived last night around 10:00 PM.I had started traveling from Montana at 3:00 AM on Friday morning .Thats about 43 hours of travel time for me.I slept great in a bed last night! I look forward to worshipping with our Fetteh church brothers and sisters this morning.
Kym,Ryan,and Kaleigh I love you.
Dorian
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well, its warm here. hooray! i slept like a rock after not sleeping for two days and because my luggage never came in i'm having to borrow clothes to wear. pray for strength, patience and the ability to love everyone around us while we are here. the food is great, fresh pineapple and banana's, fresh bread and cheese. i went on a walk around the compound this morning and the children were everywhere doing chores, working, but they would all stop and come talk to me when i walked by. they all have such beautiful, individual names. and their faces are so bright. pray that we will be able to demonstrate Christ's love for them in all that we do. thank you for your continuous support.
melynne
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It is always an adventure to get to the airport in anticipation of finding our luggage. Paul, Melynne, Jon and Alex all got that sinking feeling as all bags unloaded and theirs were not there. So that means another day back to Accra for them, which means losing Dr. Jon for a period of time to go retrieve luggage.
We arrived late, but many were here to meet us, including Faustina, the director of the preschool. She'll have to leave Monday and will be gone all week. At least Laurie and I will have today and in the morning to pick her brain and get a plan for the week,
We are about to leave for church. The singing in Fettah is totally amazing, so it will be an uplifting service.
Love to everyone who helped make this possible!
Jean
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Sunday, March 15, 2009
12:02 PM
Well i just got out of church. Its very interesting how they work things round here. O yeah when you see me next time i will be skinnier from sweating so much! The plane ride was a longgg ride but it passed by fast because of the movies, etc. Well my luggage was all ok. The airline food was pretty nasty and now that were here i have tried goat and i like egg salad now. Were eating good in the neighborhood!!but on the bad side Alex's and Melyenne's got lost somewhere in the air, but they have to go get it tonight. I cant wait to see the rest of the adventures ahead! Tell my mom i said to look @ this and tell her to get my dad to look to. Mom, Dad love miss u and im ok!!! J p.s. Dianna gave up make up haha and my hairbrush is not working here (frizzzz come to think of it hers isn't working either!!! L

Austin Hall "aka" G-Man
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Sunday, 15 March, 2009 1:03 PM
Hey all,
Great church service at Fetteh Church this am with jubulant singing, fervent prayers, and some individual commitments for various reasons today. One almost overlooks the evident, abject poverty in your peripheral vision when you have the beautiful face of a local adult or child in front of you. How beautiful the faces of the children framed by their clean white or colorful shirts or dresses! Sounds of heartful singing and back and forth translation of the church service will be an indelible memory of today and this day forward in my life. Thanks so to God for the breezes that blow here even in midday as the humidity reminds me of growing up in Memphis in August without air conditioning.
Off to help organize the medical clinic at the orphanage.
Jon+++++++++++++++++++++
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Love to all!
The trip over was fairly uneventful (once the Parhams got to the Knoxville airport after misplacing our passports NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE). I know it will be hard for our close friends to believe, but due to this mishap, our family was actually LATE to the airport! (Yes, Norma! We deserve any kind of remark you could throw out there!)
But the children could really not have been better or more pleasant, despite being in the air or in airports or in transport vehicles for well over 24 hours. Their musings and revelations have been a constant source of hilarity for me. One particularly funny moment was when Alex and Austin were sitting in the Frankfurt airport, discussing the loudspeaker both in the airport and in the airplane, in utter disbelief that the Germans were actually speaking German! Another big surprise was that the plane's bathroom were ACTUALLY downstairs and that first class (that we decidedly WERE NOT sitting in) offered leg room and video games! For the most part, though, they have been positive and happy and full of wonder.
Speaking of children...I cannot say that I have EVER seen more breathtaking children as I have seen here in Ghana. They are bright-eyed and gorgeous, so innocent and loving -- they truly melt into whomever they hug and soak up any and all attention. It is as if they (and the Ghanian adults I have met) are filled with a type of joy that I have never experienced in my life, as if, being here, that have not been so far removed from the essence of life like we Westerners have. And the Fettah church! I am still processing that experience!
So, we have settled in nicely and have begun to soak up the rich blessings of Africa, where we are learning more and more to appreciate the glory of a good breeze and a cool washcloth.
Peace and joy to you all. I will certainly write later.
Love,
Dianna
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