Hey Beautiful Wife & The Munchkins:
It is Wednesday morning here at 10:15 and I don't know when you will get this, but I wanted to communicate a couple of things to you. First of all, it will be much more convenient for me to call you tomorrow instead of today. So Thursday (tomorrow) sometime around the time I called you yesterday. Then I will call you from Philadelphia when we land there Sunday afternoon. THEN I WILL SEE YOU ALL LATER THAT NIGHT!
Senya yesterday was, . . . well, it was Senya. There are no words to describe it and that's all I really want to say. The preacher of the church there, along with Kofi Isaac at Fettah, are true spiritual giants. Against all odds and in the face of unspeakable poverty, they toil on and on and on, seemingly without ever growing faint in heart or faithless in spirit. Their commitment to their people and to the work of God in their respective villages is without peer in this world. We are going to return to Senya after clinic again this afternoon, and then back in time for church at Fettah at 7:00, pretty much the same routine as yesterday.
The only thing about Senya from yesterday I really feel like writing about is when Dave and I played in a soccer game with about 20 other people with a new ball he brought to Ghana. We pumped it up on the way to Senya. Dust everywhere with no definitive goal. Just people running in every direction, laughing, kicking the ball. The kicked-up dust was so thick I could barely see the person in front of me. In that heat, with layers of Deet spray on me, and then the granules of that sand and my profuse sweat sticking to my body, well, you can just imagine. Even now, I feel as if I need to walk through a car wash.
Everyone is doing superbly well. They really are. The maturity and hard work of our young guys in particular is inspirational. Those of you who are their parents should be EXTREMELY PROUD of the children you have raised. I feel good knowing that the present and the future of the church and our society is in their hands.
I will be here at the VOH for most of this day, volunteering at the clinic a little and sitting in on a couple of classes here. Then I will speak at afternoon chapel for a group of about a hundred students before our next jaunt to Senya.
Paige, we are supposed to begin our supper on Thursday nights at Central next Thursday, April 8. Could you please call Gwen (621-8498) or Veta (385-1175) or Christine (765-5633) and see about us moving our kick-off for that to the following Thursday, April 15. I mistakenly double-booked my calendar for that day. I don't necessarily have to be there, of course, but I do feel like with it being the very first one that I need to be there. For that matter, if anyone from Farragut reading this could pass along that request from me to move our start date back one week, I would be grateful. I am very excited about this initiative because I know it is the work of God, and that the need for food is great in our community. I hope this one week delay, in the event that you decide to do so, does not put anyone out.
And hey, Randy, buddy I sure do appreciate your consolation after that 1 point loss to Michigan State. What a bummer! Glad I was spared the misery of having to watch it. Thank you so much Randy for all you have done and do for Central. I was able to take this trip to Ghana with total peace of mind, and I big-time appreciate you for every thing.
And hey, Mike, check this out: I am sitting on a bench in Fettah the other day and these two long lizard - iguana things ran RIGHT BETWEEN my legs. They both had to have been 12 - 16 inches long. The hallucinations continue. And these things were like neon green, dark brown, and as you got up toward their necks and heads, yellow phasing into orange. Again, no one saw it but me. Scared the daylights out of me. I know you all think I'm crazy. Well, maybe I am a little, but at least I get to see a lot of interesting things. Ha. Sure do wish you and Joyce could be here.
OK, Babe, back to you. I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU! Lord willing, and as I plan, I will call you tomorrow as I said. Gotta get back to work now. And bye-bye kiddos. Daddy loves you too much...... and, I got the rock and a few more little presents for you guys.
Eric
PS - Could you FaceBook Carrie, Brian, and any others you can think of who might be interested and prompt them to read this blog and tell them how to find it? And, could you check on Eva Mae for me? I am quite worried about her, and she has been so good to us. See if she needs anything. Her number is on one of the old directories, is in the phone book, and/or can be gotten from Rochelle or Pat. Thanks. Oh, and be sure to tell Raymond Wa I said hello.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
From Jean
March 30 7:30pm
Today has been a day that was different from any other. Laurie and I spent the day at the preschool. doing all we could and encouraging the teachers as best we could. We also let them decorate canvas bags we took for them. We had some iron on letters and hearts and butterflies and they seemed to really enjoy adding their name and extras. Of course they love getting candy (toffee) before they go home. Even the teachers beg for more.
At 3:30, I went with Jon, Erick, David J., and Julie to Senya. Senya is a complete different culture than the village. It takes poverty to a more extreme level. Dr. Jon went to see patients and some of us went to see the children. I ended up going into the room where Jon was “doctoring” and it was apparent he needed another set of hands. So, I became “nurse” Jean. It was quite a learning experience. I saw things I never, ever thought I would see. Dr. Jon taught me a lot! To have some of their health problems and such limited medical care…it breaks your heart. I was so anxious to see Abigail-a little girl from Senya who I met last year. I walked to her house and asked about her and she came running and knew who I was! It will cost $30 to pay for her schooling for another year! They don’t need a lot…the preacher was robbed last month and told me about it today. When you have nearly nothing and have that stolen…wow!
I walked out on the porch of the church in Senya to get something and a child started saying, “Tooty Ta.” I could not believe that they remembered me teaching that to them a year ago! So, of course we had to do it again right then and there. When a child remembers you teaching them a song on one visit a year ago, it is obvious they do not get much variety in their days!
Tomorrow is the last day of classes for the kids and teachers. I am not ready to tell them goodbye yet! We just got here! There is never enough time to give them all the time and attention they crave, (and I’m just talking about the teachers!) but we do the best we can with the time we have.
The group this year is so much fun. Our evening devo time when we share about our day is so special. It reminds us over and over what we have and what they don’t have. We have to keep asking why they seem to be the ones that are so happy.
I am so thankful for the ability to come over here. To all of you who helped me get things ready to leave, I am so grateful.
Thank you for sending a note, Glynn. Time for devo!
Love, Jean
Today has been a day that was different from any other. Laurie and I spent the day at the preschool. doing all we could and encouraging the teachers as best we could. We also let them decorate canvas bags we took for them. We had some iron on letters and hearts and butterflies and they seemed to really enjoy adding their name and extras. Of course they love getting candy (toffee) before they go home. Even the teachers beg for more.
At 3:30, I went with Jon, Erick, David J., and Julie to Senya. Senya is a complete different culture than the village. It takes poverty to a more extreme level. Dr. Jon went to see patients and some of us went to see the children. I ended up going into the room where Jon was “doctoring” and it was apparent he needed another set of hands. So, I became “nurse” Jean. It was quite a learning experience. I saw things I never, ever thought I would see. Dr. Jon taught me a lot! To have some of their health problems and such limited medical care…it breaks your heart. I was so anxious to see Abigail-a little girl from Senya who I met last year. I walked to her house and asked about her and she came running and knew who I was! It will cost $30 to pay for her schooling for another year! They don’t need a lot…the preacher was robbed last month and told me about it today. When you have nearly nothing and have that stolen…wow!
I walked out on the porch of the church in Senya to get something and a child started saying, “Tooty Ta.” I could not believe that they remembered me teaching that to them a year ago! So, of course we had to do it again right then and there. When a child remembers you teaching them a song on one visit a year ago, it is obvious they do not get much variety in their days!
Tomorrow is the last day of classes for the kids and teachers. I am not ready to tell them goodbye yet! We just got here! There is never enough time to give them all the time and attention they crave, (and I’m just talking about the teachers!) but we do the best we can with the time we have.
The group this year is so much fun. Our evening devo time when we share about our day is so special. It reminds us over and over what we have and what they don’t have. We have to keep asking why they seem to be the ones that are so happy.
I am so thankful for the ability to come over here. To all of you who helped me get things ready to leave, I am so grateful.
Thank you for sending a note, Glynn. Time for devo!
Love, Jean
From Paul
Wednesday, March 31, 2010; 5:30am
The house is quiet, the birds and the children's singing are competing to wake up the sun. James and I are sitting out on the porch trying to take it in. One house was just singing "revive us again"and it sounded so robust and grand with many strong voices chiming in. You can also see the fires under the kettles as each house is cooking their morning rice or oatmeal. Right now the many birds are winning and drowning out the sound of the ceiling fans in the house behind us. Some kids are racing to the wells for water--- as well.
Yesterday was a great day at the clinic. We saw a good, if not a record number, and we did it perhaps more efficient than in years past. I was given the opportunity to address the crowd before we officially started seeing patients and I look forward to having the opportunity again in a hour or so. It was wonderful to share God's love to them and our desire to serve them in the name of Jesus Christ. I was able to get Noah, the VOH preacher, to also sing. Can they sing --I don't know what I was sing but they liked it that I was singing as well. They then sung their version of "Humble yourself" so that I would be able to know what they were singing. It was as if I bonded with the crowd and I was able to go around and greet many of the Ghanaians before we started taking blood pressures and temps.
I am and was very emotional yesterday and today. It just seems to hit you. We saw a 2-year old early on that I chose to not weigh but who was probably less than 8-9 lbs. On the heals of that precious little one was a 2 1/2 year old weighing only 18 lbs. Its SAD.
Everyone here is doing a fabulous job showing the love of Jesus and the Ghanians are more than appreciative. From the Eye Clinic to the preschool we are loving on everyone. We don't know what today will bring but we trust that God has it all planned out.
I would have loved to made Senya last night with Jackson but I barely had time to review my lesson, see Matilda, and make the trip up to Fettah in time to preach. When you say you had to hoof-it, I was literally hoofing it. A young Ghanian fell in and escorted me to the church. I had kicked the walking into overdrive and I was sweating bullets and sliding in my sandal as if trying to walk on ice. I had a wonderful time preaching and sharing with the Fettah Church. It has taken only a few days to rekindle the relationships that I made last year and I was able to provide Study Bibles to three of the young leaders there.
An added treat----once again I spent some time sitting in the village "square" with Jerry in a plastic lounge chair. The moon is brighter than any light up there.and wouldn't you know the electricity went out--- which was an bonus for me. The Koca-Cola in the bottle was refreshing after preaching for close to an hour; as long as all the stuff moving by me on the ground isn't alive I'm ok. I did laugh to myself, there are all these people and kid hanging out and I'm taking it all in beside the "Chop bar"(stand where Jerry's wife cooks and sells food) and goats keep coming out and around us picking up the trash etc.
Got to run, James is kicking me off this small computer,
Love and miss you all,
Paul
The house is quiet, the birds and the children's singing are competing to wake up the sun. James and I are sitting out on the porch trying to take it in. One house was just singing "revive us again"and it sounded so robust and grand with many strong voices chiming in. You can also see the fires under the kettles as each house is cooking their morning rice or oatmeal. Right now the many birds are winning and drowning out the sound of the ceiling fans in the house behind us. Some kids are racing to the wells for water--- as well.
Yesterday was a great day at the clinic. We saw a good, if not a record number, and we did it perhaps more efficient than in years past. I was given the opportunity to address the crowd before we officially started seeing patients and I look forward to having the opportunity again in a hour or so. It was wonderful to share God's love to them and our desire to serve them in the name of Jesus Christ. I was able to get Noah, the VOH preacher, to also sing. Can they sing --I don't know what I was sing but they liked it that I was singing as well. They then sung their version of "Humble yourself" so that I would be able to know what they were singing. It was as if I bonded with the crowd and I was able to go around and greet many of the Ghanaians before we started taking blood pressures and temps.
I am and was very emotional yesterday and today. It just seems to hit you. We saw a 2-year old early on that I chose to not weigh but who was probably less than 8-9 lbs. On the heals of that precious little one was a 2 1/2 year old weighing only 18 lbs. Its SAD.
Everyone here is doing a fabulous job showing the love of Jesus and the Ghanians are more than appreciative. From the Eye Clinic to the preschool we are loving on everyone. We don't know what today will bring but we trust that God has it all planned out.
I would have loved to made Senya last night with Jackson but I barely had time to review my lesson, see Matilda, and make the trip up to Fettah in time to preach. When you say you had to hoof-it, I was literally hoofing it. A young Ghanian fell in and escorted me to the church. I had kicked the walking into overdrive and I was sweating bullets and sliding in my sandal as if trying to walk on ice. I had a wonderful time preaching and sharing with the Fettah Church. It has taken only a few days to rekindle the relationships that I made last year and I was able to provide Study Bibles to three of the young leaders there.
An added treat----once again I spent some time sitting in the village "square" with Jerry in a plastic lounge chair. The moon is brighter than any light up there.and wouldn't you know the electricity went out--- which was an bonus for me. The Koca-Cola in the bottle was refreshing after preaching for close to an hour; as long as all the stuff moving by me on the ground isn't alive I'm ok. I did laugh to myself, there are all these people and kid hanging out and I'm taking it all in beside the "Chop bar"(stand where Jerry's wife cooks and sells food) and goats keep coming out and around us picking up the trash etc.
Got to run, James is kicking me off this small computer,
Love and miss you all,
Paul
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
From Eric
Paige & The Rugrats:
Sorry for that incomplete entry from yesterday. I was just blogging along when the Senya preacher came calling at the front door to talk about the work there. We ate lunch here at base camp and had a great conversation. Anyway, by the time I tried to get back to finish my entry, there was other work to be done.
And so, to reiterate, this place is everything I remembered - - and then some. It is as if I have lived in Fettah all my life. Phelpsy and I sat in the village center with some of the church members after my sermon last night, and the folks just kept coming around; to see, to observe, to greet, to talk, to listen. Twas my best Fettah moment ever.
We took an hour or so to go down to the ocean yesterday. Jonesy and I swam. The rest of the group laughed at our craziness. The dip was SOOOOO refreshing because it is SOOOOO unearthly hot & humid. The sweat drips into your plate as you eat, and when I went to steal a stick of Phelpsy's gum an hour ago, I realized it was almost completely liquidified and poured out of the pack like maple syrup. . . . . I AM NOT KIDDING!
I have spent most of this day back up in Fettah with a couple of the church members from there. We have been going around encouraging the Christians there, just sitting and talking. The thing that seems more dire to me this time around is the number of children in the village of Fettah who have pertruding stomachs; lots of flies around, more typical of the poverty most Americans associate with Africa. That is so hard to for me to accept. Yesterday, this girl about the age of Reilly who appears to be the primary caregiver for 2 or 3 little bitty ones, handed me her baby brother. His stomach was 4 times normal size, and again, flies everywhere. After I had been holding him for a few minutes, the flies went away. Maybe it was my mosquito repellant. Anyway, the girl was saying to me (I am quite sure this is what she was trying to communicate to me) that if I would keep holding the baby that the flies would not come back. It just rips your heart out.
The Ghana cede was at a 1-1 ratio last time we were here. In other words, one dollar was exactly one cede. Now, it is 1.40 cede to 1 dollar. Their currency is devaluing in an already impoverished area.
All is not doom and gloom at all. The children are bright, resilient and hopeful. Little angels they are. The men and women here are generally very strong, full of dignified pride.
My travel companions are the best human beings in this world. They run the clinic with total professionalism, empathy, humility, ever deferential to the Ghanaian doctors, which is both wise and effective. I love these guys. If there is a better church in America better than the Farragut Church of Christ, I wish someone would show me.
We are going to Senya after clinic today. Dave, Julie, Jean, Jon and I are taking the hot and bumpy road there to meet with the preacher at 4:00. He is tirelessly trying to replicate a scaled down version there of The Village of Hope. That will be quite the trip. We don't want to over-extend and water down our efforts here at VOH, but the need in Senya is SOOOOO massive, and the Christians there have been so faithful and so patient for so long, I think it at least behooves us to check it out again. Jean, Jon and I have been there before, Dave and Julie have not. It will be a shock to them. Soon as we leave Senya, we will come back through Fettah and arrive there for church service right at 7:00. In other words, long and busy afternoon ahead
Gotta go. I love you guys SOOOOO very much. Don't know why I keep typing the word "so" like that. HA! I will see you beautiful things in 5 and a half more days. Thank you for being such a wonderful wife and family.
Eric (Daddy)
Sorry for that incomplete entry from yesterday. I was just blogging along when the Senya preacher came calling at the front door to talk about the work there. We ate lunch here at base camp and had a great conversation. Anyway, by the time I tried to get back to finish my entry, there was other work to be done.
And so, to reiterate, this place is everything I remembered - - and then some. It is as if I have lived in Fettah all my life. Phelpsy and I sat in the village center with some of the church members after my sermon last night, and the folks just kept coming around; to see, to observe, to greet, to talk, to listen. Twas my best Fettah moment ever.
We took an hour or so to go down to the ocean yesterday. Jonesy and I swam. The rest of the group laughed at our craziness. The dip was SOOOOO refreshing because it is SOOOOO unearthly hot & humid. The sweat drips into your plate as you eat, and when I went to steal a stick of Phelpsy's gum an hour ago, I realized it was almost completely liquidified and poured out of the pack like maple syrup. . . . . I AM NOT KIDDING!
I have spent most of this day back up in Fettah with a couple of the church members from there. We have been going around encouraging the Christians there, just sitting and talking. The thing that seems more dire to me this time around is the number of children in the village of Fettah who have pertruding stomachs; lots of flies around, more typical of the poverty most Americans associate with Africa. That is so hard to for me to accept. Yesterday, this girl about the age of Reilly who appears to be the primary caregiver for 2 or 3 little bitty ones, handed me her baby brother. His stomach was 4 times normal size, and again, flies everywhere. After I had been holding him for a few minutes, the flies went away. Maybe it was my mosquito repellant. Anyway, the girl was saying to me (I am quite sure this is what she was trying to communicate to me) that if I would keep holding the baby that the flies would not come back. It just rips your heart out.
The Ghana cede was at a 1-1 ratio last time we were here. In other words, one dollar was exactly one cede. Now, it is 1.40 cede to 1 dollar. Their currency is devaluing in an already impoverished area.
All is not doom and gloom at all. The children are bright, resilient and hopeful. Little angels they are. The men and women here are generally very strong, full of dignified pride.
My travel companions are the best human beings in this world. They run the clinic with total professionalism, empathy, humility, ever deferential to the Ghanaian doctors, which is both wise and effective. I love these guys. If there is a better church in America better than the Farragut Church of Christ, I wish someone would show me.
We are going to Senya after clinic today. Dave, Julie, Jean, Jon and I are taking the hot and bumpy road there to meet with the preacher at 4:00. He is tirelessly trying to replicate a scaled down version there of The Village of Hope. That will be quite the trip. We don't want to over-extend and water down our efforts here at VOH, but the need in Senya is SOOOOO massive, and the Christians there have been so faithful and so patient for so long, I think it at least behooves us to check it out again. Jean, Jon and I have been there before, Dave and Julie have not. It will be a shock to them. Soon as we leave Senya, we will come back through Fettah and arrive there for church service right at 7:00. In other words, long and busy afternoon ahead
Gotta go. I love you guys SOOOOO very much. Don't know why I keep typing the word "so" like that. HA! I will see you beautiful things in 5 and a half more days. Thank you for being such a wonderful wife and family.
Eric (Daddy)
Monday, March 29, 2010
From Jon
Hey everyone,
Second year for Alex, Cameron and I to be here and we are still impacted with a variety of feelings, starting with the hot humid air that blasts your face as you walk of the plane in Accra, Ghana. Whether you almost step on a chicken as it races across the road or you see a beaming bright smile from a 4 year old, sitting in abject poverty (don’t tell her, she does not know), there are innumerable “hits” that one takes as they stroll around the grounds at the Village of Hope, play basketball with the kids or look into the eyes of a fevered, 5 month old child who weighs 8 lbs!
Surprize: We did not have to work all day today, Monday, seeing medical patients as we usually do each day! So, we went to the “beach” down the road from the VOH. Really the beach is just a strip of brown sand littered with handmade wooden fishing boats and their nets, plus a little garbage and stray chickens/chicken manure! Yes, some of us went swimming in the ocean while the sane ones wondered if our wallets were in our shorts or not…I got in ½ way and cooled off, but Cameron got everything but her head and face wet. Walking to and from the beach we passed a grove of trees praying over multiple grave sites and sarcophagi, but a multi-level concrete shell of a church had been placed in the center of this sleeping ground of dead bones. Erie at best. Our feet innocently strode between poverty that makes the projects of Knoxville or any major city in the USA an upper-middle class, dusted with the soil that would be made into blocks and bricks to finish the church building shell or continued the block fence that seals of the beach resort ½ block before our descent through the “backyards” of the block houses of squalor. How can there be social justice, heavenly grace, and human love be mingled in this place? We cannot answer this question, but we are here to continue what was started here 6 years ago with FCC contributing time, $, and medical/optometric assistance to the VOH. Ours is to do what we can in a way that opens the door for Jesus to be seen. Therefore, I pray that God will turn us “inside out” as we continue this week to best reveal how God loves and can use even me. While giving of what we say is “ourselves”, we actually the ones taught, about love, contentment, and peace by those we came to serve. A spiritual irony whether in the VOH or on a dusty road to “the beach”.
Thank you for praying for us,
Jon Parham, DO
Second year for Alex, Cameron and I to be here and we are still impacted with a variety of feelings, starting with the hot humid air that blasts your face as you walk of the plane in Accra, Ghana. Whether you almost step on a chicken as it races across the road or you see a beaming bright smile from a 4 year old, sitting in abject poverty (don’t tell her, she does not know), there are innumerable “hits” that one takes as they stroll around the grounds at the Village of Hope, play basketball with the kids or look into the eyes of a fevered, 5 month old child who weighs 8 lbs!
Surprize: We did not have to work all day today, Monday, seeing medical patients as we usually do each day! So, we went to the “beach” down the road from the VOH. Really the beach is just a strip of brown sand littered with handmade wooden fishing boats and their nets, plus a little garbage and stray chickens/chicken manure! Yes, some of us went swimming in the ocean while the sane ones wondered if our wallets were in our shorts or not…I got in ½ way and cooled off, but Cameron got everything but her head and face wet. Walking to and from the beach we passed a grove of trees praying over multiple grave sites and sarcophagi, but a multi-level concrete shell of a church had been placed in the center of this sleeping ground of dead bones. Erie at best. Our feet innocently strode between poverty that makes the projects of Knoxville or any major city in the USA an upper-middle class, dusted with the soil that would be made into blocks and bricks to finish the church building shell or continued the block fence that seals of the beach resort ½ block before our descent through the “backyards” of the block houses of squalor. How can there be social justice, heavenly grace, and human love be mingled in this place? We cannot answer this question, but we are here to continue what was started here 6 years ago with FCC contributing time, $, and medical/optometric assistance to the VOH. Ours is to do what we can in a way that opens the door for Jesus to be seen. Therefore, I pray that God will turn us “inside out” as we continue this week to best reveal how God loves and can use even me. While giving of what we say is “ourselves”, we actually the ones taught, about love, contentment, and peace by those we came to serve. A spiritual irony whether in the VOH or on a dusty road to “the beach”.
Thank you for praying for us,
Jon Parham, DO
From Jean
Monday March 29 6:00pm
I love this place. The people are so precious. It was so good to see all the teachers again! The These teachers, house parents, and all those that minister to this village have such a demanding job. They all work so hard and show us how to put your faith in God. Today, I struggled as to what to do and where to be. Sunday afternoon, Laurie and I sat and listened to the director, Faustina, tell us lots of things going on in the school. Today after school, one of the teachers was giving us her daily schedule and was telling us some of the problems that she faces. We doubt they get many chances to ever unwind or unload! It is overwhelming to see all they do and what little we can do to help them. They are so appreciative of everything!
Laura, the dress you made was a hit! Baaba was thrilled to see me wearing it! One teacher told me that today I was Ghanain because of my dress!
I watched the most precious sight today. Two little girls had their baby dolls and put them on their back, and pulled a blanket up and wrapped it around them and were trying to carry their babies like mommies do here. It was too cute.
Jon saw a baby today that was 5 months old and weighed 8 pounds. You just can’t believe some of the things you see. We are so blessed. Central air is awesome! We have none!
Continue to pray for us that we will be guided to use the time we have to do what God wants us to do.
Love, Jean
I love this place. The people are so precious. It was so good to see all the teachers again! The These teachers, house parents, and all those that minister to this village have such a demanding job. They all work so hard and show us how to put your faith in God. Today, I struggled as to what to do and where to be. Sunday afternoon, Laurie and I sat and listened to the director, Faustina, tell us lots of things going on in the school. Today after school, one of the teachers was giving us her daily schedule and was telling us some of the problems that she faces. We doubt they get many chances to ever unwind or unload! It is overwhelming to see all they do and what little we can do to help them. They are so appreciative of everything!
Laura, the dress you made was a hit! Baaba was thrilled to see me wearing it! One teacher told me that today I was Ghanain because of my dress!
I watched the most precious sight today. Two little girls had their baby dolls and put them on their back, and pulled a blanket up and wrapped it around them and were trying to carry their babies like mommies do here. It was too cute.
Jon saw a baby today that was 5 months old and weighed 8 pounds. You just can’t believe some of the things you see. We are so blessed. Central air is awesome! We have none!
Continue to pray for us that we will be guided to use the time we have to do what God wants us to do.
Love, Jean
From Eric
Paige, Reilly & Reagan (and Kaeli, of course)
Where to begin??? Just as inspiring here in Ghana as I remembered from two years ago. The one big advantage of it being my second trip here is the opportunity to rekindle some friendships that were first formed in March, 2008. The love and warmth of the Christians I discovered and that so inspired me my first time here remains. I have a found a feeling in my heart since first...
[ incomplete from Eric]
Where to begin??? Just as inspiring here in Ghana as I remembered from two years ago. The one big advantage of it being my second trip here is the opportunity to rekindle some friendships that were first formed in March, 2008. The love and warmth of the Christians I discovered and that so inspired me my first time here remains. I have a found a feeling in my heart since first...
[ incomplete from Eric]
Good Morning, Ghana!
So glad to hear that you have arrived safely with all luggage and in good health and spirits. I am working on the "comments" settings so that your families can leave comments for you to read. We are all well here and exciting about your work at the Village of Hope this week.
Our prayers are with you this week. God Bless!
Anna
Our prayers are with you this week. God Bless!
Anna
from Paul and Dorian
Monday 29, 2010
Good morning, seems like I just went to bed and now--Doloris and I have already made a long and hot walk out past the wells—saw a nice rather large dead scorpion(10X the size of the one we had in our sinks at the men’s gathering in the mountains). The kids were singing in one of the homes really early—before the birds even woke up.
It goes without saying it is great to be back at the Village of Hope. Yesterday we had a wonderful time with the Fettah Church. Eric Bonner preached yesterday morning and I preached last night. We have been invited to speak each night out at the Fettah church.Old acquaintances were overjoyed to see us again. The young men were very appreciative and made sure to spend time reconnecting. The hospitality shown by the men and women was above par. Issac, the preacher at Fettah, continues to be a steady and capable leader, we are looking forward to working with him at the medical clinic. I was appreciative to have a friend walk me back to the Village of Hope following church services yesterday morning. We are certainly blessed.
To say it is hot is an understatement; if someone could dip their finger and give us a drop of water to cool our tongues (Luke 16:24). It is so hot, and the dribble of our water in the bathrooms has us, in the words of Lauri Denton,--“sweating bubbles” as a result.
Paul
at Monday breakfast
Please keep up the prayers. Today will be a challenging day. Our group is doing great and there is a great spirit among all. Our continued efforts are paying off with a spirit of cooperation and mutual love here and in the hearts of many people in this area. Love to all,PaulDear KymKaleigh and I are well. Today is the first day of the eye clinic. Kaleigh worked veryhard yesterday preparing the clinic for today.
I got to see Dana’s brother Dauni for 20 minutes before he went back to school yesterday.
Love Dorian
Good morning, seems like I just went to bed and now--Doloris and I have already made a long and hot walk out past the wells—saw a nice rather large dead scorpion(10X the size of the one we had in our sinks at the men’s gathering in the mountains). The kids were singing in one of the homes really early—before the birds even woke up.
It goes without saying it is great to be back at the Village of Hope. Yesterday we had a wonderful time with the Fettah Church. Eric Bonner preached yesterday morning and I preached last night. We have been invited to speak each night out at the Fettah church.Old acquaintances were overjoyed to see us again. The young men were very appreciative and made sure to spend time reconnecting. The hospitality shown by the men and women was above par. Issac, the preacher at Fettah, continues to be a steady and capable leader, we are looking forward to working with him at the medical clinic. I was appreciative to have a friend walk me back to the Village of Hope following church services yesterday morning. We are certainly blessed.
To say it is hot is an understatement; if someone could dip their finger and give us a drop of water to cool our tongues (Luke 16:24). It is so hot, and the dribble of our water in the bathrooms has us, in the words of Lauri Denton,--“sweating bubbles” as a result.
Paul
at Monday breakfast
Please keep up the prayers. Today will be a challenging day. Our group is doing great and there is a great spirit among all. Our continued efforts are paying off with a spirit of cooperation and mutual love here and in the hearts of many people in this area. Love to all,PaulDear KymKaleigh and I are well. Today is the first day of the eye clinic. Kaleigh worked veryhard yesterday preparing the clinic for today.
I got to see Dana’s brother Dauni for 20 minutes before he went back to school yesterday.
Love Dorian
Sunday night post
Sunday Night
We had a great day today. The singing at the Fetteh Church of Christ this morning was awesome. The last song of the morning, the leader came back and taught some of us a part and words. The song had several parts, Afterward he pointed back to me and said, That momma was singing! Then he came back and told me I needed to come stay at Fetteh and he would teach me how to sing! So, maybe theres hope!
We found out today that the schools close Wed. afternoon for Easter break. That changes plans quite a bit, but well just revise our plans! Well all be really pushing to get in what we can.
Glynn, I fell tonight on the sidewalk when my flip flop shoe caught and turned under. I landed on the sidewalk, cut my foot and my glasses flew off into the grass. My fan crashed and batteries went flying. I was running to the house next door, because I didnt have bug spray on, but instead was then sitting on the sidewalk looking at the batteries, glasses, battery cover, fan and a bloody scrape on my foot! The plan did not work quite as well as I had in mind.
Tomorrow morning I get to renew friendships with all the preschool teachers! I am so excited!
We have such a great group here. It just seems hotter this year than the last few years, but we are surviving and trying to keep drinking gallons of water.
FCCP teachers that helped me figure out how to decorate the canvas bags for the teachers I decided today to take all the stuff to school and let them decorate it the way they wanted to! I think they will have fun with that! And I cant mess them up!
Logan and Kayley, I miss you!
Jean
We had a great day today. The singing at the Fetteh Church of Christ this morning was awesome. The last song of the morning, the leader came back and taught some of us a part and words. The song had several parts, Afterward he pointed back to me and said, That momma was singing! Then he came back and told me I needed to come stay at Fetteh and he would teach me how to sing! So, maybe theres hope!
We found out today that the schools close Wed. afternoon for Easter break. That changes plans quite a bit, but well just revise our plans! Well all be really pushing to get in what we can.
Glynn, I fell tonight on the sidewalk when my flip flop shoe caught and turned under. I landed on the sidewalk, cut my foot and my glasses flew off into the grass. My fan crashed and batteries went flying. I was running to the house next door, because I didnt have bug spray on, but instead was then sitting on the sidewalk looking at the batteries, glasses, battery cover, fan and a bloody scrape on my foot! The plan did not work quite as well as I had in mind.
Tomorrow morning I get to renew friendships with all the preschool teachers! I am so excited!
We have such a great group here. It just seems hotter this year than the last few years, but we are surviving and trying to keep drinking gallons of water.
FCCP teachers that helped me figure out how to decorate the canvas bags for the teachers I decided today to take all the stuff to school and let them decorate it the way they wanted to! I think they will have fun with that! And I cant mess them up!
Logan and Kayley, I miss you!
Jean
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Second Post
Making progress on connecting to the internet with repeatability.
Here's Jeans post from last night.
VOH 100327
Saturday 3/27/10
Greetings from Ghana!! Dr. Mike, thank you for sending us off with prayer and thank you for asking for specifics! We arrived with all trunks and all luggage! Yea! And, yes, while we were waiting for the bus there was a wonderful gentle breeze. We thanked God and thanked you for asking for it! Well, tonight I am going to tell you about bathroom adventures! Two of us have already gotten in trouble and both were in an airport bathroom! FCCP teachers, I was washing my hands and then pulled off paper towels and started to dry my hands. Before I could use the towel to turn off the faucet a lady airport worker leaned over and pushed the faucet down. I looked over at her and she said, “I just can not watch that!” I said, “I was about to turn it off with the paper towel.” Her reply, “Now, you don’t have to because I did it for you.” So, let it be known to all of Germany that I am sorry I wasted water!When we arrived in Accra, some of us were in the bathroom waiting our turn. Sheena was coming out and a big security lady pushed in front of everyone and went in. She turned backed to Sheena and frowned and said, “You did not flush!” Sheena replied, “I tried to, but it wouldn’t flush. The lady came out and just glared at Sheena. The rest of us were about to break up. Then when the lady walked into customs as we were walking through, Sheena was just sure she was going to come get her. It was pretty funny.So then we went to a restaurant to eat before coming to the village. In that bathroom, the soap bottle was Head and Shoulders!!!! That was a new approach, but our hands are dandruff free! And they had no towels!! So the ole drip dry method had to be put into action.What a fun day! We had a great devo tonight lead by the ever energetic Erik Bonner and now to bed. G, M,A,L,K,C,R,and T, I love you all! Jean
Here's Jeans post from last night.
VOH 100327
Saturday 3/27/10
Greetings from Ghana!! Dr. Mike, thank you for sending us off with prayer and thank you for asking for specifics! We arrived with all trunks and all luggage! Yea! And, yes, while we were waiting for the bus there was a wonderful gentle breeze. We thanked God and thanked you for asking for it! Well, tonight I am going to tell you about bathroom adventures! Two of us have already gotten in trouble and both were in an airport bathroom! FCCP teachers, I was washing my hands and then pulled off paper towels and started to dry my hands. Before I could use the towel to turn off the faucet a lady airport worker leaned over and pushed the faucet down. I looked over at her and she said, “I just can not watch that!” I said, “I was about to turn it off with the paper towel.” Her reply, “Now, you don’t have to because I did it for you.” So, let it be known to all of Germany that I am sorry I wasted water!When we arrived in Accra, some of us were in the bathroom waiting our turn. Sheena was coming out and a big security lady pushed in front of everyone and went in. She turned backed to Sheena and frowned and said, “You did not flush!” Sheena replied, “I tried to, but it wouldn’t flush. The lady came out and just glared at Sheena. The rest of us were about to break up. Then when the lady walked into customs as we were walking through, Sheena was just sure she was going to come get her. It was pretty funny.So then we went to a restaurant to eat before coming to the village. In that bathroom, the soap bottle was Head and Shoulders!!!! That was a new approach, but our hands are dandruff free! And they had no towels!! So the ole drip dry method had to be put into action.What a fun day! We had a great devo tonight lead by the ever energetic Erik Bonner and now to bed. G, M,A,L,K,C,R,and T, I love you all! Jean
VOH 2010
As the first post of this trip, we wish to let you know that we have arrived safety. We are learning the new way to access the internet, and it has a promise of being easier to use.
James
James
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)