Quick trip to Kumasi

This past weekend Margaret, Mariah, Jules and I drove up to Kumasi to pick up Jules' friend, Peter. He rode about 20 hours on a bus from Burkina Faso to Kumasi. Peter is teaching in a village outside of Ouagadougou with the Peace Corp. It was a really fun road trip for us girls to go up there. We drove over the mountains like we had done with my parents. Mariah and Jules haven't been to Kumasi before so they were loving the beautiful drive. The harmatan really did impede our view a bit but the beauty of the trees and bush was still evident. We blasted Christmas music and acted silly as girls will do on a road trip. It was just what I needed after a long and challenging week. I was missing being home for Christmas this past week but driving up into the cool mountain air and seeing God's amazing creation helped to put me back on track. I am so thankful that God is creative and beautiful and it is reflected in his creation.

We stayed at a hostel near the bus station. My first hostel. Better than what I expected but not as good as what I like:) It was fun though and an experience. Peter got in at about 4am and a couple of hours later we were all headed back to Accra. Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the time we got home. Margaret and I took a brief rest and then went shopping to get some stuff for our friends coming over on Christmas Day. Even though this is Africa, commercialism for Christmas is still here. As well as last minute shopping. The big new store at the mall was a zoo. Both of us were ready to get out of there as fast as possible. We hurried to our little neighborhood store to finish off the list. Then we went by to pick up a mattress from a friend's house. We didn 't have room in the car so on top it went with Erica and I holding onto the edge of it out the car window. As if we don't get enough stares for just being white! Oh well. We didn't have far to go and I think I made some new friends out the car window as we drove by:)

But I think we are mostly ready for our festivities and guests. Today we will go relax with about 15 people by the pool of a nice hotel. They let you pay a fee and come for just the use of the pool for the day. Can't wait to soak up some sun, sleep and fellowship. I give praise to the Lord for the gift of friends and roommates. The missionary and ex-pat community here really do a lot to get together for the holidays. It means so much as we are all far from our homes and families.

Wednesday I head to South Africa with the rest of my region teammates. Most of us our feeling the strain of culture stress from our first several months in Africa so it should be a really special time together. We will receive teaching, spiritual mentoring, prayer, and fun together. Another gift from the Lord.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Remember that Jesus is the only reason that we have this season. Thank you Lord for coming to earth to bring salvation to mankind!
I will "talk" with you in the New Year.

Pictures from my recent, quick trip to Kumasi

This a picture at Lake Bosomtwe. We stopped there to say hi to a missionary family that Margaret knows and to look at the beauty of the lake. But as you can see our view was severely limited. It isn't the time of day or even bad photography. That haze you see is the harmatan. The fine dust that blows down from the Sahara Desert at this time of year. It has a beauty of its own but I must confess I would have preferred seeing the sun sparkle on the water.




Mariah and I posing for the scenic lake picture behind us that you can't really see:)












Kids at a road side fruit and vegetable stand. They were so sweet. Just hanging out with their mom as she tries to sell her products to drivers.











As we drove through one small village late in the afternoon we came upon these kids getting water for their families. Water fetching is the duty of young boys and girls. This pump is probably the only source of water for the village - there might be two pumps but certainly no water coming directly to the houses. They were so happy to pose for the picture.

Conflicting emotions

I found myself struggling for the last couple of days. Some of it is due to being tired and some other stuff, but a good part of it is the anticipation of Christmas in Ghana and the sadness of missing Christmas at home. Both emotions are present within me simultaneously. We have lots of fun things planned for next week here and I am looking forward to them. On Christmas Eve a big group of singles from around the world are going to a really pretty pool here for the day. We toyed with going to the beach but decided to do this pool instead. Then we will go to a family's home for dinner and a Christmas Eve service at our church, Asbury Dunwell.

(Grandma and my oldest nephew, Sam (Boyd's son)

Then we will have a few of the singles join us for a
white elephant exchange on Christmas Day morning. And finally we will go to another family's home for a big celebration and meal - and another white elephant. The day after Christmas, the HCJB Global team in Accra flies out to South Africa. So you can see that there are some really great things that are going to happen over Christmas. And I am eager to enjoy all of them.

Somehow at the very same time I am missing home, family, friends and church. Once again it is the big thing of missing what is familiar. Even the tiniest bit of me wouldn't mind a bit of snow and cold air (but I am sure that would pass in a
heartbeat:))

(Me with Oliver, Cullen, Haven and Emmett (Jeff's kids)

So I show you here some family pictures of Christmas
last year as I reminisce on the good time we had and soon I will post pictures of the special time in Ghana.

The most important thing is that the birth of Christ is celebrated around the world. Salvation comes to the world - every nation, tribe and tongue. I am honored to be able to celebrate Jesus' birth in a different country. To get a chance to see how this special day is remembered in Ghana. How do they worship, what do they eat, what traditions do they have that remind them of Jesus...I can't wait to let you know.

Me with CJ (Boyd's son)














The whole gang - Christmas 2007

Back row (L-R):
Oliver with Jeff, Jeff's wife, Bev with Cullen,
Mom and Dad

Front row (L-R):
Boyd, Sam holding Emmett, Aunt Suzanne,
CJ holding Haven

Completed beads

This is just a small sample of some of the stuff that Margaret and I made with the beads we got from the factory. Margaret has actually made several beautiful things but had already given them away. She really has a gift. Me, on the other hand... I believe my brain actually, physically hurt after making two necklaces and earrings. We had two 15 year old girls stay at our house Mon. night and Yva is very good at designing jewelry so I gave her carte blanche with my beads. She did a nice job.

Bead Factory in Dodowa

I went with Margaret and a friend of ours, Loreli, and her two little girls, Mallory and Sophia, to a bead factory recently. Our goal was to buy a variety of beads to make jewelry as gifts for Christmas. Let's just say - goal accomplished! I was amazed at the huge number of beads that this place had and all of them so beautiful. Before we went in to look at the finished product we were given a brief tour of the "factory" and told how they make the beads. It is incredible. Hopefully the pictures will help to give you a good idea of what I saw. The beads are made from old wine bottles. The glass is either broken up into small pieces or ground into a fine powder depending on the type of bead they will make. The broken pieces are then put into these small molds made of clay and covered with ceramic paint and baked in the fiery furnace until they melt. A craftsman then takes each mold and forms the bead and creates the hole to string them with two simple looking tools. After this the beads are colored and baked again and then the artiste paints the decorations on them. The beads are placed on strings and put into the store for sale. I found it interesting that all the baking and shaping of the beads was done by men and the stringing done by women. Overall the process was fascinating to watch and even more so when we were told that this technique has been used by bead makers for centuries. The main tribe here that makes these beads is called the Krobo tribe and the beads can be dated back to the 16th century. The technique is handed down from family to family.

The first picture is of the "factory". I have to admit when I first heard the term "bead factory", my American mind actually thought it would be like a real factory in the states. Silly but true. Actually I think the term "factory" here is a bit lofty but you get the point.



The forming and shaping of the bead after it has just come out of the fire.

























Waiting for the crushed glass to melt.











The finished product. Aren't they beautiful? Each one made like I described and painted one by one by hand. Incredible. These sell in two strands of each bead - so about 20-30 beads for approximately 80 cents to 2 dollars depending on the bead.


And there are multiple sizes and colors to make the jewelry from. When Margaret and I finish making something I will put up a picture.

I have to thank Loreli for these pictures as I had forgotten my camera at home when we left. I can't believe I did that but I did! Thanks for the pics Loreli!!

Pictures for my mom:)

I have a special request to put some pics of the inside of my house on the blog. Since the request comes from my mother, I must oblige. Love you mom!!


This is the living area - just off the kitchen - with the "new" furniture. I am so excited about it. We bought it from a missionary here and Eric, the curtain guy, recovered them for us. He did an awesome job. Don't you love our little tree? We do!




This is the dining room/sitting area. It is such a huge room we tried to break it up a little. Sorry the pic is so dark. I took them last night to hurry and get them for mom.

Here is our kitchen.














And the guest room - otherwise known right now as Mom and Dad's room:)

No pics of my room as it is way too personal to show - that of course meaning it is a mess:)

I continue to thank God regularly for the gift of this house. It is becoming home and comfortable. He truly blessed me with this place and the roommates He has given me.

Us roomies and our tree

We are so excited to have a tree.

Eva, Margaret, me

Tough words from the book "Dangerous Surrender" by Kay Warren

I have been reading this book, Dangerous Surrender, and it has been really challenging me. Actually in some parts it has just flat out slapped me in the face - which I am sorry to confess - I needed. The first part is on the depth of selfishness that abounds in me and the second is on what true surrender to God looks like. I will quote some passages from the book b/c frankly it is written so well and so powerfully there is no need to change it.

"I, like many other adults, devote a fair amount of time, energy, and money to controlling, polishing, protecting, and defending my own private little kingdom. My greatest efforts every day go toward myself. (Ouch! - but true). Even when I'm occupied with taking care of others, the meter is always running as I inwardly take notice of the hours I've spent, the energy I've expended, and the sacrifices I've made. I find myself gleeful when I am able to kill two birds (or more) with one stone by doing something for someone else (making myself look good) while doing something for me at the same time. At the end of the day, I do a final tally to see if others have done as much for me as I've done for them. If they haven't, then I am hurt, disappointed, frustrated, offended, demanding, and angry. Sometimes I withdraw from relationships because, according to my internal calculator, I'm giving more than I'm getting back." To quote Fenelon in the book - "your self-love is terribly touchy. No matter how slightly it is insulted, it screams, 'Murderer.'" Sometimes God uses books to reveal to me the ugliness of my own sin and selfishness. It isn't pretty and the revelation process isn't fun, but it is needed so desperately. Some of you will think that the mere fact that I am living in Ghana as a missionary exempts me from selfishness or at least shows that I have it under control. Sorry to tell you that it just isn't true. The sins that plagued me in Chicago, plague me here. Fortunately, the grace of God that abounded to me in Chicago, also abounds to me here:) The first step is to see the ugliness of the sin, the next step is to ask for forgiveness and surrender my life and will to Him...again.

Speaking of surrender, I noticed while reading that selfishness and the desire to control my own life can easily seep into surrender. I think I have surrendered to God but I have put conditions on Him. Read what Warren quoted from Fenelon in the book.

"God prepares a cross for you that you must embrace without thought of self-preservation. The cross is painful. Accept the cross and you will find peace even in the middle of turmoil." Gary Thomas says "I learned that faith isn't tested by how often God answers my prayers with a yes but by my willingness to continue serving him and thanking him, even when I don't have a clue as to what he is doing." And Warren also writes, "for you to become a seriously disturbed, surrendered person of faith, you will have to be willing to say yes in advance - to give God your answer before you've heard the question." (all italics mine for emphasis) That is the hard part - giving full surrender to whatever HE wants without trying to protect myself (or my stuff) or saying "I'll do this, but not this" or the really hard part - complete abandon to His plan and will before I have any idea of what He is asking me to do or to surrender.

All these amazing challenges have been laid before me and I have only finished the second chapter. Kay Warren says that each chapter gets harder. Hmmm what an invitation:) But actually it is a good invitation - hard as it may be to read. I'd rather go through the struggle now than sit "comfortably" on the sidelines and miss out on what He has for me to do. Of course in the moment of pain and surrender it isn't too easy to say that but deep down that is the truth.

Luke 9:23-25 - Jesus is speaking to his disciples - "And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?'

My prayer is to lay down the Kingdom of Me and surrender completely, in every way and every aspect of my being to the Kingdom of God. A lofty prayer I know but as I read in Luke it is nothing less than what is required to follow Christ. Please pray with me to make this a reality in the daily activities of life.

A different church

This Sunday I went with some friends to a church at Buduburam - the Liberian refugee camp about 1.5 hours away from where I live. Michael Mosley is a Methodist Pastor who serves here in Ghana with The Mission Society. He and his wife, Clare, and their three kids have lived in Ghana about 9 years. Margaret, Eva and I joined them for service at the United Methodist church at the camp. Michael preached. Although it really isn't referred to as a refugee camp anymore that is how it originally started. Liberians who fled the war in Liberia came to this area and settled. There are many buildings, churches and permanent structures on the camp. It was a unique experience as the service was very different from any I have been to so far. The actual service lasted just over two hours with only about the last 30 minutes being the sermon. There is much emphasis on announcements, introductions and singing throughout the service. Michael preached a great sermon on I Peter 1 focusing on suffering and being holy through it. The church is in the midst of a fund raising project for new musical equipment so at the end of the regular service they had more music. Basically the choir sang some special songs and people could "sponsor" the song by giving donations while it was sung. The music they sang was fantastic. Most of it was in English but they did do one song in a Liberian tribal language, Bassa. Eva was able to translate a bit but even without knowing all the words it was still great. It was after 1pm when we all finally left. Unfortunately the Mosleys had another engagement in the afternoon and we had to leave. The singing wasn't over and we were all bummed to miss some of it but there wasn't much to be done. It was wonderful to go to a different church and worship with brothers and sisters from Liberia. Their passion for the Lord was evident and I was blessed for being there.

Birthday surprise

My roommate Margaret had a bunch of friends meet us at a restaurant on Thursday night (the night before my birthday). I knew a few people were coming but not the whole bunch. There were about 15 total. It was a lot of fun and I felt very special. I am thankful for these friends from all walks of life.

kneeling L to R: Eva, Jane
standing L to R: Margaret, Auntie Ruby, Mariah, me, Frosty:), Jules, Stacey and Sherri.
(Steve and Becky, Michelle, Evie, Erin, George and John all had to leave early so we missed them in the picture). Megan is taking the picture.

Today is my birthday

Yes, today is the big day. Dec. 7th. Me and Pearl Harbor - although many years apart:) I am taking a few minutes in the quiet of the morning before everyone who slept over is up to think back on the last year. What a year it has been. Full of changes and surprises and struggles. One thing that has never changed is the presence of the Lord and I am so grateful for that. In Jan. 2007 I received the wonderful news that God had provided enough support to date that I could schedule my training at MTI - the last step before actually leaving for the mission field. I still remember receiving the phone call at work - Christ Church Lake Forest - and running down the long corridor yelling "I'm going to Africa, I'm going to Africa". Being the good people they are there, everyone cheered and jumped up and down with me. It was at that moment that life changed and was shoved into high gear. Winding up my projects at work, shopping and packing, going to MTI in Colorado for 5 weeks, saying good byes, and finally on May 19th boarding the plane for Ghana. And here I am almost 7 months later. I won't rehash all the details of these things but God so clearly has moved in my life and led me here. I tear up and am in awe of Him every time I think back. Three years ago there was great tragedy in my life and now I am living in Ghana and He has given me beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning and a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting (taken from Is. 61). What a wonderful God He is. A special person wrote in an email to me recently these words..."God is rejoicing in your birthday and reflecting back on how he knit you together for his purposes. He is pleased with his workmanship!" I love how that is phrased b/c it is truly His knitting me together and His workmanship. Nothing of my own. And it is all done for His purposes and to His glory. I am so thankful to the Lord who never gives up on His children, who's mercies never cease and who is always with us no matter where we are. This morning the words in Lamentations are especially precious. Read them carefully. Let them sink into your heart and remember that the Lord is good and faithful. He is the reason for my hope and joy.


Lamentations 3:21-23

"This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness."

Let the birthday festivities begin

Yes, tomorrow is my birthday - Dec. 7th. (never mind which number!) My roommate being the girl that loves to get people together to celebrate has decided to start celebrating my birthday a day early. Do I mind? Of course not. Personally I think it should be celebrated for at least a week if not more. Anyway, tonight several friends are taking me to dinner, tomorrow morning Margaret and Eva will cook a big breakfast and have a few more friends over and then tomorrow night they are taking me to a play. Wow. I am tired just writing about it. And that doesn't include the things Margaret may have up her sleeve that I don't know anything about. I'll keep you posted. It really is very sweet especially since this is my first birthday back in Africa since 1979. Last year was a big birthday with the surprise (well almost) party and all. My roomies are doing a good job of keeping up the pace:)

Guess I am into music lyrics this week

This is one of my favorite songs. It is by 33 miles. I really enjoy it at Christmas because it reminds me that it is b/c of Christ's birth (and death and resurrection) that I will be able to see Him face to face one day. And what could be better than that???

"I’ve heard it said 'today is all we’re given.
Tomorrow may not come so you better start living'.
I guess it all depends on your point of view.
Pardon me if I just don’t listen to everything the world
say’s I’m missing.
There’s nothing here and now I’m gonna hold on to."


"I’m living in the days ahead
I’m already dancing on the streets of gold
and I can’t stop celebrating in my soul.
I’m living in the days ahead.
Nothing on earth could ever compare
Can’t wait for the day that I get there
When I see Jesus face to face
Tell me what could be better
Tell me what could be better"

"If home is where the heart is then I’m in Heaven
It’s the promise of tomorrow that I’ve been given
Who is waiting there I am living for.
He’s everything I love and I believe in.
And I can hardly wait just to see Him
and hear Him say well done.
I couldn’t ask for more"

Wasted

"I don't want to spend my life jaded...waitin'...
to wake up one day and find that I let
all these years go by - wasted."

"I don't want to keep on wishin'...missin'...
the still of the morning, the color of the night.
I ain't spendin' no more time - wasted."
(song by Carrie Underwood)

"The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm
my great army that I sent among you.

You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed".

Joel 2:24-26

The Girls and our decorating for Christmas breakfast

Far end to right: Sherri, Lori, Erin, me, Jules,
Rebecca, Mariah, Margaret and Eva (Lindsey is taking the picture). Enjoying waffles, bacon, juice, monkey bread, etc. Yummy!

Ministry of a different kind

Today was filled with a lot of Christmas festivities. Actually it started last night when Margaret, Eva and I had about seven single (mostly) girls over for the night. We started by watching "White Christmas" and eating junk food. I punked out early as I was still tired from two whirlwind weeks with my parents in town. But the rest of the gang stayed up and finished the movie. This morning we decorated our tree and made Christmas stockings. Everyone pitched in and it was very festive. Margaret fixed waffles and bacon. We finished off the monkey bread I had made and enjoyed Minute Maid juice. All these things are special here in Ghana - not stuff we would normally buy or make. It was delicious. Most of the girls hung out at our place for the rest of the day watching movies and talking. But I write about this for more than sharing a day's activities. What struck me was that this is a type of ministry God has given for me (and Margaret and Eva) that I didn't expect when I came here. I saw what this time together meant to these girls . One friend who lives fairly far out and by herself just lit up at every "treat" that we offered her. She was just glowing and smiling and so obviously enjoyed the special treatment and fellowship. Another friend mentioned that she feels so happy when she is at our house. I was incredibly touched. But it is the Lord and His gift of this house that I give praise to. When I first came here after signing the contract, I walked through each room and around the house praying. I prayed of course for God's protection over the house and those living here, but even more I prayed that this would be a house filled with God's love and peace and hospitality. I asked Him to pull me out of my comfort zone and to be open and relaxed with it. He had blessed me with such a gift and I want it to be a blessing to others. It was neat to see Him fulfill that prayer today -and even before today- but really specifically today. It isn't always easy b/c sometimes I am selfish. (Yes, I know you are shocked to read that but it is true). He has given me a roommate that is quite the extrovert and loves to have people over a lot. Sometimes this hard but as I keep praying and asking God to help me use the gift of this house for others, He gives me strength and openness to do it - and yes, enjoy it! I think back on a couple of specific homes that were havens of love to me (and still are) and I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to give that to someone else. So this wasn't a ministry that I had thought of or planned on but here it is - a ministry of a different kind. A ministry to single missionaries. Perhaps some love felt here will minister to one who might be lonely or worn out so that she can continue with the work God has brought her here to do. Pray with me to let God's love and joy flow through this home and that it would be a blessing to those who come here. Thank you.

The places we go...

Tonight the ex-patriate community gathered for the "Pre-Christmas Concert" given by a local singing group called "Accragio". And where was this concert? At the French Ambassador's Residence of all places. He is in the group and so hosts several events at his place. And wow what a place! The house is of course fantastic and huge but the grounds are what got me. They are truly sprawling grounds with palm trees, flowering trees, bushes, etc. etc. Just wonderful. I am still in awe of the places that we are invited to. It seems that the ex-patriate community is relatively small or there is a small part of it that seem to go to the same things as I am recognizing several people who are not part of the missionary community. The Tema Youth Choir joined Accragio for the Christmas concert. They are incredible. Professional and beautiful. There was complete freedom to say "Christmas" and sing of Jesus' birth. They even sang the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's "Messiah" and it was awesome. Gave me goosebumps. And it is neat that all proceeds from the concert go to the orphanage in Tema (a city west of Accra). So it was really special treat to be able to attend this concert. I won't be able to go to the one at my home church but I am thankful for what I am able to do.

The Golfers

Mom, Dad and Lee went golfing one day while they were here. Quite a view down the fairway and overlooking Accra! They all had a great time and did quite well for a new course. I didn't join them on this venture as I had some much needed errands to run and stuff in the office that needed attention. Next time maybe - although my golfing skills are horribly rusty right now.







For about $15 dollars you golf 18 holes and have your own caddies. Looks like they all had a pretty good time:)

Thanksgiving in Ghana

The gang assembled for Thanksgiving in Ghana. And yes we had a real turkey. Mom and Dad brought it on the plane from the states. (Turkeys here are ridiculously expensive.) It was 22 lbs and was still almost completely frozen from it's cross Atlantic flight in the belly of a plane. Still it was cooked to perfection by Michelle and Eva - flavorful and moist. We just finished our part last night in a turkey pot pie made by Margaret - very tasty.

L to R: Michelle, Joseph Kebbie, me, George Andrews, Dad, Eva, Mom, Francoise Dossman. Lee is taking the picture but somehow Kyle and TJ escaped posing:)