Just in Time

Have you ever read Corrie Ten Boom's book, The Hiding Place? In it there is a story from when she was a young girl. She was concerned that she didn't have the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ, if need be. Read the story below:

"When I was a little girl, " I said, "I went to my father and said, "Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ." "Tell me," said Father, "When you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?"  "No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train." "That is right," my father said, "and so it is with God's strength.  Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.  He will supply all you need just in time."

Now, I don't think I am currently in a position to wonder if I will be a martyr for my faith. Although, I pray, if I am, I will be found faithful. But, I was reminded of that story today when I was at the dentist. I have been stressing about the crown for my dental implant. My appointment to have it put in my mouth last week was cancelled because the parts weren't shipped yet. So, it was rescheduled for today. I am to leave for Ghana on Sunday, that didn't leave me much of a cushion, time wise. I went to the dentist today to have the crown put in. Yes, all is well. But, the amazing thing is that the crown and everything else needed to put it on the implant arrived at the dentist office THIS MORNING! 

He will supply all you need just in time.

Tired, Exhausted, Weary

It is Monday, only six days before I board the first of three planes to start my trip home to Lawra. I have about a million things to do, including 2 dentist appointments and two medical appointments. This afternoon, I drove to Chippewa and Ellwood City. I am staying in Ellwood tonight. (Thank you Janice and Pastor John!) I brought work to do, some thank you notes to my supporters that I should write. But, I can hardly see straight. My mind and body are on auto pilot. I can't think straight. This morning, in Erie, I did a few errands and had an early lunch with my sister. I made her tired just talking about my schedule. I'm tired of packing, unpacking, repacking, laundry, packing boxes to be mailed sooner or later, deciding which clothes to leave at whose house and more packing. I can't take much more of this. Maybe tired isn't the right word. Maybe it should be exhausted. Maybe the word is weary. Maybe it is all three. Sleep, rest...I need both!

I'll refresh tired bodies;

I'll restore tired souls.

Jeremiah 31:25, The Message

Blessed or Spoiled?

These past few weeks, I have had some moments that have shown me how blessed and how spoiled I am, just because I was born and "live" in the USA. The first time this thought came to me was kinda fun. I was shopping with my sister, Debbie. We had gone to not one, but, three craft store on the same day. I gave into my obsession of card making supplies, buying some new stamps. This would never happen in Ghana. The best part, other than being with Debbie, was everything I bought that day was 40% off! Love it. My purchases are returning to Ghana with me. I wonder how many of you will receive a hand made card from me....

 

This next story took place in Saint Vincent Health Center on the short stay/same day floor. Again, I was with Debbie. She was having a heart cath done on this particular day. She checked in and we sat down to wait. When her name was called, we went to the 2nd floor. As we were waiting to hear Debbie's room assignment, I looked around in the hall. And, my eyes got filled up with tears. There were all kinds of medical personnel, a line of IVs ready to be used, wheel chairs waiting...and, when we got into her room, all the monitors and machines. Oh, in Lawra, they can only dream about such equipment. We  are so blessed!

Later in the month, just last week, I was in a Christian book store. There were shelves and shelves of Bibles in KJV, NKJV, NIV, NCV, Amplifies, ASV, The Living Bible, The Message, The One Year Bible, the Chronological Bible, and more...The people group with whom I live don't even have one Bible in their own language. How many Bibles do I own? Several. I am a spoiled American. My prayer is that I will use these Bibles to tell of God's love to many, many people over the years I am in Ghana. I pray they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I pray that they will lead others within their people group to the Lord. I pray that some day, before the Throne of God, there will be a people group with a very large representation singing "Holy, ho;y, holy" to the Lamb.

Displaced

My original three month stay in the United States has turned out to be a six month stay due to doctor and dentist appointments, specifically, a dental implant. I have had the opportunity to visit and spend time with friends and family. I have truly enjoyed those times. God has blessed me through the love and the friendship of all these wonderful people. They have opened up their homes to me, let me use their cars, cooked for me and provided for me in numerous ways. And, I am very grateful. But, there is this feeling within me, a feeling that tells me I am a displaced person. I don't belong here.

There is a yearning in my heart and soul. I yearn for home. I long to sleep in my own bed, to have my clothes put away where they belong - in my closet, not in a suitcase. I want to mosey into my own kitchen, where pots and pans and utensils that are familiar are and cook a meal. I want to be able to take my basket of Bibles and devotional books out on the veranda in the morning. I want to sit by candle light and read a book when the electricity goes off. I miss riding my bicycle into town to buy bread or phone units or Internet time. And, I actually miss hand washing my clothes and the sense of accomplishment I have when they are hanging on the line to dry. I long to worship in my church, sitting amongst the children. I actually miss going to market and then washing everything before I can eat it. I miss my colleagues in Lawra. I wonder how the special needs kids are doing. I wonder about my friends and their families...were they able to farm enough to provide food until the next farming season? How is the new pastor doing? Does he feel a sense of home in Lawra? And, how is my beloved bishop doing?

So many of these questions won't be answered until I return. My return to home won't be soon enough. Four weeks from today, I will be in Ghana. I'm not sure when I will return to Lawra. I need to do some grocery shopping in Accra first. I know, when I return, I won't be traveling until I have to attend Synod in May. I long for home. I need home, and by God's grace, I'll be returning home soon!