God Winks



Do you know that God winks at you? He really does! You can catch Him winking at you everyday! A "God wink" is when God lets you know He is with you, that He is watching over you and taking care of you. It isn't in the "moving mountains" type of stuff or the "throwing lightening down from heaven" type of stuff. It is in those little, everyday occurrences that people would say is "coincidence," but really, it is God.

This past weekend was full of God winks. I had traveled to Tamale with a friend on Thursday. When we arrived, Janette was not feeling well at all. I was starting to feel "green at the gills."So, we greeted Nancy & Bob and went to our separate beds! My Cipro was almost finished, so Bob went out and bought us each our own package for the morning. (God wink.) When morning did arrive, Janette wasn't any better and I was worse. So, we went to the lab to get pricked. We both had malaria! So, Dr. Mom and Dr. Dad took us to buy meds and sent us back to bed. (God wink.) (Of course, we had to stop at the craft shops on the way. And, I found EXACTLY what I was looking for to give someone back in the US...God wink!) Lawrence had bought us return tickets to Wa for Saturday. I stayed in Tamale and he traveled with Janet to Lawra. His father was in the hospital and Lawrence wanted to visit him. So, the ticket didn't go to waste. (God wink.) Lawrence spent time with his father, talked with him, prayed with him several times. His father died early Sunday morning. (BIG God wink.) I spent the day drinking tea, taking meds and napping...and buying pork chops! (God wink.) Sunday morning, before we went to church we were talking about how disconnected the pastor preaches. When we arrived at church, there was a guest speaker with an EXCELLENT sermon! (God wink.) Bob was able to purchase a ticket for me to travel home without him knowing somebody who knew somebody who knew somebody who could get me a ticket. (God wink.) And, when I arrived in Wa, I ran into Sarah and Pegi who took my large bag in their car for me. They didn't have room for me, but they had room for my bag! (God wink.) And, when I arrived at the tro tro station with a new friend, there were only two tickets left for Lawra, so the both of us could get on the tro and not have to wait. (God wink.)

The whole weekend was filled with these little glimpses of God watching over me and providing for me, just what I needed, when I needed it. Thank You, Jesus!

Barka, Gandy's Cove

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of being a part of a team from Gandy's Cove, AL. They came to Ghana to share the love of God through a medical mission trip. The pastor of their church led the group...he had lived in Ghana with his family for four years and was taking the group to places he had been in the past.

What a blessing this group of eight had been, not only to me, but to the people of the villages where they worked. I was able to see first hand how a team in Ghana can work. I had been a part of several teams in Russia, but doing the same type of thing in Ghana can be a nightmare! First of all, travel for a large group can cause one's hair to go grey and can be very expensive. Eight was the perfect size! Next, sleeping arrangements for a large group, especially when away from the large cities can be a challenge. The size of this group made accommodations reasonable.

The Gandy's Cove group showed me how a medical clinic can, and in many ways, should be run on a day to day basis. All patients were treated with love and dignity. Waiting time was as short as possible, with people working constantly until the medicine ran out. And, the team prayed with and for the patients. Each morning, we prayed for those who would be seen. And, the doctor and nurse, as well as others, prayed for individuals as the Spirit led them. People were so grateful for that! Sometimes, I think they appreciated the prayer more than the meds. Also, clients were touched, a hand on a shoulder, a touch of an arm, holding a hand or a child. Most Ghanaians are not demonstrative when it comes to affection. And, the human touch an be a source of healing. So, we made sure that people were touched on the arm, back, shoulder, head...just to let them know that they were special, not forgotten and that they are loved!

Most of all, I was blessed by being part of God's family who happen to live in Alabama. Life and especially work can be very demanding, with challenges that most Americans can't imagine. So, God used these dear people to put His salve on my spirit, to renew and energize me, to remind me that He is here in the midst of all the turmoil I face and He is watching over me. I have ideas that hopefully can be put into practice at our clinic, ways that can point to Jesus. And, I have a bit more courage to do and say the things that are needed. May God be glorified!

Barka, Gandy's Cove! (Thank You, Gandy's Cove.)

God Knows and God Cares

Last week, I was really feeling the lack of women friends. I prayed that God would fill this void in my life. I know I've only been in Lawra a short time, but, women need women friends! Oh, I know some women here - Gifty, Edith, Marjorie...but most of the people who spend time with are guys...Dery my language teacher and Razak, who works at the clinic.

God heard my prayer. This past weekend the annual Methodist Women's Fellowship Conference for the Wa Circuit was held in Lawra. Although I only spent a relatively short time there because of other committments, God filled a void. Sophia, a pastor's wife from Boro and I were "kindred spirits." Then, there was Matillia, who was walking behind the rest because of her bad knees. I walked and talked with her as I pushed my bicycle. She lives in Lawra near the market. I will visit her this week. And, there were others, all very welcoming. I cried out to God and He answered me. Barka Naangmen!

My Sanity Saver

Last year I started a new hobby, or as some would put it, a new obsession. It is making cards - greeting cards. A card for a friend to make her smile, birthday cards, thank you cards, Christmas cards, just because cards. Sometimes I barely know the person I send a card to, they may be from church or some place else where I know of them, but don't really know them.

The past two weeks, making cards has kept me sane. I haven't been able to concentrate on things for a long time because of the meds I'm on, or maybe they are starting to wear off...you get the picture. But, making these cards has kept my mind busy and off what is or isn't happening with my knee. Sometimes I need the sentiment on the card for myself just as much as the person to whom I am sending it. So, I make the card and read it and try to keep up a good attitude.

Sometimes I just need to know that God really does understand and care.