What Would You Do for a BLT?

In Lawra, there is definitely a shortage of recognizable meat. One of my stand bys has been bacon, which is unheard of where I live. "Bacon, what is that?" "It is pig meat." "Oh!" Bacan can be used for so many things.But, my favorite is a good BLT sandwich. Since I had been so sick and also busy during Christmas and new Year's Day, I decided to take a few days and go to Tamale. In Tamale, I could get BACON and an excellent BLT sub. 

So, on Tuesday, I got up at 3:30 am to prepare, leaving my house at 4:10. I walked to the station and boarded Yaro's tro tro. We made it to Wa in time for me to board the new Metro Mass Transport bus which was headed to Tamale. We should have arrived by noon. Notice I said, "should have." Yes, it was a new bus. Bright, cheerful, with air con. Yet, a half hour into our journey it glided to a halt. The warning beeping started...the annoying noise that lets you know something is wrong. The driver got out to check on the problem. He couldn't find it. So, he called for a mechanic. Over an hour and a half later, the mechanic arrived, no tools, just holding on to a piece of wire. He tried and tried to find the problem and fix it. An electrician was called. But, wait, the mechanic fixed it! The motor was running...two and a half hours on the side of the road. We started moving. Then, after about three minutes, we stopped again. But, this time, no annoying warning sounds. We were waiting for the driver. Apparently, he went somewhere as we waited on the roadside. Twenty minutes later, he arrived, got on the bus and pulled out. We were now on our way to Tamale and my BLT sub. 

Finally, at 3:00 pm, in front of me sat a most delicious BLT sub. Mmmm...heaven on earth. You now know what I would do for a BLT. What would you do?

2017 - a Year of Hope

2016 is history. 2017 is full of possibilities. It is right before me. What are my hopes? What dreams do I have? What goals have I set? What choices will I make? All of this remains to be seen. The one thing I am sure of is my commitment to be available to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today I pray the words of John Wesley:

I am no longer my own, but thine.Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.Put me to doing, put me to suffering.Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,exalted for thee or brought low for thee.Let me be full, let me be empty.Let me have all things, let me have nothing.I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,thou art mine, and I am thine.So be it.And the covenant which I have made on earth,let it be ratified in heaven.Amen.

Christmas Day Ministry Challenges

During the Christmas Season, it is easy to think of decorations, special music and even going to church early so you can get a parking space. Some churches have the challenge of figuring out where to seat all of the people who attend their worship services. Not so in Kunyukuo. On Christmas Day, a Sunday, I arrived at church at 9:15 for a 9:30 service. NO ONE WAS THERE! I was so surprised! What was happening? Even the few that are usually in church early were not there. Did the village of Kunyukuo do something special on Christmas Day that no one told me about? 

I tried calling Mama Jane and Matthias. Neither of them picked up. So, I called Razak. He had relatives in Kunyukuo, maybe he knew. He told me that maybe people go to church on Christmas Eve. I said, "Razak. Even if they went somewhere else last night, today is Sunday. We have Sunday worship." He told me he would try to find out what was happening. Then, the network went down and wasn't working for the next two hours or more.

I walked over to Mama Jane's house. She said, "I am on my way coming." She was still getting ready. But, she also said, "It's so cold outside. I am moving slow." COLD? In Ghana? We really don't have cold. But, wait...I am from Pennsylvania. This weather in Ghana, even a morning Harmattan temperature in the 70s is nice to me. But, to a Ghanaian, it is freezing! I walked back to church. Oh, we now had five people. None spoke English. After waiting a bit longer, we had ten people, and Matthias had arrived from Lawra. He began the service....

I have been here almost six years. It sense to me that people would come late because of bad weather. Yet, in my American mind, this isn't bad weather. And still, I sometimes forget to look at things/circumstances from a Ghanaian point of view. I still have a lot to learn!

Immanuel, God with Us

Here in Ghana, children are given names because of their meaning. There are special names for the firstborn, for a child born after a miscarriage, or stillbirth, or to tell others that this child is a gift from God. The name might reflect the hopes and dreams the parents have for the child. A child can be named after someone special in the parents' lives.Children are named after popes and other historical figures. 

This being the Christmas season of the Liturgical Calendar, I can't help but think of the children who have been named Emmanuel. Emmanuel is a common name here, Emma (long "e" sound, short "a" sound) is used as a nickname. Emmanuel...God with us. Hmmm.... How does it feel to have that name? I don't think people are saying that their child is a god. It is more like, "God has blessed us, He is with us in giving us this child."

Imagine having the name Immanuel. It is a constant reminder of God being here on earth with us. He is here in our comings and in our goings. He is here with us as we are awake and as we sleep. He is with us when things go wrong and when things go the way they are supposed to go. He is with us in our health and in our sickness. He is with us in our work and in our play. He is with us in our celebrations and in our grieving. And, do you know what? He cares. He cares about these things. He cares about what makes us happy or sad or energized. He cares about us when we rejoice and when we weep. He cares about our creativity and He cares when we have "mental block." 

What other god is like that? Our God is personal and wants to be involved in our lives. He wants so much to be more than an observer in our lives, He wants to be an active participant. All we have to do is invite Him. Are you willing to invite Immanuel, God with Us, into your life? Won't you ask Him today?

Home, Sweet Home

Home, sweet home. It's so nice to be home again. There is something very comforting about being home. It's at home when I am most content. It's at home I can be myself and feel/express whatever emotion I am feeling without having someone wonder about it. Everything at home is familiar-clothes, food, rooms, books, storage, and the veranda...my place where I have my time with the Lord. I can study at home. I can work at home...sometimes. The children come to play at my house. I love to hear them call to me, "Maakum! Maakum!" and see their smiling and expectant faces.I provide an island of familiarity to expats from Europe and the United States. When a respite is needed for these volunteers, I can provide it. But, most of all, being at home means being with "my people." God has given me family and friends for this chapter of my life. They are the people with whom I work and "play," those with whom I live among-the Dagaaba of the Upper West Region of Ghana, in the Lawra area. 

Life can be very challenging at times. I had three different plumbers here for a total of five times before my toilet was fixed! The ATM machine was broken. When it was fixed, it wouldn't take my US bank card. The next closest ATM machine is a two hour one way trip away. I can arrive at church on a Sunday morning, and no one is there, not even at the time the service is supposed to start. Being sick can present it's own set of challenges, too.

Praise God! He has a plan for all of these challenges. I am happy to say that the toilet was fixed before I got sick. And, when I was sick, I had the luxury of soft toilet paper that I bought in Accra, 15 hours away! When I traveled to Wa to use the ATM machine, I was able to buy "soft chicken" and potatoes for Christmas dinner that was shared with Ghanaians and expats alike. The Physician's Assistant is a good friend, and makes house calls! And, even thought it was VERY cold on Christmas Day (80 degrees F)  and no one was in church at 9:30 am, there were 20 people who came to worship Emmanuel, God with us! Even now, there are children's voices coming from my veranda. What a sweet sound. 

Home, sweet home. It's so good to be "home." Yet, I am a stranger here in Lawra because I am not Ghanaian. And, I am a stranger in this world because I am a follower of Jesus. I look forward to someday being in my Heavenly home...just not yet!

A Day to Remember

My birthday was not going to go as planned. I was hoping to stay home and make Christmas cards. Did that happen? No. Life happened.I got up early and walked, read my Bible, was greeted by Boniface, drove out to Kunyukuo to pick up the financial books and start going through them, making sure everything was good. (Matthias has been doing a good job!) I also went to talk with the pastor about a bunch of stuff. Oh, and I needed to go into town to buy a few things. Plus, there is a sermon to be written this week. Anyway,it turned out to be mostly a work day, And that's okay, too. Minna, a Peace Corps volunteer was coming for dinner-canned peaches and grilled cheese sandwiches. (I also dropped my laptop on to the top of my right foot...the edge of me laptop. It still hurts!)

Minna came bearing gifts of snacks from Japan, Korea and the US. So, we had appetizers while we tried to figure out why the sound wasn't working on the TV?DVD player. (We didn't figure it out.) Then, there was a phone call. It was Razak. Mama, there is an emergency mandatory meeting at Galipol (He really meant Matron's) at 5:00. Be there! 

So, we walked over to Galipol and waited. And waited. Until a girl came over to tell us that Razak was at Matron's. We walked over and there they were...Razak, Vincent, (both from Ghana) Lena and Seraina (both from Germany.) We sat down and birthday greetings were given. So were birthday gifts. Glasses were placed in front of us and Razak presented me with a bottle of Sparkling Orange Drink. He proceeded to shake it and shake it and shake it and uncork it. The cork flew about 25  feet! There was a birthday toast. Then, a guinea fowl with spaghetti was served. Yum! After awhile, Minna and I walked home and ate some more while putting our feet up and watching a Christmas movie.

The day definitely didn't go as planned. It was so much better! God has truly blessed me with "family" and friends here. I am so grateful that my day was such a blessing. In so many little ways, and some big ones, throughout the day, He showed me that I am not alone and I am loved beyond what I could imagine. Thank You, Lord!

114 Days

114 days. 114 wonderful days. 114 busy days. 114 long days. 114 days in the United States. In many ways, those days seemed too short. I spent time with family and friends. I enjoyed summer days at the lake, cookouts, coffee shops, shopping, a peach festival, making greeting cards, going to movies and eating popcorn, going out to eat, and snuggling with Lulu (my senior brother's dog.) 

I spent time with supporting churches. And spent time with possible new supporters. I attended continuing education conferences. I traveled to and through several states. And, I missed my people in Lawra.

During the first of those 114 days, I kept watching a video of one of the children who come to my house...it was of video of him making great armpit noises. It made me laugh. (I can't tell you how many times I watched that video while I was gone.) I talked about my "Ghanaian family" whenever given the chance, always wondering what they were doing. I was missing life happenings with them. Oh, when I returned to Ghana, both Elvis and Junior were walking! They weren't walking when I left. I would wonder how my little church was doing. And, I was saddened that I wasn't in Ghana to grieve with my friends when Uncle Christopher died.

On of the hard things about living in another country is always missing the country that I am not physically in. When I am in Ghana, I miss being in America. I miss my sister and brothers. I miss my friends. I miss my home church. I miss celebrating holidays with family. I miss the festivities that go along with those holidays. But, I love my life here in Ghana. I love the fact that God chose me to live this life. I love my little churches. I love the children who come to my house. I love the "laid back" lifestyle. I love that everyday is different. Sure, things don't always go the way I want them to, but, that is part of life, especially life in West Africa.

During those 114 days, people would ask me how it felt to be home. Home? Where is "home"? Right now, it is in Ghana. And, during those 114 days, I missed being there. Today, I thank God for returning me safely. 

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

Yesterday, I was talking with an American friend and I made a comment about tomorrow being Thanksgiving. Her response was precious and typical, "Tomorrow? Thanksgiving? I forgot all about it." That's easy to do when the outside temperatures are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Thanksgiving looks different here than it does in America. There are no festivities. After all, it is not a Ghanaian holiday! There are no turkeys. No stuffing/dressing.No cranberry sauce. No blood family.

Yet it is still a day of giving thanks. I am thankful for another day of life to praise my Lord and Savior. I am thankful that I started back walking this morning. I am thankful for all those I see and greet when I walk. I am thankful for my Ghanaian family and friends with whom I can talk, laugh and celebrate the joys of life and grieve the sorrows. I'm thankful for my personal Physician's Assistant who keeps my injections up to date. And for my mechanic who keeps my motorcycle safe to drive. I am thankful for Boniface showing me his school work and doing his homework at my house. I am thankful, too, for the technology that allows me to wish family and friends who are stateside, a "Happy Thanksgiving."

So, while most people I know in the United States are eating turkey with all the fixings and planning their black Friday shopping spree, I am enjoying a teryaki chicken stir fry, rice and a cold glass of iced tea. After all, Thanksgiving isn't about the food or planning the shopping trip! It's about turning your eyes/my eyes to the LORD and thanking Him for His great love and the gift of salvation. He has truly blessed us! Give thanks!

Two More Months

I landed in the US 51 days ago. I leave the US in 61 days - two months from now. Two, long months. I'm so tired. I want to go home. I want some normalcy back in my life. Even with scheduling down time, I'm tired. Every time I get in a car, my body says to me, "Not again!" Maybe it is borrowing a car every time I need to visit another city/town or even to go to a doctor's appointment. Maybe it is the hills and mountains that I have been traveling. Maybe it is because nothing is ever easy. Maybe it is the fact that I have people who love me and allow me to stay at their house, yet I'm not at "home". a Maybe it is the harsh reality of Home Assignment - reconnecting with partnering churches and hopefully connecting with new ones. I look at my schedule and I get tired. Oh, I love going to the churches and homes of people to share what God has been doing. And, I'd rather be busy instead of sitting around. But, in my mind, if I had a true "home base" where I didn't have to live out of suitcases and ask for a car every time I wanted or needed to travel someplace, it would be easier. If I have an internet connection all the time, that would simplify things, too. Part of it is that I'm not getting the exercise here that I do in Ghana. And, I stay up later at night. And, I have to keep track of where I am supposed to be going and when. I almost forgot about a church visit that I have at the end of the month! That's not good.

Add to that the stress of trying to raise funding for my next term in Ghana. Sometimes I don't worry about the income enough, sometimes, not enough. Giving has gone down. Life situations have changed for people Will my visits and speaking to others make a difference in my monthly support? B I also want others to know there is a need. But, I also try to leave that part up to God. 

In the midst of all of this, I guess I am asking that you would pray for me, my ministry and that needs would be met. Maybe you are part of the solution!

Noise

Last week, as I was driving, I was really enjoying the music on the radio...until I drove out of range. Then, it wasn't so pleasant. It was static. Nothing was being clearly transmitted. So, I tried another staion...and another...and another...I finally shut off the radio. And, I began to pray. "Lord, when did it happen...that I need to have background noise? I seem to always have on music or a video or maybe even a pod cast. Why can't I be satisfied with silence? What am I running from? What am I afraid of? I used to love quiet drives...taking inthe scenery, talking with You. When I go to bed, I have to fall asleep with a movie or music on. Even my "quiet time" with You isn't quiet. I have praise music on, which isn't bad in and of itself. But, I wonder, where is that focused time with You, when I can hear Your voice? Am I fearful of what You would say to me? What is more scary than moving to Ghana all by myself? Yet, I'm not alone. And, it wasn't scary. Why? Because I heard Your voice telling me to "GO!" So, what happened? Is it just a simple matter of a bad habit? Or is it something deeper? Lord, show me what needs to change in me as I turn off the volume and keep my time with You, time with You. I want to see Your face and hear Your voice. Teach me, Lord!"

44 Days

44 days! Yes, 44 days. I have been back in the US for 44 days. It's been a time of laughter and a time of tears. It's been a time of joy and sorrow. It's been a time of relaxation and work. It's been a time of travel and of staying put. Yes, life here in the US is full of paradoxes. It's nice to be here, but I wonder what is going on at home. I feel torn at times. I'm enjoying being with family, reconnecting with friends and loving the hot and cold running water. Yet, I wonder, "How is Uncle Christopher's funeral going? How is Razak and the family doing in the midst of their grief? How is Boniface and Pius? Are they getting ready to go back to school? How is the church doing? Will Matthias be able to take the Local Preacher's Test?" and a lot more!

Still, while I am here, I am able to share their stories, the stories that are being written by their lives. I can share with others how God is working in the villages of Kalsagri and Kunyukuo. So far, I have told their stories more than 15 times in formal, scheduled settings and numerous times in a relaxed informal setting.

I have also taken time to visit family, enjoy the company of friends and, to see dentists and doctors, too. This morning I will travel to see some dear friends and their family. There will be food, fellowship and sharing what God has been doing in our lives and in the lives of those we love both near and far. Tomorrow, I will be sharing at another church. I love to tell the story. I am amazed at what God has done and continues to do. And, I wonder what He will do in the next 68 days!

The Ministry of Presence

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them.It is a privilege to have the time and the freedom to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire is to be useful, to do something significant or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.

~ Henri Nouwen from the book, Gracias!

The Pennsylvania Tour

I'm on a Pennsylvania tour - five cities in seven days! No, I am NOT a rock star. I am not a politician running for office. I am a missionary on Home Assignment, trying to connect with those who partner with me and encourage me. And, trying to raise support so I can stay in Lawra, Ghana for another five years, discipling people who live in the villages surrounding Lawra. So, I am on the road.

People wonder what I do while I am in the US. Is it good to be "home?" (Well, for this time of my life, "home" is in Lawra, Ghana. So, it is What are you doing while you are here? Well, let me tell you what I have been doing...less than 24 hours in country, I drove two hours so I could meet with the pastor of my home church. (He is new at the church since I was last here.) Then, I spent time with my "web and design goddess" to update, design and print some things for my display table. In addition to that, my friendly Geeks updated my laptop and tablet. Now, I am ready!

I have spoken with people on either a Sunday at church or in a less formal setting at least seven times. And, now, I am on a seven day road trip during which I will be sleeping in five different cities! Talk about being busy and tired. Homeland Assignment is NOT for the weak of heart. 

In the midst of it all, I am so grateful to the LORD. I have met many people who love God and want to see His Kingdom established in all the corners of the world. I have seen lakes and rivers and mountains and corn fields and lots of paved road. I an thankful for the people who have given me their cars to drive for miles and miles and days. I am appreciative of all those who gave me a place to lay my head at night, who have fed me and spoiled me.

Yes, I am on The Pennsylvania Tour. It will continue for weeks. But, connecting with God's people on His mission makes it all worth it. Why don't you come along and join God in His mission, too?