Rest...A Much Needed Commodity!

 

I'm not very good at taking time for myself, to rest, renew, to be refreshed. After a hectic three weeks, I FINALLY was able to do this. My sister and I loaded up her car and headed to Meadows of Dan, VA. We drove all day and we were so grateful when we saw the sign, "Welcome to the Mountains." Yes, we have been driving in the mountains, but this particular mountain was our destination!

 

My morning starts with the above scene. Who can doubt the existence of God when they see this? I grab a cup of coffee and my Bible and head outside to the porch swing.

 

I did take a day to be a tourist in Mt. Airy, NC, sometimes referred to "Mayberry." This is the home of Andy Griffith. I visited the sheriff's office, the jail, the Darling's still (no moonshine was in it) and even rode in Barney's car. This was the day I was introduced to a rib eye steak sandwich.

 

Since then, I've mainly loved just "chilling out" at my friends house in the mountains. They are such wonderful hosts. Every need/want has been met, even before voiced.

 

The flowers are still beautiful. The leaves are turning colors. The birds are singing. And, a hawk or two was spotted, too. I'm loving this.

 



 

Pumpkins have arrived by the truckload, there is a crispness in the air, ahhh...

 

A fire on a cool evening. Sitting, talking, warming my feet. I wonder, "Lord, what have I done to deserve a break like this?" Refreshment, renewal. And when I leave, I'll be ready for what is next in my schedule!

 

On the Road Again...

 

 

I'm on the road again, or is it still? I guess it doesn't matter what continent I am in, I am on the road a lot!

 

I have been in the United States for 26 days. I have been in four time zones, spoken in the states and have attended a week long class which has assignments and teleclasses to complete. 

 

 

It has been a blessing to be with old friends and new, telling them what God has been doing in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

 

No matter how tired I am, I come alive when speaking about Ghana, life there, the villages, the people, the children.

 

Yes, I miss my life in Lawra. It is a lot simpler, a lot harder, too. But this chapter of life is much needed, too.

 

God has used this time to introduce others to His work throughout the world, and specifically in Ghana. And, He is using this time to meet the needs of those with whom I work as well as my own.

 

Yes, I am on the road again...and God is faithful!

CORE Coaching

 

The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything and make you remember

all that I have told you. ~John 14:26

 

Almost two weeks ago I flew to Seattle, WA to participate in the CORE coaching training. This type of life coaching is Christian based, with the Holy Spirit being an integral part of it. I spent the week with 30 other amazing people who work throughout the world, encouraging people to look past what they think they can be to what God thinks they can be. Coaching begins in the present and looks to the future. Coaches don't give answers. They help the "coachee" look within themselves to set their own goals and action steps to achieve what previously seemed impossible to them. Coaching is so positive and reinforces all progress...and it can be done over the phone!



The class included plenty of time for practice. We each experienced several hours of coaching and being coached. It is amazing what a person can discover about themselves in 15 minutes or a half hour! There are so many facets of life that can be encouraged and strengthened by coaching. I kept learning more that I ever imagined! Coaching has challenged me to go beyond many of my old thought patterns and preconceptions. I am in the process of setting up coaching sessions for myself so I can activate all those areas and thoughts and ideas in me that have been sleeping.

 

Is there an area of your life which you want to develop? Where do you want to grow? What area of your life are you dissatisfied with? Is it in the relational area? Spiritual? Physical? Leadership? Intellectual? Character?  Hobbies or recreation? Maybe there are other areas. I'd be privileged to be a part of your life for awhile and help you excel in all areas of your life.

Back in the USA



I am back in the USA. Life has been really busy for the last three weeks, REALLY busy. Good friends of mine, Cathy and Chuck, and their son, Joe, picked me up from the airport and delivered me to what will be my "home base" for the next three months. After "mosey-ing" around, I fell exhausted into bed around 2AM. The next morning, Pastor Tom picked me up to take me to Erie so I could pick up a few necessary items...clothes, insurance card, driver's license and a car. (Thank You, Jesus! That is another story!)

 

I was so excited about my trip to Erie. There would be two whole hours of nice roads and three, count them, THREE, nice rest stops. I told Pastor Tom that I was so excited to know that there were flush toilets along the way and asked if we could stop at them. His reply, "We are NOT stopping at all of them. We can stop if you REALLY need to go!"

 

So, we hit the road, stopping at the golden arches for breakfast to go. And, as nature took it's course, I eventually "really had to go." We stopped at the rest stop with well marked parking spots, a nice, green, well manicured lawn, a BUILDING with electricity AND running water that worked! It looked clean and smelled clean. I entered the Ladies Room slowly, relishing the fact that I was actually there. I stood inside, gazing at the row of sparkling toilet stalls and sinks and....

 

I got tears in my eyes!

 

As an American, I take so much for granted. This rest stop is something that I grew to expect. But, after living in Ghana for 19 months, I am truly grateful for it! I thank God that I live in a country where I don't have to worry about toilet facilities while on the road! =-)

Blue Moon

 

Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone,

Without a dream in my heart,

Without a love of my own.

 

Blue Moon, you know just what I was there for,

You heard me saying a prayer for,

Someone I could really care for.

 

And then there suddenly appeared before me,

The only one my arms would ever hold,

I heard someone whisper, "Please adore me."

And then I looked to the moon and it turned gold.

 

Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone,

Without a dream in my heart,

Without a love of my own.

 

Tonight was a "blue moon", the second full moon in a month. It made me think of this song by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. And, it made me wonder...who would I really say a prayer for...someone I could really care for? And, to be honest with you, it wasn't anyone in the romantic sense. It was for the kids in the Upper West who have little or no hope. ..The kids that are disabled. Their parents don't know what specifically is wrong with their child because they cannot afford to go to a specialist. It is a great burden to the family and very time consuming. And, I pray for the "kids," the young ladies who have been raped or work in the sex industry just to have money for food to survive. And, I pray for those kids whose education is not "up to par" yet have to take the same exams as those in the same grade in some of the best public schools in the country. And, I pray for...you get the picture. 

So, this blue moon, please pray that these kids will no longer be alone. That they will know the love and hope of Jesus Christ. Pray that they can have hopes and dreams for their future. And, pray that they will give Christ the glory and pass it on.



Staggering Statistics

I recently read a book, AIDS Is Real and it's in our CHURCH by Jean Garland and Dr. Mike Blyth. (First published in 2003.) It is an excellent book, especially if you are working anyplace in Africa. I especially liked the true life stories and the cultural facts. It opened my eyes to a lot of things...

~ 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide and 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa.
~ In 16 countries in Africa, more than 1 in 10 adults is living with HIV.
~ In seven countries in the south of Africa, one in five adults are living with HIV.
~ 13 million children worldwide are orphans due to AIDS.
~ 2/3 of all people living with HIV/AIDS are in sub-Saharan Africa, although only 10% of the world's population lives there.
~ Many, if not most, African women living with HIV/AIDS were infected by their husbands.
~ 800,000 African children were newly infected in 2001.
3.5 million Africans were newly infected in 2002.
~ 9 out of ten people infected with HIV are unaware that they have it.
~ HIV test can read positive for the first three months the person is infected.
~ 80% - 90% HIV infections in Africa occur through sexual intercourse.
~ 10% of all HIV infections are passed on from mother to child.
~ You cannot know if a baby is HIV positive until 18 months after birth.
~ 5% - 10% HIV infections in Africa are from blood transfusions.
~ About 5% of HIV infections are from sharing needles, blades & other sharp objects.
~There are some cases of the HIV virus surviving in water for up to 2 weeks and up to 7 days in a dry, dusty climate.
~ Half the sex workers in Ghana are HIV positive.
~ Most people who are HIV positive in Africa are in the 20 - 40 year old age bracket.
~ Condoms are only 80% effective in preventing HIV.
~ AIDS is the leading cause of death in Africa.
~ In Sub-Saharan Africa, life expectancy has dropped from 62 years to 47 years because of HIV.
~ In Zambia, teacher deaths from AIDS is equal to half the total of new teachers trained annually in the country.
~ Ghana has a relatively low HIV rate, 1.5%. In the Upper West Region, it is 6%.
~ In the last 20 years, AIDS has killed ten times more people than all of the wars in Africa in the last 100 years.

These statistics show that, as Christians, we have a job to do. If we believe as John Wesley did, "The world is my parish", what are we doing to be Christ to those who desperately need Him? I have read that HIV has another meaning, one that is so very important to those who are HIV positive...

HIV...HOPE IS VITAL!

Reflections on Conference

This past week I had the privilege of representing The Mission Society at the 45th Conference of The Methodist Church Ghana. I was so excited when my team leader asked if I would attend. I LOVE going to Annual Conference in Western Pennsylvania. So, I packed my best Ghanaian clothes and my notebook and my red pen...and I was ready!

The Conference was held at St. Paul Cathedral in Tema, Greater Accra Region. The church was HUGE! After being in small churches in the north, almost everything amazed me! The team that welcomes us was"on their toes" and ready to meet whatever challenge came their way. After I registered and received my conference materials, I was given a ride to where I would be staying for the next four nights. I settled in and went to the Lay Delegates session. (Buses were always on hand to transport us when necessary.) The work of the laity and how to use our various gifts for the Kingdom of God was discussed.

 

Then, what we all have been waiting for...REPRESENTATIVE SESSION. I sat in an area where I could listen and see while being comfortable, too. I was impressed with the fact that there wasn't a lot of unnecessary talking/discussion. Reports were given with highlights mentioned. People seemed to do their homework and came to the sessions prepared for the day's work. I marked my journal with my red pen, so that I could make corrections and notations as needed.

 

The opening worship was amazing! I sat with the Women's Guild, sticking out like a sore thumb! They showed my the proper way to dance during the offering. Then, it was back to "work." Reports, worship, fellowship, doing the business of the church...it all went so smoothly. Each day we were finished between 6:00 and 6:30 in the evening...and, we finished early on Saturday! Incredible!

 

Challenges were given to those in attendance...the challenge "to carry the work given to us" from Numbers 4:49 and to remember the four "all"s mentioned in Matthew 28:18-20 and to act accordingly.We were challenged to give up all and to do the work of Christ. (Hmm...sounds familiar!)

 

Conference concluded with an Ordination Service with 28 people ordained into full time ministry, 2 women and 26 men. Many were teachers, but several other occupations were given up in order to serve God full time. I pray that God would give them wisdom and strength and courage as they enter this new chapter of life.

Wouldn't it be nice if life ran as smoothly as this conference did? The problems were few and seemed to be fixed in a reasonable time. And, there were times of celebration, too.The problems in my life don't seem to go away very fast. And, sometimes the celebrations are few and far between. It's the difference between doing a task and building character in a person. Building character takes time. Often, I want God to change me...right now!

 

Next conference is in August 2014 in Kumasi. I am ready & waiting!

Lake Bosomtwi

Holiday at Lake Bosomtwi...aaahhhh! The Lake is so beautiful! It is the only fresh water lake in Ghana. This lake, which is five miles across, is inside of an ancient meteorite crater. As I sit lakeside early in the morning, I listen to the lapping of the water. It is so relaxing. 



I watch the fishermen. They sit on wooden plank "boats" casting their nets. On their boat is a basket in which they place their catch. This is the only type of boat permitted. The Ashanti consider Bosumtwi a sacred lake. According to traditional belief, the souls of the dead come here to bid farewell to the god Twi. Because of this, it is considered permissible to fish in the lake only from wooden planks. It looks so easy...but, it takes great skill to maneuver these boats across the water.

I sit with my coffee and Bible and spend time with God while watching the sun rise. What a great way to start the day! It is just this side of heaven!

Then, after a time, my friends awake  and the activities of the day begin. We eate, laugh, swim, boat and have a wonderful time. Alas, the time is too short and it is time to leave. As I leave, I will be relaxed and refreshed! I praise God for days like this. It restores stregnth to my soul!

A Very Fine Send Off

This past Friday was the burial of Mr. John Kuu-Ib Beka. He was the father of a friend of mine, Rev. Lawrence Beka. "The Old Man", as he was lovingly called by many, died July 15, 2012. I could tell by the numbers of people attending the funeral and days of grieving that he was very much loved.

Funerals in the north of Ghana are quite different from those in the south. This funeral, though, had aspects of both mainly because of the age of the person and the position he held in society. In the north, the body is "staged." On Thursday, "the Old Man" was staged - on a platform, about six feet off of the ground, sitting in a chair. The platform had canvas around 3 sides and a roof, to protect the body from the sun. Mr. Beka was dressed in his finest. Around him were items and crops to represent his farming days. In front of the staging area were two rifles propped up, to signify the hunting he had done. he was also a blacksmith, so there were also tools of the trade displayed. Underneath the platform was the hand- hewn coffin, draped with northern cloth and a quilt. As people paused in front of the staging area, they would toss coins on the ground. These were later used to pay the grave diggers. Gyli (traditional wooden xylophones) players were constantly playing their music, only stopping to switch players. Coins were tossed there, too. This money was split amongst the players.

Friday, the body was in the casket. When I arrived at the Beka family compound (which is where the funeral and burial took place), I was told that they were preparing to have a service. Chairs and benches were set up under two trees in what looked to be a clearing in a corn field, which was actually the entrance to the family compound. Drummers from a near by village drummed in a somber distinct way. As I sat waiting for the service to start, I watched people come in from the path parting the field. There were many, many mourners. Some carried food on their heads to be given to the family, others brought minerals (soda pop) or alcoholic beverages, chickens and even a cow was presented to the family. Many just brought themselves and their grief.

After a bit, with the drum roll still playing, the casket was carried to the gathering by members of the military and set on benches. People gathered, sitting on chairs, benches, tree roots, cloth, pieces of tin, bricks, etc. to take part in the burial service. The grave was there, right before us. As the pastor finished his message, men were arranging the rope so they would be ready to lower the casket into the grave. Then, the time for the final farewell came and the coffin was lowered. The words, "From dust you were made and to dust you shall return" were spoken. And after each phrase, Lawrence shoveled some dirt onto his father's casket. I didn't hear the ending of the service. I was watching Lawrence at this solemn time...wiping tears from his eyes...and I prayed for him.

"The Old Man"'s middle name was Kuu-Ib, meaning we can't escape death. He couldn't. You can't. I can't. The question is, will you be ready? Will I? He was. Praise God!

Stepping Up to the Challenge

Living in Ghana, in northern Ghana, presents many challenges. Yesterday I was presented with a few new ones. =-) I had to travel to Wa to do some shopping and to pick up some mending. So, I left home & joined the 7:00 AM tro tro. It doesn't wait to get filled up, it fills up on the way, that's why I like it. Anyway, we were so close to Wa...and we were stopped at the police check point. First complaint - too many passengers on the tro. The police said there should only be three, three, three...three people on each seat. The tro tro drivers always put four. You learn to live with it. It's life in Ghana. The next complaint was that the front passenger tire was too low. It was! So, we all got out & the driver changed the tire. Less than ten minutes later, we were in Wa, disembarking the tro tro.

On the way home, we were packed four-four-four, not including babies & children. When we stopped in Babali, the driver saw that the vehicle was leaking oil - big time! So, we all got out again. We were 30 minutes or so away from Lawra. Only God knew when a tro tro would be going in our direction. So, we decided to take a yaabaa which was going our way. It was kinda funny - the Ghanaians were willing to wait for the next tro. I was the one who wanted to leave & was willing to ride the yaabaa. So, not to be "one upped" by the "white woman," the rest of them joined me.

The driver was very safe. It was a beautiful day. We saw cows & pigs & sheep & goats & children. It was fun! God provided a way!

Wisdom for All Circumstances

The last several weeks have been very trying, to put it lightly. Most of the time I am amazed at what God has allowed me to do / to witness. But, these last weeks, I am still amazed, but for a totally different reason. It reinforces the fact that the world needs a Savior.

I have been reading through the Bible. The one I am reading now is a Good News Bible that includes the Deuterocanonical books /Apocrypha. I feel I am going back to my "Catholic roots." I have just finished the book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus). It has plenty of wisdom for the situations I face. Here are just some of the verses that have spoken to me during this time:

~ Keep quiet until the right time to speak, and you will gain a reputation for good sense. 1:24

~ Be like a father to orphans, and provide widows with the help their husbands can no longer give them. 4:10

~ Never abandon an old friend. 9:10

~ Your chief pride should be your fear of the Lord. 9:16b

~ It is not right to refuse honor to a poor person who is intelligent, and it is not right to give honor to a sinner. 10:23

~ Before you start criticizing, get your facts straight and think the matter through. 11:7

~ Don't get into an argument over something that is none of your business. 11:9

~ Do good to humble people, but don't give anything to those who are not devout. Don't give them food, or they will use your kindness against you. Every good thing you do for such people will bring you twice as much trouble in return. 12:5

~ If a person has a clear conscience and never gives up hope, he is certainly to be congratulated. 14:2

~ Be kind to your friends, be as generous as you can. 14:13b

~ It is not appropriate for a sinner to sing hymns of praise, because his worship is insincere. 15:9

~ Don't make yourself a beggar by borrowing for expensive banquets when you haven't enough money of your own. If you do, you never will get rich; if you don't pay attention to small matters you will eventually ruin yourself. 18:33-19:1

~ It is much better to rebuke the person than to keep your anger bottled up. 20:2

~ A wise person will not speak until the right moment. 20:7

~ Gifts and bribes make even wise men blind to the truth, and prevent them from being honest in their criticism.20:29

~ A man may be famous as a good speaker, but when he is wrong, a sensible person will detect it. 21:7

~ Gossips and liars deserve to be cursed, because they have been the ruin of many people who were minding their own business. 28:13

~ Be understanding with those who are poor. Don't keep them waiting for your generosity. 29:8

~ It is impolite to have a greedy eye. 31:13

~ Be moderate in everything you do and you will never be sick. 31:22

~ Never, as long as you live, give anyone power over you. 33:19a

~ As long as you have breath in your body, don't let anyone lead your life for you. 33:20a

~ Keep control over all that you do; don't let anything stain your reputation. 33:22





Choices...

I know in the United States, health insurance can be a controversial issue. But, for the most part, parents have health insurance for their children. There are government agencies that help to provide insurance if the parents cannot afford it. Most children are able to see a doctor if they get sick.

But, what happens if a parent has to make a choice...does the family get food today? Or do the children get health insurance? That is the question, and sometimes it is a difficult one to answer. Parents know that their children will get sick. They will get malaria. They will get dehydrated. They will get parasites. But, can they really chose not to eat today so that when someone gets sick they will be able to see a doctor and be able to get the needed medicines? Even at the low cost of health insurance, it is a tough choice for parents.

Today, because of the generosity of people in the United States, 109 children were signed up for health insurance. A young girl in western PA told her pastor that she emptied her piggy bank so the sick children could see a doctor and get well. As I sat and talked with the children and played with them, their parents would come up to me and thank me. It was a humbling experience, an emotional one, too. I responded with, "Thank God!" It is because of Him all of this was possible. One hundred nine children is a start, a drop in the bucket in an area where people struggle to feed their families. Hopefully, this will be repeated in January. And, then, too, I will respond with, "It isn't me, it is God. Thank Him." And, thank all of you who have supported this project. God bless you!

A Rough Two Weeks

It's been a rough couple of weeks. We have been very short handed at the clinic because of staff being on leave. Plus, the two people posted to out clinic from the district assembly are on strike. I am grateful that one of them has come to help out anyway. May God bless her. And, then there is Razak who has been manning the registration at the OPD and taking vital signs. What would we do if he wasn't flexible?

Since the Gandy's Cove team has left, I haven't felt well. I haven't been sick enough to stay in bed, but I am not feeling well enough to give 100%. I have acquired a cough I can't shake. Then, when I went to Tamale, I found out I had malaria. It wasn't as bad as last year (thank You, Jesus), but, it was still malaria.

Then, I found out that a sixteen year old mother of a one year old boy was raped by someone much older than herself. And,then to find out she is pregnant as a result of the rape. (She is also HIV positive.)

Add to all of that, in Wa, there was an attempted robbery of two Americans at "machete point." They reacted in self defense with the ultimate end that one of the robbers died due to stab wounds inflicted by one of the Americans. I know one of the people involved. That person did not have the knife. So, all the foreign NGO's (non government organizations) pulled out of the Upper West Region except for VSO. They only pulled out of Wa. And, the US State Dept. put a "ban" on any unnecessary travel in the Upper West for American citizens.

A good friend of mine, Lawrence, who lives in Tamale, was here in Lawra for several days. His father was sick and in the hospital. Lawrence made it to Lawra the day before his father died. Now, his extended family has to prepare for a three day funeral with hundreds of people attending, most expecting to be fed for three days. That on top of the cost of a coffin, renting chairs and canopies (the funeral will be at the family house or land. Where do people who live in such a poor area come up for the funds for all of this? 

Another friend has a small boy who was in the hospital for several days. She was asking several people to donate blood for her son.

VSO has called their people back to Wa, but the others are still away. Add to the mixture situations I can't even begin to get into.

In a world with so much sickness, so much death, so much turmoil, so much sadness...how do people survive without the hope of Christ? We NEED to be Christ to them and to speak Christ to them.

Don't worry, I am not going off the deep end. I need a few days to sleep, relax, rest, pray. I need a Sabbath rest that lasts for more than a few hours. Then, I will be strong in the strength of Christ. Now, I need to rest in Him.