Priscilla

 

It is Wednesday morning. The temperature is only 86 degrees Fahrenheit. I am riding my bicycle to Zinka, a village close to me. I am not quite there yet, but I am wondering,"Why didn't I ride my moto?" Then I remember that I need the exercise. The top part of my dress is already soaked in sweat. As I approach Zinka, I see a small urchin with only her underclothes on, covered in dirt from head to toe. It is Priscilla. I wave and keep pedaling because if I stop, I will have to walk my bicycle the rest of the way.
 

 

Priscilla is 7 or 8 years old. Her older sister is not quite sure of Priscilla's age. And, Priscilla has Downs Syndrome. She does not go to school because she won't sit still and will run away. There is no support staff for children like Priscilla. So, twice a week, I go to her house to do some basic things with her. Sometimes she is outside of the family compound when I arrive and we have "class" outside. Then, I have to be prepared to have at least six other children and four adults joining us. The children have skipped school to farm and the adults have not gone out to work the farm yet.

 

 

The last two times that I visited Priscilla, we met inside the family compound, with her older sister helping us. What a difference! Priscilla was much better behaved, her focus increased and we were able to accomplish a LOT of work.

 

 

She loves to string beads and do sewing cards.  Her brother, Kareem likes to string beads and "fish."

 

 

When we finish, we pray, and I am ready to leave, Priscilla gives me a hug so big it seems like I will never be able to get out of the grasp of her arms. She walks out to my bicycle with me, carrying my heavy basket of toys. Then, she climbs up on my bicycle. She wants to go home with me and cries when she is not allowed. But, I tell her I will "go and come" and she is happy again.

 

 

Priscilla's station in life may not change because I am there with her, but she will. I pray that God will use me in her life...to make a difference...for Him!



 

Culture Check

 

Two weeks ago, a woman came to the Kalsagri church with her grand-daughter, Naamal. She said that this wasn't her church. But, could we please help her grand-daughter? Naamal's parents don't want her because of the growth in her mouth. So, they sent her to Kasalgri to live with "Maakum" (Grandmother). Maakum is old. She can't do much for the girl. She said that others said they would help, but no one has. So, I took her picture, sent out a few emails. She might have a Burkitt’s lymphoma tumor, I don't know. But, what we did find out is that she has to go to the local hospital to get a referral to the Wa hospital. Then, at the Wa hospital, she has to get a referral to a teaching hospital in Kumasi. This would be a great hardship for the family.

 

Since I didn't know the girl's surname, guardian name, birthdate, age, etc., we went to visit the grandmother today. After we greeted her, we asked all kinds of questions about Naamal. The grandmother did not know the child's surname or the father's surname. She did not know the age of the child. We were told that Naamal was not born this way. This growth/tumor has been growing for three years. She was taken to the local hospital by her Maakum. The doctor wanted to give her a referral. But, Maakum told the doctor to wait until Naamal's father came back from down south. Someone did eventually get a hold of the father. He refused to come. There is an uncle who lives at the family house. But, he cannot speak. So, when asked who would take responsibility for Naamal, if we could take to to the various doctors, the answer was there is no one locally. We tried to call both the mother and the father. Neither one answered their phone. So, our hands are tied as we wait and continue trying to call the parents.

 

I couldn't help but think that this would never happen in America. I wonder what will become of Naamal. Will she ever see a specialist? Or will she die before she gets the chance? Lord, give me wisdom!

 



Why SNAP?

A mother wakes up in the middle of the night and cries. She wonders, "Why did God give me a child like this?" There is no place for a special needs child in this culture. Parents are urged to take their children to the Fetish priest for a "mercy killing." Yet, this same mother, who cried at night a year ago, now says, "When I came to SNAP, I found out that I wasn't alone.That there are other children like mine. SNAP helps me know what to do with my child."

 

June 6, 2013, was the first anniversary of SNAP, our Special Needs Awareness Program. We will celebrate on July 3, so that one of our founding members, Sarah Gardner, could be here for the festivities. An activity that we had for the parents was to trace the hand of their child and write something that they appreciated about their child on each finger. And, if  they could not think of something, they were to write their hopes/dreams for their child. Now, most of these people can't read or write, so, others wrote the words the parents said. Parents who were full of despair a year ago now write: 

 

"My child has a nice smile. He is very interested. He knows how to read. I THANK GOD He made him for me. He makes me happy."

 

Another parent writes about their child, "He thanks God. He is always happy. I am HAPPY that God made him. He will get a blessing. I am happy to come here to SNAP."

 



Still another parent writes, "She tries hard. She is happy. She is a good sister. She is helpful. She is beautiful."

 

I thank God for SNAP. A year ago, these parents had no hope. Who knows if some of these children would have survived if the parent did not attend SNAP. SNAP give them encouragement, praise, education, health screenings, and the knowledge that their child is a unique, unrepeatable miracle of God! Celebrate our first year with us!  And, thank God for the lives of these lovely children.

 



Friend of the Poor

 

On the African plains a young mother weeps for her hungry child,

She prays he'll survive.

With tear-filled eyes she looks up to heaven and calls Your name,

She pours out her pain.

You know her name and You hear her cries.

Friend of the poor, help me through the night;

Help me in the fight, come to my rescue.

Friend of the poor, take these skin and bones,

Make this heart a home, come to my rescue,

Friend of the poor.

 

~ Friend of the Poor by Andy Park

 

This is a picture of Vikpenidie and his mother, Yaa. They live in one of the sub villages of Kalsagri. His mother came to us last Sunday after service saying that Vikpenidie was too small, there is no breast milk. So, Rashid, the Nutrition Officer at the Lawra Methodist Clinic went to the village to see them. He encouraged Yaa to come to the clinic the next day. He would show her how to mix a special formula that would help Vikpenidie gain weight. On Monday, when they came, the baby was weighed. He is six weeks old and only 2.6 kg.! (That's 5.72 lbs. to my American friends/family.) Vikpenidie has Marasmus, a "dry" type of malnutrition. His skin is falling off his body because he is wasting away. He has sores all over his little body. Rashid gave Yaa a zinc oxide creme for the baby's body. He showed her how to make the special formula and how to feed it to Vikpenidie. Rashid also encouraged Yaa to stay at the Children's Centre for a week, just so she could get into the rhythm of making the formula and feeding Vikpenidie eight times a day. Monday and Tuesday she refused to stay. By the middle of the week, she still refused, but has promised - and kept her promise - to come every day to stay and learn how to prepare the special formula her baby needs. She came and learned and fed him, many times a day! She wants to see her baby survive. She wants him to grow strong. It will take time for Vikpenidie to gain weight, to be a healthy baby. But, with God, all things are possible! Rashid is a good nutritionist. He will do his best to make sure Yaa leaves with all the information she needs.

 

Please, pray for this small child to survive, and, not only survive, but live a life that will reflect the Father's joy, grace, love and mercy. And pray that when he is strong and older, he will glorify God because he has survived!

Bura-Ang

 

Today I heard about the death of Bura-Ang, one of our special needs children. She died on Friday, May 24, 2013, in her home in one of the  sub-villages of Kalsagri. Bura-Ang was born with Cerebral Palsy. Here, she would have been called a "baby snake." As time went on, Bura-Ang was able to stand all by herself. The last time I saw her, she haltingly walked to me. She always had a smile on her face.

 

I was told that she crawled to a big iron water pot, pulled herself up, lost her footing and fell in. She drowned. It was an accident. I have seen these pots. They are HUGE! I can picture a small child grasping it and then falling if not sure-footed. Her father told us a different story. He said she was shivering, shivering, shivering...and then just died. Which, to me, sounds like malaria.

 

You see, here in the Upper West, most people are Traditionalists. Fear is a big part of the survivors lives because it is believed that these special needs or "malformed" children have evil spirits. And, when they die, where does that evil spirit go? Everyone in the family is afraid that it will go to them. Plus, a young child like this is not grieved. There is no funeral. And it is part of the tradition to bury right away, as soon as the grave is hand dug. Death is a part of life all too often.

 

As I sat with the family, I was able to share what the Bible says about "these little ones," heaven and the hope we have in Christ. I don't know if I was heard or not, but, it HAD to be said.

 

On the way home, I contemplated the paradox of this death. The mother wants to grieve. Bura-Ang was her child. Angelina (the mother) loved her. Yet, on the other hand, there is no place for a special needs child in this culture. What would become of the child? How will she live? So, a part of what is being felt is relief. Love...relief. What a combination! Yet, a part of every day life.

 

I pray seeds will be planted, doors will be opened, and just as this little girl is dancing before Jesus, I pray her family will come to know Him and some day dance before the King of kings!

The Difference a Week Can Make!

It has been a very busy week! Last Sunday was the first service in almost three years at the Kalsagri Methodist Church. The roof was falling down, the floor was coming up. The walls were in various stages of falling apart. Windows are needed. A door is needed, too. There are no benches to sit on and no drums to play. Yet, people came. People came because there was worship in their village. Is everyone who came a believer? I doubt it. I can see juju on the children. But, give us time. Allow the Holy Spirit to work.

 

When asked what was needed for the church, a new roof was decided on by the people worshipping last week. During the week, an estimate was gotten and approved. And, work began. Off with the old, on with the new.

 

It was also a big week for me. This past week, I drove my motorcycle by myself. I wanted to see what was happening as the work on the roof was being done. So, I drove by myself. The first ride went pretty well, thanks be to God! My arrival at the church wasn't as smooth as I would have liked it...no, I didn't fall or crash...it just wasn't smooth. But, the next day was much better. And, in that time, I actually passed a car! Oh, I suppose I should be truthful and let you know that this particular car was parked! The second day I drove, there was PLENTY of traffic. I drove out to the village twice. And, I saw a total of three trucks, six cars and about twelve motorcycles!

 

The new roof looks quite fine! The carpenter also made a cross with two pieces of wood, one old piece and one new piece and attached it to the church. So, when people came to church today, they saw the cross, they saw the new roof. And, they thanked God for them. Our worship was amazing! People with so little can really praise God! Today there were 86 people at service. Last week there were 59. Next week is Market Day. So, we will have service at 7 AM. I'm not sure how many will come. But, those who come will worship!

 

Being at this little church has really helped me put things into perspective. There is a six week old baby, Vikpenibe, who is so very tiny. His mother has no breast milk. There is a six year old boy, Zumeyuor, who is deaf and dumb. There is a five year old girl, Naamal, who has a major malformation of her mouth. What kind of services are there for these children? Who will help them? National Health Insurance will not cover the types of expenses they will incur. And, I, I complain that some of my supporters have quit giving or are giving less. What is that compared to these issues? Lord, I trust you with these children and with my small petty problems. I want to keep my eyes on You.  Help me be your hands and feet at this church, in the village and everywhere I go. Because of the difference You have made in my life, help me make a difference in the lives of others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Comforts of Home

 



When I moved to Ghana in February 2011, I brought with me necessities...towels, sheets, clothes, flashlight, insect repellent...oh, and Mr. Mooey! When I returned to Ghana in March 2013, from my visit to the USA, I brought "the comforts of home." My home was comfortable before I left. But, now, it is truly a space where I can rest, relax and renew as well as work, receive guests and bless others. Here is a partial list of the "comforts" that came to Ghana with me:

~ Heinz Ketchup, made in the USA

~ Yankee candles

~ a variety of Bibles

~ more sheets & towels

~ a flip flop shaped pillow (for my beach themed bed room)

~ a variety of crosses for a collage on my living room wall

~ DECAF coffee, hazelnut is my favorite!

~ hazelnut and vanilla flavored coffee creamer

~ pots and pans

~ Starbucks coffee mugs and a mug tree

~ an iPod and tiny speaker

~ slippers

~ STAMPING SUPPLIES...stamps, inks, papers, ribbons, glue, punches, etc.

~ pictures of family and friends

~ office supplies

~ journals

~ decorative pillows

~ a french press

~ books

 

Even without all these "spoiled American" items, God has helped me make my house a home. But, I am getting older and I am here for the long haul. Thank You, Lord for providing all of this for me!



Harvest

In Ghana, harvest time is very important, not only at the end of the farming season, but throughout the entire year. When I first attended a Harvest in 2007, I had in mind what most Americans would have in mind. After all, it was fall, and I imagines celebrating the crops that grew by the grace of God, during the season. But, no, when a "Harvest" is held, it is much different than what I had pictured in my mind.

 

On May 12, the Babile Methodist Church had a Harvest. During the month before this took place, envelopes with the name of the church, the date of the Harvest and other pertinent information printed on it, were given out to church members, community members and any other people who might be interested in financially supporting the church, since a Harvest is a fundraiser!  

May 12 came and I rode on the back of a motorcycle to the Babile church about 1/2 hour away. The church service was great. Surely, the presence of the Lord was in this place. The Very Reverend Ernest Baiden gave a very Biblical sermon on giving. Then, the "festivities" began. First, the normal offering was taken. Then, the envelopes were given. Next a plea for money was given, starting with anyone who could give 50 Ghana cedis all the way down to 1 Ghana cedi. Each amount was pleaded for separately.

 

Now, the fun began! People brought items from home to sell, to auction off and the proceeds would go to the church. There was millet, Guinea fowl eggs, groundnuts, both in and out of the shell, corn, water sachets, rice...You get the picture. It was so much fun to watch and listen to the bidding. When I saw the groundnuts, I KNEW some would be mine...let the bidding begin!

 

I had to be patient, as the water, millet, rice, cassava, even the eggs were auctioned off first. Finally, they came to the shelled, raw groundnuts. The bidding started at 6 Ghana cedis...it went to 7, then, 7.50, 8, 8.50...I finally bought my bay of groundnuts for 10 Ghana cedis (about $5.35 USD). (I took them home and roasted them a few days later. I will be eating groundnuts until the end of June!)

 





After the auction, there was another plea for money, this time, each church represented came forward to place their money in the collection box. The goal was to see which church would "win" by putting in the most money. Of course, Kasalgri, my church, won by 5 Ghana cedis! It was a close race, announcing a winner, then more money given, announcing the new winner, more money given, etc.

At the end of the day, a total of 1580.70 Ghana cedis were given. And, because of a donation by Wesley UMC in Erie, PA, that amount was matched. The church will put a new roof on and start putting in louver windows. It was a wonderful day. Each person there contributed to the cause. They worked hard to raise this money. And, now, after so long, there will be a roof on the church. No more dodging the sun and the rain. Praise God for His provision!

A Birthday Prayer

 

Good morning, LORD. I am quite unsettled this morning. I am wondering about so many things. Most of all, though, I am thinking about my mother. I miss her. She was young when she died - only 60 years old. Today would have been her 87th birthday...and I still miss her. I miss the privilege of picking up the phone and talking with her. When my knee hurts, or I have other aches and pains, I wonder what her Rx would be, thinking, "What would Dr. Mom say?" I wonder if I would have confided in her before and during my divorce. I wonder what she would say if she knew where I was living and working now.

 

LORD, Your ways are not my ways. I'll never know why You chose to call her home when You did. I suppose it was that her work here was finished. She lived out all of her days. It was time for her pain to end. I pray that she has been rejoicing with You all these years.

 

Before she left, she instilled many things in me: faith, love, compassion, acceptance, laughter...

 

LORD, if You are able, tell my mother I still love her. I still miss her. And, tell her, "Happy Birthday! I pray that you will continue to praise the Lord throughout the ages to come. I will see you 'on the other side.'"

The Long and Winding Road to Functioning A/C - The Rest of the Story

 

The rest of the story...Donatus did come a week ago. He put freon in my a/c for the second time during the week. He put an Automatic Voltage Stabilizer on the unit so when the electrical current is low, the a/c motor will not get spoiled. If the unit is on and the electricity is low, it automatically shuts off. When the current is high enough, the a/c restarts. When I notice a lot of fluctuation in the current, I just shut off the a/c from the main switch. It usually works well between the hours of 11 PM and 7 AM. So, I need to learn to stay up late so I can close the windows and turn on the a/c. I have hade a few nights this week when I slept UNDER the covers. Oh, what a wonderful feeling that was. So, my a/c works & I am getting to know the signs of low voltage, so I won't even try to use it.

 

But, amidst all of this, God opened my eyes...one day, while the electric voltage was low and I was complaining that the a/c wasn't working, a woman died at the Lawra District Hospital...all because the voltage was low and the machines needed to keep her alive did not work during the low voltage. Hmmm...how can I complain when the voltage is low? I am blessed beyond belief. Instead if wondering when the a/c will work, I should be thanking God for the times that it has worked and will work again.

 

"LORD, forgive me for being so narrow minded. Help me to see the bigger picture. Help me to not just see, but really notice the plight of others and act with the gifts and graces You give me. LORD, enlarge my world. Let me see people as You see them, with Your eyes. Let me be Your hands, feet, eyes, and ears with Your heart. Amen"

Specs

 

God has provided through Cornwall, UMC. A man I met there last fall happens to be a motorcycle instructor in the state of Pennsylvania. When I was speaking and mentioned that I was hoping God would provide me with the means to buy a motorcycle/motorscooter when I returned to Ghana, he made sure that it would be provided. So, here it is...Thank You, Jesus. The LORD has provided! 

 

A colleague of mine, Ron B., was wondering about the specs of my bike. So, Ron, this part is for you...please remember I live in a remote area of Ghana:

My bike has:

~ two wheels

~ four gears PLUS nuetral

~ a down shift AND an up shift pedal

~ a kickstand

~ handlebars

~ turn signals

~ a horn

~ a light

~ a seat

~ a place to put your feet

~ a gas tank that holds 5 Ghana cedis worth of gas

~ brakes

~ a battery

~ two tires and tubes

~ acceleration

~ two mirrors that I have a hard time getting "just right"

~ two key fobs which will lock & set the alarm, only one has never worked

~ two keys to the gas tank

~ a place to put the "number plate"

~ a wire rack to put a small package or water bottle

~ an exhaust pipe

~ I am sure there is more, I just don't know what it is. :-)

 

I did ask for an owners manual. The shop owner tried not to laugh. He did give me a generic one, but not specific to my "Sunny Best 110."

 

Learning to drive is not in my comfort zone and it is WAY beyond my learning zone, it is in my TRUSTING the LORD zone!

 

 

CHIP

 

There have been several individuals and churches that have supported the free Children's Health Insurance Program that I have started here in Lawra. While "making the rounds" of visiting churches and sharing what God is doing in this area of the world, it seems that each church was touched in a different way. And, that is good because so many different types of ministry and aid have been funded through these churches. I will be writing about them from time to time. Today, I want to mention two of my supporting churches.

 

 

Concord UMC in Beaver Falls, PA, my home church, has been my biggest supporter both for myself and special projects. I am rarely there to hear what is being said about what is going on here in Lawra. They have given much to CHIP and have supported each endeavor. I know they will always "have my back."



 

What took me by surprise was Rev. Chris Kindle's response to my preaching/sharing at First UMC, St. Mary's PA, last November. I finished talking, and Pastor Chris started...with so much passion, calling the church to repentence. For less than the cost of a coffee at Starbucks, a child can be newly enrolled in the National health Insurance here in Ghana. And, two children can be renewed in the program for less than a cup of coffee. I have heard Pastor Chris preach many times. I have heard him preach with conviction and passion. But, I never knew he could preach with the amount of conviction and passion as he did that Sunday.

 

 

Pastor Chris, Pastor Brad (Concord UMC) and Pastor Tom (Concord UMC), these children were part of the 253 children insured this week. Thank you for speading the word, for speaking up, for your faith, your passion, your convictions. Some of these children may live another year because of you and your churches. Barka! (Thank you!)



The Long and Winding Road to Functioning A/C

 

I came back to Lawra at the wrong time of the year...it is the HOT season! The temperatures get around 109 degrees F. The a/c I had didn't do well in the land of unstable electricity. So, I decided to purchase one that would work, the kind that is in all of the offices up here...the kind that makes me want to stay in the Volta River Authority office long after I have paid my bill.

 

So, I contacted Donatus, THE electrician. He installs all the a/c units for the hospital & offices around here. He made arrangements for the purchase of the a/c unit. It was to be installed two weeks ago. It didn't happen. The car that was bringing the a/c unit from where it was bought to Lawra, somehow forgot to drop it off in Lawra. It was MIA for six days! Donatus even came here with the driver. No one knew for sure where the unit was. So, on "Meet Me There" Day, the day after Easter, Donatus tracked it down. It was in Hamile, at the border of Ghana and Burkina Faso. Evidently, someone who was driving that vehicle, had picked up a load of timber but did not pick up the documents that went with it. So, the border patrol seized the vehicle and locked it up in a holding spot. Donatus had to beg the official to let him have the a/c unit because "his nasapog" (his English speaking woman) could not sleep well because of the heat! Eventually, the a/c unit was released!

 

Donatus come Tuesday after Easter to begin the installation process...making a hole in the cement wall. Problem - he didn't check the directions, the hole was in the wrong place & the metal plate that he attached to the wall was upside down! So, another hole had to be made in the cement wall. As he continued to work, it was getting later & later. So, the holes were stuffed for the night and work was to resume the next day. Also, the outlet he was going to use because it was wired with stronger wires did not work. And, the larger stabilizer for the electricity was burnt out!

 

Work did resume on Wednesday, though, with wires and hoses and even a welder to measure the unit so a "cage" could be made to protect the unit from people and animals wishing to do it harm. When Donatus left, the a/c was working! Ahhh.... a stablizer for the electricity still needed to be installed, but things were working! Until the electricity went out in the whole town. So, I couldn't use the a/c that night. The following night I did and it was WONDERFUL! I actually slept under the covers.

 

Friday, it was getting hot, so I turned on the a/c. The temperature in my room went up 5 degrees. This was not good. I called Donatus. "I'm on the way coming." No sign of him. Did it work Friday night? No, it only blew warm air. Same thing happened whenever I tried to use the a/c.  I FINALLY got a hold of him today, Sunday. The freon was leaking/was low. Hmmmm...I even asked him to check it on Wednesday because I could hear some of it escape while he was working. But, "It's OK. There is plenty." Wrong! So, tomorrow (theoretically) it will be fixed. I am looking forward to the days that I can turn the a/c on and it will work each time. It is a dream of mine. It can happen!