Things I Learned in Ghana

~Boiled okra is slimy.

~There are different kinds of mangos just like there are different kinds of apples.

~Bananas are sweet, but they are even sweeter given to you by a friend.

~How to tell sheep and goats apart – goats’ tails go up. Sheep tails go down.

~Walking through a herd of cows is a great time to pray for protection.

~Water and electricity should not be taken for granted. They are gifts from God.

~Be prepared – church can last anywhere from two to six hours.

~The Muslim Imam can be VERY loud, especially ay 4 AM.

~Get up at dawn, be home by dark.

~The further north you live, the less food choices you have.

~Fu fu tastes better than teezert.

~There is only one letter difference between the Dagaare word for grace and the word for trouble. So, if you pray for God’s grace, make sure you end the word in an o and not an a.

~The richest people I know have very little material goods.

~Relationships are more important than schedules.

~God has given me a Ghanaian family, Ghanaian friends and a Ghanaian “home town.”

~There are not one, but two Ghanaian Albert Steiners!

~“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15

~ A chief can be enstooled (in the south) or enskinned (in the north.)

~ You can buy anything from your car window while waiting at a red light, especially in Accra. Things for sale include, but are not limited to water, eggs, apples, yams, biscuits, books, belts, ties, toilet paper, shirts, paint brushes, posters of Ghana, stickers for cars, apples, puzzles, super glue...

~ To carry a live chicken, pinch it's wings together behind it's back.

~ You can order hand sewn shrouds made to your specifications AND you can order a coffin any size and shape you want.

~ Trust. I learned that God is teaching me to trust. He used a Ghanaian pastor to open my eyes to this lesson.

Safe In Ghana

I safely arrived in Accra, Ghana on Wednesday morning after forgetting what time I was being picked up for the airport and my luggage attacking my big toe. Going through immagration, my passport was stamped for 30 days and not 60, so I had to get a visa for Burkina Faso where I will go and re-enter. Then I attended a Bible study with about a dozen of ladies from different backgrounds and countries. It was a Beth Moore study and the discussion was great! Then, we went out to lunch and each of us shared about our ministries and what brought us to Ghana. I ended up at a friend's house for the night. At 7 PM, the husband kept harping, "Go to bed, Sue" because I was so tired from traveling. So, at 7:30 I went to bed. At 8:30, they were robbed at gun point in another area of the house. Everyone was safe, no one was hurt and I slept through it. Praise God! It was His grace that kept me safe.

Thursday, I met the presiding bishop and went to get my Burkina visa, went out for lunch and to another friends office. I spent the night at their house and went to the bus station this morning to go to Ankaase. But, I had stomach issues, so I went back "home" to rest, relax and sleep. I'll go to Ankaase tomorrow.

I may not have internet for several weeks. Be blessed! I will update when able.

Hanging Out with Friends

Tonight I'm hanging out with friends. I've been doing that a lot lately. I was in Corry, PA and spent 3 wonderful days with friends up there. Plus, I spent three days in Erie, PA with my sister who is my friend, too. I had dinner with my brother, another friend. This afternoon, I spent time with a friend from Ohio whom I haven't seen in at least three years Now, I'm in Cranberry Township, PA spending time with teenaged friends. Tomorrow, I'll be having home made waffles with other friends. God is so good to me!

I'm leaving on Tuesday for Ghana. I'll be gone for two months, so it has been wonderful to see all these people before I leave. They have been a blessing and an encouragement to me, as I hope I have been to them. I'll miss them, while at the same time I look forward to seeing my Ghanaian friends.

Isn't it nice to know that we are never far from each other when we are connected by the love of the Lord?

Remember Where You Came From

Yesterday & today I have been working on a talk that I am giving Sunday. It is for a Sunday School Class and it is my testimony. And, I am having a really hard time concentrating and staying on task. I find my mind wandering. Sometimes things I write have been such a good part of my life and other times, not so good. When that happens, I get teary eyed and want to walk away from my computer.

The carving pictured above is an Ashante symbol, a Ghanaian symblol. It is "Sankofa" which is a symbol for remembering where you have come from and learning from it. I have learned so much from my life. God has been so gracious and merciful, at times I am overwhelmed by it all.

I think right now, I will thank God for life, His life and keep on typing. And I pray that He will be glorified as I share where I have come from and the lessons tat I have learned from it.

I Finished It!

I just finished an online course in grantwritng. I took it in hopes to someday write a grant that would be awarded to Lawra Methodist Orphanage in Lawra, Ghana. It breaks my heart that these kids don't even have fresh meat, fresh fruit or fresh vegetables to eat. They live a VERY modest lifestyle because there is no money for extra clothes, shoes, toys, etc. At times there isn't even money for the necessities like dried fish or rice or school supplies. So, my prayer is that someday, they will have more than enough, that their cups will be overflowing!

To learn more about the orphanage, check out my web site at www.suekolljeski.com

Seasons of Life

Seasons of life...I've seen so many of them lately. I have been invited to a baby shower. I went to a wedding. Friends of mine have died. Others have had surgery, some doing well, others having a harder time. New neighbors are moving in.

As I prepare to travel to Ghana, I wonder how different life will be when I return. Life is always different, for one cannot be the same person after experiencing the joys and sorrows of life in a poverty stricken area. But, I wonder...who will be married when I return? Who will have died? Who might be expecting a child? Who will be preparing to move?

Our lives are always in the midst of change. There is only One who stays the same, no matter what season of life we are in at the moment. Scripture says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

Hope

hope verb to wish for something with the expectation of its fulfillment; to have confidence, trust

-The Free Online Dictionary

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and

certain of what we do not see.

-Hebrews 11:1

Teenage Friends

I just returned from having lunch with two teenage friends. I almost didn't go because I had "stuff to do." I am so glad I went. I feel so privileged to have teenagers in my life that aren't embarrassed to be seen in public with a 55 year old woman. I did a couple of errands with them in addition to eating out. I am so glad I went. They keep me young. And, in some small way, I am impacting their lives. One of these two - the boy - even called me up on Saturday to wish me "Happy Valentine's Day!" How sweet is that?

Also this week I had the opportunity to shop with another teenager. I needed something for my trip to Ghana and needed her input. We stopped at three stores to find the best item, then went to Starbucks. It was such a good couple of hours.

So often I tend to stay home by myself. Once I'm out, I'm ok, but it's getting out that's hard. Maybe it's because right now it's so cold out. Maybe it's because I travel so much I like to stay home when I can. The problem comes when I don't go out to be among friends for more than a week or so. Then, depression can set in. I tend to sleep too much at those times, and shun others.

That's not how God made us. God made us to be relational beings. And, even though it might be hard to step outside some days, I'm always grateful I did. So, to my "Favorite Four Teenages"...keep calling!

Psalm 62:11

"Stregnth comes straight from God."

Psalm 62:11 The Message

Grantwriting Class

I am taking an on line grantwriting class. It is my hope that I will be able to use what I learn to find some funding for the orphanage that I will be working with in Ghana. As I read and study, the more I realize what I don't know. The Ghanaian culture is so different than ours. I doubt if this little orphanage has a mission statement or a list of goals and objectives. They only have 3 paid workers who spend their time taking care of the kids. Right now, their goal is to make sure there is food and clothing and clean water.I return to this orphanage in a month. I'll try to find out the information I need. I'll talk with people, ask lots of questions and see where it leads. Maybe there will be an opportunity to fine tune some of these items that would be needed if I ever write a grant. Money for food, clothing, electricity and worker's salaries is so desperately needed. Before they are taught to "fish for themselves" they need the basics of life. I pray that I may be used to help make this happen.

Prophecy?

About 12 years ago, a dear friend of mine gave me a Scripture verse that was matted and framed. It was Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future." I clung to that verse for quite a long time.

Yesterday, while working on a project for work, I needed that verse. But, I was being lazy and didn't want to look it up. So, I took the framed verse off the wall and copied it. As I did, something struck me that was totally amazing. The background of that verse is an old world type map. And, the part of the world depicted was Africa! Was God beginning to prepare me for something 12 years later? I have to believe He was in a very quiet consistent way.

I wish my friend were alive so I could share this with her. I had to settle for calling her daughter instead. We were both amazed at God's plan and how it is unfolding.

Who Holds Your Future?

I live in western Pennsylvania where Puxsutauny Phil is a hero. He is a much loved groundhog whose sole purpose in life is to do a yearly weather forecast on February 2nd. People gather around his groundhog hole, some many party, but all want to know the future of the weather.

I have to admit, I like the folk lore of Phil although I don't trust him with my future. When I was young, if I was told if Phil saw his shadow there would be six more weeks of winter. If he didn't, there would be 42 days of winter. What's the difference? Phil really can't forcast the weather. I know the One who made the sun go still, the One who calmed the storms and the One who caused the sun to go backwards.

Phil is a legend. He might be correct in his forcast, he might not be correct. But, you can always trust the Lord God Almighty. He is always right, not only in dealings with nature, but in all the ins and outs of our lives. He is the One to trust for the future - not a groundhog!

Thoughts

I have a friend in another city who is dying of cancer. Her daughter has started a blog to let people know how her mom is doing, how the family is doing, about the various phases of life they are facing. My heart hurts for them. They are strong. But, I can't imagine how hard it is for a daughter, son, husband, parent must feel as they watch their loved one suffer for so long. Each of these people consider it a privilege, a blessing to take care of their loved one. They do it joyfully, even with lack of sleep. But, now they are waiting for mom to let go, to leave this shell of a body and receive a new one. It won't be long now. Maybe not even days until she wakes up in heaven. Maybe her room there isn't quite ready.

Scripture tells us that Jesus said "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-4 (NASB)

We also learn from Scripture that there will be no more crying when we get to heaven. Rev. 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. "

So, in just a short time, my friend will be singing praises to her Lord, running around the streets of gold in no more pain. Rev 21:3-4 (KJV) May God give us the conviction to believe His word when we are too weak to do it ourselves. May we allow Him to help us through those tough times that live in the depths of our hearts.

And when all is said and done, to God be the praise and honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.