Strategic Meetings

Our big-bad-boss-man planned to come up to Tamale for meetings on Friday so I knew my language week would be short and I had to make the most of it. I went out Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday telling people about what I am learning about their culture and their homes. I started telling the Creation story from Genesis. I feel quite confident in that one. I was saying to little kids and they were pretty much like--just show me the picture. Such cuties!! I can't really tell if they understand me or not. Their Dagbani is about as clear as mine.20170927_104940Wednesday afternoon, Damary and I went to the market to prepare food for the people staying with us and the meetings. I was planning to cook Ghanaian food with Amama. But, Thursday came around and she had really bad asthma and could not come. I freaked out a little bit because I rarely cook Ghanaian food. Maybe once every 2 years or something because it takes so long to cook and I always mess up. Ghanaians do not use recipes, so everyone"s way of making something is different. It is hard for me to learn. I was excited for Amama to help and then scared when I was on my own. Thankfully, it all turned out well!!  I made a big dish of Kontumerie Stew which goes over boiled yam or rice. Damary, Yvonne and I made meals for Friday and Saturday and snacks for the meetings. Also, on Thursday, since Amama was not there we had to clean the house, bathrooms and get the guest rooms ready. It was a busy day. We have a big house!Friday, I went to the airport to pick up Phil, the big-boss-man, (maybe you may get the wrong impression of him when I say that. He is a big man, and he is my boss but he is a great friend and amazing leader. I really admire the wisdom God has given him and he is so faithful to use it for God's kingdom.) Pam also came with. She is the newest SIM Ghana missionary. She will serve in the guesthouse in Accra. I am so glad she was able to come up and see other parts of Ghana.When we got back to my house the Gushiegu team was already there. We had a quick lunch and in the afternoon started in on the meetings. They were strategic planning meetings. Normally, I hate meetings. But, I knew we needed this. I know as I walk around I see so many needs and I wonder how in the world am I going to know how to pick where to serve and who to serve with. I needed direction and hearing from my teammates they were looking for direction too.By the end of Friday evening we had an idea of our vision statement, or the why, for working in the Dagbon area. We also knew we love working as a team and want to continue to work together even though we are not all in the same place.Pam, Rema and Maami, and Baby Ethan slept at Yvonne's house and Phil, Fela and Puii, and Grace slept at our house. Our house was made to be full!! Yay!Saturday, we started again more focused in the what and how of ministry. To be honest, I really wish Phil would have said, "Sherri, this is what you are going to do." And then he proceeds to tell me. He didn't :( HaHa. Instead, each of us had to come up with our own goals and objectives. It was good to think thru. It was good to look at our why statement and then come up with some simple goals we/I can accomplish in 6 months. I feel good. I feel like this is a good focus. I know, at least, which direction to put my feet and that is great for right now. After Saturday afternoon, I was able to pick Phil's brain and ask more questions.20171007_120228I am so thankful for this team of people I work with. I love that God knew I would be working with them even before the world began. That is really too much for my mind. On Saturday evening, we went out to enjoy!IMG-20171008-WA0000Sunday, Damary, Yvonne and I took Phil and Pam back to the airport. Rema and Maami, Fela and Puii headed back for Gushiegu. It was so great having Phil around. When I lived in Accra, Phil, and his amazing wife Andrea, were my neighbors. We would see each other almost everyday. They were people for me to dump on when short termers got difficult or laugh with when I shared a story of the kids at church or go to if I needed eggs, or sugar or something. Andrea and I found it a bit easy to organize meals because we love food so much! I was so comfortable with them when I would come over I would not even knock. I would just open the door and yell, "HIIII" and they would yell back, "HELLOOO" and then we would sit and chat or whatever. They are super busy people and I never once felt like I was taking up their time. OOOOO how I miss living next to them. All that to say it was nice to see Phil, even though Andrea wasn't there, and even though it was mostly meetings, it was still nice :)Next week, we have been invited by one of our pastors who was raised in a M*slim home, which is the dominant religion here, to come to a seminar. He and his wife work with an organization called, Call of Hope. He is going to be teaching about that religion on Tuesday and Wednesday. I have been waiting for this. I want to hear more about it in the context I live. Damary and Yvonne will also come. Pray it will help us understand the people we live with.P.S.-- On the way home from the airport, I got a flat tire. I proceeded to get my spare out and Yvonne was saying she does not know how to change a tire. I told her that I know how but God always brings an angel to do it for me. As I put the lug wrench on the nut a man came by and said, "let me do that for you". Okiedokie! God does it again. This man's name was Samuel and he used to drive taxis. He had it changed in less than 10 minutes. AHHHMAZING!