Accra, Beach, Back to Gushegu

Wooo-weeee I turned back into my American self while in Accra with Auntie Ruby (AR or Rube-ster). We ate our way thru the city with local food and American food. We even ate at a Pizza Hut. We had a couple days at a beach which was quiet and restful. There is something about sitting on the sand watching the endless tide come in and out. We were able to visit church and see lots of friends. Rubes has lots of friends there too and then afterwards we went out with a few of mine. Then, as it goes, all good things end and I took her back to the airport. The next day I too went to the airport and arrived in Tamale.

So, by Wednesday I was back in Gushegu. I always feel after time away from language I have to scale a mountain to get back to where I was and that is such a downer! On Thursday there was a big funeral for the chief in Gushegu who died years ago. Vronny and I went. I love cultural events like this. To sit and watch people dance, shoot guns (only with gun powder), play drums and see dignitaries is cool for me. And as I looked at this large crowd of people I wondered how many of them know Jesus. Yet, he knows each one of them and he loves them. What a great God.

Accra pulled me out of my disciplined routine and I was not really reading my Bible or having communion with the Lord. As I settled back in Gushegu I could tell. My flesh was acting out and I was telling myself lies and entertaining thought that were destructive.

Starting tomorrow I will get back on track. I hate this fleshy feeling and self centred-ness that rolls around in me sealing the lips of my Father who speaks truth.

Thanks for praying. Seriously, Thanks.

Holiday With Rubes

A week ago, Auntie Ruby (ar) and I flew down to Accra. We had enough time to go to church where we could see many people and be encouraged. Then we surprised a long time friend at lunch. I invited her but she did not know ar would be there. Her face was great when she saw ar!

We saw many friends. We ate at so many places. And then we kept eating. And then tried more eating places! Rubes and I know how to vacation together. Hahaha. We also had a couple nights away on the beach. The place was quiet and simple and cheap. We did not need much, just sun and waves and we got it. I think for the 2-3 days together we spent 35$ each for accommodation and food. Pretty good deal for being right on the beach!

I felt very relaxed. There is a sense of home being in Accra since I lived here so many years. Yesterday at another church we visited, it was fantastic because many of my friends go there and children I used to teach are growing and I love how they sing and praise God. Auntie Ruby also got to see many of her friends. It was like a condensed reunion :)

But all good things must come to an end. I took ar to the airport and today will go myself to get back to Tamale. I hope to leave for Gushegu on Wednesday. Gotta get back to Dagbani. It is calling me but I haven't been picking the call hahahaaaa:)

So glad God is my Redeemer and makes things beautiful. So glad you are praying for me!

Orientation for New Missionaries

I work with SIM Ghana. My home office is SIM USA. I am sent out of there. Now SIM has an office in West Africa so that those who are called to be missionaries from West Africa have an office to be sent from. They have to go through all the orientations and trainings that all of us SIM-ers go through.

Several missionaries helped with the orientation of 18 missionaries from West Africa, which they did here in Tamale. Some of the candidates have done mission work independently and some are completely new.

As I came to share my talk, which was "How to Learn a Language and Culture", I was so proud to be sitting in a room with such different yet like-minded people. We all have Christ in our lives and we want that to pour out to others who have not heard of who He is and how he is in the business of transforming lives. But I also had thoughts of who am I to talk to these people who already speak 3+ languages and have been born and raised on this continent??! They were very encouraging to me and we laughed a lot together.

Other than that, I had a few more language lessons but not much chance to use my new words. In the midst of the orientation and lessons Ramadan finished. I went and visited friends who were celebrating. Everyone was dressed in their new dresses and giving food to each other. Rafia gave me some yummy beef! It is cute to see kids in their matching dresses or their sunglasses. Some little girls even had lipstick on. I am sure many enjoyed their holiday. I think I would compare it to how I would celebrate Christmas.

Auntie Ruby did many talks at the orientation. She and I will head to Accra tomorrow and stay for a week. It should be a lovely break. It is so amazing to have family here!

Thanks for praying!

Sandema

Last week Damary and I were invited to Sandema (in the Upper East Region) to help with a children's program at a church. I have known the pastor there for many years. Damary really did the work. I was more like her driver and back up. Haha.

We arrived Wednesday eve and started teaching the kids choreography to a song about Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave. Then she taught kids a drama about Lazarus which would go at the same time as the song and choreography. It is very powerful and the kids picked it up very quickly. That was good since we only had 3 days to prepare. I taught a short song with actions to little kids. On Saturday, the church rented a bus and we went on an excursion to Tongo Hills about two hours away. The kids sang on the bus the whole time! Tongo Hills was really just a bunch of rocks. But the stories that went with it were good. One open cave we were told is where the kids from that area had their first school. One rock that had hidden passages in it was used to fight off slave raiders. Very interesting! The day was really hot though and the kids were fading fast. We had some lunch and headed back to Sandema. On Sunday the kids did a great job with the choreography and drama. Damary also taught them a song with actions. After they did those things they had kids say memory verses, one preached, one led in sharing testimonies and a choir sang praises in their local language. I think it was really great. We were also told some children's parents who don't come to church came to see their kids. Cool!

This week I met with Hannah, my new language helper three times. My brain nearly explodes after our lesson but the really great-great part is that words that she has taught me I usually hear as I am out and about. That is so cool! I have gone round and round visiting my neighbors. Everyone asking me where I have been and what I have been doing. One woman had a baby and he is already so big. I guess I have been gone longer than I thought. I have sat with Rafia a few times. Sometimes I sew sometimes I hold her baby so she can sew. We talk or we chill. I am so thankful for her.

Two kids these past couple days asked me why I don't believe what they believe. I told them I don't believe it is true. Part of me doesn't know how much to say or if they understand me. Hannah taught me a story about Jesus healing the blind man. Kids always love stories and they usually say the whole thing right back to me. May God's Word go out!

I have to lead a talk on "How to learn a language and culture" to new missionaries from West Africa on Tuesday. PRAY FOR ME!

Thanks for praying. Seriously. God is at work here.

Old-Older-Oldest

I had a good week in Gushegu. My posititive self would like to say it was great but it seems when it has to do with language learning...(sigh) it cannot be great. Every time I think I may be getting the hang of it I talk to someone else and cannot understand a single thing! Keeps me humble, I guess. I am becoming a more confident bicycle rider though :)

I went to visit a compound that has so many people. There has to be at least 40 adults. And the children! I cannot even count. They are all over the place. The place is organized chaos. I don't know how they all live like that but they know how it works and I guess, for them, it works. There is an old lady who I sit with. There is a younger old lady who also sits with us sometimes. They do not speak English so our conversations only go so far.

There is an older lady to the first old lady I mentioned. I am not sure how they are related or maybe they are wives of one husband? Or maybe their husbands were brothers? I don't know. Anyways, the oldest one was sick. (I would call them by their names but I do not know them because in Dagbani they call them "old lady" too.) They told me to go and greet her. As I went in to greet her, her daughter was putting a clean shirt on her. I happened to notice her very extended belly. Also her legs were very swollen. Her cheeks were sunken in and and her arms were so thin. I was so sad. She was still eating and I was thankful for that. I greeted her and went back to the middle old lady.

I asked the middle old lady what is wrong with the oldest lady. She said they do not know. She has visited many hospitals. Doctors do not really give a clear diagnosis to their patients and if a patient is dying they will not tell the patient that either. HUGE No-No in this culture. To me, it seems, her time may be short unless there is a miracle. I knew I needed to go and pray for the oldest. I went back into the oldest's room. Her daughter was still there. I asked if I could pray for her mom. I prayed a very choppy Psalm 23 in Dagbani and then a prayer in English praying that God would give her time to know him. They thanked me and I left.

I asked a couple Christian people about praying in a home that does not believe in Jesus. Would they be angry? Would they kick me out? I was assured that being a visitor allows me a few gestures of kindness. Also, when people are sick they are willing to listen to anyone with any idea on how to be healed. So, I learned a prayer in Dagbani for healing. I also learned how to ask someone if they would like to follow Jesus and pray with them.

Two days later, I went back to the old lady and talked with her a bit. Then I asked where the oldest lady is. She told me, but I didn't understand the words she used. I wrote them down. I went to a friend and asked, "What does this mean?" She told me it says, "She went to the juju man." So, my oldest lady friend went to the witch doctor for healing. That is sad. She was not back before I left for Tamale. I don't know if she will be here when I come back in a month. Let's pray. Let's pray she gets the opportunity to know Jesus.

In Tamale, I will be meeting with a language helper. She is a Dagbani woman who is a Christian. I don't really know how to move forward. I hope this woman can push me!

Love you. Thanks for praying.

New Place in Gushegu

I did some banking, emails, residential permit renewal, and visiting with neighbors before I came back on Thursday to Gushegu. I will only have a week here but a week here for language is better than a week in Tamale for language.

In Gushegu, I am staying at a different place. There are missionaries from Europe who work with Frontiers that live on this compound. They have offered me a room. Fela and Puii are trying to get into a new routine and way of life with their second little baby girl. I didn't want to be a bother to them. I am so thankful for this place. I stay with a gal named Vronny who is from Switzerland and also a farm girl! She is a nurse and works in a nutrition center. The other couple is from Holland and the husband is a doctor and the wife is a nurse and they have 2 little boys. They did a bbq for us and it was delicious! We sat outside and ate and talked. I almost felt like I was in Wisconsin during the summer.

They are on the other side of town. Vronny has lent me her bicycle so I can get to town since they are a bit far. I have not really rode a bike in years...like probably more than 10 years! I am a bit wobbly. The motorbikes behind me beep-beep me but I can't move over. Haha. It will get better.

I have not been able to find a language helper. I have visited my friends and will just continue and then also make new ones. I can learn as I sit with them.

It is Ramadan. People are fasting. They eat before it gets light and then eat when the sun goes down. They don't drink water. It is so hot! I don't know how they do it...and honestly wonder if they do. I am joining in the fast too. I don't eat in the morning but I do drink water. During meal times I pray. I really pray for these people that God would reveal himself to them. I eat when it gets dark- around 6pm. Ramadan ends June 4.

    I spoke at church today. It was really short. If anything, people love a short message. Haha!

    Okie, so a language week is in store for me. I will head back to Tamale on Friday because we have a meeting on Saturday. Love ya. Keep praying!

    SLC 2019

    Hey Hey Hey, thanks for pray, pray, pray-ing! I feel refreshed from our Spiritual Life Conference. It may have been the most humid one I can remember in a long time but still, to be surrounded by green grass, diverse team members and food that I did not have to cook or put away makes up for that. Our speakers were long time missionaries who now live in Scotland. They had much to share with us from the Word and also their life experience. It was a time to see how amazing the SIM Ghana team is. Every morning in our morning session we started out with praise and worship and we would have one culture teach us a song in their language. It was great!

    We had times to sit and chill and times to play games. I played some volleyball. I cannot remember the last time I played! We each had a time to share what God has done the past year. In sharing my past year the tears poured down. It was a way better year than last year and I am so thankful. But I still have a tough road to climb and Damary and my other colleague Yvonne will be leaving me. I have other teammates but these two ladies have been very special to me these past (almost 3) years. God is faithful and I have Him and all His amazing promises to keep me going! We had a time to say farewell to a couple who have been in Ghana for 19 years. I lived next to them while I worked in Accra. They are such an amazing couple and I will really miss them too.

    Mission life is always filled with hellos and goodbyes. Sometimes it really stinks! But, anyways, we have our hope to see each other in Eternity.

    So, back to real life. I have some random things to take care of before I head to Gushegu. For sure I need to be there by Sunday since I am the one giving the message. You can pray for that. Also, I hope to have a new language helper in Tamale and meet with her this week. I need to figure out in what new things to learn and how to make my own sentences and...and...and... you know, all that great stuff.

    Again, thanks for praying. My goal is to do a level 3 exam by Christmas. I got 8 months to really kick this language and overtake it! Be praying! Love you.

    Needing Ooomph

    My friend, from Accra who visited, had a nice time. We went to Mole National Park and saw elephants and antelope. The baboons tried twisting our door handle of our room to get in but thankfully we locked it. Apparently, they know their way around tourists and are always looking for goodies. But it was so interesting to learn more about my friend Nhyira. Like, for one, she is a total. city. girl. She hates bugs and trees and dirt. HA! She was so proud of herself that she went on the walking tour at the park thru the bush and told me she would have never chosen it for herself. We also did a lot of Tamale things.

    When I took her back to the airport she was so happy that she came. She has a new respect for Northerners and how hard it is to live here. She also kept telling me and Damary, "you girls are doing so well, so well!" She wouldn't want to live up here but she said she realized how much she had in Accra (and Nhyira is poor by Accra standards).

    When I came back home from the airport Thursday morning I was exhausted. I love people but also am glad when they leave :) I barely had a chance to breathe when I came back from Gushegu and then Nhyira came and then I had a day until we had another couple come and stay with us. In the meantime, I went to greet some of my neighbors, wrote up a prayer letter, baked for our upcoming conference, sat with Rafia (I baked her a loaf of banana bread too), went errand running in town, emailed and sat with Damary going over songs for the worship time at the conference that we will help lead. I feel physically drained. I felt bad for my auntie who called me a few days ago and I just kept responding with, "I don't know" or single word answers. I just couldn't think and did not have the energy to engage.

    We will leave on Monday for our Spiritual Life Conference in Kumasi, which is about a 6 hour drive. The whole SIM Ghana team will be there (about 50 ppl). We have a speaker, coming from Scotland, game times, rest times, a time to share what God has been doing in our lives, meals and snacks are provided, there will be an environment of cooler weather, and peace and quiet. I seriously need this. I can't wait.

    Be praying I would be refreshed. I gotta lot more work ahead of me!

    Yay for Easter

    I arrived in Tamale on Tuesday. I left Gushegu exhausted. I finished the last few days telling people about Adam and Eve. Then I went to a friend's wedding. Then a pastor and his wife celebrated a new baby. I was all over the place and always covered in sweat.

    No rest for the wicked here in Tamale. A gal from my Bible studies in Accra had some time off and asked to come visit me. She has never been to the north. Southerners have a negative outlook on northeners and so I really want her to see the good here. Her phrase over and over is, "it's so hot here-it's so hot here." Damary and I are like welcome to our world! And to make my friend really feel welcome- on this 106 degree day the power shut off so we have run to the KFC restaurant and are eating ice cream and sitting in air conditioning with wifi! You gotta do what you gotta do!

    Hopefully in May I will find a language helper in Gushegu and start learning new words and somehow figure out how to put compound sentences together. I really need help. I am a bit stuck. I am thankful for where I have progressed these past few months. I have to admit, though, I still have pockets of negative thoughts...like, I will never get this or I should quit or maybe I should move some place where they speak English and work at Starbucks or something ;)

    But this is Easter weekend! A time to put my focus on the Saviour who is alive and giving new life to our mortal bodies! Who walks with us and understands our struggles. I pray you have a great Easter and look at the empty tomb.

    Let me just end rejoicing!

    Plugging Away

    Back in Gushegu, where the power has been consistent, well until Friday night, and it was out all day Saturday. Saturday was to be my day off. Not very day-offy when you cannot rest because there is no fan or work long on your computer or check instagram because you don't have so much battery life or use the machine to wash clothes. Does this even count as a day off? :)

    But let's talk about language. I was out every day this week. I sort of felt that my first few days in the week were a dud. I mean, I was out there but...I just couldn't grasp what people were saying. Sometimes I was not even talking. I have noticed that when I talk it seems Dagbani stays with me so it is important to speak...I mean, duh, of course it is important to speak, but for those of you who have learned a language you know what I mean.

    Every day I am thankful that I am here. This is a good place to learn. It is just so hard. And maybe, I am one of those people who just cannot learn language. I don't know. I don't want to get all down and discouraged, and I will keep working hard, but maybe, just maybe, I can't do it. (Insert shrug of shoulders) I was encouraged to start reading my Dagbani Bible more often. In the mornings, I line it up with the English text I am reading. Maybe it will help? I'm trying everything.

    The boys keep coming. I bought a ball and they popped a tiny hole in it the second day! But they got it patched. They return it to me every night and have been respectful. One afternoon though, I think I had over 20 kids in the yard! That gets a bit out of hand.

    The weather is a strong-consistent over a hundred, as if it doesn't want to disappoint me. Haaaaa...ugh...even at 8pm it was 100! Cra-zay! One afternoon the boys came for the ball and about 20 minutes later they brought it back and said it is too hot. At least I am not the only one who thinks so. With the heat comes unfortunate things. I have gotten rashes from sweating. I use baby powder but it is just not enough to keep it dry. Such joys (sigh). And waking up in a pile of neck sweat. Such bliss. Livin' the dream, eh? :)

    Okie- let's get this next week going. Keep praying!

    Not As I Planned

    I came back to Tamale on Saturday all excited to rest and refresh myself. HA.
    Did.Not.Happen.

    My first few days I did not have power. Then I thought I would go to some place that had air conditioning (like I mentioned in the last post). I asked them questions ahead of time if they have a/c and a generator. Yes to both. Yay! As I am leaving my house, the power comes back on! I was so angry. So, then, I head to this place and he gave me a room but they did not have power!!! I was so peeved. I said, "but you guys have a generator" and he said, "yes, but to start ours we need a certain car battery and that car has gone to town." ARE YOU SERIOUS??? I waited for 2 hours and said "forget it. I can have a/c at my own house" so, I left and went home.

    I tried putting my a/c on but the current kept going up and down I thought I might blow it with the surges so I shut it off. And then...the power went off. It was like 90 degrees at 9pm. I cried. I had to. I mean, seriously?? I laugh now, but at that moment I just could not take it.

    I called an a/c repairer guy to ask what I could do to run my a/c and he said I should buy a stabilizer which would help protect it from the surges. So, I did. And $100 later, the man came and hooked it all up. BUT that night we also had no power. Insert tears and whining. I am the worst. You know, when you have all these big ideas of what is going to happen and how great it will be and then the TOTAL opposite happens??? And so, when difficulties come, they seem even worse than they really are. And Damary is in Accra so I am alone. No one to whine too :) but I called her so she heard it all :)


    Another day went by with surges and even though I ran the a/c for a bit I still was too afraid it would break so I shut it off. But a little bit sure was nice.

    Thursday was the first day we had power all day. Then Friday the power was a bit better but I think tonight I will run the a/c all night.

    What a week! I mean, Wow. It was not restful, though I did run away to a hotel pool for one day. That was lovely. And one day I took a really long nap. That was great too. I also ended up in middle of the Tamale when the new chief was going thru town. I love cultural things like that. Imagine a famous person coming to town. It was something like that. It was loud. People were so excited. Kids left school. Women were dancing. Men were shooting off guns that just make huge boom sounds. It was very cultural. There were so many people. Thankfully, I saw two of my neighbors and they called me to come stand with them and explained all that was going on. It was over 100 degrees and we were just standing out there cooking like an egg on a hot skillet! So glad I did not forget sunscreen.

    I head back to Gushegu tomorrow. I think I am looking forward to not being in Tamale :) I gotta push myself this week in language. Push myself the next three weeks! With God's help I can do this!

    Sorry I used the word "so" so many times. And I think I also used "and" in the beginning of too many sentences :)

    Week 3

    My week went fast. I thought maybe it would go slow because I would be dreaming of heading to the big city of Tamale at the end of it.

    Last week I mentioned boys climbing over my wall to climb trees. When they see me they jump back over. I decided instead of fighting this I will join them. No, I did not climb the trees. I yelled at them, knowing they were just over the wall waiting for me to go inside, and told them to come (and use the gate to come). They were a little sheepish, knowing what they did was not right, but they came. I told them if they want to climb trees they just need to knock and say, "Madame" and if I am free I will let them in. This was told with very broken Dagbani and gestures. They go to school so they can also speak a little English, but am glad they usually do not. They climbed and ran around. They found a water bottle and filled it with water. They asked me for everything- from food to using the toilet to complaining, "my friend is beating me" when I saw the whole thing and knew they were only playing. If they were at a Ghanaian home they would not ask or do any of those things. They took liberty because they think I do not know. But thankfully, I do know and have lived here many years! I did pop some popcorn for them. They asked me for a ball and I told them if they do well I will buy them a ball. So then they start cleaning the compound! HA. I care about their obedience not them serving me. It took a few days to make that understood. For example, the first couple afternoons when they would come, when it was time to leave they would whine and not leave. The next day when they asked me for a ball I told them they did not listen to me yesterday so why should I buy a ball? That was the last time they did not listen to me. This whole week, every day they came they were very respectful and I told them when I go to Tamale I will buy them a ball.

    I did have them listen to some Bible stories in Dagbani that I have on my phone. Maybe I can do that before they start playing on a daily basis. We also played simple catch and throw games with a ball, though hardly a ball. I also needed to learn some phrases like, "close the door/go home/use the gate/throw the ball" so they are helping me!

    I asked Fela if it was ok for them to be in the compound and he says it is fine but not their house. I can understand that.

    Another wonderful thing, as I go around and visit my neighbours I find where these boys are staying and when they know I know their parents they are even more kind and respectful. They know I could report bad behaviour to their parents :)

    I left Gushegu on Saturday morning. I thought I would be excited about getting into the city but...found myself wishing there were not so many motorbikes and traffic lights. I did some shopping and went to an internet cafe to download some things. I do love the many items I can find here.

    I met with Yvonne for dinner. We started at one outdoor restaurant but quickly left to go sit in an air conditioned one! It has been so hot. 104-107 degrees. When I got home that night, our power went off. I was annoyed to say the least, knowing it would not come back again.

    I signed up to run a 10k race Sunday morning. I needed to be at the start at 6am. I got about 2 hours of sleep in the midst of sweat dripping down my face, neck and back. Ewwww. I thought maybe I shouldn't do this race. It is not like Ihave been training super hard also.

    But despite my lack of enthusiasm and rest the race went well. My goals were to meet people and not walk. I accomplished both! Most people who ran work with non-governmental organisations in Tamale and it was interesting to hear what people are doing and how they are helping. One restaurant opened their doors to us and someone donated bagels, fresh coconuts, fruits and drinks. Many of us just sat and chilled. I am glad I did it. (And I got a tank top too!)

    When I came back home our power was still off. I went to visit some friends and thought I did a little better in Dagbani conversation. Yay! I messaged Yvonne and told her i had no light so she invited me over. I came around 6pm and we slept upon top of her roof. It was lovely! We had a mosquito net and a cool breeze in this balmy humid-hot season. I was so thankful.

    As I type this up our power apparently came back last night while I was at Yvonne' s but it went off again. They said there is an issue with a cable that they are fixing. Hmmm...

    So! I am leaving. I found a little lodge for 20$/day with air conditioning and a small pool and I will hide away for a few days and charge my batteries.

    Love you and your prayers!

    There Is Always Somethin'

    There is always something. Everyday I come home and add a funny or incredible experience to my journal.

    -- one boy, who has known me from before when I would visit Gushegu, said, "Auntie Sherri, yesterday your hair looked nice but today it is not nice."

    --learning how to say "my father only has one wife".

    --an 8 year old kid circling me, unsure if he should come close or not, as if I am some rabid dog. Anytime I would make a move he would jump.

    --Agreeing to marry a man who then asked me to get him a tractor. I can see true love is in the air.

    --the word for smell is hear. So my nose can hear things!

    --A shop that sells gasoline started on fire. Huge fire but was contained and no one was injured.

    --Buying food items so my new friends can cook fufu for me!

    --Getting asked why I am walking because the sun is hot.

    --Sitting in a round room with a widow who has so little, trying to figure out what she is saying but almost not caring because I could sense the Spirit in that place.

    --Meeting new women and going back the next day and one of them not recognizing me because I was not wearing a hat. (I'm the only white person in her area!)

    --Being thankful on Ghana's Independence Day that this country I work in is peaceful.

    --Little boys jumping over my wall to climb trees.

    --Sitting with neighbourhood women and catching random sayings.

    --Finding a response to, "Will you marry me?" is, "What will you cook for me?" It is a taboo for men to cook.

    --I can handle killing mice and cockroaches, though, have realized I would rather deal with the mice.

    --Chickpea flour pancakes are not so good but cassava flour pancakes are good. But what is even better are pancakes made with only a banana and two eggs!

    --God speaking to me thru His Word during my quiet times.

    Keep on praying. I have another full week ahead before I plan to spend a week in Tamale. So thankful again for this time and your prayers. I sensed progress...just a little, but still! Biella, biella (Small, small) is better than nothing.

    • Fire at the shop

    Love you.

    Ridiculous

    I had a full week. It was tiring but good. I sent out a prayer letter and could tell people responded with praying for me. I really can't explain it but I just know it was not in my own strength that I was able to keep learning and still smile. I sensed it as I walked and just kept going, I knew the Lord's power kept me concentrating while people were speaking, I found two new sets of women to sit with who don't speak any English, and I prepared a message to speak at the church on Sunday.

    I am reading thru the Bible this year and am always, always amazed at the ridiculousness of the Israelites and how at every turn they complained or sinned. I always like to speak on lessons that I am learning in my own life and I find it uncanny (and unfortunate) that I too am like an Israelite! I spoke on Caleb and Joshua and how they were so ready to go and take the land that God had promised and the people were talking about going back to Egypt! Ahhh! God reminded me of how I too, have longed to go back to Accra. I have forgotten God's goodness and power. He has never let me down, why should I complain and turn back? Ooo the ridiculousness of it all! While I was sharing at church, I had to tell myself not to cry because the message spoke so loudly to me. Afterwards, people also said they were encouraged by the message.

    So, as I think about my next week coming, I don't dread it. But neither am I excited for it. It is more like, "really? I have to do it again?" Haha. But if I was to be like Caleb, I would be like, "let's do this! God can over take this!" And He will. He does.

    Wherever you are He is present. Even if you cannot find anything to be thankful for or praise Him for He still gives us His promises. Promises like: He will never leave us or forsake us. When we ask He will give us wisdom. When we believe in the name of Jesus Christ we will be saved. When we confess our sins He will forgive us. God will meet all of our needs.

    He always goes beyond all that we can ask or imagine! He is soooo ridiculous! I love God! I can't even make this up!

    Thanks for praying. Praise God for the power of His Word and his promises to us. Love you.

    First Week

    My first week in Gushegu. Now that I am writing on the close of the week it would easy for me to just say, "it was great." I usually forget the hard parts. I think that is mostly good in life. Unless, of course, you go back to the same tailor who messed your dress up the first time and took him 2 months to finish it...I digress.

    It was not great. It was hard. And hot. And mind exhausting. But it was good. Does that make sense? I started my mornings off with a walk. It was so peaceful and cool. The moon was about to be outshined by the sun and would reflect off those African trees that we all know from pictures. Whether listening to praise music or reciting Bible verses I would prepare my mind for the day.

    Then I come home and read my Bible and eat breakfast. There the goodness ended-sometimes. Most days I had to talk out loud to myself to get out the door. I knew it would be good, I knew it, but I just didn't wanna go! But somehow, every morning, I went. And most often, I had really good experiences. One dialogue I wanted to share with people was about my family. I wanted to use more words like oldest and youngest. But this particular morning of going out was so hard. I kept finding things to do in the house. All excuses. Finally, I went and the first new house I visited, the old man greeted me and then asked me about my father! I inwardly praised God because I did not even have to try to work up to sharing about my family! I was like, "ok, God, you care about this too." So encouraging.

    I have met lots of people young and old. I have spoke more than in Tamale. I have been confused more than in Tamale too:)

    But not all hunky dory once I'm out the door. (Does anyone say hunky dory anymore? It just came out.) People always ask why I don't have children or why I don't have a husband and none of my answers satisfy them. Also, it has been over 100 degrees everyday and I feel physically beaten by the sun and people will sometimes ask me why am I walking around in the heat. (Yeah, why am I doing this again? Oh yes, the love of Christ compels me!:)) One day I came home for lunch after a morning where I couldn't really understand what they were saying, and I was annoyed. The house I am staying in is not the newest building in the world. I have killed 3 mice this week and the sink keeps leaking. And if you hold the faucet the right way it will do more than leak. I got so angry because I couldn't stop it so I smacked it. Ploof! I knocked the faucet flat off! Water was running everywhere! This is so Sherri (sigh).

    Long story short, I found a knob outside to shut the water off and called Fela in Accra who then called someone in Gushegu who then sent a plumber to the house. He was able to stop the flow and told me there are no places to buy sink, pipes, and faucets in Gushegu. Wow, just great. Ugh... But at least he stopped the water.

    Then I had the lovely job of cleaning everything up and getting that water outside or soaked up with a mop...And remember it's hot and remember all the mice? Mouse poopie floating around too. Ugh. I-love-my-life-I-love-my-life-I-love-my-life.

    I can laugh now. I took the bus to Tamale on Saturday for a team meeting and as I was walking around, it really made me love all that Tamale has. What a metropolis! Also, I could tell I was much more confident in my speaking Dagbani as I was shopping or going around. YAY! Small progress! (And I did buy plumbing parts.)

    I go back on today and plan to stay 3 weeks. I know I can do it but it will be hard. I thought one week was long! Oh boy! But already seeing God's hand on me and his everfilling-always-dumping-on-us grace, pushes me on.

    Keep praying!

    Pics of Gushegu. Town, market, the mouse I caught on a sticky trap, kitchen and wet floors, and the bus to Tamale. What a week! (While without a faucet, I filled a bucket of water and left it at the sink and then scooped some out for washing or whatever.)

    Back to Gushegu

    I had a nice to do list every day this week. One thing was to call our electrician, plumber, and tailor for various work. I called every day and on Thursday the electrician and tailor came. We are still waiting on the plumber. He tells me everyday he will come. It is not a serious problem but I can’t get him crossed off my list and so that is MY problem :)
    I arrived in Gushegu yesterday. Thankfully, the house had light and water. It was dusty but today a woman was able to come and clean. A little boy that Fela and Puii know well has come over and has done some errands for me, helped me arrange things, and has kept me company.
    I had my oil changed before I left for Gushegu. As I was waiting, I had time to think. I went over this past week. I was tempted in so many ways. I wanted to give in to empty thoughts or actions that would make me happy, even though, only temporary. However, for some reason, ok, I know the reason, GOD’s GRACE and the prayers of his people, I said no, or sometimes I just cried out, or ignored them, or just kept reminding myself how I would feel afterwards if I gave in.
    As I was sitting, I was thinking of heading to Gushegu. I had some feelings of trepidation. I know that is from the enemy. “I will not fear, God is with me” is on loop in my mind :) Then I thought about all these temptations bombarding me and how God’s power was so alive and active and He got me thru it—really, by God’s power only.
    It dawned on me that evil does not want me to go to Gushegu. Evil does not want me to find joy in hardship. Evil does not want me praising God in the midst of trials and language learning. Evil does not want me to continue this and keeps throwing fiery arrows at me to disable me. He knows if I fall for his lies there would be a weight of condemnation and guilt that would encircle me and that would distract me from language and loving the people around me.
    I prayed often for my spiritual armor and God put it on me so that I would resist and stand firm. Amazing to see I am standing firm!! Really amazing to look back on the week and see it.
    Yet, just because I am here in Gushegu does not mean I am all finished with the enemy. I will hold on to my Jesus. Psalm 34 has been really powerful to help me remember and make me smile.
    I am so thankful God has done all that I could not do. I am thankful for the Spirit to open my eyes to the battle that is around me. I am thankful that I can continue protected and holding on to His promises!
    What a good God we have!!
    Keep praying!

    • The inside of the home I'm staying at.

    Waffles and Orality

    This week was out and around Tamale. I had lots of interesting things happen. One neighbor was pounding cassava and I gave her a break while she was eating. They will take it to a grinding mill to get it fine like flour. They use the flour in their foods. And it was so interesting because in a healthy food magazine I got for Christmas, there was a recipe for cassava flour waffles! Who knew? And yes, I made them. And yes, they are good. Tastes the same, mostly.

    I also spent some time with Rafia, my dear, patient, seamstress friend, who must always roll her eyes at me. But I do make her laugh. This week's story: There was a goat bleating around us all morning. I said to her, in Dagbani, that I don't like animals. She said maybe I did not have animals around me when I was young. I said that I had lots of animals. And I said that my father had many cows...or I thought I said cows...and I said "milk" (because I don't know what the verb would be for to milk haha) and then I made the gesture of milking with my hands. She started laughing. I was like what is so funny? And she repeated to me that I milk...and used the word I used... hens. She repeated hen again...and it dawned on me. I said I milk hens! Now I was laughing. Good times.

    Then on Thursday, Damary and I, along with two ladies, drove to Gushegu where they had a conference on Orality. It was so good! It was very practical. It taught us how to share a story and the ask questions about it in a very non threatening way. Half the group was made up of women and I know many of them cannot read. I have never been at a conference where I have seen women get involved, and some of these women did. It was exciting. It will be great to see what could happen if people take this teaching to their communities.

    It was a great week. While I know people who live around my parents were in a polar vortex, we were in...I can't find a name clever like that, so let me be boring and just say we were in a deep heat of 100 degrees daily. For a few days the humidity was so high too. I felt like my feet were just dragging I was so drained and exhausted. But towards the end of the week, during the conference, the humidity went way down. For me, I like the dry heat. So yay!

    Love you. Thanks for praying.

    Excited??!

    I got back to Tamale and a few days later drove to Gushegu. I arrived on Wednesday and came back on Saturday. Fela and Puii are so hospitable and they are excited for me to learn. I have to admit, I did whine going out the door of, " ...I don't want to doooo this". They lovingly laughed and shoved me out, telling me it will be great. Always nice to have friends like that! I had all Thursday and Friday to do language. And...it went better than I expected. I went around the house just greeting people first and then one home I stayed at a bit longer and moved on to another and then I found a school. A teacher said the kids were on break so I could talk to them. He brought the girls around me and I was able to tell them about my family. Then I asked some of them about theirs. The teacher said I could come by any time. Yay.

    I met an older woman on the road who told me to come to her house. She has a compound full of families and women of all ages were sitting or cooking or whatever. JACKPOT! She told me to come back the next day. Which I did.

    It was different experiences like that that came to me. I did not have to go looking. And everything was Dagbani...ok, so I met some men who talked to me in English and of course want to marry me...ugh...but the women were very kind and did not speak English pushing me to learn harder.

    You guys, I was almost excited. HAAAA...almost. I mean, how can anyone be excited about language!? And, before, I did not like Gushegu and now, it may be growing on me.

    My two days went really well. Puii mentioned that I should just stay for weeks at a time instead of going back and forth every week. I have been praying about that. I have come to the decision that yes, I will stay. I am going to try doing 3 weeks in Gushegu and then come back to Tamale. It does mean I will not be able to do my girls Bible study. That was what held me back. But, if I want to be able to really do Bible studies without a translator, then, I need to prioritize this.

    Thanks so much for praying. Again, I feel encouraged and ready to go. I have not had that feeling for awhile.

    I have about 2 weeks before I will do my first "stay" in Gushegu so Tamale is still my base and my neighbors are still my language field. (With my seamstress friend Rafia, I think I have forgotten how to sew a straight line! Ei!!!)

    Love you.


    Before Tamale

    I stayed in Accra for a few days before flying up to Tamale. I went to Prayer night at church and caught up with some of my peeps. A couple friends invited me for a meeting at their house. So, the next day, I hopped a trotro and went. I really had no idea what I was coming to. I didn't know if it would be a prayer time, a free for all time, or if there would be 2 people or 20 people. I did not know if I was dressed well enough...Accra people are soooo well dressed. They taught me some things :)

    It ended up being a small group from the church that meet once a month at different people's homes. They take turns leading and cooking food. All the kids come. I was so happy to see this happening. The women were out back pounding fufu and finishing up the jollof rice while the men were watching football (soccer) and talking. The kids were playing and I love watching them play Ampe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampe_(game) which I have tried so many times over the years but just can't get that right jump-step thing they have going on.

    The little girl in the pink was the one to beat.

    After we finished playing and eating we sat around and someone shared a Word. As they were speaking, I looked at that group of people and for almost every one I could name an experience I had with them. Isn't that cool? I felt so full. Full of friendship, full of satisfaction, full of love, full of being loved so far away from my family. I am really blessed. The speaker asked that each one of us share a short encouragement for the group. When it came to my turn I said, "I know I am supposed to encourage you. But I actually need you to encourage me. I would like you to adopt me as your own missionary. You would have to pray for me and hold me up. I had a difficult year last year and I just need people to come along side me. Would you be willing to be there for me?" And of course, they all agreed. They have added me to their Whatsapp platform where they share updates, prayer requests, funny jokes or whatever. They even agreed to try and memorize John 15 with me! This is the Body of Christ, people! This is all members working together. So. Very. Cool.

    Of course, that made me wonder thoughts about staying in Accra and how I could be part of this and what could I do to help this etc, etc...but in reality, they are doing just fine. I am needed in other places.

    Also, before I left I went to a farewell of a long ago colleague of mine, Professor Allison Howell. She is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. There should be whole blog posts written about her. In a nutshell, she worked in the Upper East region as a missionary-anthropologist. She wrote a book on the Kasena people. She was able to help missionaries understand culture better. She wrote language books on how to learn a language. I use her book! She left SIM Ghana in 2006 and taught at a Seminary in Accra. I could go on. After 37 years here, she will go back to Australia. A church did a farewell ceremony for her.

    And the next day, I bussed up to Tamale. Good things have been happening. Will talk about it next week. Keep praying! I feel like my old self again--joyful, free, and going with the flow. YAY!! Home was a great time for refreshment. I see the results! Love you.


    All Over The Place

    My thoughts are so torn and scattered. I am working my way to settling back in.

    At one airport I am excited, ready to see what will happen this next year. How will God stand in for me? The next airport, I found myself asking why God would want someone like me. Someone so UN-ambitious and even lazy. Someone who needs accountability and only has bursts of discipline.

    Sometimes I just want to do what I know. Other times I was to do something that is crazy and unusual.

    I think I may miss knowing why something is the way it is in the US like why the roads are so straight and buildings are organized. On the other hand the landscape can be kind of boring with soggy, snow covered cornfields.

    Sometimes I wonder if I am supposed to be in Tamale. Other times I love that I am not in Accra and get to experience life in a new way. Sometimes I doubt if God wants me in Tamale. Was it my own idea to move here? Did I just waste 2 years of my life in a place I was not supposed to be?

    Now other random thoughts during my travels:

    I enjoy being able to understand other people conversations. Like, just walking by, I know what they are saying. Not that I stick around to listen :) But in Tamale I can't understand what people are saying and always wonder.

    I like hearing different accents. Whether it is a Wisconsin one or a European one or a Ghanaian one. Whatever.

    Back in Ghana I was aware of the needs that are here. In the US I can see why people do not want God. They do not see their need for Him. They have all that they want. In Ghana, people have so many needs. One woman was struggling just to give birth and there are no hospitals around. She lost her baby. Prayer here means so much more. And, please, I do not want to belittle the US and say everyone is healthy and rich but the West definitely has abundance.

    Also, in Ghana I laughed when on the radio they were talking about soccer. While home everything was American football, football. And here everything is soccer, soccer (or to them football).

    Love you. Thanks for Praying!