Heading Home

March 7, 2020

Last blog before I am out of Ghana.

Last week in Tamale was a blur. Goodbye-ing, packing, covering and giving things away kept me busy. But I am satisfied dust will not penetrate most things…and then I say, “who am I kidding? Of course it will! It is dust.” I prayed for someone to come and stay in my house while I am away but it was not meant to be. It will just be empty. The watchman will still come in the evenings.

It was also weird not to be studying Dagbani or preparing a lesson. Again, sigh of relief!

I came down to Accra on Tuesday. It is busy down here too. I have been with friends in the mornings and evenings. One outing with a friend included me going with him to a school where he shares a Bible message with the kids. He asked me to say something and I told the kids about being a missionary. Maybe it was practice for when I come home 🙂

I had plans to leave Ghana on Tuesday and travel to Spain for a week. I have a prayer partner there who used to be a missionary in Accra. I received an email from SIM recommending international travel only if necessary. Spain isn’t really necessary…well, I wish it was. How I was looking forward to going! But now I need to figure out what to do. My travel agent will not be in the office until Monday. I fly on Tuesday…cutting it close. I hope to just get home, with no quarantine. And in case you wonder, Ghana, as of today, has no people with the Coronavirus.

Be anxious for nothing…is my mantra.

Thanks for praying for this too!

Epic

February 22, 2020

Language evaluation- PASSED! PASSED! PASSED!

Talk about feeling relieved. Wow. I thought I would cry. I didn’t. I thought I would run to my friends across the street. I did. I wanted to quit. I didn’t. I thought it would never happen. It did.

Thanks so much for praying! Wooooo hooooooo!

I told Rafia last week that if I pass I would get us KFC. She has never had it before. So get this, I go to KFC and buy a 9 piece chicken and they said they have a special deal where I can get 18 pieces for the 9 piece price. HELLOOOOOOO! Winner winner chicken dinner! We enjoyed. I gave the other box of chicken to my friend Martha.

A couple days later I drove my dogs to Sandema, 3.5 hours north, where Yvonne and Pam live. The dogs did really well. No puke. No other bodily fluids. Small amount of whines but that was it. So thankful. It was harder than I thought to leave them. They are good watch dogs.

Came back home and a church was doing a small crusade to share Jesus in my area. I went. No one accepted Christ but people came for prayer for healing. God’s Word went out so let’s pray for soft hearts to receive it.

Went to a wedding. The night before Bethany texted and said she was coming up from Accra for the weekend. I asked her why and she said she is going to a wedding…hmmm…yep, you guessed it. Same wedding! She knew the bride and I knew the groom! Funny.

What a week! Got to start saying goodbyes and pack the house up.

Love you! Thanks for the many many prayers!

Getting Thru The Week

February 17, 2020

It was a long Monday and then, I really do not know what happened the rest of the week.

I did teach my last Bible study with the girls. And on Wednesday, I spoke to a Women’s group… in Dagbani! Memorized! Talk about stressful. I stumbled a bit and I sounded like a robot but they said they understood. They prayed for me to come back after my Home Assignment.

Thursday I ran away to hide and catch my breath and took a day off. There is a pool that I went to. I was the only one there. Because of Harmattan, the water was so cold so I only went in once. Then I just read my books, talked to peeps on the phone and had a nap. Lovely.

I had a team meeting to host at my house and I did a good job of emptying out things in my cupboard! My team has been one of the most encouraging parts about living in Tamale. The sharing and prayer times, the singing and laughing. Such a balm in this dry and weary land.

Had my friend Martha’s 2 kids over to bake her a cake. It was her birthday on Sunday. I later decorated it and brought it over. We sang, ate, laughed and enjoyed. I did not know this until afterwards, but Martha has never had a cake before, not even at her wedding! I was so happy to serve her.

So, a new week already. I have theeeee language evaluation Tuesday at 10am Ghana time. I am sure it will be fine but just thinking about it, I get nervous. It has been my goal since 2016 to pass this level. It would be wonderful to go home with this checked off my list.

Love you. Thanks for praying!

Feeling Safe

February 8, 2020

I am really thankful that I have felt so safe in Tamale. I know robberies go on. I know, obviously from my colleagues, there are road robberies, thievery and whatever else. There have been a group of expats in Tamale who organized a meeting on security. One was in December. I left there hearing people’s experiences and preventative measures and felt a bit scared! We had a meeting last week and a man from the previous president’s security team came to advise us and answer any questions we had. It was very informative. The thing that came across in each meeting was the better you know your neighbors, the safer you will be. I do know my neighbors well. They may think too well since I am always trying to practice my words, asking questions, and sitting with them etc, etc 🙂

The previous president’s security supervisor.

Then, there is a gal from Canada. She is with a different organization and will be starting to work here for 1.5 years. Her director was with her and they were asking me about Tamale. They, too, asked about safety and security. I told them stories of my colleagues and others in town. They asked if anything has happened to me. I said no. They told me they have talked to a lot of missionaries and I am the first one to say NO. They said I must have a powerful group of people praying behind me. I just sat back and thought, “I do!” I am so blessed. I am so thankful. I am so overwhelmed with God’s goodness in all areas of my life and have been reminded that this security area is another added goodness. Thanks for praying!

Now, don’t think I walk around with money hanging out of my pockets or leaving my doors open haha. I do take measures to be safe. I know the dogs help protect. Many people fear dogs. Even a few of my neighbors tell me they would come over but do not want to see my dogs. Poor dogs. As much as I roll my eyes at those girls, I have to say I feel they do a better job than my watchman.

I have had a big couple weeks and this one will last until the 17th. I have my last girls Bible study, a women’s Bible study, which I will do in Dagbani, my language evaluation, some kids coming over to make a cake for their mom’s birthday, a team meeting at my house (meaning I have to cook), and I preach at a church in Dagbani tomorrow (just reading it off my paper). If I can get thru that…I can then think about going home for home assignment. Some days I have already checked out. But I can’t! I gotta keep going a bit longer!!

Keep praying. Thanks so much!!

With The Women

January 25, 2020

After I spoke to a church in December, the leader asked me if I would be willing to come and speak at the women’s group. The place is about an hour’s drive from my house. They usually meet in the evenings. I talked it over with Samuel, my translator, and he suggested I come once a month. So, I went in December and then I went this past week and will go in February also.

The women gather at 8pm. These hardworking women! Their lives in the village start before dawn and close after dark. I don’t blame any of them for sleeping during the Bible study, but I saw another woman jostling one awake when she saw someone dozing off.

I used the same lesson that I used with my young girl’s Bible study, just tweaked it a bit. As I was about to close Samuel said, “Aren’t you going to let them ask questions?” Oh, yes. Silly me. Here were a few comments and questions.

The lesson was Jacob and Esau and Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing. One woman commented that Esau should get nothing for eating that stew and just **** it out the next day. He did not think about the trade at all. And she was shaking her head with disgust. My eyes may have opened a bit wide at the translation I got but, I guess, she got the gist of the story 🙂

One woman asked if it was ok to do just a short prayer in the morning and then go and start her fire and then come back to continue it.

Another woman asked if she needs to pray again if someone left food in their bowl and she wants to finish it. (Families usually eat from the same bowl. Depending on the size it could be 4 people to a bowl.) I looked at Samuel for that one. To me, the food has already been prayed for. But for Samuel, he said there is nothing wrong with praying over it again.

Samuel thinks maybe 2 or 3 women can read. One greeted me in English. The others are all Dagomba speakers and do not speak English. There were about 12 women there the first month but only about 7 this week. They were all appreciative of me coming.

As I was leaving last month I said to myself that this place is too far away. And I do not like driving in the night. And I still can’t speak Dagbani, so Samuel will have to come with me all the time. When I dropped Samuel off he said that it was really good we were there. I asked him if I am taking up too much of his time because every time I go, he has to go. He looked at me like, whatever, girl. He does not mind at all. He said he enjoys it and knows the women are learning and that is good. I guess I do not have any excuse! 🙂

I am really thankful how God speaks through me to these women, and the young girls too. I come with a lesson prepared but God always adds things that I was not planning to say. It is really cool. Very humbling that God would care about me and these people.

It is not really about us is it? It is all about Him.

Thanks for your prayers.

An Expensive Language Lesson

An Expensive Language Lesson

January 19, 2020

This week I got back into my routines. Never underestimate the power of a routine 🙂

Ok, so, I did not have any lessons with Augustine this week and next week he will be busy but we managed to squeeze one in on Saturday and that will have to hold me for a bit. After my lesson I visited my friend Martha. Then I came home and went to visit my friend Fatayia. She cooks and sells Kenkey, which I love. I think hers is the best, it just is. Anyways, as we were sitting she mentioned there is no water. It has been difficult to find water to fetch. It is dry season so some wells or boreholes have dried up. Also, the city sometimes shuts off the water. I don’t know why. But I got water into my tank last week Saturday. Thankfully, it is only me here and it has lasted. I was also able to fill my big bottom tank too. That was nearly empty because I let women come and take since it has been difficult for them to find some without having to walk long distances.

I told Fatayia that she can come to my house and get water. She said she would come later in the afternoon. When I walked home, a neighbor girl asked me for water. I cautiously said, “Yes” because they nearly emptied out my last one. I get city water and I am on a meter. I have to pay for my water. Usually it is not much but filling up over a 1000L of water…that is going to cost me.

But I said to the girl, “yes” and she came and then when the other women saw she was getting water they all came to get water. I was Ok with it. I was praying that I would find a way to not just love my neighbors in word but also in deed. But after 2 hours and my 2/3 of my tank being emptied I had to stop them from coming. And even then, the bowls and buckets were lined up and they continued on for another hour. And then girls from Fatayia’s house came! The one lady I promised to give water to. And then an old lady that I sit with sometimes, she sent girls too. So, then I had to let them have water too! AHHHHH!!! How do you stop!?

While they were filling up their containers I was in the front of the house with the small kids playing games and running around. One girl talks to me as if I can speak Dagbani fluently. It is so cute. I could tell she was annoyed that I kept saying, “I don’t know. I don’t hear you.” But I had a good time to practice with these kids. Good time to practice with these women too.

At one point, I thought maybe they were sneaking containers in after I told them to stop because the container line remained long. Since I am not sure I will just think positively and let it go. I mean, I think I would be desperate too if I had a chance for water close by.

Another thing I have learned, and should really know by now, is that God always provides. And when, inwardly, I was freaking out about them taking all my water, I kept reminding myself that God will provide water for me.

Yes, I will have a big bill for the month of January, but it was worth it.

Kyndra and Gwen

Kyndra and Gwen

January 12, 2020

Had a lovely time with Kyndra and her mom, Gwen in Accra and then Tamale. I was so proud to show them. But it didn’t take long for me to realize Tamale does not really have much to show! We went out to eat, met with some of my friends, one even cooked Fufu for us, went to Mole National Park to see wildlife, El Mina castle, went to the oldest mosque in Ghana, talked, and they even got to experience a night with no electricity in Tamale and then In Accra too!! They both said they have had a great time and so did I.

I think it is time to get crackin’ back to work, eh? I feel like I have been on holiday mode and then tour guide mode the past couple weeks. I have booked my ticket for Home Assignment March 10. I will stop in Malaga, Spain to visit with a former colleague. Then I will arrive in Wisconsin on March 17th. It just occurred to me that I have less than 2 months. WHOA.

SO. MUCH. TO. DO! If i keep my To-Do lists in order I can manage 🙂

Thanks for praying. Will try to get back to Dagbani, though I have spent one hour a day during these couple weeks studying and listening to recordings.

Love you.

I Don't Want To Be Encouraged

Some weeks I just don't get it. I ended off last week with a message at the church (reading it in Dagbani) and hosted great people at my house. I was encouraged and ready to persevere...and then...I don't know. I can't be blaming every thing on spiritual warfare. There is something in me. Whiney-ness? Too busy-ness? Unorganized-ness? Discouraged-ness? (Hmmm, kind of like Dagbani where I make up my own words. haha)

Whatever it was/is, I go back and forth with "I'm done" and "ok, let me just try one more day" or "there is no way" and "rejoice always". I have good people around me that I can call and talk to. There are teammates here who I pray with. I have prayer partners in different countries to talk with and share with. I email people who email. Those are great, I am so thankful. I try to stay positive and push myself...but talking with Damary yesterday, I just ended up sobbing. Maybe because she knows how it is here. Maybe because she has tried to learn Dagbani too. Maybe because it was just wonderful to talk with her. Whatever it was, I was a mess.

I told her I am going home. I quit. I had 2 people yesterday tell me I really need to work on my Dagbani, one even said, "you should try and learn Dagbani". Yep, that is how good I am. I mean, let's be real, you guys, it has been 3 years and I can barely manage a back and forth conversation. Yeah, I can preach a message when someone puts it into Dagbani for me. But everyday life? Nope. It does not come. I think the time has come to evaluate some things. I just don't know. I have not said a word to my team. I know they will rally around and encourage me. They all think I am being hard on myself. I am not. I am being honest with myself. And then all that encouragement, ugh...sometimes I just do not want to hear it.

The thing is, I told myself that I do not want to live here if I can not speak the language. Yes, lots of people do it. Yes, English speakers can manage just fine. But, I guess I had ideas of grandeur, ideas of talking with people on a deeper level. POOF! Dream gone! Or...do I work another 3 years? Come on. Let's not kid ourselves. It cannot keep on like this. Don't laugh but the words in that song sung by Kenny Rogers, "You gotta know when to fold 'em." :)

I probably should say something to my team leader. And I will, next week. I know what he will say and it will encourage me blah, blah, blah... not in the mood for encouragement.

So, don't you all go and get any ideas. Let me "Scrooge" around. Don't worry, the next minute I am upbeat. It is so weird. Thankfully, God is always good. Always faithful. He never wavers. I cling to Him, as always. Life is hard. It is for everyone.

Thanks for praying.

People People People

Was all ready to start a disciplined week last Monday but...hmmm...people happened :)

So, on Tuesday my friend Yvonne was passing thru and she stayed the night. Great talks. Then Thursday, Vronny and Nadine from Gushegu came over. On Friday, I spent time at the hospital with Abdulai, who is also from Gushegu, with his son. Abdulai was made aware that his son is having difficulty seeing the board at school. That made Abdulai nervous because he went blind in his 20s and doesn't want that for his son. But the doctor said the kid just needs glasses. YAY!

Friday afternoon a family from Gushegu arrived to stay the weekend: Dr. Gerbon, his wife Dorien and their 2 kids. They are from Holland and have been in Gushegu for a few years. More great talks.

In the midst of all the cooking and arranging I had 3 Dagbani lessons and preached today at a church by reading my talk, which was put together with Augustine's help. I was told they could understand me and was even asked to come and speak to the women's group once a month.

I am tired but not exhausted. People do fire me up but I know when my last guests leave I will be taking a nap :)

It is nice to have a house that is lived in.

More Dagbani this week. I think grammar stuff.

Thanks for praying!

God Is Good Whether I Feel Like It Or Not

I do not know if I was ready as I thought I was when I got back to Tamale. Maybe I was living on the love of Accra friends wanting me to stay or burger places that taste like burgers. Maybe I was being nostalgic when talking with friends I used to work with or feeling like a proud auntie at another friend's baby. Whatever it was, I did not settle in well.

Maybe it started with my to-do list not doing! It takes so long for things to get done. For example, I want to put Damary's air conditioner in my room. I called the ac guy. No answer. I called him the next day and left a whataspp message and text. No response. So, I found a number of a new guy. I call him and he says ok. I told him I need to buy a voltage stabilizer because our power is so all over the place. (That is another complaint.) He tells me a kind I should buy. I went to town looking for it. I found others but he said they are not good. So, I ask him to look for it. He does not call me the next day, i call him. He can't find it either but tells me he will find other people to find it. (Sigh) On Saturday, he calls me and tells me where it is but I was having our team meeting at my house and cooking Thanksgiving dinner so I could not get it. And, now, it is a week later.... I would tell you another to-do-list-taking-forever-thing but I think you will get your fill of complaints in this post. Sorry!

It has been really hot. The weather has just switched over to the dry Harmattan season, which I love but in this switching process I had headaches everyday. Weird. I don't remember that in previous years. Also, another weird-- I have had a hard time falling asleep at night. No, I do not take naps or drink caffeine. Hmmm...maybe it has just been too hot. But with Harmattan coming in the nights will be cooler.

Since I was not sleeping well and things were not getting accomplished and several power outages, I was not doing my quiet times. Talk about a game changer (in a bad way)! Wooo-weeee, it was one of those thank-God-I'm-single-so-noone-has-to-be-in-the-wake-of-my-wrath sort of weeks.

Even on Thanksgiving, I really tried to be thankful and went over all my good things but my heart was not in it. I did it anyways. God is good whether I feel like it or not.

I hosted our team meeting and cooked a Thanksgiving feast. I was the only Westerner. I had to explain what stuffing was and where to put the cranberries :). It was a nice time. And another bonus for being single: you don't have to share leftovers! Haha! I guess I am thankful for something.

Ok, but I am already psyching myself to get back on track-- Jesus track, Dagbani track, and thankfulness track.

Keep on praying. Love you.

P.S. DooShik asked/told me I need to do my Level 3 evaluation this month. I shrugged my shoulders and said ok. Not because I will pass but because it will help me figure out where I am and how I can improve. I am soooooo done with Dagbani!! Ahhhh!

Grrrrreat Great Great!

You guys...

You guys. I have just had a very relaxing week. I feel ready (as much as I can be) to head back to Tamale. I am so thankful I don't have the crushed-brain feeling or exhaustion that i came with.

I had a great time with my friend and sister Baaba. When she did not have to go to work we went out to eat, trotro-ed around and talked a lot. She and I are so different and yet we get on well. She cooked wonderful meals for me and the girls combed my hair. Does life get better than that?

I met up with other friends. I had really good talks. I hope I encouraged them as they encouraged me. I am so thankful that even though I live in Tamale, I still get to live life with my friends in Accra.

I napped, ate, internetted (word??), prayed, relaxed, read books, talked with old friends.

I fly back north to Tamale tomorrow. I have a long, long list ready for me to attack this week.

Let's get to it! Thanks for praying!

They Understood

I was able to have two lessons with Augustine before my Bible study. And the verdict? The girls could understand! Yay! A few sentences had to be re-translated by a girl who can speak English but other than that, it was clear. They even discussed afterwards, even though I couldn't keep up with their talking. And, I love how God uses me in this because I always say things that I never plan to. I was talking about Abraham and said he wasn't always perfect but God kept with him. We reviewed the previous stories and took note that in this story he obeyed. He did not waver. He was spending time with God and trusting Him more. That was for me. Even before teaching this story, I was thinking I shouldn't because I am just not faithful like Abraham and his obedience in almost sacrificing Isaac. But Abraham was old! Like 100! So, I got me some time...hahaha lol. I love how God works in us. He is so patient with us! With me!

I came down to Accra and am staying at a small, but cute room with Airbnb. The place has a pool! That was the clincher for me. I have slept in, swam, got a pedi-manicure, napped, just went at my own pace. It has been lovely. Tomorrow I will go to church and then go to Baaba's house and stay there for the week.

So thankful to recharge. So thankful!

    Just Keep Going

    How do I sum up the week in a nutshell? Hot n' whiney? Ups n' downs? Bring it n' I quit? Whatever the case, I got thru it.

    I only had 2 language lessons but each one was great. I did my Bible study in Dagbani but...one girl came right out and said, "I didn't hear anything." Meaning she couldn't understand me. Sigh...

    I had a good time whenever I met with Rafia. Somehow we can keep a conversation going though she always ends up laughing with something I say. (Farm and stomach are the same word here. Think of a conversation mixing them.)

    I had a good time with Martha. She told me she really wants to know God and her Bible. I was like, "Awesome! Let's do it!"

    My translator at my Bible study, Samuel, and his wife, Christiana had a baby boy. They had a naming ceremony on Saturday. I was to drive her from the house to the church. Then, the woman who was supposed to hold the baby and give it to the pastor in the church to declare the name, was not ready. They asked me to do it. This is a respected gesture! I was so honoured. So, we drove to the church then I sat next to them holding the baby until the pastor finished his short talk and was to announce the name the parents had given. They named him Godwin Yemkana. Afterwards I ran around taking pictures.

    My colleague Yvonne came over for a couple days and it was so nice to have someone to dump on! I love iron sharpening iron. She has been an encouragement to me.

    In between these times was a lot of sweating and headaches. I dont think I drank enough water. It has been 100 degrees daily. I haven't slept well. I need to move the air conditioner that we put in Damary's room to my room. Sheesh! Can I say Pile. Of. Sweat? Ugh and gross.

    Language practice...so hard. At least I can catch more words. Yay! But still cannot grasp conversations unless they talk to me like a preschooler. Boo. Lots of questions and whining to the Lord about continuing...but I also don't want to be a quitter. Always so back and forth. Your necks must be sore going back and forth and back and forth to my swings.

    Anyways. Another week. God can do it...I sure can't.

    Thanks for praying!

    Tamale, Cakes, and Prayer

    Back in Tamale. I have gotten a lot of things accomplished. I love-me-crossing-things-off-my-to-do-list!

    I had a bit of a scare. Augustine, who I want to help me with language, seemed to tell me indirectly that he would not be able to help me with lessons. Oi!! I was so down and discouraged because that was a big reason for me to not go back to Gushegu. I talked with him later this week and it seems we will work out some times when I can come. PHEWWWW!!

    My friend Martha has two kids and I told her when that when I come back to Tamale they could come over and make birthday cakes for themselves. I did one for Edith in May. Her brother, Mathias turned 5 in October. They had a ball and while we waited for the cakes to bake we watched some Bible cartoons and read books, ate some rice and stew and tried to make them see that my dogs are kind :)

    Let me share with you something Jesus spoke to me thru His Word. It is so perfect. I wrote it down and read it nearly every day. It sums things up.

    Sherri,

    Rejoice in Me. Again, let me say it, Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything. Do not be anxious about language or circumstances. But instead, with gratitude and thanksgiving tell me your requests and I will give you peace to guard your heart and your mind in Me. And take your mind and think on things that are honorable, pure, commendable, just, true, lovely, excellent, worthy of praise and the God of peace will be with you. When your mind is stayed on Me, I will keep you in perfect peace. Trust in me. I am an everlasting rock. And Sherri, when you are walking in darkness and have no light, continue to walk in obedience. Trust in Me and on your God.

    And I know things are hard right now. You feel I make your teeth grind on gravel and you cower in ashes. You say, "my soul has no peace" or "I have forgotten what happiness is". You tell Me your endurance is finished and you have no hope in Me.

    Sherri, I do remember your affliction and see you wandering. I know your soul is bowed down. I love that you still say, " The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul. Therefore, I will hope in Him."

    Sherri, I am good to those who wait for Me. To those whose soul seeks Me. It is good that you wait quietly for my salvation. I will not cast you off forever. Though there is grief, I will have compassion according to the abundance of my steadfast love. And remember Sherri, my steadfast love is great.

    Back to language this coming week. Thanks for praying! Love you.

    Rejoice Always

    It seems by Friday I was ready to leave Gushegu. Though the language is so hard, I think I enjoyed the people these past few weeks. I laughed a lot and sat longer with certain people. I was happy to want to sit with them. That is progress! I met some new women. I kind of wish I could've met them sooner. They were so kind. They let me pound fufu a little bit with them.

    Yes, some days after sitting with people and not understanding a thing I would cry...underneath my sunglasses asking God if this is really what I am supposed to be doing. But then, the next morning came around and I was ready to get back out there. I really don't get it. God's work. That's all I can figure.

    I met a gal from Wisconsin this week! She married a Korean man who's brother and family are missionaries 45 minutes away from Gushegu in a different village. Ahn and Hannah (Hannah is the one from Madison, Wisconsin) will go to missionary training school in February and then they hope to come back out to Ghana. Ahn and his brother and the family came to see Fela and Puii and let the kids all play together. Such a small world!

    Coming back to Tamale, I find myself so tired. And my house...oh, those ants have won a few battles I have to admit :( I have a lot of small-small things to take care of now that I am back here. The problem is that those things take time, which distracts me from language and I feel guilty for not working hard enough blah blah blah... but I have dogs that have flies all over them, a water tank that could get a hole because of the foundation it is on has cracked, ants and cobwebs galore, food in my freezer that needs to get used up, fans that don't work well, my car's air con that needs to be fixed, and Damary's room that needs to be put right.

    Where do I start?

    With prayer. Jesus told me this morning to Rejoice always, Rejoice. I will do that too.

    Love you. Thanks for praying! Rejoice.

    Nothin' New

    So, how is it going you ask? Fine. Ho-hum. This progress is ridiculous. But at least I can say progress right?

    Maybe the way God is using the prayers of people are me to just keep coming to Him. Maybe He just wants me to cling to Him. Of course He does. I guess, it takes language to hold me there.

    Uplifting times: -- Abdulai from church was needing a phone and thru help of others we got him one. I downloaded an app so it talks back to him. Very annoying to me but when you are blind it is very helpful! If he gets a text it speaks out what it says. Or when a call comes in it tells you the caller. So cool! I know people in the USA who have disabilities and it is difficult. But to have disabilities here! There is almost no help. And Abdulai is a Christian and so his family doesn't help him out very much. And yet, this guy praises God. Wow. Fela, my missionary colleague said when he thinks life is hard he goes and sits with Abdulai and he gets a refreshed perspective. I have experienced the same thing.

    One of my gifts is serving and the church had a clean up day. It was nice to be doing something instead of language. At least with cleaning you can see how well you do and the progress. I'm glad I could be part of that.

    Funny times: -- The things people say to me. One woman told me I could have a bigger behind (because theirs is large and, well, the bigger the better here) by walking more. Another woman told me I look like a small girl because my breasts are still up. Hmmm...it's the bra lady.

    I got a cold for a few days this week. For Christmas last year my sister in law got me Kleenex with lotion. I am so thankful! I'm sure my nose would have been bleeding with all the sneezing and runniness. So thankful I was only suffering for two days. Then I got back out there and suffered outside...hahahaa...language joke. Serious but not serious :)

    I have one week left here. I think it will be my last. I will go back to stay in Tamale. I will sit with Augustine, my new language helper and try again to make progress. The hard part will be hanging out with non English speakers. May I visit some of my old friends! I gotta keep practicing. That is key.

    Love you. Thanks for praying.

    Abdulai and his son. And then just a pic of what it looks like walking around.

    'ING' Ending Is So Simple But Means So Much

    Are you getting a little nauseous as we go from one week high to the next low and then high and then low...and throw a couple twists in there too. This week we got a high! It is like my hands are raised as I am on the rollercoaster enjoying, screaming, "Woo-hoo!"

    Before I came back to Tamale I texted a young man named Augustine. He is a brother of Pastor Andrew. He has helped other missionaries in the past with Dagbani. He has other jobs so I did not know if he would have time for me. But he responded that I could come and he would give me some lessons.

    He is language helper #6. LOL! Each helper has had strengths. Augustine has grammar strength which is exactly, exactly what I need at this point. On Monday I really thought I would cry when he explained why a certain ending was given. The ending was equivalent to "ing". ING, people! How simple, but no one could explain that to me. He also states sentences that I should translate in the Dagbani English. For example, to say "I use my nose to smell" Dagbani English would say "Nose my use to hear" (yes, your nose hears). So, Augustine has helped many English speakers and has learned how we say things and helps us to make understandable sentences. He helped me translate my Bible study for the girls into Dagbani and the girls were so proud of me! Yay!

    You guys, this is a HUGE answer to prayer! HUGE. Just typing this the tears want to fall. I am encouraged.

    Because of this, I have decided to take what Augustine has taught me and practice in Gushegu for the next 3 weeks. Then I will come back to Tamale and start more consistent lessons with him and try to keep moving forward. I will stay in Tamale to learn and see which ministry God has in store for me. It will be hard to learn in Tamale but I just need to be diligent in whom I spend my time with. No need to worry about it now. Let me just get through another 3 weeks practicing in Gushegu.

    Please, dont be thinking I've got this. I still have far to go. I mean, it took 3 years to learn an ending! Ugh...

    Love you guys!

    Brother Augustine teaching me.

    Not Equal?? Grrr...

    A very up and down week. After my amazing weekend with friends I really thought I was refreshed and ready to go. But it seems Monday came and I was all lead in my feet. I went out, but I was not happy about it. I forced myself after every lame conversation to just try for the next one. I came home with tears, thankfully hidden by a very dark pair of sunglasses.

    The next days were much better, I mean, it could not get worse than Monday. On Wednesday this one new woman I met just last week, had a group of men next to her. She sells rice so they were buying. I met one of them previously and he speaks English to me. They all were greeting me and asking me questions. To be funny, I said that my husbands are fine. They were like what? I said that I have 4 husbands just like men have many wives here. The one English speaking one was like no way, women can't do that, blah, blah, blah. I said to him that he doesn't think I am his equal? He said No. Men are higher than women. I said so my brain and your brain are different? My heart and your heart are different? My blood and your blood are different? And I was so angry I got up and said something like well I cannot sit here and talk with you since were are not equal and I laughed (to make it seem like I was fine) and walked away. Sad, because I enjoyed sitting with this woman and will no longer. Also, unbelievably angry at the men here. I may have stomped off as I looked back on it. As I walked off I sensed the Spirit say I was to love them. He brought to mind the Good Samaritan. I was so on fire with anger! I did not want to hear this! But I have done nothing to earn this love that has been given me. So, as I walked I prayed. And I prayed I would love them. And I praised God in the midst of it all.

    Not easy. But so much better than stewing in my wrath.

    I met some new ladies this week. One told me to come to her house and read the Bible for her. Really??! I hope I understood her because Imma-coming!

    I came back to Tamale on Thursday. I went to the market on Friday to buy food because it was my turn to host our team meeting. I made chili over rice and a cucumber salad with pineapple crisp. I never know how to estimate for a crowd and I think if Damary would have been there she would have told me to cook more rice. I barely had enough. Live and learn. (And, I still miss Damary.) We had a time of prayer with the team and heard answers to prayers. All so encouraging. Love 'em.

    Love you too! Thanks for praying!

    Two Girls

    Thank you for praying for me at church. God saw me! You know, speaking in front of people is not difficult for me but this time...hey...I was shaking! When I was reading the Dagbani Bible my hand was trembling. I would like to blame that on the power of God's Word but it was more nervousness :)

    The rest of the week was more and more language and it was hard and one day I was even talking to myself to keep moving. I then realized I was making a loop and it would be shorter for me to just keep going than to turn around. Ha! If I was to write a progress report I would say I can hear when I don't pronounce things well. I can put more sentences together. I am learning new vocabulary, not using it, but still. And I am able to say dialogues smoother than before. Unfortunately, it is easier for me to keep looking at how far I need to go. Towards the end of the week i was feeling tired, brain tired. I was glad to hop a bus on Thursday and go to Tamale to meet a couple friends.

    These friends:

    Sara. I met Sara about 13 years ago as she and another girl, from Canada, were studying at a theological school in Accra. For some reason, we all were in Tamale and we met. Sara has kept in touch with me. She is now a professor at a university in Germany. She was here in Ghana with students...and in Tamale! She has been praying for me and what God is doing here all these many years and to see her again brought joy joy joy! We spent the afternoon together catching up and talking about how God has answered prayers. I was so encouraged. So encouraged!

    Charity. Charity is a SIM Ghana missionary serving in the Upper West Region. She actually first came out as a short termer in 2009. Now she came back in 2016 to stay :). You know how I talk about Damary and I being so different? Well, Charity and I are so similar! We pray over the phone every 2 weeks. She also had to learn a language and just completed her level 3! She stopped in Tamale for the night to fly to Accra as she is going on Home Assignment. Our short time together brought laughter, as always, vulnerability and accountability, which I need, and more joy joy joy! So thankful for her speaking into my life and praying for me. She knows exactly the pains of learning a crazy language:).

    I am so thankful for this burst of sweet fellowship with these girls. I am ready to get back to Gushegu and try again. I feel fueled by our laughter and prayers. (I am actually sitting on the bus right now and it just started up!)

    Thanking God for his goodness goodness goodness!

    Thanks for praying!