WEEKLY NEWS!!!

***Happy 4th of July***
We had such a good week this week. Michael, Rebecca and I got back from Kumasi on Monday evening (You can read about our adventures on Rebecca’s blog). On Tuesday the Ghanaians celebrated a holiday and many people were down at the lakeside and just having a nice relaxing day. We have travelled into many villages this week and opened up our hearts to the people and shared the love of Jesus. Many times I have found myself talking to people that have had a little too much to drink and just hugging them and sharing with them the adverse affects of what they are doing. They have been amazed that someone cares enough about them to do that and I am privileged to be Christ’s hands and feet to them. There is a local HOT drink that many people drink and is by far a leading killer here. It is different than drinks you might find in the states and its potency kills people quickly. Please pray that God will give these people hope beyond this drink.
On July 4th the only Americans on the compound, since the Jernigans are away, were Rebecca and I and we wanted to have a celebration picnic. Our housemate Louise has never celebrated 4th of July before since she does live in Northern Ireland but we quickly got her into the party spirit and made her join along.

Later I asked her what her favorite 4th of July was and she said uh…this one.

I thought that was so sweet. There were 30 workers working on the clinic in the heat and fierce sun so I thought it would be a special treat to have a feast with them. I walked into the villages the night before and ordered coca colas for everyone and gari and beans along with bread so that we could have a special lunch together.

The next day I prepared in the morning for our lunch and when it was time for break we carried our treasures up the hill to serve and eat with the guys.

When we told them what we were celebrating they lifted their drinks and food and clapped and celebrated with us.

It was one of the most special times we have had here and to see their excitement that we would want to share this with them and would offer such a big treat for them was very good to see.

They thanked us profusely and every time I go into a village I have heard people talking about it or thanking us once again for the blessing it was to them.
Yesterday I went to my first funeral.

I have heard how big it is in the Ghanaian culture to attend funerals but what I encountered was more than I ever imagined. Everyone wears black except those in high positions or those close to the family who are also allowed to wear red. I had seen people walking past the clinic grounds all day but when I arrived in my black skirt and top with my black sandals I was overwhelmed to see over 1,000 people lingering about, sitting and greeting the necessary people.

I of course stuck out like a sore thumb being the ONLY obruni in the midst of all these obibinis. I was surprised at how many people I recognized from all the surrounding villages and went around making my greetings to these people in the midst of what seemed to be a massive party unlike I had ever been before. I went through the line to say hi to Georgina, who is a nurse at the clinic and now a widow thanks to the local hot drink I have been told. I greeted my friends the chiefs of Atafram and Ancaase. I stuck around the clinic group of about 15 and we were escorted to Georgina’s house to have minerals(coca cola). When we returned to the funeral, a song that the clinic people had chosen to have dedicated to Georgina came on over the loudspeakers and all the workers stood to go dance in mourning with Georgina. Of course I was more than willing to go with the crowd and dance my sandals off. After this, my friend Ebenezer went and asked the chiefs if I could have my picture taken with them knowing that would be something I would want and they of course obliged me once again. Oh yes, my friend the chief of Atafram informed me today as I passed his house that his present wife was fine with him marrying an Obruni because she might come with money for the family. I wonder if I should tell him about my student loans.
Well I wanted to give you guys an update on this week and let you know that God is working and He is actually using me as a tool! How awesome is that!

Pray for me this week! I travel tomorrow to Kumasi to meet up with the rest of the team that came with us from the U.S. and then we travel north to an orphanage in Lawra. I will stay there this week to work in this orphanage and plan to have a baby strapped to my back and a baby in my arms most of the time since I’ve heard they mostly just lay on the ground due to the lack of staff. I’m nervous about going and the feelings I will feel but I just want to show God’s love and do the best I can. I will bring plenty of pictures and news on this next week. I wanted to let you know that I will not be able to have access to internet at this time but I will update you when I get back.
Thank you for your prayers and emails of support. God is working through you and into me to do the work here and I am truly blessed to have people like you in my life.
Still living TheAfricanDream!