Day to Day Patience

This past week was filled with random little happenings that I found amusing because to be honest, I passed the time most of the days making clocks(literally) or putting together school supplies.  Now this is important for all the schools to offer a fantastic, hands-on education but I don’t do well with the mundane.   God is helping me be patient as I wait for the day to teach, which should only be a week away!  Praise the Lord!  A week ago Saturday I stopped at the school to drop off supplies when I discovered a lot of people joining together to clear the land where the middle school shelter is located.  You can’t really call it a classroom since it reminds me of the  large shelters you rent at the park for family picnics but it will work.  I wanted to join in the fun so they gave me a hoe and I tilled the earth to get rid of the weeds.  Now I must add that this is the first time I did major gardening work wearing a dress and sandals.  At first the Togolese laughed at my attempt but they quickly accepted me and I enjoyed helping prepare the school for Rentree(first day of school.)  Some of my future students were there working and I loved working alongside of them as it must be a community school. 

Last Sunday after church, I finally made it over to Roger’s house.  Roger is Togolese but he works with Bea as the director of one of the schools and a type of liaison to help the western way of education meet the Togolese way.  Basically, we wouldn’t survive without him!  He and his wife, along with their 7year old daughter, three month old boy, his mother, and two house girls live in a small but sufficient house located past the mango tree.  They have a separate living quarter for his mother and a small room for the outside kitchen.  Between the house and the kitchen is like an outdoor patio so we sat there looking to the rolling mountains behind us, hearing the ever-bleating goats, and smelling the scent of fresh-cooked rice.  We past the time by playing card games and then had a meal of rice and fish stew.  The 7 year old girl has become my best friend and she insisted eating off of my plate which is  typical here and I gladly accepted as I allowed her to eat the fish.  Half-way through the meal, Roger thanked me for eating his food.  I kind of laughed and thanked him for serving me.  He went on to explain that some missionaries won’t try the food they serve because they are afraid of upsetting their stomach.  I assured him, that if I get sick, I get sick so no worries here.  Yes, those words actually rolled off my tongue so easily.  Now the texture and taste is a different story but I never have a fear of getting sick. If they can eat it, so can we.  He also wanted me to know that his house was mine too and I never needed to ask to come over.  He said Americans try to be polite and never want to impose but a Togolese will hardly ask you to come over because they just expect that you will without an invitation.  I loved feeling a part of his family and am so thankful for his insight in the Togolese culture.

As it is a small town and I am the only Yovo living in the town, all the moto drivers know where I go in the morning and where I like to get off at night.  They just stop without me saying anything.  I had a really great conversation one evening with a moto driver who I could actually understand.  I probably have had him before but I have a hard time telling them apart.  He told me he went to the other Baptist church in the town closer to the hospital.  He then asked me why I lived in town instead of on the compound with the other missionaries.  This was a great question but one difficult to explain but I told him I wanted to learn the culture and language by living with the people.  This seemed to suffice but then he asked me if I was going to marry a Togolese and when I said I didn’t think so, he asked me why.   Avoiding the chance to open a can of worms, I just said it wasn’t God’s plan right now.  Let me remind you that all of this was done in French.  I still have a long was to go and it definitely depends on who is speaking but I am starting to pick up some more every day.  I will begin lessons in November and it will be easier once I am surrounded by it at school. 

While in town picking up copies one day, a trotro passed by with a wad of rugs tied up top.  One of the rugs, decided to leave the clan and was hanging off the top but the mate who was inside the trotro, stuck his upper body out of the side window to prevent the rug from escaping.  It was quite a picture and I love the random memories I can capture that depict the typical life here. 

I have been reading Exodus and just finished the part where the Israelites got tired of waiting for Moses and decided to build a golden calf.  Now I am not trying to build another god but it was a reminder that I need to wait upon God’s timing.  I am anticipating the start of school but I know the Lord has this waiting period for a reason and instead of getting anxious about it, I need to enjoy each ray of sunshine, every cloud that passes over the mountain, and every rupture of laughter that occurs when I try to talk to the small children here.  God is here and I must be patient for him to move first.  What a mighty God we serve who can even move the mountains.   

Church never ceases to amaze me as I am reminded of the universal church in which God hears and understands every word from his people.  We sing the favorite hymns in Ewe, French, and someone even prayed in Cabille and then English.  The sermon was given in Ewe but then translated in French.  It makes it quite hard to follow but I try to understand as many French words as possible.  We had communion today with broken up flat biscuits and some kind of punch or maybe just colored water.  No matter where we are or in what language, we all praise the same God and must give Him all the glory.  After church, some of the boys sitting around me, asked if I was indeed the English teacher at La Lumiere.  I said yes and they explained that they went to the local high school but did not speak English very well as the Togolese teachers do not pronounce the words correctly, They want me to start an English class for them.  First of all, I am not a certified English teacher but I am willing to help students especially to do in through presenting the Gospel.  I said that we could start in November at night and this seems to suffice.  Now I need to make sure I have my priorities straight but if I have the time, I might as well help those in need.  For the last two Sundays when I am almost to my house, I hear the shuffling of tiny feet coming from behind me.  It is one of my neighbors who likes to hold my hand as we walk home from church.  I speak to him in French and he answers in Ewe, so we have no idea what we are saying but it works.  I love being able to get to know the small children on the street and hope Davi Christy catches soon instead of Yovo.  Enjoy the Sabbath that the Lord has made and rejoice in every situation!

 

 

Take off the Training Wheels

 

What an amazing week as after two weeks of putting together books, curriculum, and translating materials we were finally able to put it all together for an incredible four days teacher training.  We began the week in Lome, the capital, where we met with five of the 14 schools.  The morning started with “This is the Day” in Ewe, French, and English and continued to a joyful way as we introduced a new value curriculum that I wrote this summer.  We are excited about the chance to instill in these children a different virtue a month as they learn to have a persona relationship with Christ.  What an honor we have to model the virtues and encourage them to share Christ’s love with others.  In the afternoon, I had the great opportunity to work with the second grade teachers(CP2 in French) with their new language curriculum  In second grade, the students are still learning French from Ewe so these lessons give a chance to use French through role playing, talking to a partner, and drawing.  This is definitely foreign to the teachers as they are use to having the students repeat the words over and over again, thinking this will enable them to remember the word but the students have to be active in their learning.  The teachers were very patient with me as I fumbled through my French and I felt horrible with how awful it was but they continued to encourage me.  They said they understood me but I am not sure if that was the case.  Anyways, we made progress growing through the lessons and had a blast taking turns being the teachers while the rest of us were the students.  At one point I found myself role playing as a three year old student registering for school with a mother the same age as me, so we were definitely very productive.  By the end of the two days in Lome, I began to have good conversations with these teachers as they really want to excel and help their students learn but more importantly have a persona relationship with Christ.  Bea asked them the difference from our school to the public schools and they said we disciple children to know Christ and that is exactly right.  It is a huge responsibility but one we are in charge of doing for the future of these children and Togo.  On our way home Tuesday afternoon, I purchased for the first time a blue motorcycle helmet.  Did I ever think I would buy a motorcycle helmet?  Probably not, but I am glad I have one as it will be useful once I start taking longer trips to visit the schools.  It was only $12 but I think the quality will be sufficient and hopefully I will never actually put it to the test. 

Wednesday, we were on the road again to Kpalime which is only a half hour away.  We met with the rest of the 9 schools and this proved to be a little different experience than with the teachers in Lome.  When we were explaining the virtues to them, their main concerns were about finding time during the day to teach these short lessons or if it would be too much of a burden for them.  This wasn’t the response I was thinking but I it made me realize that I have a responsibility to these teachers to encourage them so they can encourage these teachers.  The best thing that happened to me as a teacher was when I realized a needed the Joy of the Lord in everything I did.  It can get tiresome but when we see it as our job as a Christian to instill these values in others, it is a pleasure to serve the children and share Christ with them.  Continue to pray that I can be that joy for the other teachers so we can look past ourselves and focus on the children knowing Christ.  One different from this seminar than others was that a lot of teachers brought their children with them as I understand they don’t have another option.  Most of them slept on their mother’s backs the entire time while others had a little more energy.  After being around babies this past summer, I realized how many things are packaged in convenient sizes for their age and can be used by their small handles.  This was quite the opposite as the mother’s would bring out a bowl of rice with the largest spoon possible for a two year old.  Again, just a totally different mindset but there is nothing wrong with this, it is just the way it is.  In the afternoon, I found myself alone in a classroom to teach the second grade teachers all in French.  My translator, Roger, who is one of the main directors of the schools, said he would help but mysteriously slip away although he told me he was praying for me during this time.  At points, I wished he was there as I couldn’t articulate the exact words or I didn’t understand all of their discussion but I realized it is a lot like training wheels.  It is a great comfort to have and you don’t really want to get rid of them, but you never know how to really ride a bike unless you take them off.  When I couldn’t rely on a translator and I had to use only French, I managed and we all survived.  However, there are some bumps and scraps along the way as I know I said  a lot of mistakes but this is the only way to get better and become fluent.  I asked one of the teachers afterwards if he could understand me and he said yes.  Then he said well, not all the time.  I appreciated his honesty and know I still have a long way to go although I love making the effort and actually being able to carry on conversations with others. 

  Well the above part was written last Wednesday and plans change as of Wednesday night thanks to the government.  You find out quickly here that you never get you mind set on particular plans because they mostly likely change a few hundred times.  This is an example of this as the Togolese government announced Wednesday night that they were postponing school for another two weeks.  Now keep in mind that school was support to start this coming Monday and they just announced the postponement on Wednesday.  The reason they gave was because the parents aren’t ready.  Everyone knows that parents are always ready for their children to go back to school but Bea has been teaching me that the Togolese will say outlandish lies like this because they know no one actually believes this.  The real reason is because they are afraid that the teachers will strike if they don’t give them a bonus and they think that they will be able to deliver these bonuses to the teacher with another two weeks.  This is quite frustrating as we are just ready to start school and we encouraged these teachers all week to be filled with joy in sharing Christ with their students and now we have to wait another two weeks.  However, this is life here so we accept it and find things to keep us busy like making clocks for the teachers and kids, puzzles out of laminated pictures, or sprucing up the curriculum.  I am just ready to start on a routine and pour into my students’ lives but Africa has taught me a lot of patience so I must exhibit that oh so wonderful skill.

 

On Thursday when Bea told some of the teachers that they should still be at the school for the next two weeks, one of the teachers replied with, “Faire quoi?”  which literally means, “to do what?”  It definitely is a different mind-set here as the teachers don’t see the importance of preparing their classroom ahead of time and practicing the new curriculum but we are slowly allowing this concept to creep inside and hopefully some teachers will take advantage of this time.  I spent Thursday afternoon with the first and second grade teachers to explain math games and why they are important in the classroom.  When I said that some students can be playing games while you are teaching a small group, I got looks like I had four heads!  But I am excited to actually get into their classrooms and help them model playing games while working with other students so they can actually make sure the student understand the material.  One of the teachers did ask me to come and help him implement this in his classroom and I am thrilled for the opportunity to do this.  I just need school to start first!

Not a project

Last Tuesday night, I was on my way back to the hospital when I stopped at the neighbor’s house to talk to the lady who sells spices.  I was getting all the names in French and then had a small, delightful conversation with her and her husband, all in French.  I walked away feeling so accomplished and filled with pride for carrying on a decent conversation in French.  However, I then hopped on a moto where I had a difficult time grasping a word he said.  So much for knowing French or I learned the important of staying humble and realizing only abilities come from the Lord.   I was able to tell the driver “trop vite!  Doucement!”  (Too fast, slow down!)  as he swerved around every pothole.  I appreciated him trying to beat the rain but I thought it would be more beneficial to stay in one piece during the process.  Anyways, when I was talking to my neighbors, the wife asked me if I was with the Peace Corps and her husband asked me what project I was with.  It dawned on me at that moment that the people are accustomed to white people “yovo” coming and going and fulfilling a good deed here and there.  I am not here, we as Christians are not on this earth, to complete a project and move on.  We are called to harvest the field continuously and share Christ with all those in which we encounter.  Christianity is not a project we are graded on but it is first a personal relationship with Christ which extends to a lifetime of service to our King in whatever capacity He has given us to serve Him.  I am glad they asked me those questions as I wanted to be reminded that I am not here to do my project of teaching English and helping the teachers with better teaching methods.  I am here because the Lord has called me here and I am called to tell the nations about Christ and his saving message of eternal life by believing that Christ has died for our sins.

In other news, I spent Wedneday morning hiking up the mountain extending right up from the hospital and compound.  I hiked with some short term people although we probably hiked farther than we should have.  The way down was a spectacular view as the fog had lifted and the palm trees, side of the mountain farms, and distant mud shacks filled the vast landscape.  We were able to find the grassy air strip which will enable missionaries and patients to fly between the current hospital and the new hospital up north.  Have you seen a grass air strip in real life?  I hadn’t but it makes you feel like real missionaries out in the middle of nowhere.  I enjoyed the conversation with people close to my own age at one point we began to share our testimonies.  How amazing that after meeting people just the day before and walking down a mountain with them, you can be engaged in a meaningful and personal conversation because you all share the bond of Christ.  The more I meet people from all over the world, I realize that Christians are really brothers and sisters in Christ and we have a responsibility to each other to encourage one another and speak the truth.

The lady I life with is a midwife at the hospital which keeps her busy but she never delays from wanting to help me.  As an independent person myself, I feel bad to make her do things for me, like chop up my vegetables to eat but I think she likes the idea of taking care of someone.  I appreciate her tremendously and she is tolerating me even when I only take a few bites of Banku or Fufu.  Wednesday night, I had decided I needed to spend quality time with her so I promised to teach her how to crochet thanks to my wonderful friend Barb.  However, first she insisted on cooking me dinner and steaming the green beans that Bea gave for herself and not me.  She definitely loves to serve!  Anyways, during the preparation of dinner, the power went out so there went our planned activity of crocheting. Number one rule, never plan anything, because it will never work out the way you plan.  Anyways, we ate in the dark and then watched a movie that I had borrowed which she loved.  It is interesting watching American movies with Africans as they have not experienced all of the same things so you have to explain a lot of it or sometimes I feel embarrassed of all we have that they exploit on movies.  However, they get so into it and that is fun to watch.  Needless to say, we are bonded and I am happy to live with her. 

One night while I waited outside the hospital for a moto, a man pulled up on his moto packed with bags and other goods  He got off, took off his coat, and put it on the ground where he proceeded to pray the Muslim prayers with his prayer beads.  I found this interesting as he was right in front of the Christian hospital but no one seemed to mind.  I mean of course we want him to know Jesus Christ but what a blessing that the Christians don’t give him a hard time as this won’t win him to Christ.  When he finished, he got up, talked some with the people close by, and then hopped on his moto to begin his treck up the mountain.  This reminds me, especially after the tragedies in the world, that we must pray for the Muslims to accept Christ and look for opportunities to share the Good News with them.

We have one day left until teacher training and we are frantically trying to get everything done although the end is near!  God has sustained us through these last few weeks and all summer for Bea while we rewrite curriculum or implement new changes.  I had the opportunity to take fables and rewrite them for the third grade students and I wrote a value curriculum for all grades to use.  I am really excited to share these with the teachers and help instill in them the importance of teaching values to the children.  Today I spent a good deal at this little thin walled cement copier business finishing the last of our books.  Actually the building is rather large compared to the small copier they have inside.  It looks like it is from the 90’s and it can’t even do two sided.  However, the man has adapted and he does around 15 copies then puts the paper back into the bottom so he can do 15 copies on the other side.  Voila!  Two sided paper!  I promise I will never complain about taking a long to copy papers as it took over an hour to make 200 hundred double sided papers.  The power going off didn’t help although that was only for a few minutes.  Part of the culture is you just learn to wait and accept life as it is.  It is finished and that is all that matters. 

Here in Togo, I am now called  a Yovo, which is the equivalent of an Obrunei(white person) in Ghana.  However, the Togolese children get presentation points as they have a little song to go with their chant of yelling Yovo at me whenever possible.  “Yovo, Yovo, Bon soir.  Comment ca va? bien.”  (White person, white person, good evening, how are you?  Fine)  Of course this is done in a high pitched sing songy voice worth hearing at least once but probably not a thousand times a day.  I am trying to teach the children in my area my name so they won’t call me Yovo anymore but this might take some time as it did in Ghana. 

I love the culture and the people here as it never gets old to ride on motos, see men in full suits riding motos with plantains on the back, watching a small boy get on the back of a moto after he puts his machete on the side, or walking outside to chickens right on the doorstep, or watching the morning fog rise from the mountains.  This is Togo and this is now home where I can pour my heart into these wonderful children and adults. 

Please pray for the teacher training beginning on Monday.  Pray the teachers will be excited to teach, will listen to our advice, and actually implement these new ideas in the classroom.  I have waited long enough for this and I am ready to begin working alongside the Togolese and offering a quality education to the children based upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. 

Sheep in the Headlights

I embarked on a journey a week ago Saturday that I have taken before.  This journey was filled with tears, loneliness, and excitement as I made my final farewell to my loving family and then greeted my extended family in Ghana.  Alas, I was met with the familiar sounds and not always pleasant smells of Ghana.  However, my usual journey to Ghana was only a resting place until my long awaited arrival to Togo.  The original plan was to leave Accra on Thursday, but this was changed immediately due to difficult circumstances at AIS.  School was cancelled for three days so my friend Kim and I did the only sensible thing we could do; go to the market and get 1500 notebooks!  Yes it seems a ridiculous amount  but when you have 14 schools, you need that many notebooks.  We took our usual trip to the market in a trotro and in minutes of arriving, told the man at the stationary store our request.  The difficult part was waiting for the notebooks to actually arrive from another shop as I very well know that “just around the corner” actually means the man is an hour away.  The notebooks came in a shuffled mess all in the back a large van.  They then went to work at the meticulous job of counting the notebooks and putting them in a box well over its capacity.  Kim and I were trying to figure out the best way to take all these notebooks on a trotro until the driver offered to take us home but of course for a small fee.  So, we rode in the front seat of a van with a complete stranger all the way, but it was better than lugging heavy boxes through Medina.  One of my greatest joys came on Tuesday when I had kid’s club with all the street children that I have learned to love for three years.  Our faces were covered with face crayons, we were dirty from playing soccer, and we read every book at least several times.  We did our usual singing of songs and we acted out the story of Jonah with much laughter and dramatic interpretation.  Afterwards, I gave them their usual beginning of the year package with erasers, pencils, sharpeners, etc.  They knew exactly what would be in it but this time I added an extra surprise by putting in a printed picture of last year with our tie-dye shirts.  It was sad to see them go and I had to explain to them that I had to move to Togo but I covered them with the JOY stamp and told them now that they must pass on the JOY to others. 
    There was finally school on Thursday and it was a joyous day as I saw my beautiful students from the years before.  In fact, I was able to teach the fifth grade quite a lot Thursday and Friday , who was my very first second grade class, due to their teacher having other responsibilities.  I quickly became a teacher by coming up with lessons on the spot and had a grand time visiting with all the students.  Although I loved being there, God gave me a blessing as I wasn’t too upset and didn’t miss teaching.  The Lord has guided my steps for Togo and gave me the peace that I needed to be there.

       Saturday was the big day where I finally left with all of my belongings with my good friends Kim and Sheree.  Everything took up the entire vehicle and we hit the road where we spent around two hours at the border getting through bribes, random car payments and waiting to receive our visas when large trotro of people kept passing by.  The trip was even complete with several funeral possessions, a marching band, and a gun salute although we were afraid they were shooting at us.  We joked that Kim and Sheree were taking me to college for the first time but it was definitely not a typical college trip although my parents car broke down the first time I was going but I don’t remember bleating goats tied up on a motorcycle or policemen looking for food.  Seven hours later, we finally arrived at our destination and I had that tingling feeling you get all over when you go to a place of great memories like Taylor, camp, and of course my own house.  At that moment, I knew for sure that I needed to be in Togo and what a blessing that I have arrived after only knowing for certain last February.  What a blessing the Lord has given me and it is my responsibility to stay focused on His work and glorifying Him.  I am very pleased with my little house which is directed towards the green mountains, patches of corn fields, and wondering chickens.  There are many children to love and new friends to help my French improve. 

  When I was in high school learning French, I would have never imagined that I would actually use my French in a foreign country.  I am sure I would have paid attention a slight more as a whole church service in French was a lot to conquer on Sunday but I usually picked up words at the beginning of the sentence and at the end.  I spent the afternoon tackling my room full of suitcases although I can’t do much until I have an armoire built.  It might not be much of a room, but it works and I love being surrounding by French, Ewe, chickens squawking, goats bleating, and the laughter of happy children.  In the evening I walked to a friend’s house to get a ride to the ABWE compound for an English service but she was not feeling well so I decided to walk there.  However, the journey seemed longer than usual on foot and before I knew it, the darkness had blanketed me.  As a city girl in Accra, there were usually street lights, unless the lights were off, but there were none here.  However, the Lord was my light along with a legoman keychain that happened to have a small light on the lego feet courtesy of my good friend Kim.  Anyways, I made it despite the darkness and should have taken a moto although I had no change with me.  I think the missionaries are beginning to understand what a mess I am but I am resourceful.  Needless to say, they did take me home afterwards.  Monday , I walked to La Lumiere, the school I will mainly be working with, which was having summer school classes.  I just followed the procession of children to the school and watched awhile until I found myself knee deep in school supplies at Bea’s house.  Yes, we have our work to do in order to get ready for teacher training in two weeks but the Lord provides.  I took a break in the afternoon to go the market with the first grade teacher as Monday is market day of course.  I enjoyed her company as I concentrated on every work she spoke and she took great pride in making sure I didn’t get lost by even holding my hands at time.  I have had my share of African markets but she was taking her job seriously.  You learn in school how to buy food and such so it was fun to actually try out those vocabulary words.  The lady selling onions interested me the most as she kept her money hidden in a pile of onions.  I think that money would have a distinct smell, what do you think?  Out of the trip, I only bought a watch and soap but there are plenty of more market trips to take so I must pace myself.  On my way back to the hospital on the back of a moto, a taxi came upon us rather quickly and could not pass due to traffic the other.  Thus, it had to make a quick decision by swerving to the right and running into a small shelter make of wooden poles and a straw roof.  It was quite a scene as the shelter collapsed on top of the taxi but the taxi just pulled out from under it and continued on.  Thank goodness no one was injured but such is life here; things happen and you just keep going.  To be honest, I am not a big fan of the motos, yes it is an adrenaline rush but swerving around one pothole to another makes me quite uneasy. I know there is a Savior because he is the only one keeping us safe.  Well, that probably isn’t a pleasant thought to end with but it is reality and we must constantly praise the Lord for his grace.   Tuesday, I prepared my office at school and translating Bible curriculum from English to French with an online translator as I am not that good yet.  I have been missing interaction with children but  as I was unpacking I had to get out the multitude of crayons and other fun goodies that teachers always have and share with the kids still hanging out around the school.  I am excited to spend time with the children in my neighborhood and love on them but right now we are busy and it pains me to not play with them although I did take a few minutes this morning to throw a tennis ball around with two boys.  I must pace myself and keep focused on the task of preparing a great year for the teachers.  I have talked to a few of the teachers  and they have already asked me if I would be here a long time.  I pray that is the plan but God is in control.  I am so thankful for the provisions he has given me to get me this far and He knows the following steps. 

I love trying to use my French although it is difficult when they don't understand me at all and just laugh.  I know they are laughing to make fun of me but it still loses my self-esteem to try again.  One night a man came to the house and was talking to the lady I live with.  I started to ask him if he works and he told me he was a farmer.  I said that was a good profession but he said no.  He had to farm because he had a moto accident and hurt his leg.  I totally missed him saying that part in French and felt horrible for missing that part of the conversation.  All part of it I guess!  Then later, he was carrying something in and I said he was strong but I made strong the female version and I met more laughter although I corrected myself quickly.  Never a dull moment.

Thursday, I had to take a break from work and travel down to Lome, the capital, to get a one year visa.  I guess it would be good to be legal in the country for awhile.  I went with one of the missionary nurses and was amazed at her driving as here you constantly have to swerve around animals, motorcycles, cars, and potholes.  The vehicles seem to pull out in front of you all the time or just randomly slow down which causes for some seat gripping moments but we are all still alive.  On the way back home, a herd of sheep started to pass in front of us and my friend put on the horn.  They all crossed except for one who froze in the middle of the rode and looked at us sheepishly(ha!) She put on the breaks, kept honking, and the sheep finally woke up to run to safety as all we ran over was his leash.  We started laughing and my friend said it was like a sheep caught in the headlights instead of a deer.  I thought about that for a few moments and realized I feel like that.  I am God's sheep and there are time where my eyes are big and I am just frozen as I am not sure what I am doing.  However, I froget that I am the Lord's and he is my Shepherd and will protect me from harm.  I am overwhelmed at moments and the harvest is many but he has prepared us all for  job and as long as we keep our focused on him, I do not have to be that sheep int he headlights.

Yesterday, Saturday, I found myself correcting curriculum with Bea and occasionally sitting outside to work so I could soak up the powerul rays.  On my way home, a hospital employee was leaving on his moto so he kindly offered me a ride.  After small talk in French, he asked me if I was French or German.  Ha, what a compliment to think he thought my French was authentic.  He became an instant friend.  We had a peasant conversation on the way into town and at one point he asked me why I am in Africa.  Before I could answer, he said did you come because of God.  I said yes, God has put me here and I am thankful for that.  Then he proclaimed, "You are no Jonah!  You did not run from God but went where He told you to go.  I had to laught at this because sometimes although I might go where he asks, I am still wishing I was somewhere else on the inside or questioning why the Lord maybe has me here if I can actually do the job.  I selfish are my thoughts as I do not want to be Jonah.  I want to full heartedly serve the Lord where he has placed me and be confident but humble in the gifts he has given me.  I love the meaningful conversations I have been able to have with the Togolese so far.  I learn so much about their culture and their hearts by taking the time to just listen to them.  I thank the Lord for the provisions he has given me to be here and pray that I continue to focus on Him for strength and guidance.

This week will be filled with more preparation for the teacher training in a week.  It is hard to not be more active but getting all the materials prepared now will ensure a great school year.  I pray that today, Sunday, will find you resting in the Grace of our Heavenly Father!