Open-Door Policy

Have you ever looked out the door while sititng in church and watched chickens pass over the doorstep? Neither have I until now when this is a weekly sight, especially since I sit right by the side door.  All of the doors are always open during church and instead of windows, the top half of the walls are all hexagon shaped openings to allow the breeze to enter.  With all this openness, it brings many welcomed sounds, sights, and smells(although those are not always welcomed.)  While I was looking out the door last Sunday while I was listening(trying to) I realized that it does make the church so more inviting when you can almost see everything going on from the outside and hear everything from a block away.  This makes the church a welcoming place, that shows others that we are not ashamed to show how we are worshipping the Lord.  It also allows people to come in freely, I mean they can't disturb church with the creak of a door when they are already open.  Now, I am not suggesting that every church in America should keep their doors open and cut out holes instead of windows in their walls. This would welcome many snowstorms during the winter and I understand this would not be a great idea.  However, are we willing to be open as Christians to others?  Are we willing to stand for the name of Jesus, and even let down our guard to share our struggles, so others can ultimately see His glory?  I want to proclaim to the roof tops and show it in my demeanor that "I am not ashamed to be a Christian, and to be an open book so people can see the work the Lord has done in me!"  If you know me well, you know I have my struggles, many struggles, but I am a living testimony that God does work miracles and turns everything for His good when we turn towards Him.  So, you might not be able to keep your doors open during church but how can you, and me, think of ways to keep "our doors open" to others so we can share Christ with others and they can witness His saving grace. 

This past week(I am speaking from the 22nd to the 29th of October)  was another blessed week of getting to know the students more and finding ways to help the teachers.  We spent Wednesday visiting the Kpalime schools which are facing some difficulties with lack of teachers and who to hire.  Please pray for the pastors, that they will have wisdom in this matter and look for ways that will glorify the Lord and be the most beneficial for the students.  I visited another school where they just started a KG and they have no materials.  So my task at the moment is finding things for them to do.  I will return next week to share ideas to begin centers and develop a curriculum. 

I also had the privilege of helping in the KG room at La Lumiere, where I teach.  She has 40 students and when they normally arrive in the morning, they just sit there with their backpacks on.  She won't give them anything to do because they will put it in their backpacks.  So the first order of business was hanging up the backpacks with clothespins so they were out of the way.  Then I set out different activities around the room so the children could choose an activity to do.  She was shocked that it actually worked as the children were quiet and less of them cried when they entered the room.  By the end of the week, she was putting out the centers on her own and very proud of herself!  It just takes showing them that change can be good and work but I have to actually do it with them.  This is a problem with the other schools as i am not there all the time to implement it but we are taking one day at a time.  I do love working with my middle school students and they are starting to pick up English rather fast.  They are starting to realize that there are other ways to learn English than just memorizing all the words.  Wednesday afternoon, I spent time just playing games with the girls which was a lot of fun to get to know them outside of the classroom.  Of course none of them show up on time but they do show up eventually.  We spent time playing Uno, jumping rope, and of course playing soccer.  These girls spend a lot of time working in the fields or helping their parents at home so it is important to give them time to play and just be kids.  Most important, through my love for them, I want to show them that they have a God that loves them more than anything.  Thursday afternoon, I spent time teachign them how to make friendship bracelets.  We are just trying to find small ways that maybe they could make money so they can rely on themselves instead of boys for things.  I will also be doing a bible study during the time but not all of the girls came in time so we will begin officially next week with that.  Friday was a day off but some of them still came to learn friendship bracelets or to play soccer.  Of course I wanted to get work done but it is important to be available for them and show that I am willing to take time to help them.  Please pray for more opportunities to talk to the girls and that the Lord would give me the right words in French.  I did ask some of the girls if they went to church and why they did so.  They said, of course to learn about the words of God but I am not sure if they understand that they can rely on him for every moment.  One of the girls asked me to go to her church, which is the other Baptist church not very far away.  I said I would go this coming week and now she asks me every day if I am still going.  I don't think she has anyone else to go with her and so I am thrilled to do this with her.  God continues to be good and faithful to us all here.  I pray you are all enjoying the first day of November and staying warm as I continue to sweat!

Joyful Hellos, Difficult Goodbyes

Last Sunday was filled with celebrations of how the Lord has worked through Harry and Bea Ward.  The impact they made was evident as numerous people gave testimonies, sang songs, and preached about missions.  Although it is difficult to see them leave, we praise the Lord for the mighty work he has done in their life and continues to do so.  Sunday afternoon, I went to a program at church for the young women which is any age from 13 to single women.  The time was spent learning new songs, praying to stay pure in the Lord, and reading scripture about allowing God to abide in us.  Most of the meeting was done in Ewe except for the bible reading which were all done in French.  It was interesting to me that they read the bible in one language but then read the bible in another.  They are so talented.  Thankfully, the first grade teacher from school went and she translated everything into French for me.  I have enjoyed getting involved in church and getting to know other women who are just wanting to please the Lord through their lives.

Monday, Bea and I found ourselves on the road again as we visited three schools which Dongoyo being the farthest.  This school is in Kara which is closer to Benin and about 6 hours away.  Although it was a long journey, I love seeing the countryside and it actually feeling like Africa with the dirt roads and tropical foliage.  I loved visiting the Kara school as they only have 60 children and most of them understand French better than the mother tongue.  We arrived right before school commenced again for the afternoon session so this gave me ample time to play games with all the kids.  I love interacting with all of them and seeing their smiling faces to play with a Yovo.  I was also impressed with their classrooms and the posters they hang everywhere to make up for lack of lighting.  We then left early Tuesday morning to visit the rest of the schools 5 hours south in Lome.  What a blessing it was to see the teachers active in their students’ learning and making the best of their situations.   Some of the rooms are very small and tight and others just have too many students like 70 in a second grade room.  I visited one second grade room before school started for the afternoon.  I was pointing to the pictures of Moses and they were telling me all about the life of Moses and how his sister Miriam put him in the river.  I was so impressed by their ability to understand stories in the Bible and I tried to express the love that the Lord has for them.  They even understood the French lessons that I had helped the teachers with over the summer which is a great sign. 

By Wednesday afternoon, we had successfully visited 14 schools in 5 days so Bea could have a picture of each school and pray with all the teachers.   I missed two days of teaching but it has been so helpful to see the large picture with the functioning of all the schools. Please pray for one school in particular who is struggling at the moment to pay their teachers.  Pray they take the responsibility for their own action and decide what is best to do. 

I have forgotten to tell you about a huge prayer request.  A Togolese man who has helped Bea for years has three daughters.  The youngest one, four years old, became very ill a few weeks ago and they discovered that she has a tumor in her head.  This is a huge concern in the states, but we are in a third world country where there are no brain surgeons.  After looking at many options, they have decided to transport her to the states for surgery.  Of course this is difficult to do as she first has to receive a national card before she can get a passport.  A national card is pretty much an easy way for the government to make money.  While we were in Lome on Wednesday, we went to the national government office and with the help of a lawyer, we were able to get her papers signed.  I must explain that when we entered the office, there were stacks of the pink national papers by the secretary office, just hanging out in the hallway.  They looked like they had been picked up several times after falling from run-ins.  What a fabulous filing system and we wonder why things take forever here.  The paper was supposed to be signed by the afternoon but now we are waiting on the passport and then the visa for the stats.  Please pray that she can fly to the states by the end of this week to have the surgry.  God is sovereign. 

I was excited to return to my school on Thursday and everyone was very friendly to welcome me back.  I was especially grateful to see my students and continue learning English.  They don’t understand why we don’t write more down because I need them to understand instead of just copy down words to memorize so we are learning to trust each other.  I have been helping the middle school teacher create some activities to help with verb conjugations and I watched an excellent lesson as he had the students match the words together in a variety of ways.  I was really impressed.  Well, at one point he did have a student kneel on the dirt ground because he didn’t conjugate the verbs correctly but we are taking baby steps.  The math teacher asked me why he shouldn’t announce the students’ grades aloud.  I tried my best to explain that it could stop the kids from trying if they get discouraged but I don’t know if I convinced him.  He also had the tests arranged from worst to best so I quickly shuffled them around while he was talking to the students.  I know I am a pain but these middle school teachers haven’t had much training so I am trying to help them out although my methods might not be the best way.  Bea has taught me that we must help the teachers understand why we do certain things in a certain way.  The teachers must constantly be thinking, are the students benefiting if I call their answers aloud or leave the room for 10 minutes at a time.  It is all about forming new habits which I am still working on as well.  I feel bad giving them advice but I try to remember that I am learning as well and don’t have all the answers.  We are all a work in progress.

 

The beginning of the week came with beautiful welcomes, and the end of the week brought tough good byes as Harry and Bea left for Ghana to fly out today.  I have enjoyed every moment with the Wards and have learned so much about the culture and how to best help the schools.  The Togolese are very thankful for their ministry here and I will never be able to replace them, just continue the work that they have started.  Luckily, they are only an email away and I know we will be in constant contact.  I have been privileged to have an amazing mentor and I must now make her proud by staying focused on the schools. 

Saturday brought an exciting adventure as I traveled into Ghana to meet up with my friend Kim from AIS.  We met about 2 hours outside of Accra by Lake Volta which is the largest man-made lake in the world(There is your interesting fact of the day!)  I know it seemed ridiculous to travel 4 hours to see someone for about 4 hours but it was so worth it as she is a dear friend.  We also like to do ridiculous things so this was right up our alley.  I was able to hire a moto to take me to the border and then took trotro’s the rest of the way.  I kept wanting to speak French while in Ghana but my Ghanaian accent luckily came back and I was good to go.  I was so blessed with the opportunity to see her and I love traveling the countryside as God has created so many spectacular sights for our eyes. 

This week I have learned that friends come and go for a season of time but the Lord continues to be there for us day in and day out.  There is never a moment that he leaves us nor forsakes us and what a huge blessing that is to constantly have the Lord by our sides through thick and think.  Continue to thank the Lord for his blessings that He gives us each day, no matter how small it seems. 

Smiling Throughout the Day

Oh what a glorious week it has been as God has given me the opportunity to teach in the classroom again!  I must admit that I was a  little rusty in my teaching techniques but it was a blessing to be with children.  I must say that the first day of school  was one that I have never experienced before.  It took forever for school to start as they were still registering for school and most of the classes have over 50 children.  We are happy for the numbers but it is hard to accomplish anything with so many students.  I spent sometime with the KG students and I got out the blocks for them to play with but none of them knew what to do.  Luckily, I am an expert on playing and had to build with the blocks first before they began to touch them and build towers.  I was surprised but this but I guess now is the perfect time to teach them.

In the afternoon, I taught my two English classes and loved the interaction with the children.  I did things totally different than they are use to as I spoke in English most of the time and had them act out everything I did.  They were confused at first as they usually take notes about everything but after awhile they began to enjoy the new way of learning.  The French teacher told them they were going to learn how to speak English like a white person and have an american accent but then he tried to translate everything to them in French.  I had to nicely explain to him that there was a reason that I was speaking in English and after a few days he began to see the benefits.  Please pray that I can memorize all of their names as I have 36 7th grade students and 8 8th grade students.  The 8th grade students are all new to the school as the school is just old enough for the 7th grade class to have gone through the other grades so we are happy with these brave 8 who have decided to try our school.  What a blessing that there are so many children who can hear about Christ each and every day!

Tuesday morning, I was walking around the classrooms, when I peered into first grade where they were busily playing with playdough and finding the proper way in which to handle it.  I then glanced to the left where all the KG students were using the bathroom outside and then glanced to the right where the many second grade students were left alone in their class.  It definitely differs from class to class but I am praying for ways to encourage these teachers to stay engaged with their students all day.  Yes, it is tiring with so many students but we only have so much time to share Christ with them.  I enjoy watching the first grade teacher as I think we are very similar in teaching styles.  The kids were already learning and memorizing a bible verse on the very first day.  The uses playdough and lots of gestures to engage the kids.  The kids throw their backpacks in a pile by her desk so they are not using them during the day which is something I would definitely do.  The best part was though, when she was explaining the difference between high and low, she stood on the desks to get the point across of high.  I loved it as I spent many of moments standing on desks.  I think you just remember things better that way!

Later in the day, I was watching a middle school chemistry class and afterwards was talking with the teacher about different ways to make it interactive.  I then showed him how he could use playdough to make the different atoms and I had about 4 teachers around me making hydrogen, water, you name it!  They asked when they would get their playdough but I told them they just had to borrow it from first grade.  I am opening their minds to a new way of teaching but I also want them to know that I am learning as well and don't have all the answers. 

The week continued as I watched classes and listened to books of the bible being sung in French,  Bible verses being memorized, and praise being given for the great work of the students.  I met with the French teacher to ask him what he observed when I taught.  The first thing he said was you smile all the time.  I almost laughed at this was instead said, well I love teaching, so it is impossible not to smile.  To me, smiling and laughing are a natural part of teaching but as I watched the other teachers they kind of a have a concerned look on their face during the period.  Bea said that I look at all the students to make sure they are participating while most teachers just stare in the same direction.  There are things that I just take for granite but realize are not a usual practice for most.  However, I should never take even smiling for granite as it can be such a comfort to kids who never receive smiles from others.  What's the saying?  Smile and the world smiles with you?  I struggle some days because I don't know how much of a difference I am making but I have learned to be faithful in the small things and if I must smile to help ease the tension and make them feel loved, then that is what I will do. 

On Thursday, Bea and I traveled to Kpalime(don't pronounce the K) where we have 4 schools but is only a half an hour away from where we live.  Bea wants to have a picture of each school before she leaves and pray with all the teachers.  I loved seeing all the children in their cute little uniforms learning scripture and feeling loved in their environment.  At each school, we would gather all the students outside for a picture and then the driver and I would sing songs with the kids while Bea talked with the teachers.  The students would sing a song and then when they would finish, another student would just start singing another and they would all chime in.  It was amazing to watch and of course they are children so after awhile it got a little rowdy but it was so fun to be part of an atmosphere where we were all praising the Lord in either Ewe, French, or English.  On Friday, we went to a school about an hour away where all the teachers have matching uniforms.  Now, when I say it is an hour ride, I really mean that there are so many craters in the ground that it takes a few minutes to drive through or around each on.  At some points, there is not a paved road at all, but just one crater joined to another crater with large muddy puddles inside of them.  It makes for a nauscious sort of ride but thankfully the view of the mountains with the rocks jutting out of the foliage helped compensate for this.  We also took a picture at La Lumiere where I work.  This actually was the most challenging place because they didn't understand the concept of all standing close together so I could get them all in the same picture.  We finally made it though and then I dashed off to teach my class.  The students wanted to learn a song so we sang "If you are happy and you know it."  They loved it but wanted to copy the words.  I told them that it is more important they listen to me first and learn the words before they just copy it but again, it is engrained in them that they just copy down everything they do. 

The first week of school ended with a work project in the afternoon for the older students although some younger ones came as well.  Of course at first, we played soccer untilt he majority showed up which I thought was a good use of time.  Now, when the students came back to work, can you imagine what they brought with them?  They of course brought their machetes, hoes, and brooms from palm branches.  This definitely is a different sight than in America because first of all could you imagine a principal telling kids to come back later and clean up the yard with their outdoor tools.  I am sure the principal would have a lawsuit against him or something.  Anyways, for awhile the students did busy themselves with hoeing up the weeds, cutting down the tall grass, or sweeping out the classrooms.  One group even made a bridge to go over the muddy path.  I even did some weeding with the hoe to everyone's surprise but it is my school to so I must take part.  I had a little group of boys who rushed to pick up the weeds I had left behind and they were even stealing weeds from each other so they would have the most.  Whatever keeps them entertained.  Now, these are still children so after while they did become tired of working so decided to play instead.  Please remember that these children were carrying hoes, brooms, and machetes with them.  So please picture with me children running around and playing while still holding their tool of choice.  It makes one dangerous playground but I none of the reported any injuries.

What a blessing it was to begin school and see the Lord work in mighty ways this week.  Please continue to pray for good conversations with the teachers and that I can begin to share Christ with the students.  Also pray as Bea and I travel a great distrance in 3 days to visit the remaining 8 schools. 

Finalement, La Rentree!

After months of planning and weeks of cutting out materials, the day has finally come, as I have expressed above, finally, the first day of school.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the last month of cutting out clocks and laminating posters, but I am ready to teach and be with the students.  I have been blessed to have had the time to adjust and to acclimate to the curriculum before being thrown into everything but it is a blessing to finally do what I love the most, being with the students!   Although I have been anticipating Monday to come, the past week has been filled with milestones as I am beginning to settle into my life here.  Well, the week started off interesting as on my way home from Bea’s house, the moto I was riding on suddenly got a flat tire.  We began to swerve from left to right and at one point, it was so close to the ground that I had to put my left foot down.  Fortunately, the driver was also able to get his feet on the ground and stabilized before we hit the pavement.  I am not sure why I am sharing this story, but the main point is God provides in every way, even keeping a motorcycle from tipping over when it should have.  After I hopped off quickly, some bystanders came over to ask us if we were okay.  They said to me, “Bon courage” and were very comforting.  I admit that I was a little shaken up after that, but God provided and all was well. I did receive a gift after this event as my armoire was delivered.  I am no longer living out of a suitcases, but have a fresh smelling varnish armoire to neatly stack my clothes in. 

Well, if that was too boring for you to read, maybe I can find something more interesting.   Oh I finally finished laminating clocks this week and Philo, the lady I live with, helped me poke the holes in them for the brads.  She kept saying, “You try” and enjoyed using the locks herself as students never had manipulatives to use in class.  At one point, she left and came back with this mischievous look.  I then realized she had a sharp tool in her hand in which to poke the holes in the clock.  This worked wonders and we finished the process quickly.  I enjoy spending time with Philo and sharing with her new things that she has never experienced before. 

I was walking down the main street in town, going to the copy man, one of my favorite pastimes, and I heard a little voice calling to me from a shop.  I just assumed that he was calling me Yovo, but alas he was actually calling out “Davi Christy” (Sister Christy)  Oh happy Day!  It gets better because on Friday, I passed this small group of children by the road cheering out Yovo, I said hello and kept walking until all of a sudden one of them quietly said Davi Christy.  Ok, to most, this is not a big thing but I don’t want to be just another white person to these children but I want to be their Auntie, or bring a smile to their face because they actually know me.  Just wait, because it gets even better!  There are a few children who live a few doors down from me whose father works at the hospital.  I finally took the time to play with them and they kept calling me, “Davi Christy.”  I am saddened that it took me over a month to really love on these children but I guess it is never too late.  I am praying for the opportunity to begin a kid’s club for these children and someone who speaks Ewe as most of the children do not know French.  What a blessing it is to being smiles and laughter to small children who are overlooked or work at a young age.  Last Sunday, I was walking to the hospital, when I came across some girls in their early teens, walking home carrying large bowls on their heads.  Their mother tongue is Cabille but to communicate, they would ask each other how to say something in French, and then they would pose the question to me.  They would say things like I like your hair(they have to cut theirs off)  or you walk fast which is true.  They were so cute and it was a blessing to just love on these children and tell them that they are beautiful because the Lord made them special. 

Since the word is getting around that I am teaching English at the school, everyone wants to take advantage of this.  Some high school boys approached me after church last week to ask if they could take some lessons from me since the English lessons at school are not adequate to learn the language.  Then, there is a nursing student at the hospital who also wants to improve his English.  He lives in the house behind mine which is very convenient and we had our first lesson last Friday night.  Please pray for the opportunity to help these young people learn English but most importantly that I will have a platform to share Christ with them. 

Last Thursday, Roger and I met with the other middle school teachers to encourage the before school began.  They seemed excited to work with the students and Roger expressed the importance of sharing Christ with their students.  After this, they decided to write the middle school schedule on the chalkboard.  Now, this is where my American culture does not match with the French way of making everything perfect.  To begin with, it took them at least ten minutes to draw the lines for this huge table.  Then they had to color code everyone’s name and subject that they would teach which took another 20 minute decision.  Almost an hour later, we had this masterpiece on the wall to show the schedule but in my American mind, I just wanted to say, slap it on there, we are wasting time.  However, this is a time when I must accept their culture and enjoy the slower pace life that it brings.  If they want to spend time on this, that is their decision.  Yes, patience is a blessing from God.  So, we now have a schedule set and we are ready for school on Monday!  I will be teaching mostly in the afternoon so I can visit other schools in the morning.  I am going to focus on the Kg-2^nd grade to help them use centers so they can work with small groups.  The first grade teacher at La Lumiere was training a new first grade teacher and it was so encouraging to each her talk.  She was telling him the importance of using different teaching styles since all the students learn differently.  She also stressed the importance of having a lot of patience and just love for the students as many of them do not receive love at home as their parents work long hours.  Sometimes they don’t want to do any work but when she takes the time to listen to the, she realized a lot of them have missed meals or have not slept.  She also is passionate about sharing Christ with her students as she told us that it is important to pray with her students since they might not hear about God at home.  I was very encouraged to listen to her each day and look forward to working with her this year.

Roger and I decided that each Friday afternoon I would spend two hours with the middle school girls to teach them life skills and to help give them confidence so they can say no to temptation.  Roger said that a lot of girls will say that it is impossible to resist this temptation as it is the way of life but I want these girls’ to have a future and get out of poverty.  However, Roger also expressed that most Togolese don’t make goals for themselves or think about the future as they must think about where they will get their next meal.  This is a problem but I pray that I can glean understanding in their culture so they can see the Lord as a light in their life, a light that they can run to, instead of running to a boy for happiness.  Philo, who is a midwife, told me the number is staggering of young girls who are pregnant and want an abortion.  A boy gives them money and food so they are willing to do anything for him.  Unfortunately, the boy leaves, their family abandons them, and they are left pregnant without a choice.  She pinpoints the main problem on poverty which is not a new scientific finding although researchers probably should have asked her before they spent years figuring this out.  However, we have a tool that most researchers do not use.  We have Jesus Christ, and if we share the Good News with these girls, that he is worth following more than a boy, we can end the cycle of poverty, and they can make a future for themselves.  Her eyes were filling with tears as she spoke this to me as she has seen too many girls give up their lives due to a pregnancy.  This will not be easy but by listening to the Lord’s will, I know he can being to shine light in these young girls’ lives so they can run to him for warmth, food, and happiness instead of temptation. 

 

So, kind of a heavy topic to share with maybe strangers but it is on my heart so I must share it.  I also say this week two piglets , millions of pregnant goats, and wild turkeys just in a small radius of my house.  Maybe this information will lighten the mood!  The world is filled with darkness but continue to be a light for the Lord in wherever you may serve!

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!

No Worries

This past week I was with a 12 year -old bowling when he started answering "What if" type of questions.  Then he asked one that really got me thinking.  He asked, "If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?" Wow, it took me awhile to think of that one.  I definitely have made my mistakes and haven't loved my family as I should have but most importantly I have fallen more in love with my Savior and have learned to allow him to control my life.  So, I would tell myself not to worry, and instead focus on Christ above all other matters.  I am sure I would have not understood and laughed at my older self as I worried about everything and was afraid I would  never do anything with my life.  Oh I was so uptight!  Anyways, my point is that I am so thankful that the Lord has given me experiences, like living in Ghana, to help me to be less worried and rely more on Him.  I still can't believe that I am the same person but I am a testimony that the Lord can change a person.  Our goal is to desire Christ more than anything else and the only way to do that, is to praise Him and let goal of my selfishness and pride.

All of this is to say, recently I have had a choice to worry about my future or allow God to make the path.  It shocks me that I have this disposition, but it is a blessing that I am not worried about all the little details that need to fall in place.  In less than a month, I am traveling back to Ghana and then moving to Togo.  When I even think about the word Ghana, so many memories and people flood my mind, oh how I miss teaching those beautiful children, and talking to the Ghanian people, but I know God has designed the next path to Togo.  In the process of getting to Togo, there is so much curriculum I must work on, I need to learn French, and I still do not have enough funds to stay for the year.  However, I have a plane ticket for August 25th and I am going!   Am I working diligently on these issues?  Yes, but am I worried?  NO.  Where does worrying get me?  Maybe an ulcer but that is about it.  However, by not worrying, I am allowing God to get the glory as He will work out all the details.  I know He will help me transition to Togo,  I know the French will come sometime soon, and I know without a doubt that God will provide the funds for me to be there for the  year.  It might not be the amount I am hoping for or I think I need, but God will use what I have to glorify His name.  I am a testimony, we all have testimonies how the Lord has provided even when we have doubted and worried.  However, I am finding, that it is so much sweeter to just skip the worrying part and give God the driver's seat as long as you Praise Him all the way through! 

Intentional

First of all, you might have realized that the title at the top of this blog looks a little different.  Before, Ghana was in the title and now, if you smash the first two words together, you have Togo!  I love telling people I am moving to Togo because I just get this stare, and then I realize Togo is not a common vacation spot or even a word anyone has heard from before.  But no need to fear, as it is nicely located to the east of Ghana.  If you blink, you might miss it as it is thing but there is a huge need for the people to have a personal relationship with Christ. 

  The summer is going by quickly through different travels and visiting my lovely friends and family, but God has been busy molding my heart closer to Him.  I am a work in progress and He is still working on me but thank goodness He is patient and still loves me.  I have felt sporadic this summer just like this blog but I think I can get focused if I keep in mind the word intentional.  I am not in a routine, but I need to be intentional about spending time with my Lord.  I must be intentional about praying and giving up all my worries to Him daily.  I need to be intentionally spending time with loved ones and pouring into others instead of worrying about myself.  And of course, I need to be intentional about getting work done for the schools in Togo.  the list seems long and I get overwhelmed easier to I will narrow it down back to the first intentionality point.  If I focus on Christ, everything else will fall into place!  My time at home is short so instead of noticing what I donj't get done, I will focuse on being present for my Savior and enjoying each moment He has given me. 

In these weeks at home, I have also been able to let go some of Ghana.  It will always be a vital part of my life as I learned to overlook germs and dirt, and be more carefree with more trust in the Lord.  However, the Lord has put on my heart to let go of fear and the thought of change for His ultimate plan to serve Him whole heartedly in Togo.  A great burden was lifted off my shoulders when the Lord helped me look to the future and enjoy the amazing plans he has for me right now.  Why should I hold on to things or have fear when the Lord has designed the next stage of my life perfectly?  Why do I thank Him for one thing but then complain aboutu another problem?  There is no reason, for as long as I walk in Faith with the Lord, he will not allow my feet to slip. 

So, this really has been a random blog of thoughts, maybe because it is late and night or early in the morning, but I am still trying to process everything going on.  The bottom line is I am ready to make the change from comfortability in Ghana and move on to new challenges in Togo because I know my Savior is with me at all moments to lead the way!

God's Better Plan

God has definitely switched plans in a quick matter of time.  A week and a half ago I was in Togo riding motorcycles, learning how to greet people after they already sit in the living room, and playing games with kids in French.  Now, for the first time in five months, I am safely at home in good old Bright, Indiana.  God is good and I am so happy to be with my family.  A lot has happened in the last week and I hope to catch up in a short amount of time.  I have left my beloved Ghana where I have taught 2nd grade for threes and have loved investing in my kids.  I am now moving to Togo, which is east of Ghana, to help train local teachers in Christian schools.  God has given me the passion to reach the kids who have little but need to know their savior and receive a great education.  I will be discipling the teachers in their walk with Christ and helping them find great teaching methods.  I thought it would take awhile to get there but God is good and I am going back in September.  I will be staying just for a year as a short term missionary with Fellowship International Mission.  I will then return after this year to raise the rest of my support.  I was so afraid of not getting there quickly and I freaked when plans seemd to fall apart.  Obviously, God's plan was so much better and now I get to go back right away so I can help with the teacher training.  The missionary i will be helping with there, Bea, has to leave for good in October so it is important I am there in early September to help with it all.  What a blessing.  I am learning to not freak and lose focus on God when plans don't work out exactly.  He knows best and God has proved to again knock my socks off.  I am able to come back right away now due to circumstances.  So lesson learned, God's way is definitely better than we could even imagine, even when it seems ludicrous at the time.  For now, I will be trying to adjust to the states and raise support so I can continue to love on the kids in Togo.

My Hope is Found

Hope, a four letter word that packs a powerful punch!  Hope by itself isn't powerful, but hope founded on Jesus Christ is extremely powerful.  I have been reminded this week like all things, life is temporary compared to the hope we have of spending eternity in Heaven with Christ.  My stay in Ghana as a second grade teacher for three years was temporary, and that is okay, because it is all building to the day where I can stand before Christ and praise is Holy name forever. 

This week, I packed up my room, threw our the old papers, turned off my two lights that were actually working, and closed my creaking door for the last time.  As I was shutting it, I was reminded of the many memories spent in that room cutting out games, grading papers, laughing with other teachers, but most importantly making kids smile and watching their brains grasp onto ideas.  I had the opportunity of watching blossoming minds flourish and take a strong hold onto developing their own knowledge.  I will never forget our moments of laughter and joyfulness as we sang songs to Christ, chanted phonics sounds, or yelled simile as many times as we could.  Those moments are irreplaceable and I will cherish the lessons I learned from my little ones as they reminded me how to question, love one another, and be a life long learner. 

We spent the week doing random things of course like having a pajama party complete with a pillow fight and a water party which of course included water balloons and biting ants!  Never leave home without your biting ants to crash any party!  Most classes shut down the last week but we were still reading Freckle Juice and getting Freckles on our faces or writing a cursive alphabet book.  There is never time to stop learning.  It was also a joyful week as four of my students came back who had the chicken pox.  We all had spots to us and joined in with the unique faces.  I love my class who embrace everyone for their differences.  On Thursday, we had the awards program and then I gave out individual awards in my classroom.  I then was going to show a video of the year which I do every year.  Well, as I was about to show it, my computer stopped working even though I tried it earlier.  So, I had to shut down the computer and start again.  Then, right when it was working, the project went out!  God bless Ghana as there is never a dull moment!  We just watched it from my computer and made it work but it made me want to cry as nothing works out the way I want it to.  Alas, this is Ghana, and God has taught me to just flow with the difficulties.  None of the parents really minded, as this is Ghana, and this stuff happens all the time!  It was such a blessing to talk to all the parents and hear their thankfulness for the year.  The parents told me how their students really embraced the concept of Joy, Jesus, Others, and Yourself.  This just made me realize what a huge responsibility it is to teach as they are sponges and pick up everything that is said.  I must instill in them the important issues as they pick up everything that I say.  I will definitely miss the class and teaching in the regular classroom but God has opened the door for this new ministry in Togo and I am excited.  I will be visiting Togo next Monday and Thursday.  I pray that during this time I will stay in tune to God's calling and will be understand how I can be used in this beautiful place.

The hardest goodbye this week was with the kids on the street that I have gotten to know these past three year.  It took all the strength I had to tell them I was leaving.  The whole evening was difficult as we pulled up to the house which African children running everywhere, wearing their tie dye shirts that we had made two weeks ago.  They give joy and love to my being and I am so blessed to know this.  We enjoyed the evening by singing our favorite songs, eating pizza, and watching the Lion King.  That is until our little three year old neighbor tripped over the chord and knocked out the power!  God bless our little friend Rafik!  They are starting to understand that I am leaving although I will be back to visit.  Some of them will come over for one last goodbye and I welcome them with open arms. 

For three years I have poured out my struggles, triumphs, and just observations about this crazy place that I deeply love.  As I look back on the frustrations and smiling moments, I am so thankful that the Lord has taught me patience and unconditional love.  Thank  you for embarking on this journey with me as I couldn't have survived without your support.  I pray that you will remain with me as I prepare for Togo and help the teachers there fulfill their calling to instill Christian principle's in these precious minds.