The Silver Lining

There’s an old saying that man plans and God laughs. I dare say God had more than one belly-laugh at us as we came home from Logba Tota. We were headed home a day early because Rev. James was battling malaria and clearly needed rest. While we hated to miss out on the things that had been set aside for us to see and do on Friday, we realized that it gave us a golden opportunity to return to Potwabin and finish setting up the water purifier there! As we headed southward toward Tema, the four of us began making our plans. We decided that we’d ask Chief Takyi & Pastor Johnson to go with us, and that we’d need the van – but with just 6 people, we ought to be able to leave very early. We reasoned that we could buy a loaf of sweet bread to share for breakfast – that way we might even be able to leave early enough to beat rush-hour traffic as we went through Accra, right? And we could eat lunch at a restaurant in Mankessim – no need for anybody to cook for us. So satisfied with our plan…we...

We woke up in Alavanyo and went outside to take a look around. It had been so late when we arrived we couldnt really tell what the place looked like. The guest house where we stayed was surrounded by vegetation -- corn planted on one side, mango trees and cassava planted on the other side, and forest in the back. Across the street the hills rose up, exposing their rocky faces toward the morning sun. This was a really lovely place! Worshipping with the people in Alavanyo the night before had been such an exhilarating experience! Christ Harvests plants churches all over Ghana; I've had the priviledge of meeting with some of them over the years. This was a new plant, just a few months old, and the people were already looking for a "home" for their church. In order to do this properly, representatives of Christ Harvests had to meet with the chief to request permission. The meeting was scheduled for this morning, and we were to take part in the ceremony. I've had t...

After spending all day in Adigbo Tornuu, we were elated with the success of the water system! I actually hated to leave; a big part of me would have loved to just spend the night in one of those mud huts in the village. I'd love to feel the village rest at night, then wake in the morning. Perhaps one day I will get that opportunity. We shall see. *smile* It's one of those things that I think about doing, and then wonder what kind of reaction my mom & dad would have if they could see it happen. Our van was full, but not over-crowded, as we drove out of the village and into the night. Our next stop was Alavanyo -- but I had no idea how far away it was. Christ Harvests the Nations plants churches all over Ghana. A few months ago, they began a new church in Alavanyo, in the Volta region. Starting with just 5 worshippers, the church grew to 35 in just a few weeks time. We'd been invited to join in their service this evening. We drove for a long time, through sma...

Adigbo Tournuu -- What a glorious day! We shared breakfast at the Chances hotel, where we’d spent the night after our visit to Labo Labo and Kpeve. Fresh fruit, oatmeal, omelets, tea, milo, coffee -- we had our fill, then piled into the van and moved on toward the village of Adigbo Tournu, where we planned to install a water purifier. Pastor John Johnson is one of the most dedicated servant leaders I have ever met. He is the “motorcycle minister” of Christ Harvests, and pastors the Kpeve church while training and mentoring new pastors and assisting in planting new churches. It is through him that we learned about the village of Adigbo Tournu last year. When he took us there, the villagers explained to us that while they had the lake as their water source, it was contaminated; the people there suffer from shistosomiasis -- a parasitic ailment that causes blood in the urine. Clean, pure water would help that village overcome a host of health issues. When we held the initial trainin...

The silk trees stand Giant lone sentinels, like guardian angels Silently watching over the African landscape Each sunrise, each sunset Hot noonday sun and dark moonless nights Still they stand Roots plunge deep deep deep into the soil Intertwining Invisible beneath the ground Like rods of iron they set a foundation That holds for centuries Massive trunks soar straight and tall Reaching up up up Bark gleams pale in sharp contrast Against the lush green hills Limbs open wide at the top Like giant outstretched arms Reaching heavenward In permanent praise to the Creator Like a watchtower Carefully guarding the untamed The wonderful The wildly beautiful The treasure That is Africa.

July 13, continued…. We left Labo Labo, waving to the children. It had been a fun visit, full of promise and hope. Seems to me that there are no “shortcuts” in Ghana. There are many villages, but you may travel many miles between populated areas. So often it seems that we drive a long time to get to whatever destination we’re seeking. AND the roads --OUCH. The main roads are paved, somewhat -- but there are as many potholes here as there are stars in the heavens! Our driver, Ben, is great at dodging the worst holes (while going about 90 mph, I might add) -- but that makes for a lot of careening and hair-raising moments! Our next stop was Kpeve. We had to have phonics lessons on how to pronounce this town’s name. For a year, we’ve been saying “Kah-PEH-vey” only to learn that it is more like “BEH-vey” -- I guess we live & learn, huh? Last year, David & I visited the Kpeve branch of Christ Harvests the Nations. Pastor John Johnson is passionate about sharing Christ wit...

So much has happened in the past 4 days, it will take me some time to catch up! So here’s the first installment! Be sure to check David’s blog and Becky’s blog for their stories, too! http://weministry.blogspot.com and http://craigandbeckycheek.blogspot.com July 13 Road Trip! Today was the beginning of our week-long trek into the Volta Region! We were up early, ate a hearty breakfast, and set our bags by the door waited for the van. And waited, and waited, and waited. At last we heard the familiar beep-beep at the gate of the compound. Our first stop was a villiage called Labo Labo. Our arrival was obviously anticipated: there were rows of chairs arranged under a canopy of trees, and a lace-covered table in front. The village mothers and elders were singing, dancing, and celebrating. Their dresses were quite colorful -- a vast array of mint, red, teal, brown, gold, white, blue , and dark green. The children soon arrived, pouring out of the classrooms like wild mustangs bein...

We've had a truly wonderful day! Each day has been great, and I am so thankful for all that we're experiencing here. We started this morning with a terrific worship service. I was delighted to see some friends that had returned to Ghana after several years' absence: Angela and Lizzie. Both of these ladies accompanied me on "road trips" in past visits here, and they both sang and gave testimony. Lizzie has just recorded a cd, and we were excited to be able to purchase a copy. Some others also gave their testimonies, and then the choir sang. I wish I could have a recording of the Christ Harvests the Nations Choir. They just filled the place with glorious songs of praise. It was impossible not to stand to your feet and sway to their music, their voices interweaving with each other in beautiful harmony. Each of us then had the opportunity to speak. Davi spoke first, and she spoke about the need to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Then Becky t...

July 11 This is my 6th trip to Ghana, and one thing I have learned is to expect the unexpected. Things very rarely go like you *think* they will. Today was no exception. We did not have an easy start today. While we left the Mission House at 9 am, we actually didnt get on the road to Potwabin until around 10:30. We had to make a few stops before leaving Tema -- to pick up a car battery, and to get Ben and Evelyn who were going with us. Once we hit the road, it was ok, until we got to Accra. Traffic slowed to a snail's pace. At one point, it felt more like a crazy-quilt parking lot. Then our driver swerved into the left lane, drove several feet (toward the oncoming traffic EEK!!!) and took off down a side street. After we collected our wits again, we realized the driver was taking us on a shortcut that helped us get around several blocks of traffic snarls. We made pretty decent progress after that. We stopped to get some small containers at one point, and I took advantage...

July 10 July 10 When the power went off around 6:30 am, I had already been awake a while. Once the whirr of the ceiling fan was silenced, I could hear the birds outside. For a moment, I was transported back to my very first visit to Ghana in 2001. I’d be awake before most of the household, and just lie there listening to the world as it rubbed the sleep from its eyes and began another day in Africa. The gentle chirps, tweets, coos, begin softly as the dawn creeps in. Then a rooster crows, perhaps a dog barks. Sometimes there is a patter of rain on the roof. I love to lie quietly and listen, before human interference begins. Once day breaks, you begin to hear people talking, cars toot-tooting, the rumble of traffic on the expressway. The sounds of people existing drown the sounds of life in nature. ***** Once the power went off, I knew the room would get hot very quickly. I dressed for the day, then oh-so-quietly, I tiptoed to the windows. I slid the first one open and pulle...

Rutted muddy roads lead to the mountain of garbage at the edge of town. Our driver swerves to the left, then to the right, then back to the left to avoid the huge potholes filled with water. Red pools of standing water remind me of Exodus 7, where God turned the waters of Egypt into blood. The smell of smoke mixing and swirling around with the stench of garbage, assaults the nostrils even before we open the doors to the van. We stepped out of the vehicle, into a world that we’d never imagined, and now will never forget. Dogs, chickens, goats, and pigs root in piles of trash for food. Humans, also, plunder through the mountains of cast-aside thrown-out hauled-off refuse. Seeing one so much like me -- scraping through garbage just to find a morsel to eat -- sent powerful waves through every nerve in my body. Even the tips of my fingers felt that flash that comes with a great shock. A pile of cans, stripped of their labels, sit by the path. Their naked shiny surfaces fade to r...

Evening of July 8, 2009 After a good brunch, a long nap, and a warm shower, I felt more human again! So many blessings, we take for granted. I notice little improvements each year -- for example, this year, we have a water heater for our showers. No more cold showers or bucket-baths! YAAAY!!!! There seems to be a lot more construction going on, also. We took a little walk when the rain let up. Our team and Rev. James walked over to Jerusalem Gates Academy. While school had already been dismissed for the day, we still managed to talk with Headmaster Julius and his wife Salome. What a welcome we received from them! We will go back there tomorrow morning and visit with the students, and later in the week we have a program planned for the parents and kids together. Dinner was marvelous! Knowing how much Dave loves fufu & goat --that’s what they prepared! I was really proud of Becky -- she ate that fufu like a pro! I’ve tried it before, and its just not my cup of tea, er…fufu...

July 7 & 8, 2009 I woke before the alarm went off. Contemplated getting up, and after about 30 minutes of just lying there awake, I rolled out of bed & started the day. Going to Ghana today! Davi & Becky spent the night with us, so soon after David & I got up, they followed suit. We gave a quick scan of emails and morning news as we breakfasted on bagels, eggs, juice, and coffee/tea. All the “last minute” readying took place in a flurry of activity, then David began loading the luggage into the truck. We’d weighed each bag the night before on our bathroom scales, shifting an item or two from one suitcase to another, as needed. The morning air felt pleasant as we sat on the porch for a moment. David said his good-byes to Scarlett -- ahhh a boy & his dog, it‘s a beautiful thing! *smile* She will miss us terribly while we’re gone, as we will her. She is absolutely the World’s Best Dog. But we’re leaving her and our kitties in the capable hands of our frien...

Tonight's entry will be "short and sweet" -- but a forerunner for the next several days. It is "Ghana Eve" for us -- tomorrow I'll depart for my 6th journey to Ghana, where I'll work with Reverend James Godlly and Richard Asomaning and Chief Togbe Takyi of Christ Harvests the Nations Ministries in Tema. It honestly is like a "homecoming" each time that I return -- I am welcomed and embraced by many friends who have become like family to me. The bags have been packed, weighed, and some contents shifted so that none of our bags weighs more than 50 pounds. Carry-ons are all set with a change of clothes & "necessities" like reading materials, mp3 players, and light snacks. We have two large rubbermaid totes that contain the water purification units we will install in Adigbo Tournu and Potwabin. We also have some funds that will assist some kids with their school fees -- kids who live and scrounge for the daily necessities of life...