News and Pics

Finally, I am able to get my computer working at an Internet cafe so that I can update this and post some pictures.
It is very hard to describe all I am seeing and experiencing here in Yendi. While many at first sight would say that the poverty and dirt in overwhelming, it does not take long to see past that to the heart of the people. They are so friendly and dignified. The women dress beautifully and have their hair done with braids or beautiful scarves. The children run to greet us with cries of Obruniba or Sliminga, which both mean "White Woman". The people are very happy.
We are living in a compound built by Australians for visitors and college students. We each have a bedroom with a toilet and shower (cold), which is all a luxury in Ghana. We share a kitchen which has a refrigerator and stove, also luxuries. We are very safe, behind walls and locks, but Yendi is not a dangerous place. We are able to ride our bikes along the street and shop any time we like.
I have not begun to teach, but have met several of the children. Adamo was a street child who a mission team decided to sponsor at the school. She now lives with the principal, but was on the street with her mother who is mentally ill for the first 3 years of her life. She is precious, and loves to sing praise songs. Winifred is deaf but has made up her own signs, which her family knows. I met a little girl, 4 years old, with Downs Syndrome yesterday. I will be teaching 2nd grade, but I believe I will also be helping with some of these students... I can not help myself. We will have 120 students in the school this year, so it is growing very fast.
Church is like you would picture an African church, complete with drums, dancing, clapping and a joyous spirit. The preaching has been awesome and inspiring. It is amazing how the message is the same even in such a different culture. It is God's word afterall.
Someone asked me the other day how the economy was in Ghana. I laughed at the question and said they are dirt poor, how do you think it is. It amazes me how resourceful they are. Our principal and the home missionary here (Muss) each make very little money (less than $300 a month). Food at the stores here is at least as much as in the US. Many, of course, have gardens and their own chickens, eggs and goats and that is how they survive. Most do not have running water, and I have yet to see a house with hot water. Most houses here in Yendi are small concrete houses with the cooking and the "restroom" outside. The restroom is often just a leanto so you can not see them from the street.
All in all, I love it here. I am much less stressed than ever and do not miss the food or the luxuries at home. I can not explain why, but that it is a very happy and interesting place. I do of course miss my family and friends. The hugs from the children help, but I wish you could all be here also.
I cant seem to add pictures. The internet here is probably too slow. I will keep working on it. I will also try in Facebook so look me up there.

1 week

One week from tonight I will be on a plane headed to Frankfurt and then to Ghana. It gets very interesting and alittle scarey when you start packing for a year. Everyone asks me if I am nervouse. I guess I am alittle. I worry about little things like, "when will I eat" when I get there, do I have sheets and towels, what kind of furniture do I have, what is my roomate like as so on. Then I start looking around and wondering what I will miss; my husband, kids, family, friends and Melvin (the dog). I will probably miss the green in Oregon and the cool breezes, the convienences and snack food.
But I really believe that God has so much waiting for me that even though I miss alot here, I will find plenty to love there too. I am looking forward to the children and to learning what it means to live without all our "necessities" and depending more on God. I am excited about seeing a people that are on fire for God and hopefully children that are excited about learning. I am sure that it will be a growing experience in many ways.
So as I pack my two 50lb bags, continue to pray that God will lead me safely and that I will see and learn all that God wants me to see and learn and that I will be able to share it with all of you in a way that helps us all learn from this.
Thanks for the prayers.

News from Yendi

Well, it is less than 4 months till I leave for Ghana, Africa. It is getting very exciting and a little scary. It has been fun trying to guess what I will need and how much of everything I should take. It must be a fun game for everyone because those questions come up often. I do know that I will have a house and one or two roomates. That will be nice. One thing I was worried about was the loneliness ...and cooking. Hopefully the roomates will have experience cooking in Africa.
Here are a few pictures of the school. It is still growing. They are hoping to start a junior high next year. I saw many schools in Ghana and this is a very nice school with a library, computers, playground and lunch program. The people in the area are excited about having a module Christian school with high educational standards. Most schools in Ghana, especially rural Ghana, consist of one large room with a chalkboard in front. "Muss", the man who started the school, wants the students to be able to attend an American university, if they desire, when they graduate from high school (which he will add soon). As a teacher I believe that education is the most important way out of poverty and that to educate the children of countries like Ghana is a sure way to change a country for the better. From my previous visit, I have fallen in love with these people. Their personalities are so outgoing and friendly, with great humor! And they are a beautiful people. I hope to include many more pictures on this blog so you all can see to just how beautiful and happy they are.

I purchased my tickets!!

As most of you know, I will be headed to Yendi, Ghana in August to teach for a year. How did this all come about? Four and a half years ago, Charlie (my son and I) went to Ghana to visit the family I sponsor through World Vision. I fell in love with the people there and saw a real need to help them help themselves out of poverty. Ghanaians are very proud of their country and how far they have come and they are working hard at providing opportunities for their children. I felt then that God was calling me to be a part of something bigger, and that I would someday come back.
Through a very round about way, a friend of my sister in Missouri heard a speaker at another church tell about the Ghana Baptist Convention and the work that is going on there. I contacted on pastor and then another and happened to talk to one who was expecting Emmanuel Mustpha, who works for the Ghana Baptist Convention, to arrive for a visit soon. When I talked to "Muss" he informed me he was starting a school there in Yendi. It would be a Christian school in a community that is about half Muslim. It would have a library and computers. His dream at the time was that it would eventually go through the 12th grade and that graduates would be able to attend a university in the US. I was able to meet Muss a few months later in St. Louis. At that time he had found a building, provided my a Muslim man who wanted a top quality school in Yendi. It is a very nice school building with several classrooms. There are, at the time of this writing, 70 students, a large library, computers enough for all students in a class to have access, and they are serving two meals a day. Several students are on scholarships and they hope to expand to middle school next year.
More exciting than the school is the work that God is doing in this area. 2000 are awaiting baptism, 200 churches have been started with a goal of 400 by 2010 and 300 are now is leadership training. Imagine not having the time to baptize all the new believers!
So, I ramble on, but it is exciting. I purchased my tickets and will be leaving Portland on August 12. I know that I have a house provided, and that it will have electricity and water. I have been assured by "Muss" that it will be a comfortable accommodation. Other than that, I will be on my own for food and travel, including tickets there and back (and home for Christmas). Some have asked how you can help support me. Lots of prayer will be the most important! If you wish to contribute financially you can contact me, or send a check (after Aug. 12 c/o Gary) to 27548 6th st. Junction City, OR 97448. Help is appreciated,as due to "budget crunches" I was not able to get a sabbatical from school, although I have saved and I know God will provide.
I will update this often and include pictures of the school and the area. Please continue to pray not only for me, but for the work going on there also. God's good news is spreading like a wild fire!
Love to all, Brenda