The Dickens

Update/News

2010-06-05T02:31:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe we are already several days into June. We are still in Nalerigu and are praying about how the Lord is leading us. We visited another country in West Africa recently, Cameroon. There is a teaching mission hospital there that wants to start an OB/Gyn residency program. They already have several other residency programs in place.

We believe we will go home sometime this summer. There is word that two different West African surgeons are to come here to Nalerigu. We are hoping and praying that will happen for the people here. The other full time dr and his family (the Hewitts) have left for a year long furlough. They continue to pray about what the Lord has for their future, as well. With the other new family, the Nyhus' here, we are not alone as we thought we'd be right now! It is nice to have them here with us. Again their purpose here is to run the guest houses. They are doing a super job!

Our computer with all of our more recent photos on it seems to have a virus. Since the local Apple store up here in Nalerigu is no longer open, we are trying to decide what to do. (Just kidding. Boy, do we wish there had ever been an Apple store here.) One problem this poses is that I cannot really post photos on our blog right now. If I find a way, you'll be the first to know! :)

My dad, in the last three weeks or so, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We are still awaiting the pathology report. Thank you for your prayers as he recovers from surgery. The dr plans to start chemo when Dad can handle it. We are praying and hoping for the best.

Annaleigh playing with the High Chair!

2010-05-27T06:28:00.001-05:00

Visit with Grandmom and Uncle Jimmy (Mar)

2010-05-24T09:54:00.001-05:00

March with Memaw and Papa Don

2010-05-24T07:13:00.001-05:00

Sad News

2010-05-14T10:34:00.005-05:00

I'm still catching up on photos on our blog. I'm up to March now. Maybe I'll catch up again someday?

We have sad news. Last weekend I miscarried the baby at 9 weeks. We are doing ok. Just sad. Thanks for your prayers for all of us.

We continue to pray about what the Lord has for us next. We love and miss you all.

Visit in Colleyville!

2010-05-05T06:15:00.001-05:00

Visit with Gammy

2010-05-04T05:10:00.002-05:00

Home in March

2010-05-03T11:05:00.004-05:00

We took a quick trip home in March to attend my grandmother's funeral. My dad's mom, Thelma Brooks, passed away shortly before we arrived in Texas. She is greatly missed. We are thankful that we can grieve her loss with hope-standing on God's promise that she is with Him and that we also will see her again.

Michelle and Lisa-Feb

2010-05-03T10:49:00.002-05:00

These two wonderful people took the long trip over by plane to visit us and check out the hospital and other ministries here in Naleirgu. It was great to have Michelle and Lisa here.

Michelle and Lisa-Feb

2010-05-03T10:49:00.001-05:00

These two wonderful people took the long trip over by plane to visit us and check out the hospital and other ministries here in Naleirgu. It was great to have Michelle and Lisa here.

You can take a girl out of Texas, but...

2010-04-25T09:29:00.005-05:00

At the baby shower Paul Ann gave us for Abigail before she was born, Bonnie gave us pink Justin ropers! Abigail is now old enough to fit into them and started wearing them in February. How fun!

Benton, Abigail, & Colt in Feb

2010-04-25T08:59:00.002-05:00

Bonnie and Cindi

2010-04-25T08:21:00.003-05:00

In February, Joel went to a physicians missionary conference in Kenya. Bonnie and Cindi came for a visit during that time. They pitched in with the kids and were also up at the hospital. We are thankful for good friends.

I've just sent off the last of the thank you notes for the items that were sent with them. There are some items that I do not know who they came from. If you have not heard from me, I would love to hear from you so we can think of you as we use your gifts!

Patients Waiting to See a Doctor or Medical Assistant on a Clinic Day

2010-04-25T08:05:00.001-05:00

2010-04-25T06:25:00.004-05:00

This is Dr. Dewey Dunn. He is a volunteer doc who has been coming out here to the hospital for several years. He and Joel originally met during Joel's pediatric residency at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee from 1989 to 1992. How fun to have them connect again. We love having him out here.

Market

2010-04-25T06:02:00.005-05:00

Market is held every three days here in Nalerigu. You can buy any available produce then and many other items, such as flip flops, fabric, ant poison, soap, dried fish, to name a few.

This is Where We Buy Tomatoes

2010-04-24T10:05:00.003-05:00

Kid Pics-February

2010-04-23T12:46:00.006-05:00

Payment in Full

2010-04-23T10:44:00.006-05:00

These guinea fowl were brought to the hospital as payment for dr services. Baby and Colt are in the photo, too!

Payment in Full

2010-04-23T10:44:00.003-05:00

These guinea fowl were brought to the hospital as payment for dr services. Baby and Colt are in the photo, too!

Dr. Ted Higgins and his wife, Kim, from Kansas

2010-04-23T08:51:00.002-05:00

Texas Volunteer Doc-Jim Howard

2010-04-23T07:45:00.001-05:00

Abigail-Jan

2010-04-23T06:24:00.002-05:00

Flat Stanley

2010-04-23T04:15:00.003-05:00

Flat Stanley

2010-04-23T04:15:00.000-05:00

Flat Stanley

2010-04-22T11:42:00.001-05:00

Colt's cousin, Jacob, did the "Flat Stanley" program in school. He sent "Flat Jacob" to us in Nalerigu. We took some pictures around the hospital, wrote a note, and sent it all back to him. What a fun project!

The Girls (Jan)

2010-04-22T09:45:00.004-05:00

Annaleigh Sleeping (Jan)

2010-04-22T09:10:00.001-05:00

More Pics From January

2010-04-21T09:46:00.002-05:00

2010-04-21T09:38:00.004-05:00

Hi, there. It's been awhile since we posted anything. I am so far behind on photos, too. I hope to catch up soon. Between having a few visitors here and there (yea!) and our trip to the States, our life has been a bit out of the routine lately. Homeschooling Colt, keeping up with the girls, and carrying a new baby (yea!) do tend to keep my busy, also. Let's see-also our slow internet speed. Many times are Joel and I booted off from what we are doing online-buying airline tickets, working on photos, getting updates...It's ok. That is life here in West Africa.

We have welcomed a new family here. Greg and Wendy Nyhus and their three children Carter (aged 9), Aiden (aged 7), and Sakanya (aged 6?). We are happy to have them. They are volunteers who will be helping for awhile with the guest houses. Earl and Mona Hewitt and their family leave on furlough soon and are praying about what to do after their furlough. Angela Bell, the Hewitts' teacher, leaves in May as her term will be finished.

Look for new pics!

Good Friday

2010-04-05T18:12:00.002-05:00

We found out some more exciting news on Friday. We are expecting another little one! Due the 7th of December. We are all thrilled.

We have enjoyed the Cargiles being here. Frank and Nancy left today to start the long journey home. John is still here working at the hospital. He leaves here on Thursday. What a blessing they have been to have here with us.

It is late and we are heading to bed. Thanks for your prayers.

2010-03-28T16:46:00.004-05:00

Hi. It has been a busy week. As of Friday, we have been back from the States one week. We are slowly getting back to Ghana time (5 hours ahead of Central Standard time). On Tuesday Abigail's leg was set. Then a cast was put on her leg. She will wear it for about 6 weeks. We have been praying for her leg. She now asks us to pray. While she was still in some pain, she would say, "Mommy pray. Ouchy bye bye. Abigail walk." Now she is not in much pain, it seems. We carry her everywhere. (It would be kind of hard for her to use crutches as a two year old!) She's hanging in there.

Annaleigh and Colt are doing well. Everyone is growing up so quickly. Colt certainly enjoyed his time in the States, as did we all. I am still in the process of thanking everyone for the wonderful gifts we have been given both in February, as well as in March. It is so nice to be remembered by you all.

Our Mac laptop cord went out. We are hoping to get another one soon. In the meantime, emailing is not quite as convenient. We are able to have internet in the living room and eating area now. So that is really nice to have.

Dear friends of ours-John, Nancy, and Frank Cargile arrive here tomorrow. It will be so nice to have them. John, a general surgeon where we live in San Angelo, has many cases lined up for him at the hospital.

I wanted to give a short update on life. Thanks, as always, for your interest and your prayers. We always enjoy hearing from you and knowing how we can pray for you, as well.

Back in Nalerigu/Abigail's Leg

2010-03-19T10:47:00.002-05:00

We are back in Nalerigu as of this morning. We were able to attend my grandmother's funeral while there. (My dad's mom passes away a few days before we got there.) Joel also had diagnostic tests run for the kidney stone. It had passed-thank you, Lord. I got to celebrate my 40th birthday while in Texas, which was so nice. It was great to see so many of you while we were home.

We had a layover in Amsterdam yesterday. Abigail fell from some play equipment while playing in the children's area. We then got on the plane for another 8-9 hour flight to Accra, Ghana. Once we landed in Accra, we realized that Abigail had likely broken her leg. We took one x-ray last night while in Accra. We were hoping it would not be bad enough for me to need to return to the States with the children for her to have surgery. The x-ray of the upper leg showed no break. But she still would not put weight on it, did not want to eat much at all, and had swelling in her leg.

Once we arrived back here in Nalerigu this morning, Joel did another x-ray. There is a small fracture an inch or so above her left ankle. She is in pain, though the Tylenol is helping. She's just not herself.

My Hubby Needs Prayer

2010-02-23T06:12:00.004-06:00

I know we have not posted anything in awhile. We enjoyed so much having Bonnie and Cindi here. Bonnie taught school for me and Cindi worked at the hospital. How great it was to have dear friends here.

Abigail is potty trained and we are happy about that! She is a big girl now! :)

Joel enjoyed his time at the Christian physcian's conference in Kenya at the same time that Cindi and Bonnie were here. We were happy to have him home.

Today Joel was only able to finish one surgery case because he was suddenly in a lot of abdominal pain. It seems likely he has a kidney stone. He has been given pain meds. Please pray for him.

That's it for now. Let us hear from you by commenting here or by emailing us. We'd love to hear from you. We like to know who reads our blog. It is fun to know.

2010-02-09T17:12:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

2010-02-07T20:33:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-02-07T19:31:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-02-07T19:03:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Super Bowl Sunday

2010-02-07T17:39:00.002-06:00

Joel is on his way to Kenya as I write this (he's in the air). I'm filling in for him, watching the game with Colt at the school house. Kick off was at 11:30 p.m. Ghana time. Ok, so maybe "watching the game" isn't quite what I'm doing very much of. I'm enjoying being down here with Colt and a few others and getting in some time with friends online. I couldn't do this without Angela's help tonight. She's sleeping at our house so I can be here. Hopefully Annaleigh won't wake her up. Looking forward to Bonnie and Cindi being here in a couple of days.

2010-02-01T09:01:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Abigail with Christmas Gifts

2010-01-31T09:28:00.002-06:00

2010-01-31T09:26:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

2010-01-31T07:29:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

December

2010-01-30T08:31:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Potty Training

2010-01-30T01:37:00.002-06:00

It's been too long since I've posted anything. We are doing well. We started potty training Abigail last Sunday and she is doing super! Her accidents are few and far between and the last three days she has a perfect record! Even away from home. Whew! It's nice to have only one in diapers now.

Joel is getting ready to go to the Kenya missionary physicians conference with Earl. He leaves Super Bowl Sunday. It looks like he will return on the 18th of Feb. Bonnie Huckabee and Cindi Dauphin are coming for a visit while he is gone. It will be so nice to have them.

I will continue to get caught up on photos. Look for new ones soon!

Hollie Backing Annaleigh

2010-01-04T10:45:00.001-06:00

2010-01-04T10:33:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-01-04T09:25:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-01-04T06:29:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-01-03T11:05:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

2010-01-03T10:17:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

2010-01-03T09:43:00.003-06:00

We have had a wonderfully busy holiday season with Jay, Dana, Jason, and Kennen here. We have lots of wonderful photos to show you and fun moments to share.

I'm first catching up on photos from before they arrived. I had stopped doing slideshows on the blog partly because the internet speed is so slow here. I have "Smile Box" software on our computer now. Sparing you all the exciting details, I am experimenting to see if it will cut back on the time to use this instead of the website I was using previously. This first one only has one photo in it! I did not choose that lovely music accompanying Annaleigh's photo!

We are all doing well. We continue to seek the Lord for our future and what He has in store.

No News

2009-12-12T10:04:00.002-06:00

It has been awhile since we have posted anything. I suppose "no news is good news," right? Most of the volunteers are clearing out before the holidays. It will be a busier time in some ways for Joel and Earl that way. We are always thankful for those who come to work for whatever amount of time they can give.

The seasons have changed. The rainy season is gone. The dry season is here in its place. This brings in the Harmattan. I've copied this from a website. Here is the reference if you want more info.

The Harmattan is a seasonal wind which blows across Northwestern Africa every year from November through March, at intermittent strengths. This wind has become famous with visitors to the area, who often struggle with Harmattan conditions, and residents often speak ill of it, since it can interrupt commerce and daily life for days. However, the Harmattan also has a pleasant side; it pushes the hot weather of summer away, introducing a note of cool breeze into this notoriously hot region of the world.

This famous wind blows from North to South, working its way across the Sahara to the Gulf of Guinea. Along the way, it tends to pick up sand and dust, turning into a very drying, dusty wind. When the Harmattan really gets going, the dust can create a cloudy haze which can sometimes intensify into an actual sandstorm. Visitors to the area have been taking note of the Harmattan since at least the 17th century, when the word “Harmattan” entered the English language.

“Harmattan,” incidentally, appears to come from the Twi language of Ghana. Some people have suggested that it may be related to the Arabic word haram, which means forbidden. In any case, when the dust in this wind gets thick enough, it can bring life to a halt, as people cannot travel outside to trade or socialize. Harmattan winds have also notoriously interrupted flight schedules and caravans across the Sahara.

When the Harmattan is more mild, it can create a delicate haze which looks almost like smog. Much like smog, the Harmattan haze can look strangely beautiful, especially at dawn and dusk, when the light captures the particles in the air, creating a strangely diffused look. This seasonal wind can also cause dramatic weather conditions, when it interacts with other winds and weather systems. Harmattan winds can even cross the Atlantic; dust from the Sahara has been reported in the Americas after a particularly brisk Harmattan.

Back to Hollie: There are things are like about both seasons. During the dry season, there are not nearly as many bugs around, towels dry much faster, the nights and early mornings are much cooler (temps get anywhere from 78 down to 50 degrees F during this season), the roads do not have as many large potholes, and there are not as many clumps of dirt tracked into the house.

The downside of the dry season is that dust covers everything in the house; our skin, hair, nose, eyes, and nails get incredibly dry; the winds blow the doors inside our house open and closed while some are sleeping; the leaves that provide shade are mostly off the trees; daytime temps increase; and the dirt roads develop bumpy ridges.

Joel has what he believes is his first case of malaria. He is starting to feel better but has been very tired.

I will try to post new pics when I can. I need to take a few first!

Christmas Cards!!!!!

2009-12-04T10:18:00.002-06:00

We would LOVE to receive your Christmas cards. If you would like to send us one, here is the address:

BMC
Box 50
Nalerigu via Gambaga
N R Ghana

We are doing fine and miss you all so. We have a few Christmas decorations up and try to play Christmas music at the house when we can to get in the spirit of Christmas. It is not as hard to do this in the heat of Africa the 2nd time around. Last year it seemed even stranger to celebrate Christmas in the heat. This year, our spirits are willing!

2009-11-29T15:27:00.000-06:00

New Family Photos

2009-11-29T14:43:00.001-06:00

Nalerigu happenings

2009-11-17T14:55:00.002-06:00

We have had some things happen here in Nalerigu. We thought we would kind of keep quiet so as not to alarm anyone as we have felt completely safe during the events. However, enough folks seem to be finding out about them during this internet age so we'll share some of the details as we know them.

Last Thursday night, Alando, a very well respected man in the community and the one in charge of the business end of the pharmacy was murdered near his home in Nalerigu. It seems he was shot by a AK47 type rifle which are usually not found here in Nalerigu. He was brought to the hospital where Matt our visiting surgery resident and a visiting Cardiovascular surgeon tried valiantly to resuscitate him, but were unable to do so.

Alando had recently been to Accra to buy medicine and supplies for the pharmacy, we saw him there with the hospital truck as it was being loaded with hospital supplies for the return trip here. The prime suspect in the murder, falsely and maliciously spread rumors that Alando was buying guns to supply fighters in Bawku. There has been fighting in Bawku, about a 2hr drive from here, but the fighting has never spread from that area. The fighting has been between the Mamprusi, main tribe in this area, and Kusasi, main tribe in Bawku area. Alando had been born in Nalerigu and lived here his entire life. His parents were of the Kusasi tribe but he had remained completely out of the conflict. It seems the prime suspect, the one who spread the rumors, was able to hire someone to kill Alando. We mourn for his family.

Some of the hospital workers are concerned that the violence could spread but we pray that is not the case. We feel safe and want to reassure everyone that things are under control. The Ghana police and military have had a large presence here since the incident and have things under control. The prime suspect has been caught and we pray that any others involved will be caught as well.

Because people are mourning the loss of Alando, we have suspended clinic and elective surgical cases and are only taking care of emergency cases until the funeral occurs.

We appreciate your prayers for continued Peace in the area, that folks will not try and take justice in their own hands but will let the authorities do their jobs, and that the love of Christ will somehow shine forth in the midst of this.

Blessings, joel

The Girls

2009-11-08T07:24:00.003-06:00

Annaleigh (Oct 24)

2009-11-08T05:52:00.003-06:00

The Boys' Volcano

2009-11-08T04:48:00.002-06:00

Mommy & The Girls

2009-11-08T04:30:00.000-06:00

The Girls (Oct 17)

2009-11-08T04:03:00.001-06:00

Joel & Hollie

2009-11-08T02:51:00.002-06:00

Nagbo Village Church

2009-10-27T14:59:00.002-05:00

We visited Nagbo Village church, down the road 5 miles or so from Nalerigu. I know one of the elders there and he asked us to come. Didn't know that we would be celebrities when we got there, they had us sit up front and told me I was preaching ( I didn't know until we showed up). I had been reading a book by Francis Chan called "Crazy Love" about the love of God so I talked about his love for us. The ten seconds or so to interpret helped give me time to think of what to say next. Neat to share God's word with our neighbors.

Nagbo Village Church

2009-10-27T10:49:00.002-05:00

Address for Christmas Cards!

2009-10-27T10:22:00.002-05:00

Some of you have asked about our address to send Christmas cards. It is very encouraging for us to hear from folks at home. Here is the address:
Dickens
BMC
Box 50
Nalerigu via Gambaga
GHANA/NR

Daddy & Daughter (Oct 8)

2009-10-22T17:56:00.000-05:00

medical post: joel

2009-10-17T17:55:00.003-05:00

I haven't had a chance to write lately. The combination of having a newborn baby, malaria season and Dr. Failes departure have all led to being very busy. Rainy season is coming to a close soon. We were blessed with rains which helped the crops and hopefully give enough sustenance for the people to make it to next rainy season. With the rains come mosquitoes, with mosquitoes come malaria. The hospital has mostly been full the last few months. The pediatric unit has 40 beds and that is often not enough and at times there may be as many as twenty patients also on the floor. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to have several pediatric deaths a day from malaria. We were blessed to have a visiting pediatrician, our first doctor to come from World Medical Mission (a branch of Samaritan's purse). He was a retired pediatrician from Delaware who spends time volunteering at mission hospitals. In addition, to the adults and children with malaria, medical patients we see may have pneumonia, hypertension, strokes, meningitis or asthma. Snakebites are also common. Some days we may have 5 or so patients admitted after having been bitten by poisonous snakes. Fortunately, the anti-venom is usually very effective. The most common bites are from a Cobra and a Carpet Viper. The Carpet Viper can be quite aggressive and has been known to bite people as they sleep outside of their huts. Fortunately, the watchmen on the hospital compound seem to do a good job of killing the snakes that wander into the compound. They also are good at killing the large rats that wander around at night, providing some much needed protein in a diet that consists mostly of carbohydrates from ground yams, corn and millet. One of our patients had a wound that needed healing. Matt, our surgery resident, counseled the patient's mother about sources of protein to help the wound heal. The mother was proud to say that the child did get protein in the form of one egg a day. The chickens here don't get as much to eat as American chickens, so I would guess he gets the equivalent protein of 1/2 american egg a day. Some patients of course, don't get that much.

Our most common surgeries are probably C'sections, hernia repairs (inguinal, incisional, umbilical and others), small bowel perforations from typhoid fever, and perforated peptic ulcers. We see a rare case of appendicitis. Two nights ago we did a Csection in a patient with failure to progress in labor and severe abdominal pain. She had a large amount of pus in her abdomen and some necrotic bowel requiring resection and anastomosis of small bowel. It's kind of like a box of chocolates here, you never know what you might find.
blessings, joel

The more com

Why We're Here

2009-10-17T17:43:00.006-05:00

A patient came into the hospital a few months back, 6 or so months pregnant and with a severe infection of her leg which ate away much of the tissue of her leg similar to the "flesh eating bacteria". We were not sure she would live, but through the care of mostly Dr. Faile and our visiting surgery resident, Dr. Matt Jones, she got her wound cleaned up and skin grafts to most of her leg. She delivered a premature baby that initially failed to thrive, but survived and did well. She finally got to go home after several months in the hospital. Prior to her departure, Dr. Hewitt, who is extremely fluent in the local languages and one of the hospital chaplains, had a chance to visit with the patient and her mother. The patient and her mother put their faith in Christ as their savior prior to their leaving the hospital. Times like those remind us of why we came here, to give hope to a hurting world.

At the Hewitt's House

2009-10-17T14:40:00.002-05:00

Around the Hospital

2009-10-17T12:10:00.002-05:00

Colt the Hurdle Jumper

2009-10-17T11:54:00.002-05:00

At Home

2009-10-17T10:42:00.003-05:00

Colt & Annaleigh Early in the Morning

2009-10-16T16:47:00.003-05:00

View From Our House During Rainy Season

2009-10-16T10:24:00.002-05:00

New Dress-Sept 27

2009-10-15T10:33:00.001-05:00

Update

2009-10-09T10:21:00.005-05:00

We like hearing back from you all about our posts. Several of you have commented either on the blog or by email about our recent photos and videos. Thank you! We are doing well. It is nice to have Annie Zesch here with us. She is currently helping us out at the house with the kids some, as well as spending time at the hospital. She seems to enjoy being up there.

Several people have asked us about this, so I thought it would be good to post about it. It is possible we will be coming home in either June or July of 2010. This is just a few months short of what we originally thought our stay here in Ghana would be. Once we arrived here in Ghana, we found out more about the schedules of the other doctors here. George and Elisabeth Faile believed it was time for them to retire after so many years of tireless service. They left a few weeks ago. Dr. Faile was the other full time dr besides Joel who performed surgery.

The other full time dr, Earl Hewitt (Family Practice) will be leaving for furlough the summer of 2010. We are praying about if we should stay past their time here, but are strongly considering leaving when they do since there are no other full time doctors here. Certainly the needs of the people here are on our minds. The last dr who was here alone for a prolonged period of time was beyond busy. The hospital services a population that would normally have at least 200 drs seeing to their needs at home in the states.

There are several volunteer drs in and out of the hospital here. Some for a week, others for several months. We are always thankful for their help and enjoy their company, as well. Currently, there is a surgery resident and his wife, Matt & Megan Jones, as well as a nurse practitioner, Amy Elrod, among others.

So, we would appreciate your prayers as this is an even busier time for Joel at the hospital. And also that we would have clear direction for when to go home. I'd also like to hear more about specific ministries outside the home the Lord wants me to be a part of while here. While it is starting to get hotter, I am no longer pregnant and would like to be a part of anything the Lord might have for me to do.

Abigail's Birthday Video

2009-10-06T18:17:00.003-05:00

Baby Stroller African-Style

2009-10-05T16:09:00.002-05:00

We use this baby cushion with a net for Annaleigh right now to help protect her from mosquitos (who pass on malaria). She likes to be outside.

Daddy with the Kids-Sept. 24

2009-10-05T11:51:00.001-05:00

Dickens and Failes-Sept 24

2009-10-05T11:03:00.001-05:00

First Baptist Church of Nalerigu Recognizes George & Elisabeth Faile

2009-10-04T09:40:00.000-05:00

Annaleigh-Two Months Old

2009-10-04T09:21:00.000-05:00

Sept 11-Birthday Girl

2009-10-04T09:01:00.001-05:00

Two Girls in African Dresses-Sept 10

2009-10-03T09:56:00.000-05:00

Insdie & Outside Our House (Early Sept.)

2009-10-03T09:18:00.001-05:00

Sept 2

2009-09-30T17:35:00.001-05:00

Annaleigh 5 Weeks Old (August 28)

2009-09-30T17:14:00.001-05:00

Corn Eaters! (End of August)

2009-09-29T10:57:00.003-05:00

Abigail-Early Summer

2009-09-27T17:10:00.004-05:00

August 18

2009-09-27T16:42:00.001-05:00

Colt Enjoying a Snack (August 16)

2009-09-27T11:36:00.001-05:00

Lots Going On

2009-09-21T16:40:00.003-05:00

There are many thoughts that come to mind to share when I think of posting on our blog. We are doing well. It is so nice to have Annie here. Naturally, she's so good with the kids. We are all enjoying her for many reasons. I'm enjoying getting to share and visit with her. Colt enjoys having her around to talk to and do things with, as do Abigail and Annaleigh. Annie pitches in wherever she sees a need she can meet. We are praying with her that the Lord will use her in ministry during her time here.

This last weekend was a time to remember all George & Elisabeth Faile have done through ministry here in Nalerigu over the years. They will be leaving very soon for the states as they look toward retirement from the mission field here in West Africa. "Finishing well" is definitely something they have done here. We have enjoyed getting to know them and feel we are just beginning to know all there is to know about them. George grew up here in Nalerigu and was part of the first group of people baptized at the First Baptist Church of Nalerigu. I cannot begin to imagine what it will be like for both George and Elisabeth to leave after all these years of faithful ministry. The Lord has called them out of Ghana, though, so it is time to say "Goodbye." We will miss them more than we can say.

I have thought more again lately about how the other missionaries on the mission field are so likely to see our shortcomings so quickly. This includes not only long-term missionaries, but also the volunteers who are here for much shorter times, as well. The mission field seems to be a place where the Lord can easily reveal places He still needs to work in us.

Early on when arriving in Ghana, Joel and I had talked about having a family worship night. We did this rarely when I was pregnant, but are now doing this each week or so. Tonight while we worshipped with "Alabaster Jar" from Gateway Worships's "Wakeup the World" cd, the Lord was with us. He revealed strongly to me in a personal way that it is through our weakness that He is strong. When those around me see my sin, He can shine through me that much more. He will continue to perfect and complete that which He has begun.

Colt's 8th Birthday

2009-09-15T21:05:00.002-05:00

We had a sports birthday party for Colt over the summer. It's so hard to believe he is 8 years old now!

Abigail & The Smoothie (Early Summer?)

2009-09-15T20:21:00.006-05:00

We are back online-praise the Lord! I have learned how to get videos from the camera onto the computer. So look for more videos to come. It is nice to feel like learning some of these things now that I'm no longer pregnant.

We are excited that Annie Zesch will be arriving this week to stay for several months. She plans to minister to the Ghanian children possibly through VBS-type materials, but will see how the Lord leads once she arrives. We will love having her here!

More videos, photos, and posts to come.

Out of Touch

2009-09-14T08:50:00.002-05:00

We have been largely out of touch for over two weeks now. Things don't seem to be changing anytime soon, either. It seems the cell tower near us has likely been damaged, so cell coverage anywhere near us is not good at all right now. And our internet has been down for awhile, as well. We have figured out how to use our own mac at the internet cafe here in town, when the cafe has internet service and electricity! So, this is just to let you know that we are fine. I have many new photos and some video, too, to post as soon as we are able.

Annaleigh (August 11)

2009-08-26T10:34:00.002-05:00

Colt's New Bow & Arrows

2009-08-22T18:05:00.002-05:00

Memaw's Visit

2009-08-22T17:34:00.002-05:00

Proud Big Brother

2009-08-22T12:13:00.002-05:00