Update

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.

First pics in Ghana at the Accra guest house

Here in Ghana

We are at the guest house in Accra, Ghana now. We are doing very well besides being tired. Abigail is napping and we are all about to lie down for a little while. We want to get on Ghana time as fast as possible, though, so we will stay up most of the day. We love you all very much. More when we are not so tired!

NYC

Hey, All!  Having a hard time with the internet connection here in NY so I'll make this quick to be sure it gets out.  We made the trip just fine and are relaxing a bit while waiting for our flight to Accra.  Thanks so much for your prayers.  We feel them, for sure!  We love you all and miss you already.  

Waking up on a Plane

Colt was sick throughout the night last night so we changed our flight to leave tomorrow morning instead. We have word our trunks are supposed to be on their way. Praise God! We have had a restful day and are looking forward to a good night's sleep. So, we're off to Ghana in the morning. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Our flight leaves D/FW at 8:25 am, then we arrive in NYC around 1 p.m. 3 hour layover. then leaving for Accra, Ghana. Will be sleeping on the plane-even Abigail. I say this in FAITH, my friends! :)

I'll try to touch base with you all from NYC if it's not crazy expensive to hook up to their wireless system.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Here We Are

I have used as one of my labels for posts "Ghana" but now realize that will describe us everyday pretty soon so it won't be very helpful after awhile anymore, huh? :)

We are enjoying time with family and friends this weekend before we leave on Sunday morning.

Friends of ours, Bill and Celeste, blessedly took our trunks to D/FW airport for us. When they dropped them off they were told there is currently a pilots' strike with our cargo carrier. Something else is trying to be worked out but for now we are not sure how our things will get to Ghana.

But you know what? We know the One who has the whole world in His hands, the One who created each pilot who is currently striking. We know the One who cares for the lilies of the field. We know the One who's single hand spans the entire world. This same One loves us more than we can comprehend and He will work out these small details.

Climate and Internet

Some have asked about the climate in Ghana. You can find that info and more at this site. Basically, there is a rainy season and a dry season in northern Ghana where we will be.

As it stands now, we'll have internet access in a building near our house, but not in the house itself. I know here in America, we don't think of having anything but 24/7 access in our own home. So, we'll just get on when we can. It will be a huge ministry for us, a huge way to stay in touch with you all.

Preparations for Ghana

Quick Post-We leave San Angelo on Nov 13th and fly out of D/FW on November 16th for Ghana. This is a country in West Africa. We are committing to about two years initially and will see how the Lord leads from there. We still have much to do in getting ready to leave. Joel will be working at a mission hospital in Nalerigu, Ghana. This hospital is partly run by the International Mission Board (IMB) under the Southern Baptists. We believe Father called us go to this area to work at this hospital, but to go on our own instead of under any organization. We thank you for your continued prayers. I hope to blog more once we get to Ghana.

We are only taking a small number of black trunks by air freight. So we need discernment as to what to take. Toothpaste, kids' clothes and flip flops (for two years), a large jar of garlic, school books-these are just a few of the items we will be taking.

Click here to go to a map of Ghana. We will be north of Tamale.