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

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!!!!!

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!

New Family Photos

Nalerigu happenings

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