So, just 1 week ago tonight we took our weary travelers from Indiana to the airport for their flight back to the States. Maybe they weren't weary, but we sure were! Just 3 weeks after we returned from the States, 19 enthusiastic individuals showed up here in Ghana to do evangelism, basic health clinics, and some work on the Bible Institute. It was a terrific trip, and together we handed out about 8000 tracts and saw almost 350 patients at the 2 health clinics! We had 4 solid crusades, and the response has been encouraging. Pastor Frank, who pastors the CFCI church in Adawukwao, told me that "the children are many!" Both Pastor Frank and Foster are doing new believer's classes and following up with all those who gave us their contact information either at the crusades or clinics.
It always seems that the time leading up to the trip is always stressful, with many things going wrong to distract and discourage us. This year was no different, with Ron's washing machine clonking out just days before our guests arrived. The power was on serious load sharing, with light being off usually 12 hours a day. With only one working generator between us, and that needing to go out with the team for lights, sound system, ect., we were concerned. Our guests did arrive in Accra on November 8th, after traveling many miles and through several airports to get here. Alas, we found that the airplane did not bring 10 of our suitcases, causing some serious trouble for several of our guests!
We were rained out of the evangelism we hoped to do the first day, although we traveled to Adawukwao and set up the stage and waited out the rain. We did get the crusade in, which we were thankful for. I did call the airport on the way home and they confirmed that the remaining suitcases had arrived. We knew it would be close, but they didn't close until 12 AM so Ron and I raced in. I got to the desk at 11:55 PM, and the lady was just locking the door to the baggage claim. I had been in phone conversations with one of the guys, and he had promised to wait for us and even later if we gave him a small gift. =) This particular lady was not privy to this conversation and was quite annoyed at me, and boy did she let me know. After much growling, griping, and plain down foot-dragging, we finally got the one suitcase that was there. My airport friend then took me up to the conveyor belts where the remaining bags were, but unfortunately only 4, not the remaining 9, were there. We were thankful for what came in, and so were some of the guys who were on day 3 of wearing the same clothes!
The following day we did the clinic with a crusade in the evening, and I got another call on the way home that the remaining bags had come in. Again, we raced home, but since I had responsibilities with the group, Ron and Leon went to the airport and picked up the remaining bags. They brought them home and we unpacked them, and for the second consecutive night the clock pushed past 1:30 AM before we got to bed.
The rest of the time passed quickly. We were extremely tired but we pushed on. On the morning of our final clinic, I could not find the patient forms that I had previously printed out. After tearing up much of our living space (which was quite reduced, since we had 11 extra people staying in our house), I finally just printed more and refused to be frustrated with it. If you don't know me well, I like to have all my ducks in a neat row, and when things get out of line I get a little testy. Well, needless to say, I found the forms just as we were to leave for the clinic. I was thankful as it proved I didn't totally lose my mind, but just looked at it as an attack from the evil one. We were much more efficient with our second clinic, and we had taken care of the patients who had coupons within 1.5 hours, so we opened it up to others for the remaining hour. We ended up seeing 210 patients that day, and if I wouldn't have "lost" those patient forms and printed more, we wouldn't have had enough, thus losing valuable names and phone numbers for later follow-up. See, God works ALL things for good, and we just need to rest in that.
Sara was busy helping Audrey with the food, which was a monumental task. They worked together very well, and nobody went hungry! In fact, some suggested that they ate better here than at home!
After our Indiana team departed on Saturday, the PA group from NCMF went to Jon Groff's place for a visit. We visited Pastor Felix's church Sunday morning, who is a member of our Ghana board of directors and a valued part of the ministry! I think this is the first time for all our guests that the sermon didn't start until after 12! We did leave the church around 1:30 PM, after they served us minerals (Coke/Fanta/Sprite) in appreciation for our visit. We did also get to go to his new home and get a tour. God has blessed Felix greatly. He told us Sunday that Felix did nothing, God did everything, and he took my small faith and made something great!
We had a great time in Apam, and visited the Cape Coast slave castle and Living Hope Ministries. The one downside was our motel ran out of water, so bucket showers were a necessity. We traveled back to Accra on Tuesday afternoon and had them to the airport by 6:30 PM.
Although it was sad to see them go, we had a tremendous group who worked so hard and so well together. We thank those who sacrificed to come, especially those who left spouses and children behind.We look back and see that when things didn't go as we planned, we made due and things were OK. Maybe not to our American guest's standards all the time, but workable. And I would suggest that in those times when the power is off at night and your sweating profusely in your bed, we begin to understand the blessings that we may take for granted. And when we don't have the "basics" like running water, to understand that maybe, just maybe, we are a bit spoiled. A thorough journal and more pictures are available online at
www.cfcint.com.
Eric sharing the love with a small girl.
Naomi fitting right in.
Showing the pride here in Ghana!
