Others.

Living in Africa has changed me in many ways, but in one way that I have changed happens to everyone that visits or lives in a third world country. What I am speaking of is the needs of others. Hear in Togo we are surrounded by people who need help.

I thought of something today, have I helped someone outside of my family today not just by giving them money or food but by an encouraging word or some other deed? It also made me think of how selfish I and we can become when we do not stop to think and help others in need. I realized today how self absorbed I can become, I do not ever want to become desensitized to others needs around me.

Time is flying by

This month has been a great one, packed full of many things. I have seen the Lord work in many ways.

One very large incident that really sticks out in my mind happened about 2 weeks ago. We got a phone call from a missionary down south that had some team mates that were in an accident, and they were wondering if we could help in any way. The missionaries rolled the truck two times, and one of them did not have his seat belt on. When we arrived at the scene and saw the truck we could not believe the man who did not have his seat belt on was not hurt worse then he was.

We thank the Lord for His protection in the lives of these missionaries. We are also very thankful for our protection going to and from Dapaong.

Jesse and I are striving to get more involved in our neighborhood. Our goal is to start Bible studies with our neighbors in the near future. We are also looking at other needs also, such as clean water for them to drink. Jesse has discovered a way that they can purify water for very cheap and all they need to buy is plastic or glass bottles. We have been sharing this method with many of them.

We have also started a garden in our back yard, and have been speaking about it with people around us. They are amazed that we can grow carrots, onions, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, green peppers, spinach, zucchini, green beans, peanuts and squash in our back yard. We have been talking to many of them about starting little gardens. One lady (Mama Chris) told me that onions would not work in her yard. When I asked why she said, "They just won't." Well, that was not a good enough answer for me so I showed her my onions. I gave her a few onions to try and guess what, they are doing great in her yard! She is now planting sweet potatoes also. Another two neighbors have also planted sweet potatoes. We are very excited to see them plant other things instead of just corn, which is what everyone seems to plant every year.

We are in the middle of rainy season and it is great, it has been so cool. We have been sleeping under a blanket, I love it. It is great tea weather. Can you tell I love tea?

Joshua just finished his first week break in school. We decided to do his school schedule differently than the normal American schedule. We started 2nd grade early, we work for 20 days, then take off a whole week. I love it this way and he loves it too. Unfortunately, I got nothing done in the house during the break. I guess it will have to wait another 20 days!

This past month Jesse had malaria, but it was a very light case of it and he started treatment right away. I also forced liquids down him which I think helped a lot. We both also had some stomach problems, but I we seem to be getting over it now.

This month I started reading a book called Brokenness, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It is a wonderful book I am now reading Surrender by the same author, and I am really enjoying it. The Lord has really used these books in my life and I am so thankful.

It has been a wonderful month and I am so thankful that we are able to be in Togo, sharing with people what He has done for us in our lives.