A HOT Saturday and lots of kids.

Today at Bible hour the kids learned about David and Goliath, the toy sword and the sling shot were a big hit, the kids love to hear about what God did in the lives of the people in the Bible. They really enjoyed the part about David walking around the city with the head of Goliath, they became very excited. When they were asked who gave him strength to kill Goliath they all yelled out together “C’EST DIEU” it was God. It is exciting to see the children understand that it was not the man but it was God. After cutting the head of Goliath (just in the story) the children memorized Psalm 119:2. Soon the children became restless because it was to hot. I had an IDEA: hot kids, hose, water. The children had so much fun playing in the hose I squirted them with water for about 10 min and loved every minute of it.

I just found this blog entry I had forgotten to post it, so it is a little old, forgive me.

A strange smell

The other day I came out of our house and was hit by a strange smell, I didn't think any thing of it because this is Africa, Africa is filled with strange smells. When I stepped out of our outside gate I discovered the source of strange smell. It was the fur of a cat, two guys were burning the fur off of a cat, they were getting it ready to cook and eat. Yummy yummy.

An exciting day

Friday was an exciting day for me, I learned that our next door neighbor had her baby, a little boy. I was going to be able to be the baby taxi. I was able to bring home a precious little baby. The mother had no complications and the baby and mom are doing great. Tuesday I am going to go to the market and buy some soap for her and some clothes for the baby. I hope you enjoy the picture of the new life that God has given to this wonderful lady and her husband.

God is so good.

Lately Jesse and I have been teaching Joshua about humility and making wise decisions. Just last night I had to talk to Joshua about being humble when he talks about himself and to not be boastful. Joshua's response to this was "mom I can't" I said why not? He looked at me and said "mom only God can help me to be humble" wow what a great example to me, I can not be humble or make wise decisions with out Him. I am truly blessed with a wonderful son, who is learning so much.

What life is like in Africa.

What life is like for an American living in Africa.

-I get to suck ice cream out of a plastic bag

-Because I am white I am always noticed (I feel like a movie star) :)

-I never go to the grocery store I go to the market to buy our foods (I love it)

-I squeeze oranges and suck the juice out

-I have to filter my water to drink it

-I get to see some great insects in my yard

-I get to have some wonderful African friends

-I can have anything made in Africa, all I have to do is show them a picture

-I get to eat yummy bananas, mangos, papayas, oranges, avocados, guavas, and pineapples

-I get to teach Joshua school

-I get to teach people around me about God's grace

-I get to have a wonderful garden

-I am able to buy so many wonderful foods

-I get to hold sweet little African children

-I get to love African children

-I get to go on safaris

-I get to ride on bumpy roads any time I want :)

-I can call any older woman mama

-I get to make my own bread, tortillas, english muffins, and noodles

-I have to wash the lettuce and spinach in bleach water, and clean all veggies and fruit

-I get to speak in another language

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.