June 13th

I have had time to reflect, and decompress. I am very glad I followed, when, and where, I was led. My time in Tamale and surrounding villages was more than I had imagined. Seeing others, living in very difficult surroundings (compared to the majority of folks in the states) so filled with the Holy Spirit was inspiring. Seeing everyone with Alabaster Project Ministries so dedicated to helping find the lost, always reaching out, seeking more ways to make a connection, always sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, leaves me changed.

I know some folks found it odd that I made this trip by myself and not with a group. But as I said before, I was doing what I was being led to do. I had to go. In retrospect, I am convinced I benefited more by going on my own than I would have if I had been with a group.

I am not sure if I will be posting anything further unless I decide to write a full testimony of the trip. Please post any comments or questions and I will be happy to answer them.   

some more pictures

1.Pricilla and Kingspride Hammond, my host and the leaders of Alabaster Project.

2. Ladies returning from the pond where they obtained their evening water supply. Walking 3/4 of a mile with 5 gallons of water on their heads.

3. The mud hut home of one of the disciple bible study attendees in Fooshegu village.

4. The four widows who received peanuts after church services on Sunday. 

good rest last night

I am pleased to say I had a long restful night and am excited it is Sunday. I would love to see our service have the energy and excitement of the service I went to last week in the village. The praise and worship time almost brought the structure down. They were definitely "raising the roof" or whatever the saying is, for singing and dancing exhuberently!  

HOME

I have made it home, 34 hours from my temporary home in Ghana to my home in Chapin. More to come, but first a little time to decompress. Stay tuned.

Airport blues

Still hanging out on Accra at the airport. At least is has a/c. At this point my plane is on schedule, and my fingers are crossed.
Hope to see the USA soon, ATL in 15 hours from now!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Accra

I had an uneventful flight from Tamale to Accra this morning. Now I just have to hang out most the day waiting on my late flight.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Power

Thank goodness the power is back on and the rain has cooled the temperatures. Let's hope it stays on through the night.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fooshegu PM

This afternoon we went back to the first village I visited my first day here. King and Moses held disciple bible study, Genesis. It was as hot as it has been. About half way through, clouds begin to gather. On the way back they became storm clouds with a lot of lightning. We made it back just in time. Just as I got in the door, off goes the power again. Then the rain and wind. Genesis must have been the right book because right now it must raining like it did after Noah built the arc.
I'll packing a few things before I go to bed tonight, my flight from Tamale to Accra is at 7:45 AM.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Van

I was able to get the passenger van door functional today. As in, it will open from the inside but not from the outside. However; that is better than not opening at all.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

My Last full day in Tamale

Let me begin today by letting you know I have NEVER drank so much water as I have these last 8 days. And there was still one day I got dehydrated, was light headed and had a rapid pulse.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

IMG00045-20110525-1801.jpg

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wednesday

It has been a long day but full of promise. We started at 7 AM with dental clinic. And yes I did pull some teeth! Maybe Britt needs another partner, lol....

Then I helped work on a Ford tractor fuel system.

After lunch we traveled to the village of Tarikpaa for disciple bible study. The photo will follow. King had a wonderful discussion with them about being called to go, to take to The Word to the lost. Not just to other villages, but other countries. Two of the participants seemed very interested in taking the next steps to becoming missionaries.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Power

Thank goodness, the power is back on. 9 PM.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Tuesday

It was a little cooler yesterday, but the heat is back full force today. We spent about 5 hours in the chapel today, disciple bible study. A lady from one of the nearby villages ended our session with a song. I recorded her on video on my phone, but it is too much data for me to send. I will post it after I return and can DL the file to the computer.

Also, the power is out, so no fans.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday PM Sanga

After all the clinic patients were taken cafe of Moses, King, and I went to the village of Sanga. We had bible study with the pastor and a few other church members. We discussed John, chapter 11. We learned of a crippled young man who was a Christian, but has been forced into Islam by his uncles. They all live together and because of his physical limitations he cannot take care of himself. Therefore he must follow his family's instructions.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Clinics

Monday is dental and eye clinic day. For the dental clinic, patients come through for diagnostics first. Their information is taken and they are examined and given a diagnostic slip. Then they all gather outside the clinic to receive a message before treatment begins. In the photo you see Moses (the dentist) sharing God's word with the patients. I will be assisting Moses today.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Dental clinic

Hopefully you can see all the people lining up before 7 AM for a spot in line at the clinic.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Church

We went to two churches today. The villages were close to each other. One small service of 10-12 and the other with 40-50. The people here who know the Lord obviously love Him deeply. The Holy Spirit was in full force this morning. We delivered the peanuts to the widows in both villages.

The heat is unrelenting. It is a challenge to stay hydrated.

God bless you all. I love you guys!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Saturday

Worked at Bethany Village today. Worked for a couple of hours trying to repair the door on a passenger van. I was able to get the door open but not fixed. We loaded up large burlap bags of dried peanuts for delivery to some families tomorrow after church. I had my first dental assistant training session. There is a great need for someone with mechanical experience here to work on the trucks, van, and tractors.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Pic.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Friday morning prayers

We spent 3 hours in the chapel this morning praying for the lost and asking for strength and guidance as we reach out to them.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Day one

The first day is coming to an end. After the 3:40 am start, I am tired. As you see from the pictures, I visited the village of Fooshugu(sp) for bible study. 4 young men who are church leaders in the small villages study with King and Moses on Thursdays. I am not sure if I could adaquately describe Tamale. I will send pictures soon.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

One more

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

In Fooshegu

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Tamale

I made to Tamale this morning. Kingspride met me and we have arrived at Bethany Village. I will send picture as soon as I can. The streets are lined with vedors, scooters, bikes, goats, and pedestrians.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Accra

Well I finally made it about 4 hours later than planned. I'll eat some dinner and get some rest. I have a 6 am flight in the morning to Tamale. Everyone in very friendly. Lots of roadside vendors selling everything.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

ATL

Made it to Atlanta. Now delayed 3.5 hrs at a minimum. And so it goes!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Today is the Day!

I am finishing up a a few things at work today, then off to the airport. Thanks to all of you who are praying for me. Please pray for Debra too, she needs to be lifted up during this journey as much as I do. I am truly excited to see what God has in store for me, to see what opportunities I'll have to bring Glory and Praise to His Name. Bless you all.

More later............. 

Monday

Well Monday is here after a long but productive day yesterday. We collected around 150 cases of water for Keepin it Real Ministry. Hopefully that will last for a few weeks, As the temperature rises, so will the need for bottled water.

Ken

Busy Sunday

Early start today. I need to be at the church at 8:15 with my son in law's trailer. I am setting up for bottled water collection. Our church's "Samaria" Mission Team works with "Keepin' it Real" Ministry in Columbia. It is a  ministry for the homeless. During the summer months, Oscar, the pastor, and leader of the ministry, gives out bottled water in Finley park in downtown Columbia. He does this to quench the bodies thirst, and then takes the opportunity to minister to their spiritual thirst as well.

After our church services I will head downtown to deliver the water, have the Keepin' it Real Ministry service, and then feed the those who have attended the service in the park.

Good thing I got started packing yesterday, I leave Tuesday. 

Wednesday

One day closer to Ghana. I am having many fruitful conversations about the trip as more folks find out I am going. My favorite sister had surgery Monday. She is doing well, please pray for her rapid recovery. God bless you all.

Ken

visa !

I received my Visa for Ghana. I guess I am all set. One week to go.  

Training for traveling

I guess this week could be considered training for my trip on the 17th. I was on the road for a few nights in Mississippi and Alabama. The flights gave me some time to read the book we are studying in our small group. We are reading Forgotten God, reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit, by Frances Chan. Very good read so far.   

tearing down the house

Wow, spent about 5 hours tearing down a burned out trailer yesterday. A group from my church tore down the trailer for local man whose house burned down a couple of months ago. We broke it down to the metal frame and will have a salvage company come in to remove it. There is a replacement home ready at a local community sponsored mission outreach service, GOoDWorks that can now be put in that lot.

Visa

Well, I have completed the next step in my preparations. I got my package out the door to the Embassy of Ghana to get my visa for entry into the country. So far so good. On my way tonight to hear Garrett, my oldest grandson, on the violin, at a school program. 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter every one!

Ken

Good Friday

What a dreary Good Friday. The good news of Easter makes up for it for sure. I did get my passport, so now on to the Ghana Embassy for my visa.

First Post

Well here goes. I am preparing for my trip a little at the time. I got my vaccinations last week. My arms have finally stopped hurting. My updated passport is set to arrive today.