Fri -June 1 ________________
Hi All,
Just wanted to let you know that we arrived safely in Ghana. It was a LONG flight, but it went smoothly. We spent yesterday shopping for supplies and meeting many of the brethren we'll be traveling with. Today we move to the town of Aveyime to stay for 3 days, doing personal work. The weather is warm, and we're sweating like crazy. :) Fortunately, the van that we rented to travel with has AC, so we're all looking forward to that! I'll keep you updated as often as I can.
If you want to reply at all, please put my name in the subject line. I'll try to check regularly, but can't promise anything.
Love you all,
Erin
Sun - June 3 ________________
Hi All,
I just wanted to check in and let you all know how I was doing in Ghana.
We're in Aveyime, doing personal work and worshipping here today. We've been here for 3 days and have had 13 baptisms so far. God is working in the hearts here.
We travel back to Afenya tomorrow and then it is a 15 hour drive to the North country. Conditions are supposed to be a little rougher there; we're hoping for running water, at least.
Please keep praying for us and our safety.
Love to you all,
Erin
Fri - June 8 ______________________
Hi All,
Wow! I have some news to share with you.
First of all, we are in the north part of the country, traveling from village to village, spreading the word. Today we were in a village called Tindamdo where we studied with both Christians and non-Christians and had 20 baptisms today.
Accommodations are good. We're actually staying in a motel (makes Motel 6 look like the Hilton) and the running water is sporadic. But all in all, the places we've stayed throughout Ghana have been really nice. And we've rented a van that has AC, so that's pretty great. Ghana has a lot of electricity issues so the power goes out at least once a day, for a couple hours up to all day long. But we travel so much that we don't stay in one place too long, and we're not affected too much.
Okay, now for the important news! I had a marriage proposal this week.
Before you get too excited, I must tell you that it was really scary. As part of custom here, we had to visit the chief of the region before we could evangelize in his area. A group of 12 of us went to his palace. Ironically, even though we HAD to see him before proceeding with our work, we had to pay to be seen. (Weird). We had to give money to both him and his elders.
Anyway, once we actually went into the palace, (which was, surprisingly, a very plain mud hut...although he did have satellite TV), we went through the expected protocol and then he allowed us to take pictures. After pictures were done, we all had to file through to shake his hand. After that, they asked our group leader, Bob, to sign the guest book. (I thought that was pretty funny that some rich, and supposedly powerful chief had a guest book in his mud hut.) When the elder handed the book to Bob, he said "One of the women may stay, especially this one." and pointed to me. My eyes got huge, my face turned red and my heart started pounding. I basically panicked. My mind was racing, thinking of how I could turn down this offer without getting us in trouble for offending the chief. Thankfully, Bob took over and said, "Her father would not approve." The elder asked if Bob was my father.
He said "No, but I represent her father and I know he wouldn't approve." The elder said, "Why don't we ask her to see what decision she will make?" Bob stepped right in and said, "No, I know your customs and you always deal with the father. Since I represent her father, I say no." He played it off in a casual, light-hearted way and no one was offended. As we were walking out of the hut and back to the van, I practically pushed everyone out of the way.
All I was thinking was "Hurry, start the van. Let's get out of here." Now that it is over, I'm able to laugh about it, but at the time, I was in complete fear of having my head on a stick for disobeying the chief. The team keeps calling me Nanna Heima, which means queen mother. Oh, by the way, I would have been #9 in line...the chief already has 8 other wives! Bob said when he sent out this update, he would use this illustration:
Speaking to the elders: $40,000 cedis (about $4.00 US money)
Speaking to the chief: $500,000 cedis (about $50.00 US
money)
The look on Erin's face when the chief asked her to stay:
Priceless!
Well, just wanted to update you and give you something to laugh about. If I don't return from Africa, you'll know that my group traded me to some chief for a dozen goats or something.
Lots of love to you all,
Erin
MONDAY - June 11 _____________________________
Hi All,
Thanks to all those of you who have replied to my updates and for all who are continuing to offer prayers on our behalf. Things are going well here.
We've had 65 baptisms so far.
We stayed at Mole National Park last night and took a "walking safari" this morning. It was really cool. When we got there last night, the power was out (as it tends to be regularly here in Ghana), and we were a little nervous.
Previous guests had warned us to make sure our room doors were locked at all times b/c baboons like to come in during the night and steal things from your suitcases. With the power being out, we could see plenty of glowing eyes staring at us from the brush, making us feel uneasy. Fortunately, the power went on about 10pm. This morning we took the walking safari tour at 6:30am. It was 2 hours. At first, we were a little disappointed as we only saw a couple of baboons, a few warthogs and a bunch of antelope. Then as we were walking in the brush, an elephant came charging through. We were about 50 yards from us, just staring us down. The guide let us take a few pictures and then we had to back away slowly. After that, we went down to the watering hole where about 15 elephants were swimming. We got very close and watched them play. It was a really cool experience. I took a ton of pictures that I'll be sure to share when I return.
We are heading to Kumasi tonight and will be at the Village of Hope tomorrow. We plan to spend 2 days with the children there. I'm really looking forward to it.
Everyone here is so friendly and hospitable. I cannot express the way they have welcomed us with open arms. We have only been with them for 12 days, but we are already such a close family.
One thing that continually surprises me, though, is what a freak show we seem to be. In the US, I never think about race differences, but here people stare and point at us as we go by. We've joked about the fact that there's 2 expressions I see as people look at us: they are either confused or seem upset. But either way, the moment we smile at them, we get huge smiles and waves right back. The kids are the best. They are in awe of us. They follow us around and giggle every time we smile at them. It's been a very unique experience and I'm so thankful to all of you who supported me and helped make this trip possible, with God's blessing.
My love to you all,
Erin
Sunday - June 17 _____________________
Hi All,
Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know how we're doing.
We had 2 more baptisms yesterday, brining the total souls added to the Lord's church since we've been here 77.
We're leaving Afienya again this morning after AM worship. We're heading to the eastern region to a town called Kade. We'll be holding a seminar there and visiting/encouraging the area congregations. We'll leave there on Wed to come back here. Thursday we'll go into Accra to get our souvenirs and finish paying our trip debts. Then Friday AM, we're heading back to America!
I have mixed emotions about coming home. I'm sad because I've made some really great friendships here and can see the results of the Lord's work in this country. But I'm anxious to see family and friends at home, and to eat some American Food! We have chicken & rice at least once a day here and I think I've just about reached my limit.
Well, we're off to services in Pram Pram and then to the east.
My love to you all,
Erin
Monday - June 18 _____________________________
Hi Everyone,
I'm sure you're tired of hearing from me by now, but the days are counting down on my Ghana adventure. Only 4 days to go!
Things here are very good. We are in the eastern region in a town called Kade. Our men held a seminar today on Marriage & Family for the congregation here. We were supposed to go out on personal work this afternoon, but instead are staying in to rest. While most of us would rather stay busy than rest, 5 in our group have
malaria: 3 Ghanaians, 2 Americans. Please pray that our brothers recover quickly and are back on their feet soon. The Lord has blessed me and I haven't been sick since we've been here, aside from having an upset stomach for a couple of days. (I guess that is what you get from eating various items from street vendors.) Hopefully, if enough members of our group are feeling well tomorrow, we'll go out to do personal work then. We then leave here Wed. morning to head back to Afienya, most likely stopping at the cocoa factory on the way. The chief of this area is a brother in Christ and he has a cocoa factory that he said we can tour.
The area we're in now is supposed to be rich with diamonds. They say that after it rains, you can walk the streets and find them laying in the dirt where the water has washed them downhill. So, we're really hoping for rain!
:)
We met up with the other group of our American brethren on Saturday. They were looking well-rested and clean. We're sorry we won't be around to see how ragged and worn-down they look after 2 weeks. :) I'm sure they took one look at us and thought "Yikes!" It was good to meet up with them, though. The ones who were making the trip for the first time asked all kinds of questions about the conditions, etc. Funny how after 3 weeks, we feel like pros and were able to give all kinds of "advice"!
I have a list in my head a mile long of the American food I want when I get home. We have some form of chicken and rice at least once a day. I think I've had enough to last me until I come back next year. We did have some delicious beef last week, but mostly chicken. I've tried all kinds of new foods since we've been here. Fermented corn doughs called Kinki and Banku, and a porridge made from the same dough (all were pretty gross, but at least I can say I've tried them), rice water (about the consistency of oatmeal, but when you add cinnamon, cream and sugar it tastes just like rice pudding), and lots of stuff from vendors on the street. Kabobs that I was told were beef, but who knows...these deep fried dough balls that resemble giant donut holes, roasted corn, polo bread (made with coconut..delicious), ice cream (more like creamy frozen yogurt), fried cheese, both roasted and boiled peanuts. And the fresh fruit here is awesome! The pineapple is to die for and they also have mango, watermelon, bananas & plantains. We weren't able to get that when we were in the North, so now that we're back south, we're eating up as much as we can.
Well, that's about all I have to share right now. I'm praying for you all and hope you're doing the same for us. I'll try to send one more update before we come home.
Lots of love to each of you,
Erin
Thursday - June 21 ______________________
Hello Folks,
Well, this will be my final update from Ghana for this year.
This trip has been such a blessing to me. I am so grateful that God saw it
in His plan for me to come and that you were all generous enough to be
willing to help me get here. I have had my eyes opened and now see the world
a little differently. I know that sounds cliché, but I mean it. I realize
just how much the Lord has blessed me with the love and support of people of
all different races, cultures, backgrounds and countries. I now have family
in Ghana that until this trip, I never knew existed. God has blessed me with
new relationships that span continents and I have been so deeply moved by
these people. They are such a generous, unselfish, caring people. Unlike us
Americans, they think of others first. Throughout the trip, we've been
discussing the differences between our countries and cultures, and while we
have conveniences like AC and power/running water all the time, we don't
have the open hearts they do. Our school students don't have the discipline
and drive theirs do. (Did I tell you that I met a class of 3 & 4 yr olds
that recited their times tables to me?) We don't have the common courtesy to
complete strangers that they do. And their eager attitudes toward the gospel
are awesome. I have never experienced anything like it. Granted, not
everything here is great. Their women lead VERY submissive lives and, while
there isn't anything wrong with it, it isn't something that would be
tolerated in the US. Driving here is nuts! I thought US 19 was bad. They are
maniacs on the road. (But they always use their blinkers.) Their country is
also very poor. Many of the group we traveled with had not been to the
places we went before we took them...and they were places that were within a
few hours of their own homes. But due to the economic conditions here,
traveling to the market once a week is a big deal. Even though these people
have so few material things to offer, they have opened their hearts and
their homes to us time and time again. Perfect strangers have allowed us to
stay in their private homes simply because we're brothers and sisters in
Christ. It amazes me still.
While I'm looking forward to many people and things in the US, I am very sad to leave Ghana. Our group was having a discussion today about how anxious they are to get home, and I was the only one who said if given the
opportunity, I'd stay another 2 weeks. I truly mean it. I believe in the
work that is being done here. And I obviously can't say enough about the
brethren we've traveling with. They honestly are family now. I see why our
group leader, Bob, returns every year. It's addicting.
Well, Lord willing we'll be in the air at this time tomorrow and will land
around 10:30pm in Orlando. Please continue to pray for our safety. Please
remember those in our group that have malaria. They are recovering, but it
is slow coming. Also, please say a special prayer that all of our flights
will be on time and we'll be able to catch our planes as scheduled. We have
a little issue when we try to switch planes in NY. Our window is very small
and with the lines in customs, we're a little nervous about making it to our
flight to Orlando. I'd appreciate your added prayers on that issue.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, and I'll be in touch one way or
the other when I return to the States.
Love to each of you,
Nana Heima Erin