Journey to Africa

MIssion Africa:Day 9

2004-11-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late in writing in my journal. I skipped a couple days, so I'll try and make up for them now. Today (Friday) we finally had a free day. Had breakfast about 9 and then went to the market around 10am. Me and Amanda were shopping partners. The market was CRAZY! People throwin things at us, gawking, oogeling, and surrounding us. The guys had to kind of protect the women. We were able to buy a few things with the help of Francis (our other awesome interpretter..who I might add can bargain like nobodies business!) but then it started to pour down rain!! We ran to the bus, but a couple people still needed to shop! People were coming up to the bus trying to sell us things, so we started drawing pictures of what we wanted and they would bring the items to us!! I think Wal-Mart needs to take a little visit to Africa!!
But then we went back to the hotel to pick up a few that didn't want to go to the market, and went to the orphanage. We said goodbye and gave away pretty much everything we had, but the clothes on our back. I gave Sewodji a picture of myself praying so he would always remember I am praying for him, and he gave me a little drawing. It was cute. Then as I was walking out to catch the bus (who had a few ppl on it to make a quick run to the store) a seamstress tackled me from the side and her and 2 other people just started putting this dress on me over my clothes!! I was being held hostage! lol It was hilarious! But it fit, I gave her my watch and a great big hug. I hugged my little boy one last time and got on the bus to go back to our hotel. All the children were surrounding the bus waving and shouting, But I couldn't see Sewodji anywhere around, I thought maybe he was just playing with a few trinkets he got from all of us. Well we went aheadand left for the hotel. Kami and Charlsetta decided to stay at the orphanage for a bit longer.
Well, once we got back me, Angie, and brian decided to explore. We disguised ourselves as natives and set out walking! We walked down the street a little ways and found a pottery side of the road place. So me and Amanda bought. Then we saw a supermarket so we walked a little way more to check it out. Turns out it was like a Japanese dollar store!! Nothing in it was African at all!! So we walked back to the hotel. I really, really wanted to swim, so me and Amanda decided to go for it! We were both in the pool chatting at Kim and Julie sat on the side (who both had street clothes on and were hanging their feet in). There was a table of what looked like about 4 Russian boys in their 20's, and one of them walked right over to Kim. He asked if she had any electronic equipment in her pocket, and Julie said, "Don't stand up, he'll throw you in!" Well, I guess Kim was in a daze, b/c she stood right up, and he immediatly shoved her in the pool!! She was about half mad, but hald flattered that he was flirting with her (since she's almost 40). But anyway, she ran ove to the bar and ordered a big, tall glass of frothy beer, walked over to the table, and threw it right in his face!! He was a good sport about it. Then a bit later he came over to apologize, but Kim would have none of it.
Well after that fiasco, we all went to dinner at Greenfield's. Me, Michelle, and Amanda shared the cheese pizza. I got to talking with Kami about the orphanage. She asked me what my little boy was wearing, so I told her. She said, "Oh no, that was him..." I obviosly asked her what happened! She told me that her little boy dragged her to the dorm. There were a bunch of boys surrounding a bed, another little boy on the bed, just crying. It was my little boy....crying b/c I had left. He missed me that much. She said they all said a prayer for him. I think a lot of children cryed that day. I know I did....
But then after Greenfield's we went back to the hotel. I went to put my huge drum in my trunk only to find out it didn't fit!! I had to find someone with a bigger trunk willing to switch! Luckily Misti was having trouble filling up her huge trunk, so she switched with me, WHEW!
I stayed up So late and was SO tired I went right to bed. Can't wait to get back to America. =o) BUt what a fun awesome experience this has been.
Until Tomorrow,
Melissa
*This journal entry was written while flying over Canada...

Mission Africa: Day 8

2004-11-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Well today was hard, but not as hard as yesterday. We had devotional @ 7am again, and then breakfast @ 8. After that we headed to Boughbay (pronounced Battle Bay). It was about 45 minutes from our hotel. We arrived there and still had to cross the river, the people we were with didn't know where they were going and we didn't know that. So we sailed across the river to a foriegn checkpoint. Right when we arrived on land, the natives rushed out and just scooped us up in their arms (right from the boat!) and carried us to shore!!! Even the guys! It was the most hilarious thing! Dr. Kelly (a bigger guy) had 2 people carry him!! But then of course we started out walking. We walked with all our heavy equipment and water for about 2 miles and then quickly realized we were completely lost. The sun was beating down and people started getting sick. Then a bus came and we just all hopped on it, hoping for the best. Luckily (and with God's divine intervention of course) we stumbled across the pastor of the church we were setting up the medical clinic at.
So we found our way and set the clinic up and worked (and WORKED!) until about 4 o'clock. I mainly weighed people and took temps. Then Tina asked me if I wanted to help do door-to-door visitation. I really didn't want to, but told her I would do anything needed. So she recruited me. We hopped on a motorcycle and zoomed off into the distance. It was SOOOO much fun! I was holding on to the native driving for dear life! Once we reached the village we saw all kinds of bare breasted females, without a care in the world. Free as a bird. Me, Charlesetta, and the interpretter spoke to them about Christ for a bit, and then we prayed the sinner's prayer with them. Most of the natives that stayed repeated the prayer aloud. It was AWESOME! Then we took the motorcycle back.
After all this Pastor Tomiteh held a revival outside. HIs son is just great! He helped us interperet all day. His name is Silasin, and he smiled at everything! Me and Michelle starting probing him about girlfriends, asking him if he had one and he was about to die! It was so funny! He was SO embarressed. He was in his 20's. He asked us if he was about the right age to be a senior in high school and me and Michelle said YES! at the exact same time! We didn't want him to feel less b/c he was a little old to be in high school. He was SO smart! He knew like 4 different languages. I just loved him!
After the revival it was pitch dark. I was very scared. We busted out our flashlights and walked about a mile to shore (we were totally in the woods) I held onto Kami the whole way! Then we got ont he rickity wooden boats and sailed across the river. While crossing I sat next to Amanda and right across from Kent. The boat kept rocking back and forth really far! I really thought there was a chance I might fall in! I jkept grabbing onto Amanda's bag telling her that I heard there were demonic spirits in the water. Her and Kent were just laughing and Kent started egging it on even more! He said he never had any sister's, but he imagined it would be something like this. Amanda had a few bananas so I told her to throw one away from the boat. She did and everyone jumped and started saying, "What was that!, I saw something out there!" She threw 2 more and we were crying laughing! There was a red light on the shore and Amanda kept telling me it was a demon eye!
But anyway we finally made it, and ate at King George's again. The beaf steak was GREAT! NO more sand!
I'm lying on the floor right now, with a matress and a couple blankets counting the hours until we get back to America.
Until Tomorrow...

Mission Africa: Day 7

2004-11-17T23:01:00.000-08:00

Today seemed like the hardest da of my life! I have never been more exhausted. We had devotion today @ 7 am led by Tina...I thought by me, but apparently Christine forgot she had asked me or something. So that's alright. At breakfast I was talking with Michelle, and she said she prayed all day long with ppl at the Katonga clinic yesterday, and she wished she could be with the kids today. So, I told her I would switch, even though I REALLY didn't want to. I must die to myself though. So all day long at the Katonga Clinic I prayed with ppl. Kenneth was my interpreter. He came with us from Ghana @ the Manna Mission. He would ask the patiens question about their past and their religious beliefs. His spiritua gift if definitly evangelism. He would turn to me after speaking with them and tell me their past, and that they wanted to pray to be born again. So I would lead them in the SInner's prayer. I would say a portion, Kenneth would repeat it in Ewe, and then they would repeat after him. It was amazing, I stopped counting after about 10 people. god can really work through this man. One 11 year old girl was being taken to the "brotherhood" by her parents, which is a cult. But she still accepted Christ anyway. Another lady had 2 children, each by a different man and no husband..no support. She was pregnant with her 2nd child for 16 months, she was worried why she was pregnant for so ong so she went to the Fetish priests (occult). They delivered the baby, but made her enter some kind of blood covenant. If she didn't shave her children's head and teach them the Fetish ways they would be killed. She payed the price and accepted Christ anyway. She was crying and then Ken gave her some cfs ($). She literally had no one else to turn too. I hugged another lady and tried to encourage her, through Ken. He said something like, "Some of these people will never forget you as long as they live." That made me feel really special.
I started getting moody though as the day progressed. We had lunch @ Pastor James house and I honestly thought I might pass out. BUt only by the grace of God did I keep going. They served us some crazy chicken & something what looked and tasted like sand. We were originally going back to the beach for lunch, I can successfully say that I have now eaten African food. After a time...LONG time, we walked around the village and let everyone kinda see us since we will be doing evangelism tomorrow. I'm getting a little tired of the older boys and men just looking at me up and down and I always have to find a guy to stand next to.
But them we had our last revival. Several, around 20 surrendered their lives to Christ.
After the revival we went to King george's again. I sat with Kim, Julia, and Michelle. We were all so tired and ticked off and moddy that we were just laughing at anything. This guy with the kazoo was crazy! It started to rain so me and Michelle just wnt outside and got drenched. I had a dust, sand, bug spray, wet wipe, hand sanitizer, rain, mud paste on my skin. AHH!!!!!! This has been the hardest day of my life!!!!!
I need to get rested up, so I will write more stories tomorrow. =o)

MISSION AFRICA: DAY 6

2004-11-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

Today has been the most tiring day of them all. I really did think I was going to pass out. We had devotion today @ 7 am, then breakfast. Right after breakfast, we all headed our seperate ways. I had told Christine last night that if possible I would like to go back to the orphanage with the construction. I pretty much played with kids the whole day. Me, Leigh Ann, and Kim all had the girls cornroll our hair-like tiny braids, it looked really cute. But then we went to lunch again @ Robinson's Beachfront. Some of us went down tothe beach and collected more seashells and Steve took a little swim. Tomorrow I am going to swim in the oceam. My first time. YEAH! But anyway, we then wen back to the orphanage and played with the kids even more. I was so dirty it was unbelievable. Julia told me I won the nasty prize for the day.
After the orphanage we went to the Katanga clinic where the rest of the team was. Then off to Pastor James house for a short devotion. Then we had a village wide revival. Right there in the open. We dnced, and I had a little black baby girl fall asleep right in my arms. It was funny b/c they had the "alter call," andmore than 20 people came forward. Pastor James asked for all the missionaries to surround them and pray over them, so I did all this with a baby in my arms..asleep!
These people though...they revere us. It's like being a celebrity. Bruce said he walked into the village by the orphanage and it was like a zoo! People would look at him to see if he was mean, nce, like an animal! But they really see us as God sent missionaries, I mean I know that's what I am here for, but they are just sooo thankful that ppl would travel all the way from the USA to come and help them.
But after the revival we went to King George's, this time I had the steak...

MISSION AFRICA: DAY 5

2004-11-15T22:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I am sitting here at the bar at our hotel (Seaman's Club) outside. It is very beautiful and the weather is great. Just a slight breeze. No one else is here. I am absolutely exhausted from our hard days work. We had a devotion @ 7 am and then ate breakfast around 8. After breakfast we headed over to the orphanage. I tell you, when our buses get there, it's like we are celebrities. The kids absolutley mob you. But we stayed there basically all day. For lunch we went to a restaurant right beside the beach! It was a magnificent view. I walked along the beach and collected rocks and seashells. I also met a woman from Morroco. Shw gave me some of her shells she had found. How sweet! Oh before I forget, I saw a completely naked man! Kent said he makes all the juys jealous. =oO How funny. I learned some kind of hand clapping elimination game from the kids today. I didn't catch the words real well, but it went something like "Kim Was...PapoSim" Also an older boy named Joel taught me a song in Eve.

Ac be mada na ma oo-
Ac be mada na ma oo-
Ac be mada na ma oo, mada na ma oo
Mada na yea sue.

ANd I have had it stuck in my head the whole day. He gave me his email too...Joel02@yahoo.com
I suppose he has computer access @ a school or something. There have been a couple tifs here or there and I don't get along with a couple people, but that just comes with the territory.
Christine wants me to lead the devotional on Wednesday, I will pray about it but I think I already know what I want to say.
Here at the bar, me, Bruce, Kim, Kenneth and Christine kind of unwound a bit. We talked about our views on homosexuality, churches, just different opinions.
Well I'm getting eaten by musqitoes, so I better mosey to bed.
Until Tomorrow...

Mission Africa:Day 4

2004-11-14T22:15:00.000-08:00

Today was a very long, tiring day. I am absolutely exhausted. I went to breakfast @ 7:30 am. They served French bread with cheese and blogona, then a crossiant with some cheese spread. It was actually very good. I came back up to my room (#1) to get ready and then we all met up @ 9:00 am to head to the orphanage to attend a little of the church cerimony. It was fun b/c we all got to dance with the natives! Then right after the opening comments we headed straight to Pastor James church to have services. By then I was starting to feel kinda drained, but I still had a little energy. Right after those services we headed BACK to the orphanage! They ended up having all the children on one side of the facility and all the missionaries (us) on the other. They served us lunch first, it was white rice with chicken. The chicken was the nastiest thing I had even seen. I think it was still clucking! I didn't want to be rude, so I at least took one little bite. They actuallygave us the chicken and the children the skin! I know they are very cerimonial and polite. But shesh! The kids can have it! But we played with them after lunch and I just love my little boy...each of us (21) has a little boy or girl, mine is definitly Sewodji. He follows me everywhere I go, I just love him! Maybe I will try and sponser a child...
But anyway while @ the orphanage we attended a graduation cerimony. There were 4 semstresses and 1 baker-all girls. They are apparently encouraged to find their own life after they grow up. It was so long and tiring, fun though. I like to see the culture.
After the orphanage we went BACK to Pastor James church for (I think) his ordination. By then I was so extrememly tired I really thought I was going to pass out! After that was over we stopped by an internet cafe. It was soooo slow, and I couldn't get my email to send! Leigh Ann let me and Merideth use hers. The keyboard was in French so I had a few problems, nothing major though. Right when we were getting ready to leave...there was a HUGE fight. 2 guys gooing after it! I was really scared. We then went to Greenfield's again and we were there 3 hours. The service was horrible! And of course I knocked over a candle with glass all around it. I am so clumsy! I did have pizza with goat cheese on it though....nasty.
Hum..oh, while at the orphanage we were sized so the girls could make dresses for us. We pick the style today and the fabric tomorrow.
Well...Christine jsut asked me to lead a devotional sometime this week. God actually did reveal something to me just today. I will write about it later when I actually speak to the group.
Until Tomorrow,
Melissa

MIssion Africa: Day 3

2004-11-13T22:30:00.000-08:00

Today we woke up at Manna Mission, had breakfast and then drove to the Togo border. I sat next to AUdra on the ride to Togo, which was about 2 hours. The border was crazy, so many people starring at us and trying to sell us things. I handed out some "Passion" tracts, and the natives were just amazed! we had to get our passports stamped so some of us waited in the van since it was SO hot outside. I sat in front of Dr. Kelly Stephens and we made quite a good connection. He is hilarious! We got on the bus to ride into Lome, and he even said he wanted to sit near me since we have similar personalities! The first bus that was sent for us broke down. So we had to get another bus, and it wasn't big enough, so some ppl had to ride in a taxi. we made it to the hotal, and I was immediatly surprised. I guess I just though we were going to be staying in grass huts. This is really top notch compared to my vision. There is a nice pool..a couple of souvineer shopd, but what's really weird is there are 2 cages with monkeys in them. Why? I just don't get it. But anyway I am rooming with CHristine and Kim...they are both a little older so I don't relate to them as well as others, but that's okay.
We went to the orphanage to hand out blankets and then got to play with the children. One particular child grabbed my hand and would NOT let go. he pulled me to his bed (which was apparently the "boys" room, with many, many beds) and wrote his name down on a sheet of papaer. "Sewodji" I then wrote my name down. We went back out with the other children for a while and then he drug me to his bed again, this time pulling out a drawing og a girl who strangley enough has brown hair like me! He folded it up and gave it to me. I hope I can get it framed.
I also was playing with this baby girl who had ringworm and I didn't notice it. Dr Kelly and Kent told me they had anough work to do w/o treating me too! I hope I didn't get it! But I trust that God will protect me.
We then went to Pastor James house. He lived in a grass hut in a large village. He talked for a while, gave his testimony and then we sang hyms. I was weeping at how awesome it was to see God work in a village that is in the middle og quite literally nowhere! I will never complain again! I am a little scared and intimidated at going door to door though.
After this we ate pizza and Greenfield's. Yup, pizza in Africa...for lunch we had hamburger's and French fries! Shesh...I though it would be rice and beans for 12 days! ANyho..Kelly sat next to me and we had a fun time laughing. There is one girl here that I really have a hard time liking....Misti Babb. I keep trying to get to know her, and it seems she always has someone better to talk to and isn't really interested in me. I guess I will have to love her from afar. But I really like Tina. She just came to our room ans shared her testimony. Her parents were drug dealers in Colorado, so she w/ raised in that environment. She had a child @ 18 and was divorced several years later. She tok her daughter, Alexandra, and moved to OKC to start her new life. She is really an awesome girl. Been saved 5 years now. She seems very genuine. Interested in my boring testimony and encouraging me. Kim, one of my roommates is seperated from her husband right now, and is in the process of divorce.
That's all for today, check in tomorrow for more stories!!

Mission Africa: Day 2

2004-11-12T21:25:00.000-08:00

Last night we arrived in Ghana, immigration was great-they didn't ask me a thing. Although I kept seeing this sign that says, "ACWABA." I finally figured out what it means! WELCOME...makes sense being at an airport. Steve (our missions director) thought someone stole his backpack...and after much headache it turned out, it just got moved to another overhead compartment. I was worried that my checked luggage wasn't going to make it..the belt kept going round and round and everyone had their luggage but me and Merideth. Well luckily it was the last bag on the belt! I had forgotten to tell the attendent back @ OKC to check my luggage all the way to Ghana. Merideth never got her bag...someone else had one just like it! So she had to mess around with baggage claim. We left the airport and all pild into 2 vans. Some dude from the street asked me for a pen, so I gave him one. We made it here to Manna Mission! FINALLY! We chatted for a bit, took showers, then went to bed.
This morning we all woke up and had breakfast downstairs. The milk was the nastiest thing I've ever put in my mouth...but I still drank it. The eggs were delicious though, and I had a sandwich (PB). Then we went to the Manna Mission school. The "servive" was so touching, I cried. The interpreter was even into it. I recognized all the hyms they were singing, so I got to sing along. Then we went ahead and set out for the "Fishing Village." The van ride was about 2 hours, and the whole way I was just intaking the culture. Open grass hut markets line the bumpy roads. I even saw a man...relieving himself...out in the open! We stopped to get gas and I found ou their currency is pronounced as "CD." Though I'mnot sure how to spell it. The exchange rate I've been told is 9 thousand CD's per US dollar. We passed by the ocean and got beautiful pictures of the waves crashing against the sand.
Well we finally made it to, "The Fishing VIllage." It actually was a very beautiful resot! We ate lunch on the beach (chicken, and this really awesome spicy rice.) And I even saw a lizard. Fishing boats were all around...old, long, wooden boats, with gigantic white nets. I think I managed to steal a few seashells while I was at it! Then we took a boat ride to the actual island. we arrived w/i 15 mins and there were at least 50 children there to greet us! It was like they had never seen an American before! We walked a little way to the main part of the technology deprived village and set up some makeshift medical tables. At least 70 ppl were already there in hopes of us treating them. There was a registration table, vital signs table, Dr's diagnosis table, prayer table, and pharmacy. I opted to work at the prayer table. After things got rolling and I started praying I got extrememly discouraged. At forst I didn't have an interpreter, and when I finally ot one, he was still having a hard time. I had a hard time relating to the people, and it seemed everyone of them was responding with a yes, when I asked them if they knew CHrist. I finally asked the interpreter if they really didn't know him, and they were just saying yes. He said yes...they all give sacrifices to idols. I finally asked soemone to take overfor me and I went outside to see at least 100 children playing duck, duck, goose! So I joined right in! Of course they picked me every chance they got and they just loved to play with me, and sit in my lap. I loved it too! I got so into the game that I got scratched up and bumped and bruised, but oh well, it was worth it. Then the game emded and I kinda was exploring..and started tickling the kinds. Sooner than I knew it i had 50 kids surrounding me! Poking, prodding, touching, jumping, and laughing with me! A village woman ran up screaming and scared all the children away, so I could leave with my group. I gave her a great big huge hug! We made it back to the boat while holding hands with all the childrena dn made it back to the resot. We pacled everything up and stated on out 2 hour journey back home. I slept a little of the way, only to the music of 2 mission members singing hyms in an awesome jamacian style! We finally made it back to them ission where I immediatly jumped in the shower, then headed down to eat dinner. The airport said they had Merideth's bag so I volunteered to go back with her. So we chatted for about 45 mins. I think she liked that I went with her. On the way back we saw ppl selling, bread, apples, and toilet paper..What a mix! We got back, and I packe my luggage to be ready @ 6:00 in the morning. (Whoah!) Then I decided to write this. =o)

Mission Africa: Day 1

2004-11-11T04:40:00.000-08:00

Well today is day 1 of our mission trip to Africa. It started with my Momma coming over to my apartment to take mt keys. My friend Rich also met me to take me to the airport. My mom actually started to cry! And for some reason that really burdened my heart. I realize she is just worried about me, so I prayed the Lord would calm her fears.
My friend Rich was so nice to take me to the airport. He even helped me with my luggage inside! What a great friend! Steve (our mission organizer) checked out a piece of luggage to me. They named this huge (HEAVY) piece of camouflage duffel-Nemo. So whenever I get off the plane I'll be, "Finding Nemo!"
We stayed at the airport (Will Rogers) for a while, and I got to meet a few people. Which was good since I don't know anyone. This girl named Julia seems nice enough. She's a fireball though. She's one of those that will tell you like it is. The flight to Chicago wasa delayed about 15 mins. But luckily I have a great seat partner! When we finally boarded I set next to a girl named Amanda. She is super nice and fun to talk to. I think she likes me too, because when I asked her what seat she was in on the flight to London, she was right next to me. She about had a heart attack! She was excited. We talked about Mafia, he husband Russ, OSU, Honduras, and other fun topics. The flight to London was just okay. We had a little black boy sitting right in front of us that would NOT behave. He kept talking and screaming, and kicking the whole way! And his mother did nothing about it! He was a sweetheart though. I got to play with him for a bit. His name was Isaiah. We arrived at Heathrow and had a bit of a layover. Steve told us to partner up. So i found a victim and buddied up with her. Her name is Merideth. She is a little bit oldr with a couple kids, but she's very patient and very nice. We walked around Heathrow a while and I was SO happy to find a souvineer store. I was able to find my, "Mind the Gap" shirt! Whoo-Hoo! I thought of my friend Erin the whole time and she mentioned she wanted a shirt, so I made sure to buy one for her too. And when I was in London the first time, I found a keychain that was shaped like these big red close-door phone booths nad my brother totally comindered it! We've had a battle over that think ever since I've been back. So I managed to find 2 more, one for him and one for me. No more fighting! I also found this great frame for my post-card like Big Ben photograph. It's just perfect! But back to Merideth-she is a big nature person, military gal, who loves gadgets. We kinda stuck together in the airport. But one thing I haven't figured out yet are those 2 minutes of silence! While int he airport I was talking in my normal speaking voice (which is loud) and the attendant told me to be quiet! We were apparently in the middle of a 2 minute silence. HMM.....
I watched 2 movies on the way there, "Jerry Maguire" (okay) and "Open Waters" (Horribe and bad ending.) Amanda watched "Spiderman 2," and then took little naps here and there when Isaiah wasn't going crazy.
But anyway here I sit on the flight to Ghana. We are watching "Bourne Supremacy." And I have never been so cold in my entire life!
Oh I forgot to tell you about this dude on the Chicago flight. I guess I kept bumping his chair or something because he finally turned around and gave me this "look." I even apologized, but I still got the "look."
Amanda just told me this awesome story about her engagement. He boyfriend (now husband) lived in Costa Rica for 3 months, and everday he kept a journal and wrote in Spanish. Well when he finally got home to hins then girlfriend, he read the journal to her a little bit at a time. She doesn't speak Spanish or read Spanish, so she couldn't read it by herself, he would read a portion a week, or ever other day so she could relive his experience. Well after several months of this, he got to the end and it washim proposing to her. How romantic! She had her proposal in her hands the whole time but didn't know it! I love stories like that!
Until Tomorrow,
Melissa