Sunday, July 29, 2012
God is the God of Many Languages
The guys and I had the special opportunity to travel with three families to nearby N'Zerekore to attend a small church. The building was a small concrete block structure with a roof that covered half of the building. Our group equaled approximately half of the attendance. When it intermittently would begin to rain, everyone would squish together on the wooden benches to remain dry, and as the rains would subside, some would return to their original seats. A pastor from Togo led Sunday School and the morning service in an animated and passionate manner. I could only smile as we enjoyed the beautiful music that I remembered from my previous trip. We traveled home in the rain, refreshed and challenged to ask God for power in any situation.
We enjoyed lunch with the Albright's, and then I napped for a couple of hours while the guys played the Wii with many of the kids on the clinic grounds. At 4pm, we reconvened for two hours of sand volleyball, which was a blast. We enjoyed dinner with the Barry's and then returned to the guesthouse to Skype with Jen. We spent some time with our Bible study that we have been going thru together, and now are headed to bed after a very fun and relaxing weekend. Tomorrow should prove to be a busy start to a productive week at the clinic, giving us an opportunity to treat physical illness, and observe God as he heals the souls of many.
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Hey guys, I'm glad God is giving you so many special experiences. Kellen's picture with his hand on his hip might seem strange to some of the locals. If he were married it would mean ill will towards his mother in law. Also, not good to cross your legs at the knee with one ankle resting on knee. Has similar connotations. Did you have "drums" at church? Sometimes they use a square frame with an animal skin on one side. It makes a nice drum, too. Did Conner pick up that irregular (to us) rhythm? I would be interested to see him use it here when he gets back. I probably will still be gone if he tries it right away. With it being Ramadan you will probably have the top volume music every night you are there. It looks like you will stop having the heavy rains after Wednesday. Then you will have light rain (less than one inch per storm, per day). When I read your posts I feel a little homesick for that other world I lived in so long. Trudy
ReplyDeleteHey Trudy, the thought of Kel being married is scary enough, let alone what his relationship with his mother-in-law may be! We did have a single drum for the service-- it will be exciting to go to church here in N'Zao next week where they have a full children's choir and many drums. We had rains all night long, which didn't discourage the music droning on all night. I learned today that the music represents the "bush devil" ceremonies that have just begun in the nearby village. I learned a little about the history and culture behind that matter today, but hope to learn more next week when we eat with a man that has confronted the "bad devil" in the village in the past and led him to the Lord. Just for the record, it may take SEVERAL meetings to get Ryan ready for Guinea! I'm not sure this continent is big enough for him. Thanks again for your help. Jeff
DeleteHoly smokes Jeff, you better take Trudy along next time just to babysit your boys so they aren't sending mixed signals to the Natives:) Glad you are having a great time.
ReplyDeleteGive em Heaven
Ryan
Yeah, ya just can't take em anywhere... I'm gonna have to take Trudy to keep you in line, and it's doubtful she has the enery to watch you every second... Busy day in clinic today here, as I'm sure it was there as well. So many people to help...
DeleteGivin em Hope,
Matty
Ryan, I am planning on spending 6 months with you trying to get you half way prepared for going over there. In truth it is a continual learning process and I am only trying to help make it easier for the next person to go through it.
ReplyDeleteI do have materials I went over with the M's before they went. I would be glad to spend a couple hours with you, too.
Trudy
What a lovely, exciting day for you and the boys. We thought of you while sitting in our home church yesterday, wondering about the drums and the dancing:) We made a short trip to Jill & Scott's and enjoyed hugging the kiddos. Baby Zachary is getting so big and what a smiley little guy! Very fun! We tried to go down to their house on Sat., but the PT Cruiser broke down on I-5...we had to be towed back to Salem from 20 miles north of Eugene. Fun, bumpy adventure. :) It's out of the shop today and repaired, we hope. Jay is bringing Daisy and Molly with him here tonight...he's teaching a class at Corban and plans to drive back home late tonight. We plan to keep the girls overnight and take them back to Bend tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Jen and boys on Fri. night there too. Dad is getting back to work already and today they are getting all new computer systems at the college. Praying for you and the people you serve today. Thank you for keeping us updated. Love hearing all about it from you AND the boys. Yeaaaa! Kellen accepted me as friend on FB! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear all is well, despite car troubles... Jen hopes to get to see the Winston crew next week and spoiler nieces and nephews. I'm sure Krae and Noah will find something to light on fire... All is well here, quite a busy day today, but satisfying. The guys got some time to blow off steam this afternoon and play with the younger kids here on the clinic grounds. Tell Dad good luck with the computers, never as easy as the techies say it's gonna be...
DeleteLove ya both,
Jeff