February

February might have been the shortest month of the year but we sure packed a lot into it! We were out of water for a day and hauled jugs of water from the village well. Thankfully, Kenny is now on a first name bases with a man from the water company and after a phone call to him, he figured it out (Saturday evening even!) and everyone had water again. The water line had been off for a short time and a valve got stuck, which meant no water for the shop and us and everyone in between.

The water had been off at the school/church as well. Someone had tried to wash their hands and left the faucet turned on. When the water started coming, the water came out of the faucet, hit the edge of the sink and sprayed all over the place. Thankfully with concrete walls and tile, water damage isn't a problem! But when we arrived at church, there was water running out the door. Gideon, Wayne and Kenny did most of the clean up before church and while the rest started singing. It happened that we had an extraordinary amount of children attending that morning as well. It wasn't the most relaxing, refreshing Sunday morning, but all things considered, it went well!

One Sunday evening we took Dante's boat out to the river for them. We got boat rides as well out of the deal!

When the tide comes in (this is just above the ocean) the water gets quite deep here. This is the mouth of the river that goes past our village.

School started! Well, I guess continued with a new teacher would be more like it! Austin goes two days a week and Kelsey four days. School is held at our church which also serves as a clinic on Fridays and Saturdays. They are enjoying having Miss Tasha as a teacher instead of Mom. I am enjoying having a more flexible schedule, but I do miss my children!

Have I mentioned our mango story before? Our mango tree finally bore fruit. And the neighbor children helped themselves to it when it was small and hard. We were left with two mango. One nearly ripened before being nocked down. This one started turning color and I was already tasting the sweetness of tree ripened mango! And then a bird found it! I managed to save most of it! The tree is flowering again and has a lot of tiny mangoes starting to grow. It will be awhile till they are ready, but maybe........ we will get more than before!

The first work crew came the end of February and Patricia made a meal for us and them one night. She worked hard all day and it was delicious!

Fried rice is ready!!

Fried chicken! She went to culinary school so they have classes on garnishing and presentation.

We also started language classes. Joseph is our teacher and we meet on Wayne's front porch three times a week. Wayne and Dorothy were planning to take classes and we decided to join in. We were asked to stay another three years as pastor for the church here in Abbina so knowing Fante will be a big advantage. Most people know at least some English but Fante is still their mother tongue.

It isn't easy and we come home with our brains feeling fried, but things are starting to click as we learn about the language structure. Their alphabet is a little different from ours so we started there and our working our way through pronouns and now verbs. We have the advantage of having heard it spoken for two years. I'm excited about the possibility of understanding the jabber that flows around us on a daily basis! 

  School at the shop is going well for Kenny. His seven students all seem dedicated and are learning well. The attendance is much better then last year. It takes just as much time and energy as it always has. We are looking forward to their Independence Day this weekend, which gives us a three day weekend.  

 Yesterday, I came across these words by Anna Waring and they sum up my longings so well. I knew they were familiar but didn't realize it was a hymn until I looked them up to copy and paste here.

  Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me,

And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;

But I ask Thee for a present mind intent on pleasing Thee.

I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, through constant watching wise,

To meet the glad with joyful smiles, and to wipe the weeping eyes;

And a heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and sympathize.

I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do or secret thing to know;

I would be treated as a child, and guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am, in whatso’er estate,

I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate;

And a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait.

So I ask Thee for the daily strength, to none that ask denied,

And a mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side;

Content to fill a little space, if Thou be glorified.

And if some things I do not ask in my cup of blessing be,

I would have my spirit filled the more with grateful love to Thee,

More careful, not to serve Thee much, but to please Thee perfectly.

There are briers besetting every path that call for patient care;

There is a cross in every lot, and an earnest need for prayer;

But a lowly heart that leans on Thee is happy anywhere.

In a service which Thy will appoints there are no bonds for me;

For my inmost heart is taught “the truth” that makes Thy children “free”

And a life of self-renouncing love is a life of liberty.