September

 September flew by as every month does. Settling back in and getting into a routine took longer than I had expected but I think school would have been a bit hard to adjust to regardless of furlough. Here are some pictures from our month in no particular order.

One Friday Kenny and Austin went with Duane and the students from the shop to Katonka, Ghana's only car brand. They have a lot going on. Typical "Jack of all trades, master of almost none." They have a collection of animals.

And some very experimental vehicles, such as this airplane limo. Austin loved seeing everything!

Just a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the beach. Kenny said he needs to soak in salt water every so often to stay healthy! We do love how beautiful the ocean is and how empty the beaches are in Ghana.

One day we were delighted when a grader started working on our road. It had gotten really bad since the last time they worked on it in December of 2020. The next day we heard a beeping noise in our village and before long it was so close the boys said we NEED to go for a walk. Sure enough, the grader was working at a road just across the bush from us. 

Austin is in second grade this year. Teaching is a challenge that I really enjoy, but being this tied down and on a strict schedule is something I really don't enjoy. We are learning how to balance it all. 

One evening it was cool and rainy and the children were cold after their baths. Brent's solution was his shirt that says, 'In Memory of Jarrell' on the back.

Silly boys on morning break!

Kelsey with sisters Bethany and Charlotte, two of her favorite little friends.

A big load that Kenny saw. They always catch his attention for some reason!

Coloring in Sunday school at church. These little folks can be a challenge to teach but I love listening to them sing.

August 31st Kelsey turned 12. I was sick that day and thankfully it was a privilege to cook all the meals on her birthday! I am so thankful for all the work she so willing does.

One cool, misty/rainy Monday afternoon we went to the beach. Once in a while we get the feeling that we just need to get away from normal life for a bit and get a fresh perspective. I'm sure everyone thought we were crazy, but the 'men' fished, Kelsey floated in her tube and I walked the shore. We watched fishermen push off in their little canoes and battle the waves out to sea. We ate a kind of good supper and Kelsey and I payed for it the next day with achy stomachs. But I don't think any of us will soon forget that afternoon. And the sand dollars will help me remember. I put them on my shelf in the bathroom where I see them every morning and evening, and they remind me of how God loves the details in our lives. They are so intricate and detailed.

Austin jogged to stay warm.

Brent loves riding little waves on his board.

A Bible study after playtime at the Salt house. There are days when I wonder if we do these children any good? Do they benefit in anyway? Is it a waste of our time? But sometimes I think I am the one that needs the clinging hugs. The "Auntie! Auntie!" from the little tot that throws herself at me. Maybe I need their love as much as they need mine!

A car ran off the road at Iture, just down from Salt, and flipped into this little stand and bench. It is usually a hang out but the people had just left to go see something a few minutes before this happened. Angels were watching over those men!

September 29th, Austin turned 8! His love of fishing made it easy to know what he wanted to on his cake! 

We celebrated in style with shaped pancakes for breakfast. (That is a cake by the way)

And pizza for lunch with a few chopped up pepperonis that spelled Happy Birthday. (Even if it was barely legible.) It is hard to believe he is now the age Kelsey was when we moved to Ghana.

And one last crash picture thanks to Kenny. This was a half load of bagged cement. One thing we often pray about and often gets mentioned in our conversations here is how we have been blessed with safety on the roads. There are a lot of unsafe drivers and vehicles on the roads and we feel so blessed to have had no major incidents in our time here.

Well, that was our September! Thank you for all the many prayers.