Philadelphia A/G–Gardnersville

Yesterday we attended the dedication and thanksgiving service at Philadelphia A/G, Gardnersville. Fredna pictured with Pastor Namu’s wife.

That moment when you realize what the heat and humidity have done to those shoes that were at the back of the closet.

To you this may just look like a roof, but to this congregation it is an answer to prayer before rainy season. Thanks to all our donors who made this, and all of the ministry we do here, possible.

Hold on, baby; we’re dancing!

The church gave us matching attire as a way of saying thank you. Gaylord has a theory that headdresses look much better on African women than white women. When he's right; he's right! (This actually would have been tied very differently if it were not just placed on my head in haste - though it probably wouldn't have looked much better.) You have to admit that I am a good sport to post this.

blessings by laura story

i have had enough difficulties and trying times to know that god's blessings don't always come packaged like we expect...but i have also had enough experiences to know that in all circumstances i serve a good god who loves me and can be trusted

Hey, Whi’ Man!

I don’t normally think about being a minority in this culture, but here are a few of the recent reminders of the novelty of our "whiteness":

· I was showing some pastors a photo of our new grandbaby, and one of them sweetly said, "Oh, a little white baby."

· On his way to school, a little boy noticed that we were building a tabernacle. I saw him grin real big as he said to his friend, "I’ve got to go over there and see the white man."

· Some little children getting close enough to me to rub my arm

· A group of girls asking to touch Gaylord’s hair

· Constant stares while out and about

· The occasional “hey, whi’ man” – sometimes in a pleasant manner and sometimes not

· The realization that we are the ONLY white people in any given setting

· Small children mimicking our features or actions – like drawing attention to my double chin (When I looked at all the surrounding faces, I realized that Gaylord and I were the only ones with this distinguishing feature.), or crossing their legs and moving their foot back and forth and watching to see if they were doing it correctly, or speaking in a high-pitched tone to reproduce our Texas drawls

Fun observances, but, oh, to know what they are really thinking!

Children's Ministry Training

Yesterday we traveled to Gbarnga for a multi-purpose ministry trip. Berea A/G was the site for national children's workers training. As presenter Phil Malcolm, missionary to West Africa, prepared materials, registration was underway.

 

Gaylord made the necessary introductions, and then participants from our six AGL districts participated in and received training that they will now replicate across the country with workers from our local churches.

 

 

Children's ministry can be very tiring.

We took this opportunity to meet with the district superintendent, Rev. Pewee, to discuss other ministry and church-planting initiatives in Central District.    

New Jerusalem A/G–Gardnersville

We began the month by preaching in one of our local assemblies. It was a good day.

 

Rev and Mot Targbeh

Choir, pulpit decorations and preaching

 

Children’s church looked like mini-church - complete with choir and instruments.

 

Gaylord visiting with Pastor David from Foya while I made friends with the pastors’ granddaughters