A Tribute for my friend.....Avril

I received word early this morning that my friend, Avril, had died during the night after an unexpected accident in the bathroom of a hostel she was staying in.  Avril and Kwame had traveled to Tamale to teach a Healthcare Training class.  When Kwame called me, he was extremely distressed and stated "I don't know what to do, Mom Cheryl".  I would like to tell you more about Avril and Kwame.

When I made the decision to come to Ghana for medical missions, I began looking for other medical missionaries in Ghana.  I found Avril.  She was a wonderful nurse and child of God who dedicated 14 years of service to Ghana.  I had the privilege of meeting Avril for the first time in February of this year.  I spent a week in a hostel she and her Ghanaian family (Kwame and Joyce) had built and just recently moved into.

This is a beautiful sunset from Kumasi, Ghana just outside of Avril's home. 

Here Avril and I are unloading some medications which the group I was with brought to her from the states.

After eating Ghanaian cooked meals for a week prior to visiting Avril, she made us the most wonderful pancakes!

This is the group from IHCF with Avril, Kwame and Joyce.  (Kwame and Joyce are the Ghanaian couple just left of center.)

Here is Avril and Tom Carr from International Healthcare Foundation

Kwame has been with Avril for many years.  He started with her back in the 90's when Avril was helping start the clinic at Village of Hope.  Kwame was her right hand...maybe even her left.  He was her son and she his "Mom".  I remember telling her that I would need to find someone as great as Kwame to assist me when I moved to Ghana.  They worked in the clinics together, taught Healthcare classes together, and Kwame, his wife Joyce and Avril all lived together.  Kwame always looked after "Mom Avril".  Their relationship was a wonderful one.  Kwame's Ghanaian Mother and Father are both still living, but they let Avril have Kwame for her assistant and they, too, treated her as family.

When the missions committee at MRCC was discussing my coming to Ghana for medical missions, one of the great concerns was for my safety.  I remember informing them that Avril had been here as a single woman in medical missions for many years and would be glad to talk with them about the safety of Ghana.  Avril loved it here.  But even after 14 years, she was still like me in that the heat and humidity were hard to get used to.

If you have been following my blog, you will recall that Linda and I spent another week with Avril, Kwame and Joyce the last week of May.  Linda attended the Healthcare Training class which Avril and Kwame teach and I assisted with the class.  Avril had asked me to assist them with teaching if possible.  We talked about so many things and were hoping to work together for many years.

God's timing, however, is not the same as ours.  Even tho we grieve at this time for our loss, I am comforted to know that Avril is now at home in God's Heavenly Kingdom.  Kwame, Joyce and the Ghanaian's Avril worked with will need prayers for strength and comfort.  She will be greatly missed.

Avril.....Thank you for all you taught me and for you wonderful council.  You were a source of inspiration and encouragement to me.  I will miss you, but rejoice on your move from earth to Heaven above.

 Psalms 23:6 And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

Changes are difficult, but often for the best

I am so proud of the students, staff and teachers at OAVI.  When an American comes into their territory, it means they must make lots of changes and adjustments.  They are responding very well.

As you know, my primary goals are to teach Gods Word and serve the school and surrounding villages with a medical clinic and medical education.  These things I am doing daily.  I am teaching a minimum of 6 Health classes per week, often many more.  The Bible is used often in these classes.  Currently I am seeing and treating around 20 students per day for ear aches, HA, malaria, diarrhea, etc.  We had one young man yesterday, Clement, who was very ill with acute malaria.  We were able to get him the appropriate medications and treatment without sending him to the hospital.  This saves the school money. 

I have also started a daily devotional with students using the E-100 (Essential 100) study guide.  This will take them through 100 scripture readings in 100 days.  They really seem to be enjoying the study.  I now have one teacher who joins the class as well.   Also one young man has brought me a list of very intense questions regarding being a Christian and requested one to one study.  I have engaged one of the church leaders to study with him.  A very positive beginning.

Now for the changes they are working on due to my arrival.  The first few weeks I was here, I noticed that many students were receiving punishment of various kinds from the staff.  There was often chaos when changing between classes took place and this often ended with students being punished.  The school prefects were often frustrated and expressed receiving a lack of respect from both teachers and students.  They were "stuck in the middle".  As many as 20 students or more were late to school daily.  Dan asked me to suggest and institute some changes which would help with the leadership and smooth out the rough edges.

I have held three meetings with the Student Representative Council (SRC).  This group consists of the Prefects and assistant Prefects.  We have discussed what the role of a Prefect is and what a leader looks like.  It was surprising that the first student to give me a discription of a leader said " A leader is like a shepard".  Great!  This was quickly turned into a leadership and Bible lesson! 

The teachers and I have discussed the methods of punishment which they were using when I first arrived and the way in which the punishment was delivered.  The teachers and I discussed teaching discipline through example.  I am happy to say they have all embraced this idea.  I no longer see teachers hitting students, screaming at students or continually looking for reasons to punish them.  It seemed like punishment was the priority instead of teaching. 

The students have really come around as well.  The extra classes I have taught have been on respect, responsibility, and expectations of young people their ages.  We have looked at Galations 5:22 (Fruits of the Spirit) and Colossians 3 (Rules for Holy Living and Christain Households).   I am seeing less and less angry exchanges, less punishment being NEEDED and less chaos between classes.  The teachers even appear a little less stressed.  AND we only had 5 students who were tardy yesterday and ONE today!!!  Hopefully, the trend will be to continue to rise to the expectations for responsible, respectful young adults.

As I re-read this, it almost seems to good to be true and like it is all because I am here.  This could not be further from true!!!.....I have very little to do with the changes I see.   All they needed was more God in their lives.  With God, all things are possible.

Another BIG change is all students, teachers and staff are expected to speak English on campus and in the buses.  English is the primary Ghanaian language.  We teach English at school, but they were speaking the local languages Twi and Fantee.  The rule for English only was instituted to help them practise what they are learning.  Often, people will tell me they understand me when you can clearly see in they actions that they do not.  Hopefully, the English rule will help them improve their comprehension and use of the English language.

Please pray for all the things going on at the school and clinic.  I pray daily for God to use me in whatever ways are necessary for the growth of his kingdom. 

Titus 3:14  Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. 

A visit from Friends!

Wow, it has already been 12 days since my last update.  I had intended to update once or twice a week.  Maybe that is a goal which I will have to work on. 

This last Wednesday, we had visitors from MRCC (Memorial Road Church of Christ).  Jim and Norma Freeman came to Ghana with their 2 daughters, Cherie and Deanna.  Dan and I met them at the airport where the girls headed for Village of Hope and Jim and Norma came with us to Takoradi.  It was so good to see some of my home church family.  We chatted and chatted for the 4 hour drive from Accra to Takoradi.

When we arrived in Takoradi it was getting late (7pm).  Norma and Jim had been traveling since 7am the previous day.  It really is a long, tiring trip.  I think they really enjoyed seeing the Atlantic Ocean and coast line.  We took them straight to our house where Linda, Cecelia and the other kids had dinner ready for us.  The Central Takoradi Church of Christ leaders and some of the school board members were all there to welcome the Freemans to our country and town.  Our dinner was typical....chicken and rice with fresh mango, papaya, pineapple and apples.  I think the mango and pineapple were the favorites.

As soon as prayer and dinner were over, we took Jim and Norma to their hostel.  They really looked beat.  Although it was dark, I think they were able to get a little feel for the roads we travel every day.  At one point, Dan made a quick and unexpected swerve to miss a big pothole.  As we all gasped, he informed us that it was just a little "turbulence"! 

On Thursday morning, I headed to school at my usual time of 6:45am.  Dan would pick up Norma and Jim around 9am and bring them out to see all.  They arrived around 9:30.  I gave them a tour of the school while the students were in class.  We also toured the buildings under construction.  One will be the clinic and a hostel and then we have a smaller building under construction which will be Dans office and a conference room.  Dan is very busy with the school and church activities which require meeting with several people at one time.  His office is too small to adequately seat the numbers at times.

After the tour, we went to the pavilion where the students, board members and church leaders gave a short (2 hour) welcome program for the Freemans.  The students gave welcome speeches, sang church songs in English and the local languages and the church leaders presented them with Ghanaian clothing.  I think they both enjoyed the opportunity to see the students and interact with them.

We left the school around 2:00 and headed to see the Central Church of Christ building.  This building has been under construction for 10 years.  No financial assistance has been received from anyone other than the church members.  They have pledged to build it on their own.    We finally left town around 3pm to take the Freemans to Village of Hope.  Again, I enjoyed the opportunity to chat with them during the 4 hour drive.  We arrived at the hostel by Village of Hope around 6:30 pm.

The purpose of the Freemans trip to Takoradi and OAVI had two purposes.  First, no one from my home church has been here, so they will report back to my church family what we have going on here.  I really hope they loved this school as much as I do and can see the need and potential which exist here.  The second purpose of their visit to OAVI was to bring us a suitcase of medicines and medical supplies.  Wow, these will really help us to get started.  I have been seeing students for a variety of ailments, but was so limited with what I could offer.  Dave Ellis, Cory Shipman, Drs. Beth and Steve Walker really hooked us up!  I am so thankful to them all.

The Freemans also brought me a very special surprise.  A quilt made by the MRCC Piecemakers' quilting group.  It is so special to me and I will cherish it always.

In preparation for the supplies and medications, I had purchased one cabinet with doors and ordered an 8' bookcase to be made.  Late Friday night, the bookcase arrived...Oh, my!  It is huge!  It took approximately 10 of us to unload it and get it into my office!  But it looks like it will last a long time.  The next time I order shelves, I will order 4'.!!!

Long update with all the pics.  (Can you believe that we only got video of Jim and Norma....no pics.  Sorry.  They have lots, maybe they will send me some to post.) Hope you enjoy the pics of the students and school.  I will leave you with a short verse to think about.

Ephesians 6:7  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.

How Time Flies......

WOW!  Has it really been two and a half weeks since I last updated this blog?  I am doing very well and am very busy.  Last week Linda and I traveled to Kumasi to attend a "Healthcare Training" class which is taught by a Canadian Nurse who is here in Ghana working with IHCF (International Healthcare Foundation).  I met Avril in February when I visited the two clinics which IHCF has here in Ghana.  She has been here for 14 years total.  Linda, who is Dan's daughter and will be assisting with the clinic at OAVI, is not a nurse and so needs to be trained in healthcare.  I assisted Avril with teaching the week long class and Linda was a student.  The class was helpful to me because I was interacting with Ghanaians and learning about their culture and some of the beliefs they have about healthcare.  Linda will continue to travel to Kumasi for the classes until she completes the course; however, I will probably not go back at this time.  I am finding myself busy enough with my duties at OAVI.

This is the third week of school for this term.  I am busy preparing and writing my class lessons, teaching, attempting to deal with licensing issues, getting medications lined up and assisting with some administrative issues at the school as well.  The teachers and students both want to learn from me.  There are many things they do which can be done in more efficient ways.  I can not and will not come into this setting and just start making/suggesting changes.  However, I have been asked to work with the teachers to help them find more effective ways to help the students be successful.  Also, the teachers have expressed frustration with the discipline practices they are currently using and would like to have input on some ways to change the discipline practices which may be more effective.

As a nurse, we are taught how to teach.  However, we are not trained in the same depth as our educational teachers.  I am finding myself in new waters.  I have taught other nurses and healthcare workers many times, but to teach teens and tweens is a new experience.  Many of the students appear to be very interested and engaged in the health classes.  However, I have to teach more than health.  I need to teach them discipline, respect, english and health.  AND in Ghana, unlike America, I can use the Bible as a teaching tool.

Beginning this week, I have now started a daily Bible Study during the lunch hour.  The attendance is purely voluntary for the students.  I will have this short Bible Studies Monday thru Thursday.  I am using the "Essential 100" (E-100) study guide for my study plan.  It has only been 3 days, however, the class is growing daily and the input/questions are growing.  I hope this will lead to some good things to come.

It is the rainy season here and I now know where the phrases "Raining Buckets" and "Raining Cats and Dogs" came from.  Of course, the best description of the rain here is "When it rains it POURS!"  The rains are daily and I mean it comes down.  Sometimes the winds pick up and it comes sideways, but most of the time it is straight down and HARD!

Where I live, we are usually unable to get running water.  So I have really mastered the art of the "bucket bath".  We are lucky enough to have our own well in our compound.  Others in the area use common wells and have to carry the water long distances to their homes.  One of the benefits of traveling to Kumasi was the ability to have a shower.  However, in Kumasi, we were unable to get electricity most of the time.  So.....I believe I am more thankful to have the electricity and not the water.  I can not imagine living here in this heat and humidity without my air conditioner and ceiling fan!!!  Bring in the buckets of water......!!

Tonight I splurged and cooked pancakes for dinner!  A small box of pancake mix was $7 and I bought local syrup.  We also do not have any propane for our stove, so we are cooking outside on a small charcoal grill which is about one foot square.  Propane is becoming a little hard to get due to the high gas prices ($6/gallon).  The taxi drivers have converted their vehicles to use propane instead of gas.  So when you see a propane dealer, the place is swamped with taxi cars.  If you are lucky enough to make it through the long line, they are usually out of propane by that time.  However, I think the reason we do not have any propane is probably more likely due to lack of funds than lack of propane.

The Asiamah family does not allow me to give them money.  So I try to help with purchasing food, water for drinking and gas for the cars when I can.  At the first of the month, the school has to pay all the teachers and staff their monthly stipend.  Dan frequently uses personal funds to supplement the donations when they are not enough or come in late.    He says the money belongs to God and God will provide.  I believe God does and will. 

I entitled this update "How times flies......" so let me leave you with this.

James 4:13-17  Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that"  As it is, you boast and brag.  All such boasting is evil.  Anyone, then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.