Glimpses of our Life in Ghana

   This story is one Kenny came across and it was at a time that I needed to hear it. I did some research and even though some accounts of the story say it was Theodore Roosevelt that was the politician and Henry Morrison was the missionary, I also found places that it is a fictional story. For that reason, I am going to tell the story as we first heard it, without any names.         A missionary and his wife were sailing home from serving most of their lives on the mission field in Africa. They were tired, worn out and discouraged from the many hard things they had faced over the past 40 years. They had given their all and were coming home with nothing to show for it.   On this same boat was a politician who had just spent ten days in Africa hunting big game. He had been very successful and was coming home, proud of his trophies. He had a group of men with him and they were all jubilant with their success.   As the boat neared the port...

   There have been several short stories and quotes that have touched me in some way and that I wish I could remember better when I need their lessons. You have probably heard all of them before, or at least one of them. But maybe you, like me, need to be reminded occasionally. Loren Eisely wrote a essay called The Star Thrower. Many people have told and wrote versions of his story since then. Instead of copying one from another source, I will give you my version.     An old man was walking along the seashore just as the sun was rising. As he walked he noticed a young man ahead of him. The young man was stooping over repeatedly, and as the man drew nearer he could see him pick something up and throw it into the water. When he reached the young man he saw him pick up a stranded star fish and throw it out to sea. The man watched him throw a few more and then looked around. The shore was littered with star fish. Hundreds, thousands of them.    "Young man," he ...

It has been so good to be back home in our village. It can be hard to find a normal again, but it is still good to be home! Our lime tree gave abundantly! Kenny loves squeezing a half into his cup of water. We also used quite a few to make limeade. It's still a little tree, so it will be interesting to see how it produces next year. The children started school again. Kelsey is in 9th grade and technically I am teaching her at home although she works at school in the mornings. Austin is in 5th and Brent in 3rd grade. We celebrated Kelsey and Andrea's birthdays from August since we weren't around then. Patricia and her family came as well and we made fufu. An ant trail that went right in front of our steps one morning. We let them there undisturbed and they were gone by evening.  Austin turned 11! Where has time gone. He still has moments of boy but is definitely growing into a young man. He has been really enjoying his farming, most people would call it gardening. Our patch ...