Our Return... and other things...

OUR RETURN HOME...

 

I have been asked to let you know when we are returning.  Our flight into Atlanta is scheduled to land at 2:40PM on Friday.  Depending on how long it will take to get our luggage, get the van, and get out, we anticipate arriving at Arlington around 7:00PM, give or take an hour!  We will all be calling as soon as we can!

 

AND OTHER THINGS...

 

Today was another very hot day.  They seem to be getting hotter, and the sun seems to be getting brighter each day.  But we are not complaining!  I have been wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 50, which is "waterproof" and "sweatproof", but I have found out it is not Ghanaproof!  I have been using it twice a day - once first thing in the morning, and then again after lunch.  Fortunately, I am not burned YET, but am working on it.  Billie Jean found some SPF 60, so I tried it today, so we will see!

 

I say all of that to praise the Ghanaian workers who have been helping us with the baptistry.  Peter and his brother Christmas have been helping and working very hard.  Peter worked alone, but tomorrow we will have Christmas (... in June... sorry, had to say it...).  There have been many times when we have had to retreat to shade and drink water, but they refuse to stop.  I suppose they are a bit more acclimated to their environment than we are!

 

Today we completed the walls of the baptistry, and thought we would stop there.  However, Peter insisted that we pour the footer for the concrete pad for the stairs going up to the baptistry.  That saved a day of construction, as it will cure enough tonight for us to pour the pad and then hopefully tomorrow build the stairs on the inside and outside.  Daniel, the director in charge of construction, is very pleased, and asked me if we would be able to plaster it tomorrow.  That is the last step before painting, which means that if he gets done what he wants, we will actually get to see it completed before we leave.  Of course, it will not have water, but it will be finished!

 

While not all of the team has been working on the baptistry with shovels and trowels, ALL of the team has been supportive and encouraging.  They have been bringing us snacks and water regularly, and have been very positive about what we are doing.  Pete was apologizing for not being able to help, as he and Bill sat and watched this morning.  But we reminded him that when they come to watch and talk, they are like the "great cloud of witnesses" we read about in Hebrews 12.  And I think that really sums up what we have all been for each other on this trip as we encourage each other.

 

While the importance of the baptistry is obvious, it is rather special in this case.  We have built it outside of the building in which they worship now.  However, they are going to tear that building down and construct a new building AROUND the baptistry.  The baptistry will literally be the cornerstone of the new building.  For the Rider's, you may recall the bath house outside the building, and behind the playground.  We built the baptistry in front of the bath house, and the new building will have the front toward the clinic, and the baptistry will be in the back.

 

Sunday we plan to go to the ocean and take a break.  Monday we will go sightseeing.  I wish I could tell you where, but I don't recall!  Regardless, we are looking forward to a couple days of nothing but rest!  Today David and I were talking about the fact that we still cannot believe we are in Africa, so perhaps that day will bring it home for us!  Tuesday we hope to paint the baptistry and have it FINISHED!

 

Most of the team was able to rest today.  Michelle and Billie Jean worked with the preschool today and taught them some new songs.  They say that the kids can now do "Toe-knee chest-nut" faster than they can...

 

We were able to spend some quality time with Tommy tonight to talk about how things are going here, and some future plans for the VOH and the Hope Christian Academy.  Tommy is very well settled here and is "at home" with God in control.  We are very happy to be here to help him even for a little while.  But for family back home, I think we would all like to stay a bit longer.

 

Thank you for the update on Francis Maples' sister.  Please keep us posted as to how she is doing, and let her know that we are praying for her and her family.  While we obviously cannot be there to lend a shoulder, we are there in spirit.

 

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of our stay, but are looking forward to seeing our families and friends when we return.  Thank you for your continuted prayers.  Please know that they are being heard and answered.  We love you all!

 

In His service,
Jeff