Wow! Where has the time gone? I don't want to believe it has been over a week since I last posted. It's not that I don't have anything to write about. I probably could go on forever, but it's late so I'll keep this short.
Jefferson's wake and funeral were a real blessing. We stayed at the wake until 12:30am when they were starting a time of singspiration. Mind you, wakes and funerals are different here from what we're used to at home.
Darrell preached for only 45 minutes instead of the 3 hours he was told he could take. I'm sure he was told that with tongue in cheek as a way to tell him he could take as long as he wanted, but I'm also sure people would have been disappointed if he had made it too short. He preached from Isaiah 40:12ff about how big our God is, including the fact that He is big enough to know how to take care of the empty spots left by Jefferson's departure.
Many tributes were given both at the wake and funeral testifying to the impact Jefferson had on many lives, young and old. One of the saddest parts was when the orphans--28 of them--got up to sing and we all knew they had just lost their "daddy." And then a group of students from the school sang, some of them singing their hearts out with tears streaming down their faces. Believe me, I had tears streaming down my face too!
The funeral was scheduled to start at 10am--probably started more like 10:30--and went until about 2. I couldn't see everyone there since many--maybe most--were seated outside under canopies, but when they filed past the casket at the end, the line kept coming and coming and coming. I asked later if anyone knew how many people were there and Jefferson's sister-in-law said they planned for 1,000. I'm sure there were at least that many there which is another tribute to the impact of Jefferson's life.
After the burial we went back for a feast of rice and soup. I can't imagine cooking for that many people, but they did an excellent job. It was a good end to a day honoring Jefferson and the God he served so faithfully.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Jefferson's Funeral
Jefferson's funeral is tomorrow at 10 with the wake tonight at 9. Darrell also went out there this afternoon at 5 for the arrival of the body.
Wakes in Liberia usually last all night with preaching and singing, and we expect this one will be the same. We will probably stay until about midnight unless Darrell hasn't had his turn to preach by that time.
Darrell will also be preaching tomorrow at the funeral, and Jefferson's brother told him to preach 3 hours if he wanted to! I'm sure everyone would be asleep if he did that after an all-night wake. Mind you, I'm not saying Darrell's preaching puts people to sleep, but there is a limit! And don't worry, he won't preach 3 hours!!!
It is so comforting to know where Jefferson is and that his suffering is over. We pray that others will come to that place as a result of Jefferson's testimony and the godly example he set.
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life..." I John 5:13
Wakes in Liberia usually last all night with preaching and singing, and we expect this one will be the same. We will probably stay until about midnight unless Darrell hasn't had his turn to preach by that time.
Darrell will also be preaching tomorrow at the funeral, and Jefferson's brother told him to preach 3 hours if he wanted to! I'm sure everyone would be asleep if he did that after an all-night wake. Mind you, I'm not saying Darrell's preaching puts people to sleep, but there is a limit! And don't worry, he won't preach 3 hours!!!
It is so comforting to know where Jefferson is and that his suffering is over. We pray that others will come to that place as a result of Jefferson's testimony and the godly example he set.
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life..." I John 5:13
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Bug-a-bugs
How do you know when a missionary is ready for furlough? It's easy! The first year on the field, when a bug flies in his coffee, he throws the coffee out. The second year, he takes the bug out and drinks the coffee. The third year, he drinks the coffee along with the bug. The fourth year, he goes looking for bugs to put in his coffee! I must add that this is more truth than fiction!
Martha came back from the market today with a twinkle in her eye. She had bought a special treat for us--fried bug-a-bugs! Yummy!!! I had told her a story about bug-a-bugs so she knew we liked them. More about that story in a bit.
Bug-a-bugs are termites, the ones that make the huge ant hills you may have seen in pictures. In February, after the second rain signaling the approach of the rainy season, the female bug-a-bugs fly, searching for their spot to establish a new colony. The Liberians go out with a torch and, since the bugs are attracted to the light, they get their wings singed and fall into the pan which has been placed under the torch. After they are roasted they make a tasty treat.
When Martha was up-country last week for a conference, she said it rained hard twice, so I asked her if the bug-a-bugs flew. Yes, they did. That's why she found some in the market today: enterprising folk from the country gathered and roasted some to bring to sell to us city folk!
Now back to that story. Back in the '80s when Darrell was pastoring in the States, a missionary appointee came to speak in the church. He was in our home and proceeded to let us know that when he got to Africa he was going to do this and he was going to do that and he was going to eat what the Africans ate and on and on and on ad nauseum! I had finally heard enough so went to the freezer and pulled out a treat for him: roasted bug-a-bugs! (Darrell's folks had been back here for a short visit and brought us a small bottle of the real deal.) I wish you could have seen the look on the guy's face when I poured some into my hand and offered them to him. He asked if I was serious and, as I popped a few into my mouth, I assured him I was very serious. Well, as he turned several shades of green, he took a few. And guess what! We didn't hear anything more about all the wonderful things he was going to do in Africa.
Now comes the question: as I sit here with a dish of bugs beside me, does that mean we're ready for furlough? But we've only been here 2 months!! I think we're in trouble!!!
Martha came back from the market today with a twinkle in her eye. She had bought a special treat for us--fried bug-a-bugs! Yummy!!! I had told her a story about bug-a-bugs so she knew we liked them. More about that story in a bit.
Bug-a-bugs are termites, the ones that make the huge ant hills you may have seen in pictures. In February, after the second rain signaling the approach of the rainy season, the female bug-a-bugs fly, searching for their spot to establish a new colony. The Liberians go out with a torch and, since the bugs are attracted to the light, they get their wings singed and fall into the pan which has been placed under the torch. After they are roasted they make a tasty treat.
When Martha was up-country last week for a conference, she said it rained hard twice, so I asked her if the bug-a-bugs flew. Yes, they did. That's why she found some in the market today: enterprising folk from the country gathered and roasted some to bring to sell to us city folk!
Now back to that story. Back in the '80s when Darrell was pastoring in the States, a missionary appointee came to speak in the church. He was in our home and proceeded to let us know that when he got to Africa he was going to do this and he was going to do that and he was going to eat what the Africans ate and on and on and on ad nauseum! I had finally heard enough so went to the freezer and pulled out a treat for him: roasted bug-a-bugs! (Darrell's folks had been back here for a short visit and brought us a small bottle of the real deal.) I wish you could have seen the look on the guy's face when I poured some into my hand and offered them to him. He asked if I was serious and, as I popped a few into my mouth, I assured him I was very serious. Well, as he turned several shades of green, he took a few. And guess what! We didn't hear anything more about all the wonderful things he was going to do in Africa.
Now comes the question: as I sit here with a dish of bugs beside me, does that mean we're ready for furlough? But we've only been here 2 months!! I think we're in trouble!!!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Just News
Today was a good day in fellowship with other believers. We heard a good message on doing things God's way in God's timing. King David, in the Old Testament, wanted to build a temple for worship in place of the portable tabernacle that had been used for years. It bothered David that he lived in a nice house but the place of worship was just a tent. God told him he had a good idea BUT he was not the one who should build the temple. God had chosen David's son, Solomon, to do it.
Applying it to me, that means I can find something good--even great--to do, but if it's not what God wants me to do, then I'm not obeying. Also, while doing that "wonderful" task, I'm NOT doing what God intended for me to do. That's double trouble! It's better just to obey, knowing that God knows what He's doing and His ways are always best.
Okay, sermon's over!!!
Today I was reminded again that I'm different. It's so easy to forget that my skin is a different color--until some little kid stands and stares and stares and stares. Then I remember that, yeah, I am an oddity! (Okay, family and close friends, no comments!!!) Sometimes they come up and run their hands up and down my arm; maybe they think my skin feels different from theirs???
This morning the cutest little tyke, probably 2-2 1/2, stood in the aisle by us and stared. She was all dolled up in a beautiful red dress with white shoes and socks and her hair was fixed so cute. I could have squeezed her but I had to remember we were sitting in church and I should be paying attention. At one point she reached out and touched Darrell's hand. I wished I had brought my camera, but I wouldn't have used it even if I had had it since we were still in the service. Oh, well.....
I guess that's enough for now. Just remember: God is good!!!
Applying it to me, that means I can find something good--even great--to do, but if it's not what God wants me to do, then I'm not obeying. Also, while doing that "wonderful" task, I'm NOT doing what God intended for me to do. That's double trouble! It's better just to obey, knowing that God knows what He's doing and His ways are always best.
Okay, sermon's over!!!
Today I was reminded again that I'm different. It's so easy to forget that my skin is a different color--until some little kid stands and stares and stares and stares. Then I remember that, yeah, I am an oddity! (Okay, family and close friends, no comments!!!) Sometimes they come up and run their hands up and down my arm; maybe they think my skin feels different from theirs???
This morning the cutest little tyke, probably 2-2 1/2, stood in the aisle by us and stared. She was all dolled up in a beautiful red dress with white shoes and socks and her hair was fixed so cute. I could have squeezed her but I had to remember we were sitting in church and I should be paying attention. At one point she reached out and touched Darrell's hand. I wished I had brought my camera, but I wouldn't have used it even if I had had it since we were still in the service. Oh, well.....
I guess that's enough for now. Just remember: God is good!!!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Mr. Fix-It
Anyone who has lived in the tropics knows that the climate does a number on most everything. We wish we could live without "things" that need our attention, but so far we haven't found a way to make that feasible. It is amazing the number of things Darrell has had to fix in the short time we've been here. It's a good thing he has a good brain for things like that or we'd either be out of money or living with things in disrepair.
When we arrived the Sheppards told us that the AC in the vehicle needed to be repaired; Mark had hoped to get to it before they left, but all those last minute things kept popping up. That was Darrell's first repair, but that one had to be done at a shop that Mark told him about. Soon after that was fixed, the fan for the AC went. Mark knew there was a problem so had left a spare fan for them to put in the same time they made the first repair, but they told Darrell the fittings weren't right. Well, don't tell Darrell something can't be done! He fixed it himself, but.....now he thinks the original repair is not holding, so it may be going back to the shop.
We have 2 water systems--city water when it is running and well water for the rest of the time. We pump water from the well into a holding tank on the roof. There is a one-way valve in the line so when city water is running it by-passes the tank, but that valve quit working so water was constantly overflowing the tank when the city water was on. That meant Darrell had to climb up on the roof umpteen times--to find out what he needed to fix it, back up to fix it, back up to tighten it to stop a leak, etc., etc.
Shortly after getting that fixed, water started dripping from the kitchen ceiling. That didn't make sense because he hadn't been working over the kitchen, so he had to go up into the "attic" to see what was going on. He wasn't too impressed to find a pressure tank that had sprung a leak--not in the pipes or fittings but in the actual tank. He "fixed" that by putting a piece of roofing up there to catch the water and direct it outside. Well, it wasn't quite as simple as that, but you get the idea.
Not long after that I was walking by the bathroom and heard running water. Uh-oh! The shower control had decided to die and needed to be replaced..... NOW .....because there was no shut-off valve.
Add to these things the screens that needed to be replaced (which meant he had to run all over trying to find aluminum screening only to find it in a small shop down the street), the fans that needed fixing, the toilets that needed adjusting, and on and on it goes.
These things weren't a shock to us since we had lived here before, but it still amazes us how much time can be spent just keeping things working. One thing to be thankful for is that these things make life so much easier or more pleasant for us. God is good!
When we arrived the Sheppards told us that the AC in the vehicle needed to be repaired; Mark had hoped to get to it before they left, but all those last minute things kept popping up. That was Darrell's first repair, but that one had to be done at a shop that Mark told him about. Soon after that was fixed, the fan for the AC went. Mark knew there was a problem so had left a spare fan for them to put in the same time they made the first repair, but they told Darrell the fittings weren't right. Well, don't tell Darrell something can't be done! He fixed it himself, but.....now he thinks the original repair is not holding, so it may be going back to the shop.
We have 2 water systems--city water when it is running and well water for the rest of the time. We pump water from the well into a holding tank on the roof. There is a one-way valve in the line so when city water is running it by-passes the tank, but that valve quit working so water was constantly overflowing the tank when the city water was on. That meant Darrell had to climb up on the roof umpteen times--to find out what he needed to fix it, back up to fix it, back up to tighten it to stop a leak, etc., etc.
Shortly after getting that fixed, water started dripping from the kitchen ceiling. That didn't make sense because he hadn't been working over the kitchen, so he had to go up into the "attic" to see what was going on. He wasn't too impressed to find a pressure tank that had sprung a leak--not in the pipes or fittings but in the actual tank. He "fixed" that by putting a piece of roofing up there to catch the water and direct it outside. Well, it wasn't quite as simple as that, but you get the idea.
Not long after that I was walking by the bathroom and heard running water. Uh-oh! The shower control had decided to die and needed to be replaced..... NOW .....because there was no shut-off valve.
Add to these things the screens that needed to be replaced (which meant he had to run all over trying to find aluminum screening only to find it in a small shop down the street), the fans that needed fixing, the toilets that needed adjusting, and on and on it goes.
These things weren't a shock to us since we had lived here before, but it still amazes us how much time can be spent just keeping things working. One thing to be thankful for is that these things make life so much easier or more pleasant for us. God is good!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Pictures
Now that we have high-speed(???) internet back, I have finally taken the time to figure out how to add pictures. The picture above gives you an idea of how much dust (fine sand) is in the air from the harmatan. The sun is smack-dab in the middle of the picture--and it is a color picture!
Maybe 20 minutes later the sun was low enough to at least be seen. We know more than one flight into Robertsfield was canceled because of the harmatan. One of the flights circled, hoping conditions would improve. When they got worse, the plane went back to Ghana to wait for another day.
Esther! She spent 2 nights here and will come back in August during school vacation--she's a teacher.
Jefferson and Helena--I'm sure his smile is even bigger (if that's possible) now that he is with the Lord! Helena could still smile yesterday, but she and the family need our prayers. Losing a loved one is never easy even when we know they're in a better place and no longer suffering.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Precious in the Sight of the Lord...
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15
Some people have the mistaken idea that saints are the select few chosen by a church. The Bible clearly teaches that all believers are saints, not because of anything we have done but because Jesus did it all for us. All I had to do was to accept God's free gift of salvation.
Jefferson Zeon definitely was one of God's saints. I mentioned in my first post from Liberia that we had stopped on our way in from the airport to see Jefferson and Helena. Jefferson was very sick and today he was promoted to Heaven. I know there is much rejoicing in Heaven today over the arrival of a true man of God. I can just see Jefferson humbly bowing down before his Saviour to say thank you for making it possible for him to be there.
Jefferson will be sorely missed by many and especially by Helena and the family. They did a great job of taking care of him all this time. Helena seems to be doing okay and knows that God's ways are not our ways but His ways are always best. That doesn't mean she isn't hurting, but she can rest in God's love for her, knowing He will take care of her.
They think the funeral will be on Friday. Please pray for the family for strength and peace and that the funeral will be a testimony to God's goodness. I'm sure Jefferson's testimony will live on and be used to accomplish God's work.
Some people have the mistaken idea that saints are the select few chosen by a church. The Bible clearly teaches that all believers are saints, not because of anything we have done but because Jesus did it all for us. All I had to do was to accept God's free gift of salvation.
Jefferson Zeon definitely was one of God's saints. I mentioned in my first post from Liberia that we had stopped on our way in from the airport to see Jefferson and Helena. Jefferson was very sick and today he was promoted to Heaven. I know there is much rejoicing in Heaven today over the arrival of a true man of God. I can just see Jefferson humbly bowing down before his Saviour to say thank you for making it possible for him to be there.
Jefferson will be sorely missed by many and especially by Helena and the family. They did a great job of taking care of him all this time. Helena seems to be doing okay and knows that God's ways are not our ways but His ways are always best. That doesn't mean she isn't hurting, but she can rest in God's love for her, knowing He will take care of her.
They think the funeral will be on Friday. Please pray for the family for strength and peace and that the funeral will be a testimony to God's goodness. I'm sure Jefferson's testimony will live on and be used to accomplish God's work.
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