getting the basics

Not only is every day a new day, it is new in a new way.  Love this place.  How much more so when I can actually relate to people personally.  Everyone is patient with my lack of French and when Jon has left for America it will make the challenge more exciting.  Christophe, Tchalla, Tchaa everyone is so "congenial".

Bible Institute building

 When Shane, Isabelle and I were here in 2010 this was an empty lot with a huge (really big) granite boulder in the middle of it.  They were burning tires to heat stress the rock so it could be pulverized with sledge hammers in order to prep the ground for building.  Now it is in use and the first graduates will be presented this week.  Will post pictures of graduation.

Bible Institute back yard

 Land not yet developed for use has corn planted to make it profitable.  Nothing really goes to waste in Togo.  Note opening in far wall. The picture below is real grass that makes a play area for children.  Many hands worked to sift soil and remove stones and trash in preparation of hand planting grass plugs to cultivate this little oasis.  Everyone works at everything.

A Special Place 

Went to panAfrican bank today and started movement to set up bank account here, as Togo no longer accepts Mastercard  in their system.  Naturally, all of my cards from USA are Mastercard.  They worked fine in 2010 and now..............nogo in Togo.  Necessity is the Mother of Invention was a "true-ism" in my youth and once again getting creative is becoming a daily requirement.

We were invited to Jimmy and Adie White's home for supper (Cheeseburger's with an ice cream desert)  Played one game of Yahtzee (I was not the winner) and enjoyed good fellowship.  Jimmy has been in Kara for three years as single missionary and while home God provided him with Adie.  Newly weds are special, especially when God has called them to the mission field far from home.

Every missionary family I meet is special in their own way.  It is a privilege to meet these people who have heeded God's call to the "fields ripe for harvest".  Makes me appreciate more, the people who go out into the fields  back home.