First time at the Internet Cafe

Hi everyone, it is Sat. night and I am sitting in an Internet Cafe. It is not your Starbucks, that is for sure. It is a 12 x 15 room with 3 or 4 12' table with old computers on them. You pay about $7 for an hour to check your emails and do what ever. The key boards are very dirty and it is hot!!!! The understatement of the day.

It has been a great few days getting to know Isaac and Grace and their family. They are wonderful Christians who have a heart for God. God has done some pretty amazing things in their lives these past few years. They have an unbelievable ministry.

We will be moving to Accra in a couple of weeks and starting a ministry there to compliment the one in Aflao. Such exciting times.
As we talked we realized all of us have Southern Baptist background. They had to leave the Southern Baptist when they realized that Grace had the gift of preaching and of training preachers. Sounds way too familiar.

Isaac goes in and plants the church, often preaching for 6 to 12 months. During that time they are raising up a preacher and Grace is starting to develop them. Then at 6 to 12 months Grace takes over the preaching and Isaac goes to the next area. What a wonderful team they make.

Tomorrow is my first Sunday in Aflao and they have asked me to preach. Because many speak French as their primary language and English is second, Isaac is going to interpret for me. This will be a lot of 'new' tomorrow, so pray for me and for the people.


Shalom,
Elaine

The days are getting closer. On the drive from KC to Chicago Joseph asked "How long to Africa?" At age 6 he is having a hard time sorting out where I am going to be and where they will be. I guess really all of us are having that hard time. It is hard to comprehend not seeing my family and friends for a year. It is just something I will have to experience daily.

Isaac and Grace's Internet service has been down for several days now so we have not been able to communicate much. Know that if you do not hear from me that is probably the reason why. Another couple from the US, who has been to Amazing Grace Gospel several times to do crusades and rallies will be coming the first week of November. So a lot of time will be spent getting ready.

Keep me in prayer as I meet Issac and Grace on Wednesday. It will be 5:00pm there and noon here. I am so excited. I feel like I already know them, and yet have to many questions too.

My daughter is the one to contact if you have questions. Her email is rickkellyp@msn.com.

Well, Saturday was a difficult day. It all started Friday late afternoon. I was to have my visa by Friday, 10:00 am. By 4:00 it still had not come but everyone was saying it was on its way. Then about 8:00p the story changed. FedEx had not picked up my visa from the consulate in Washington, D.C. FedEx admitted they had goofed and would pick it up Friday evening and get it to K.C. as soon as they could. They would not redirect it to Chicago, as only the visa issuer could do that, and they were closed. So at 6:00a on Sat. we began tracking the visa. It was moving, and had landed in KC. At 9:00a it was on a van with a rush on it. At 11:30 it was at the house. I would hate to be in any more of a hurry!!! I guess patience is still not my virtue. I understand that in Ghana I am going to really have to work on that as they have no sense of time. Church starts when people get there.

After a good nights sleep in Chicago, things look a whole lot differently. I am trying to being patient and wait upon God's timing, not my own. Also, again realizing how God provides in God's timing, not my own.

Will go to Willow Creek this morning for their service and then a long, long, browse in the bookstore. If you have not been there it is awesome. There are all kinds of Cd's and DVDs to go through. I am known to spend a full day there. The kids may have to come back for me later.

Short timer

Getting ready to leave for Ghana is much harder than I thought. Here it is Thursday and my list is still long. I don't know how I would have been ready if it was not for my children, especially Kelly and her organization skills, and a few "miracles" by God. Every morning we look at the list for the day and begin marking things off as we finish each one. By the end of yesterday, twice money "showed up" just as we needed it. People have allowed God to work through them in such wonderful ways.

This afternoon I go to see my mom and say our final goodbye. That will be very hard. Her Alzheimer's may truly be a blessing in disguise. She knows I am leaving and things will be very different when I return. But she doesn't remember all of the details. I ask you pray for her through this time.

I must say I have been so busy I haven't taken much time to really reflect on my own feelings. It will be good to have a few days in Chicago when I can just relax and get ready physically, emotionally, and spiritually for Ghana.

I look forward to hearing from each of you.

Elaine