Sokode...and more!

Today, I went with the Reeves to the village of Sokode (So Ko Day). We drove most of the way there (about 30 min) but we had to walk about 10 min. to actually reach the village. It is actually one of the first churches that was planted here in Kabiyeland. It is special is that is was planted by the Christians in N'Djei (In Jay). Together they also started two more Churches in the villages around them, Ewede (eh wade a) and Kayahta (not sure how to say this one). There are 4 all together in the small Cluster, about 15/20 min. walking distance of each other. Today, we saw the new building that the Sokode Christian's built to worship in. Most of the villges here meet under a "big tree" so the building was a huge deal. When we got out there, they were headed to the village of Ewede, where we had just come from, to help them carry rocks up for the foudation of their building. Each group has two Elders for their Church; however they all work together Sheparding the Christians in that area. Today, I learned some cultural things in the village, today. 1 - they bow when they greet you. I saw Becky bow so I did too. I noticed that their heads were always lower than mine. The position of the head shows submission. Also, when they shake your hand, always with the right hand, they hold their wrist with their left hand. Also showing submission. I asked Becky about all of this when we got back home and she explained everything to me. Again - a very humbling experience!

The first picture is of some of the children in the first village we stopped at, Ewede. They were all crowded around the car, and I asked them to step back so I could take their pictures. The all wanted to "see" the picture after I had taken it. It was adorable! The second picture is of the new building built in Sokode. We thought it was a school at first because they are using school-type benches in it. Later - they took us in to show us. They were so proud of it!

A Proud Moment

I have discovered that living in Africa makes you find out things about yourself you never knew. For example, I do not remember things like potty training, or reading/writing my first word, or taking my first step. But you know what, I bet it was the best feeling of accomlishment in the world - having done those things for the first time. I just had one of those moments. I have learned that they are more frequent here, due to the fact that everything you think you know how to do, now means nothing. So it seems like you are doing things for the first time.

Today, I walked all the way to the store and bought my own groceries ALL BY MYSELF :) It was like 50 miles away - ok, not that far. But it seemed like a long way. I was so proud of myself I almost started crying. It's like 30 minutes away on foot, and I hadn't walked that way yet. I didn't get lost and did relatively well. The man at the store followed me around with a basket as I walked through the store. He wanted me to by some chocolate when I told him I was finished. Appartently since I'm white, I would naturally want buy that. Anyway, thought I would tell you - it's funny how you can be so proud of something that seems so childish. I have found myself in that position quite often here. It's a very humbling experience.

The picture is of the side street that leads to the schoolhouse.

Sanda Te

We went to the village of Sanda Te today. From Kara, you head West toward Ghana. Then, after you driven about 30 minutes, you turn right on the little dirt road back to the village. Simple enough. Very pretty drive! I will put a disclaimer at the beginning of this: Things here are so different and it is hard to explain. I often feel it is IMPOSSIBLE to explain, especially using any comparison to worship at home because it is in a completely another paradigm. Not just worship, everything here is like stepping into a time machine. There is not a way to fully explain the experiences here. Even if you could try to capture it in a picture, you could never explain the smells, the tastes, the feelings, or the sounds. I apologize for my inabilities to explain things fully. Please know it is not because I don't want to...it is because I don't know how.

We arrived at about 8:44-9:00am. This church is slightly "older" due to that fact that is has existed for about 3 years now (I think that number is right). Anyway, they have built a building and meet regularly. The "service" lasted about an hour and a half - shorted than I expected. Time is not exactly an important thing, just so long as you come at some point, so people trickled in throughout the service. It was pretty organized, meaning that one man seemed to be coordinating and leading the service. However, I got the impression that any man who wanted to speak had the opportunity. Most all of the service was in Kabiye; however there were a few songs in French which I was able to pick up on fairly quickly. There was quite a bit of singing. Which was amazing. I got a few videos with my camera. I didn't want to draw attention to myself so they were only about 10 sec. in length. Becky said she didn't notice so I guesss it worked. This worship here - it's authentic worship. There is no show. Nothing is fake. You see hearts when you hear and see. Nothing is routine or stagnate. I have trouble explaining what it's like to be with Christians who don't know anything but how to worship with their hearts!! Ironic I think. Just some things to think about. Let me know what you think!!!

Picture #1 is the building that we worshiped in today.

Picture #2 is a "close-up" of part of the village Sanda Te.

Pigs

As you know, or maybe you don't know...we have pigs in a small pen in the back yard of the school house. Well, they got loose during lunch today. Not exactly a new thing but this time, rather eventful. So, while the guard found someone to help him chase them back into the broken pen, the pigs were running everywhere in the school yard. No big deal. Tracey and I go back in and start class for the afternoon. Well, being the thinker that I am, I shut the gate that leads to the porch of the school because I like to leave the door open to the classroom, lets in the sunshine. Right? Anyway, so I closed the gate and I'm up teaching about...pictographs...I think. All of a sudden, in walks a baby pig. (They are skinny enough to fit through the bars of the gate)So I'm like..."oh, a pig"...so we all three chased it back outside. It was pretty funny because I thought...my first full time job, how many people can say a pig got in the classroom while they were teaching math? Seriously! I took a picture of the pig later just to show you :) Thought you all might enjoy a little insight to my day!

P.S. I named the pig "Squirt".

My First Coke

Today, I had my first Coke since I arrived on the continent of Africa. I had decided to not drink coke when I got here because of two reasons: 1 - while not individually expensive, it can become quite a costly habit, 2 - I wasn't sure if I could get it in Kara and I didn't want to get into the habit. I thought, I'm putting my body through so much already, what's the deprivation of coke gonna hurt. For the most part, it hasn't been that bad. Actually, I drink about 3 liters of water everyday because it is so dry here you don't want anything else. Little did I know my body had more in mind. When I opened the bottle of Coke I could feel a little "tingling" in my jaw. I would say that is a sign of addiction...what do you think? Anyway, it was so sweet that it gave me a small stomach ache, and I didn't even drink it that fast. Sad...just sad. I know what you Coke drinkers are thinking, but you know what, move to Africa. Then you can have an opinion. Just kidding. I hope that this little experience puts a smile on your face. I have included a picture for your enjoyment! :)

Thinking of You

If you are not aware, it is a very hard to think of new titles every week for this blog. Reguardless, I look forward to writing in it. I am going to try to write in it more than just once a week.

Things in Kara are going better. I have now made it to the point of not crying everytime I talk to mom and dad on the phone. Some days are better than others. I usually don't know that I've had a good day until I have a bad day. Weird how that works. Although, everytime I talk to someone new I cry. For those of you who don't know...Skype is the best thing that was ever invented. It is a program that you can download for free, and you can actually talk to someone over the internet FOR FREE! I was able to talk to Cheri Smith the other day, which was great. She has way of calming me down and making me feel confident again. She also got me to smile quite a bit...which was a new thing for me. After talking with her I think to myself, I'm so glad one of us has confidence in me. Culture shock is truely an eye opening experience that I never want to go through again. I do think everyone should go through it in some form or fassion. It has a way of humbling you by helping you see how big the world truely is. The team here has been amazing. God has blessed me with these people more than I can explain. They have taken such good care of me and have been so supportive and patient with me. I pray I can be a blessing for them through my teaching of their children and also in life. My morning walks with Becky are extremely encouraging. She is so understanding and such a sensitve person. She also seems to know what to say, when to say it, and how to say just the thing you need to hear. I miss everyone back home so much! I think of you often, and I pray that you are doing well.

School is going well. We have now completed our first full week of school. It was good to start getting into more of a routine. My kids, Isaac and Hannah, are teaching me a lot about myself. They are wonderful to be around and keep things interesting. I love being able to teach with a religious emphasis. Tracey has been a great source of encourgament in teaching. I am starting to build a closer relationship with the families here and it has made the adjustment better each day. I am thinking of getting a puppy. I'm not sure what kind yet, but I will be sure to take tons of pictures and post them. It will probably be a few weeks before I get it because we will have to go to the capital, Lome' (about 5 hours or so from here), to get it. I guess that is all for now. I will work on getting more pictures on here. The internet is really slow here so it takes an ridiculous amount of time to download pictures. If you have some time, send me a quick e-mail to tell me how you are! I would love to hear from you anytime. ~Love - Rachel

P.S. The first picture is of the paved road in Kara. I took it while I was walking to Brett and April's house. The second picture is of the place we worshiped last Sunday in one of the villages.

Living in Kara

Well, we arrived in Togo on Monday night. We stayed with the Southern team monday night and then drove to Kara on Tuesday morning. I am still learning adjust to everything here. It has been a huge struggle, and I think will continue to be for some while. Culture shock takes on a whole new meaning when you are actually going through it. Kara is a pretty big town. Nothing like Accra but still is a good size. I have been extremely home sick. I don't think that will pass but I have been taking "small" walks up and down the dirt road in front of my compound in order to get out and see things more. I am not used to living alone, which has also be a hard thing for me. I live in an apartment above the school house. My bedroom is a redish pink. I actually think it was red at one time but with a mixture of the dust and just "life" I would say it is starting to fade. The rest of the apt. is all white. I have not be able to sleep much because of all the new sounds and the fact that the sun is up at 6:30am every morning, like clockwork. I drink about a gallon of water a day here. The dust is really bad, and it just makes you thirsty. I talk to mom and dad quite a bit, and I'm working on not crying everytime. Diane and I e-mail probably 4 times a day although I think that will change once school starts for her.

The first day of school was Friday of last week. The school week is Tuesday-Saturday here, so we only had 2 days of school last week. The first day, as you can imagine...was just working out all the unknowns and getting to know one another. I would say we'll be doing some of that everyday for quite a while. We do all the basic subjects. I am teaching the 3rd graders. There are two students, Hannah and Isaac. They are full of energy and keep me on my toes. They are very bright, and I do enjoy teaching them. Tracey, one of the moms, teaches the 1st graders and also the preschoolers twice a week. French is the official language of Togo so the students have french class twice a week. I have been working on my French as well, which when you put that in the mix of culture shock and homesickness...things are tough. I am learning how to depend on God which until now, I truely had not ever in my life. I guess I never have had to soley depend on him and it is difficult. I pray for you all you back home, and I think of you all the time. Please keep me in your prayers and I look forward to hearing from you. Please e-mail me if you get a chance. I'd love to hear from you!!! rlphillips@harding.edu.
P.S. We went to one of the villages for worship this morning. I didn't understand a word of it but it was really good. It is one of the smaller churches and needs lots of encouragement!

Arriving in Africa

I arrived in Accra, Ghana on January 4th. David Reeves picked me up at the airport and my mom surprised me by meeting me there as well. Gary Cage had to come back and get some bags that he wasn't able to pick up the day before and my mom came with him. It was great to see her standing there waiting for me to come out of the airport. It took about 45 minutes to get out of immigration. We stood in a line for what seemed like forever in a hot room with A LOT of people. My mom picked up my luggage, which was amazing, and then we went out and met up with David. I was so exhusted!!! The whole trip took more than 20 hours when you combine all the flights and the very small delay time between the flights. Things are going well. We are still in Accra at the guesthouse. Brett and April Emerson came in 2 days after me. The two of them and their baby have a little bit of the flu. They are doing better now. We leave in the morning from Togo and then Tuesday morning for Kara. I am excited about getting up to the schoolhouse and my apartment! I am putting a few pictures of the city of Accra. The dust is everywhere...just sitting in the air which you will see in the pictures.