Hey Y'all

Well, we survived Christmas!  We had thought that it would be exciting to reunite with friends and family during the holidays, but we forgot how hectic Christmas in America can be.  So, re-entering American civilization at Christmas can be busy.  It's not been so bad, though.  We've gotten to spend some time with family, but still looking forward to visiting some with our friends.  Everyone has been scattered doing their own family Christmas, as we have been too.  We have been able to get some needed rest, too.  The kids have really enjoyed re-connecting with their friends.  Evan and Allie are headed to winter camp this weekend in Gatlinburg with the youth from church.  They are really looking forward to that.


I want to give you two links to check out.  Some have been asking about any other blogs that they can go to for ongoing information about what's going on in Nalerigu.  Hollie Dickens has a blog that she updates regularly and you will love "getting to know" them.  So check out the Dickens' blog and send them a comment or an e-mail periodically.  


Also, Evan has written another song.  He put it on You Tube so check it out here.  


We hope you are having a "joyful and triumphant" Christmas season!


Following (and waiting on our next directive from God) . . . .

Home Sweet Winona

Arrived on schedule into Jackson met by large group of friends and family. First meal in Mississippi -- McDonald's! Natalie got her ears pierced as a late birthday gift. Now back safely in Winona. All our luggage arrived undamaged. Enjoying cool temperatures. Arrived to a beautifully manicured and mulched yard, spotlessly cleaned house, refrigerator and counter full of food, sidewalk and driveway decorated with chalk greetings, yard full of friends welcoming and porch and doors filled with welcome home signs. We love our friends and family! Our departure from Ghana was bitter sweet. We already miss our new friends and family. Thankfully with technology you never really have to say goodbye (quote from Jane Ann Gibbs!) Father, thank you for allowing us to travel safely back to Winona. Thank you for our friends and family throughout the world who are your hands and feet. Following . . . .

We're home!

Landed on American soil at 4am today. Glad to be back in MS where the cool weather feels great! Following . . . .

Merry Christmas 2011

"Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you;  

He is the Messiah, the Lord."  

Luke 2:11

Rejoice with us as we celebrate the birth of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Come, let us worship and adore Him and proclaim His glory to the nations.

Merry Christmas from Ghana!

Keenan, Cindy, Evan, Allie and Natalie Wilson

Difficult Goodbyes

We have now left Nalerigu and are in Accra awaiting our flight back to America.  Here are some random "goodbye" shots of some people very dear to us.  This post has been as difficult to write as the goodbyes were to say.  We don't have pictures of all our goodbyes because there were way too many.  They are in no particular order because  they are all very special to us.

 Chini in his Disney outfit.  We prayed with him as he came and greeted us 3 times EVERY  day.  

Evan and Benton Hewitt and one last Rubik's cube lesson

Emily, Abby, Allie and Natalie's last painted toenail picture

Not really a goodbye, but a cute picture of some of the kids.  The Dickens were out of town :(   They took this on Emily's computer.

Bart, Jane Ann and Elizabeth Gibbs.  They arrived after we did in Nalerigu, but  we have enjoyed getting to know them.  Bye guys!!

All of us with Saibu and some of his family-- a teenage guy who helped us a lot around the house.  He will be taking his exam in April to see if he can go on to high school.  It should be no problem for him because he is so smart, but pray that he will continue to follow the Spirit's guidance in his life.

Radi -- a lady with 4 children (2 pictured here) of her own whose sister died leaving behind 4 orphans (3 pictured here).  She came to us needing help.  We were able to buy her a large bag of corn that will help them for a while.  Please pray as she has these 8 children to take care of.  

Natalie loves the puppies and they have grown so much!!

It's hard to see the people, but this is a picture with Manassah by his new house and chicken houses.  One chicken house is complete and new chicks have been purchased.  Please pray that God will continue to provide the funds to complete this project and to make sure that the chicken farm is self-supporting of the orphanage.  Pray for Manassah and his family that God will continue to keep his hand of mercy and grace over him as he seeks to serve God.

Mother with twin boys each named Sandoa (meaning "stranger").  Cindy met them at Koko Duu and recognized that the twins were sick and severely dehydrated.  They had not been to see the doctor because they had no money nor insurance.  Cindy arranged for them to get health insurance and was able to get it expedited.  Instead of the 3 month waiting period that is usually required to get the insurance card, we were able to get them the next day.  Cindy told them, "These children will not live 3 months!"  They then went to the hospital and were admitted for IV fluids.  This picture is taken on our porch after the twins were healthy again.  Cindy truly saved their lives!

Hewitts and Wilsons -- we met almost 20 years ago at FBC Jackson and we are so glad we finally made it to be with them in Ghana.  They have been in Ghana for that entire time and have been such an encouragement and inspiration to us as we have worked, schooled and lived alongside them for the past months.  We love them dearly and pray that God will continue to sustain them as they do His Kingdom work at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu.

Saying goodbye at the orphanage was especially hard.  We have become close to all these children -- especially Cindy and the girls.  They took some coloring pictures Natalie designed to them one day and just had a play time.  Later in the week, we went to visit them and took a gingerbread house we made (compliments of Mona!!) for them.  We told them how sometimes people in America make them for fun, and then we let them eat the house!!  Talk about a sugar rush!!

Victor

Fushina

Natalie helping the kids color a sheet that she designed.

Yes, Mary, God loves you and ALL the little children of the world!

With the gingerbread house -- before they ate it!

Natalie with Atu

They love posing for pictures.

Lots of hugs!!!

Allie with Sugari

Allie with Sugari

Allie with Baba.  We saw him on the road as we drove away from the orphanage.

Last picture as we were driving away.  LORD we commit them into Your loving hands.  We know that you have plans to prosper them.  Help us to trust You to provide all their needs even though we are not there to help them.  

Keenan and the hospital administrator, Edward.  He presented Keenan with a traditional Ghanaian smock and hat as a gift of appreciation for serving at the Baptist Medical Centre.  (Yes, the hat is a little tight which gave Keenan an instant facelift!!)   Please pray for the hospital in Nalerigu as it provides such a huge ministry to Ghana and the surrounding countries.  Lives are truly being changed and hearts are being transformed by His grace.  Also, pray for Edward's son, Ronny.  He was in an accident last month and has a broken leg and was in a coma for some time.  He has improved greatly and will be coming home soon to continue his recovery.  

Abigail and Annaleigh Dickens posing for a picture in their cute matching dresses.  They so love our girls and the feelings are mutual.  We will miss seeing their sweet smiles and hearing their precious prayers on Thursday night station meetings.

Aquia, the mango tree bread lady.  She found out we were leaving and came to our house to say goodbye.  She is a muslim lady who loved to wave and smile when we drove by her house, and always was especially kind to us when we went to buy bread.  She had asked Cindy to pray for her and her business one day and we have prayed for her and her family to come to know the LORD.  Cindy offered her a New Testament when she was at our house and she gladly accepted it.  She said she could not read it but knew someone who could read it to her.  Pray that God will continue to open her heart to receive the Gospel.

Another picture with Chini.

Evan with Daniel.  He's a musician at FBC Nalerigu.  He and Evan became good friends when they were working on some music together to share at church one Sunday.  He's a great guy and great musician.  Father, continue to use him as he chooses to use his talents to worship and honor You.

Joel and Hollie Dickens with their children Colt, Abigail and Analeigh.  We didn't know the Dickens before we moved to Nalerigu, but they quickly became family to us.  We will miss them.  LORD, continue to sustain them as they do His Kingdom work at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu.

Sueba and Haadi, Manassah's orphaned niece and nephew that he's raising.  They came to visit us the day before we left Nalerigu and we were able to give them a New Testament.  As you can see, they are very happy.  In Ghana, even if you are a Christian or in a Christian family, you don't necessarily have access to a Bible.  LORD, we know that Your Word will not return void.

Our Nalerigu Christmas tree.  Thanks Mona for letting us borrow it!

We will continue to update the blog as we are able to on our journey back to America and hope to also include some thoughts on what God has shown us and taught us during this season of our lives.  We look forward to sharing that with you.  You have been faithful to follow us to Ghana and back and for that we are eternally grateful.  

LORD, we commit all these people into Your hands because we know we can trust You with their lives as we have trusted You with ours.  Serving in Nalerigu for the past few months has been an honor and privilege for us.  Thank you for calling us to this place for this season of our lives.  You have been faithful as we knew you would.  Thank You for growing our faith as we saw You provide for us physically, financially, emotionally, relationally and spiritually.  Our lives are richer because of the time spent in Ghana.  For those who will continue to serve in Nalerigu, we ask a special prayer of comfort and strength as they sacrificially follow you with their lives.  

Still Following . . . .

Back Online and Over 16,000 Hits!!!

If you've been looking at the blog over the past few days, you will see that we have been silent.  This is due to -- what else --  internet problems.  We are back online now so we will be uploading some backlogged posts.  To read them, you will have to go backwards since they are pre-dated.  Sorry to send them all "rapid fire."

We also see that we've broken 16,000 hits !!!  Thanks again for all you faithful blog readers.  That's why we keep putting up posts.

Following . . . .

Elmina Fishing and Slave Castle

Here are a few pictures we took at Elmina Castle in Elmina, Ghana.  This is one of the slave castles on the coast of Ghana.  While there we also got to see people pulling in a large fishing net and the busy market area in this fishing town.

Female slave dungeon

Pulling in the net

Gate of no return -- the place where the slaves left the castle and boarded a ship

Male slave dungeon 

Looking off the top of the castle

Everyday Jesus -- YES!!

View of the port from atop the castle

Sign hanging in the castle

Inside the castle compound

Following . . . .

Cape Coast

As the sun begins to set on our time here in Ghana, we had a chance to watch a beautiful sunset on the beach at Cape Coast.  It is near Accra so we were able to take the bus down to relax for a day before we head home.  It was a well-needed time of rest.  

Keenan reading his Bible app

Cindy and the kids chilling

Run Natalie!!!!

Father, thank You that You always know what we need.  Thanks for allowing us a time of rest and reflection.  

Following . . . .