“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5: 17
My younger brother, Matt, is here for a 10 days visit! Yay! (Can you see the gray streaks in my hair?) We have already made a trip to the local grand marche and strolled around the neighborhood. Isaac, Graham and Owen are enjoying having Uncle Matt- a big playmate- around. Later this week, we will take him on safari to witness some West African wildlife! Stay tuned for more pictures.
Our last Christmas season in Togo has been one of mixed emotions. We have enjoyed experiencing the traditions that we have come to love here while at the same time anticipating future holidays in America with family and “real” Christmas trees.
This post is photo heavy due to the fact that the Internet had been acting erratically and each post was taking me forever to complete. So, I decided to save up all of my pictures and post them after Christmas. Thankfully, this plan has worked in my favor….the Internet has been working great for the past 3 days!
The boys opened a couple of gifts early this year. It’s a good thing they did too since this is the only picture in this post of Owen without a black eye! (The black eye was the result of a dancing accident.)
The annual Ladies’ Christmas Party hosted this year by Andrea Miller. We had a great time snacking, playing games and exchanging gifts.
We played a game in which we had to dress up someone from our group as Santa Clause. We were given cotton batting, red fabric, tape, red crepe paper and black plastic sacks and 15 minutes. The results were hilarious!
At school, we went on a snowflake making spree! Aren’t they lovely?
The boys bought gifts for their friends with their allowance savings. Thankfully, they really enjoyed giving this year too.
At the community Christmas party, the kids all did some sort of performance. Isaac and his classmates performed a short skit about the night before Christmas and then told a few holiday themed jokes. Here’s one…”What did one snowman say to the other?” “Do you smell carrots?”
The preschoolers sang a song about the 3 wise men. It was precious.
Graham’s class played jingle bells with hand bells and read portions of the Christmas story from the Bible.
On Christmas Eve, April’s mom, Ms. Leslie, hosted a Snow Party for the children. She had a ton of great ideas! First of all, she transformed the classroom into a chilly winter wonderland complete with icicles hanging from the ceiling and blue and white twinkling lights! The kids made snowballs by stuffing cotton batting into white knee-high hosiery and had a snowball fight. They also decorated snowmen cookies and played games.
I had to put in this shot of Owen’s shiner.
Opening gifts!!! Thank you to all of our family who sent gifts! Do you notice the Lego theme this year? We’ve had fun building all of the sets over the past few days.
Bryan surprised me by having a diamond from a ring set in a necklace! Can you tell that I’m pleased?
On Christmas Day, we went to Tankoda to worship with a cluster of Christians. It was a great time of fellowship. They ladies served us spicy pork with red sauce and rice and spaghetti. Yum!
I saw this tree stump as I walked back to the truck after our time in Tankoda. I took it as a reminder of God’s love for me and you! Merry Christmas!
My grandmother sent us a Christmas package which we received this past week. On top of the usual goodies and wrapped gifts, she included a Consumer Reports magazine…the ‘08 Auto Issue. What a timely arrival!
“What vehicle(s) we are going to buy in America” has been the hot topic around our house. At first, the possibilities were endless. But, soon the practical realities of what our family needs vs. what we can afford started to sink in. It started to look like a minivan might be our destiny after all until Bryan discovered a SUV hybrid within our price range. Although, most of our dreaming is just that…dreaming. We will have to wait until we are stateside next year to really go shopping. But, it doesn’t hurt to do our homework, right?
Bryan and I got a kick out of reading the magazine descriptions of the vehicles after living in Togo for the past 7 years. (Our truck has served us well, but it has taken repeated beating on the roads here. I hope it survives until next May!) When one article compared two minivans by how fun they are drive I couldn’t help but laugh. Anything will be “fun” to drive after living here! Or how about seat warmers? Never would need those in Togo. DVD systems? Our kids have made the 9 hour trip to Accra many times without one. Personalized climate control zones? I’m just happy when the AC works well enough to reach the back. The number of cup holders is apparently very important.
The not so funny thing is that the more I read I started to think, “Yeah, I need that too!” Aaah.. the lure of luxury and the siren song of comfort. May I resist well.
On Sunday evening, on our way home from worship with a truck-load of kids we came upon a just-happened accident. A tall man dressed in white Muslim robes waved at us to stop. At first we didn’t know why, but then we saw a khaki-clad school boy body lying on the road in a decidedly unnatural position. A crowd was already gathering. Bryan gently manuvered the vehicle around the scene and we drove home. I asked him whether or not we should stop, but with a our children, plus two teammates’ children in tow, we decided it would be best to move on. The accident took place in town so the hospital would not be far away. We were not needed this time.
Since then, my thoughts have once again turned to the dangerous traffic situation in our town of Kara. Here, there are only a handful of paved roads. These are used for most obviously: driving…motorcycles, mopeds, huge overloaded semis, large buses and “regular” sized passenger vehicles all vie for a piece of the asphalt. (It should be mentioned that most of these vehicles are in disrepair, either misaligned and seem to head straight for you or poking along at a deadly slow pace.) But they are not alone in wanting a slice of even ground, the roads are also used for walking, riding bikes, selling goods, socializing, parking, and drying foods like corn. Add to that mayhem, there are virtually no traffic laws.
During the first few years of living in Togo, I was amazed at the seemingly indifferent attitude people had to risking their lives by getting anywhere near these roads. Over time, I’ve come to realize that they really do not have many safe or convenient options.
Nearly every missionary I know has been involved in at least one car accident during their time on the field. Several have involved loss of life or limb.
Why am I writing about this during a jolly time of the year? It’s simple…Togo needs your prayers especially at this time of the year. Here’s why..relatives from the villages and other small towns come into the overcrowded cities causing even more traffic. There are more drunk people walking on the roads due to the party season and the freshly brewed local millet beer.
The road safety situation will probably not improve any time soon by human intervention. (Depressing!) However, with hope, I ask you to join with me in prayer to petition God for His intervention.
My buddy, Becky Reeves, tagged me to list my mentors and older-than-me friends (minus parents) that have influenced me positively over the years. I don’t always do these tag things, but in this case, I think it’s worthwhile to think about the ways special people have aided me on my walk through life. I’ve put an asterisk by the ones that I have never met, yet influenced me through their words- either through speeches or books. The others have been a part of my life in person at some point. Some of them only for a brief season. Some of them I still converse with often. Some of them might not even know the impact they have had on me. In no particular order…
Thank you, I am blessed!
I’d like to hear from some of you! Cheryl, Kelly, Katrina…you’re it!
The Internet is not working any better in Togo, thus the long wait (for me) between postings. I sorta have to gear up for about an hour or two of frustration before I’m ready to deal with it. Add to that I’ve got a head cold…
Okay, enough whining from me. Here are some fun shots of our family and friends taken over the past few weeks.
Our day guard ,Joseph, gave the boys a ride up and down our dirt road. This was the highlight of their week!
Owen, my little drummer boy. (For those of you who don’t know- we drink powdered milk and it comes in these canisters. Our family goes through one every 2 weeks. We’ve also used the empty containers as bug keepers, flower pots and a crab home!)
A 549 piece puzzle..can you find the empty spot? We think Owen hid it somewhere.
Abby and Hannah holding the Emerson’s rabbits. Don’t they look sweet?
Praises!!! This only took me 45 minutes to post! Hope your December is a great one!
The holiday spirit is alive and well around the Ries household. Although, I admit it’s something that I had to be forced into this year by my eager children. Isaac begged us into decorating the house and putting up the Christmas tree last Monday. We have an artificial tree (no tree lots around here!) and and a motley (yet beloved!) assortment of broken, handmade and ancient ornaments. Assembling the tree is a project in itself as the pictures show. This year it was a bit easier thanks to three helpful young men. Now our living room has a few strands of white twinkling lights, the stocking are hung on the Nacco window panes, the small carved nativity scene is displayed, and the smell of dust is in the air. It’s Christmastime again!
Joseph and Germaine’s twins are now 3 months old! They had been gaining weight and staying healthy up until Ezra was ill with a bacterial infection about 2 weeks ago. He has recovered well for which I am very thankful. Emily and I went to visit with Germaine and to hold the sweet babies early last week.
My heart is touched by many things when I visit. I am impressed with the care that Germaine gives her children. She is really an aware and caring mother. These preemies would not have survived without her loving attentions, especially given that she lives in difficult conditions. I am also touched by her sweet spirit towards me even though I bumble and mumble my way through conversations in French. Please continue to pray for this young family. The Lord is listening.
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