Thursday, March 21, 2013

Wolves at the Door

There’s a song I wish I could put on my page…since the only sites I know to put my own mix on my page died I’ve not been able to add music the way I like.  The song talks about memories from the past being like wolves scratching at the door.  My memories aren’t all dark…in fact time heals a lot of wounds…perhaps not all of them as the old adage goes but some at least.  My wolves are at least partially domesticated I guess you could say.  Opening the door…expecting the wolves I see instead the African mission grounds that we stayed on the first time I went to Ghana001.  We spent many an hour waiting on rides to other places…African time they called it…well it effected the Americans plenty.  One such time two beautiful little girls happened along wearing their Sunday best002.  Ghanaians always wear their best to church.  I found their respect for God really inspiring.  We often found ourselves arriving before the regular service started…sometimes those were the best parts of the day003.  I think the thing about the mission field that’s hard to get used to is the moments where you’ve got nothing to do but entertain yourself looking at things like the mission ground pet monkey004or marveling at the greenery you’d never see…it least not if you’re a Montanan like myself005to entering meetings where there’s so much going on006.  Here in America it seems many are loath to show their spirituality…in Ghana that’s not the case at all.  Our church is already very lively so it’s not hard to get involved007.  Days off are never truly days off but I love them none the less.  I never get tired of seeing things I’d never see at home…like someone picking coconuts from a tall tree008or seeing Pastor Harry’s children enjoy the swing on the mission grounds009.  I wonder just how many miles we traveled with Pastor Harry in this van010.  Sometimes I look at our attempts to dress like the locals and shake my head011.  About now, the day after spring made itself official all weather seems to be horrible for anything I can see in the extended future…I try to glean some warmth from the pictures of yesteryear.  Here is my Mom petting a dog that visited us on occasion012.  Once we visited a place where many Ghanaians were trained to enter the ministry…it was one amazing meeting013!  Understandably after meetings like that we felt a little drained…but where will we ever rest?  Someone took our favorite spot on the mission grounds014!  Birthdays happen for us…on the field or not.  We always find ways to celebrate such things.  I can’t remember who’s birthday this was…it might have been my Mom’s015.  I was only a teenager on these trips.  I didn’t preach yet but watching my Mom do so was always inspiring to me016!  Just look at this African rhythm section017!  Here is dear Pastor Harry, I’m not sure what the occasion was here, that is lost in the sands of time but I love this picture018.  Days off were often spent at the market…it’s just not like Walmart019.  Though I know southern states have red earth…we don’t here in Montana…I found it fascinating020and the unfinished structures we so often passed…what were they going to be?  Days on the beach…another favorite way to spend a rest day021.  My African brother also named Joseph spent this day with us022.  I found it incredible, coming from a landlocked state to find myself on an African shore023.  Before I graduated I never dreamed I’d see such sights024.  We met with various people that really impacted my young life025.  It wasn’t always pastors…sometimes it was people like this man who put his life on the line to guard the compound for us026.  Not every day was serious…027…not by a long shot!  Mom’s at the center of this chorus line!  I’ll end this today with a picture of a memorial graveyard in Zurich, Switzerland where we had a layover before heading back to America028.  Stopping in the utter and complete order of Switzerland after the chaotic way we’d been living was a bit of a shock.  I am not sure which I love more but I do know for sure that if these memories are wolves scratching at more door…I’m not afraid to let them in!

10 comments:

  1. Wonderful post Joe. I miss having Mix Pod too for music.

    Great pictures!

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  2. Hello my dear friend. MixPod was shut down I do believe...that's exactly what I used to us.

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  3. Love the metaphor my friend. I also love that you've met so many fascinating people on your adventures. Ghana sounds as if it made a tremendous impact on you as a person.

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    1. It was a life changing experience only matched by bringing my family with me just a few years ago. It's been a pleasure to have your comments, thank you.

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  4. I love the metaphor as well, Joe. It is exact ally fitting for this recollection of memories. I love seeing the pictures and learning about them through the narrative.

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    1. A pleasure to share them Carole, I'm honored to call you my friend...always so glad to hear from you!

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  5. My iPad is acting up...or me. I will go get on the big computer here shortly.

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    1. Maybe it's the wolves at the door Carole!

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  6. Wonderful trip you just took me on. I loved it all and I think if that were me.. I would just want to stay there all the time. They have it right and we don't. Living there is a pleasure. Be well and warm this Spring whenever it finally comes. Thanks for sharing this with us all.

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  7. It's a pleasure Caroldee to share! I've lived in places like this before...some of it's really good while other things are...well, not so much. I guess no matter where you are nothing is totally perfect but I do love traveling none the less. Today was a cold walk for my son and I...yeah, I'm way ready for spring!

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