Thursday, April 11, 2013

Unwelcome Visit

It’s always nice to have an unexpected pleasant surprise or a visit from a friend but this visit was from neither of those.  It was a visit from winter…remember himDSC02366?  We’ve been so incredibly spoiled this year really.  I remember a few years ago we had brutal cold as well as snow and a below average temperature almost all summer long.  This year looks to follow the trend of last year that was very warm and oh so dry but I’ve been wrong about such prediction before.  This storm brought change quickly and left us still quite coolDSC02367.  Better than the tornadoes of Michigan…I can’t complain…yet I still kind of am aren’t I? 

Again I find myself going through the archives remembering days gone by…Africa029…a place where I have never been cold nor given the cold shoulder030.  My trips to Ghana were life changing experiences031.  I was forced to see cultures far different then my own032.  It forced me to reach out to a people unlike any I’d ever seen before033.  Meeting some of the greatest men of God I’d ever met in my life was an exquisite privilege034 .  Walking on foreign shores forever changed how I see the world in which we live035.  Seeing people here be so devoted to God was an inspiration to me036.  Visiting this Portuguese castle where slaves were shipped out all over the world shook me to the core037 yet the hope of my pigmented brother (though he insists I’m the pigmented one) to this day blows me away038.  The blossoms of Ghanaian plants are nothing to the bloom of inspiration this nation still brings to me039.  Dear pastor Harry whom God brought into our lives made such a difference to us all040.  Now these roads have been well traveled041…I’m not even sure if the houses I saw then are still there042…some of those I knew then are now gone043.  Those that protected our lives with their own044are now gone…I don’t know where.  Remembering the smoldering flames of slash and burn farming045I think the structure of faith built is still under construction much like these buildings046but as these children…it will grown each day047and Ghana had a huge part in who I am today048.  I can’t forget…each memory is a stone to the house God is building in me049.  Each place adding some mortar to this house050.  I can never repay what I owe Ghana052.  But I will do my best to take what I’ve learned to make this world a better place wherever I can.  This last photo still makes me smile.  I’d never seen a man play a saw before until I went to Ghana…how strange is that?  Here is a man doing just that while my dear Bros Joseph looks on while drinking a Coke053.  Yeah, I’m smiling!

13 comments:

  1. I can't believe winter is visiting again in mid-April...how rude!! Once again I loved your stories of your travels in Africa.

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    1. You're right my friend, it is rude! It doesn't announce itself then it beats down the door with cold winds...it's horrible! I will need to dig further in the photo archives now. I didn't run across all my Indian trips photos yet...ugh, I hate having to scan them...what a process!

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  2. I am ready for spring Joe. Old man winter can go away for awhile.

    As always I love your posts about your time spent in Africa and the wonderful photos.

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    1. I'm ready too Beth, I can't seem to warm up in the house even with a light coat on...it sucks. The pictures are fun to revisit, thanks for looking at them!

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  3. this week has sure been strange all across the states as far as the weather goes...i sure hope spring finds you and soon....I love all this pics, its like taking a vacation without having to pack and leave home...seems ideal really lol !! I bet they bring a smile to your face and pleasant memories each time you see them !!!

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    1. I'm ready for it to be warmer without a doubt. This last cool down sucks...I'm cold all the time lately...yuck! No tornadoes and such though right? Glad you enjoyed the virtual tour! It's been fun sharing it again...I almost feel warm...almost ;)

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  4. Hi Joe, it snowed here in Montreal today. Lovely post, thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. It seems it's been one extreme or another...I know I'm spoiled...get a nice day or two and then any cold seems just wrong...I should know better! Thanks for visiting!

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  5. We have the hottest day of the year forecast for tomorrow, so I am looking forward to that.

    Hope you have a good week.

    God Bless

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    1. Cold rain and a miserable 37...just above freezing...I'm thinking snow again...ugh. I teach tomorrow and the church so I won't be out in the cold at least. Have a good weekend too my friend.

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    2. Chilly here yesterday too. I can hardly wait for Summer!

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    3. It can't last forever my friend...I long to have the windows open and not freeze all day.

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