It's Been Awhile

Hi, Dear Ones.  Thanks for continuing to check in on us.  It has been way too long since I've posted anything.  We are in the thick of trying to re-settle into American life.  American life is so, so busy.  Maybe that is partly why I've not blogged in awhile.  Also, we are living the common American life now.  No amazing missionary stories to post.

So, we are currently at a DAR (Debriefing and Renewal) conference here in Palmer Lake, Colorado at Mission Training International.  This is the link if you want more info: http://www.mti.org.  This is very good for all five of us.  They are helping each of us (even Annaleigh) to process what we've been through in Ghana, what it is like to come back to US after having experiences in another country.  So very good.  For those on furlough or moving back to US for a longer period of time, we HIGHLY recommend this if your sending agency does not do this for you.  Or if you, like us, do not have a sending agency.

It's such a blessing to be here with other missionaries who are going through the same process right now.  Many are in transition, trying to find the next step the Lord has for them.  All of us have had many common experiences.  We are so thankful our missionary friends, Sarah and Nathan Esala, told us about this conference.  They are here with us!

MTI also have training programs for those going to the field.  Please consider this for yourself or a missionary you know.

Moving on to some terribly sad news, friends (Brad and Jill Hixon) from Paul Ann Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas had a dream for around 15 years of going to the mission field.  Other friends, Mark and Alicia Raley, had already gone over about 3 years ago.  They are all living in South Africa and going into Mozambique to minister to the people there.  The Hixons left in January for Africa after taking many short-term trips there over the years.  Caitlin Holt went with the Hixons to teach their children while Jill did ministry. This was a dream of Caitlin's for a long time, as well.

We got word last night that Jill passed away in her sleep due to a blood clot.  So very sad.  Please be in prayer especially for Brad, their five children in the home, and their grown daughter and her family.  As well as the many other friends and families who are touched by this tragedy.  My heart is so sad for them all.  We are in prayer for all of these folks and ask that if you feel led, that you would do the same.

1st February Update

Thanks for checking in on us.  I need to get in the habit of blogging more again now that we are back in the land of better internet.

Joel has been at work since February 1st at Texas Tech Health Science Center.  He is going through orientation and worked yesterday at a free clinic.  We got his office decorated a bit.  We had more than enough to put on the walls since we are used to decorating not only his office but also several exam rooms, as well!

The kids are all enjoying their schools/programs.  Well, Colt enjoys certain aspects (social) better than others.  :)  The girls are getting to know some other kids their ages here while they are at their pre-schools.  Abigail attends five mornings a week while Annaleigh goes three mornings a week.  There is one day when they stay some into the afternoon, as well.  Abigail gets even more excited on the day she gets to eat lunch at school!

We have been enjoying attending Trinity Fellowship for church on Sundays.  Pastor Jimmy Evans has been giving some great sermons, as always.

It is snowing today, but this is Amarillo.  School must go on!  There were already a few inches accumulated early this morning.  We will see how much more is added by this afternoon.

Colt is enjoying baseball practice.  He is on a team with his school.  I plan to look into gymnastics (maybe Annaleigh, the climber) and ballet (maybe Abigail) before long.

We continue to get settled here in Amarillo.  Thank you for your continued prayers as we seek the Lord for many decisions as they are put before us.

God does this every morning!

I took this from our back porch this morning.  I love both West Texas and Texas Plains sun rises.  San Angelo had beautiful sun rises and so does Amarillo.  I can see them easier each morning living out here away from town.

January

A lot has happened lately.  We got moved into our home after closing on December 21st.  What a great Christmas we had in our home.  Joel starts work on Feb. 1st.  It takes awhile to get hospital privileges and other paper work taken care of.  I am still unpacking boxes but trying to get it knocked out before too long.

We still miss so many from Nalerigu and think of friends there often.  We just got internet at our house last week. So things are easier on the computer again now.

Here is our new address is anyone wants to send us a belated Christmas card:

9115 RM 1061
Amarillo, TX 79124

December Update

We have been busy since leaving our home in Nalerigu on November 2nd.  Joel interviewed in Amarillo at Texas Tech to be on faculty at the medical school there.  We looked at houses, as well.  8 days later Joel flew back to Ghana and was gone for about 2 1/2 weeks.  He enjoyed his time with Nate Bradford and many others while there.  In the meantime, we were making a deal on a place outside Amarillo.

As of now, we close on our house on December 21st.  We have found a school, as well.  We cannot wait to finally get settled!  The next few days, we will be at Disneyland with Bert, Nubia, and Jackie.  The kids cannot wait!

Stay tuned for more news!

On our Trip Back to the US (to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”)

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to US, our family took with us two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us three bags of school books, two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us four bird keychains, three bags of school books, two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us six coloring books; five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us seven “I’ve gotta potty”s; six coloring books; five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us eight layover hours in NYC (x2); seven “I’ve gotta potty”s; six coloring books; five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us nine Ghanian souvenirs; eight layover hours in NYC (x2); seven “I’ve gotta potty”s; six coloring books; five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us ten checked bags plus carseats;  nine Ghanian souvenirs; eight layover hours in NYC (x2); seven “I’ve gotta potty”s; six coloring books; five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us eleven “Are we there yet’s;  ten checked bags plus carseats; nine Ghanian souvenirs; eight layover hours in NYC (x2); seven “I’ve gotta potty”s; six coloring books; five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops.

-On our trip back to the US, our family took with us twelve “Go to sleep”s; eleven “Are we there yet”s; ten checked bags plus carseats; nine Ghanian souvenirs; eight layover hours in NYC (x2); seven “I’ve gotta potty”s; six coloring books; five backpacks, carry-ons, and passports; four bird keychains; three bags of school books; two Delta flights and Annaleigh’s market flip flops. 

Another Update

We wanted to let you know that we are coming home in early November.   There are many precious people here in Ghana whom we are sad to leave behind.  However, we continue to seek the Lord and simply believe the Lord is showing us our time here is coming to a close.

We are happy that several more long-term doctors are coming to BMC both this fall and over the summer, including our friends, the Coppolas.  This is encouraging to us as far as the hospital itself goes.

We were thinking about leaving in December .  However, when Joel looked at our passports, all three kids have an issue of some kind-needing new passports/new residency permit this fall.  So, we are planning for all five of us to fly home in early November.  Joel will interview for a job while we are there.  

After about 10 days, Joel will fly back without us to Ghana to check on the new surgeon and a resident who will be here.  There is also a close friend, Nate Bradford, who is coming to Ghana to work at the hospital with his son during that time.  After Joel spends about two more weeks in Ghana in November, he will join us in Texas.  

The hospitals in San Angelo have just hired and/or are bringing in new OB/Gyns, so we are looking at other opportunities for work for Joel. We will miss so many of you in San Angelo but look forward to this new chapter in our lives.  

Moving back to the US will have its challenges for all of us, more so for the kids.  Our main focus when we first arrive will be finding a job, house, school, and church.  We want to get settled as soon as we can so the kids can start feeling like they are home again.  We thank you for your continued prayers as we work toward this new transition in our lives. 

Blessings,

The Dickens