Every 7pm the day after rain

Yesterday as well as this morning, we had rain. When it rains here, it rains hard! We are still in the dry season, though, which means even though we still see malaria on a daily basis, it is still lower than the wet season. However, there is this funny thing that happens, they say, every day after the rain at 7pm. The termites [see a typical huge mound below] come out and fly toward light, then they die. I have proof that this happened. Tonight at 7pm on the dot, they came out by the masses in our house and flew toward our lights. So, as Dr. Dunn and I sat down in the living room, we opted to turn the lights off, so they wouldn't bug us.

Dr. Dunn sat on one chair and I sat on the sofa, and we both just sat there in the dark able to talk with our eyes closed! :) Honestly, it was so great. We ended up talking for two hours before our night rounds. We reminisced about missions to Venezuela. He helped establish the Fundabrez Clinic in Maracaibo, Venezuela, which is the very clinic where I served just after graduating college and before starting medical school. In fact, I still keep in touch with the McCones, the missionaries who were there. They are the very ones God used to connect Dr. Dunn and me two years ago, when I went to Vanderbilt for an interview for residency. I stayed with the Dunns then, and here I am in Ghana now with him. Who knew God's plan. It was so awesome that we were able to talk about the same people in Venezuela, served there at different times yet with similar experiences. I then got to share with him how wonderful this trip has been and what God has taught me here. He shared, too, saying that he came last year, but this year has been so much more amazing! I still can't get over how God blesses obedience to answering His call. Not only have I had the blessing of discipleship, but the fellowship with, at one point, 8 other members on the team.






Cedrick Palmer, one of the residents here, went into town tonight with our cook, Issa, and experienced his home and more of the culture. Dr. Dunn, Dr. Renfro, and I walked around behind our houses and through the commmunity with the mud houses. We saw a school house and donkeys, chickens, and goats.





On rounds tonight, I heard the good news from Victoria, the chaplain, that the two ladies with spiritual problems earlier were opening up. The woman who wasn't speaking was now speaking. Praise God! We also have a man with a snake bite to his face, since they sleep on the floor. His whole head is swollen. I forgot to mention all the snake bites we treat here. Hello, flashlights, when we are walking around at night! Just another common ailment here in Ghana. We are good at giving anti-snake venom.

Okay, well, I really appreciate your comments. Kathy, I have to say your comment about your church's sermon coinciding with mine just blew me away again with how God weaves it all together. He only does things with purpose. Our messages enhanced each other's walk with Him and ultimately for His glory. Pray that my every day here will be maximized as the month is nearing an end.