He's gone before us . . .

We said goodbye to a friend recently . . . a very special man. He was actually more than a friend . . . we called him "Paw Paw." We first met him as the dad of one of our AIM workers (Sis. Angie, his only daughter). He loved God, souls, and wanted to help anyway he possibly could, so . . . he retired early from his job with an oil company in Lousiana, sold his house, and came to Ghana with his wife.
They took care of all things construction/building about the Bible school there, and our girls were 4 and 7 years old when they came. By the time Candra had her 5th birthday, she was convinced Paw Paw could make anything . . . even a new pair of red shoes (she wore red shoes at his funeral, by the way)!
While in Ghana, the church folks were sure Paw Paw was the new Superintendent they were meeting . . . he looked so experienced and wise . . . sitting beside that young 35 year-old man they called "Kofi Abrantee Poitras" ("young man" in the TWI dialect).
Paw Paw had difficulty understanding the workers who helped with the building, especially when they would throw in a TWI phrase . . . like AYEKOO . . . which means "Well done." Paw Paw thought they were asking "Are you cold?" and answered an emphatic, "NO, are you?"
In September 1996, Paw Paw & Mere Mere took care of the girls and sent us off on an anniversary celebration. It was during that weekend that Portable Bible Schools was born . . . lessons written from the book of ACTS by my husband for training folks outside the capital city, and those interested in learning more about the work of God.
When Paw Paw left Ghana, he wanted to continue helping, so he took care of all these books in the US, and handled shipping and distribution for us . . . for 13 years.
During this past term in Ghana, we learned that Paw Paw had been diagnosed with cancer. When we heard of God's healing (an answer to plenty folk's prayer) we rejoiced!
When Jim and I traveled to the US for my mother's funeral (May 2007), who should come (all the way to Alabama from Louisiana) but Paw Paw & Mere Mere . . . always such special friends.
As deputation began, we looked for a chance to visit these special folks at their beautiful home on Lake Caddo. We always had such a great time with them . . . Mere Mere's good cooking, Paw Paw's great hair cuts, and the games we played . . . after all the discussions and trips down memory lane. It was like coming home . . . to a place you knew you were welcome and loved.
This time, we also knew Paw Paw was suffering . . . in constant pain, and having difficulty breathing. Our visit was extended (by lack of services scheduled) and we appreciated every minute of time with Paw Paw & Mere Mere. Once again, he built something in our van to make luggage carrying easier . . . always doing his best for his "family."
Just after we left their house, we received word that Paw Paw was in the hospital. Thus began the long journey through sickness and pain, to the final destination of our special friend, Milton Rhoads.
We were able to visit him in the hospital one time, then deputation took us far west, and all the way to Alaska. During that time, Paw Paw spent many days in severe pain and sickness, surviving through prayer and praise.
Everyone was thankful when he was well enough to celebrate his 50th anniversary with his beautiful bride, Sis. Ella Rhoads. She married him when she was 14 years old, and they had such a wonderful life of serving God and raising four precious children together.
On Tuesday morning, July 21, Paw Paw (Bro. Milton Rhoads) went to be with Jesus. He was ready to go, and we rejoice that he is no longer suffering. Our family was blessed to be able to attend his funeral and participate in the appreciation for the life of such a godly man.
My husband was asked to read the obituary and make comments. He shared a number of stories, and summed up the whole service with this statement, "If you never owned a Bible, or read anything from God's Word, you could follow the life of Milton Rhoads, and make it all the way to heaven." What a testimony!
We have been blessed to know him for all these years, and we praise God for such a great man . . . who's gone before us. One day . . . we will rejoice again, dancing around the throne . . . with friends and family who proved YOU CAN MAKE IT!!!

She DID IT . . . Hallelujah!

In spite of delays, difficulties, and travel between three continents, Candra completed her grade 12 school year . . . and is now a high school graduate. Pictured directly above here is a favorite spot for quiz/test taking while on deputation . . . look like fun?
No matter where the road of life leads (this one was in Alaska) our baby girl (all grown up now), we trust the Lord will keep His promise . . . "She will live to serve me." God is SO GOOD, and we are thanking Him for bringing Candra through every difficulty to the end of her high school education . . . and beyond. Thanks for your prayers for her, as she begins Bible school work at Indiana Bible College on August 22, 2009. . . and rooms with her sister!

31 years ago . . . and NOW!

Have you ever been to the North Pole? I HAVE . . . North Pole, Alaska, that is! Thirty-one years ago, I was here, right in this very spot. I came with a group of young people (1978 International Youth Corp) and this trip forever changed my life. During the preparation for this journey (I had never flown before, and traveled mostly in Florida and Alabama), I learned that God has a design for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11) . . . and His thoughts for me were going to take me away from the comfort of home I had always enjoyed. While here, I learned His thoughts were for my good . . . even if they were completely different from my own ideas and dreams.

Thirty-one years ago, I had no clue God was leading me to Africa, but I knew He led me to this place to show me He would be with me . . . no matter where He called me to go. It was 3 years and many prayers later before I found myself in Nigeria . . . the first stop in God's road trip of life for me. . . but it all started right here. . .one year after graduation from Troy State University, with no clue what God had in store.

How did I get back to Alaska? Yep . . . deputation! The preparation began in my mind over a year ago when we learned our schedule for travel. Alaska . . . I have always wanted to return, and God brought us here. "Us" would include my husband, and Candra (our 17 year old daughter). Melinda (our 20 year old daughter) was missing . . . in Calgary, Alberta visiting her Uncle Henry and family. On my first trip, I never imagined the great things God had in store for me, if only I would "seek Him FIRST" (Matthew 6:33).

Thirty-one years ago, our group visited Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Seward. I was blessed to return to Anchorage and Fairbanks, and also several places I had never been before. I found pastors and saints who were here . . . way back then . . . still faithful and loving God today. My greatest joy was sharing these new experiences with the family God blessed me with.

Having Candra with us was special . . . she always brings such joy. . . and reminds me how GOOD God is . . . for He gave us the heritage of children. Melinda and Candra (and Jim too) have heard stories of Alaska for many years, and here we are . . . making new memories together in the place God spoke so clearly to me thirty one years ago . . and NOW!

NOW I can praise Him for listening to His voice, obeying His call, and bringing me . . . thirty-one years later . . . back where my missionary journey began.

Leaving a Mark . . .

Missionaries spend their lives working to leave a mark . . . something that remains when they are not physically present . . . something that will encourage and sustain those whose lives they touched. . . something that will grow and flourish, even as the people grow.

Getting ready for deputation was difficult this time (deputation #6 for the Poitras family) . . . especially for Candra. She came to Ghana when she was 3 years old, and has completed her schooling (K-5 through grade 12) right here. . . most of it in this very house. Candra plans to travel with her Dad and I for the first portion of deputation (until August). She will attend church services where people ask questions and hear talk about Ghana and Africa, knowing that when we return there, she will remain in the US.


The packing is almost done . . . but school isn't . . . so working in the hallway, on the floor, near where my desk was . . . that's the closest Candra could get to her classroom/school situation. It was not easy to prepare for leaving Ghana while doing school, but she tried really hard . . . and finished half (2 semesters) of grade 12. That included all of her Bible courses (Genesis & Revelation), Economics, US Government, a Life Study course, and the first half of Physics, English (including grammar, vocabulary, and British Literature), and Analytical Geometry. Enough said? Candra will be working to complete the last three subjects (2 more terms of English, Physics and Analytical Geometry) while deputizing.

The first missionaries to Ghana (Robert Rodenbush family) had one son. 30 years ago, Robbie carved his name in a tree somewhere in the city of Accra. We have seen that tree, and those letters grew as the tree got taller. In our front yard, is a tree given to Robbie when he visited the house, and had his picture taken beside the tree, where his name is still embedded. Before leaving Ghana to live in US, Candra carved her initials while Allanah Sisco (younger MK who has lots of years remaining in Ghana) watched carefully.

Our girls left their mark in this country in many ways. . . with Bible school students, pastors and wives, children of all ages, and their ex-patriat friends. In years to come, this tree, in the front yard of the house where they lived most of their school years, will bear the reminder that God used their lives to touch many others in the 14 years they spent here.

I pray the work we are doing will leave its own mark, and that many more lives will be touched with the love and blessing of knowing Jesus through our ministry. . . just as our girls left their mark. May our influence and leadership grow and continue to flourish through the years . . . until Jesus calls us all Home to live with Him.