Mullet Mania

So right after Halloween I bought Cabe this blonde mullet wig for a buck at Wal-mart. (Best dollar I have ever spent) He randomly wears it to the gas station and such! We brought it with us at Christmas and had a blast with it. I will let you judge the best!!!

"Zack-Mullet"


"Nanny-Mullet"

My twin daughters!! Can you tell which is which?

Guntersville Christmas

We spent the week of Christmas in North Alabama. I am a true traditionalist when it comes to holidays, so last year I was NOT very thrilled about NOT being at our home on Christmas morning. But it was fine and this year was even greater! After all, it wouldn't truly be Christmas without being with the ENTIRE family!
Last year Mom and Pete rented a cabin in Mentone and it was nice. But this year we went to Guntersville State Park and stayed in a chalet. It was Awesome!!! The view was breathtaking (we do miss the mountains) and we were able to go hiking! Keith and I love to hike so this was a bonus in itself. And if you haven't visited the Guntersville Lodge since the big remodel, you are missing a treat! (Thanks Mom!)
All in all, Christmas was great!!!!

Sorry there are no pics of Cabe. He spent most of his free time in Fyffe. (I wonder why! lol)

Make a Smilebox greeting

Elmina Castle

There are two slave castles on the coast in Ghana: Cape Coast and Elmina. You can see one from the other. We visited Elmina Castle. I hope to visit the other next year. Hopefully this won't sound too much like a history lesson (but I do feel the teacher rising up in me)

Built by the Portuguese in 1482, Elmina Castle is the largest and the oldest existing castle connected to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Ironically, this was the first time a title to land had been transferred by a West African chief to an European. (horrible what they did with it) The Dutch defeated the Portuguese in 1637 and took control of the castle and continued the slave trade. The history of the castle is as follows:

Portuguese (1482-1637, 155 years)

Dutch (1637-1872, 235 years)

British (1872-1957, 85 years)

Ghana (1957-2008, 51 years)
The castle occupies 2.32 acres and is divided into three courtyards and completely surrounded by a moat so that there would be no escape. (bottom pic is moat)

When captives were brought into Elmina, they were taken into the old Portuguese church, which during the Dutch time had become the slave auctioning hall. (ironic don't you think?) It was here that the captives were stripped and examined. From there, the slaves were moved to the male and female dungeons. The entire time there, male and female were separated.

The captives were held for up to two months, depending on the availability of ships to take them away. They were given just enough food and water to keep them alive. Containers were placed in the corners of the dungeons to use the restroom. But after some time, the captives didn't have the strength to even get up from where they lay, so they were forced to use it on themselves. The male dungeons had very few windows for ventilation. And in the female dungeon, the hole for ventilation was connected to the magazine, where ammunition was kept. This means that toxic fumes came into their dungeon. The captives were not allowed to wash. And for the women who were menstruating and not bathing, one cannot imagine the stench and disease.

When the governor would visit the castle, the women were brought into the inner courtyard. After he made his choice, the woman was cleaned, fed, and taken up a flight of stairs through a trap door into the governor's bedroom. After he was finished raping her, the soldiers took their turn with her before putting her back into the dungeon. Women who became pregnant were freed; however, they were not accepted back into their villages. (Top pic is view from the governor's balcony. Bottom pic is flight of stairs to governor's bedroom)

Any slaves who resisted or fought back were placed in this cell. There is no light and no ventilation. Once the door closed, it was not opened again until all inside were dead. Can you imagine being the last to die? I cannot describe how it felt when our tour guide closed the door with us inside.

After the ship arrived, the captives were chained together and taken into a holding room. It was here that they would pass through the "Door of No Return" This is a very short and narrow door. They had to climb down a ladder into canoes and were taken to the ship. Upon boarding this ship, they would never see their homeland again.

My take on the Castle:

As a history teacher, I absorbed this visit like a sponge.

As a white European, I felt ashamed.

As an American, I felt even more shame. Slavery was vital for our economy in the South.

As a human being, I felt confused. How can slavery still exist throughout Africa today? Do they not remember the pain here?

As a christian, I was reminded that I was once held captive by sin. I was enslaved with no hope in sight. My stench was overwhelming. But my Saviour found me on the auction block and paid the ultimate price for me.

Kidz Krusade Parade

No....this is not Africa!!! lol. We had a parade on Saturday to advertise our Kidz Krusade. Our theme this year is Star Wars....very cool! Check out Cabe--the Master Jedi.

Corky and our new music pastor. He says that he is Smokey...the Tennesee mascot. Help us Jesus! Maybe that's all that's wrong with him!!! (lol) Btw, we did make him remove his Tennesee watch after taking this picture! Our older teens were at youth camp this week and they got back to the church just in time for the parade. They were extremely tired but they wanted to ride in the parade. Wow...they are great kids!

Pastor Ronnie and Pastor Keith....what a couple!!!

This was the back of Princess Leia's float.

We had several more people involved in the parade than what is in the pic. But we sent several back into the subdivision to pick up the trash and extra candy. About 45 people participated. We had 3 floats and the parade was led by a Harley Davidson. The kids in the subdivision seemed to love it! We even played Star Wars theme music! We will definitely do a parade again next year and add even more to it.

Please pray for our krusade. It is Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7:00 pm and Super Sunday morning at 10:30 am. I will resume the Africa pictures tomorrow! May the force be with you!

Sekyer Krobo Clinic

After leaving the school at Sekyer Krobo, we stopped by the clinic. Our team built this facility a few years ago and we wanted to assess their current needs. We will probably place this clinic on our itinerary and do some work here next year.

This is the sick room. The material above the bed is mosquito netting. Malaria is a huge problem in Ghana. I took malaria pills for the trip but I was told that it probably wouldn't help because the malaria strands change continuously like our flu.


This is the labor room. The first picture is where they clean the baby and the second picture is the crib. I did not take a picture of the mother's birthing bed. You can thank me later.


This baby was very sick. Jennifer wanted to pick her up so badly.


They use the area outside the clinic for vaccinations. I'm not sure if they do this outside because of convenience or if they believe it will keep germs from spreading inside the clinic. Either way, it was not sanitary. (Vials and used syringes are on the ground).
As I revisit these pictures and remember how I felt standing there on that day, nausea sweeps back over me; however, if you ask these people about their clinic, they will immediately tell you how blessed they are to have it.
I hope I remember these people the next time I visit my doctor's office. I don't believe I will complain because I have to wait an extra 15 or 20 minutes. Forgive me Lord for my ungrateful attitude.

Sekyer Krobo School

Thought I would post some pictures of the school children in the village of Sekyer Krobo. The little boy on the right was adorable. He was such a camera hog! His shirt says "Mango Addict"















This is a picture of the village Chief (right).


On the left is Aundrea Davis. She is a math teacher at Faith Academy. This was her 6th or 7th trip to Ghana. It is her heart's cry to live there and work in the school. She was pretty much in control of our lives in Africa. She organized, arranged, planned, etc. Aundrea is currently working toward her missionary license in the Assemblies of God. She is totally awesome!

This young man (left) walks 5 miles (one way) every single day to school...10 miles everyday!!!When we commended him for this action, he acted as if it weren't a big deal at all. Can you imagine the sacrifice?

This is Woody Godwin (right). He is the Director of "Hearts for Missions" and is one of the most humble men I have ever met. He reminded me so much of my father while we were on the trip. (not in age....but in character...lol) He will never realize what a consolation that was.

You only have to be in Mr. Godwin's presence for a moment to hear his heart...MISSIONS! He has served in Costa Rica, Laffia, and Honduras; however, his passion is Africa (more specifically...Ghana). I was honored to serve alongside this man of God.

Sekyer Krobo

This is a video clip of the school in Sekyer Krobo. We took supplies to the Jr. High students and they sang for us. They are singing my favorite Ghanian song--"You are the most high God"! The parents and other children came out of the village to see us "brawnies" (white people) The chief even came and showed his support. I have never seen people so excited about paper and books! We also gave them pencils, math supplies, chairs, clocks, and a bell. They didn't have one clock in the school and when we presented the bell to them, they stood and applauded. Wow! We should be ashamed of ourselves.

All public school children wear peach and brown uniforms. It costs about $20 per year to send a child to school and not everyone can afford it. Some families send one child to school for a few hours, then the child comes home and gives his/her uniform to their sibling and then he or she goes to school for a couple of hours.

Terrie in Takoradi

Ok...so I haven't really blogged since march!!! I know... i couldn't believe it either! No..I did not have a heart attack after the proposal...lol...i just got sort of busy getting ready for Africa. Most of you know that I traveled to Ghana from May 28--June 10. The trip was phenomenal! I'm really not sure where to start. There are no words to describe what I saw or what I felt. But my life will never be the same.

Bishop Joshua (the pastor in Ghana) told me to keep silent for a while. He said that people return from the mission field and get angry with Americans. I completely understand this advice....but you know me..I can't keep my mouth shut for long. So I promise to just be careful. Besides...Pastor Joshua will never know. lol

I returned home from this long journey with a severe back ache....bad enough to send me to the chiropractor. Come to find out, my spine and neck are pretty shaken up. I will be in therapy for most of the summer. Dr. B also directed me to apply moist heat 2 times a day for 20 minutes. So I said...cool..I definitely have time to catch up on some blogging. So my plan is to tell a different story everyday while I'm chillin (or heatin...whatever) Blessing in disguise!!!


This is the TEAM!!! There were 10 of us total. (Big Auntie is not pictured...more about her later) 5 of us are Faith Teachers and we were definitely pumped! This is a picture at the Mobile Airport before leaving for the longest and most rewarding journey of our lives!

This is in the village of Dabaose.
I preached the Sunday morning service. It was challenging to use an interpretator. Even though the national language is English, it is not spoken by most people over the age of 30. Young adults and children speak English very well because of their schooling. Their education system demands English to be spoken. In many classrooms, there were signs posted: ENGLISH only!!!
About 6 or 7 languages are spoken in the country of Ghana. The most common language in the area of Takoradi is Fanti.
The people of Ghana called me "Sofu Mommy" which means "Wife of Pastor."

Are You Serious?

So here's the story....Patrick came down a couple of weeks ago for teen talent. While Shay was at work, he asked Keith for her hand in marriage. So for two weeks...we were waiting and Patrick was planning! He did an awesome job!
He came down this week because it was his Spring Break and their 2nd year anniversary.When Shay came home from school on Thursday (their anniversary) Patrick had candles and roses leading up to her bedroom...24 roses for 24 months! TOO SWEET! He gave her a memory box and a letter telling her how much he loved her and that he was looking forward to filling the box with new memories.....awwwwwww!





Then they got ready and went to eat at Fairhope Inn. After dinner, they got ice cream and walked out on the pier. Patrick said "Remember that time we got ice cream and went to Jackson County Park? We walked out on the pier and I kissed you for the first time?" Shay said "Yes I remember." They kept walking out to the end of the pier. Then Patrick said... "I want to put the first thing in your memory box today." Then he got down on one knee and asked the question...."Will you marry me?" Shay yelled "Are you serious....Are you serious?!!" for about twenty minutes!!!!! lol



We are blessed beyond belief..... God gave us a precious, tender, strong daughter of faith. It is hard to imagine how blessed we will be with such a strong son-in-law of faith.

Teen Talent

Our drama team participated in Teen Talent this past Saturday!
They did great! They performed in the Group Human Video to the song "Addicted" by Kelly Clarkson. They also entered the Group Synchronized Movement to TobyMac's "Diverse City" Shay is the drama team leader at our church and she is doing a phenomenal job!!!

They brought home 1st alternate in the Group Synchronized Movement. (That's the Dance Division for all of you who are not familiar with Church of God terminology) Wow! What a crew! This is not the whole youth group...only the select few who were in these dramas!! What cheezers!!!
Cork and Justin

(and they are only friends)

Kylie's Kollege

Miss Kylie and I went to her school and took these pics on Saturday.

She attends Faulkner State University in Fairhope.

Thought you all would enjoy seeing them.

The campus was once a plantation and slave quarters.

All of the buildings are now used for classrooms and offices.

It is gorgeous!

Cork's New Space

We remodeled Courtney's bedroom a couple of weeks ago. I decided to attempt the striping technique... Wow was that alot of work!!! But it turned out great!!

Anyone out there recognize this?

Check out the cool zebra rug!