An Update! (Finally)

Hello all! I underestimated my ability to update this blog. My town
experience was in Vane in the Volta Region. I am now back in Tamale
beginning debriefing.

Things to pray for:

*that the team (which is back together after 4 weeks) would continue
to get to know each other

*that GILLBT's Annual General Meeting would go smoothly this weekend.
They are electing a new director, and we get to attend all the
meetings and be part of the discussions

*that each team member would be thinking about how to apply things
learned here back at home

*that people would be healthy. There have been a few illnesses, so
pray against those.

Things to thank God for:

*I was able to research noun classes, which will help me to have a
project for school next year and also benefits the language project in
Vane.

*Each team has returned safely.

*Each team had amazing experiences. I've heard a few stories today
and am eagerly anticipating hearing more in the coming days.

Washing My Feet

On Sunday, I got to go to church with a new friend, Susana. Afterwards, our team split up and I went with her to have lunch with her family. She and I walked to her auntie's house. The walk was long, and by the time we got there, our feet were very dirty. Susana handed me a pitcher of water and showed me where to wash. I wasn't doing very well at it, so she said, "Let me do it."

She took the pitcher and washed my feet. I love the story in Scripture where Jesus washes his disciples' feet, but it has never made sense to me culturally. Occasionally we have tried to recreate this by intentionally (and somewhat awkwardly) washing each others' feet. It has always been uncomfortable to be the recipient in that event. Yet here was Susana - a 17-year-old Christian who was quite naturally washing my feet. It was so amazing!

Please continue to pray for me and our team. We will be leaving for our individual ministry assignments on Thursday. Dorcas and I are to work with the Avatime language.

*Deep breath*

I'm packed. My stuff is in the car. I'm hoping that I didn't forget anything too important or critical (I'm sure I forgot something; I'm just hoping for something little).

As soon as I finish this, I'm headed with the family to see Amanda's swearing in to the Navy. Then we're going to the airport for both of our flights. Eeee - it's really here! When I decided to do this trip in January, I was in Minnesota and it was cold and snowy and this all felt really abstract and theoretical.

I'm really excited to see what's going to happen on this trip, but also more than a little nervous.

Okay, time to go!

Hi all!

I'm going to be spending seven weeks in Ghana this summer on an internship with Wycliffe Bible Translators. This blog is for me to be able to tell stories and updates about what's going on. I will probably only have sporadic internet access, but I will post when I can.

I am leaving Monday, June 8th and I'll be back in the US on Sunday, August 2nd.

Already, I have been so blessed by the support and encouragement of so many people as I've gotten ready to leave. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. This trip is going to be challenging not only physically, but also spiritually and emotionally. Prayer is so, so important during this time!

A few prayer requests:

• That I would be able to get the needed items for this trip (although my fundraising is done, I still need to buy a few things)
  
• That my teammates and I would be excited rather than panicked during our preparations
  
• That our team would bond quickly and well
• That we would be able to join with the work already going on rather than imposing our own agendas
• That we would be safe and healthy
• That our actions would at all times glorify God

If you want to send me a letter, here's the address:

Ronny Watkins - Discovery
c/o GILLBT
Box OS-3063
Osu-Accra
Ghana W Africa

Just to warn you, it takes about two weeks for mail to get to Accra. I will only be in Accra for the first week. After that, they will send mail via anyone traveling in my direction or will hold it for me until the end of the trip. It might be easier to send me e-mail - although again, I probably won't get it for awhile. :)

Thank you all for all of your love and support!
Ronny