Week 60 & 61 - Major Disruption & Shade Trees

NEWS BULLETIN FROM AFRICA

Disruption to internet services for millions of users in Africa (that's us!) could take weeks or even months to fix (Argh! No!!!), following damage to undersea cables off the continent’s west coast. Eight West African countries are suffering major connectivity issues after damage to four sub-sea cables (Ghana was hit the hardest for some reason!!). The cause of the cable cutting was still not known, though a shifting of the seabed was among the likely possibilities.

Repairs can take weeks to months (😭😭), depending on where the damage is, what needs to be repaired, and local weather conditions. The assignment of repair ships depends on a number of factors, including ownership of the impacted cables. ACE and WACS have jointly initiated the repair process, and said that they would send a vessel to fix the damaged cables. Repair time is not yet known. This is a devastating blow to internet connectivity along the west coast of Africa, which will be operating in a degraded state for weeks to come. 

Red Sea

The cable faults off Ivory Coast come less than a month after three telecommunications cables were severed in the Red Sea, highlighting the vulnerability of critical communications infrastructure. The Red Sea is a critical telecommunications route, connecting Europe to Africa and Asia via Egypt. Together, the problems with cables on either side of the continent create a capacity crunch, with customers of those cables scrambling to find alternative routes.

Our input... everything (cellular, internet) went dead in the middle of the night on Wed, March 13, 2024. We awoke to no ability to communicate with anyone, anywhere, other than by good old fashioned walking and talking. Strange how "connected" we are to technology that allows us a wink, smile, laugh or Giff at just the touch of a finger. And then in an instant, it is all gone. Weirdly quiet. 

Missions are difficult. They are definitely made less difficult by being able to communicate with family and friends who are far far away! So the last 3-4 days of "silence" has been deafening! So much so, it has been difficult to think of anything else but being able to connect with family again. How quickly we take for granted being able to pick up the phone and share a thought or funny moment, congratulate a dear friend on wedding celebrations, see silly and wonderful videos and pictures of grandkids going about daily life, calling up a website to make an appointment for the temple, or to see what movies are playing! 

"Appreciate what you have, while you have it, or you'll learn what it meant to you after you lose it."
"Take not a minute for granted, because that minute can never be replaced."
"Life is full of blessings we take for granted. Yet so often we dwell on what we don't have."

A few ways I intend to stop taking things for granted...

Slow down - enjoy the journey, embrace the moment, see the individual.

Show gratitude daily - sincerely say "thank you" often, recount the day's blessings, find ways to be grateful in our present circumstances with faith, have meaningful prayers of appreciation and conversation with God.

Serve others - find ways to give meaningful service every day, look for the one who needs it most, ask God who that might be.

Serving is good for your soul. Studies have shown that volunteering is so good for the mind and body that it can ease symptoms of stress and depression. Tapping into our gifts and passions builds self-confidence, energy, and strength. Serving others can also be the best distraction from our own worries.

SHADE TREES

The last couple of months have been soooo hot again. We are in the hottest portion of the dry season. We have had a couple of rain showers (2 to be exact) that have cleared the dust for at least 30 minutes. Then it is back to scorching. You'd be surprised how much the shade of one small tree can make a difference. I'm grateful every day for the shade of a tree when walking outside. 

I love this Greek proverb:  "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit."  

I want to be that type of person. One who plants seeds and hopes to create a better tomorrow for those around us and that may come after us. It doesn't take much really. Selfless service is one of the greatest ways we have to give thanks to God who gives us everything!!!

So, I hope this will upload and publish. Can't guarantee anything! But no matter what, we are sending love and good wishes your way from Ghana! And don't forget... never take another moment or person or event for granted!!! Life is too short!!

Much love from Ghana! 💘💛💚