Part 2: The Fishing Village Photo Album

A small glimpse in to the church, village, and friends, that I have fallen in love with.

Eglise Mission Internationale de Christ otherwise known as the Fishing Village Church

In 2010 this is the church structure we use to worship in.

This is the photo I took today of the new church building we now worship in. 2012

Pastor James preaching in 2010 at EMIC or the fishing village church

Pastor James preaching in the new church building. 2012

Some of the church members with me wearing the dress they gave me as a gift for helping. 2010

Some of my students while teaching Health Education in 2010

The land surrounding the church.

My visit back to Togo in 2011 with some of church members and of course a lot of children.

The Adoukpo family except for the oldest sister who lives in the north of Togo with her husband. 2011

The health screening with CHE to about 60 children. 2011

Four church members with Pastor James and his wife. The three ladies sitting down come to the fishing port every day, except Sunday, to wait for the fishermen to return with their catch and then they proceed to scale the fish and then either send them to be frozen or smoked. If no fish are caught then each one involved in that process go home for the day with no money for their family. 2011

One of the elders of the church standing firmly next to his fishing boat. Every morning by 5am he will go out and stay out until he has either caught a full load OR the sun has dropped and he must come back in.

A typical picture of the palm leaf houses with tarp roofs. As I walked through the fishing village last year this was the only house type that i saw. Inside each house would be between 6-8 people. Their homes serve not only as a place to sleep but also their work place so many families smoke fish directly next to their homes.

Church Member, Finance Director, Women's Bible study Director, and Fish Smoker and seller

Church Member and Fish smoker

After reading this post and the one before my main prayer is that something in your heart will be stirred. That you would remember this church, this village, our brothers and sister, my friends, in your prayers. To the God who can do more than we could EVER ask or imagine, to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Merry Christmas family!!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Being away from home at times is not easy especially during the holidays. Don’t get me wrong the ship is a great place but there is something special about being around people that really truly know you. Today is my third Christmas away from home and I am happy to say that God has really blessed me with an understanding of not only family but Christmas as well.

My first Christmas away from home was by far the hardest but also one of the best. God was so good during this time and showed me just how much he loved me and also the true meaning of this day that we celebrate the birth of his holy son coming from heaven to earth for me. This realization of Gods love was so intimate and deep that for that first Christmas away it was better than any family member or present ever could have satisfied. Sorry Mom!

Then last year Christmas was also very special. I had been away from my family for about a year and also had been away from my ship family for about 4 months. I was more or less on my own and dealing with some hard things but also learning a ton along the way. Then by Gods special grace and by a sister and brothers’ love and care for me, Annie and Greg flew all the way over to Ghana to spend Christmas with me. The joy and peace that I felt seeing them walk into the Accra airport was a feeling I will never forget. These two people are ones that I am humbled by as they love and give with no desire for anything in return. Thanks guys for an amazing Christmas!!

So now I am at my third Christmas away from home. But this time I have my husband to spend it with (woo woo). How cool to know that this is our first Christmas of many as the Kulah family. We are now trying to mix our family and cultural traditions and are thanking God for all his amazing blessings and faithfulness to us both that brought us to this Christmas day together as husband and wife.

So yes there are things that I will miss: my crazy/awesome family and friends back home, snow, Christmas movies and songs, Christmas eve service at my church, stockings, etc but the blessings that I have received in return are of no match.

Recently my family and two friends came to Sierra Leone to celebrate Greg and my wedding. While here they were all so touched by the ship and the special place that it was. One person remarked, “I feel like the ship is a glimpse of a small piece of what heaven might be like.” After the wedding finished I kept hearing story after story about all the crew who pitched in to help us on our special day. Greg and I were overwhelmed by everyone’s love and support of us. And this is when I realized that these coworkers, roommates, and friends had become family. Sadly it wasn’t until this moment that the scales fell off my eyes to see this forever family.

1 Corinthians 13:12~ We don’t see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly as he knows us.

The love and support that I have received from friends and family at home, friends and family on the ship, and friends and family around the world is mind-blowing. God has shown me over these few years away that my family is all around. My eternal family is all around.

May God bless you all this season and may you thank him for his sacrifice and love for you by sending his son down to this earth. Thank you all for your love and the family that you are to me.

Merry Christmas

Family to me means grace, mercy, and love

This family I talk about was formed from above

My family expands each and every day

I love them all more than words can say

The sisters and brothers that I have met

Show a love for me that I will never forget

Each country we go to more family are there

Waiting with hope for all the fellowship we’ll share

This family consists of black, white, young and old

From all different nations, pennies and gold

My heart at times is sad from all the goodbyes

But when reading HIS word I know I’ll be fine

This family is something I cannot explain

Same passion and love to spread Jesus name

Working together to end suffering on earth

With mercy and love and all that it’s worth

This family I have is irreplaceable

The Father of whom is indescribable

This family is a glimpse of what is to come

Now seen in part but one day we’ll see the full one

Introducing Mr and Mrs Kulah

Surrounded by generosity, enveloped with prayers, covered with encouragement, showered with joy, and uplifted with kindness; Greg and I have not stopped talking about the amazing love and support that we have received leading up to our wedding and on our wedding day. There are so many thank yous that I want to write but for now I want to introduce you to the new Mr and Mrs Gregory Kulah.

For all those without facebook (the time has come to open an account) you can check out this link: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150445502714240.390549.500744239&type=1&l=531398e51b

The following is only a glimpse of our wedding day. Right now my mind is overflowing with thoughts and feelings so much that my fingers have yet to catch up. But i hear that a picture can say a thousand words so if that is true here is 12,000 words.

By His Love,

Mrs. Becca Kulah!!

PS All of these photos were taken by our amazing coworker and friend Ali Chandra. Thanks Ali for all your hard work and joy!

PPS Special shout out to all of our family and friends back in the states and Liberia. And also to Immanuel Church and Park Street Church in Massachusetts. Thank you for all your love and support and until we see each other again may God continue to bless you and guide you each day!!