Publisher's Synopsis
"West African Predicament" is a three year saga of the Nelsens' lay missionary journey in southeast Ghana, West Africa. Together, they enumerate the challenges they encounter in a totally different culture as they minister to the "poorest of the poor" in a third world nation. They describe the difficulties of the mission life they live. Coping with the lack of the usual western amenities, struggling with the constant threat of malaria and other tropical diseases, homesickness for family and friends become a part of their daily existence. The story of their projects to improve the lives of the women, crippled children, hospitals and schools are interesting and imaginative. Understanding and co-existing with the dominant customs of their area, especially the "Voo-doo" influence becomes an exciting challenge. In an environment where all but the necessary is stripped away, the Nelsens discover some very different takes on the concepts of honesty, trust, friendship, community and morality. Some of these relationships are heart-warming and some heart-breaking. Connie and Terry discover the true meaning of commitment as they live and work together through situations that demand love, togetherness and acceptance of their own strengths and weaknesses. Friendships are created and dissolved as events unfold in their three year journey. Questioning of many of their former beliefs become commonplace as they battle with the realities of a new culture and the realities with which they are confronted. It is a story of happy endings and sad endings because it is a story of real life. It is a unique look at the ability to adopt and adapt by a couple who believe that their lives have been called to change.
