Monday, Jan. 15, 2007

Despite the barking dogs and the rooster crowing at 11:00 pm, I was able to fall asleep and actually stay asleep. Slept in until 8:00 and watched the kids as they hustled back to their first day back to school after their holiday. It was quite the quiet day today. It’s been a short time and I miss them already. After a morning breakfast, which Elizabeth referred to as "wheat," (oatmeal type substance with a nutty feel and taste), we roamed the grounds. We met the blind teacher, George, who teaches the blind students Braille. I mentioned to him about his student John who was trying to teach me, he laughed. We also mingled with the dorm moms, the guys in the woods shop (they’re putting on a new tin roof and making a bed frame), strolled to the school and introduced ourselves to the teachers that were present, and then to the art class (Kate is still MIA). Betty Jo and I were everywhere. We also met up with Elizabeth and visited with her kitchen staff. They love getting their pictures taken more than the kids! While there, we couldn’t help but notice that fish was being cleaned and cooked. No surprise that our lunch and perhaps our dinner will include that.

We went back to the room to prepare for our afternoon class AND for our lunch. Yep, just as we suspected, but this time it was in an "orange-yellow" soup, called palm soup with fish (duh!). It was not all that tasty. How many ways can they serve this fish??? The plantain was delicious! Saved the rest for later. I have a feeling we’ll need it!

As our class time was approaching, I noticed that there were no kids around. Where are the supervisors?? Joseph and I chatted earlier; our class was at 3:00 and I asked him if he would assist with interpreting. Yes! 3:00? No one is around! I prayed and asked what we should do. A little voice said, "If you start it, they will come." Ok, I’m going with it! Betty Jo had just finished setting up in the dining room when I said, "Let’s move it outside." I found 2 little hearing girls interested in hearing a story. As these 2 watched Betty Jo and listened to me, the group suddenly got bigger. Soon, we had about 15 young girls, not including the ones that stopped while doing their chores. It was a small gathering, but had it been bigger, we probably would not have had the attention that we had. They enjoyed Betty Jo’s stories of Moses’ birth, how he helped the slaves, and the burning bush. I spoke to them how the Pharaoh daughter knew Moses was special and she adopted Moses just like God has adopted us. He makes us all his special children. I used the mirrors again to show each child how beautiful and special they are. I explained that we are not any different than Moses. Moses used many excuses why he could not do the task that God had prepared him for. The kids knew what I meant when I signed, "I can’t, I can’t…" But God tells us he will provide what we need. Moses had made a bad choice, but God still loved him and forgave him. God saw the good in Moses, just like He sees the good in all of His children. After stories, we signed some songs. They really enjoy that. As much as our presence here is to teach the children, I’m learning much from them. I don’t feel this time together was a waste of time. Oh, I wish more could have joined us, but everything happens for a reason. It was obviously a miscommunication problem, but all was not lost. I’d rather have a group of 15 that will pay attention and get into deeper discussion, then have a roomful and no one ask questions. Joseph will arrange for a different turnout tomorrow.

After a dinner of fish stew (different sauce), yams and rice we gathered with the students to unload the bus that was filled with oranges. The whole school pitched in. There is great camaraderie here, but I’m always wondering where the adult supervision is. These kids seem to be on their own a LOT, but they are so well behaved! After the unloading, the kids mingle in an area with little light to stretch out the evening. Joseph tells us about the farms the school manages and cultivates the strict daily schedule of activities and other interesting things about the school. He truly is special. All these kid are! Hope (the hearing daughter of a dorm mom), is so beautiful and kind. She has "adopted" all the girls as her sisters. It will be difficult to leave this place again. I’m not sure when or if I’ll return. But I must keep in contact with Joseph. Just like Moses, God made Joseph and has a special plan for him.

 

 

 

Tues. Jan 16, 2007

This is it! Our last day in Cape Coast! I am missing the kids already. A part of my heart will always be here.

The morning was lazy- same as yesterday. Met with the Headmistress to inquire about a few things (ex. Time for class, who do we give the items that we brought to, Joseph taking classes with Pastor Reinke, etc). She is a distant person, quite reserved but she’s running a great school. We made sure she knew that.

After lunch (yes, fish stew, with plantain and yam "fries"), we headed to the dining room where Joseph had everything already set up and under control. He never ceases to amaze me! Had a FULL house today! I never thought I could be excited about this; it’s just these kids! They think I’m crazy; I’m always signing "Good morning." My reason? Each time I meet with someone, it’s a new beginning, a new day! Now I have Betty Jo doing it!

Before we started with our lesson, I wanted to make sure EVERYONE understood the stories. Joseph will work with us to interpret! And what an awesome job he did! Betty Jo began from the "beginning," reviewing the first day’s lesson and then moving on to the new Pharaoh feeling threatened by a growing Hebrew population, to the midwives that were suppose to kill the baby boys, Moses’ birth and then Moses’ killing an Egyptian man. I did a LOT of role-playing for my applications and got some kids to volunteer for various parts. I had a blast! To show the people of Egypt and the Hebrews, 2 boys represented the 2 groups. I used the shawl from my skirt to dress the Egyptian up and gave the other (Joseph) a staff. I explained the difference between these "peoples," one loving many gods, the other one God. I walked between each and the kids understood! Then I played the part of the Pharaoh’s daughter, bathing at the Nile and finding a basket with a baby inside! I acted that whole scene out! I didn’t know I had it in me! But the kids could relate to it visually! So I just went with it! It was very rewarding to see these kids laugh, but paying full attention and understanding! I found my way of communicating with them, even though they sometimes struggle with our signs. Our language is almost the same, but sign production is different. That’s where Joseph was a tremendous help!!

We finished our lessons with some songs. The girls in our group yesterday requested the songs that we did ("Jesus Loves the Little Children"). The Headmistress came and we presented the things that we had to the school. She receives the gifts kindly and invites us to continue coming back to teach these children, for their future! I would love to come back!! John arrived later than he wanted (taxi problems) and he stayed for an hour. It’s wonderful to see him motivated to learn sign and his willingness to socialize with the kids. Agnes and Joseph agree to teach him. What wonderful people we are meeting! We take a stroll to where the new girls’ dorm and secondary school is being built high above the rest of the school grounds. We interrupt some of the workers bathing. Ok, I wanted to see the view from up there, but not THAT much! John introduces himself and the workers are very kind and welcome us! WOW! I must tell you, I believe what I read before, that Ghana has the friendliest people. I have yet to meet an unkind one.

After an exchange of addresses and pictures, we are fed our LAST fish dinner but mixed with rice. It actually tasted like Spanish rice! Quite delicious! We even got daring and ate some fresh pineapple. We asked for blessings!! After dinner gave us time (and daylight) to mingle with the girls. They gave us a tour of their dorms. Said my goodbyes to the blind students. It’s interesting the most of the kids we meet have strong Christian names (Isaiah, Elijah, Joseph, Sarah, John, Mark, etc). Does that mean they are baptized? I don’t know. The girls were very interested in America (time, weather, school, etc). Headed over to the night school (the kids meet from 7-8:30 pm nightly for extra studies) and once again, the kids are left on their own. It’s amazing how well behaved they are. We were shown the art dept. (sans Kate, frown) and was quite impressed with the basic ingredients, that they can create such wonderful art. They look ahead of our time. There are some very talented students here at Cape Coast.

Today was a good day! It’s a very positive note to leave on. As much as I will miss this place, I know it is time for us to move on. I know that Cape Coast is in good hands and truly blessed! Their hearts are in the right place. I see it in the eyes and smiles of each of these children. They have hope and a future. I know that our next school will be a different experience but I understand that we are needed there more. Still it’s good to see the hope and the wonder in these children and use this experience to extend it to ones who need it the most. I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him here and Tamale.