Karen's Update, 27-1-07

Wednesday, January 24, 2007, The students gave us a grand party!! The teenage singing group joined us. Our dinner was, again, FuFu mmmmm it was good!! - as usual. While Sandy was teaching, I heard Agnes making the FuFu, so I took Sandy out of her class so she could see how it is made. She took pictures so she can show how it is made. After dinner, the students had us sing songs then presented Sandy and me with dress outfits. They are beautiful. After dinner and the presentations, the bell was wrung and the neighborhood children came to the Retreat House for a short program from the teens. Their guide, first, talked with the children in Ghanaian and introduced the students. They sang several songs both in Ghanaian and English; they also put on a puppet show. They were great. Sandy seemed to enjoy the songs, as well. At the end of the evening, Sandy & I sorted what we would be taking with us to Tamale and Mole tomorrow morning. It will be good to see our sisters, Linda and Betty Jo, again.

Thursday, January 25, 2007, Got up bright and early (4:30 a.m.!) to get ready to leave with Amadu and Enoch. Pastor fixed us all breakfast and had some hard boiled eggs for our trip. Roads were – ummm – well – still under construction . . .lots of bumps and dust!! We made it to Tamale, met up with Linda and Betty Jo, packed up the vehicle, then made our way to the Head Mistress to thank her for their hospitality and taking good care of our sisters. She expressed concern that they really don’t have accommodations for anyone coming up but are always welcome. I guess alternative accommodations will have to be considered; especially because it seems the children loved being taught by Linda and Betty Jo and because their signs were understood. From Tamale, we made our way to Mole to spend the night. Again, the road was rough and dusty!! We checked in, had dinner and then went to bed. The park didn’t have any running water but they did have buckets of water in each room for our “bucket baths.”

Friday, January 26, 2007, Got up early so we could go on the 6:30 a.m. Safari ride. We were very fortunate as we saw 15 elephants! Pastor Reinke said that, because of the dryness, we would probably see a lot of elephants - - and we did!! Also saw a few alligators in one of the watering holes. Then it was pack up the truck and down the road again. We stopped at a village where Amadu wanted to see an old mosque. We were greeted by some town’s people and told we would have to pay a fee to see the mosque. After Amadu spoke with him, he took us on a mini tour of the building – outside the building. Afterwards, we headed for the car and were, immediately, surrounded by many children. As we were walking, I felt a little hand grab hold of my fingers; it was a little girl about 2 years old. She was the cutest little thing; even let me hold her!! While walking with the “guide”, he asked where we were from and what we were doing in West Africa. I explained that we were working with Christian Deaf Leaders preparing them to go out and preach to the Deaf and spread God’s word. He said that was great!! After giving him a small token for our guide, he said that the money would be used for their mosque but could use more money for the school children. I said I understood, but that we needed the money for the Deaf Residential Schools. He seemed to understand. Then he asked, if at all possible, if we could send some paper and pencils for the children; I said I would inform Pastor Reinke of their need. Then it was back into the car to head home on the nice and dusty, bumpy roads! It was figured out that, including the Safari ride, we were in the truck for 12 hours before getting home to Kumasi!! Again, hot and very dusty!! We met and picked up Pastor Reinke and a phone man at one of the circle drives; came home to FuFu and pizza dinner! It was very delicious!! I didn’t have any of the FuFu but the pizza sure was good! Linda and Betty Jo were presented with their dress outfits from the students. We started gathering our things to pack up for our trip to Accra tomorrow. I can’t believe how quickly this time has flown! I look forward to this weekend as this is when we will travel into the hills to Mampong School for the Deaf and visit the Deaf Village in Adomarobe.