From Linda:
  
  Sat. Jan 21  
  We have just finished a nice day of relaxing, catching up on emails (thank you to all have written to me, us), laundry (that we didn't have to wash in a bucket), good food (thanks to our cook, Agnes) and getting reacquainted with our traveling companions, Pastor Reinke and Karen.  Finally, it was nice to meet the Evangelists that are being trained here.  This has been an on-going process for these young men and it is obvious to us they are needed out in the Deaf community here.
  
  It has been an emotional day for me, getting emails back from home. I love getting your inspiring messages and they have touched my heart so much.  Everyone I have spoken to today, I've become all wimpy.  I miss you all more than you know. 
  
  Today was our "final" goodbye party.  I know it's early, but Jean and I will be leaving here again soon, so we didn't want to miss out on the festivities.  Agnes has prepared fufu (I don't want to get my hands in the way while preparing this) with rice balls and GOAT!  Would you believe it doesn't taste like chicken, but like a pot roast!!  It was actually very tasty, but I don't think I will make this anytime soon back home.  After dinner, a bell was rung and before you know it, TONS of kids from the village came for "chapel."  It was an incredible sight!  Pastor Reinke did a story, with Daniel, a very special boy and gifted student here, translated into their language.  I took pictures that soon you all will see.  Later, we sorted all the Mbags that contained Sunday school materials and books that we will pass along to the Deaf Schools.  Jean and I packed up again, thinking that we are leaving tomorrow for Tamale.  We'll see how church goes.
  
  Sunday, Jan. 22  
  Jean and I went with Akorful to the Deaf church in the village.  Interesting place.  Looks like a small plaza with a few other churches holding services at the same time.  I was EASILY distracted by the "church" next door, with 2 men on loudspeakers, chatting or sounded more like tongue-wagging" something for over 2 hours.  Then the church on the other side was trying to be louder than the other one!  YIKES!  It was a chaotic mess, but I really enjoyed our service.  We were there for 2 hours, and everyone was very receptive to us "oburni's" there.  They asked if we wanted to do music; I passed the first time around, Jean got up to sign what she could remember of "Amazing Grace."  I love that song!!  If they asked me again, I would have done "Jesus Loves Me."  Not sure how it would have compared with what they were doing.
  
  Came back to the house, and just relaxed.  After dinner, there was a meeting with the school board, members of a church and building committee for the Deaf Lutheran High School that will be built near Kumasi.  It was awesome to be a part of that meeting, one as an interpreter, but also watching and hearing the details of this process.  Jean and I met someone at the Cape Coast School that would/could be very beneficial with this.  It was great having that contact that everyone wants to work with.  Ok, tomorrow we leave EARLY!  It's time for bed.  I know this week will probably be our hardest, so any last minute preps and relaxing will be helpful.
  
  
   Monday, Jan. 23  
  We are up with the rooster!  It is 5:00 AM and I TRYING to wake so that we can get to the bus on time. I'm NOT looking forward to this 6-hour bus trip up north if it's anything like our last ride.  Amadu has decided to travel with us to make sure we don't leave the "yard," and we are happy but what a long day it will be for him!  He will travel back to Kumasi later in the day! 
  
  Our first hour into the trip, and we're not even out of Kumasi.  We left before the traffic REALLY starts, but they are making a new road that heads out of town towards Tamale, so we wait until we are given permission.  This took at least 30 minutes.  In the meantime, people are let off the bus to urinate or buy from the many vendors along the road!  It's quite different here.  No one is bothered here with bodily functions as much as Americans are.  It's a way of life here!  It smells like it too.  The bus driver now starts an on-board movie.  We may be here awhile more.  Finally, we are able to pass through.  We are driving on a red dirt road, which seems like forever.  We feel every pothole from the back of the bus.  The plantain plants are choking with the rest dust that the cars and buses leave behind.  It can't be pleasant to breathe for the many villages and the people that line this road that are selling anything from water, food, car parts, air fresheners and yes, even
 coffins!  You never have to leave your car!  And religion is a "hot commodity" here.  We passed many places, "Jesus Saves" Fast Food, "Jesus is Coming Soon" Furniture Upholstery, "Moses" Mechanics, and my favorite, "God is Great" Baby Shampoo.  Now that we are leaving the "city limits," it doesn't take long to discover that this bus driver is not the "risk taker" as the other one.  I actually get to look out the window.
  
  The farther we travel the landscape begins to change.  After we pass through a "forest preserve" (don't recall the name but it began with an "O"), I begin to notice that the villages are smaller and more spread out.  They are actually poorer than the ones I have been used to seeing if you can believe that yet cleaner.  These thatched roofed mud    huts are slowly eroding away and returning to the ground from which they came.   I notice more schools and churches within these villages.  But at the same time, I notice more children who aren't wearing the standard school uniform.  These are the unfortunate ones who can't afford to go to school.  They sit roadside and sell their wares. Their eyes tell a story but are always smiling and eager to wave at us.  We are definitely an oddity in these parts.  The terrain is drier and the WaWa trees, the statue-ious tree that populated the land in the south regions are sparse and not as majestic here.  The thatch that has been removed gives way
 to a "natural burn" to promote new growth.  The goats and cattle room free and unattended on this barren ground looking for that first "green."  It's different here, but a drier heat.  Which is a good thing.
  
  We stop at a "rest stop."  We are soon bombarded with sellers and beggars.  Amadu takes us to the "back" where the toilet is, a public hole in the floor that you pay to use.  One can appreciate wearing a skirt, but a native would have just gone across the street and used the field.  Next time..
  
  We arrive in Tamale!  After dining on jollof rice with chicken and fried rice with a broken chicken leg, we take a taxi to the School.  We are NOT at Cape Coast anymore!  The school is VERY small, with 230 students, mostly very young ones.  The student ages are 4-19 years and we were told by the Head Mistress that there is a waiting list.  This definitely is a poorer school, not the "luxuries" that were found at C.C.  There is no running water here, so there are toilets that can't be used.  The staff and students just go "wherever."  The basic classes are taught but they also learn about weaving and sewing.  More chickens and goats run around this place.  There are no sports played here, and the staff doesn't sign or at all.  The Head Mistress at least tries harder.  So far, again, "everyone" has been very helpful and receptive to us being here.  At least we were expected but again, at the last minute.  We are sharing a bungalow with 2 other women, Aku and Mariama, both teachers,
 (separate rooms) and we have a ceiling fan!  Yeah!  The Head Mistress took us to meet all the children.  I noticed immediately how many of them are coughing.  Jean and I need to be extra careful with what water is here.  Cholera is rapid in this region.  The Muslims are very evident here too (there's a mosque right outside our window).  So are snakes, big snakes!  Hopefully we won't encounter one. I see the stars for the first time in Ghana.  Beautiful!  Taking a bucket bath was not that bad.  Again, we're adjusting.
  
  
  Tuesday, Jan 24  
  Woke up early to head to class.  The Head Mistress gave us three opportunities to teach.  The classes are smaller, it's early, and the kids are eager.  I think they understand the concept of Moses' beginnings.  It is a hard story to comprehend, but we all get through it.  I'm not sure how much the kids know or understand.  Constant repeating is what we do.  There is no one who can interpret for us.  We were spoiled from the last school.  However, we had about ½ of our first class come to the 2nd one.  They liked it!  I am feeling much more relaxed and at ease with what I'm doing.  It really helps to have "visuals," that they can relate to.  Today I used mirrors on my discussion of "special" people.  All the kids got a kick out of seeing themselves.  I asked who they saw, they said "beautiful!"  My message is coming across.  This is something they need to "hear," especially when we've noticed sticks (that are used as "whips") in each of the classrooms.  It is evident that the
 children are "wild" and hitting each other   constantly.  Christopher, an older student, takes notice and asks the younger ones if that is what a "good heart" does?  That was part of my teaching today too.  It's heartwarming when you see what you teach being used.  Christopher is a leader here with promise.  I gave him a picture book with the "stories" in them.  He knows a bit.  Hayford, one of the Evangelists from the Lutheran Church, has been here before us.  He is known and liked.  A role model is needed much more here.  There is only 3 Deaf teachers here, and one is leaving soon.  The others don't have the patience or the ability to communicate with these children. 
  
  We find ourselves spending more time in our room here.  We attempted to socialize with the kids, but as I said, it's very different here.  The kids are very abusive to each other and many are not well.  There are running noses and much coughing going on.  I hope it's only because it's the harmattan (dry) season and nothing more.  Jean and I have noticed these children are not happy ones not like we've experienced at Cape Coast.  I have heard more crying here.  And these children are not well kept or supervised either.  Their body odor is very evident as well as their filthy clothes.  There is different dress attire here. No one is the same at any given time.  As we teach from one classroom, one can smell the stench of a rotting animal.  Hygiene is definitely a problem here.  The heat is getting to us!
  
  I have a raging headache.  As we end another day, Sabrina, the Peace Corp volunteer here (who teaches art, the same as Kate) brings over a fresh (RIPE) papaya and some Ghanaian chocolate!  Now that's enough to make one feel better.  The Head Mistress stops by to say her goodbyes.  She is leaving for Accra "at first light," and won't be returning until after we're gone.  She is a wonderful woman; one I feel that is for the kids.  She really puts an effort into communicating in sign. She has been very gracious and welcoming to Jean and I.  She is a Catholic woman and is concerned about the lack of religious upbringings of these children.  She takes any child that is willing to go with her to church on Sunday.  "The kids aren't getting it at home."  It won't feel the same here without her. To the others, they haven't been as welcoming, although each had said so.  I think Aku is ready to be done cooking for us.   
  
  
  Wed. Jan 25  
  Slept very soundly last night!  I have not done well in the sleep department lately, but Excedrin PM helps!  We relaxed much of the morning, as we knew the kids were in school.  Our teachings won't start until noon today.  Finished a book that Kate gave me before we left Cape Coast.  It's an inspiring novel and very befitting for this situation.  It's called "Life is So Good."  I will talk more about this book later, but it makes one ponder about one's life and the things that we take for granted. I am indeed a changed person!
  
  Teaching time for us was another confusing day!  No one, including us, knows what's going on.  We find an empty room and set up shop.  Soon, the room is filled.  Today's story was about David and Goliath.  For the most part, the kids understand.  They aren't getting what they need from the signs, because they aren't getting it from their teachers.  My heart goes out to these kids.  They aren't to blame; it's what they are accustomed too.  Our purpose here is to "plant seeds."  I trust in God that He knew what He was doing by sending us here.  If we are able to offer hope to just one child.we did all that we could do. 
  
  Today was "rough" as far as if they "got it."  I feel helpless knowing that I can't do more or know what to do but felt spiritually strong.  Today before class, I saw an older boy whipping a smaller boy just before he entered the classroom.  Another boy, obviously Muslim entered the room from the opposite side. He looked very intimidating to me and looked like he had an "agenda."  I turned into the corner and prayed. I asked God that I might touch one heart in this room and to remove any fear/anger that I had.  The Muslim left before class started, the boy that beat the other boy stayed.  Not sure what that meant, but we taught like any other time.
  
  The heat of the day doesn't allow us to do anything else but return to our room after teaching.  We're trying to gather our strength to spend a few more minutes' time with the children.  Aku is making us dinner, yam stew again.  At least it's not fish!  I hear Mariama outside pounding away making fufu.  We take pictures.  "Those American Women."  After we dine, 2 girls stop by and tell us the children are "dancing."  We get all excited thinking we're going to witness more cultural dancing.  We are sad to see these kids dancing "hip hop," one boy dancing like Michael Jackson.  There is no cultural influence here.  I noticed the blackboard with the day's lesson on it.  It was a science class, and the parts of the body were written word for word ("the head is connected to the neck bone, ..")  But they seemed to be having fun among the others that were hitting each other.  We were asked to tell a story (not being prepared) and Jean got up and told a story that she knows very well,
 Queen Esther.  She had to duck at one point for an incoming bat!  John, the deaf teacher and the only adult present, "interpreted" for her.  I think he was doing a different story.  The kids were loosing interest fast.  After the closing prayer, they all darted out of there.  I assumed they were headed for bed.  Nope, TV time!  They don't have a computer here, but they do have a TV. 
  
  
  Thursday, Jan. 26  
  Didn't get much sleep.  Have many mixed thoughts running through my brain.  Ate our last meal of oatmeal this morning.  Oatmeal never tasted so good, even in this heat!  Visited John's weaving class.  Now, that was impressive.  These children in his class were learning something about their culture.  The colorful threads were stretched across the room as they weave the shuttle back and forth.  It was fascinating to watch!  John, who has been at this school for 5 years, is really these kids only role model and he will be leaving the school soon.  He is finishing his teaching "practicing" and will be heading to the Jumasai School for the Deaf to teach.  This school is poor and is troubled by not finding qualified teachers.  Each day that we were there, we didn't see any "teaching" going on, just all of them congregated outside while the kids were in the classrooms unattended. I don't like the negative feelings that I have for this place.  It's just not right and again, I feel for the
 children.  This place just can't be ignored.
  
  Today, we had near 100 kids for a combined class.  Only one teaching before we head out this afternoon.  The kids really enjoyed the story on Noah and we finally had an interpreter.  That REALLY helped, as now we feel the kids finally "got it."  They began to open up and started to ask questions.  Now we see the hope in their eyes.  As we close with prayer for the final time, we see just how many of them are Muslim.  We are thankful to have them there.  We pray that we made a difference and touched their hearts.
  
  We made our presentation to the school and said our goodbyes.  The reaction we got when we left only 2 Bible stories book and the picture flip charts was incredible.  They also got excited when we said more books and PENCILS were on their way with Pastor Reinke.  To be excited over something so small, it's humbling.  We also left them 2 soccer (footballs) balls.  They couldn't wait to get them pumped up.
  
  We were finally picked up and the rest of the supplies dropped off.  As much as Jean and I struggled at this school, we are sad to leave.  These kids need SO much, but all we can do now is pray.  I hope that there is more I can do, even from the comforts of my own home.  There is much work to do here!  There are kids there that have hope.  I trust God knows their need.
  
  It's great to be reunited with the rest of our team.  As we travel to our next destination (Mole National Park) with Pastor John doing the driving, I see a "different" side to him.  Let's just say, when he switches hats and puts his baseball hat on backwards, LOOK OUT!!  We arrived safe, but in the dark to our hotel.  Tomorrow, elephants!!