Slept well, despite being awaken by the roosters.  As I said, it was a “draining” day yesterday!

 

Sabrina made the best French toast EVER! We top it off with “full fat” cream cheese called “Laughing Cow.”  We understand why the cow is laughing!  The fresh pineapple is also a nice treat!  The courtyard is quiet now; everyone has left for school.  Even the rooster is gone!  After breakfast, we head off to observe John Ejam’s (one of 3 deaf teachers at the school) weaving class.  He demonstrates this art along with his students.  Met up with the Headmistress to remind her that we are leaving tomorrow.  Visit Sabrina’s class.  Her class is working on a pen-pal letter exchange with a 4th grade class from her home state of Washington.  This is a wonderful opportunity for these children involved to learn about another culture.  This also promotes reading for this school.  This class is the older class and they struggle so.  I’d love to start something like this with the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. 

 

The day is hot again.  We gear ourselves up and make our way to the afternoon class.  What a difference a day makes!  The class was smaller, but maybe THAT is the solution.  We reviewed the rules and we were able to move on from that.  We actually started the story of Moses birth.  It was easier to just play this one out.  Again, their attention and language level needed to be taken into consideration.  But I think they’re beginning to understand.  AND it’s less chaotic today.  Even at playtime!  It makes me wonder what we could accomplish had we had more time here, as Pastor Reinke wanted.  We need to consider that for next year, but make other arrangements for housing and food. 

 

We have volunteers from our older group to come forward and repeat what has been taught.  They remember the Salvation story (and what the colors represent), but still cling to the thinking that because they are sinners, they won’t go to Heaven.  Why do they always remember the Law?  A few understand the salvation/Gospel part.  It’s an endless struggle everywhere, not only here! The hearing dorm mother joins us again.  She listens inattentively.  She signs the songs.  The room is full now.  Again, it just happens in the blink of an eye.  The little ones sit quietly in the wings watching and paying full attention.  We stressed the need for the older students to set the example for the younger ones and help teach.  They all agree and so does the dorm mother.  Maybe she can help teach in our absence.

 

A Muslim girl walks us back to our room. I believe there is hope for this place.  But it’s a long time until we come back.  Keep these children in your prayers.

 

 

 

 

It is our last morning here in Savenglu.  I have lost my voice due to the dryness and dust here.  And I’m not even using my voice here!

 

We have missed saying our goodbyes to Sabrina; she is traveling this morning.  She was a tremendous help to us here.  Richard gave us both a beautiful post card with an inspiring message!  We say our goodbyes to Genevieve as well.  She is a very sweet woman!  We thought she was providing the food for our stay.  We were surprised to learn It came from the school and she said it was “her duty” to cook for us.  She accepts nothing for her efforts, but we left her our music, a pen and a compact mirror to remind her that she is a beautiful child of God.  People sure can surprise you!

 

Amadu and the gang arrive and we all said our goodbyes and thanks to the Madam.  She is happy that we come, but again, she is concerned about our accommodation situation for the next visit.  Perhaps the ELGC needs to provide us a pop-up camper!  That would make for interesting driving on these roads!

 

After a brief visit to see Amadu’s fiancée Mary, we head off to Mole National Park.  This road has NOT improved since last year, washboard and DUSTY!  We pass many villages that consist only of mud huts and thatched roofs.  This looks more like the Africa we see in pictures.  We stop at the same termite mound as last year for a group picture.  It now has a HUGE hole in the base of it and it probably won’t be standing there next year.  Amadu said someone came by and dug the queen termite out, used for a celebration dinner.  SHE is the delicacy!   We arrive shortly before sundown after almost 2 hours on this dusty and bumpy “back road.”   Tomorrow, we must take the same route back as it’s the only road to the Park. Our first order of business should be a nice cold shower, but there is NO running water here.  Seems to be a problem this year.  Oh well, I’m now an expert on bucket baths.  So, its food and drink time!  Amadu allows me to “phone home” with the phone I have been using at the schools.  We found a single signal on top on a hill so we can all chat at the same time on separate phones.  It was quite comical!  I used up the rest of the “units” to my hubby. He was telling me he’s just getting done with work and how COLD it was in WI.  I was looking up at the stars and sweating!  By the sound of it, I may be missing this weather!     

 

 

 

Didn’t sleep well last night.  It’s kind of “do or don’t” with the sleeping!  Too many different beds I guess.

 

We wake up early in hopes to see elephants at the watering hole.  I hear activity of other animals and birds; you just can’t see them.  We’re up before the light!   No animals so far.  We start our safari at 7:00 AM with PK, our guide.  Not long into our trip we see gazelles.  I’ve been praying that Sandy and Betty Jo will see elephants.  Our guide tells us it’s “hit or miss.”  I said I had a feeling and behold, we see 3 on the trail.  Then other animals followed as we traveled on: water buck, wart hogs with their babies, spider and Baboon monkeys (none in our room this year, thank you!), guinea fowl and crocodiles.  By the time we return to the lodge and order breakfast, there are 15 elephants down at the water hole!  It was pretty awesome!  A good morning for a safari!

 

Down the dusty road we go, but we didn’t get too far into our journey before we stop at the oldest Muslim Mosque in West Africa.  Field trip!!  Hey, we were in the neighborhood!  I guess this is some kind of tourist attraction.  They have a guest book to sign and a tour, complete with the history.  Everyone was receptive to our visit as we have a look around.  Our “guide” spoke of the Muslim traditions, as their afternoon prayers were about to begin.  A procession of nicely dressed people walked by.  The children are begging for pens, books, water and food, in that order.  It’s sad; I could offer them nothing.  We meet the only deaf man in the village.  He signs very well considering they don’t have a school.  That’s for “Christians.”  Karen tells the guide why we are in Ghana, teaching the deaf about Christianity!  He said “good.”  Huh?  I didn’t feel so intimidated in this community of 4000 that are “all Muslim.”  However, I did feel uneasy in the street when Amadu was negotiating for yams and the women were getting “wild.”  The competition is HUGE!  While this was all going on, the children continue with their begging.  It’s the children I feel for, Muslim or not!

 

Finally we’re off.  This road seems longer on the way out.  Doesn’t take us long before we feel dusty, hot and sticky!  Our clothes (and hair) will turn red before we are done with this trip.  I’m sure there is road construction somewhere too!  Our prayers have been said, no car breakdowns this year!  We had a minor glitch with the brakes, but after a break at the bus station (where Enoch and Amadu enjoyed a lunch of fu-fu and grass cutter.  They offered; I declined.), a drink of brake fluid for the truck, we hit the road again.  The truck has seen many miles and it sure been taking a beating, but so has our butts!!  It’s another 5 hours before we arrive in Kumasi.  Same as last year, as soon as we get to the city limits, road construction!  There are NO words to describe this scene!  It’s just something you just have to experience for yourself! 

We arrive (PAH!) at the compound to fu-fu with goat and veggie pizza.  Betty Jo and I get to meet the other oburuni’s that have been camping at the house, a singing group called “Crossfire” consisting of four young people from the States.  They are performing all over Ghana on a four-month tour.  We missed out on their performance, but I hear they are pretty darn good.  They have been sharing the compound with our group of deaf students and our team. 

 

The relaxing part is cut short, as we need to pack up and head to Accra in the morning.  Not looking forward to another 6 hours on the road, in that truck!!!  This is the tail end of the journey.  Once we get to Accra, time will FLY!

 

Man, it’s HUMID here!  Not sure if I prefer this to the dry up north!   All I do is SWEAT!! 

 

 

 

The plan was to leave early, but as it turned out, Enoch had to put new brakes on the truck.  Did some last minute packing, cleaning and saying goodbyes to EVERYONE, we head out at 12:30, only 3 hours behind schedule!

 

Pastor Reinke’s turn at the wheel! I remembered last year’s experience but I was more relaxed this time around.  Perhaps it was the 12 hours yesterday that made me numb, or maybe it was listening to Josh Grobin and Andrea on my Ipod through the countryside helped me.  Whatever it was, it helped pass the time!  Listening to this kind of American music through this country just seemed to fit.  As I mentioned before, Ghana is very poetic.  I had to listen to the marketplaces though.  We were at a standstill for quite a while going through a town.  Oh, the sounds!  We didn’t know what the holdup was.  Perhaps it was the stark naked man walking down the street, without a care in the world.  After him, it was clear sailing!

 

Arrived in “Accra” about 5:30, again, the CARS!!  They are constructing a 6 lane super highway for better travel from Accra to Kumasi.  But the trees they are cutting down!!  It’s sad.  The goal is to reduce the travel time and the mega tip-over of over-loaded trucks.  Saw many on the way!  The day is beginning to fade and the thousands of bats take flight.  It’s pretty awesome to see.  And they’re so BIG!

 

We arrive at the Lutheran Mission house at 5:55 PM.  Debra greets us and to inform us that electric will go off in 5 minutes and dinner was ready!  What I thought was gong to be a long, dark, hot and sticky night was actually not.  They have a noisy generator here, a welcomed noise!  We have fans!!  It’s much more humid here and I’m totally soggy and dusty!  After a wonderful dinner of lasagna, garlic bread, salad and fresh fruit, I was finally able to read emails!  Had only a few, but are required answering.  Everyone wants to check in.

 

At this point of the trip, I am anxious to return home.  We are confirmed on Luftansa since British Airways is schedule to strike.  Glad that has been taken care of.  As I said, I’m anxious to go home now.

 

I get to read some old emails!  My husband informed me that the Bears are in the Super Bowl!  DA BEARS!!!  News doesn’t travel fast here, especially if you have problems with the Internet!

 

 

Thank goodness there is a generator here and the fans are working!!  It would have been tough sleeping.  We were up before the roosters this AM.  Karen had thought she set the alarm for 5:30 and was waking us up late; it was 4:30!  I tried to tell her we had time before we had to leave…

 

I’m sitting outside enjoying the coolness of the morning.  The generator is quiet now.  This Mission House is set in an oasis of sorts.  It’s green and lush and the birds are plenty.  Outside the gate begins the chaos of Accra.  It’s quite comfy and cozy within these walls.  This place is a nice beginning and end to this trip. 

 

This morning we are heading to Mampong.  Pastor Reinke will be preaching at the Secondary School for the Deaf, we are heading to the deaf school to teach.  Again, our day begins later than we want (that’s the Ghanaian way!).  We travel all the way down to where we would turn off, and the road is closed.  No signs of warning (that’s the Ghanaian way too!).  The detour will really set us back, but we decide to do, even if we miss church.  This route does not take us the winding, bumpy, one-lane road up the side of a mountain as it did last year. Yes, the road is still very narrow, and it’s slow going.  Everything happens for a reason!  Wasn’t long before we discovered the reason we decided to be late.  We came upon a carload of women with a flat tire.  They were all dressed the same, like a uniform.  Amadu said they were heading for a class reunion.  It was a convoy of 4 cars.  I know there is a joke in this situation, such as “How many women does it take to change a tire?” I say “just one, call AAA!”  Just doesn’t happen in Ghana.  That’s where Amadu, Enoch and Pastor Reinke come in.

 

We arrived in Mampong at 10:30 am and were greeted with a GREAT reception!  I love getting that kind of response from the children!  The woman in charge meets us, and she said we weren’t expected!  Akorful was going to set that up, but apparently it was not.  She allows Betty Jo and I to briefly teach as these kids have been in church since 9:00 AM.  We enter their dining area and meet the older kids who are all dressed in white.  They look like angels.  We do the story that we know best, the Salvation story.  Some of these kids knew it!  I tell them how special they all are, and they understand it!  Again, a different learning level and again, these kids are older.  They love the songs!  That must be a deaf Ghanaian thing.  ALL the children we have encountered LOVE signing songs!  They all want the words, we write them down!  They want our addresses; we’ve only been there an hour!!  The enthusiasm is awesome! 

 

We say our goodbyes to this school and go across the street to where Pastor Reinke just finished with his part.  A young man is speaking and using broken sign language and I immediately recognize him.  His name is Seth Afum A. Dankwah.  I met him at Cape Coast last year.  Seth is passionate about the deaf in Ghana and is a HUGE advocator for services for them.  His vision is for everyone in Ghana to learn sign language!  He is amazing young man and I know God definitely has a plan for him!  I am impressed with his passion and drive.  And he is taken seriously!  

 

After services, we head down the mountain, on a different narrow, winding road down the side of the mountain (no guardrails here either).  We head to Adamorobe, what is referred to as the “deaf village.”  There is a great many deaf that live in this poor village.  Akorful does the church service here every Sunday.  Their sign is VERY different!  We meet many friendly deaf women.  While Pastor is doing business with some of the deaf and hearing elders, Betty Jo and I try to teach our gathered group (hearing and deaf) some stories.  The hearing don’t really understand English and the deaf don’t know our signs, all they do is copy sign.  So I don’t think they got much!  After an exhausting hour, we decide on a break.  By this time, someone in the village is playing loud music.  We begin to dance, the deaf women are dancing and so are the hearing children.  It was FUN!  All the hearing of the village stop and stare at this group!  The deaf are dancing!! The women were even copying my dance moves!  I found that out when I heard a rooster crow, I signed what I heard to Betty Jo and the women copied my signs!  It was hysterical!   I was teaching the hearing kids some signs and they just repeated everything I said, even in the same tone!  Everyone signed the songs.  Taught the children how to play the Elephant game and everyone joined in.  The circle was HUGE!!  It was an exhausting, hot day but a GREAT one! 

 

Since our arrival in Accra we end each day with evening devotions.  We began with the story of Jonah and how he ran away from the task that God had prepared for him.  What can be seen, as a punishment for being swallowed by a fish was God really saving him.  Jonah realized that his choice was a bad one and he repented and asked for forgiveness.  Had I choice not to come to Ghana this time, even when I felt a “calling” to do so, what would be the fish that swallowed me?  I realize that even in the midst of my daily life and leaving it for 3 weeks to serve God, could be perceived as something other than what it is.  I thought about not coming back, but God had other plans for me, providing opportunities of financial support in ways I’d least expected and in such a short time!   Had I not returned, I would have missed out meeting some amazing people and continuing the work that was started last year.  I would have missed the children that remembered me by my sign name and the wonderful receptions I was greeted with at each school.  I would have missed out on the opportunity to tell another deaf child how special he or she was that God loved them so much that He created them for His plan.  I would certainly have missed their smiles.  Yes, this is where I’m supposed to be right now.  Perhaps Ghana is my belly of the fish.  I feel that God saved me from myself for trying to deny that I shouldn’t come back.  I know that I have learned MUCH about myself that I would not have discovered shivering at home in Wisconsin doing “nothing” for Him.  Here I found my purpose in the faces of these children.  Here I found the ability to teach!     

 

 Linda