Ghana Update 5-02-06

We got back from Mole last night at 7pm Ghana time (2pm CST) hot, sweaty, sticky, hungry, and tired. After taking a shower and washing off all the dust from the road, Pastor Bud and I walked a short distance to a restaurant called "Quickbite". They actually had pretty decent hamburgers (Ghanaian style of course) and French fries, that according to Pastor Bud were out of this world, they actually tasted better than some of the fries we get back in the states (Pastor Bud wanted me to mention this as he wants Pastor Reinke to know that there's a place where you can find good "chips" - they call their fries potato chips here). We returned to the complex and just crashed for the night. We're feeling better, but still exhausted. Let me begin to explain the adventure we had on our trip to Mole (pronounced mo-lay).

About 3/4 of the way up to Mole, Kwame noticed that the front right tire was shaking a bit, it got worst as we kept driving. We made it to the Mole National park and checked in to the "Mole Motel". After a relaxing evening swimming in the pool, watching the wild animals walk within five feet from you. I could have reached out and pet a baby monkey if I wanted to, but the mom was pretty protective, so I kept my hands to myself (those of you who know me well know how HARD that was!!) :o) There was a family of warthogs wandering close by, the babies were so cute! The warthogs are Pastor Bud's favorite; he loves the way they kneel on their front knees to eat. :o) There was a baboon that would sit in the tree, stretched out like he was sitting in a recliner, he was so cute! This same baboon also ran up to a young French boy and took the package of cookies in his hand and ran off. At first the boy, Sasha, was so shocked and then you could see him getting angry. A bunch of us were trying so hard not to laugh. Later Pastor Bud asked Sasha when we saw him at dinner, how he liked having his cookies stolen. He said, "I did not like it AT ALL!" The baboon likes to help himself to your food and drinks, whether you're willing to share or not, so basically you need to make sure you have a firm grip on your food or drink if he was nearby.

The next morning, we went on the safari and every time Kwame turned the wheel, we heard a huge knocking, we declared that we needed to have the wheel looked at before we made the trip back to Kumasi. When Kwame took the tire out and he noticed that the hub was broken, apparently the threading wore off, he had to make a journey to Tamale (pronounced tom-a-lay), and apparently he had an adventure of his own. He didn't return to Mole until Sunday evening, we ended up staying an extra two nights at the Motel. Early Monday morning Kwame and Amadu took the fixed parts and put the wheel back together with some help from some local mechanics and we were able to take off for Kumasi at close to 11am. Wait, the adventure didn't end there! When we stopped for gas on the way back, Kwame told the man that we wanted Petro fuel; instead they put diesel fuel in the tank. Amadu noticed it, and by then they had already put in about 200,000 cedi (approximately $20 USD). They had to push the car in the garage and drain the tank out completely and push it back and fill it up with the correct gas. That delayed our trip back "home" about 45 minutes to an hour. Neither one of us thought we'd ever say this, but we were thrilled to see the compound and be "home" again. :o) Pastor Reinke, Pastor Bud says you wouldn't be laughing if it was you over here going through all this. :o)

Anyways, on the safari, I saw tons of animals; it was so nice to see all the animals free to wander around every where. I was standing about 15 feet away from two crocodiles; we also were standing a few feet away from a male elephant with huge tusks. The guide told us that if he lifted his trunk, we needed to be ready to run (not that I knew where we would run to, it's not like we had any safe place in the wild). Pastor Bud later joked around with me when we got back to the motel, that obviously the Ghanaians would outrun us, so he would trip me, that way he would have more time to get away and the elephant would be distracted with pounding the life out of me. Nice huh?? :o)

Even with all the problems on our adventurous trip, God was definitely protecting us, He brought us to Mole safe and sound and we were able to relax and see all the animals, we were in a place where we could get water, food, and sleep in a bed. We also visited with other tourists. Pastor Bud was able to talk to a Muslim man who lived in a nearby village. After Pastor Bud explained about how sin entered in the world and how much God loves us that He sent his one and only Son to save us, Atiti asked lots of questions and asked for a Bible. We didn't have one with us to give, but Pastor Bud promised to mail one to him. He also had a chance to talk to a young boy who is one of a few Christians in the school that he attends and he is constantly picked on by Muslims, We told John that we would pray for him and encouraged him to remain strong in his faith, he also asked for a Bible and again, we promised to mail him one as well.

Anyways, we are back safe and sound in Kumasi and I will be teaching the students again more Bible Stories and Pastor Bud will continue his Evangelism training. Thanks for all your continued prayers and support thus far, we know that the reason we're safe and sound is because you guys have all been praying for us. Thanks again!