Quick trip to Kumasi

This past weekend Margaret, Mariah, Jules and I drove up to Kumasi to pick up Jules' friend, Peter. He rode about 20 hours on a bus from Burkina Faso to Kumasi. Peter is teaching in a village outside of Ouagadougou with the Peace Corp. It was a really fun road trip for us girls to go up there. We drove over the mountains like we had done with my parents. Mariah and Jules haven't been to Kumasi before so they were loving the beautiful drive. The harmatan really did impede our view a bit but the beauty of the trees and bush was still evident. We blasted Christmas music and acted silly as girls will do on a road trip. It was just what I needed after a long and challenging week. I was missing being home for Christmas this past week but driving up into the cool mountain air and seeing God's amazing creation helped to put me back on track. I am so thankful that God is creative and beautiful and it is reflected in his creation.

We stayed at a hostel near the bus station. My first hostel. Better than what I expected but not as good as what I like:) It was fun though and an experience. Peter got in at about 4am and a couple of hours later we were all headed back to Accra. Needless to say, we were all exhausted by the time we got home. Margaret and I took a brief rest and then went shopping to get some stuff for our friends coming over on Christmas Day. Even though this is Africa, commercialism for Christmas is still here. As well as last minute shopping. The big new store at the mall was a zoo. Both of us were ready to get out of there as fast as possible. We hurried to our little neighborhood store to finish off the list. Then we went by to pick up a mattress from a friend's house. We didn 't have room in the car so on top it went with Erica and I holding onto the edge of it out the car window. As if we don't get enough stares for just being white! Oh well. We didn't have far to go and I think I made some new friends out the car window as we drove by:)

But I think we are mostly ready for our festivities and guests. Today we will go relax with about 15 people by the pool of a nice hotel. They let you pay a fee and come for just the use of the pool for the day. Can't wait to soak up some sun, sleep and fellowship. I give praise to the Lord for the gift of friends and roommates. The missionary and ex-pat community here really do a lot to get together for the holidays. It means so much as we are all far from our homes and families.

Wednesday I head to South Africa with the rest of my region teammates. Most of us our feeling the strain of culture stress from our first several months in Africa so it should be a really special time together. We will receive teaching, spiritual mentoring, prayer, and fun together. Another gift from the Lord.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Remember that Jesus is the only reason that we have this season. Thank you Lord for coming to earth to bring salvation to mankind!
I will "talk" with you in the New Year.