The road to our house is stilling being worked on - has been since July. The difficulty now is that 2 of the 3 ways to access our area are completely closed off. And the last way is partially blocked. We really do anticipate that at some point we will not be able to get the car in or out of the driveway. But the worst part is that the water truck is coming tomorrow to fill our tanks and I think they are going to have more than a little trouble trying to get to the house. It should be interesting. I will take some pictures of the road to give you a better perspective.
Update for today (Thurs.) - the truck did come and somehow plowed its way down the road in spite of the workers, boards with nails, huge piles of gravel and sand and a big ditch on one side. I am so thankful they made it and we now have full water tanks. PTL. They had new hoses that were really long so they didn't even have to come into the driveway. Again I say PTL.
I will say that b/c the sun has been out baking us, the guys have been able to work on the road several days in a row. Can you imagine digging out a drainage ditch that is about 3 feet wide and 4-5 ft. deep for the length of a road about 5 blocks long? And in this heat? And by hand - just with shovels? They don't have a backhoe or anything. Anyway, they are working hard and there are several of them so I am praying that they will get the worst of it completed soon.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A day in the Volta Region
Today was the last real day that I had opportunity to take my parents to do some more site seeing. Tomorrow night they fly home via London. Can you believe it? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was asking for prayer for a safe arrival and now they are leaving? We still have so much to do and see! So today we went up to the Volta Region where they have the dam that provides our hydropower. It was really, really interesting to see it and hear about how it works, etc. I didn't realize that the water that fills the dam comes from Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ivory Coast. Additionally 8% of the electricity produced goes back to Benin, Burkina Faso and Togo. The dam is still very low despite the recent flooding in the northern region of Ghana and other countries like Burkina Faso. It should be around 280ft high but it is at 255ft. One of the reasons we still get occasional losses of electricity is b/c they can only run some of the turbines at a time instead of all of them like they would if the dam was full.
The ride to the dam and Volta Lake is really beautiful. Green trees, grasses and jungle are everywhere. Hills and rock formations are in the distance. I just can't seem to get enough of the beauty of this country. I am so glad that I have gotten to see more of it and meet people from different regions.
We ate lunch at a restaurant with a breathtaking view overlooking the dam, lake and hills. It was so quiet and peaceful. I found it so relaxing and mesmerizing. The food was pretty good also. We had a ton left over so we packaged it and decided to give the left overs to people we passed on the road home that seemed to need some food. The first recipient was the police guard at one barrier. Then we stopped the car to give it to two children who ran away as fast as they could when my mom yelled "come" from the window. (I am still laughing so hard at that I can hardly type.) You never saw two kids run so fast. Then we tried to give it to a girl who looked at Margaret with big eyes and shook her head no. Obviously they had been taught well to not take things from strange obronis who stop on the road. A young boy came up though and had no problems at all taking one package. We had two left. After passing by a few people - we couldn't have stopped without getting whiplash - we came to a small town and saw a handful of people by the road. One of the men was obviously not entirely with it mentally. So Margaret went to give him the food. At first he was walking away but then realized she was giving him food, took it, put the package on the ground and began eating it immediately. He was so hungry. The people nearby started saying thank you that we gave the food to him. I was really moved by watching him devour it. There are people like this that we see on the road side in Accra also. Actually there is a man in our neighborhood. It is hard to know if the problems are b/c of drugs or alcohol or simply mental disease but it is sad to see them. I am glad we had something to give to this man.
After having to turn around only 2 or 3 times this trip we get back to Accra. B/c it is late we decide to grab something to eat. I only mention this b/c of what happened to Michelle. Just note that she is fine and we made sure she was fine and able to laugh too before we started laughing. Margaret was having trouble sitting at her place at the table b/c of some men smoking cigars nearby. After getting a fan and trying a few different places, she finally came down to Michelle's end of the table. Being the kind person that she is Michelle told Margaret to take her place and she would go to the other end. I see Michelle walk around the table and then I see a chair on its back on the floor but I can't see Michelle. Suddenly her head pokes up from below the table and I realize that somehow when she went to sit down, the chair broke and she landed on her backside. We are all staring at her b/c I don't think anyone really saw what happened. She is staring at us and then starts to smile. Of course, as I said, we make sure she is ok and then we all break out laughing. We were so tired by then that we were a little slap happy. Anyway, it was a good laugh at the end of a good day and I am glad Michelle is ok.
On a completely different note...Christmas lights and decorations and signs are going up all over the place now. It is so weird to think of Christmas when we are all dripping in sweat and the sun is glaringly bright. But it will soon be upon us. This Friday we are having several of the single girls to our house for a sleep over. We plan to watch White Christmas and maybe even go caroling to those that live close to us. Then in the morning after eating, they are going to help us decorate the little tree Margaret and I got and put up a few other things around the house. It is going to be a lot of fun and so good for building relationships. I am grateful for the women I am getting to know bit by bit.
Well if you read this before Thursday night at 11pm Ghana-time, please pray for a safe journey home for my parents. I know they are tired but they have had a great time here. They can't stop talking about how much they enjoy Ghana. Thank you for praying.
The ride to the dam and Volta Lake is really beautiful. Green trees, grasses and jungle are everywhere. Hills and rock formations are in the distance. I just can't seem to get enough of the beauty of this country. I am so glad that I have gotten to see more of it and meet people from different regions.
We ate lunch at a restaurant with a breathtaking view overlooking the dam, lake and hills. It was so quiet and peaceful. I found it so relaxing and mesmerizing. The food was pretty good also. We had a ton left over so we packaged it and decided to give the left overs to people we passed on the road home that seemed to need some food. The first recipient was the police guard at one barrier. Then we stopped the car to give it to two children who ran away as fast as they could when my mom yelled "come" from the window. (I am still laughing so hard at that I can hardly type.) You never saw two kids run so fast. Then we tried to give it to a girl who looked at Margaret with big eyes and shook her head no. Obviously they had been taught well to not take things from strange obronis who stop on the road. A young boy came up though and had no problems at all taking one package. We had two left. After passing by a few people - we couldn't have stopped without getting whiplash - we came to a small town and saw a handful of people by the road. One of the men was obviously not entirely with it mentally. So Margaret went to give him the food. At first he was walking away but then realized she was giving him food, took it, put the package on the ground and began eating it immediately. He was so hungry. The people nearby started saying thank you that we gave the food to him. I was really moved by watching him devour it. There are people like this that we see on the road side in Accra also. Actually there is a man in our neighborhood. It is hard to know if the problems are b/c of drugs or alcohol or simply mental disease but it is sad to see them. I am glad we had something to give to this man.
After having to turn around only 2 or 3 times this trip we get back to Accra. B/c it is late we decide to grab something to eat. I only mention this b/c of what happened to Michelle. Just note that she is fine and we made sure she was fine and able to laugh too before we started laughing. Margaret was having trouble sitting at her place at the table b/c of some men smoking cigars nearby. After getting a fan and trying a few different places, she finally came down to Michelle's end of the table. Being the kind person that she is Michelle told Margaret to take her place and she would go to the other end. I see Michelle walk around the table and then I see a chair on its back on the floor but I can't see Michelle. Suddenly her head pokes up from below the table and I realize that somehow when she went to sit down, the chair broke and she landed on her backside. We are all staring at her b/c I don't think anyone really saw what happened. She is staring at us and then starts to smile. Of course, as I said, we make sure she is ok and then we all break out laughing. We were so tired by then that we were a little slap happy. Anyway, it was a good laugh at the end of a good day and I am glad Michelle is ok.
On a completely different note...Christmas lights and decorations and signs are going up all over the place now. It is so weird to think of Christmas when we are all dripping in sweat and the sun is glaringly bright. But it will soon be upon us. This Friday we are having several of the single girls to our house for a sleep over. We plan to watch White Christmas and maybe even go caroling to those that live close to us. Then in the morning after eating, they are going to help us decorate the little tree Margaret and I got and put up a few other things around the house. It is going to be a lot of fun and so good for building relationships. I am grateful for the women I am getting to know bit by bit.
Well if you read this before Thursday night at 11pm Ghana-time, please pray for a safe journey home for my parents. I know they are tired but they have had a great time here. They can't stop talking about how much they enjoy Ghana. Thank you for praying.
Water ran out today
Well this morning Margaret came to tell me that we just ran out of water. Bummer. I was hoping it would last until my parents left. But now they get to experience the full gammet of how their daughter really lives:) So no showers today. Hopefully we will have a truck tomorrow morning so that they can get ready for their flight home. You may be thinking why didn't I go ahead and fill the tanks before they got here. Well we knew the water was getting low from the last truck. The problem is that you pay for the full amount whether you need it all or not. Since it isn't that cheap, we wait until all tanks are dry and then call for the truck. Hence my parents being here when it ran out. One good thing is that the front of the driveway has yet to be fixed from the last water truck that crushed it so I don't have to worry that this next one will ruin it again. Of course it may just increase what has already been crushed but what to do. We gotta have water! Never a dull moment. Tomorrow Margaret and I will go down to the water company and see why we are still not getting city water. For some reason the most recent bill has "disconnected" on it and I don't know why. We have a credit on there and haven't received city water since July. So we will go and try to figure it out. A new experience for both Margaret and I. If you think of it, please pray that the water from the city would be restored. And also for the Sonius' as their water comes sporadically and they often have to order trucks also. Thank you!
Finally some pictures
Yea! I was able to upload some pictures showing what I have been doing with my parents here in Ghana. There are more to come. But for now go to the link on the sidebar to the online photo album. I hope you enjoy what you see.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
More with my parents
Well for some reason I can't get pictures to upload to the blog or flickr as the internet is not behaving. I will keep trying. But in the mean time I will tell you a bit of what my parents have been up to.
Sunday we went to the church that I have been attending called Asbury Dunwell. It was a good service. I was just slightly disappointed that the regular worship leader wasn't there so they didn't get to experience the really awesome music. But what they did hear was pretty good. I think they enjoyed it and they were able to meet three more friends of mine - Jane, Lindsay and Erin. After church we met Lee and Michelle and their boys for lunch at Frankies, ran home for a quick rest and change of clothes, then walked to Lee and Michelle's to ride with them to watch football. We were tired. I am thankful that we took Saturday as our day of rest. Watching the football was a lot of fun. The level of play seemed to be up a notch with good passing and even an awesome goal scored by Hassim using the bicycle kick. It was beautiful. (If you don't know what a bicycle kick is ask someone who plays soccer to give you a good description or even a demonstration!)
Yesterday we did more site seeing around town and I took them to see Amanda - the seamstress - and Yao and his brother - my favorite artists. They bought a few things. Then they decided that I needed a break and some time to rest and do a little work (I think they wanted to try and explore on their own:) - so they took a taxi and went down town to the "tourist" area and did some serious shopping. And made it back home in a taxi without a hitch. I received my birthday present early. A very practical water cooler/heater system. Sadly my stomach problems continue and even Margaret has had some so I decided it was time to do something serious about our water source. We will be getting bottled water from now on. Mom and Dad bought the expensive part - the cooler. A gift I really, really appreciate and hope takes care of the stomach issues. Today Margaret and I contacted the people for the bottles. Please pray that this would take care of these problems. Thanks!
Today Lee and my parents went golfing at the course in Accra. I haven't golfed in so long that it would have been a total exercise in frustration if I had tried at this point. I need lessons again! But everyone did really well and had a great time. Apparently for about $15 you get a caddy to take your bags and drinks, hunt your stray shots, give you the right club and even set the ball on the tee for you. My mother may never be able to golf at Countryside again! They had a really great time and I am so glad. My day was spent running around with Margaret getting stuff for the house and water as mentioned above and then to the office for a few hours of work. It was a productive day for me.
Tomorrow we are driving up to the Volta Region to see the dam and stop at a bead factory. Apparently the whole area is really beautiful. It will be Margaret, Michelle, my parents, another friend, Rebecca, and myself going. We'll have a car full but we will have fun I am sure. I'll let you know how it goes later:) And really hope to have some pictures for you.
Sunday we went to the church that I have been attending called Asbury Dunwell. It was a good service. I was just slightly disappointed that the regular worship leader wasn't there so they didn't get to experience the really awesome music. But what they did hear was pretty good. I think they enjoyed it and they were able to meet three more friends of mine - Jane, Lindsay and Erin. After church we met Lee and Michelle and their boys for lunch at Frankies, ran home for a quick rest and change of clothes, then walked to Lee and Michelle's to ride with them to watch football. We were tired. I am thankful that we took Saturday as our day of rest. Watching the football was a lot of fun. The level of play seemed to be up a notch with good passing and even an awesome goal scored by Hassim using the bicycle kick. It was beautiful. (If you don't know what a bicycle kick is ask someone who plays soccer to give you a good description or even a demonstration!)
Yesterday we did more site seeing around town and I took them to see Amanda - the seamstress - and Yao and his brother - my favorite artists. They bought a few things. Then they decided that I needed a break and some time to rest and do a little work (I think they wanted to try and explore on their own:) - so they took a taxi and went down town to the "tourist" area and did some serious shopping. And made it back home in a taxi without a hitch. I received my birthday present early. A very practical water cooler/heater system. Sadly my stomach problems continue and even Margaret has had some so I decided it was time to do something serious about our water source. We will be getting bottled water from now on. Mom and Dad bought the expensive part - the cooler. A gift I really, really appreciate and hope takes care of the stomach issues. Today Margaret and I contacted the people for the bottles. Please pray that this would take care of these problems. Thanks!
Today Lee and my parents went golfing at the course in Accra. I haven't golfed in so long that it would have been a total exercise in frustration if I had tried at this point. I need lessons again! But everyone did really well and had a great time. Apparently for about $15 you get a caddy to take your bags and drinks, hunt your stray shots, give you the right club and even set the ball on the tee for you. My mother may never be able to golf at Countryside again! They had a really great time and I am so glad. My day was spent running around with Margaret getting stuff for the house and water as mentioned above and then to the office for a few hours of work. It was a productive day for me.
Tomorrow we are driving up to the Volta Region to see the dam and stop at a bead factory. Apparently the whole area is really beautiful. It will be Margaret, Michelle, my parents, another friend, Rebecca, and myself going. We'll have a car full but we will have fun I am sure. I'll let you know how it goes later:) And really hope to have some pictures for you.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Pictures are coming
I am sorry for the delay in getting pictures of our trip to Kumasi up for you to see. The internet is not working at its best right now so I can't get the pictures to upload. I will keep trying and hope to have some on soon.