Hello blog readers!! We have just returned from our outreach! Last time we posted we were in the Treasure Land hotel and so much has happened since then.
Day 7 bluuurb:
Save Our Lives orphanage was an exuberant stop on our trek through the outreach program. It was filled with children who's mothers died during child birth and were deemed cursed because of it and are taken in by this home when there was no one else who wanted them. The babies were so excited to see us. We got to spend time with infants who were 8weeks-3years but there were also older children who we did not get a chance to meet at the time. Most of the three years olds had fun chasing and running away from Kayla's red light on her keychain; others were waiting in line to play airplane with Gib. Before we left we dropped off many baby clothes and bouncy balls for the kids to have. After we left the baby home we drove to Cape Coast to get a tour of the slave castle. It was truly an emotional experience for all of us. After we got to lighten the mood with a little shopping for bracelets and art work out side of the castle.
Deigh 8 bluuurb:
NEW YORK MAPLE SYRUP!
(^ wooooowwwww!!)
Today was the 4th day in the month of July. It is a special day in America, but we were not in America. It is not a special day in Ghana. We are in Ghana. The hotel gave us French Toast and REAL New York Maple Syrup. It was fun. Using the bus, we went to pick up a fine lady named, Agnes. She was fine. We continued on our adventures in the bus, for another hour-long drive. We stopped at a random location to use the lavatory. Adam and (woooowwww) Eve, that's what it was called. No, that's what the bathrooms were called. The hotel was called Hans Cottage. It was a moderately populated hotel/restaurant/bar. Jill informed us that we could see crocodiles, and maybe even touch them. We proceeded to walk toward a swampy lake to touch the crocodiles, where we were assisted by a woman carrying a piece of chicken at the end of a stick. We all got to touch a 7-foot long (wooooowwww) reptile! We then got back on the bus and continued on to the Kakum National Forest for a hike and a canopy walk. Despite some nerves, and pouring rain, we all braved through. Some parts of the walkway were 40 meters high! WWOOOWWWWWW. We drove to Swedru (our driver's hometown) and visited a home there. We drove two hours Ghanaian time (= 4+ hours). The children at the home complemented us for only being 2 hours late (as opposed to last year!) We gave away a lot of jewelry which they all loved, and bought some that they had made with their hands. Some call it "handmade", but just call it beautiful! The kids put on a drumming/ dancing performance which was spectacular. Their skills are mind-boggling. The performance that the group put on was truly a masterpiece. The group actually has a sterling reputation. They were rated the top dance/drum group in all of Ghana. It was a fantastic feeling watching this group work their magic. The performance was lengthy, and you could see the people running out of breath mid-dance. But they worked through it and were victorious at the end. Then we headed to our hotel and had a nice July 4th dinner, complete with red, white, and blue necklaces and noisemakers, courtesy of our friend Joanne. Michael and Pastor Moses loved hearing some American patriotic songs, "America the Beautiful," "Made in America" (thanks Gib & Julia), and a valiant attempt at "The Star Spangled Banner".==='[ WOW!
Day 9 bluuurb:
Today was another full day. We had a bit of a late start but we managed to get to the huge bead market at around ten o'clock. There were rows and rows of gorgeous, handmade beads. Everyone went a little crazy buying souvenirs to remember our time in Ghana. Everyone also tried their hand in bargaining to get the cheapest prices for all of their gifts. After the bead market, we had a bit of a drive to Sentinel School, a primary school that we got to tour. Coincidentally, there was a young college graduate named John from Buffalo, New York that happened to be teaching there. We got to have a nice conversation with him and learn about his opinion on the differences between American and Ghanaian education and culture. After Sentinel, we made our way to the school for the blind. I think we all agreed that going to the school for the blind was an intense experience. We were able to donate an entire duffel bag filled with stuffed animals for the kids, as well as buy a couple of the hand-made stools that the children make to raise money for the school. Some of us also managed to talk to a couple of the kids and get a better feel for the place. We then made our way to the craft market, where we all made some new friends, Gib gained an Aunt, and Julia seriously considered buying a kitten after bargaining the price
from twenty cidis to five cidis. We wrapped up the day with a stay in a beautiful hotel in the mountains with a breathtaking view and a dinner of chicken and rice. Which was fine.
Day 10 bluuurb:
Today there was a lot of driving: from the Palm Hill Hotel to the Right to Dream Academy. After a couple hours in the bus, and 30 minutes of being lost, we arrived at a major Ghanaian soccer academy where John met back up with us, along with Pastor Humphrey and Wisdom (a boy from the Joshkrisdan Home). It was located by a huge man-made lake, in a quiet country area. The campus consisted of a few dormitories, two impressive full sized fields, and a classroom/office area. Right to Dream was the home, training center, and school of Baki and Edward (two current Millbrook students) so it was that much more exciting. The kids there were all happy to meet friends and peers of their old classmates. The facilities were impressive, and the teachers, coaches, and students were all friendly and welcoming. We toured the academy and learned a lot about the school's mission. It was great to see the home of our friends Baki and Edward! The boys all missed them and asked a lot about them, so we told them about their successes at Millbrook. Everyone enjoyed the visit and after they gave us a quick lunch we went back to our first hotel, the Sealane. It was nice to come back to a familiar place after our tour of central/ southern Ghana.
Everything's fine.
Fine. mighty fine
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