Tuesday

Today was fantastic. We went to some incredibly remote villages to deliver some things with the Kiphart’s (the ones from Chicago), as well as officially open up a well and a nursery that had been built with funds raised through their church in Chicago. These villages are so remote that you can only get a car out of them on market days, so the people are quite isolated. The school there was over-crowded (as is common here), so the kindergartners were being taught under a tree. With perhaps two to three thousand dollars a shelter could be put up so that they wouldn’t have to cancel classes when it rains.

The reception we got was overwhelming. I’ve been here for quite a while and I was totally blown away. We had dozens of schoolkids come up and sing for us and were presented with all sorts of gifts. Ghanaians, especially rural ones, might not have a lot of material goods, but they don’t lack foodstuffs, so we got tons of plantains, pineapples, some palm wine, some Kente cloth, and a chicken! I don’t think the Kiphart’s will be able to get it all into their carry-on (they’re leaving on Friday), so we’ve got lots to cook with!

After that, we had a four-course dinner at the B&B the Kiphart’s are staying in. It was all local food and delicious. I don’t get four-course dinners with crepes filled with apple for dessert too often around here, so it was much appreciated!

I don’t even know where to start in telling all about today. Unfortunately, I think it’s mostly going to be a memory for me, as I’m exhausted. I got some great photos and a bit of video as well and I’ll try to get the photos up soon.

I wish any of you could have been there to see all of this. Sorry to get all deep and lame, but it highlighted how nothing makes you feel better than giving something that means a lot to someone else. I’m going to stow today away and bring it out at some of the low points, of which I know there will be some, in the next few months.