Sometimes you find yourself in...: June 2010

Headed back to Ghana, really good to go back...and being in an English (well mostly) speaking country again was a bonus! We headed out to Wli Waterfalls, the highest in West Africa.

It was a little walk through the bush to the lower falls, then a steep hike to the upper falls. They were beautiful! There's something so majestic and awesome about waterfalls - I love swimming in them!

Sarah, Ruth, myself, Christina & our guide

View on our hike to the Upper falls

The hike was steep, I was quite disappointed at how out of shape I felt...then remembered I had just donated blood to one of our VVF patients a day and a half before the hike, plus not eating breakfast. That gave me some relief in remembering those things :)

Upper Falls

Ruth, turning Africa...resting wherever, even on gravel :)

On the rocks beside the waterfall there's thousands of bats, difficult to see on this pic. Crazy to see so many covering the side of the mountain.

When we were hiking we heard gunshots echoing through the mountains. Returning to the lower falls we met up with this gentleman who had shot this bat he's holding. He was going to take it home for supper - gross!!!!

Sunday night we stayed in a city called Ho. We decided to visit a patient who had been on the ship. Her name is Lovelace. She is 5 years old and has large facial tumors that our maxillofacial surgeons were unable to operate on. Unfortunately there's nothing we can do for her. We decided to take a trip to the local market and buy some gifts to bring the family. I don't think I've posted any food market pics...so here's a few on a typcial grocery run.

Tomato paste, spices, oil, rice in the bowls.

Roasted corn on the cob - Lovelace's dad Micheal loves these, so we got some for him.

Eggs

Oil

Different varieties of beans.

Smoked salmon

More fish

Crabs...some alive, some not so sure.

Sarah decided we should buy them a chicken...so we did. Here she's bargaining for that chicken. Great job Sarah!

Sarah carried the chicken for the 15 minute walk to their home.

Sorry Mom...can't say I miss those butchering days and plucking feathers.

We arrived at Lovelace's house when the family was still in church so we waited around their apartment complex till they returned home. Of course somehow all these kids seem to find us 'yovos' and hung out with us.

Here Sarah is sweeping up all the chicken droppings...we literally scared the crap out of it. Sarah is also turning African, sweeping the sand with the straw broom :) The chicken hid behind some barrels till the family came home.

Hanging out with the kids.

A kid with the chicken, while it was out of hiding.

Lovelace's family was surprised when they came home from church to an unexpected visit from us - fun! Here is her family - her Mama (Esther), Lovelace, her Dad (Micheal) and younger brother Bright.

The tumors looked larger then when she was on the ship a couple months ago. She in quite alot of pain - to her hips and thighs, and she was unable to walk (making me think the cancer has spread to these areas). She was taking medicine the ship had given her earlier. Quote from Micheal (her father) 'When people say yes, God can say no. When people say no, God can say yes.' Micheal is an amazing Papa to Lovelace - his love for her was so clearly seen when he was her caregiver on the ship and also on this visit.

Please pray that if God doesn't work a miracle and takes her to heaven that it'll be a peaceful death.

Ok...so on to lighter matters, FanMilk vendors are out all over in West Africa. I love them...nothing like a cool treat of icecream or yogurt on a hot day (like everyday). It's almost an obsession.

Bus station to head back to the Ghana/Togo border and back to Lome.

Toothpaste anyone? You can buy most anything at the bus station as well. Wheelbarrels can contain anything you might want to buy.

It's been great getting to know and work with our translators...without them our job wouldn't be possible! We've been honored to be invited into their homes and to hang out with them off ship. Such great fun people with big hearts!

Acovir's Engagement Party

Esther (RN from Holland) & I were invited to Acovir's engagement party. Very interesting to see the formalities and traditions in preparation for marriage. Acovir's boyfriend and his family set a date to meet Acovir's family requesting their daughter in marriage. They bring suitcases of gifts containing a ring, clothes, food, drinks, etc. Because Acovir's father died a few years back, her uncle stood in the position of her father negotiating with the family regarding gifts and the price for the bride. The price is dependent on the families income, not the worth of the bride.

Acovir's family preparing food

Family discussion

Acovir & her fiance - the families agreed for them to marry

Coco Beach with the 'Dream Team'

The 'Dream Team' invited us out to Coco Beach and cooked some great African food for us.

Koffi, Adama, Eric, & Franck

Christina & Ruth

Crazy Franck!

Acumae & fish with sauce

African Mama :)

Eric & Christina..vi vi

Playing some soccer on the beach

I can piggy back people taller then me...

Ooops, we weren't planning a swim...but always worth it :)

Oliver's house

Oliver, his wife Kakaylee, and sweet daughter Christabella invited us over for Sunday lunch, so nice to see his home and family. Great lunch they cooked for us!