Hangin' with the translators

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!

Mmmm! Fish...and yes, Christina and I even tried a piece of fish head :)

Amele's house

Amele, one of the day volunteer housekeepers on the ship had us over to her house and cooked us an amazing lunch!

Crab with sauce...mmm

Amele's apartment complex. This is community living...you share laundry, kitchen, everything except your bedroom.

Tomato crusher...a rock and cement board - used by everyone.

Myself, Esther, Amele, Sharon and Becca

Walking through Lome

A man selling a cat...how appetizing...I guess it's better then rat (seen that one too- disgusting!)

Christina (one of our ward translators) church - to hear her choir.

A card game bet lost on a slow day on the ward...dinner repay.

The game is not finished yet :)