Ammon:
We left our nice hotel, and went BACK to the Stop And Shop to buy more book. We also bought some hunger stavers. Then we started driving to a place, and once we got there we got out, and went up to the top of a building, but the room moms friend had was kinda small. Then they got to business and I got dads phone. Then we left and on the was to the airport, we stopped and got two meat pies. One for me, one for dad. We got to the airport and once we got through security, we got to the lounge and they had HOT CHOCOLATE. Then we boarded. Once we landed (it was only a 2 hour flight,) we went through crowded security, then found a driver, and the stupid Google/Apple maps took us to a military zone, so we finally got the right place and got there. Then we got there, and apparently the gate guard somehow, locked us out. Then we got inside, and got our luggage inside and when we were doing that, we saw that they had a Mini Mini Mart. So we bought some stuff. Then we watched a little TV and went to bed.
Pictures from Sept 29 (Mon)
LaReita:
We checked out of our apartment at 10am and left a few helpful suggestions for the VRBO host (i.e. Americans and Europeans who book with VRBO will expect toilet paper and towels to be stocked before their arrival.) Note to self: yes, it was risky to be the guinea pig first client of this VRBO host, but it turned out fine. Besides, the Rakuten points booking with VRBO was too alluring to my travel points game since I am now “points-poor” (having used a lot of our points accumulation for this month-long trip.)
Speaking of Rakuten points and booking rooms, I booked on Expedia an apartment “Maat Luxury Homes” for our overnight stay tonight in Accra On the map pin they provided on Expedia, it showed it was quite close to the airport, and the website stated it had an airport shuttle. I booked the place a week prior to arrival. At the time of booking I sent a message through the Expedia messaging requesting an airport pick-up and drop off with our day and times. No response. I checked every couple of days. On Sunday I called the +44 number (a London number) and left a voicemail. No reply. I wondered how it’ll all go down when we land in Accra tonight. Since I had no energy to make backup plans, I just trusted it’ll work out.
Back to the beginning of the day – I hired the other taxi driver for today (I alternated between 2 drivers). Today was Francis (he has 2 ‘gahls’ – girls, and another on the way). He took us to visit Garndersville, a suburb of Monrovia, where a new literacy group has started a couple of months ago. The group started a couple months ago by Victor C, a former teacher at a school in the Buduburam refugee camp. When the camp was bulldozed last year, he and his family repatriated back to Liberia after 20+ years in Ghana. Victor has rented an office space – a small room rented at the top of a 3 story building, and the 16 students (all women) meet in the hallway/breezeway.
I brought books from Dave, the bookseller, for them to start utilizing in their teaching. They didn’t seem very excited about the books. It’s interesting to see how the leaders of different groups give off what type of energy, and how the students pick up on it. This visit was very different than the Brewerville visit. The group in Brewerville were excited to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and mentor. This group had more of the “woe is me, I can’t do anything” energy, and “what benefit do I get for coming” (a direct quote from one of the students). It was also evident with Victor, who is still living in the refugee state of mind, asking for help with everything and anything. Living in the refugee camp with a refugee state of mind, he has forgotten he has power to act for himself.
Sigh. I taught LifeStory – the power of your thoughts and words how it creates your world, your ‘life story’. I gave a couple of examples of how your imagination is powerful and God wants us to use it to create and receive the gifts he has in store for us. Some of them were amazed at these true stories of fellow Africans. (Timothy’s truck story.) I also quoted John, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. And the word became flesh.” I also taught them about “I Am” statements. In the scriptures Jesus is also known as “The Great I Am”. When we say “I am ____” we are coupling our statement with the power of Jesus. So what do we really want to say about ourselves? And what does Jesus want us to say about ourselves using His name and His power?
There was one particular woman who locked eyes with me and I could see her eyes lighting up and really getting this concept of the power of your thoughts and words. This will be an interesting location and big opportunity for mentoring in the growth mindset. Fortunately, I’ve got a couple of Liberians in mind who can assist with this.
We had a mostly smooth drive today, this part of town having a lot of new roads, or working on the roads. Ahhh…. Feels like home. Wide, smooth roads. I told the driver, “Liberia roads are better than Ghana roads.” He was happy to hear that! Checked in at the airport. It’s so interesting how every airport has a different security process at places that you don’t expect. Went to the lounge for a couple of hours before our flight. I worked on wiping my old laptop to give it to Esther, our Literacy volunteer in Buduburam, Ghana.
Flight back to Accra, Ghana was uneventful. We got our luggage (now really light after handing off the last of the items we brought.)
I had a delightful surprise while at the Accra airport ATM getting cash for a taxi. I’m concentrating on the screen when I feel a gentle touch on my shoulders, and a whispered, ‘hello’ in my ear. My response? I turned around slowly thinking it was Dave. When I saw who it was, I responded with the delighted yell and open arm surprise followed by a BIG hug that our dear Aunt Elaine would give!
It was our good friend, Cornelius Kayode, whom we have known since my first Ghana trip in 2016. Dave and Ammon saw him come while my back was turned, and they recognized each other from last year. Dave smiled and let Cornel continue with the surprise.
It was truly so good to see Cornel! In 2016, Cornel came from Nigeria a broken man, emotionally and financially. Truly so proud of the changes he has made in his life! He has become a successful businessman and motivational speaker. Whenever FMF has a graduation in the Accra area, we have him as the keynote speaker. I was feeling a little bummed that I didn’t make time this trip to connect with him, but God has a way of making things happen for his children!
We got a taxi and went to the dropped pin on the Expedia map, but it lead to the middle of the military complex. Oh boy. Did I get scammed? There were reviews on this place (but they could have been fake?) I looked up the name of the place on Google maps itself, and fortunately it was there. What was going to be a 15 min taxi drive became a 40 minute taxi drive. We get to the gate and I chastise the caretaker a bit for not answering my messages on Expedia. The taxi driver overcharged me (300ghc/$25, but at this point I didn’t have the energy to negotiate, I just wanted to get in the apartment. It really was luxury for Ghana. In fact, the area is East Lagon, which is the more affluent side of Accra. We didn’t see any trash on the road while getting there. The homes were all completed and well-maintained. Dave said, “oh, I could stay here for a few days.”
I finished getting my old laptop cleared for Esther for tomorrow.