Category: David

Ammon:

Was woken up, and we got everything packed and ready. We got a driver and they took us to the airport, and waited for 2 hours. Mom during this past 2-3 days, mom has been wiping her laptop. So we were waiting for her friend to come and pick it up, as well as some other goodies. But we found that we might miss our check-in. So mom sent a taxi with the laptop in it as well as the goodies. Mom explained it in hers. I thought that was good job on his part, but with a consequence of Karma. I during that time, was sliding around on my suitcase. We finally got into the airport, got through security, and went to the same lounge as before. Even some of the people remembered us. Then we finally boarded our plane. Very nice seat, but we did hit a little turbulence.

LaReita:

We got up at 5am, to leave by 5:30 to arrive by 6am for our 9:30am flight to JFK, then to SLC. We were going to meet Esther last night at the airport, as we arrived to give her my wiped laptop. Unfortunately the hard drive wipe was not cooperating for the 2 hours I was in the Monrovia lounge yesterday. So I asked for her to meet us at 6am at the airport. She lives quite a distance from the airport, and we had arranged for a taxi driver in her ward/stake to bring her last night, but he couldn’t this morning. She got up at 4am to start making her way to the airport with tro-tros. (Private transit mini-vans, packed with 20 people, that stop frequently.)

We got there at 6am, and stood out front for her arrival. When it breezy it was nice, but still humid. Dave patiently rolled his eyes, “and I was nice and dry after my shower this morning.” Alas. Dav

I would call every 30 minutes to see where her progress was. Tro-tros move at their own pace, and getting as many customers as possible to the next stop. Dave suggested to hire a taxi to meet her at the last tro-tro stop which is a taxi station. By 7:40 I am very nervous because we needed to go inside to get checked-in. I called her and said I am sending a taxi to you with the laptop and 2 bags. The taxi station is a 5-10 minute drive. I gave a taxi driver out front 300ghc and asked for him to take this to this woman (gave phone number), at the taxi station, and take her to Buduburam. He scoffed and said it would be 500ghc to go that far. Then I asked to take her to Kasoa, or as far as he would. He mumbled something and went to his taxi.

We rushed inside to the Delta check-in counter. There were lots of people in line, but the ropes were closed off, preventing entry. I was a bit confused. An airport agent man said, “check-in is now closed. It closed at 7:30am.” I immediately went into begging mode – Ghana woman style. I don’t think Dave or Ammon ever saw me do that. Or myself. I was seriously stressed we would not be allowed to check-in and get to our flight! Here I was trying to do a good deed of giving my old laptop to our literacy volunteer. An older Delta agent man came up and motioned with his hands, ‘calm down, calm down, calm down’. I explained why we were late, but weren’t late (here early, but waiting for someone to arrive to hand them a gift). He was gracious and pulled the rope for us to enter. I saw him later at the gate and gratefully smiled at him!

I called Esther to make sure she got the laptop and 2 small bags. She did, but the driver wouldn’t take her to Kasoa. He insisted his 5 minute drive to the taxi station was 300ghc. Not so. An Uber would have charged 40ghc for the same distance. This was God’s test of his integrity. The karma will come back to him. And some Ghanaians wonder why making money is so hard. It’s because they curse their own money by cheating others.

My adrenaline was pumping. Ammon’s too! Whew!!! Dave calmly said, “one last adventure before going home.” Going through security, Dave forgot to take off his belt. That was probably subliminal because he’s lost some weight that he has to hold up his shorts! Went to the same lounge to get a quick breakfast. The manager and host recognized us from a week ago when we left for Monrovia. He greeted Ammon in that Ghana-style, “Eh! My man!!”

Delta has ANOTHER security scan at the gate. A full-on search: open your suitcase, bags, and body pat down. I don’t remember this from last time, but apparently they’ve been doing it for years.

I’ve been typing up the past 2 days the past 2 hours while on the plane, sitting in Premium (not the Delta One fancy shmancy 1^st class – too many points and not a good redemption.)

I am very much looking forward to being home and hugging my boys (and daughter-in-law) long hugs. I already gave Jacob the memo to be emotionally prepared for a long mom hug. Getting back digging in the dirt, gathering eggs, taking my dog on a walk, and snuggling with her will help regulate my body and spirit after all the physical, emotional and spiritual demands the past month. Oh, and being in my own bed will be fabulous. Dave is looking forward to getting back to his regularly scheduled programming by working for a living!

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)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TNY5hcWm6WdRzA1w7

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.

Ammon:

We got up, and started driving to Brewerville because it was a 2 hour drive. Only felt like 30 minutes to me tho. Also, on the way there, dad apparently saw a 6 PERSON MOTO CYCLE (which was 3 adults and 2 kids). We got there and there was a big surprise, and amidst all of the chaos, mom pulled me into a gift thing and I had to take a bite out of something, I don’t even know what it was, but it tasted not too great. Then we had a 5 minute walk to their place, and it was HOT in there. So I went outside to cool off. I had a notebook to fan myself with, then a group of kids came up to me, and one of them had a pencil. So we sat down and I started drawing. Then it was over, and everyone was HOT and radiating their heat to me, so I was BURNING and had to wait 15 minutes while being roasted alive. Turned into a rotisserie chicken-human. Then we left and I got good airflow sticking my head out of the car window.

Then we got to the market, and had to shut off the car a couple times because of how backed up it was.

Then we got back to the Stop And Shop and I got M&M’s, and some Wild Berry Skittles. Then got a wrap and some chocko muffins. Half a dozen. Then got home and had a good shower. Then got in the pool, and got bored really fast, cuz there was no kids in the pool.

Pictures from Sept 27, Saturday

LaReita:

Last year when the Liberian refugee camp in Buduburam, Ghana was bulldozed, one family who had been through the FMF programs, decided it was time to go back to their motherland. Mary & Arthur Gborlie (also members of the church) began doing literacy classes in their hometown of Brewerville.

Over the past few months, the numbers of literacy students in Brewerville has swelled to 80 women and 10 men. The biggest draw is that after literacy comes vocational training. A woman pastor of a local church, made with bamboo walls and scavenged tin roof, gladly offered her location so the people in her village/town could lift themselves with literacy and vocational training.

We were greeted in the traditional Liberian style which is a bit overwhelming! Singing, dancing, surrounded by the mob of happy people. We were offered the traditional gift of white kola nuts wrapped in a banana leaf. Ammon said while we were being joyfully escorted to the bamboo church, “I’m looking forward to going home where I’m not videoed all the time, and I can be anonymous.” Yes, my son, so is your dad, and me.

As we entered the bamboo, tin roof hut church, the humidity-heat was stifling. Fortunately, Liberians are much more efficient with time than Ghanaians. There was a printed program outline, and they were brief with their comments. Dave later said he was preparing for the long-haul, but was pleasantly surprised with how quickly it went. Which was good because you could see how he was almost melting away with sweat!

Going into these situations it is important to maintain expectations. I clearly stated that I am not their Savior, Dave is not their Savior, only Jesus is their Savior. I made comments about the importance of literacy and business training before the vocational training. I introduced Dave as a successful businessman. Dave made some good comments also about the importance of continued learning. I followed-up with a statement that the glory of God is intelligence. As we are God’s children, we are also capable of increasing our knowledge, and he wants to grow our gifts (our minds) he has given us.

We presented the books to the literacy teacher (they didn’t have any books). The vocational teachers they have found were presented to everyone, and the Reverend mother stated that vocational training will start November 1^s to which everyone erupted with cheers. Oh boy. She took us outside to show us the land that she will gift to FMF to build a literacy and vocational center. I smiled and nodded. Managing expectations and negotiations is an art form.

More group photos, and Ammon was going into teenager mode because it was a clear day, no wind and the heat was oppressive.

We began our drive back and when we reached the marketplace we were at a standstill for 1.5 hours. To Liberia’s credit, they are preparing to expand the roads in this northern area, which could be seen with the rubble of buildings once at the side of the road. After we passed through the crowded marketplace, we approached huge, new road equipment, and a sign that said road improvements will take 2 years. I asked our driver, “is that 2 years in USA time? Or Africa 2 years?” He smiled and said probably about 6 years because they can only do the pavement work during the dry season (Nov-March).

We stopped again at the Stop & Shop store next to our apartment and ordered $100 worth of used picture and young adult chapter books from Dave, the bookseller. We are going to another location on Monday morning. He was over-joyed!

That reminds me, a couple of days ago we went to “Orca” (their WalMart) to get plastic bins to hold the books we presented today. When we walked in the air conditioned building, and saw organized products on shelves, Ammon was thrilled! He started wandering through the aisles, followed by a store worker. This was a good teaching moment of how our bodies/minds are regulated (feel better) when we see what we consider is ‘normal’.

Ammon & I did go to the pool at the apartment. There were kids who came over to say hi to Ammon, but he barely acknowledged them. Probably because he is ready to be anonymous and not be a curiosity!

We watched Karate Kid III and went to bed. It was an emotionally exhausting day.

Ammon:

When we were driving, we saw a 4 people on a moto cycle! We drove by the Firestone Rubber Tree Farm. It was a 1.5 hour drive there. Then we got to the new FMF rental house. We had a quick tour, and I saw a gigantic generator. Then we gifted them 3 wata bottles and a filter pump. Then I let the adults talk while I played after dads phone. Then we left and I saw a 5 PERSON MOTO CYCLE (which was 4 people and a baby) then we stopped at the market to get more bottled water, and I convinced mom to give me 55 cents to buy something with. I bought a meat pie, and some bananas. Then we got back to our hotel/apartment.

Pictures from 26th, Friday

LaReita:

We drove to FMF’s rental house in the middle of the county, situated closer to farm land. The plan is to create a local farming business to fund in-country FMF operations. We have 3 workers who graduated a couple months ago from agricultural training in Uganda. The 5 month program, Genesis Agroecology Leadership Training, is also how to operate and create sustainable farming methods (not the slash and burn methods). We spent the day with our workers creating the vision and started the business outline. Also negotiations for their monthly salaries.

The drive there and back was on 90% smooth, paved and wide roads! Liberia really is working on rebuilding their infrastructure. 

Ammon:

We went to the National Museum of Liberia. Then took a short drive to Providence Island and saw The Tree Of Peace which was made of AK’s, M4’s, RPG’s, and other firearms. Even the roped off barrier was made of RPGs. Then saw a really old well (still working), then drove to DUCOR HOTEL. It was the first luxury hotel in Africa. And right next to it was a statue of their first president. And then we went to a grocery store called Stop And Shop, and dad got MTN dew and I got “sugar” cereal. Then we took a sorta long drive to Tropicana Beach. I got buried in sand 2 times, and the waves were “too big” for me to play in.

pictures from 25th Thursday

LaReita:

Brief Liberia history: Liberia was founded July 26, 1847 (note the date-close to Pioneer Day) by freed American slaves sent by the “American Colonization Society”. Among others, Lincoln was a supporter of the ACS. The freed slaves became the ruling class – the “masters” – over the 16 local tribes. There was at least one Liberian president that tried to get the “Americos” to integrate and allow the locals representation, but he was ousted. After 142 years of tensions, civil war erupted where 250,000+ Liberians died between 1989-2003. Although today they don’t call it a war – it was a ‘civil conflict’.

We hired Chris Sullivan’s (a FMF friend) former Liberian mission companion (Toye) to be our tour guide for the day, and Toye’s taxi friend. The National Museum of Liberia has different sections, including their equivalent of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall that holds official government functions. We even got to stand at the presidential podium when he delivers speeches. Saw the 3 main presidential limosuines (well, one was an armored Land Rover for war lord Charles Taylor, complete with his ‘throne’ back seat.) Went through the museum created by the first president post-war, who also was the first woman president. Not quite up to USA and European standards, but they are doing the best with what they got, and trying bring the people together to heal.

Visited Providence Island, where the ACS settlers first arrived. It is also in stages of being renovated. While walking down the cement ramps to the island, you can still see bullet holes. Their nation is still healing.

Drove to the highest point in the capital city (Monrovia) where the first 5 star hotel in Africa was built by Pan-Am in 1960, and run by IHG – Ducor Hotel, or Ducor Palace. In 1987 when tensions were rising, IHG pulled out. By 1989, the war lord set up operations there (good location overlooking city). As the war calmed displaced residents and refugees squatted there. After the war ended, they were kicked out, but the hotel was stripped of everything. It is just bare concrete now.

Also at this highest point is a monument to “the REAL FIRST African-American president, JJ Roberts,” as our tour guide proudly stated. (Roberts International Airport is Liberia’s main airport.)

We went to an American-style beach property. Had good food. Relaxed listening to the waves. Though the waves are very turbulent and it is not safe. Ammon was belligerent and still went into the water. The manager asked him to get out.

Went to a nearby grocery store “Stop & Shop” – also run by some more Syrian friends to get some basics for our kitchen, and toilet paper! In front of the store was the ONLY used bookseller within a 25-minute drive. Dave introduced himself to Dave, the bookseller. I told Dave, the bookseller, what we do and said I’ll buy $100 worth of books from you for us to take on Saturday to one of our literacy centers. He was thrilled! And I was thrilled we have a source on the ground where we can stimulate the local economy instead of storing books in the USA and trying to get them over there.

Liberia follows so much in the American ways, and they love their American roots. Yet, it feels like Liberia is the unspoken step-child of the USA. To quote a Disney film, “We don’t talk about Bruno.” or “We don’t talk about Liberia.”

Ammon:

First of all, I woke up to no AC because we had run out of electricity, and had no breakfast, so we decided to go to the airport 4-3 hours early. Finally the stand opened and we could go to the lounge. Had some nice food, and learned how engines and transmissions work from a video because I was curious. I also learned how jet engines work! Then we boarded and we had a 2 hour flight so I decided to read my book for an hour, then play on dads phone for an hour. Then we landed (the airport was an old military base) and had a 1 hour drive to our apartment. Then tried to watch Karate Kid II but the internet was slow.

Pictures from Wed 24th

LaReita:

I woke up to the sound of massive rain fall on the aluminum roof, and the A/C no longer running. During heavy rain storms, Ghana Electric Company shuts off the power grid (because it was built in 1960’s and there have been limited upgrades.) To clarify Ammon’s statement, Ghana Electric Company turned off the supply for everyone.

We had planned to leave for the airport at 11am. However, since there was no electricity, we might as well go early to the airport where there is uninterrupted electricity, and sit in a lounge. Good thing we left at 9am, because it took nearly 2 hours to get to the airport due to flooding on the main road. Once at the airport, we were so early, we had to wait 1.5 hours until the departures counter opened to check-in our bags.

Finally, we got through the passport and security processes, and on to the lounge to eat a good breakfast of Ghanaian style food. Our 2 hour flight was half-full going to Monrovia, Liberia. Interesting side note: the roads from Ghana, through Ivory Coast, and to Liberia are mostly unpaved, and no bridges to make a bee-line from capitol to capitol. This distance is either

a) a 2 hour plane ride –or– b) TWO full 24-hour days in a bus.

We got our bags, and as we began to exit, we had to go through ANOTHER security scan. This was a first for me. We’ve already been through Ghana airport security (2x) on our departure, but Liberia was doing security again as we exited the airport. Interesting.

Our agricultural trainer met us with his taxi driver. Another guy met us to receive a missionary back-pack full of American comfort items for an American missionary serving in Liberia. I was a little annoyed in taking the items, but we had the space so I relented. My personal feelings is that a missionary grows as they make sacrifices by leaving the comforts of home. Additionally, mothers need to let go so their missionary can grow.

Roberts International Airport (ROB) is in the middle of the country (not in a city), so it took about 1.5 hours drive to get to our apartment rental I found on VRBO. We arrived and there was no toilet paper and only 1 bath towel. I knew something like this would happen at one point, so that’s why I always travel with TP and a hiking quick-dry towel whenever I come to Africa!

Other than that, the apartment rental is quite nice (A/C and running water!), operated by a Syrian family, who have been in Liberia since 2015.

Ammon:

We started driving to Buduburam, and stayed at a chuch for a little bit, and I made a little chair fort bed thing, which was nice and comfy. Then we had to go to a FMF place which was just down the road. Came back and read my book and played on dads phone.

Pictures from Tuesday 23rd

LaReita:

Dave and I trained our Buduburam managers and volunteer on the new FMFed.org administration site to track and provide metrics. The literacy students at our nearby location really wanted us to come visit. Dave stayed at the church with one of our managers, while Ammon and I went to visit our Literacy and Vocational Center (in a rented, unfinished house.) I brought a few more books to add to the library shelves, and read out loud “The Little Red Hen.” We visited the baking class, and sewing class to hear them speak their thanks and concerns. Back at the church I heard out 2 more people who needed someone to hear them. Our literacy volunteer then arrived and I learned more about her story escaping out of modern-day slavery from Saudi Arabia. It is astounding this is still happening in the world.

Dave was on call all day to fix and do tweaks to the website as we beta-tested it with everyone who was accessing it with different permissions.

At 5:30 pm I could see it was starting to get dark, and we needed to get heading back to Becky’s house (1+ hour away). The sun near the equator sets really fast. Generally it’s a good idea for obroni (white person) to be in their safe house by dark. Ghana is generally safe, but there are nefarious people wherever you go. I tried calling an Uber, but due to massive construction on the main road, no driver was ‘picking’ my ride.

We asked our assistant manager, Anthony, to walk with us to the taxi station because by now it was completely dark. To get a sense of what the taxi station looked like, imagine NYC Time Square, but in dirt and no lanes, and the mass of humanity pushing against each other with all their shapes and sizes of vehicles.

We stood in this chaos for about 15 minutes trying to hail a taxi. A young Ghanaian watched our plight and got a taxi to stop for us. I gave him a 20ghc finder’s fee (about $2). I encouraged the driver to drive us to the house which an hour away, by tripling the normal fare. Drivers loathe this particular road’s construction condition (if you saw, you’d understand). It would be an hour away from his usual routes, and another hour back. I gave him 300ghc ($23) to take us.

We finally got back to the house at 7:45pm. Having had only trail mix all day and limited water, we were so hungry. Before we had left in the morning, I had asked Donne (the house caretaker) to make us ‘Red-Red’ for dinner tonight (black-eyes peas/beans in red palm oil with fried plantain). We were so hungry, and it tasted so good!

Oh, and the water pipes to the house were busted again. So, no water tonight. I did take a bucket-bath before bed because I sleep so much better after the days dust, grime and sweat is off my body.

Before going to bed I ensured we had enough electricity on the meter to get us through the night with A/C. All of us collapsed into bed and were out like a Ghana light before 9:30pm.

Ammon:

Had some people come to the house and played and gave them a Lego set (if ur wondering it was a small 3-in-1 truck/plane/boat) and we bought pizza, of which they had never had before. So that was kinda cool.

Pictures from Monday

LaReita:

Dave utilized the strong Starlink satellite internet to get more work done. In the morning I did a Zoom training call for our FRC managers in other countries. It was some basics of understanding trauma responses. Even though this is in our common vernacular today, for Africans they have never heard of the “Fight, Flight, Freeze” response and other basic psychology stuff. My presentation’s title: “Why do I do that? Understanding the mind-body connection.”

It was Ghana’s National Founder’s Day (the first Ghana president), so no school. I invited Faustina’s family to come to the house to talk, play and eat pizza. Ammon got 2 small Lego sets in Dubai to give to some kids. This was the perfect opportunity to give and build it with their family. We had also got some of those fun hand helicopters at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and we gave them a few.

They also had never had pizza before, so we ordered pizza that is the closest to American sytle. Close, but not quite. It was actually more Ghana-style because the restaurant sprinkled on a lot of red pepper!

After a couple of hours of visiting they went home. We packed up and got an Uber to the Kumasi airport to return to Accra. Getting an Uber in Ghana is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. A newer car leased directly from Uber, or a converted taxi that bottoms out frequently when carrying 2 big Americans over the speed bumps.

Ammon:

I was given ANOTHER jacket/smock (that’s 4) then took a ride to chuch, and tbh (To Be Honest) I don’t remember a thing. (Writing this 4 days later.) Then drove to the FRC and basically met some fellow kids and we did the swing. After that got some food, met a dog, got my photo taken, and I think that was all.

Pictures from Sunday

LaReita:

Hilton, one of our managers in Tamale (northern Ghana), stayed overnight in a spare bedroom. In the morning he presented to Ammon another traditional smock. Ammon wore the other smock a lot last year in the winter. It is completely hand-woven and hand-stitched. I marvel at how much time it would have taken to create this piece of clothing. Although we gratefully accepted Hilton’s heart-felt gift, I am more concerned about him (a starving college student), sacrificing so much to buy this instead of buying food for himself to eat!

We took Hilton with us to church (he’s not a member). He is used to Pentecostal churches. So I briefed him before we went into the covered patio for this branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. Although our church meetings are more demure in their preaching style, the S I N G I N G remains the same! Oh the stirrings of the heart as you hear these African saints sing out loud! I think the 40 in attendance were louder than our ward of 200 in Spanish Fork. Seriously, this one of my favorite parts of attending church in Africa.

During the Sunday School discussion, me, Dave and Becky smiled at each other knowingly. How these new saints interpreted and discussed the lesson was not how it would have been in Utah. Honestly, it is refreshing to see the different stages of faith and spiritual development without the long-term historical entanglements.

The missionaries made a bee-line for Hilton after church and got his contact info. We then sent him to the VIP bus station to go back to Tamale. We went back to Becky’s house for a couple of hours to chat, then we drove to the Family Restoration Center (FRC) about 40 minutes away. The FRC is an after-care facility for women rescued from trafficking (mostly from the middle east). The women stay here for 3 years doing literacy, vocational trainings and LifeStory Leadership training (mind-set mastery). By the time they graduate they are prepared for success and won’t fall into the trafficking trap (modern-day slavery.) It was great seeing and hugging some of the former students/clients who are now the mentors/teachers to the newer girls who have returned from their slavery situations.

The property was open to the community to come inside and also experience the party. There were soooo many people!

This was the 3^rd graduating class, and it was the biggest graduation party with one Ghana tradition I had not seen before. Throwing money at the graduates (similar to what is done for a bride).

Traditions I have experienced:
– LOUD music pounds through my body (I had ear plugs thankfully)
– Honorary introductions

– Sitting with tribal chiefs

I invited Faustina Tanoe’s family to join us. I’ve been in contact with her family since my first trip in 2016. Sylvester, Gilbert (nephew), Monika (niece), [Anita, living now with her auntie], LaReita, & Tiki. (Yes, LaReita is my name-sake.) After 30 minutes of sitting next to the 8 foot speakers at level 1000, I decided to leave the honorary tent/table. Ammon had already left to wander with Merriam (Becky’s daughter). I motioned to Sylvester and his siblings for us to go to the big tree swing. We had fun reliving what we did last year. Some of these kids rarely have the chance to swing. It was fulfilling to see the children squeal with delight.

Becky needed to stay longer for the event, but we were free to leave since we made our appearance.

We started the journey back which took over an hour because of traffic. A packed two lane roadway with 6pm end-of-church and end-of-funeral traffic.

Ammon:

We went to the airport and got to the small airport lounge. I found out that airport lounges sometimes have showers! (Didn’t use it.) Then got on our prop plane flight. Then we landed, and took a taxi to Becky’s house. Met the one-week old puppies (German Shepherds). Dad did work, and mom met people, so just screen day for me. 🙂

Pictures from Saturday

LaReita:

Yes, it was a screen afternoon for Ammon. I take consolation that it was Saturday, and at home Ammon would be playing on the computer anyway.

Getting to Kumasi from Accra options:

Option 1 (most economical): The VIP bus = 5 hours on crowded roads.Five hours does not include getting to the station and sitting/waiting on the hot bus. Once on the road, you get the adrenaline bonus experiencing the bus driver driving at kamikaze, break-neck speeds on partially unpaved or pot-holed roads. Then once you reach the station, getting to your final destination.

Option 2 (fastest method): Passion Airways (propeller-jet plane) = 30-40 minutes domestic flight. We can use our Priority Pass benefit to sit in an air conditioned lounge with a buffet, drinks, and strong wifi.

We chose Option 2. The fastest, but also more expensive. The flights to Kumasi used to be $120 round-trip. Pretty Then in January, a Chinese company bought the airline. It now is $250 round-trip. Sigh. The flights were still full (mostly Ghanaians), so apparently people are able and willing to pay. What was most frustrating to me is I tried to buy the tickets a month ago at cheaper prices, but since I was on an African website, using my USA Visa card, it kept being rejected as fraud. Ugh. So I relented and bought the tickets at their window when we landed in Ghana a few days ago. I probably could have called Visa to let the purchase go through, but…. I didn’t. Can’t win them all I suppose. We supported the Chinese businessmen and the locals they employ.

At Becky’s house I trained three of our managers on the new website Dave built for us to manage people, hours, courses, classes and attendance – FMFed.org. Also training them on the regular website for blogging and requisition forms. I’m learning how to delegate better and give others technology skills that will make them more employable. After-all, mentoring is in our name.

I wanted to train them all at the same time to be efficient with my time. However, they all arrived according to African Standard Time. My planned 2 hour training became 6 hours. Akwaaba (ah-kwa-bah) Ghana (translation: “Welcome to Ghana.”)

Dave happily connected to Becky’s Starlink and made some good progress on his real work project (Medicare data code-sets).