Dec. 17

Dec. 17
This morning we headed to Kotokoroba to pick a tro to Praso. I walked to the station, and I was shocked to find the station full of fruit and vegetable stands. so apparently that has changed since i was last here. I asked two people if they had any idea where to get a tro to Praso with no luck, so I decided to walk further and shout the name as the tros passed us. Sure enough a Praso tro stopped,  and we were able to get on. Thank goodness for hissing and yelling in Ghana. All problems are answered through that.

The tro ride was wonderful, and full of the same goodness...4+ people to a row, fruit and vegetables shoved everywhere around you. The smell of fish filling the air every time the tro slows. Dodging giant potholes on the road. My hair flying everywhere, and the smell of Ghanaian sweat. Visiting with strangers, and most of the beauty along the Twifo Praso road. Oh how I love tro tro to rides.

We elighted in Gyankobo, and Sammy was waiting for us. Soon after Dispenser finished an appointment and joined us as we waited for the truck to fill. In the meantime I had a coco drink in remembrance of Lauren, and I showed Kenny how to eat an orange in Ghana. Sammy left for a minute and came back on a motorbike...I'll be honest I was shocked to see him on a motorcycle. 2 minutes later I was on the back of the motorbike with him flying through the jungle on a orange dirt road. Next he showed me how to drive it, and when we got back to the station all the Ghanaians around were cheering for the obruni who drives a motorbike. Needless to say it was the best "waiting" I've done while living in Ghana time.

Next Sammy wanted to make sure Kenny knew I was supposed to make breakfast lunch and dinner. He was appalled to find out Kenny helps make food in our home. I laughed the entire time, because Sammy and I disagreed on our gender roles all the time while I was here.

Eventually the truck was full and we headed out to my Antwikwaa. I honestly felt so happy I thought I might just burst. How am I back in Ghana? Still pinching myself several times a day! First we passed the village Sammy grew up in, next the spot our truck got stuck in the rain, and we had to walk back to Gyankobo in the dark. After we approached my favorite tree in Ghana, and the spot they usually drop me, but today was special so they took us all the way to the village. As we drove the last stretch I wanted to cry as I saw the school on the hill coming closer,  and as we came up the last hill into the village I was filled with gratitude. The children ran waving, the adults stood and waved from their work, as they all finished up so they could gather in the town center. The children kept saying my name, and I don't think I have ever loved the way my name was said more than right then.

I hugged woman after woman, and the reunion with such dear friends was wonderful. I don't even know many of their names, and we are unable to speak to one another, but their faces are engraved in my heart. I think of them often, and draw on their strength. They changed me in ways I can't begin to describe. This village is full of people stronger than me, and it is an honor to be within their lives. I told Kenny yesterday how my view of heaven changed after living in Ghana. I can see myself surrounded by those within my village, and of course Doris. They truly feel like my family, my love for each and everyone of them runs deep within me, and assures me that they are my brothers and sisters. The feeling of equality is different than with anyone else. All worldly things are set aside, and we are left with a raw and pure relationship.

All of the chiefs gathered, and began conversing with Sammy how to best go about doing all the rituals properly. Kenny is my husband so in order for anything to happen with me he must first approve it...and we are back to the gender roles. Ha ha luckily Kenneth was kind enough to approve me being the nana McKell. By ritual I had to first explain my coming in a formal way. Then the chief took time to bless and thank me for coming. Next Kenny had to give approval for them to sacrifice schnapps to the gods. Sammy conversed back in forth in a memorized ritual with another chief and periodically poured the alcohol on the ground. After we accepted the box/carton of schnapps, but because we don't drink it we were able to just give back after we formally accepted it.

Next the conversing started again. By ritual the queen is to be carried every year throughout the village. If she is not able to be there someone must be carried and presented in her honor. I then had to share whom I'd like to be carried in my honor, and when I'm not here how to best remember me. I choose for them to carry Sammy when I'm not here, and I asked them to hold a festival each year in my honor with a football match. They loved the idea, and want me to send a video or letter with pictures each year they can present at the festival. There is however, no electricity in the village so how they will view the video beats me, but I will do my job.

Next we talked about the medical supplies. They have raised money from the supplies, purchased many more supplies, and are almost finished building a new medical supply building from the money they have earned. So not only are they buying new supplies, but they are making a profit from them. There are only two buildings in the village that have paint, and one of them is my medical supply office. Tears welled in my eyes in disbelief. I wish words could capture how proud they were to tell me of their success, and honesty in caring for the supplies. They showed me the bookkeeping logs I set up, and how each and every supply purchased has been recorded within it. I truly felt like their mother for the first time, as my children came to tell me of their success, and all I wanted to do was cry tears of gratitude to my heavenly father that lead me to each and everyone of them. Today was truly a payday unlike any I have ever had.

We went back to the center, and sat down to continue discussing. On Thursday I will stay overnight in the village, but earlier when we arrive they will again carry me through the village, sing, and dance to me. I can't believe it will all happen again, and Kenneth will be able to experience it all with me.

Next, we gave the children books. To say they were thrilled is an understatement. I know you are picturing a lot of young children fighting to see the books...this is true, but all of the adults were also standing and fighting to see the books. The pictures were a novelty to all. Someone donated a book about the sea. I would point at a picture such as a turtle and say "turtle", and all of the children would repeat "turtle" and so on. It was as if Christmas morning came early for the village, and their eyes were dancing with excitement. The village voted, and someone was chosen to be put in charge of the books until school started again and then they'll be taken to the teachers.

We finalized up some of the plans for the next 2 weeks, and then I went to hold a baby. One of my favorite women in the village is married to one of the chiefs. She gave birth 6 days ago, so I insisted I needed to see the baby today. I promise if I could I would have taken the baby for my own. She was beautiful, and her curly black hair was to die for. They had to get her ready for me so she had black eye liner on her eyebrows. I have no idea why they always do that, but she was still beautiful. I told Kenny our babies will wear waist beads all over just like Ghanaians babies. They told me to bring my baby next time, and they will be friends with their babies. To think of my child playing in the village with all these kids melts me to the core. I don't think there is anything I want more.

There wasn't a truck to take us out of the village so Kenny and I rode one the back of two motorbikes, there is nothing quite like it. I love that my first time to the village ended with me riding on the back of a motorbike, and Kenny's did too. What a day.

We arrived back in Gyankobo, and got minerals (soda) with Dispenser and Sammy. Sammy wanted to tell Kenny his story of me in his life so he began with all the trials of living in Ghana. He told of his prayers and the prayers of his mother for money and help so he could continue with school, and help provide for his mother as well. He had run out of money and was going to have to quit school when he met me. He talked about how he doesn't know why God touched my heart, but he thanks God for it each and every day. He said that when he called to tell his mom we had given him money for his school fees his mother wept. Then when he had to have a computer to graduate, and my father sent over the money they again cried and cried because he could then graduate as a teacher. I cried as he told the story, and looked at Kenneth to say how grateful he was for his sister Meekell. I was again touched beyond words. Today alone was worth every penny we spent to come here.

We finally caught a tro back to cape, and we walked the main street hoping and praying my seamstress was still there. She was in her purple little shop sewing away, and when she saw me she jumped up in excitement. She couldn't believe I was back. Next we visited Franchesca the bead lady, and she squealed in delight. I couldn't believe everyone remembered me. On our walk we ran into Felix and Nii, and I couldn't believe how lucky we were getting. In the space of like .2 miles I was seeing all my friends. Lily is still selling her purses, and she was thrilled to see I was still using my old one. There is a rip on the side, and she said she'll fix it for me this week. ahhh how I've missed walking around in Ghana.

We finished the night with Doris eating vegetable stew and rice. She is convinced she can get me fat in 2 weeks, because I have reduced too much in weight. She serves me more food than Kenny sometimes...ha ha she wants my mom to know I was fed well because of my weight. I blame her for all the weight I gained in Ghana.

We set up the water filter for her, and it worked wonderfully. The water actually really tastes good. She danced a little and kept hugging me. We talked for a long time tonight about how much I love Ghana. Apparently it was an emotional day, because there I was smushed into her face as I cried about how much I love Ghana and her. I told her she has a strength unlike many, and just how much I looked up to her. She grinned her little grin, and I loved her a little more. When we went up to bed she said "goodnight, see you tomorrow...alligator". Kenny and I laughed so hard, I love that she knows alligator goes at the end of a goodbye phrase, but she has no idea why.

Wonderful, wonderful day in my Ghana.