Easy like Sunday morning...

It's a hot, sunny Sunday morning and all is quiet lakeside.

The Jernigans have travelled to Accra to spend the week with Vovo (Eliana, Ju's mum who is returning to Brazil) a wonderfully generous, open hearted and loving woman. She and her food parcels will be missed :)

The 2 girls and Michael went to Kumasi yesterday for a couple of days so it's just me left in the house. But I have of course got James to keep me entertained.

Ive been thinking about and praying for the rest of the team this morning as they took part in the commissioning service and enjoy fellowship with their families over lunch. Wont be long till they are all here and all the wonderful planning will hopefully come to fruition.

So some news from the week which has just passed.

Well i told you how we had been stuck in Kumasi because the roads would have been too bad to travel back...and they were still muddy the next day when we returned. Unfortunately the truck delivering bricks to the clinic discovered this as well...

The driver escaped with only an injury to his hand and a rescue mission was sent the following day, led by Michael to rescue any bricks which were still intact. Thats just one of the risks you have to contend with on the roads over here!!

On Thursday afternoon Hollie led an outreach programme for the young people of Atafram which included a Table Tennis tournament, Ludo and Draughts as well as a dance competition.

(i didnt take part as i wanted to give everyone else a fighting chance!! If you want to see what i mean check out Hollies blog to discover some of her thoughts about me and some of the other characters in our big adventure together!!!!)

Loads of young people came and enjoyed taking part in all the activities and eating the cookies. It's hard to tell what impact it will have but pray that something of God's love will have been shown to them through the fun and the fellowship.

Work on the site is progressing well too with a number of masons on site with their works teams getting the founds prepared. Its interesting and exciting watching it progress as things start to take shape from a piece of bare land. Work is even further on than in these photos which were taken a day or 2 ago.

This shows the site out the back.

And this is the front - to me it just looks like they are digging out a maze!!

As for me...God continues to pour out his blessings daily and gently reminds me that He alone is my strength and while He is protecting me there is nothing, nothing that i should fear.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27 : 1

Our big adventure in Kumasi…

This week has been quite the adventure already!!

Hollie managed to get stranded down at the boat jetty in pouring rain with some fishermen, who then gave her some of their catch which lived in a bowl in our sink for a couple of hours because it was so fresh and she didnt want to kill it. but in the end she had no problem frying it up!!


On Tuesday, Andrew and I were heading off for Kumasi to do some shopping and sort out a few things…at the last minute Hollie and Rebecca decided to come along…later I was very glad to have their company!!

The first thing we did on arriving in Kumasi was to go to the little air field. Andrew had to confirm tickets to Accra and I had to buy a ticket to Accra. I figured this was the easiest way to get down to meet the team as I didn’t really fancy the thought of using STC (the bus link service!) So I’m sure that will be an interesting experience…a short trip in a small plane....i have to say im looking forward to it.

Hollie, Rebecca and I were stopped off at a local hotel-the Golden Tulip for a bit of a treat to relax by the pool and have a nice lunch. This was interrupted by a spatter of raindrops but that was fine we could cope with that, just to relax was nice. Andrew then came back to join us bringing some interesting news. Having been in contact with those back at the lake it turned out that there had been torrential rain there all afternoon and we were being strongly advised to remain in Kumasi for the night. If the rain is really bad the mud roads from Kumasi to Amakom can become impassable when they get really wet, often with large holes and ditches appearing in the road. So after some consideration and encouragement from those at the lake we decided not to go back and began to think about were we could stay for the night.
By this stage there was also torrential downpour in Kumasi which meant that the few things we still had to do were done inbetween mad dashes from shop to shop or to the car. Theres really no point in trying to stay dry because you've absolutely no mission what so ever. As we would say it wasnt even taking the time to rain!!
Then there was the small issue of where we would stay , but thankfully having lived in Kumasi for a while Andrew knew some places. So we narrowed it down to one hotel called Sir Max where the 3 of us could share a room – it was great. We pretty much went straight to bed when Andrew dropped us off, a proper slumber party…Hollie was so excited about that. And this of course gave Rebecca the chance to practice her massage skills some more…excellent!! A most unexpected evening but here I guess you have to expect the unexpected.

The 3 of us chillin' by the pool!!

This also meant that we had the chance to get some extra errands done in Kumasi this morning. The trip back was fun though…in some places the road was really muddy with some slipping and sliding all over the place with cries of ‘we’re going mudding’ coming from my co-passengers, but you really gotta say well done to who ever invented 4 wheel drive!! :)

Anyway we made it back safe to the lake thanks to our amazing driver Charles. Who then had to turn round and drive off again as on our way down the mountain we met a group of people carrying a young woman on a stretcher, who looked to be in a lot of pain and discomfort. She had been referred to one of the other hospitals and the boat was not able to cross the lake so the group of what must have been family and friends around here were prepared to carry her as far as they needed to. Possibly the 50 minute walk to Beposo, to find someone willing to drive them to the nearest hospital. The nearest hospitals are either a 1 hour drive or a 1 and half hour drive depending on where she was referred to. That has got to be a sign of great love and commitment. All I could think about was that at home if an ambulance hasn’t arrived at the scene within 5-10 minutes there is a lot of complaining. How many people would be prepared to carry a loved one that distance to get them seen to at hospital?...but when you have no other choice…
There will hopefully be an ambulance at the clinic very soon which will be available to carry any patients that need referred to hospital and that will be such a blessing.

Tonight its early to bed as our day in the ‘big city’ has tired us all out!! And there is a big ‘ping pong’ tournament tomorrow, organised for the village of Atafram. There are a number of young people who have signed up to take part in it. So I would ask you to pray for that…that the young people will come and have great fun and fellowship playing ping pong – that competition wouldn’t be too great but that it would be a great opportunity to witness and share with those young lives.

House MD visits Lake Bosumtwe Methodist Clinic……

A lot has been happening since I last blogged almost a week ago.

Most of the day is spent in the office tying up loose ends, trying to get info or sending emails. While work is going on, on the building site – Michael is keeping the workers from all the villages busy. Over the past couple of days there has been the constant rumble of trucks bringing a variety of building materials such as cement, sand and stones.

This weekend has been pretty jam packed as well. We finally made it back to Ankaase on Friday night – it took us that long mainly due to climatic reasons – it rained most afternoons and early evenings which meant it would not be possible to take the electrical equipment and it would not have been pleasant to sit on the wet muddy ground. But when we arrived we received a warm welcome and again we played games with the kids while the equipment was set up. This time we had brought some sweets (or candy for my American friends!!) and this almost caused a riot amongst the children. The programme was pretty much the same…we sang, prayed and then the video was shown. It was basically the passion narrative – the last supper, Judas’ betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane, the crucifixion and resurrection – and once more Michael translated into Twi. It was very powerful and the villagers all appeared to be transfixed by the drama and by the story told by Michael.

We had brought some literature to give out but it was limited, therefore when it was announced that we had books for the children they went crazy. Hollie, Rebecca and I were at the back of the truck trying to distribute the small books and we were literally surrounded by children and some adults were trying to get them. It was quite overwhelming to be in the middle of the crowd being pushed on from all sides and small hands reaching out trying to grab the books while we held them high out of their way. It’s really difficult to try and put into words the emotions that were going through my mind and my spirit at that moment. There was a deep compassion and longing to be able to provide for them all as we just didn’t have enough for everyone, yet there was also a conflicting feeling of anger because they couldn’t even give us the space to give the literature out. Difficult emotions to try and resolve together but then you have to consider how many books and opportunities children at home have and how much they generally don’t appreciate it.

Rebecca trying to distribute the childrens books

We also had some bibles to give out to the adults but we made the decision not to give them out that night as we knew the adults would end up being just as bad as the children and we didn’t want that. So we took a list of names of people who truly wanted a bible and we could distribute them at a later time. So it was nice when an older gentleman came to the compound on Saturday afternoon to speak to Michael because he had been so touched by the film and by the message which we brought to the village he also wanted to get a bible, so he was given one before he returned to Ankaase – so please pray for that man as he begins to read the word of God in his own language. Pray that the spirit would fill his life and help him to understand what he is reading. Also pray for the rest of the people young and old as they consider the message of hope and peace that we brought to them and for every book that was distributed that the young life reading it would be transformed by it.

On Saturday visitors arrived at the clinic in the form of the Buchele family. Steve and Suzanne and two of their children Fox and Anna. They are returning to America this week after having spent 2 years in Ghana. Anna was nice enough to have her 13th birthday coincide with their trip to the lake which meant we had to endure a trip to the Jernigan residence for cake, apple pie and ice cream – it would have been rude to turn down such an offer I guess!!!

Fox also had an interesting idea – he has a you tube channel which he makes spoof movies for. So he figured he couldn’t come to a clinic in Ghana without taking that opportunity to make a film. Clearly it had to be medical related – so he came up with House!! This meant that we also had to do some research which again meant enduring the soft comfy sofa, in the Jernigans air conditioned family room to watch dvd’s of house…it’s a tough life.

So much of today (Sunday) was spent on the film set(!!) acting out the script Fox had come up with overnight. Andrew had been tasked with giving out the roles and somehow I ended up as Chase – and yes for those of you out there who watch House that is a young Australian man. (one many of you will remember from ‘neighbours’ and played a certain Billy Kennedy – yes Claire and Karen I mean you!!!) Apparently it was because I have a different accent – which I am reminded of daily – yes I’m still getting those blank stares!! I may even share the link with y’all when it becomes available! The things you find to do in such a remote place.

House MD/Fox Buchele speaking to some of the cast!!

When filming was all wrapped up it was time for the Buchele’s to return to their hotel at the other side of the lake so this was an opportunity for another first.
My first experience of crossing the lake. As many will know im not overly fond of the whole boating/water thing so this was going to be interesting. I had no choice as I had to go across to the hotel to make reservations for the team so Rebecca came along for moral support as there was no way I was coming back on my own…even though Isaac the boat driver would be with me!! The trip across was fine and once more I was able to appreciate the beauty of where I have been living for the past couple of weeks only from a different angle. It’s difficult to explain but it was strange to think at one point that I was in the middle of the crater (trying not to think about just how much water was under the thin metal bottom of the boat!!) and seeing the rim rise all around us…astounding. So yeh the journey to the hotel was fine…on the way back it was all going fine…until…the engine started making some strange noises and the boat was slowing down then speeding up. We couldn’t quite work out if Isaac was just messing about but then the engine stalled…I couldn’t believe it. After all my worrying about the trip in the boat there I was sitting in the middle of the lake in the boat with a stalled engine. Rebecca was so funny, sitting in front of me telling me to close my eyes and just listen to the gentle lapping of the water on the side of the boat. There was no way in this world I was closing my eyes, I wanted to see everything that was happening. Thankfully, Isaac soon had the engine up and running (after a few failed attempts-I thought the oars were going to be coming out) and we were swiftly back to the waters edge and back on dry land which is most definitely what I was made for.

Lakeside at Amakom at sunset

Rebecca and I on the trip back

Rebecca and I set out on the short walk back to the clinic compound with the aid of a couple of small friends to carry our bag and the life jackets. When we reached the top of the hill we were met by a lady who wanted to talk. In conversation she began to tell us that she was sick and was asking us for money. This can feel like an awkward situation especially trying to explain when they don’t always understand English, that we aren’t able to give any money. So we offered the only thing we could – prayer…we prayed for her right there in the road…a powerful yet humbling experience.

Recent happenings...

The past couple of days have been pretty cool.

Yesterday i experience another first...first taste of Fufu - a popular local dish made from Casava which we served with ground nut soup. Rebecca and Hollie spent most of the afternoon in the kitchen with Anas preparing the soup and boiling the casava which then needed a strong arm to pound it until it was a kind of doughy paste!! It was certainly an interesting experience and possibly not one i would want to repeat too quickly!!

Holly and Beetrum pounding the Casava to make fufu

The finished product ready to eat with the groundnut soup

Last night we went to a nearby village - Ankase - the show the 2nd part of the Life of Jesus video. When we arrived we were swarmed by children as Michael, James and the 2 girls had been there the night before. Hollie played some games with the children while the sound equipment and the laptop/projector was set up. This can be a very delicate procedure to get the plugs in just the right place!!! Unfortunately just as we were about to start the electric went out...you can be sure of nothing...but thankfully it came back on not too much later...meanwhile we sang songs with the children. It felt as if the entire village was out either sitting ont he stoney ground or on benches to watch the feature...another first i guess...my first outdoor movie!! Michael spoke over the film as it played to help with translation into Twi. It was interesting to watch the people around us to see how they reacted to what was happening and each time there was a transition in Jesus life maybe from childhood to boyhood to manhood there would be a great round of applause. By the time the film was finishing everyone was feeling tired and a little sore from sitting on the ground for so long. But I was not expecting what happened next. As Michael spoke to the crowd he asked them to put there hands up if they would like to be prayed for and nearly everyone there had there hands in the air. It was quite overwhelming and we started to move through them young and old, laying our hands on them and praying for healing, for God’s peace and joy and for the spirit to move in their life among other things. The children especially wanted to be prayed for and occasionally I couldn’t tell if I had already prayed for them but that was ok too if they just wanted to feel the touch of your hand upon them. It was a truly amazing experience and as I stood back and watched the scene all I could do was ask God to continue to break my heart for these people for they too are His children and if the only way they can feel His love is through me…then that’s the way it has to be and if He needs to use my hands as His then they are His to use.

trying to arrange the electrics!

We hope to return tonight to show the last part of the film, depending on whether or not the rain stays away. So I would urge you to pray for the people of Ankase – all those children and adults who are seeking prayer and hungering for the word of God in their lives.


This morning we had the pleasure of visiting the Chiefs of Amakom, escorted by Ebenezer. This was an extremely official affair where the 4 of us greeted and shook hands with each chief and elder in turn, followed by them greeting and shaking hands with each of us. We then had to introduce ourselves, saying where we came from, what our mission was in the village and how long we would be staying. Once more there was a murmur of interest when I said I was from Ireland and Ebenezer explained that I knew Dorothy Parish and Rev Dennis Bambrick. There is a great deal of respect and love for Dennis in the area and the chiefs asked for me to convey a special message back to him. We then presented them with small gifts, there was some banter exchanged including Ebenezer’s step-father stating that he would like Ebenezer to find an obruni (white) wife – despite the fact he is already married (!!) and then it was time to go. It was interesting to be part of such an important local ritual and to meet the men who have authority over the village.

The 3 of us with the village chiefs (there are 2 in Amakom!) and elders

On our way back we decided to help out with some of the manual work going on in preparation for the team coming!!! But we figured it was best to leave it to the professionals!!

Also I found out today (Wed) that I passed all my exams which is a huge relief :)

And Helen Lynn just for you - the seats are all very comfortable at the minute ;o)

Happy Fathers Day!!

Another special day…Happy Fathers Day!! :)

We have just returned from the Sunday service at Amakom Methodist which was pretty cool.

There was lots of singing and dancing and I brought greetings from the Irish Methodist Church to the congregation. There was a powerful word about the love of God. Ebenezer then took the microphone introducing Hollie, Rebecca and I. First by our Twi name which is the day of the week you were born on. Rebecca and I were both born on Tuesday so we are Abana and Hollie is Aquia. And as a special welcome the 3 of us had to go to the front and dance African style…this is always a cause for great amusement, a lot of the congregation then joined us as we danced, moving round in a circle.

There was also an auction as part of the offering; plantain and cassava were up for sale. The money from the auction would partly go towards the tithe of the farmer who provided the goods and the rest to the church. We thought this was an opportunity to buy some cassava to learn how to pound it into fufu, a local dish which is eaten a lot.

Today is very hot after the welcome coolness of the storm yesterday, which means that hopefully all the beasties which sought refuge inside yesterday will return outdoors!!

Hollie and i discovered this particular beastie in the office last night when we went to retrieve our things after the storm...needless to say we didn't hang around for too long!!

"And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:2

Yes it is one of God's creatures - he made it and saw that it was good(?!) but there are some things that are just too difficult to love!!!

One week in…Saturday 14th June 2008

Wow…I can hardly believe I’ve been here at the lake for a full week. And what a week it has been.

It has been fun trying to get used the Ghanaian/American culture mix and it’s been fun watching Rebecca and Hollie look at me occasionally with blank faces and a loud ‘what did you just say?’ when they cant understand what I am saying!!

Some time has been spent in the office helping to confirm plans for the team arriving in 3 and a half weeks and also starting to look at a couple of tasks Andrew has for me…its always a good excuse to get in to the air conditioning!!

There was also a voluntary team of approx 30 people from Atafram including the chief, here on Wednesday helping to clear the work area for the clinic extension so there was a lot of activity.

Me and the chief of Atafram and some of the workers who came

I have been learning a tiny wee bit about Ghanaian cooking and can now fry Kokoo (plantain).

We’ve definitely had a lot of fun in our wee house…last night (friday) was movie night which made for a lot of laughter and with it being Friday 13th (even though we are in no way superstitious!!) Hollie decided we should tell scary stories…but her zombie impersonations were scary enough!! But it’s also great to have a professional massage therapist with Rebecca willing to use her magical hands to relieve the stresses of the day!!

Today was particularly special as it was Vovo’s birthday. Vovo is Ju’s mum who is visiting from Brazil but to top that it was made even more special by the arrival of baby Nicholas who arrived quickly and healthy…so big congratulations to Andrew and Ju on the birth of their son and to Lucas and Luiza on the arrival of their little brother.

But what has God been teaching me so far…at the minute I believe he is just telling me to be still and to just enjoy ‘being’. In our culture there is the thought that you always have to be ‘doing’, rushing from one thing to the next hardly having time to breath. I know that time is certainly an issue that has been raised many times in discussion back home in our SAP (Share and Prayer) group on a Wednesday night. We feel rushed and our pace of life is just so fast. Here in Ghana it is definitely not like that and I’ve found that a challenge already. Having come here just over a week from my exams finishing I feel like im still in the frame of mind of needing to be busy or I should be working…but I have nothing to work for and my spare time is mine. So this is an opportunity to relax, de-stress and allow the beauty of creation and the presence of my Father surround me and soak in, in every possible way.

“be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Twi lessons

Today was the first there hasnt really been any rushing about or scheduled things that had to be done so that has helped with orientation a little just having some ground to find my feet.

The day started at 8.00am with devotions at the clinic with Ebenezer (the clinic chaplain) and some of the waiting patients. Then Rebecca, Holly and I had a lesson in the twi language with Ebenezer. It's going slowly but we have been picking up some bits and pieces here and there, such as greetings and basic words. Ebenezer certainly seemed pleased to meet someone from Northern Ireland and certainly someone who knew Dorothy and Phillp Parish and the Rev Dennis Bambrick!

After lunch we had a final stand off with the ants that have been sharing our house and our food...it just went too far when they helped themselves to the Hobnobs!!! So hopefully they have got the message and we shall try and live peacefully with them.

In the afternoon i managed to steal some of Andrews time to try and get filled in on some info about the clinic, it's work and the local area. Also a little bit of what i would be doing. It was interesting to hear hoe the new National Insurance Scheme for health care worked. Each person has to pay a yearly registration fee of 80 Ghana Cedes. And the government take 2.5% from any purchases made in stores in the country towards National Health. This does sound good in theory because if someone needs a procedure that costs 800 cedes they would have nothing further to pay. But when you then learn that the average income of a household (meaning poss 8-10 people) in the surrounding vilages is 5 cedes a month which is approx £2.50 it's a little more understandable why everyone hasnt signed up for it never mind being able to pay for medical treatment!!

So yes it was good to chat to him in person rather than just by email! He and Ju are still patiently awaiting awaiting the birth of baby Nicholas....

Andrew Working hard at his desk.

Well the thunder is rolling in across the lake so i will have to finish so i can make it back up to the house before the heavens open!!

Unfortunately as you can see I didn’t make it!!!

So yes it is rainy season!!!

Monday 9th June 2008 – trip to Kumasi

Today we took a trip to Kumasi with Andrew and our driver Charles in the clinic truck. We needed to pick up supplies like food and other essentials. The road was a little bumpy to say the least, trying to make it up the mountain but Charles was more than capable of manoeuvring along the road. It is a Ghanaian custom to greet everyone you meet so any person we met along the way was given a wave as they reciprocated, it is truly a very friendly custom in that sense. Also if you have a space in your vehicle and someone along the road needs a lift you must stop and help them out. So we had one passenger for a short part of our journey this morning.

Charles the clinic driver

Kumasi is approximately a 2 hour drive from the clinic and is the nearest large town where you can pick up pretty much anything you need. We visited a supermarket which stocked most products, many of which would be known to us in Britain but not by my American friends. We also visited a hardware store called Mercon which as Andrew put it is pretty much like ASDA and to a certain extent Tesco in the UK as you can pick up anything you could possibly need under one roof.

Lunch was pretty extravagant in a Chinese restaurant owned by a friend of Andrew’s and was certainly a welcome treat before back to the hustle and bustle of the busy city. It was strange to be in such a busy place after even only 2 days of the isolation and peace of the clinic site in Amakom and we were thankful to get back on the road to our ‘home from home’.

I know I’ve said it in nearly every blog but the lake is an amazing sight to behold. Especially as you reach the top of the mountain and begin the ascent down towards the village. Tonight was particularly spectacular as the sun was beginning to set by the time we were nearing home.

The view at the top of the mountain

This was even more spectacular by the time we reached the clinic as the colours in the sky were changing and moving every couple of seconds.

The view from Michael Bentum’s porch

Another first…I seen my first snake ever in Africa!!! Granted it was dead and at the side of the road but it was still a snake – apparently a black cobra?!

But all is well this evening in Lake Bosumtwe and it is great to be able to relax in the cool of the evening.

Blessings

Church in Amakom

Isnt tecnology wonderful!!

I am currently sitting in the Clinic office where there is wifi internet...superb. It's a really hot day so the coolness of the air conditioning is most welcome.

The clinic sign - the door to the office is just behind it

We visited the Pentecostal church this morning which was a great experience. Plenty of dancing and lots of singing with a message about planting good seed in our lives and how calling must come from God. this was thankfully transalted from Twi by Michael.

Michael, Holly and I setting out for church (Rebecca took the picture)

I have experienced a little Ghanaian cooking so far and that was red red which was pretty good and of course fried plantain chips which are fast becoming a favourite. there is plenty of fruit available with fantastic banana's and huge mango trees in the grounds of the clinic. superb!

Oh and how could i forget - another first...

...first fright!!! - the HUAGE spider on the floor of Rebecca's room last night. I can do any insect except spiders and it was the daddy of all spiders!!!

Oh and another first - a spectacular thunder and lightning storm yesterday afternoon - the rain was pelting down and it was great to be able to sit on our porch and just look out at it, amazing. (ive a feeling thats a word i'm going to be using a lot over the next wee while!!)

Saturday 7th June 2008 - journey to the lake

All I can say is Lake Bosumtwe is awesome. As we drove up over the top of the mountain and I got my first view of the lake it was breath taking. God most certainly must have looked down and saw that it was good when He created it.

The view out over the lake.

My most hospitable hosts for my first night in Ghana were the Sims family along with Anna Egypto, who then drove me up to the lake. It was great to finally meet with Andrew who I have only been in contact with by email and of course Julianna his very pregnant wife. So there is a lot of excitement about the imminent birth of their little boy, who will be little brother to Lucas and Luiza.

Kirk, Aiden, Eli and Nicole Sims with Gifty

I also met my 2 house mates Rebecca and Holly, interns with the Jernigans from the Mission Society. When I was shown the house we would be living in I was pleasantly surprised as it was much more than I could have ever imagined. So we will be living very comfortably and at the minute Holly seems to be chief cook!! However, im sure I’ll have to take my turn…maybe some irish stew!!

Two other new faces were Michael who is the project manager of the Seymour Street funded expansion and James his friend and very busy painter. Both extremely welcoming and very keen to get us talking Twi, so hopefully I’ll be able to pick some of it up.

Now another early night to try and get myself used to Ghanaian time – setting out at 7.00am this morning after a days travelling and a short nights sleep means I’m currently very tired.

Blessings
Lou (or Abana)

Arrived safely...

Wow...i'm in Ghana, this probably sounds a bit odd but it still doesnt really feel quite real!! i was met at the airport by 2 American girls and made to feel at home right away and i'm very excited about travelling up to the lake tomorrow.



But i thought i would recount a little of the journey so far...



Before even leaving the ground at Aldergrove I had already experienced some 'firsts' of the trip.



*the first potential disaster was averted in that my flight was at 6.50am not 7.50am as i thought (you really should lookat your ticket closely!!) Thankfully i was uncharacteristically early for the time that i thought was correct meaning that i just made it to checkin before it closed for the correct time!!



*first smile - the captain on my first flight was called Eric Dawson...i knew he wanted to come really but tha was quite extreme measures to take! But i found that strangely comforting...i guess that is meant as a compliment.



*First almost tear...when i read a text message from my soppy big cousin :)



Then there was the absolute and utter overwhelming feeling of awe, feeling very small in this big world and love, so much so i felt i could almost burst. This was looking out over the Northern Ireland countryside as we took off,the amazing beauty of the land below and then the beauty of the clouds as we came up through them - listening to the song 'He's got the whole world in his hands'. I just felt so safe and loved and i had such a huge sense of God's presence with me.



The second leg of the journey was relatively uneventful and I even tackled the Accra airport without a hitch and all baggage arrived...yay!!



So now it's 10.46pm and to say the least i am very very tired so its off to bed for my first nights sleep in Ghana and i have to be upand ready to leave for 7.00am!!



So i'll say goodnight :)

Ready to go...

Well i think the packing is finally finished...well lets just say if it's not in it's not going!!

I've really appreciated everyone's wee messages of encouragement and assurance of prayer, that means so much. I know I am going in God's care and He will look after me every step of the way but the thoughts and prayers of friends and family means a lot.

Now it's time to get a quick couple of hours sleep before the big adventure begins.

My new blog...

With this blog I hope to be able to keep a journal of my summer adventures in Ghana and Togo, keeping everyone up to date with what i'm up to.

Therefore, nothing to say just yet other than I really dont like packing!!!