Togo Update

We have been in Togo now for 5 days, so i thought i would give you a wee update about what we have been doing.

All the computers are now up and running after we managed to get french keyboards for all of them. There have now been 3 days of computer classes for a wide range of people from Children right up to older gentlemen. One thing in common is that they are all so keen to learn and often its a struggle to get them out for a lunch break or at night when we are trying to get packed up to go. What is wonderful is the absolute, pure willingness to learn new things. So Oliver and Pauline have been kept very busy.

The 2 of them actually left early this morning to travel far up north to visit some evangelists which Glenburn Methodist (Oilver's home church) have been sponsoring since our visit last year.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Glenn have been trying to gather information about the work of Zita Atohoun's Nutrition Clinic, which was the main reason for our visit. They have been trying to gather information to bring to an official conference in Japan in September. I dont know all the details so i wont try to explain, but it has been keeping them very busy.Zita outside the clinic


Today we had a quick stop off at the beach which is very beautiful and very close to our hotel...none of us braved going in but I did manage to get my feet wet!! Glenn, Elizabeth and Me

So ive now been in the Atlantic in 2 different African countries within a week!! (oh i was also approached by a young man who declared through Fidele that he was in love with me...hmm...yes!!!)

On the beach i saw one of the most awesome sand castles ive ever seen.

The sand castle in the shape of Africa

There was a young man who was more than happy to explain to us what it was. It was supposed to represent Togo within Africa and it was decorated with shells to show the symbol of independence.

Togo and the symbol of independence

There was also a huge mound which we were told was a helicopter in memory of the men who had been killed in the helicopter crash in Sierra Leone. He was having to redo it and fix it up as someone had come along and ruined it last night - i guess there are mindless vandals everywhere!

The proud sculptor with his artwork

Some Kodak moments!!!

I haven't been able to add photos over the past couple of weeks so I've updated some previous posts and thought i would just post a few pictures here to let you see some of what the Seymour Streeters got up to during their free time!!! :)

Helen and I during a wander around the villages, Atafram and Ankaase
Tom updating the blog :)

Alan and Rodney...not quite sure what to say!!

A very competitive game of Phase 10!! A lot of grudges came out here with many people being skipped with no good reason!! :) Paul went home on top of the leader board but im sure that will be changed. That wasn't the only leader board he was top of - don't ever let him tell you jokes!!!

Paul, Tom and Rodney preparing for devotions

Me and Papa Paul at Kankum

Me and Papa Tom after our final meal down on the coast
Phillip and Dorothy for whom this was a very special visit meeting up with people they hadnt seen in 28 years
Papa Leslie and Helen

Helen and I with Papa Paul in his stunning African shirt :)

Alan and Mel

And speaking of leader boards - there is one other leader board Paul is top of...being able to fall asleep literally anywhere, any time!! Although there are a few not far behind!! :)

Just for karen!!!! :)

This ones just for Karen...and i'm sorry but I can't bring it home!!!!

Back in Togo

I can hardly believe I’m back in Togo…of all the trips I’ve been involved in and countries I’ve visited this is the first time I’ve done a return visit.

It’s great to be back…vaguely recognizing buildings, streets and of course faces.

The 5 of us made the journey from Accra yesterday morning where Gerard Atohoun the director of development of the Methodist Church in Togo had met us with a minibus. The journey wasn’t too bad taking us just over 3 hours to get to the border (including another interesting toilet stop!!) but it was here that the fun began. First of all we had to leave Ghana officially, then in no mans land we were told we were not allowed to cross the border in our vehicle because it had been hired in Ghana and the driver was not allowed to cross…so we were set to walk dragging all our luggage behind us, but very generously the border guards allowed the vehicle which was picking us up on the Togolese side to come across and get packed up.
Glenn and Oliver squished in to the back of the 2nd vehicle with all our luggage!!!

At this point we still had to get our Togolese visa’s arranged – well the other 4 did as I had thankfully got mine sorted in Accra. This meant more form filling and more waiting but it went generally quite smoothly!! And there we were back in Togo a year later.

When they had arrived Pauline had stated how she thought Accra had been so different to Lomé but I hadn’t really noticed. So as we drove along the road getting closer and closer to the border I found it very strange as I noticed subtle differences and changes along the way and when we crossed the border there was definitely a different atmosphere to that in Ghana and Lomé is certainly very different to Accra. There is the same hustle and bustle, traffic etc but it certainly doesn’t seem just as developed.

Already we have had some great craic with visions of Glenn jumping up and down in his shower with his flip flops on (I’ll let you ask him about that!!), Oliver getting his ‘drugs’ mixed up and taking Tamazipan instead of paracetamol…we wondered why he was just so sleepy!!...then he found someone called Annette in his room…or was that somewhere to hang a net??!! No doubt there will be more tales to tell!

Today we are fully rested and are settling in to our wee room in the Methodist Headquarters. For me I knew I was back when I seen the wee sign above the door “Eglise Methodiste Du Togo Bloc Administratif”…it’s strange how wee markers like that can mean so much. That was the last building we were in last year before we left so I guess it holds a lot of meaning for me.

Our morning has been spent looking through and sorting out the huge mountain of equipment which came in the container via Willie Carson and the container ministry and thankfully arrived without problem.

Part of the huge mountain!!!
Aqua boxes which were in the container

There have now been 2 rooms set up with 15 computers each which will be used to train people who will then in turn be able to train others on the ECDL programme (European Computer Driving Licence) which Pauline and Oliver have been able to arrange and have even had translated in to French.
Helping to set up the computers

There is also a huge amount of clothes and blankets which will be distributed in villages in the north when Pauline and Oliver visit that region amongst other things such as hospital beds – particularly a birthing bed which we believe the Lomé hospital doesn’t even have.
It’s wonderful to see Gerard’s and others reactions when they see what’s coming out of the box next. It was commented on how his face just lit up when he seen a data projector, something they don’t have but will be able to make great use of. Gerard working at his desk

This afternoon we also got to meet the new president of the Methodist Church, Reverend Pasteur Charles Klagba. The 5 of us with the President

He has been in the position for only a month and professes to still be learning his new role but certainly seems to have great vision for taking the Togolese church forward.

So already we have been made to feel so welcome and as if it was only last month we were here not last year.

So as you continue to pray for me please remember the other 4 here with me in Togo, Gerard our host, Charles Klagba and the work of the Methodist church here.

Continue to give thanks that the Seymour Street team has returned home safely and for all the experiences they have had and how they relate that to people at home as well as trying to settle back in to ‘normality’.

Also continue to pray for the work of the clinic and for the workers who are still on site working on the expansion.

One team leaves...and another team arrives

So to sum up today in one word...it's been an emotional roller coaster!!! ;o)

But seriously it has been...the past 2 and a half weeks have been a superb time of fun, fellowship, friendship, massages!!, learning, teaching and building. I could go on but i'll stop there.

Being an emotional soul doesnt help matters. So there was a tearful goodbye as the Seymour Street posse disappeared in through the departure lounge doors, They should in fact be boarding just as im typing this - so i pray they may have a safe journey home.

But i didnt have long to ponder as not much more than an hour later i was back at the airport picking up the Togo team who have arrived safely. And God willing we will be travelling by road across to Togo tomorrow morning.

So my next blog will be from Lome - may the next part of the adventure begin :)

Cape Coast

Wow...so we arrived at Elmina yesterday afternoon after the long journey down from Kumasi. Our hotel is right on the Atlantic and the views are pretty spectacular.

We have all been looking forward to a little relaxation and seeing a little bit of the area. We have certainly seen some great things but im not so sure about the relaxation. This morning most of the group made their way to Kankum a national forest park/rain forest where we were able to do some tree top walking. This was quite an experience!! we had a short walk up a steep hill to where we then stepped out on to wobbly, rope bridges which spanned from tree to tree at a great height.

Before...do we look scared??!!
During...
And after...such relilef!!

I'm told that some of the scenery was beautiful but not being the most adventurous of people i just kept my eyes straight ahead and prayed that the ropes would hold together!! Not the most comfortable morning of my life but im glad i did it none the less...i will hopefully get some pictures up at some stage.

Some of the guys also got fresh coconuts on the trail down to quench their thirst.

In the afternoon 5 of us...yes 5 of us (Helen, Alan, Leslie, Paul and I) piled in to a very small taxi to make a short trip to a beach close by for a quick swim. Paul and Alan getting friendly!!!

Well the 3 'boys' did while Helen and i soaked up some of the rays. Another beautiful spot.

I can hardly believe the team will be leaving tomorrow - the time has just flown in.

But then the next part of the adventure begins and I welcome 4 members of last years Togo team at Accra airport - Elizabeth Archer, Pauline Whan, Oliver Hetherington and Glenn Rowan. We hope to travel across to Togo on Sunday morning accompanied by Gerard who we will be spending some time with over the next week or so.

Goodbyes

Well the final day of the teams visit to the clinic has arrived.

Last minute work is being done on the building site and a group of people under Leslies instruction prepare a lunch for all the team and all the labourers on site so as we can all share in fellowship over a meal before we sail off over the lake for the last time.

A lot has been packed in to the last couple of weeks and many relationships have been built up between the team and the labourers which just shows that this is God’s project and when people work together in Hos name whether, Irish, Ghanaian or American great things can be achieved.

Today will be tough as I have to say goodbye to my new sister Hollie. Ive had immense fun sharing with her and Rebecca over the past number of weeks. But what will I miss – her great southern accent, you just gotta love it, our laughs, our chats and maybe even her zombie impersonations!!! God has used her greatly here in Amakom and in many other villages around the lake, she has so much to give and doesn’t hold back. I know that God has great plans for her future.

And now its time to go…but as they say here im going but im coming…so I’ll be back at the lake at the start of august for a further month :)

Community service in Dompa

Yesterday we had the pleasure of taking part in a community worship service in the town of Dompa. All the denominations from the village which numbered seven, came together to worship out in the open and it was a truly anointed experience.

I spoke a couple of nights back in devotions about how the rain brings a freshness to the land and a coolness to the air, playing the song "grace like rain" by Todd Agnew.



I love the comparison this makes to God pouring his grace down upon us freshening our lives and renewing us daily.

As i sat during the start of the service i prayed over and over that God would send his spirit and that His grace would rain down upon the gathering to my amazement there was a short fall of rain just after which just made me smile as for me it was a huge sign that Gods presence was there with us.

There was a great time of worship and praise and many Seymour Streeters were seen to be dancing along with the Ghanaians, many of whom wave a hankie as they dance and one comment I heard from someone who will remain nameless was "the one sunday Tom didnt bring his hankie"!!! :)

Andrew and Michael brought the message about life giving water which Jesus gives us, both speaking with passion and enthusiasm.

By the end of 3 hours 15 minutes (no Andrew didnt preach all that time!!) most people were very tired but had thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Some of us were invited to visit the site of the new Methodist church which is being built in the village but little did we know it was quite a hike away. Andrew, Paul, James, Rachael and I followed the group up a steep, muddy, rocky incline (which Paul likened to Slieve Donard) to the site of the new church which we prayed over and dedicated to God's glory.

The site for the new church

So this was a first experience for many in the team and one which i believe will remain with them for ever.

Happy Birthday...

...A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little neice Rebecca who is 8 today. Hope you've had a great day Rebecca :o)

The mad Irish descend on Amakom!!

Wow...the past couple of weeks have been pretty jam packed with hardly a moment to sit still!

I had a few days in Accra before the team arrived...one which consisted of doing nothing at all but rest, the second which was the complete opposite of rushing around Accra along with Andrew trying to do some shopping and gathering of supplies before the team arrived that night.
The Patrol getting loaded up for the journey up to the lake.

I was very glad to be able to be at the airport to welcome them and was so excited to see them all (and hear their accents!!).
Everyone squished in to the coaster when they arrived with all the luggage

So on the first evening I was trying to catch up on all the news from home...I'm sure Helen was tired of hearing the question '...and what about...' as i thought of something or someone else i wanted to catch up on.

We had a pretty uneventful journey up to the lake with a few stops along the way...one toilet stop which will never be spoken about again - will it Helen and Rachael??!!! :)

We have settled in well to our accomodation and everyone was keen to get over to the clinic to see the place first hand. And i know myself that no matter what you imagine it will be like from pictures and descriptions it is so hard to visualise the place, for me it was nothing like what i had imagined. One comment i appreciated from Tom was that it wasnt real for him until he seen the Clinic board which i had posted in a previous blog and is pictured to the right. For him that was the marker that he had arrived.

The team threw themselves in to the work immediately, keen to get on with the job they had come to do and great progress has been made under Alex's supervision. There have also been a few required visits - such as the greeting of the chiefs in Amakom and in Atafram a very formal but interesting experience. We also greeted the chiefs in Dompa a village which is approximately a 2 hour walk from the clinic. Here we were given a very warm welcome and presented with a sheep to take back to Ireland!! It was lucky to make it back to the clinic as it as strapped to the roof of the Patrol and didnt quite make it up the first steep, rocky incline almost hanging itself over the side of the truck!! and then when we got back it didnt even see the day out...but atleast we were able to provide a tasty meal for the labourers on the site.

Later that day some of us visited an extremely remote village Nkwatapong (thats what it sounds like but not sure thats how its spelt!!) which is also approximately a 2 hour walk from the clinic through thick bush and it took us almost as long to get there by 4x4 because of the bad roads. They were extremely steep and muddy some looking like a vehicle had never past through them before. Our purpose for this visit was so that Andrew could greet the chief as they had made the effort to come to the clinic once before to greet them, i found this challenging as we were confronted by people who were very isolated from the 'outside world' some coming to us with illnesses which had not been treated and needed looked at by doctor. One particular woman was advised to come to the clinic the following day and thankfully she did so with her husband. Leaving the village at 5.30am and arriving at the clinic in time to join us for morning devotions.

It's also fantastic to see the welcome that Dorothy and Philip have recieved from old friends and indeed old patients. Little did i realise that our night watchman was one of the patients - he greeted Dorothy by reminding her that she had once pulled his tooth out!

We have also had some interesting cultural visits en route to Kumasi such as the village Adanwomase which is known for its Kente weaving, a procedure which has evolved and provided an income for many people in the town, also the wood carving village (as named by Andrew!!!) which i believe was a first experience for a few team members and we now have a few professional hagglers amongst the team...isnt that right Clem :)

This was all on the way to greet the Methodist Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese, who had nipped home for lunch just before we arrived!! So we were entertained by Rev Paul Boafu while we waited and he was happy to reminisce about his time in Ireland particularly studying at Edgehill. Once more we received a warm welcome when the Bishop arrived and he was very happy to receive the picture which had been taken during the Christmas visit and he was presented with a Shield of Arms from Lisburn which had been presented to the team by the mayor before they left.

So inbetween all the visits and greetings a lot of work has been going on, on site. Everyone has been getting their hands dirty and adding much sweat into the mix!! (well I havent made it out of the office just yet but i will before we are finished here!)

So in Tom's words, so far everything is 'Excellent' but i would urge you to keep praying...

for the team - for good health because of bad tummies and safety on the worksite.

for Andrew, Ju, Lucas, Luiza and Nicolas as they put up with the mad Irish who have invaded their home.

for all the local workers who have put so much effort in to the building work.

for Hollie who will be starting to prepare to leave the lake next week after 2 months here.

for Rebecca who will be staying on at the lake on her own.

And finally for me - as i travel to Togo next weekend with those who are coming to join me from MMS(I) and also as I intend to return to the lake for a further month until the start of September.


Many Blessings :)

Bliss

Im currently sitting at the side of a beautiful pool, sun shining, bue sky with the odd cotton wool cloud drifting past...what more could i ask for!!!

Maybe some poor bear ice cream!!! ;o)

Happy 4th of July!!!

So it’s Independence Day and going by Hollie and Rebecca that’s a pretty big deal!!

So we celebrated!!

Hollie bought lunch for all the workers on site today – there were approximately 30 guys and they were so appreciative.

We had ‘beans and gary’ with bread and coca cola! Hollie had Michael explain that it was a national holiday back in the states and it was traditional to go on a picnic or do something together. This was met with a great round of applause – they can understand the idea of Independence Day as it was actually Ghana’s national holiday on Monday 1st July. So they all sat under the huge mango tree while Hollie and Rebecca set about handing out the food and bread while I went round removing the lids from their drinks.

This was a great time of fellowship and gave us a good opportunity to sit and chat with the men as it’s usually just a case of walking past and waving over as they are working.

Spot the Obruni's!!!

One man I spoke to, Asempa Peter (pictured below), lives in Doompa one of the local villages which is around a 2 hour walk from the clinic and he does that daily, he told me about his wife and 5 children which he has to support.

I was also taught a new game by my new friend Osei Kwabena…I had collected all the tops from the drinks bottles and he came over and showed me how they play a game by trying to flick your lid on top of the other persons!! There seemed to be many rules which I wasn’t quite getting but it was fun any way!!

Then they were back to work…they really are very hard working.

I would ask you to pray for these men as we try to build up relationships with them in broken English and Twi combined!!

That of course brings me on to how the work is going. It has been progressing well this week with the founds dug, filled with cement and the first bricks being layed, it's exciting to watch the progress.

Who needs a cement mixer!! :)

So what else has been happening this week…

We have also built up a friendship with the night watchman who has been busy weaving baskets for us during the long hours of darkness while he is working. He presented them to me on Tuesday morning as the other 2 girls weren’t about. So he called up later that night to see the other 2 and he was very pleased with our reactions. They have already come in handy carrying laundry to and from the laundry room.
Real african ladies!!!

There has also been good times just hanging out in the house. There is always good fellowship over meals whether that’s us 3 girls or along with our close compatriots Michael and James. Food seems to figure high up on the scale of importance. Hollie tried out a Ghanaian dish again – ground nut soup and rice balls. It was impressive as she didn’t have Anas there to keep her right…but Michael came along and was able to explain to her how the smell of the soup was very important and was able to tell her what stage the soup was at by smell alone!!

Hollie was then impressed last night by my chips or as she called them ‘board walk fries’…my mum has taught me well in the making of chips!!!! So she was disappointed to hear we had used the last of our potatoes on them and has been on the hunt for more potatoes all day!! I think the Jernigan’s may find some missing when they return next week!!!

We’ve also had some fun evenings, such as Rebecca and I playing Apples to Apples with James, then there was the girly night which I’m giving nothing away about – what is said in the intern house stays in the intern house!!!
Then there was our movie night which began with some dancing an impressive rendition of 'Walk like an Egyptian', James was certainly getting the moves anyway!!

– Casino Royale it was…and can I just say Daniel Craig is no James Bond…Pierce all the way ;o) but everyone was a little tired and we didn’t manage to see the end of the movie as I think even the laptop was a little tired!! And we did manage to drag Hollie to bed eventually.

One other "friend" we have made is Rusty, as Rebecca has affectionately named him. Rusty the Rooster whose internal clock seems to be a wee bit mixed up as his cock-a-doodle-doo is not limited to a wake up call as he can be heard constantly as he wanders around the compound!! Alan i was wondering if you would like to introduce him to Honey and Chilli??!! :)

So all is good lakeside and I would ask you to keep praying for us all as we share in God’s work here.