Number Two - now we are official

 On our way home from the airport on the Saturday of our Gambia trip, Lorinda Belnap told us the vaccines were in and available where we got the first ones. So we dumped our clothes and headed over to the clinic to check it out. I sat down as number 5! Brent Belnap showed up a minute later and was number 6. Unbelievably different than our first foray in which we arrived and spent over three hours slowly making our way up the different benches. This time we were on the front row. We didn't even mind when two men cut in front, we knew we'd make it within the half hour. 

Meetings should open up now with all the missionaries vaccinated. 

What is it like to have summer and fall at the same time?

 Leaves are always falling and the heat lets you know it's summer. But Sacrament is going to get up to 109 degrees and we only get the high ninety and high 80 degrees. But then it never gets to where you need a coat either. So I would say a mix of Fall and Summer makes it Ghanaian weather.

Simple Sewing

 One day last week, Juliet came over to learn how to make a pillow case. She ended up making a gathered skirt also. The skirt turned out just fine, but I think she would look better in a different style. I told her to come over again sometime and we'll make an A-line skirt that could only look better. She did well on the on her first day of sewing!

Juliet pinning the "burrito" role

The  pillowcase is simple. Measure the main part of the pillow 40"* by 26"- cut and the pillowcase top 40" by 8 and a half or 9" and cut out. Place the pillowcase top right side up on the table, then add the pillowcase main right side to the bottom edge. Then roll the pillowcase main to about 2 inches to the main and top edges together and sandwich the roll by the other end of the pillowcase top in a "burrito" in which you will have three pieces of material to sew together. [two tops one main] Do not catch any of the rest of the pillowcase main roll in your seam. This is the first seam.

*Sometimes I'll leave it at 42 inches if that is the width of the material. Just make sure the pillowcase top is the same width. 

Pulling the right side out - one main piece with no raw edges of the top

With the right sides together sew the side seam and bottom seam of the pillowcase. This is the second and third seams.   Clip corners

Invert and presto! A pillowcase!!

Since we had time Juliet wanted to know how easy it would be to make a skirt. Well, a gathered skirt is the easiest and I happen to have brought some wide elastic in case I made a circle skirt for someone. Juliet sewed up the sides together and I stretched and sewed the elastic on and she hemmed it all up. 

Lots of hemming

Juliet turned it under a 1/4 inch and another turn 1/4 inch and sewed up her hem.

Another successful project - though I told her to come over and we'd do a similar skirt but in an A-line which I think would look better on her. 

It Has been Four Years

 Our last stop on the trip to Cape Coast was to see Walker's family. We met his sister and two brothers. Walker is the oldest, then his sister and the two brothers. It looks like the family just gets taller as they went along although the youngest brother is only 14. His sister is preparing for a mission and so is his 18 year-old brother. Walker had not seen them for 4 years but we only stayed about 5 or 6 minutes said hello, took pictures and then dropped his sister off a few blocks away and we were off on the highway to go back home. Walker drove for quite awhile and we kept getting stuck waiting in traffic. Many vehicles would go around on the dirt side of the road and cut back in. The bottlenecks were difficult and long. After awhile Walker was tired, so Jeffrey took over driving again. Prince played music that helped with the travel stress. It took us a little over five hours to get back, but the trip was worth it! 

Elmina Castle - The Slave Trade

 

Coming up to the castle you see a beautiful beach and gleaming white building. It looks ideal.

The town began in 1300's when three cousins traveling on a hunt got lost and Amankwaa found fresh water and called the place Anomansa (inexhaustible water) and that is the name of the town. He followed the water down to a lagoon and said, "Be enya!" meaning I've got it! He came back and founded the city and area on a large rock across from the present day castle and was made king of his area. The Arabs found it a safe landing place in the 1400's and called it "Al mina". But it was the Portuguese love of trading especially for Gold that brought them to this place in 1471. They called it A mina or Da Mina meaning 'the mine' because gold was brought so readily for trade. In January of 1482 they brought materials to build a fort and had to ask over and over because the King did not want these "friends" so close. He felt they could be better friends living apart. But over the incessant persuasions and the hope for peace he granted their request. The injustices that were served to the people showed the king's hopes were dashed. The Portuguese called their fort Saint George, but the location was called Elmina which is a mispronunciation and has been used ever since.

In the early 1600's is when the slave trade began in earnest and the worst of human cruelties were promoted here. The Dutch attacked and took over in 1637, with the same horrific trades and enlarged dungeons to hold more captives, and then sold the place to the English in the 1800's when slavery was being abolished in different countries. This was a big blow to the Elminarins as they were trying to gain hold of their territory but were defeated again. The English traded just a little but mainly used the fort as a military outpost and police training place. It was finally abandoned by the English when Ghana gained her independence from England.

We witnessed where terrible cruelties were done to thousands of people. I really don’t want to go to another “castle” as it is so depressing and sad. So many died. The horrific part of a horrific story is that fact that a church was attended and operational two floors above the dying men and women below. Their horses and cattle were treated better. No wonder it is difficult to promote religious freedom when it means different things to people.

The higher the floor, the more "important" the people. The governor and his family were at the top. I think they will all be so surprised at judgement day when their status will be at the bottom.

Shut in until they were dead for grievous offenses like trying to break out.

The Portuguese were surprised on the third attack by the Dutch to be attacked from the rear instead of just the sea. 

Antics at the Castle

A funny note was a young man who came up and wanted a picture with me on the steps. I asked him why he wanted a picture with a white woman in a slave castle, he just laughed and put his arm around me and posed for the picture. Some of his companions came and got pictures too. When I looked there were people with Jeffrey posing with him too. Was it the nametag? I doubt it. But I wonder if they will see it when they get home? 

Good Day for all

Walking Above the Canopy

 

Walking through the forest treetops with the young single adults

Leaving at 4:30 am we arrived in Cape Coast about three hours later which is a very good travel time. At the police checks we were only stopped once and asked for a drivers license, but the minute he spotted Jeffrey's missionary nametag, the policeman waved him on. We didn't get stopped by any other police checks and in fact on the way home no one was manning the stations.

When we stopped at a church building to use the washrooms, they were all locked so three of the young men ran off to buy sodas and while they were gone, a councilor who saw us in the parking lot stopped to open the building. I have found so many generous nice people here!

Margaret Boateng, Moses Otoo,  Lynne Tageo,  Edward Walker, and Asante Prince Eugen Danko Kojo - or Prince, and Jeffrey.

We arrived at the Kakum National Park in the morning and set off for our Canopy walk with the offer to take a nature walk after that went to a tree house. Interacting with these five young adults, their personalities started coming out in a way you do not see on Sunday meetings. They were fun, funny, and entertaining to watch. They obviously had a lot in common. Most do not have family around and are getting their education, doing their service year for the government, or looking for a job.

After hiking up to the canopy and enjoying the net walk, I was done. My bum ankle did not like the uneven rocks making up the path, so I opted out of the nature walk. The rest all went on and had a marvelous time getting up to the treehouse. I slowly made my way down the rocks and sheltered under a roof with benches at the headquarters. I'm pretty sure I dozed on and off as I didn't see them return.

Hiking through the forest

Made it to the treehouse!

Jeffrey gave his all and enjoyed the hike and the young adults.

They all hiked back down and just as they got back the rain came from behind. Walker said to hurry and we got under the roof with tables and chairs. I took video but forgot to take pictures. Awesome! The rain thundered on the roof and came down in a heavy steady stream. I couldn't help wondering where the group of about 50 that had just gone out were and where they were sheltering. I felt a tender mercy for our group that had all made it to shelter in time.

After the rain let up, the boys ran back to the car and brought the box with out lunch and we sat and enjoyed the Jollof rice that Juliet had made for us the day before. Delicious. Then we headed to our next adventure - the Castle.

Food Preparations by Juliet of course!

 I planned a trip with several young adults and knew I wanted to bring a meal. So I asked Juliet to come make Ghanaian food to bring with us. I told her the same parameters to make a meal for us and for her family -- I would supply the money if she would supply the brains, shopping and food prep.

Juliet Akron is a wonderful cook and lovely to be around

She made both Jollof Rice and Cabbage Stew which are my favorites. I knew the rice would be good all day and could be eaten hot or cold. I know Juliet wanted me to make sure it was heated up, but I knew it could be consumed anytime the kids wanted it.

I made up some brownies because Prince wanted some and also some peanut butter cookies as Juliet keeps me well supplied in "groundnut paste" or peanut butter. I asked the young adults to bring water and whatever else they wanted to drink. We were ready to go!

One more visit - and then It's Play Time!

 The Chief Justice had recommended that we visit with the Freedom of Religion Commission and Emmanuel was able to make it happen because of the Chief Justice recommendation.

We had a meeting on Friday morning with Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of The Gambia. This is where the Eastmonds were able to shine as they were both speaking the same way.  While the rest of the crew were talking, I read their booklet and really enjoyed learning about the people of Gambia and what they will accept and what they won't. It was a good meeting.

Then it was off to the Gambia River!  We went upstream and rented out a boat. Friday is the holy day in Gambia because it is mostly Muslim. Christians have Sunday, Jews have Saturday and Muslim's have Friday. I think the whole weekend is wrapped up in someone's holy day.

We arrived at a mostly empty dock/pier

Many empty boats waiting for the tourists to come back

When we asked for a boat they went out and cleaned one out.

The driver showed us how oysters collect on the mangrove roots and ladies come out and slice the oysters off with machetes and sell the oysters to restaurants, hotels and places that use them.

The river looked like the ocean when we came out into the bay part but it clearly has sandbars that caused this ship to tip over after is broke loose from its anchor one night. It had already been abandoned and now parts have been salvaged off a bit at a time.

This is an interesting way to fish with the poles holding the nets underwater. Clearly these birds indicate a successful result.

We toured around many ships and boat in the bay  

After running around the bay touring the ships, then losing a hat which the captain swirled around in the boat for a rescue by Christopher reaching into the water, we saw the arch and the Mosque we visited earlier off in the distance. My camera couldn't "see" that far but it was cool seeing what we could see from the boat. 

Then we headed back into one of the fingers of the river back into the mangroves passing oyster and fishermen on the way.

Baskets of shells, I couldn't figure out what she was standing on

Small boats for such a big river. Crocodiles are in big numbers upstream. I didn't see any on this trip but that doesn't mean they are not here. The people in these canoes are way too close to the water.

Our captain took us under the bridge and we got just a little stuck until he took down the canopy roof

We had a fun time. And then it was on to the crocodile pond...

There is a pond of crocodiles that have been around for hundreds of years. They have a hold site here where people come to pray about fertility and other things. They pour the water from the pond and pray in a little room close to shore. The keepers feed the crocodiles fish and told us not to touch their faces (right - just what I thought I might NEVER do) and not to tap our feet in front of them as the vibrations act as a lure. He walked right up to a crocodile and petted him on his back and belly and legs. The crocodile did not move and he invited us all to come do the same.

I succumbed to peer pressure and felt the hard back of the crocodile and the very soft skin  behind his legs and belly. A twitch from the pond and I was out of there.

I must admit I enjoy the smaller reptiles so much better. Isn't he pretty?!

I really enjoyed the monkey's at the hotel also.

We ended the night at a great restaurant Flamingo's where they gave Jeffrey a fruit smoothie and made up a ginger/pineapple drink for me - awesome!

So yummy! They had their signature to the plate.

I would love to go again! The country is full of smiles and I enjoyed myself very much.