My Final Thoughts.....

Well, it's been six long weeks and in 13 hrs the children and I will board the Delta flight for JFK. Then after a short two hr. layover, it's off to Seattle. Yea!!!

So, here are my final thoughts as they relate to my stay here in Ghana.

AFRICA

It's always hot here; duh I'm in AFRICA!!!!.

The people I've met, or have come in contact with, are wonderful. Read previous post for more details.

Traveling to the north was amazing! even hotter there .... the pictures I've seen in magazines for years about "the villages" is true. Most of the people live day to day. However, there is large poulation of "middle class" in Accra.

You can always smell burning garbage in Accra.

Great signs like.... Don't urinate here please. ( ok but I really gotta to go!!!)

Expect the unexpected while traveling....ladies in full African dress going "wee wee" about 15 yards from the side of the road. They even go in groups here also. :)

Watch out for over loaded busses, cars, trucks ... they can and do tip over at any given moment.

if you need to go "wee wee" just pull over and go....it's the African thing to do. I've done it so it's no big deal.

Always ask to take someone's picture. If they ask for $$$, say never mind then.

ALWAYS tell the taxi driver how much you will pay to your destination. Be willing to set the price for them.

Drink more water than you think you can....then drink some more.

When in Accra, go to the filling station accross from MaxMart to buy produce....ask for Grace, she rocks!!!!! Tell her I sent you.

Only bring button up short sleeve shirts.....you pit out t-shirts way too fast. or just go shirtless unless your out in the town. Ladies keep yours on please.

Be willing to take three showers a day....just to rinse off.

Have George get plantaine chips for you. WOW!!!!!!

Shop at ShopRite....NOT KOALA OR MAXMART, too expensive.

Eat out at Frankies...great food, great prices.

Spend a few Saturdays at La Plam Grand Resort , swimming only. Rooms start at $235 for single


FAMILY AND CHURCH:

I love my family and miss the kids at home. Can't wait to see them!!

I miss my church family....Pastor Kim, and his awesome preaching of the word of God. The Shoemake family, The Newfelts, (I know the spelling is not correct). Those that sit in the first two rows on Saturday night, Joel and the worship team, Pastor Steve, Pastor Kurt, I know I've forgotten some, just know that your missed.

Our small group, you guys have held our family up in prayer so many times in the past nine months. I love you all. Can't wait until Thursday. Better stock up on the gummie bears Gretchan! Mark you might want to bring your own!

Our new friends, the Peter's, very nice family from the hinter lands of Alberta, Canada. I don't like the fact that we are leaving you here all alone. I know that your time is coming, when you too will return home. If I could I'd take Jobe (Louvee's new name) with me...he Rocks!!! Your girls are nice too, but I could not get them to talk to me in five weeks. Oh well.

To my bride; It's been a wild ride. Sure do miss the tag team part of our relationship when it comes to the kids. Miss you a ton. Can't wait until I see you. Do you know ... we are the parents of 13 wonderful children????? That, my dear, is amazing!!!!!
See you soon.

CHURCH IN AFRICA

To my brothers and sisters at Covenant Family Christian Church.....you folks let it all hang out on Sunday. PTL.

To the Sunday School teacher at 9:30....you're an awesome teacher and make the Word of God come alive. Thanks for what you do for the kingdom.

Well ... there you have it, my random thoughts about my 42 days in Ghana.

It's been a great time, but I really want to go home.

see you all soon
Jim