Sunday, January 16, 2011

Bonjour,

 

We are back online, kind of.  We are using another missionary's modem right now.  We can check e-mail and answer, but we can't do Skype right now.  So, if you want to talk to us, drop an e-mail instead.  : )

 

We left the Posts' house about 7:45 on Saturday morning.  We made it to the border about 9:30.  Things went quickly on the Ivorian side; everyone was very friendly.  The Ghanaian border was a bit slower.  Danny made friends with everyone.  People were getting their picture taken with Danny.  He was telling them, "I was born in Takoradi, Ghana."  So, they were all telling him, "You are our brother."  Bonnie and Gilbert were not as bold; they stayed right beside me.  Danny takes after his father.  : )  The computer locked up while in the process of printing our car papers.  We left the border around 11:00 and got to Takoradi about 2:00.

 

We stopped in Ayanassi at the Walkers for a little bit.  We had some mail for Mrs. Todd that we delivered.  Instead of a watch dog, they have a watch monkey.  They said that the monkey lets them know when someone is coming.  If it is someone he knows, he makes a different sound than if it is somoene he doesn't know.  Bonnie hit the ground running to go see that monkey.  In the process, she got little grass burr type stickers all over her dress.  But, she saw that monkey.  It was a nice break for the kids.  They had fun running around and exploring.  We enjoyed talking to Ronnie, Rebekah, and Mrs. Todd.

 

When we arrived in Takoradi, we met the Charlie Luther family.  We are staying in a house not too far from their house.  The Luthers had things set up for us.  They had beds set up and made for us.  They had us over for supper.  They have five children, two boys and three girls.  Two of the girls are the same ages as Gilbert and Danny, and the youngest girl is about eight months younger than Bonnie.  They all had a good time together.

 

This morning, we went to church in Sekondi.  That is the church where we helped out when we lived in Ghana for a year and a half.  The people were happy to see us.  The older men in the church told us that we just needed to move to Ghana.  They asked me to teach the Sunday school lesson.  After I taught the lesson in English, another lady summed up the lesson in Fante.  Then, she asked questions and gave candy away to those who answered correctly.  We asked a few in English too so that our kids could get some candy.  As soon as Danny saw that candy, he had to figure out a way to get some.  He is our sweet tooth.

 

After church, we tried to go to Captain Hooks for lunch.  But, they are closed for three weeks.  They must be on vacation.  So, we tried a different place.  The food was expensive but good.  The fuel prices have also gone up; the fuel is more expensive here than it is in Ivory Coast.

 

Bonnie was missing the Posts especially today.  She kept asking, "Where's Aunt Jennifer?  Where's Isaac?  When are we going to leave this place?  I want to go home."

 

This evening, we went to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.  Joe taught a Sunday school class at that church when we lived here.  It was good to see some familiar faces and some new faces as well.  Their old church building was damaged in a storm.  They now have a nice new building.  It isn't quite finished yet, but it is very nice.

 

After church, the Luthers invited us over for popcorn and oranges.  We had a good time of fellowship with them.  Another lady named April lives in their guest quarters; she helps teach their children and does some of the food preparation.  She was there as well. 

 

That should bring you up to date on the Consford Chronicles.

 

A demain,

 

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, Danny, and Bonnie