Thursday, April 21, 2011

Bonjour,

We left the house at 6:00 this morning to head to Aiyinasi. April went
with us. On the way, we pass a rubber plantation and a rubber factory.
When the rubber factory is in use, it stinks! Gilbert asked if there
were foxes hiding in the "rubber tree forest." Then, when we passed the
factory, he said, "I bet there aren't any foxes in there!"

We arrived in Aiyinasi around 7:40. We were supposed to be there by
8:00 so that Gilbert could practice for the K-5 graduation. We
visited with the Posts for a while and then went to the school/church.
They put a bow tie and a cap and gown on Gilbert about 9:30. Then, they
stood in line until 10:00. Gilbert started crying. He said that he was
scared. Then, he said that they told him he had to stand still and not
move; I think that was what was really bothering him. There are about
120 students in the Walkers' school – K-4 – 6th grade.

The whole school did a program reciting and singing things that they had
learned throughout the year. Gilbert stood up there through it all.
They did get to sit down when the K-5 was not involved in what was being
done.

About halfway through the program, Gilbert started motioning that he was
thirsty. He thought that we didn't get the message; so, he started
mouthing, "I'm thirsty." Joe told him that he could wait. He made it
through.

Bonnie joined in the recessional. She hopped in line between two boys
and started pushing the boy in front of her. She was ready to get out
of there.

Danny sat by Mrs. Todd. She broke her leg and is not able to put any
weight on that leg. He wanted to make sure that she was okay.

We ate lunch with the Posts and visited with them for a while. Then, we
headed back to Takoradi. We did some grocery shopping because we
weren't sure what would be open tomorrow on Good Friday. Monday is also
considered a holiday here. It was an unusual day for Africa – We
didn't have any car trouble; we didn't get stopped by the police, and we
didn't see any wrecks.

While we were at the store, the seamstress called to tell us she was
done with our Easter outfits. We stopped to pick them up and discovered
that she only made a shirt for one of the boys, and that was all of the
fabric. I guess we will go in search of more fabric tomorrow if the
market circle stores are open. If not, I guess we will have to wear
them after Easter. Oh well!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, Danny, and Bonnie