First Day Without Parents and Siblings for the Next Year

Today, we all woke up early. We got all the luggage loaded in the vehicle, and we ate breakfast. After breakfast, we were off to the airport. Bro. Prince drove Danny, Bonnie, and I, while Bro. Ruckman drove Dad, Mom, and the luggage. Once we arrived at the airport, we got all of the luggage unloaded and to the door. After unloading the luggage, it was time to say our goodbyes. I gave everyone a hug; and, of course, tears were shed by everyone.

As I walked away slowly, I waved at my Dad a few times.(I am crying just from thinking about it.) After I got back in the vehicle, we drove away from my parents and siblings. I know there will be heavy hearts on two sides of the world, but God is in control. He will give us the comfort and will to push on and press toward the mark.

When I got home, I continued crying for a while; then, I finished moving all my stuff into my room. Once I had gotten everything moved in, I studied Fante for a little while. After I had studied for about twenty minutes, I started watching a movie, just to clear my mind. We started Fante class at ten and finished around noon. Once we had finished Fante class, we had a few errands to run. Mrs. Angie got new glasses. Bro. Ruckman got some money to buy books for the Bible Institute, and I got a hair cut.

We ate Peter Pan’s pizza for lunch and headed home. When we got home, I took some Ibuprofen and also took a nap, because I had a small headache. After my nap, I worked on my sermon for tomorrow night. I and another boy from the church will be preaching to the youth tomorrow evening. I was able to text Mom and Dad for a little while to see what all had been going on, and then I continued watching my movie from earlier.

Throughout the week, we forgot to take a picture with the Ruckmans. We finally remembered last night before everyone went to bed!!!

From the travelers:

We sat at the Takoradi airport from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Our flight was originally supposed to leave at 8:30, but the plane did not arrive until 10:45. It was only a thirty-minute flight once we got on board. But four hours sitting there still beats that bumpy six-hour ride!

When we got to the airport, we got our bags and headed to the taxi station. We had to go in two taxis. Joe rode with the luggage, and I rode with Danny and Bonnie in the other taxi. Joe told the drivers where to go, and our driver took off. Joe told his driver to stay right with that other taxi. We all ended up at the same place.

The room was not quite ready; so, we ate lunch at the hotel restaurant while we waited. We got all checked in. Then, we went on another adventure in a taxi. We remembered a souvenir market from ten years ago. Getting the taxi driver to find it was the problem. He took us to three wrong places before we finally found the right one. Bartering for souvenirs is always fun. Nothing has a price on it. So, you ask the price; then, you give them a lower price, and you meet somewhere in the middle.

We headed back to the hotel. Bonnie and I took a nap. Joe and Danny found a way to have pizza delivered here. Joe thought he was ordering two pizzas and a 1.5 liter bottle of Coke. Somehow, he ordered four pizzas and two Cokes. So, I guess we will have pizza for breakfast.

We are missing Gilbert, but we know that he is where God wants him to be and that he is in good hands. We had a great time with the Ruckmans. We only wish that we could have stayed longer. So many memories have come flooding back during our time in Ghana.

Tomorrow morning, we will visit some friends who now live north of Accra. He will take us to the airport tomorrow afternoon. We fly out at 7:30 tomorrow night and should arrive in Houston at 7:15 on Saturday night. You will probably only hear from Gilbert tomorrow because we won’t have internet access.