Chalk.....Who Knew?

After a day of creative art!

Grandma Judy ReCap

Overdue Journal Ramblings ... the pace of life has picked up and I have been remiss in my communications.

Wednesday 14^th … The round robin mode of teaching started today. It is still a challenge to get the children to follow directions, but much more manageable this way.

I took baby M this afternoon so Julianna could take a nap. M wants to eat every hour or two all day and night. She has no sucking reflex, so must be fed with a spoon. Julianna has 4 other little ones to manage at night … not an easy task.

I have developed quite an infection in what started as a heat rash (perhaps complicated by bug bites). My wrist is inflamed; the children keep touching it; and now I am covering it with gauze pads held in place with an Ace bandage (tape sticks to my skin only a few minutes with all the moisture).

Thursday 15^th …Went with Nurse Debby to a clinic around the corner. We took two of the numerous kids who have a rash. We also wanted him to look at my wrist. He prescribed an ointment for the children and an anti-biotic cream for me. He said to leave the area open to air; stop doing hot compresses; use the new cream. Romana is very irritated that I am leaving my infection exposed and I must stay away from all children unless I cover the area. The BH rule is that all breaks in the skin must be covered due to the number of immune compromised children here.

Friday 16^th … I went with Sarah (lead volunteer) and a little one to the public health department of the police hospital for a follow-up visit. We picked up lab results then sat in a hot, crowded hallway for an hour before seeing the doctor for 5 minutes. The child is fairly new to BH and tested HIV positive. Our task was to pick up a second test to see the what-ever count which would determine whether the child would start treatment at this time. The count is high so no treatment as yet. All HIV positive persons must register with the Public Health Department. The child will see the regular pediatrician next week if he (the doctor) is able to return from his trip abroad. The volcanic ash over Europe has really put a cramp on travel to and from Africa.

Julianna, one of the baby house mothers, came to me with a problem. She described what she does during the night with the children … change diapers of a child with diarrhea, give a drink to a healthy toddler, change the diaper of a very sick infant, etc. Communication is not easy, but she finally got across the concern of needing to wash hands between each child. The water is located outside the building. We came up with a solution of purchasing two small buckets and a soap dish so that she can put together a wash station each night.

Saturday 17^th … Rachel and I went to the Madina Market with Vero and Faustina. WOW!!! What an experience. See Rachel’s colorful description on the blog site www.monica-daileydozen.blogspot.com

We were able to find the tables and stools, buckets and wash pan needed to help organize the baby house washing and sanitation process. We will use some of the things while we are here.

Rachel started sun bathing baby M’s little bottom. It is the worst diaper rash I have ever seen.

Sunday 18^th … Went to church with Romana in an air conditioned conference hall. It was a much quieter, more western type service.

Bought an oval tub to bathe baby M in and a container for the laundry powder. I am so glad we have undesignated donated funds so that we can immediately fill some of the many needs we are encountering.

Monday 19^th … Sorted the meds, etc. into 3 boxes … BH, Mamma Laddie, and the Presbyterian Clinic (the latter two up north). I have already given Nurse Debby some of the meds.

Tuesday 20^th … Left BH at 6:45a to go with Romana and Gabriel to the US Embassy to get his exit visa. I had been warned not to bring food and that water must be left at the security station. Also my purse must be airport screening ready, which it was. First they found my USB drive, then my pen light. Are those tiny objects really capable of blowing the place up???

I took some games for Gabriel to play while we waited … and waited … and waited… over 3 hours. Romana said it would take almost as much waiting just to pick up the visa on Friday. I can almost see the wait to process the paperwork on the initial day, but the long wait to just pick it up is absurd. I’m glad I went once, but certainly it is not worth going again.

We spent the evening at Doctor Julia’s place, with Rachel practicing on a good piano until the power went out. Rachel’s fingers were delighted at running over the excellently tuned keys. The piano at BH is out of tune and there are about 5 keys that are dead. We hope to go to Dr. J’s every Tuesday.

Wednesday 21^st … Worked with Julianna to bathe baby M’s bottom with soap and water after every poop. This is a hard concept for someone coming a few weeks ago from the north where she didn’t have clean water, very little soap, and had never seen gloves.

We went home with Nurse Debby at 2:30 and came back to BH with her the next morning. She spends three days a week as a volunteer … something well appreciated by the BH staff. The visit with Debby, husband Ron, and the friendly folks in their complex was great. There are people from Australia, Romania, South Africa, Bangladesh, Japan, and others that I can’t remember. A very friendly, supportive group. Rachel and I very much enjoyed swimming in the pool and taking a real shower with running hot water.

Thursday 22^nd … My infected wrist has completely healed, so I am doing the baby M sun bath. Her rash is improving, but still very angry looking. I continue having a hard time getting Julianna to wash her bottom with soap and water every time she poops, which is frequently.

We are now using a syringe to feed baby M rather than a spoon. The hope is that she might start using her tongue and develop a sucking reflex.

Rachel and I went with Romana and Bernard to see the new property. There are plans in the works to build a suitable set of buildings in an area that is out in the countryside. It will be very nice and a bit cooler than in town. There remains just the task of raising some more money to add to the existing account before construction can start.

On the way back to town, we stopped at a bead making industry headed by a woman. They acquire used glass bottles, crush them, melt the crushed glass in molds to form beads, then paint as appropriate and string them for sale. Rachel and I both bought quite a few bulk strings so that we can restring them into necklaces and bracelets to use as fundraisers this winter.

We are wrestling with the details of the trip north. Rachel doesn’t like talking about it because she really wishes we had not committed to going. She does want to meet Lydia’s grandmother, but she gets car sick and it is a very long day’s journey.

Friday 23^rd … At ten this morning Dave B and his son Tanner arrived from the Pacific Northwest to pick up Gabriel. He has been so ready to go home to American. He has been looking up at every plane he sees and wonders if his Daddy is on it. This is the icing on the cake … to see a child and his/her family unite and bond.

Julianna greeted me this morning with “I washed baby M’s bottom twice last night and it is looking much better.” YES !!!

Rachel and I brainstormed what we would like to do with the donated money. We thought of some large and some small items. We will talk about some of our ideas with Romana. Her input is valued, but the final decision will be ours.

Saturday 24^th … Rachel and I made a list of pros and cons for taking the bus north or hiring a car and driver. We finally realized that in spite of the cost, the bottom line for both of us is that most likely the bus would be so crowded we would both be absolutely miserable for the 14-17 hour trip, plus have to hire a car and driver once we get to the north anyway. The car and driver won the debate. Nurse Debby will go up with us and we are delighted.

We went with Romana to a craft fair; it was fun and we saw some interesting things, but are waiting to make most of our purchases in the north. It rained in sheets on the way home. We got soaked running from the car to the baby house where we live. Wet clothes feel rather nice due to the heat.

Romana took me to task for coming up to her apartment to get drinking water. She asked if there wasn’t water downstairs in the kitchen’s filtering system. There wasn’t … the filter container was dripping, but not enough water in the reservoir to fill my water bottle. I asked the price of a filter system … 25 Ghana Cedis (about $20). I quickly consulted with Rachel and we asked Romana to arrange for the purchase. Again thanks to all who donated money for us to bring.

Sunday 25^th … It is a beautiful day … blues skies with fluffy white clouds.

Went to church with Romana. This church is inter- or non– denominational, but follows the Wesleyan tradition and is held in a Methodist owned building. We picked up the new water filter system (it is a Methodist project). It will take a couple of days to season the clay filter, but by midweek we should have a more adequate supply of drinking water. The person in charge of the water project says each system is supposed to supply only 10 people … not the 45-50 people who draw from the system in place in the kitchen. No wonder I had to go upstairs to Romana’s area to get drinking water most of the time. None the less, I am making it one of my projects to frequently check the level of the water in the clay filter; it operates more efficiently when it is full.

Monday 26^th … My projects for today are:

1. Sunbathe baby M
2. Do our washing
3. Continue checking the water filter systems; the new one is being seasoned
4. Type this journal rambling
5. Teach the kids for the round robin
6. Sort the boxes of clothes, sheets, towels, etc. for each of the children in the baby house, updating so that each box has an appropriate number of things that fit the child

The first four are underway. It is time for the 5^th. We shall see how far into the sixth I get today. Several hours later, I can finally send this after a power outage.

We will leave Thursday morning very early for the north.

Hope things are well with you all.

Judy

Day 24 of Ghana

It has been a while since I wrote an update, so this next one is kind of a compilation of journal entries. Hope you enjoy seeing what we’ve been up to!

Last night, Grandma Judy and I enjoyed “the good life” at the home of a nurse who volunteers three days a week at Beacon House. She invited us to spend the night, and we had quite the pampering. The air in her house was AIR CONDITIONED…icily, gloriously cool. Grandma Judy and I each got rooms to ourselves with beds we could spread out on without having various limbs hanging over the side. Incredible. And just think: the steps on her staircase were spaced at even intervals! We were in raptures at the untold luxuries of a swim in the pool, a hot shower, lasagna for dinner and pancakes for breakfast. And the best blessing of all—they let me use their phone to call home when their Internet would not work. So I got to hear my Mommy’s voice for the first time in over 3 weeks! Thank you Lord!

Today, however, I was back to work teaching the children. Discipline has really improved over the weeks and I am hoping that it will continue to get better. Warning to Dailey kids: Rachel is turning into Miss Minchin! (If you don’t know what that is, read “A Little Princess.” And shame on you for not being more literary). I have never been a ‘meaner’ teacher than I am to these stubborn little mischief-makers. It seems like every night at least 3 or 4 of my students (and there are only 9!) are sitting in the corner looking gloomy instead of watching the movie. They glare at me if I walk past them, letting me know on no uncertain terms that they will never ever ever forgive me…until the next morning, of course, when they are back to climbing all over me and messing with my “plenty head” (hair). And I thought Ghana would be so different from home! Not so.

After teaching, we went with Ms. Romana to go and look at the land for their new building project. We also stopped at TK Beads, where they turn recycled bottles into skeins of beautiful, hand-painted beads. Both Grandma Judy and I bought quite a bit to make into necklaces and bracelets when we get home. Very fun.

Day 26 of Ghana

The Blaskes arrived yesterday to bring home their sweet new son/brother, Gabriel! This boy is so excited to go home. Today we all went to a craft bazaar at the Ghana International School. It was very enjoyable. I purchased a few things, which is a big step for me, even outside of Ghana. My personality and training all rebel against ever buying anything which is not almost or totally free. I guess I’m sort of a miser. But I was able to release some of my tightly clenched Cedis to get a few gifts for family members (but SHHH…don’t tell!).

As for future plans and prayer requests, we could really use some prayer for our upcoming trip to the north. We are planning to leave on Thursday and get back on Saturday. Pray for an uneventful drive up (I’d rather be bored than stranded, so do NOT, I tell you, do NOT, by any means, do NOT NOT NOT pray for us to have an adventure) and safety while we are there. Also, please keep in prayer for Baby M. She is doing so much better than before, but has had a fever lately and can only be fed with a syringe. And praise Him that Gabriel is finally going home to his family!

Thought of the Day:

This country is almost too Christian. Everywhere you see signs emblazoned with things like “Abundant Grace Mini Mart” (does that mean food is cheap there?) or “Focus On Jesus Beauty Salon” (because when I focus on Jesus, I immediately feel like I need a facelift) or “God is in Control Taxis” (or even better, “Do Not Fear” across the back of a tro-tro into which people are stuffed like sardines, weaving back and forth across lanes of traffic and swerving around huge potholes) or “In God’s Time Water Supply” (which sounds suspiciously like an excuse to keep the water off as long as they want. “To God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day”). The list of these could go on and on. I’m not sure whether to laugh, smile, or frown at them, but I’m more inclined to laugh.

On a similar note, today I saw a large, professional looking building with white letters that read “UT Bank: A Unique Bank for Real People.”

As opposed to all those other, run-of-the-mill banks for Unreal People. Good. I was really tired of having to get my imaginary friends to do all my banking for me.

And with that, I end this update.

~Rachel~

Grandma Judy's Post

Akwaaba

Upon our arrival at Beacon House in Accra, Ghana, we were greeted by many smiles and Akwaaba … welcome. The children love to sing. Two of their favorites are “Joy, joy, joy, Jesus set me singing” and “Jesus loves me deep and wonderful.” They sing in the classroom, on the playground, and any time there is a willing audience.

Rachel has set up a round robin of teaching stations for the midmorning one hour school session with her nine 5-6 year olds. She teaches the hard stuff, I play one of the educational games we brought, and a volunteer does circle time. We love to play with the children after nap time and I enjoy holding and conversing with the babies

The members of the staff are filled with the love of Jesus and set that example in their care of the children. They are also strict disciplinarians and run a tight ship … very necessary particularly since many of the children come from experiences that we can’t even imagine.

We are already using some of the many items provided by the Noisy Can offering and other donations. Every time there is a power outage at night which happens very frequently, we quickly bring the solar/crank lanterns out to several strategic places such as the stair well, dinning room, and baby house. We have begun teaching the lead baby house mothers how to use the little crank washing machine and they are delighted. Yesterday I gave each of the staff members a pair of ‘kitchen’ gloves with their name written on it. One of the women asked if she could have a pair for her village. Besides using the kitchen gloves for any hand washing, we are teaching them to use exam gloves for changing baby diapers. Gloves and frequent handwashing, with soap of course, are new concepts for the women who recently came to Beacon House from the north; new concepts, but very necessary considering how sick some of these children are or have been. Right now they are all looking so much better than when we arrived … praise the Lord.

The past weeks have been filled with many challenges.

• Technology/electricity issues … buy a Ghanaian ‘hi-tech’ surge protector.
• Heat rash … just live with it until it goes away
• Infected heat rash and bug bites … see local doctor and be issued prescription cream for all of 14 Ghana Cedis (about $12)
• Wobbly table for small washing machine … purchase a new table from the ‘market’ for 10 Ghana Cedis
• Communication (with everyone)… listen better, talk more slowly/simply
• Lack of running water for several days at a time … make sure all barrels and buckets are kept full when water is running
• Stomach flu … just stay in bed ‘til it goes away and hope no one else gets it

I found our Ghanaian ‘market’ experience exciting, but here is what Granddaughter Rachel has to say: There was no escape from it. Stalls, goods, furniture, umbrellas, food, and people were so tightly packed in that you could not stand still for 5 seconds without being in someone’s way. Grandma Judy was almost run over by a huge wooden cart at one point—one of the women who came with us had to pull her out of the way. A little scary, no? And talk about having people notice you! We stood out like brightly colored warts. It seemed like someone was always calling out “Tsssss! Obruni! You buy?” A very cultural experience, to say the least. Add to that heat, dust, mud, sewage, flies by the hundreds, a headache, baskets of shriveled fish carcasses, a rat in the gutter, and exhaustion, and you can probably imagine how ready I am to go back to the Madina market.

In the second half of our stay in Ghana, we will be making a trip up north to deliver medicines and supplies to Mama Laddie’s Foster Home and Nurse Bertilda’s Presbyterian Clinic. While there we will learn more about the Ghanaian culture, visit Granddaughter Lydia’s grandmother, enjoy some very dusty, bumpy roads, and visit Bright’s family in Kumasi. It will be grand!!

Hope all is well in the Pacific Northwest,

Rachel and Grandma Judy

Picture Post

A little one in his Sunday best :)
Sweet baby M..

We are on our way to church..

Just being silly...

Day 19 April 17, 2010

Well…I have now been to the market. I’ll try to describe my impressions of it as succinctly as possible, but since those impressions were negative, it could be difficult. If they were positive, my post would be far briefer. Complaining always takes more words than thankfulness.

First, though, I ought to mention that I dislike shopping. Bores me to tears. I should also point out that I can’t stand having people notice me just because I happen to look different (if it is because of some incredible talent of mine, well, that’s another matter). And as a third premise, “cultural experience” is NOT a phrase that excites me in any way.

All of these pet peeves were outraged by the Madina market. After the first two hours or so I sat down with H (one of the girls from Beacon House who came with us to help out) to watch our things because I was so sick of shopping. There was no escape from it. Stalls, goods, furniture, umbrellas, food, and people were so tightly packed in that you could not stand still for 5 seconds without being in someone’s way. Grandma Judy was almost run over by a huge wooden cart at one point—one of the women who came with us had to pull her out of the way. A little scary, no? And talk about having people notice you! We stood out like brightly colored warts. It seemed like someone was always calling out “Tsssss! Obruni! You buy?” While I was sitting with H, taxis, tro-tros, and people were passing inches away from my nose, and everyone stared at me with unabashed curiosity. One woman tapped my chin as she passed without saying a word. Another person, a man this time, had a LOT to say in a rather angry tone, none of which I could understand. Oh yes. A very cultural experience, to say the least. Add to that heat, dust, mud, sewage, flies by the hundreds, a headache, baskets of shriveled fish carcasses, a rat in the gutter, and exhaustion, and you can probably imagine how ready I am to go back to Madina.

On the other hand, Grandma Judy had a rather enjoyable time. People, this woman is amazing. She was able to find pretty much everything we needed (a metal bucket, veggies, short tables and stools for the baby house), trekked all over that muddy market, pushing her way through hot crowds of people for upwards of 5 hours, and refused to declare herself tired until we were back in the comfort of our room. Not only that, but she is organized to the point that it annoys me. I can’t whine about it though, because she has saved my bacon too many times (not to mention that I was the one who left my bag behind at the food court in the mall twice and had to go retrieve it). And there’s no need for you to remind me about cleanliness, Mom, I am watered and soaped and sanitized constantly.

To get back to my story, when it was (finally) time to leave, one of the women and I took most of the groceries and things in one taxi while Grandma Judy, H, and the other stayed behind. I will never forget that taxi. The driver’s name, as I learned later, was Stephen. All I know is that Stephen has got to be an angel. Either that or God picked up our car while I wasn’t looking. Because only a miracle could have turned that vehicle around it what looked to me like an anthill of people walking around us. When the driver was backing up, people would hit the car to let us know when we were about to run over someone. Not to mention that two lanes of traffic (and I am using “lanes” in its loosest sense) were coming toward us head-on as we were turning.

I guess at this point I should say it was quite an adventure and I’m glad now I went.

It was quite an adventure and I’m glad now I went. There. Happy now?

Thank you Lord for being so wonderful and sending me such a wonderful grandmother. And for reminding me that people are beautiful and broken everywhere.

Sending love your way,

~Rachel~

Day 18

Day 18 of Ghana

On Saturday, we are going to the open-air market in Madina. Everyone who hears me say that gives me the same look--a very expressive look. Having seen it on so many faces, I think I can now translate pretty accurately the complex message it contains.

It goes something like this. "You, dear little naive obruni, have NO idea what you're getting yourself into."

After sending me this telepathic encouragement, most people then proceed to offer advice in the more standard form of communication. As a result, I usually leave the conversation with a fluttery butterfly in my stomach, tapping out yet another message in what I guess is Morse code on my intestinal wall. I don't know Morse code, but I have a feeling translating it would be less than helpful.

At any rate, we are going. We had planned to get to the market by tro-tro, which is the cheapest transportation here, but Grandma Judy saw what one actually looked like when she went to the hospital with Baby M yesterday. We are now taking a taxi. Speaking of Baby M, she is doing much better now, but could still use lots of prayers.

On another note, I had a moment of deep and unmerited pleasure today. It happened in the evening, after yet another grueling game of football. I was talking to Grandma Judy and Ms. Romana about various things when someone (I wonder who?) brought up food. Many tantalizing delicacies which are not easily available here were discussed. These included such extravagances as broccoli, salad, spaghetti sauce, and margarine. I mentioned that I had an insatiable craving for fruit, particularly oranges. "Oh, you can get those here!" Ms. Romana was quick to reassure me. "They don't have the nice thick peel like you are used to, but you cut them and, you know" --she then began to eat an imaginary orange, bending back the peel and sucking the "meat" inside. I could almost feel the juice dripping down my chin.

Did you all know that God is good? He is. REALLY good. Because after our dinner that night, we were walking past the kitchen back to our rooms when Mercy (the cook) stopped us. "Would you like some?" she asked, holding out a slice of something light yellow and juicy and wonderful. An orange. Of course. And what an orange! The BEST slice of fruit I've ever tasted. A small pleasure, you might say. Except that a pleasure is not measured by its size, but how much you want it. And in that respect, this was no small thing. Oh yes. He is SO GOOD.

Happy birthday Jeremiah! You are an awesome brother! Enjoy being 8.

~Rachel~

Day 16

I am about to make a bold statement. Brace yourselves.

When I get home, I will NOT miss Ghana.

(Gasps of wonder are appropriate at this time).

Really, consider it. Miss Ghana? Miss the humidity and heat, miss washing clothes by hand, miss unpredictable, red-faced, head-banging frustration with internet? Miss bumpy, pot-hole-ridden roads? Miss ants and mosquitoes and cockroaches? Miss not understanding three-fourths of what other people say to me?

I don't think so.

Nope. I won't miss Ghana anymore than I miss Washington right now.

(I guess you can gasp here too if you want).

Won't miss it anymore than I miss cool breezes and drizzly, overcast days, obnoxiously loud washing machines, and predictable internet that takes up far more of my time than it should. Not anymore than I miss smooth asphalt roads, or chickens or bunnies or neurotic dogs (sorry Rosy and Dodger), or understanding just a few four-letter words more in overheard conversations than I can comfortably stand.

I really don't miss all that. Really. I don't miss running water! I don't miss the food! I don't miss the cold!

Not that some days I wouldn't pay big money for a hot shower...or an Olive Garden salad (I drooled at the thought of that today)...or a trip to Antarctica.

If that is missing something, than I guess I do miss all that stuff. But I can live without it! I AM living without it. And I'm perfectly fine, thank you very much. When I think of home, is it missing those things that makes my stomach flop, my eyes sting and my heart swell? I'd be surprised if it was. Working computers don't make me feel that way. Steamy baths and scrumptious salads don't either.So what is it that I'm hurting for?

I see an image of sweet, smiling faces and wide, laughing mouths. I get a familiar scent and the feeling of arms around me... and the touch of a smaller hand in mine. I hear the sound of a voice I know saying words I don't get to hear...

It's the people that I miss, sillies. It's the people that I love. It's the people that I ache over late at night. It's you guys! You, my beautiful sisters and brothers. YOU, my incredible parents. YOU, my unique and precious friends. It's YOU I care about!

And, of course, it is people I will miss when I leave Ghana. I won't miss Ghana! Ghana is a place. It is never a place that really matters. It is YOU, dear friends I am just beginning to know. YOU matter. Always and forever. Wherever I am, and wherever you are. I will miss you.

Two Weeks....

~Hello again from Ghana~

It has now officially been two weeks since we arrived here. Amazing. The first 3 days felt like 3 months...now I am asking that age-old question (and one would think SOMEONE would have the answer by now)--"where does the time go?" Grandma Judy and I still spend most of our day just being with the children. My morning class is going much better now, and I think it will continue to improve as we go on. Each one of the kids is unique and wonderful and I LOVE every single one. Hey Mom, are you sure I can't bring one home with me?

Last Sunday we went to church with Ms. Romana and her family. It was a little more subdued than our first Ghanaian church experience, but still very energetic. I knew most of the songs we sang during worship time, which felt great. After church we went to the mall to do some food shopping, and I had pizza for lunch, so I got a very greasy, cheesy taste of home. Mmmmm yummy. We had a great time running around the mall and trying to keep baby Eunice from crying (she came to church with us as well).

We have some plans to get out and see the world this week. On Friday we will most likely go and see a place where they make beads out of recycled glass. I am VERY excited about this; we may buy some beads of our own while we are there. It should be interesting. Then, on Saturday, we are going to the open-air market. We have been warned to put on lots of sunscreen and wear hats. I can't wait to tell you all about our next "cultural" experience!

Please pray for us and the children to stay healthy and safe. And for the continued blessing of electricity and working computers! Thank you all for joining us on our trip.

God bless,

~Rachel~

"Football" and other Fun!

Football (our soccer) is played hard and taken seriously here. In the photo, you see Rachel and Akinyi (Romana's daughter) along with some of the older girls playing against Luka (Romana's son) and some of the boys. They played hard even in the heat of the afternoon. It is fun to watch.

Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday, I was fighting a flu bug. Several of the children had it before me, but fortunately no one has gotten it after me ... yet.

During my illness, I did not have any babies in my care. In the meantime, Romana has reorganized the duties of all of the house mothers/care givers. At present I do not have responsibility for any baby. That, of course, could change at any time. Attached you will find photos of 2 of the babies we cared for. I'll send others later. I will continue to hold them when it seems appropriate.


Soon Rachel will change her mode of teaching her 9 unruly 5-6 year olds. She will set up stations with her doing the lesson, a volunteer doing a circle time, and me doing an educational game (of which we brought quite a few). We each will have 3 children at a time, rotating them every 20 minutes. 70 minutes straight of schooling with one person was just too much for these kids. And Rachel's time came after they had already been with the full time teacher for more than 2 hours. Not an easy task. Hopefully the change will be good.

Yesterday Rachel and I went to church with Romana, her kids, and two other westerners. Afterward we went to the Accra Mall ... very Mall looking, with large and small stores and a food court. We also spent the evening with Romana. During the day, we got some answers to questions, figured out ways to do the shopping we need to do at a variety of place, made a plan to go to Akinyi's piano lesson with her tomorrow, talked about the trip up north, and learned more about the very intricate process of children coming to BH and adoption (to American or Ghana) or foster placement (in Ghana).

This is a house mom making a dish called Banku:

The children are watching a movie that I brought ... one that is family friendly and teaches values. We alternate my movies with the Disney type they are used to. The older children like mine because they are new. The younger ones fall asleep at some point because there is not enough loud action to keep them awake. This movie is almost over so I will attach the photos and send this on its way.

Peace and Joy,

Judy Griffin

Grandma Judy's Day

Last night at circle time prayer, one little three year old said "Bless H (her big sister) and Mommy (her adoptive mother); I want to go to America!!" The photo shows the children just after their prayer time when each child says a prayer followed by an Amen said by all the children. The two in the front are posing of course.



Romana is back ... oh my, she has returned. She is an extremely busy woman and very abrupt. When Romana returned from her various errands (hospital and embassy), she tackled me about not following the baby posted schedule. I put up a great argument about why I should continue with Es as I had been doing. It did no good. I will now have S 3 nights per week night and be 'responsible' for Eu which means I physically take care of her during part of the day, but can hand her over to another house mother when I want to do something else. I must keep informed regarding everything about her ... feeding, pooping, sleeping, rash, etc.

S slept very well last night ... halleluia. He is a sweet 8 month old that looks and weighs like a 2 month old due to starvation. Eu is a good natured little one about 3 months old.

Next week Romana will change the whole schedule of responsibilities for the house mothers so we shall see what comes.

I am headed out to the porch to be available (while juggling baby) to assist Rachel with unruly students. Hopefully she won't need me. The kids are a handful, but she is adjusting to each new challenge.

Peace and joy, Judy

Update !!

Update No. 3

Hello everybody!!!


We are all doing fine. Grandma Judy and I are now caring for two little babies--E during the daytime and S 3 nights a week. S is 8 months old and fits into newborn clothes. They are both just adorable and I love getting to hold them and love on them! I am writing this update with E on my lap, trying to keep her from crying. She refuses to be happy while sitting and will only stop crying if we are standing up, which makes things a little more difficult. One of the volunteers saw me with her and asked how it was being a 16-year-old mother!

Speaking of babies, little M came back from the hospital today! We are praising the Lord for her; she will not even need to have any further injections (we thought before that she would). She will be going back for a checkup on Tuesday, but hopefully all is well.

I am continuing with my teaching endeavours. I now have 9 children from ages 6-8 in my class. We have been trying a few different options for keeping discipline, but so far nothing has worked consistently. We will keep on perservering! Right now I am trying the tack of taking away priveleges from those who disobey me during class--such as storytime or movie night.The kids are really wonderful though. It is so much fun to be around them (even when they are misbehaving).




As of today the power has been on fairly consistently. (THANK YOU Lord!!!) It is a wonderful thing for a Washingtonian who is used to the chilly, the cool, and the comfort of functional fans! It is even more wonderful for a homesick girl who needs to chat with her Momma.

I am sorry that this update is so disjointed. Grandma Judy and I are both tired and ready for a long winter's nap (and I'm thinking of a Washington winter). But there is lots of joy and some pretty amazing God-works going on, and I wouldn't want to miss it.

Not to mention I am here instead of at school, so what am I complaining about?

Thinking of you all constantly,


~Rachel~

Easter in Ghana

Journal Ramblings #2 – Sunday, April 4, Easter Sunday



As you all in the USA west coast are getting up and preparing for Easter worship and celebrations, we have returned to BH from an amazing experience. Mama Shelter, several other house mothers, Rachel, and I took 38 children to church.



We started the walk down the dirt road before 10a and returned to BH at 1:30. When we arrived, all but the 2 infants we brought sat obediently/quietly in their area in the back of the ‘sanctuary’ while we adults were ushered down to about the 5th row of chairs. I tried to stay with the children, but when in Ghana do as the Ghanaians do.



House Mom had warned me that they worship LOUD. It was indeed VERY LOUD. (Next time, I will take my ear plugs.) My goodness the Holy Spirit was a’movin’ in that place. There was singing, dancing, preaching, testimonying, special music, and a children’s dance group. It was wonderful. \



I am blown away at how the children, from toddlers to 10 year olds could sit for a 3 hour church service. I heard reports about a bit of hitting going on, but they all emerged relatively unscathed. They were all very hungry.



It is now after lunch nap time. I have begun typing one handed while juggling E. She is fussy, perhaps hungry, but unsure as she was passed around at church. The various house mothers will not show me how to wash and prepare bottles with water, so that I can do it myself. They just say so-and-so will do it, and I don’t get the bottles.



Some time later: I finally got the person in charge of E today to fix a couple of bottles. E is now fed and sleeping on her side … something the doctor suggested on Saturday. E has a large hernia in about the place of the navel. It protrudes greatly and the house mothers are afraid to put it back in. The doctor showed me how, so that will be one of the campaigns for Rachel and me, along with trying to keep her awake part of each day. She has developed a habit of sleeping all day and fussing all night. Rachel and I are scheduled to have her three nights per week and we need our sleep, therefore little miss E will have to learn a new pattern!!!



I was scheduled to have (another infant) each day … at least part of each day … but so far I have only occasionally helped with her. Her current ‘mother’ is leaving tomorrow, so I will probably be juggling between E and the other baby until Romana returns. At that time, we will try to clarify some duties.



On the whole things are going well and we are learning, sharing, question, listening. The children are talkative, inquisitive, and hungry for attention. We have been warned not to let them get onto our laps or cling to the point of tripping us. That could get out of hand.





Most of the food is better than I expected, although mostly carbohydrates. Starting with next week’s shopping, I will give the Ghanaian BH shopper some money to buy some veggies for us from the Ghanaian market. I am told that if I try to get the things there, they will jack up the price.



We have a list of things to discuss with Romana when she returns and finds a few minutes to conference with us. Things regarding Rachel’s teaching and discipline techniques, our baby schedule, time off for shopping excursions, etc. In the meantime, we learn by doing.





That’s all for now folks … Happy Easter … Judy

Second Update

Update No. 2: April 3, 2010
~Greetings to Everybody from Ghana~
Things are going well here. Rachel continues to enjoy finding out which teaching and discipline techniques work best for her classroom. Grandma Judy loves to learn new things about this incredible culture. Yesterday, she gave a bucket-bath to E, our “day-time baby,” and pronounced it as a two-person job for the future! We eat with the children every day, and spend most of our volunteer time either talking or playing with the children, or holding babies. Rachel also likes to relax and listen to “The Screwtape Letters” or Pastor Rick’s sermons on her iPod.  Yesterday also brought another first: doing laundry without a washing machine or dryer! It’s a new experience seeing all your clothes hung up on a line for everyone to see.


From Rachel:
One of the favorite subjects for conversation around here is “America.” It seems that I get asked at least twice every day where my home is. One of the house mothers asked me some very interesting questions about it. Some examples are: “Your home is very far…is it close to London?” ~No...~ “Is it close to Japan?” ~No…~ “Do all of the children in your house work now?” ~No, only my father works. ~ “But you say it is cold all of the time there. How do you heat the house with all of the children in it?”
The Beacon House kids have some humorous misconceptions as well. Today, I spent some time trying to explain that in America we do “punish!” They wanted all of the details about this—Who gets punished? How do they punish in America? Do you punish? Can your grandmother punish you? Later, I even had one child say: “America or heaven. Which do you choose?” I felt a little better when all of the others chose heaven as well.
I also have some new ideas I am trying to employ for morning school time. We will be doing some memory work outside—months of the year, alphabet, and a Bible verse—and inside I will be teaching basic concepts with numbers and letters. I am learning quickly!




From Judy:
Several of the children have brought me their photo albums given them by their adoptive families. They are very excited to share their new families with me. It is good they are talking about them; it makes these families more real even though they are a world away. One little boy bound for Western Washington asked when his father was coming for him. I reminded him that his family was waiting for paperwork, but they would be here soon. Actually it is his father who is bringing the last of our donated goods … hopefully in a week or two.
I shared my photo album and some video clips with Mama Shelter who remembers Grandchildren Lydia, Jeremiah, Maria. She felt so good about seeing them thrive in their new homes. I will eventually share the photos with the children, but it is hard to do so without being totally overcome with little arms, legs, fingers, and toes.
With Romana (American BH director) gone, communication with the house mothers is often difficult. I will be glad when Romana returns … 3 days, but who’s counting … and we can get some responsibilities clarified. I have a bit of a learning curve to know how to take care of the two little ones who are part-time in my charge.
We really appreciate all of your prayers and thoughts as we continue on this wild ride!
~Rachel and Grandma Judy~

Day 1 and Before

Grandma Judy and Rachel attempted to leave for Ghana on March 25, but after 24 hours and too many flights to count, I drove to Seattle and brought them home. Flying standby can be very frustrating. They were tired but made the best of a day to repack and rest. I drove them back to Seattle on Sunday and (Praise God) they made their flight direct to New York. Once there they retrieved their luggage and made their flight to Accra. I will let Rachel's humorous post fill you in on how that flight went.

Update No. 1: March 31, 2010

~Dear Everybody~

Hello from Ghana! We arrived safely at 7:00 am yesterday morning, and were picked up by Emmanuel at the airport. Did I hear someone ask how our flight was? I did? Well, I’m glad you asked. It was quite atrocious. I’ve never been so disappointed in an airline. First, they gave us seats in first class, when they really should have let us ride up front with the pilot. We were willing to let that slide, being stand-by and all. But when we arrived at our seats we were literally shocked. I decided that I should document the whole flight in photographs so that we could complain to the Delta authorities later.

In the first place, the seats reclined almost all the way flat, and there was a control that allowed you to raise or lower a foot rest. They had provided real blankets and the pillows were bigger than oven mitts. The seats themselves were far more comfortable than regular airplane seats. How in the world were we supposed to sleep in all that luxury?

And they had only provided a few measly feet of legroom. Pathetic.

Then, we had a look at our menus, hoping they would have something edible. Did we find good, wholesome foods provided? A healthy, basic burger and fries? Pizza? Fried chicken? Not a bit of it! Instead, they had all sorts of ridiculous options like “Roasted Chicken a l’Orange” and “Tomato Florentine Soup” and “Swiss Cheese and Mushroom Omelet.” The “Wines” section wasn’t even legible.

When the food finally did arrive, we could barely eat it for fear it would stimulate the vomiting centers.

And then, as a final insult, God wouldn’t even provide a decent view.

Really, Delta, you couldn’t do any better than that?

Anyway we’re here now, and that’s the important thing. J So what have we been doing? Yesterday was kind of a lazy day—we unpacked and reorganized and got to know the children a little bit. Ms. Romana gave us our instructions in a whirlwind because she was packing for her week-long trip, which she left for last night. Tonight, we will be in charge of a baby girl named E. She was born prematurely but is quite happy and chubby now! She still needs to be fed twice every night, however, and that will be our job. During the day, Rachel is going to start as a teacher to the 6-8 year olds every morning from 10:20-11:30. That’s around 4:20am-5:30am in Washington, so if you are awake that early, pray that Rachel would not go completely insane. Who knows? It might work. Actually the kids are great. They’re just like every other child: smart, disobedient, manipulative, and adorable. It should be an interesting two months. In the meantime, Grandma Judy will be helping in the kitchen, learning to cook some Ghanaian dishes, and caring for another little baby named Eunice.

A major prayer request would be for ELECTRICITY. This is a big deal here, and not just because we can’t get on the Internet without it. The food in the freezer goes bad, the washing machine doesn’t work, and the fans aren’t on so the whole place gets HOT. Right now they (not sure who “they” is…government? Power-turner-offers?) are turning off the power intentionally pretty much every day. Pray that that won’t continue for much longer! Also, please pray for M. M is a baby girl suffering from severe malnutrition. She was hospitalized yesterday after a struggle with the nurses who didn’t want to admit her. It’s crazy. In America, they wouldn’t have let her leave the hospital. Here, they won’t let her in!

Otherwise, we’re doing pretty well. We took our first bucket showers last night and found them difficult, but not lethal. We miss everyone living over the water and hope you are all doing well!

From Grandma Judy

We have gone from a luxurious plane ride from JFK to Accra (in Business/First class) to incredible heat, humidity, no electricity until an hour ago, but the cold bucket shower will feel splendid.

Rachel and I are tired, hot, but energized by the children. We have night duty with one baby tomorrow night, so are turning in early tonight after a cold 'shower'.

Will send more tomorrow or the next day. The children are great!!

Peace and Joy,

Judy