Trying to get home & other ramblings

Yesterday Rachel and I spent the whole day from 6:15a to after midnight in the Accra airport trying to get on the one flight per day (4 times per week) from Ghana to the USA on Delta. The flight was supposed to depart at 9:30a, but was delayed until midnight. We went through the three hour process in the morning only to find out we would have to come back or stay until late. Then we did not get on the flight ... there were 5 of us standbys turned away (of those who were approved in the morning). A Delta flight attendant, flying standby, shook her head and says she doesn't understand why the seats are not filled; she felt badly for us, but there was nothing she could do.

So we came back to BH at 1a this morning, woke us the baby house mothers to unlock the gate and hit the sack. We will try again tomorrow morning early.

The process from arrival at the airport to arrival at the gate is the most laborious imaginable.... really more like unimaginable. Rachel counted something like 20 times we had to stand in line and do some process, sometimes repeatedly. Not fun!!

On the brighter side, here are some of the fun things that have been happening.

1) A truck load of pineapple arrived this morning. What fun watching the children, large and small, carrying the pineapples from the huge pile in the front around to the back of the building near the kitchen. Mama Shelter cut the yummy fruit for a mid-morning snack. There was loads for everyone and still many dozens left.

2) Yes, I said Mama Shelter did the kitchen duty. Due to a change in schedule, she has to cook on the weekend as well as manage the boys. She also has done the Saturday shopping at the Madina open-air 'market' the past several weeks. I did not go today, but did so the past two weeks. It is quite an adventure. Shelter is a remarkable woman!!

3) The first weekend Shelter was cooking, she was distracted by a screaming child and badly burned her left forearm and hand. The next day, I took her to the local doctor around the corner who treated the arm, started her on antibiotic, and told her to return in two days. Can you imagine a consultation, treatment, and three prescription meds all for 20 Ghana Cedis (about $15)? As trivial as this seems to us, it is not in the budget of either the staff members or Beacon House. I gladly paid the bill and made sure there was enough on account to cover several weeks of return visits. The folks here really appreciate the little things that Rachel and I are doing to help them and the children. They are great!

4) Most of you know that I am a woodworker and enjoy using my tools. The kitchen needed another cabinet/bookcase type of counter space to put the needed additional water filters. Emanuel (the driver), Isaac (the gatekeeper and general helper) and I went to the 'lumber yard' one day to buy the wood. There were only three sizes of wood, all too long to fit in the car, no way of cutting except with a very dull hand saw. What a challenge!! We finally got to wood to BH, changed our design several times to accommodate the varying thicknesses of wood and crude tools, and eventually finished the rather rough looking, but functional piece (see photos).

5) We now have enough filtered water for everyone to have 'plenty' to drink. Oh, my goodness, did I hear the cries of "I need plenty" when the children were thirsty and there wasn't enough filtered water.

6) Rachel and I spent a fun time one afternoon sorting out and listing our differences. You can see her writing on monica-dailydozen.blogspot.com. We agreed that some of our strengths are also weaknesses and that together we usually balance each other.

7) One of our differences is that I am often very persistent. One case in point was my working hard to finally connect with Ghana Scouters. There is a political problem happening here in the Scouting organization, but finally I located some leaders and spent an enjoyable afternoon sharing ideas and swapping stories. There was not time left in our stay for me to visit any of the youth activities.

8) One Friday I was sent with baby M to see the doctor at Police Hospital (free for the BH kids). She had a persistent fever, usually unrelieved by medication. She was admitted to the ward (hospitalized). I did the admitting process and stayed with her until a BH staff member could come. The hospital staff only administers IV meds and directs the administration of by-mouth meds. Everything else in the care of the child must be done by family, or in this case by BH staff. The next several days staff members did 24 hour shifts. One shift was to be 36 hours, including 2 nights with no sleep. I volunteered to do the second night shift and was packed ready to go when we received word that baby M was to be discharged and sent home. Now, a week later she is looking and doing somewhat better. Julianna, her caregiver is really doing a good job of problem solving, sorting out some of the doctor's orders and how they affect baby M. She is persisting in giving M water with electrolytes and liking the results of less fever, more strength, and more interest in life.

9) Last Sunday Romana took us to an Italian pizza place. It was excellent!!

10) The children were full of hugs when we told them we were leaving ... and again full of hugs when they found us here again this morning. I will really miss them, but am anxious to be with my grandchildren; I miss them very much.

Time to get back to the things we do here. Hope to see you all soon.