Another Update

Ghana Update #2



Friday 21st I did indeed to go the bead factory and oh my what fun!! I am now taking them off the strings and putting them into ziplock



Saturday … Oooops … another power outage lasting until well after bed time. …. To continue from above … I am putting the beads into ziplock bags, marking the prices as I go … a little more organized this time. On the way back to town, we purchased mangos from a grower’s roadside stand … mmmmmmmm-good!!



Saturday 22nd Madina Market Day – Hurrah!! I know that Rachel does not share my enthusiasm, but it was again a blast … very tiring, but great fun. We may have to alter our purchase plan each week due to what comes in from other donation sources. Fruit is the most readily donated and did come in yesterday, so we did not get fruit. Instead, we bought twice as much vegetables (carrots, cabbage, and onions). My purchases are over and above what is on the BH normal shopping list (only enough vegetables to fit easily in your two hands, used mostly as seasoning). We bought a huge box of fish … 30 kilos; I thought the poor spindly young woman carrying our load would surely collapse. Three flats of eggs top the list of eatables.



Two days after arriving, Mercy (the lead cook) asked me if I was planning to do something for the kitchen this year, and if so, she had a suggestion. Last year they used both propane and charcoal for the cooking. Now they use only propane, but have not purchased additional tanks (the large, but totable type). They, therefore, frequently run out, making meal preparation very difficult. If you have guessed what some of the undesignated money has gone for, you are correct. We purchased a cylinder and regulator.



The water shortage (this is the Ghanaian summer) has made water storage more important than ever. Soooo … we brought a huge, heavy plastic bowl for the boys and girls wing and another stainless steel bucket (with lid) for the baby house. I bought another water storage container with my personal money so that while I am here, I will not be a drain on the baby house water storage tanks.



You should have seen the taxi that brought Vero, one of the older boys, me, and all of our stuff back to Beacon House. [Did I mention that I also, personally, purchased sturdy chairs to be used for the baby house staff so they don’t always get up to offer me their one chair?] It was quite a sight and the children and staff were amazed at the load.



Sunday 23rd Church with Romana at the Asberry Church (on Methodist property). It was a rousing good service, complete with the installation of the head elder who is elected from within the group of elders. This was a two hour service (in case Pastor Bill wants to make another hurrah!). After the service, we purchased two of the three water filter systems pledged (it is the Methodist Relief group that organizes the distribution of these filtering systems). ….. Mercy (cook) just came to my window and said “God bless you all for the new filter systems.” The folks here are so grateful for all the Lord is providing through us. I get lots of hugs!



Time to attempt to send this message. Internet service here is slooooow. I will work tomorrow to see if I can get the size of my photos reduced so it doesn't take so long. I also need to work on using a fill flash so that you can see the faces of the people.



Love to all,

Grandma Judy Griffin