Project Serve Ghana 2009

Wrap up

2009-09-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

Well- we are home and getting back into life here in Canada. The team would like to thank everyone who followed the mission, prayed for us and those who are financial partners .. Thank you from us.... Thank you from the people of Ghana..... Thank you for changing a generation.

Peace to you all

For look at the wrap-up newletter, please cut and paste the following into your browser.

http://www.yfccanada.com/files/Ghana2009Wrap_198.pdf

Enjoy!!

Last post From Ghana

2009-08-04T05:27:00.000-07:00

LAST POST – August 3rd, 2009.
Well – we are done….most things anyway. Over 4000 blocks were laid, the masons will continue for a few days and make sure that the structure is roof ready. The road in front has been graded by hand, erosion control measures are complete, friendships have been made, 7 kids will go to school this year because the team is paying their school fees……medical aid has been delivered, and a host of other things. Our full report will be out in a few weeks…. there is just enough time for good-byes……
This will be our last post from Ghana, and maybe the last one we get to do before coming home. But if you don’t hear from us right away when we get off the plane, don't worry - every thing is fine.
Have you seen the movie Apollo 13? Do you recall the scenes where the astronauts are finally on their way home, and must prepare to, then actually re-enter, earth's atmosphere? Pretty intense. Coming home after a mission trip is similar in some ways. You wrap up with where you are, you prepare for the journey, you make the journey, and before you know it it seems like you are hurtling uncontrollably from one world to another. The atmosphere, the smells, the people.... everything changes. Your feet touch ground and suddenly you are supposed to step right back into the life you left. But you can't really, because you've just returned from another world, and you're not the same person you were when you left. Some of your friends and family are okay with the changes, some don't notice at all, while others want you to go back to being the person they were familiar with before your journey. As the "astronaut" returned home, you're 'supposed' to have wonderful stories to share... but sometimes it takes a while to make sense of your experience in another world, and even longer to figure out how to articulate that story in a way that is true and understandable.With this in mind, we would like to offer some helpful suggestions for families and friends of the returning missionaries. These suggestions are intended to help those returning home do so in a responsible manner and help those receiving the returnees to soften the landing. The suggestions we offer come not only out of our own past experiences but on the advice of many who have engaged in a short-term immersion-style mission project. So….here we go.
First, it's important that the people returning have an opportunity for safe space. Oftentimes a returnee will seem very weepy and emotionally down. Don't take it personally. Think of it as the "post-Christmas blues" magnified.
Second, please remember that there will be lots of time to share stories. In fact, you might get a better story, if you wait a while. There will be many questions which will be relatively easy to answer; questions about food, driving, accommodations, construction work. However, even these simple questions can bring about a strong emotional response from the team member. Please don't be surprised if this happens, and be patient. It is a normal part of processing the enormous amount of information a team member has taken in over the last month (they did visit a new world after all!)
Third, fatigue is a reality. There is jet lag, and the emotional impact of having spent a month in constant service and constant relationship building. Please allow team members time to sleep, time to 'chill', and time to be alone. We know you've missed them, but some team members may require more time by themselves than you are used to seeing them take. If you want to make them really happy - find out what they were craving while they were in Ghana and find it for them! In our discussions we've covered topics ranging from favorite doughnut to favorite places to drive. We don't want to belabour this point, so we'll close with this simple suggestion: Recall times when you or friends have experienced things like the post-Christmas blues, baby blues, the sadness of a close friend leaving.... and remember that for the next while the team members will need your patience as they adjust to being home.
A last word regarding our time of de-briefing before we head home. You might expect a call after we settle in at our de-brief location. Please don’t. Unless you have been on a project like this, it is very difficult to explain how important the process of closing the mission is. It is not something you can do “in the field” and unless it is done properly, re-entry into Canadian life can be tougher than necessary. To do this – we need the team to focus, and keeping that focus is hard enough once we arrive in Canada.
The debrief period between the in country work and arriving home is a crucial part of processing the experience. This requires the total focus of the team. Our experience has shown us more than once that a phone call home magnifies the sense of homesickness and emotionally removes the team member from the debriefing process. They really need this "time in between" to re-enter well. Everyone on the team and at home will benefit. Don't worry - you'll see them very soon!!!
So, we ask you to respect the process for the sake of your family member or friend, and those of you who are driving to pick up team members – please do not arrive before 2:30pm on Thursday…thanks.
Now – for some fun stuff… we did an exercise tonight as part of our in-country de-brief……we asked the team to respond to a “finish the sentence” test…..here are some of the results. Some are funny – some profound.
DID YOU KNOW…
…if just one person cares, you can change a life. (Darice)
…that the coldest it gets here is about 12 celcius. (Hayley)
…community is a verb. (Rachel)
…traffic lights are only a suggestion. (Mikaela)
…you can “shake your body to the Lord.” (Jennine)
…church music here is loud enough for heaven to hear it! (Melissa)
…if it looks like chicken and smells like chicken….it’s probably fish! (numerous team members)
…that less than a kilometer from where I will sleep tonight, someone will go to bed hungry. (Tania)
…that putting one person through school here can change as many as 400 lives! (Daryl)
…that two paved lanes can handle 4 lanes of traffic! (Chelsey)
…2 Ghanaians can beat 18 Obruni (white Canadians) on the soccer field :( (Hope)
…you can develop a fear of spiders – overnight!...if you find you are sleeping with one. (Jack)
…if you spend a month learning a song on the guitar, it will take a Ghanaian 10 minutes. (Steve and Jack)
…10 year olds in Ghana can speak 5 languages – fluently!
…speedometer?? What speedometer!!? (Sara)
…that yellow eyes can mean Malaria (Megan)
…and…that you can get up at 4am, do a full day’s work mixing concrete, with a Malaria headache that almost leaves you senseless – and still smile at your workmates. (Isaac)
…you can eat the whole crab, shell and all. (Kim)
…that those hot peppers are so good going in, but really hurt coming out. (Tania)
…that you really can cut your lawn with a machete. (Daryl)
…that my friend Stephen (Ghanaian) has 13 siblings, but only knows the names of 2 of them. Megan)
…that stress is in your head. (Isaac)
…that traffic jams are convenient if you have shopping to do.
…and, if you drive around long enough, eventually, what you are looking for will come to your window. (Tania)
…Ghanaians are aware that we (in the west) can help them (Africa), but we don’t choose to. Alexas)
…eve n though the people have so little, their faith is so strong. (Jack)
…families of 400 people and more, actually stay in contact with each other. (Steve)
…education in Ghana is a privilege, not a right. (Don)
…the scarier a big Ghanaian looks, the bigger the smile when you wave at them.
…everyone in the community looks after the children. (Hope)
…if you wake up breathing, it’s a good day. (Sara)
…a Ghanaian home is not restricted to a building. (Jennine)
…people don’t choose “favourites” in Ghana. (Melissa)
…Alexas will fold your clothes if you leave them long enough. (Mikaela)
…it took ½ an hour for Megan and Rachel to agree on soap placement. (Melissa)
…you should never get on the bus until Daryl is done talking. (Hope)
…there really is a “First Canadian Bank of Ghana and Cup of God’s Eternal Blessing Coffee Shop International.” (Daryl is the proprietor)
…that no matter how much you miss your family and want to see them, that it still hurts to leave here. (Hayley)
WHO KNEW??
See you all when we get home.
PS - if you are hoping to pick up team members and you are NOT one of the scheduled drivers, please contact Jason for instructions....

Daryl

Quick Ghana update Aug 2nd.

2009-08-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

Daryl asked me to post that he will be posting important re-entry information for parents and friends on monday, this will be the last post from Ghana. Feel free to comment and the messages will get read after they are home. Further details on pickup etc will be coming before Thurs. Thanks to all the folks supporting and your comments, it is extremely important and critical to the success of the mission.

Have a great day.
Jas

July 27th Update

2009-07-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks at home, Daryl here….. sorry this has taken a while. We have been sitting around, soaking up the sun, relaxing in the waves, etc…..and really could not be bothered to get to the internet café…….NOT!! It’s been a really busy week, and transport into town to get to the café has been tough…..not to mention just finding the time.

The team is well….I was so impressed with them on Thursday when they all just dug in and moved 900 blocks up the stairs……wow – the carpenter working with us kept looking at Samuel and asking…”Where did you get these people?” The masons (ODK and Atta) are having fun, because the amount of material they can receive is allowing them to race against themselves and see how many block they can lay in a day….so far their best is about 245 between the two of them….pretty impressive.

Below you will find posts that begin the evening of the 20th and additions that came periodically over the week… just read from the top down. The last entry was made today (July 27th in the morning)

I do want to make a comment about this last week and preparing to go home. The last week is always hard…people are tired and feeling a bit emotionally burnt out. Thoughts of home can be motivating and also destructive. The more you talk about home, the harder it is to focus on the task we have….so I have a request. Please avoid or limit phrases like…..”Can’t wait to see you.”, “The pizza will be waiting…” etc…. Encouragement to stay focused and on task – “I’m proud of you.” “Keep up the great work….” Etc….those are very helpful. We can’t afford for them to get seriously homesick now.

I will write some suggestions about helping the team re-enter Canadian life later this week. Thanks for your understanding. Blessings to you all.

Daryl

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Hey Nadia!
This is Paul your Ghanaian friend writing to say hi to everybody back home. I’m having fun with everyone here in Kokrobite. It’s a real joy for me to have met a couple of new wonderful friends once again. I’m really happy for having them around me and really wish they stay forever and let’s have fun together.
Hey you Nadia, what’s going on with you, I was expecting you and you never shown up, do hope you are doing well, you should be busy now with work since you are on holidays. Workhard for it’s good to work but don’t over work but break and have some fun. How is school and when are you going back to school, you still have some couple of years left, finish hard baby for I’m with you in Prayers. May the good Lord bless you and direct you in whatever you do. You owe me because you did not reply my last e-mail. Do say a prayer and say one for me.
And you Sarah, it has been a longtime, how is your husband and family life like, I’m happy for you guys for that was such an amazing thing to have happened to you. I’m really proud of you like wise everyone else in Ghana. I wish you guys a happy marriage and a sustainable one of course. I pray and hope the good Lord may show his mercy and love to you guys and may you continue to serve Him in truth and in pure heart. May the Lord bless your womb and you shall multiply and fill the earth. Say hello to Nathan and everyone around you, take care and be bless in the Lord. Do hope to see you next time around. Miss you all and love everyone. Bye.
Paul.

Hey everyone! Its Haley…
I can’t believe you guys saw harry potter!!! Was it good??? If devin thought it was creepy then its probably awesome :P still no posts from my brothers… how bought I take back the kushkas I bought for you?? :( would that make you talk to me?? believe it or not… in africa, I don’t like fish lol (will explain when I get back :P) OH Joanna.. love how me and sara are a SIDE NOTE in your post. Do we not get a separate shout out?? Im gonna beat you up when we get back… MOM as soon as they read about the spicy fries and cotton candy ice cream Don was like ooohhhh that sounds so good lol :D i miss home :P and DUH you miss my cleaning abilities cuz I’m AMAZING!! I miss being called a loser, as soon as steph said that I felt all warm and fuzzy, cuz I’m weird like that :D
ZACK. I can’t believe that adam and max are picking up… lol that’s just weird. AND your reading a book!!! What book?? Home is just falling apart without me! I should come back to set things straight :P tell adam I give him a high five though lol and can’t wait to see his washboard abs when I get back ;)
Zack, you can’t just say stuff isn’t going well at home… that just bugs me. you know I hate that and I can’t be there to make you feel better or help you out!! Your killing me here babe. Stop it.
I am so excited for the book <3 you have no idea. oh and for the spelling thing… type your thing in word first and spell check it then paste it onto the blog lol
So glad people have been writing to me!! those who haven’t, I’m not getting you anything!!!
PS. DAD. IT IS NOT A PATIO!! IT JUST A PLACE TO PUT THE BARBEQUE. IF IT WAS A PATIO, IT WOULD BE BIGGER AND WE WOULD PUT CHAIRS ON IT!!
I miss you all <3 love you all <3 can’t wait to come back and see you <3
(zack <3 nine months in four days <3 probly wont be able to post til after so love you <3)
BYEEEEE <3

Hey Its Chelsey…<3
So I just heard from you all and I’m sure I shouldn’t be writing this soon but oh well. Like I said I was forgetting something before. Im very very sorry but Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Hope you two had a good day and I swear I didn’t forget I just always forget to write things on here!! And this blog will be posted like 2 weeks after. Love yous<3 oxox. Did you read how many blocks we have moved!! Crazy but trust me it defiantly feels like it. The soreness has defiantly gone away now that we are on our third week. Its weird that next week is our last work week. So today me and megan were sent to finish carrying the blocks from outside of the wall to inside. The pile of rocks is like a hotel for every creepy and crawly animal possible!! There are what we call snizards (half snake and lizard) normally there are a bunch of little once but today we found a big one. Many MANY spiders and today we found two huge ones. Like baby tarantulas I swear lol. And I had one of those climb up my leg, creepy!! And then one was on my neck but it was a little smaller. At first I thought it was my hair but nope. And I found my second small scorpion and had to kill it. There neat to see but you gotta kill them so they don’t get aaway and pop up on you again. So me and meg had some laughs. Meg also found a big centipede and when I came out she was laughing and freaking telling me to look under a block. It was funny. We got pictures of it. Im glad everything is still good at home. mom----REZ!?!? Yes or noo. Or is there a reason your not telling me. If no start looking for cheap apartments lol and I hope you are handeling everything else well too….And because you love me so much can you do me a huge favour and get an oil change on my car. You can use my money obviously or I will pay you when I get home. I just know my car defiantly needed one and just in case you have been secretly driving it. Hey to dad. Glad to see you have started the house. Its going to be weird seeing it a different colour after almost 19 years of seeing it white. Its not going to be the white house across from the park anymore. I didn’t know you were going to start it yet but hope its all going well and I’m sure it will look great when I get back.. any help or are you by yourself? You always do a good job anyway. Plus remember Karli is there and if she wants to be a strong as me when I get back then she better start some hard physical labour too. Maybe I’ll be able to win some fights now. Ha-ha jokes. I always win :P Hey Grubby!!! Love you and miss you a lot. Miss talking to you…I know you would probably say whatever but I do miss you!! Hope all is well with everything. Hey to Owen. Glad to finally here from you. No we haven’t got your messages but I hope you have figured it out now. Anything new or exciting in Colborne?? It is very hot now too, well today was. Got my first tan haha. Glad to see your still givin’r I guess lol. Must have been a fun night and a “wonderful” morning haha. But can’t wait to see you and everyone else. Ghana is good as expected and very different. Miss Canada… But hopefully I can write another one before this goes up but if not I will talk to you all soon. Much love to Wawa and Colborne!! Miss yous....xoxoxoxo Chels<3 ;)

Hey its Melissa and you know mom hard boiled eggs will never sound yummy nor will bananas :((EWWW!!!) yet guess what I wake up every other morning to…:O… glad things are going well at home and I’m really hoping the pool is nice, warm and blue for me when I get back. Oh btw I’m in love with deep fried beef now so uncle harry and uncle Pete should be very impressed with that-not the deep frying I know that’s not too healthy but then again neither is the yummy donuts we’ve been having for breakfast some days either(yes mark be jealous).
Well I must say these last couple days I have really missed both family and friends. So I decided when I come home I’m spending one full day at home-impressive and surprising I know-and then I’ll go to friends the next day. Oh mom if you see Kristina tell her I bought her a necklace and she better like it!! Also if you see Mitch or James ask them if they want anything while I’m here they’ll prob say no but that’s ok I'll just buy them kushkas(a very entertaining game involving 2 balls that bounce together in your hand to make noise and music while being challenging to grab both balls(I plan to teach you when I get home)
So we played soccer against another school and again lost…we need to practice. It was very depressing though when the headmaster said they had been saving money for four years and us giving them a set of jerseys and 2 soccer balls was amazing for them. Also we had a children’s game night. It was lots of fun and the children are adorable.
I bet you will never guess what I found today…the ability to watch the OC which I happen to be doing now. One of our Ghanaian cooks, Regina, loves the show too. Hehe first season marathon! Turns out I’m not the only fan. Btw I’m still wondering about that puppy and also I want to go shopping when I get home and see harry potter… :)
So mark and dad how did your birthdays go? Are you behaving yourselves and doing ALL the HARD WORK I normally do around the house? See it’s hard being me haha. I miss molson :( and lucky and sauny and pep and whicky and yes even crazy miki(those creepy eyes staring at you from everywhere really seem important when they’re not there anymore:(). Are the renovations all done? You guys better not have used the shower :|! Are there any funny stories that have happened that you guys would like to enlighten me with? People seem to think you guys are funny for some reason…dunno why either I guess they are crazy. And thank you for giving out the blog I would love to hear from other people. Too bad I forgot to tell anybody but in a way I am happy because I’m not sure what some of my friends would say…dad if they do don’t read :P kidding.
Well anyways love you guys so much and miss you,
Melissa :) <3

Hey Jas, good job on your post… it was nice and long. And Thank you Jaymie and Matt I really like hearing from you, so make sure you write me from Nanny and Poppa’s to let me know that you have not drowned in the creek or been carried away by mosquitoes! You should be proud of your mom she is putting the 17 year olds to shame by carrying a tonne more blocks up the stairs then them … I have to keep this short because it is late and I am in the dining room but I send my love to you all, I will be home b4 u no it! Hope sends her love to you as well and I want to thank Nod for the shout-out. Wish you were all here, Kim
Ps … I am wondering who is wearing my underwear too? Something you want to tell me? and how did the yard sale go? Am I coming home to any possessions?

Hey there it’s Tania,

I received your post Megan. I’m glad to hear that the wedding went well and that the boys are doing well also! I miss all the kids so much! Nathaniel must be saying so much now! I hope that Kieran and Nathaniel are getting along well. I have been writing a journal every night for Cameron to read when we get home, let him know for me. Tell him that I miss him and I think about him every day!
Mom and Dad, I received your posts. I can’t believe your adding to your stroller collection!! Eight isn’t enough!?! I’m glad to hear from Owen and Bril, tell them that I miss them and I have some gifts for them when I get home. Dad, no I’m not sleeping at night. The malaria pills are causing crazy dreams all night long! The food is good for the most part. Snails are my least favorite meat, but I haven’t had bush rat yet (that’s next week). Today I had a fishy casserole complete with bones and eye balls! Over all the food is not bad, some of it I plan to make when we get home!!! Yes, my pipes are massive! You may be able to out run me but I can now bench press you. LOL!
Amber and Kaleb, I miss you guys too especially Kaleb…wink, wink. Sorry to hear about your car. Hope all is better now. I have seen so much here I have so much to tell you two when I get home.
It’s raining here today. I hear it’s doing that at home also. We did have a few nice days which allowed us to do the “tourist” thing. We went to the beach the waves rocked! We also went to Cape Coast where we did a rainforest canopy walk 140 feet in the air! I did it, I cried, but I did it! We also went to St. George’s slave castle. I can’t comprehend the horror these people went through! I felt sick to my stomach and embarrassed that the slave trade even occurred. What else blows my mind is that the people here where rapped beaten and stolen from their homeland, forced into slavery and yet have no anger or animosity over any of it! These people are amazing.
Well I better get going I hope I’m not forgetting anyone. Oh, Pastor Judy hello, I hope you are well. Grandma, I finished the book and I really liked it. Now I really am going. TTYL Tania xoxo

P.S. Hi Zack <3

AHMED Darcie talks about you all the time! It’s making me sick!!!LOL!!

Hey everyone its Darcie,

Hope you all are doing well and keeping busy. Having some great and bright sunshine, we get it sometimes mostly just cloud cover and some showers. So yesterday was a very busy day… we woke up and did some work on the compound until lunch. Then we got ready for another football game, and since I am in Africa I will us it by the name that they call it here. We drove up to the school and all of the kids were there and were to watch us omg!!! There had to been about 2-300 kids there watching us or at least it felt like it. But I still played… I had this one girl come up to me “are you going to play? I don’t think so you run and you just fall over, you are too big to play” I said I would do my best…we lost 2-3 a way better improvement from last time. After the game the girl found me and said “okay okay you can play” lol so does that mean I have skills? What else….I guess shout outs…mom..Thank you for letting me know about my ticket and thank you for getting it for me! and give a great big hug to bear for me I miss him and it almost made me cry thinking about him running to you, also tell Carissa about her part in the blog if she doesn’t read it. Carissa…keep your promise you know what I am talking about. Whit …all I can say is I am still jealous. Ang…you better be still hangings in there haven’t heard from you and I hope your date went well you still need to fill me in on that. Heather….how is Brett working out, is he driving you crazy yet? Missing me lol? Ahmed…you should read some of the other peoples blogs some wrote messages for you. And it is spelt like this I…..L.O.V.E……..Y.O.U. I don’t think it is that hard. I love you baby miss you so much and I talk about you all the time lol. Can’t wait to give you a call when I am back in the country so I can hear that voice of yours. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.

Hi Everyone, Hope here. Feeling emotional today, so I’ll try not to leak all over you. Jas, you made us all laugh the most last night. Nadia and Sarah, are there any other Stogryn’s, Veit’s, or Ferguson’s out there? Could you help them figure out how to write to us? (Nathan too!!) By the way Sarah, you wrote exactly the right thing, one could think you had been here before with us. (hehe). Any chance Penny and Lawrence could set up a group blog from St Paul’s. I guess my message is that it is not enough to just follow us on the blog. We like to hear from our family and friends. Otherwise, every thing is fine. Nathan, I am carrying on your tradition of practical jokes…..don’t tell Patrick it was me……Comfort is sewing up a storm and loving every minute of it. Oh, and Elmina slave castle was amazing (and disturbing)…The Portugese and Dutch loved their low doorways and steep stairs. Emma is still asking hard Questions and he told us last night he will start on his masters in September. We are so proud of him we could bust. Somebody tell Becky and Dillon I said Hi and to please give all my Doggies an extra hug. I miss them all. A special note to the Otter clan….We are delighted to report Sara has fallen in love with a Ghanaian named Bob. Picture to follow. We haven’t set a bride price for her yet. Sorry if this all sounds like gibberish to those of you who haven’t been here. Everybody say an extra prayer for us today, you never know when we will.
Love Hope

Dear Ahmed I personally think that you should read over what a guy named Zach has posted and learn from him. Darcie loves you and misses you very much and is not getting much of any emotions back and I think it is making her sad. She talks about you all the time and you sound like a great guy and a perfect match for her personality and I know it would mean a lot to her to get a nice message from you.

Hey its Lex!
Hope all is well on the home front! and just to clear this up we never actually met Obama- you nerrrds…and I quote “he came to Ghana and all the little kids were running out yelling Obama, Obama at a-helicopter :P” that’s partially what made it so funny…but yeah he didn’t come to Kokrobitey and personally introduce himself to us! But it would have been quite the story.
We have had quite the week..we moved 900 blocks before 11:35am one day:) girl power…lol something that runs in the fam I guess:) We have been making a lot of progress on the compound and you can actually see the difference!
We went to Borthianor yesterday a village about 10 mins from here and played soccer against school kid’s ..once again we got killed!.. I never knew it would be so much fun getting my butt kicked my nine year olds for the second time in 3 weeks! And the audience was so much bigger this time. We had children’s games night at the church last night(Friday) which was super fun! our team gave the kids some stickers and most of the children didn’t know what they were, sad yet cute. Today (Saturday) we picked up garbage in the town with local Ghanaians from the church – it was pretty interesting if that’s the way to describe it..lol and we picked up a lot but there is still so much more because there isn’t actual garbage cans. We have been keeping really busy around here and time is going way to fast..home in 12days leaving Africa in 10! I am going to be so sad I have met some really amazing people..Daniel (my African dad) Edmund,Regina,Alfred,Mary,Gifty,Samuel,Theodica,Comfort,Joshua,Kimbell&baby Israel..are all people who we have been living with the whole time! So it is seriously going to kill me to leave them! Howevs, I do miss you guys and I hope your all taking care! [Daniz, were in Canada on the 5th and home on the 6th hopefully your down on the 7th!!!! cause I love you! Thanks for everything - what I wanted you to print off was my signature pages but then I realized mom would have to sign them so duh on my behalf| can you make sure she made me an appoint at the bank? and thanks again you’re the best!.. I don’t know if I've wrote cause we haven’t got updates yet but whatev…I give up on that!] I love it here but Canadian home is slowly creeping up..and we have a long day at Church tomorrow so I got to go! See you all next week …I guess! Love ya too much..Peace out homies!
Ps. Aunt Dawn & Gram I know you have accounts lol so where’s the messages! Love you! And the reason I said next week is cause I know this won’t be posted until Monday! Have a good one!

Hey its Chelsey again.
Just adding quickly what we did this week in addition to my first blog. So this is 5 days after my first blog. We had kids night on Friday and played a lot of games with the local children at the church. It was a lot of fun!! All the kids are cute as always. I met this little girl named Charity. We stayed beside me all night. We also go to play soccer that day in a local village. They obviously beat us again but it was a really fun game. Made me feel at home. It was a really hot day. It was like three schools came to watch, so it was very intimidating but I think we did good. We did the garbage cleanup today in the village. We started around eight and the church helped. By the end we had local kids asking for gloves and joining in to, so that was really nice to see. Two little children around 5 years old carrying a garbage bag around for us so it was really cute. Met some more friends too and the village got to see us working which was also good. The garbage on the sides of the road is unbelievable so it was good to help. The weather is still nice and we actually moved 900 blocks before 1130 on Thursday morning so I would say we are doing amazing. And we are all looking amazing too hahaha lots of muscles!! :P Its nice to see the finished project and we are doing so good that we might even be done 2 day. s ahead of schedule so we have more time for other projects which is really good. But I think that’s it for now. Because I already said hey in my first blog and everything ill just say a quick hey again and everything here is still amazing. Times almost up though which is sad because it’s amazing here. The people are wonderful! But I can’t wait to hear from you all soon. Hope everything is still good and love you all loads as always. You know who you are. Family and friends!! Love you.. Chelsey <3 xoxoxooxo

Hi everybody, its Don.

Hope all is well at home. Cameron and Kieran I miss you both and Mom and I will be home soon. We are very busy here but we are getting lots of work done. In one day we moved 900 blocks which is 36000 pounds of bricks and that was before lunch. The team threw me an awesome birthday surprise party. It was very cool. They made balloons cake and cupcakes. The cake was amazing and the team made me feel very special on my birthday . Hope this message finds everyone well at home Tania and I love the posts we receive keep them coming. Give the boys a big hug and kiss from us and tell them that we will be home soon. I will try and write again before then. Much love from Africa Don

Hey all, Jack here…
Hah Jeff boss good to hear from yah, lookin forward to hanging out with yah man and sharing some stories. I hope everything is well with yah and you’re keeping Dad updated. I haven’t heard from him in yet, but we haven’t had updates in a while. Life is good here, really enjoying myself and time has really flown, I think you’ll enjoy some stories I got for yah. Joey thanks for the shout out boss, great to hear from yah man (although keep your stories to yourself, lol ill be back in a week.) Tell the guys I say hey and missing Colborne and everything that goes with it, but I’m also quite enjoying myself. I’m hoping I’ll have a surprise for everyone. Hey Dad if you’re reading this I hope all is great with yah and the two idiots, I actually kinda miss them. Hah I can’t wait to sit with yah and tell you all about it. If you can, Tell Shaun I said happy late birthday and hope it was great for him. But yah, miss ya all…can’t wait to get back to Colborne. Owe, make sure everyone’s ready for my glorious return, lmao. Alright see yah…

Jack
PS ohh and Dar, hah haven’t forgot about yah, I hope everything is great with the family and with you. Send my love to everyone and it’d be nice to hear from you… hah that’s it.
PPS oh I’m almost out of salt

Hey it's Meg - hitting the home stretch now which is nuts, time fly’s really. I have no idea what I wrote in my last blog but I guess I’ll brief it - we went to the market last week and I only got ripped off once which is great news… I’m getting good at the whole bargaining thing, the power really does go out every other day, it been sunny for about a week now - NO RAIN ! which is a bonus & then some … went to Bortianor to play soccer (football) and it was really fun - this guy came over with two drums pointed at me and said “you play!” it was really embarrassing cause as we all know I have no musical talent whatsoever … but I got a video of it so you’ll be able to see the embarrassing moment ! On Friday it was children’s night at the church and it was an absolute blast – all the kids had so much fun laughed hysterically playing games and what not with thee “Obruny” we did an environmental clean up today and walked around the village picking up garbage, it’s sad because there is so much & there is so much we weren’t allowed to pick up because it’s dangerous, we’ve done lots and I’m having a blast, the last few days I really did not feel so hot cause I had a pounding head ache that wouldn’t go away it was unstoppable ! but 3 days later here I am happy and excited that I’m not going to be sick for the last week we are here … making lots of friends! Went to church today and you gotta love church in Ghana “HOW MANY OF YOU CANADIANS HAVE EVER SHOUTED TO THE LORD!? WELLL SHOUT TO THE LORD - AND SHAKE YOUR BODDDYYY FOR THE LORD!”… ( Alexas explained about Barack I believe! .. hilarious) Mmmm... Hey mom & fam – Isaac your message was hilarious got a kick outta it – Eliza I’ll try for a dress if we get to go back to the market, please don’t get your hopes up but I’ll try and use those bargaining skills - we did of course get you something small already – Blake glad you have some one to teach you the ropes on a computer (Thanks Tara, and p.s. of course I remember you ! It' not like I forgot you in a day, I also know you have been to Africa, animals I believe ? I will show you pics & say hi to the villagers) Blake we do have a date it’s to see HARRY POTTER! Hope you’re as excited as I am, love you see you in 10 days :) … COLBORNE – not too much longer till we get home - hope you’re not having too much fun without us love you guys & I’ll talk to you soon …… ps. You all know what time it is when we get home? I hope so … (ps.dad how’s the lap top?) (pps only 500 more blocks!! Woo hoo)

Hey, it’s Rachel.
Though we still have a week+ left, I am confident that this has been one of, if not the, fastest month in my life. There have been days with quite a bit of down time, which is essential, and days with only a moment’s rest. Now that we’re down to the countdown, I am trying to soak in as many moments as I can---and appreciate the experience they give me…I am afraid I will go home and wish I could go to ‘that place’ for “just one more time!”. This week or so has been good for those experiences, as the other weeks have been. We worked with the children in the Kokrobite church on a games night (super good time, despite our fatigue going in to the evening) on Friday, and on Saturday morning for a couple hours we stretched on some latex gloves and picked up litter on the side of the road throughout the village. Though we picked a good trunk’s worth of garbage bags, there is enough trash here to sustain a lifetime of garbage picking---one of the heartbreaking aspects of Africa. On Saturday afternoon, a young local friend, Joshua, led Daryl, Jennine and I to his home. This meant we walked in, over, and through the homes and lives of the civilians here in Kokrobite, and saw how people really live here. It’s hard to explain in writing what it was like---kind of like a giant dirt backyard, with houses ranging in quality and stability throughout. From our perspective, we don’t see any borders of one “property” from another. When Daryl asked Joshua where his home was, he did a side-to-side motion with his hand and said “this is my home”---a gesture to show that the 2 or 3 structures surrounding him housed him and most likely the majority of his extended family, if not more. Seeing these living conditions adds a whole different level of my perception of understanding and appreciating the quality of the lives of those here in Ghana. Anyway---that’s it for now. (I’m late to my date of exchanging money to the Canadian Bank of Ghana---aka, Daryl.) Can’t wait to hear from everybody—and I’ll see you in 11 days! (Have a fruit salad ready for me!!!) Hope you’re all doing well. –Rachel.

KIM - So time is flying like it always does here in Ghana and we are doing amazing work on the construction site. Today (Friday July 24th) we have another soccer game … it’s my plan to twist my ankle while doing concrete this morning so that I don’t have to play (but don’t tell) … but seriously this soccer playing thing is the hardest thing we do…. I keep picturing myself spontaneously combusting! Oh well as always we will get though the hard stuff as a team. Any way I should not complain because this morning is concrete and I Love concrete!!! Really I do! And then tonight we have a games night that will be a lot like youth group, Carla I wish you were here we would rock Kokrobite! I hope your move went smoothly I can’t wait to see the new place.
I miss you all like crazy! Dawn have you picked a date for Gabriel’s party? Jas have you got the details on the cottage? Girls have we figured out a time / location for the 15th? I know the last week and a bit will be gone before I know it so pray that I can make the most of the time I have left and I will see you on the other side of the ocean. <3 k

Hey its Sara
I don’t wanna leave.
Hi mom and dad. Yes we did play soccer two games already we obviously lost both. These kids are terrifyingly intense. We have been to the beach a couple of times, the waves are huge and it is always so much fun. So much work has been done that we will be probably done earlier than planned. YAY! How’s the house coming along? We went to a canopy walk and I almost cried it was so high and we walked across a rope ladder which was very shaky no help from Isaac. So hey family, love you all miss you but I can wait until I come home.
To AHMED I think for both you and Darcie’s sake you should take some lesson of blog postings from Zack.
To Zack ha-ha hey buddy we always get a good chuckle out of your blogs but come on Haley isn’t the only one here!!!
Alright I am out for now thanks for your blogs posts, and prayers.
Sara

Hey everyone, this is amazingly good looking and humble Isaac (everyone cheers from lack of hearing from me), today I am going on a pretty much all day taxi ride with George just to hang out and suchly, hope I have fun. I am writing waiting for him to show up so you know where I am coming from. Hope your all good at home, one week left, kinda ready to be home, think I hear George….

I am doing ok and feeling fine, nope wasn’t George, and other than my revelation that this is my last time to Ghana I am mostly stable lol. Don’t know what much to say and my legs are killing me so kinda hard to think through, I ran up and down stairs all day Thursday with blocks, then did a half day work and two soccer matches Friday, then a half day environmental pick up on Saturday dancing church Sunday and swimming against hard undertow Sunday evening (and went a whole 50’ on a body surfed wave WOOT), essentially every muscle in my legs is constantly aching so much that it’s dangerous getting in and out of my top bunk, never had this much and such wide spread pain anywhere, k enough whining.

How are all you at home, I want to know, Nadia, Esi, Nate, Sarah, Kelly, Emma all of you, and Nadia where are Aunt Tracy and Josh, please accost them, also where are my grandparents!!!???, maybe it’s all of you that have fallen off the face of the earth and not myself.
Nadia I will have you know that Jack is taking care of his duties well enough and the license it taped to the wall in our room, also the Malta is spectacular and I have had numerous bottles this trip, Mmmmmmmm, k well I have talked myself out, sorry to all of you who don’t know me that I put you through all this, you really didn’t have to read it, anyway, Nadia if you could just check on Emma for me that’d be great and all of you write lots, Zack if your reading this I will have you know that the more you write the farther toward the floor people fall, please write as much as you can, (<3), anyway, I think I am done now and see you all in 10 days or so, Love life and Laughter to all.
1Corinth 13:7

Picture update July 27th!!!

2009-07-27T15:04:00.001-07:00

July 23rd quick update.

2009-07-23T15:47:00.001-07:00

Hello home!!  Can't get a blog post up until the weekend probably, but wanted to get a short note out today.

The team gets stronger every day.  Today, in less then 4 hours we moved over 900 blocks up to the level we are working on. That is a record.  The Ghanains who work with us kept stopping and commenting in amazement. They could not believe it.  The twm was really pumped afterwards, they could hardly believe it themselves.

Don, Steve and Daryl had a formal meeting with the chief of the village today.  What a cool experience to observe the ancient customs and protocol of greeting the local "stool" (seat of power)

One special request for prayer. On the way to meet the chief, Daniel mentioned that the strange weather has really affected the fishing.  We have watched the fishing boats return from the sea, and many are coming in empty after a day's work on the ocean.    Not good for a fish based economy and food-source.  Please pray that their needs would be met. And for a return of the fish.

Thanks all.

Have a great day.
Daryl

July 16th update & Pics

2009-07-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Followers of the Ghana Team blog Daryl wanted be to note that there power is out from 8am to 6pm every day but weekends. They are repairing the lines in the village, so this means that they are limited to evening to do anything requiring power. No big deal, just slows things down.

You will notice that I have posted 4 new sections here in order they where written.
Have fun, support the team with your comments and prayers
-Jason

Pictures!!!!

Answer to some questions

2009-07-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks - me again (Daryl)

just to answer a couple of questions before I get kicked off the internet - there is a line up here.

1) yes the rains stopped....for now, but the damage is pretty exptensive in some areas. On the way through the villages to the main road we pass through Bortianor, and the rain has been so heavy that 4 days after it stopped (today) there is still a stream of water running out of the hills washing away the road. They repair it 24 hours with rocks and sand bags trying to stopp the flow and every day more of the road disappears....but - they are such a resiliant people.......

2) the berm we built last year saved the entrance to the YFC centre. the damage in the photo begins south of where our trench ends - in short, our repair last year did exactly what we expected and Ghana YFC is thrilled because once they make it up the road (a whole different story - the ruts are two feet deep in places!) they can get into the compound. Not everyone on the road can do that. Well done 2008 team!! Our berm and the ditch we filled with big rocks worked like a charm...

3) the Obama vists just screwed up traffic....but there was some exciement for sure....

4) the Michael Jackson thing.....also screwed up traffic - but for different reasons.....and we here his name in evry other conversation...a little surreal for sure.

More next week I hope. Sorry for the delays - TIA :)

Daryl

July 16th updates

2009-07-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hi folks, it’s Daryl.
It has been a bit tough to get on-line the last while, but we are back. Thank you to all who write to the team, it is fun to hear the news and encouragement from home. I have sent posts for in three sections – Jason will probably post them in order from oldest to newest so that they stay in the right order on the blog…. There is lot’s to tell.
The team is well, and they are working very hard. I pulled my back out a bit on Tuesday, so did light duty yesterday – and today some admin stuff. Here are some stat’s for those who want them…
We have moved over 1500 blocks up to the second level of the building since we started. A good mason is expected to lay 100 block per day – our two masons are laying 110 to 120 per day each, because the team can feed them material so fast. The head mason ODK, who we have worked with for years, said to Daniel Dzunu a couple of days ago, “If all the teams that have ever come here were as dedicated as the Canadians, this project would have been done years ago.” A high compliment from a man who is usually pretty silent. So – do the math…..they are laying about 220 to 240 blocks per day and we have 12 or so work days left…..and only 750 blocks ready to use (make that 735 – they just laid 15 more!!) Therefore, as long as the team can lift and we have money, we will buy blocks and cement and feed the masons what they love most……and, if all goes well we will complete one entire phase, which will be twice to three times what was expected. You can be very proud of these young Canadians – I know that I am. I would love to see a well funded team here once a year and just get this project done….we will see what God has in mind.
All of the team are well for the most part – no serious mishaps or injuries, in fact some of them are looking pretty trim right now! :)
I am going to send a few pics and try a video as well by early next week..
There is more news from kids below – both about the project and notes to home, etc.... Again I remind you all that all your comments can be read around the world so please keep this in mind as you write.
Continue to keep us in your prayers – it is the strength of God that keeps this going and we are very aware of that. Each day we see evidence of God in our work, the amount we get done, the conversations we have in the village and the way in which this team improves as a family each day. And….we don’t take that for granted.
Thanks all.
Nti fafa na mi (Peace be unto you in Ewe)
from Ghana - Daryl

July 14th updates

2009-07-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

Hi from Hope! Don’t know that I have too much to report except everything is fine. We have had a good experience with the American team. We will, however, be glad to be back to “just us” and our Ghanaian support staff tomorrow. I’ve lost track of how many blocks we have moved and how many headpans of sand and how many buckets of water. We have learned the Ga word for Bucket (groga) and Pull (blamo-I think that sounds like a batman word every time I hear it. We hear it a lot, since we have to pull all the sand and water upstairs with our Canadian pulley (with Ghanaian improvements). We have had a couple of great visits with Emma. Paul and Andrews came to see us today. ODK asked “Where is Nadia?” When I told him she was home earning money for school, he said “I wish I was seeing her here today” (You can cry here now, Nad) We went to Dan and Betty’s new church on Sunday. It is much bigger and only has half walls and a roof. I love worshiping that way. It was just as loud, but the open walls helped a lot. Beulah and Philmore are still cute and Juanita’s family is beautiful of course! The whole team got up and danced. It was fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had fufu for lunch today. We got to help pound it. Isaac was so excited, he had 3 helpings. Everybody liked it. For breakfast we had millet porridge. I was the only one that liked. I will get off now. Megan had an exciting day and wants to tell you all about it. God Bless.

Hey Gang, Megan here, hope your all doing well. Long time since I have posted a blog and I have lots to talk about – went and swam in the ocean on our first sunny day since we have been here ! It was great, definitely salty – like actually tastes like real salt which I was not expecting, burns the throat and the eyes after a while – but the waves are so huge that I didn’t care at all..
I went to my first Ghanaian church service on Sunday and it was awesome- there’s drums, guitars, microphones, clapping, dancing, singing –the whole nine yards, it was great - can’t wait to go this Sunday. The American team showed up on Sunday night and there’s something like 45 of us staying in the compound right now – meal time is definitely crowded - they brought a projector with them and last night some of us watched “The Nativity Story” in the village. It was so cooooool, sitting on dirt with all these Ghanaian children & adults who are fascinated by this big screen movie. There was a little girl sitting next to me and she was staring at me for the longest time, with these big wide bug eyes and eventually she just reach over with her cute little hand and pushed my bangs out of my face. Her name was Elaina and it was adorable! Everybody in the crowd clapped when Jesus was born!! which sent chills up my spine - when Mary was having her baby in the movie a lady was yelling “push Mary”, last night was definitely one of the best nights so far.
This morning I got to travel to a nearby village called Lagoma* And work with two nurses at a well baby clinic, it’s really hard to describe this experience over the internet cause I need to show you pictures, at first I was afraid to take pictures but I asked the nurse and she said it was a good thing to take pictures because the mothers like it, and it encourages them to come back next time – because they like getting their picture taken and it might happen again. I got some good shots and I can not wait to tell you how they weigh their babies – it is so different. I didn’t get to give needles, mostly I wrote stuff down and gave the babies medicine. … I’m still having fun and I have much more to talk about, I’m keeping a journal so I’ll be able to remember everything. I love it here, and the food is still pretty good – can not wait to eat CHEESE when I get home & see everyone. Tell Blake to write me already & Danae I will be emailing you personally with all my information, look for it in hotmail from Daryl Stogryn – we have to do it via email cause I have to give you personal info … thanks a lot for doing this .. tell every one -I say hey & hey mom not sick yet, and hope your starting to miss us already how’d coffee go with you know who? (Blake and fam if your reading this hope ur doing good talk to you guys soon, t-3weeks+ already,crazy) oh and Dad & Pam… a hand made hat I’ll try probably a hand made shirt or a pretty painting? Thanks for all the messages we really like to have that little bit of home … miss you love you talk to you soon. PS “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” is a literal expression here !! Love all of you – later … Megs…

Hey ya’ll…Chelsey!!
How is everybody doing?? Hopefully like always I hope everyone is well and enjoying July in Canada. I can almost guarantee that you are having warmer weather then us. Although it is very humid here, we are getting a lot of overcast and rain still. The last post I wrote was wrote like 3 days ago but are being posted at the same time, so I cant really remember what I said so sorry if I repeat.
We finally got to go swimming and it was like eating a pound of salt (I think I already mentioned that though) Tomorrow we don’t get a day off but we are working till noon, lunch and then we are booking the bus so that we can go to the beach. But this time we are going to a private beach near a resort so its going to be sweet.
Then we have church in the afternoon and the cool thing about this church is that the first time we went we had church in the dark and I guess we are doing that tomorrow night too. They will have music this time too. We went to a church Sunday morning that is like no church you have ever been to before. They play music and we all got up dancing for a good ten minutes. Its all on video too so you will get to see. It was so much fun. It was very long….9:30 till 2 but I mean it was different so.
Today I got to travel with two nurses names Lydia and Patricia to another village to do a baby clinic. It was an awesome experience. We didn’t get to do much but we watched them give polio vaccines and the booster needle. We got to weigh the babies and it is the cutest thing ever. And the bigger children have to stand on a scale like we have at home and its funny because some of them are terrified of it. Its cute. It was defiantly an experience that was good to have.
The Americans came and they are leaving tomorrow. Its been fun. They put on a movie last night that some of us went down to watch in the village. Kinda like the drive in. A lot of Ghanaians around and of course I was in the back row so I couldn’t see that much. I moved around a lot to see through people. Like under their arms lol. Makes sense considering its me. But hope everyone is great. Supper is ready so. Heya to Mom, Dad, Karli, Owen, Family and the Colbornites!! Love and Miss you all so much. Thinking about you all the time!! Kiss kiss xoxoxo <3 Chelsey ;)

Hey again its Alexas ..
I have no idea how many messages I have sent because I don’t know what has been sent out to you guys and what hasn’t and I think Daryl is a little unsure too…so I don’t know where you guys are at in my Ghana adventure.
We went to the beach that was really awesome but who knew that salt water was actually that salty because I didn’t until a huge mouthful caught me off guard…but the waves are awesome! And so much fun.
We watched a movie about the birth of Jesus last night in the village.. (the American team that is staying at the centre with us hosted it in the village) I almost decided not to go but Jack said that he would come down with me so we could walk back but then we both ended up glued to the same spot the whole time. It was really weird because I kept forgetting that we were in Africa and then you looked around and there was just so many people watching the movie…and everyone started clapping when Jesus was born – it was really unexpected but everyone started doing it.
We fixed the ruts in the road today because everything is really washed out from the rainy season and that was…. neat. I got to use a pick-axe? Does that make sense? Point is that I felt super strong.. lol smashing concrete blocks..haha…
Dad – a hand made hat…lol I haven’t seen anyone doing that but I will keep an eye out and you in mind -that’s funny. Mom miss us yet?..i bet… lol – or maybe its just me cause im half way across the world - so if you could keep the messages coming that would be great because it’s a little lonely over here even if I’m with 18 other people.. lol plus 22 from the states..plus 5 that live here lol plus the 4 cooks .. haha… lol I guess I just love my family.. lol. [Danizzzleee sorry about the shout out .. I just assumed that you knew you were always on my mind and that I didn’t need to tell you… I LOVE YOU forverrrr and ever:).. lol will you do me a fav? Hahaha and txt AV asap - and tell him that I have been writing on here and he better have written or write back cause I want to hear from him! ) lol thanks you’re the best sister ever.
And mom/grandma/dad will you please call the credit union and make me an appointment for the mon/tues when I get back which I believe is the 11 or something I need to get a student line so pleaaaseee do this and don’t forget I don’t have time to make and obtain the money by the time I get back so thanks and don’t forget --- my future is in your hands – and mom make sure that you are putting all my mail from laurier into a safe spot because I don’t want you to loose it – thanks …. and so cooool saw a scorpion yesterday! Lol scary but cool…anyways Jackem is wating for the comp. So I love you family you are the best.. I really miss u guys and the washing machine….my clothes are all so dirty because we hand wash everything and I suck at it but the cooks are teaching me the right way. LOVE YOU – talk to you soon :) xoxox Lex. and another thing .. danae will you get my sin number from blake or it is in mom drawer in her room and go onto th osap web site and print my signature pages and send them.. I couldnt get them to go off before we came and meg says you should do it .. thanks ttyl..

Jack here…
First and foremost Trae…Love yah and miss yah ;) thanks for sharing my little secret hah I guess I deserved that. Thanks for posting about me, hah you’re the only one who cares about me :( lol (minus you scott and Elaine hah). If there is anyone who knows me and is reading this (owe, trae, dar, jeff…whomever) could you please contact my dad and make sure he knows how to get on here, and maybe show him how to post on the blog, I would like to hear from him. Dad, hah you’ll be happy to hear some of the stories I got for yah, miss yah and hope all is well in the house. Looking very much forward to when I get to see yah. If you do figure out this posting on the blog thing could you please post what has happened with the leafs? Trades, signings, whatever really…I gotta know, it’s an addiction! Hah anybody really please post this for me.
Work is going great, long days and the sun has finally come out. I’ve made some really great friends here and think it’s going to be hard to leave. I couldn’t be happier that I’m here I think and I really feel like we are making a difference. Our team is doing great as a whole too, and the people in the village are really starting to get to know us and like us. We’re the Canadian Obruni’s! (hah white people). In any case though I cant wait to see everybody and miss you all. Havin a blast, don’t worry about me, im bein good and takin care. Anyhow, see you in August!
(PS it’d be nice to hear from some of yah’s…ahem Owe, Jeff…Im lookin at you two)

Hi Everybody, it’s Kim.
So here we are in week 2 … the week of longer work hours and much less time off and guess what? It is going really well, sleeping is much easier when you are exhausted! I am covered in bruises, scrapes and what used to be blisters but are now just holes in my thumb, finger and heals and the cold is still hanging on, but enough complaining, we are getting a lot accomplished and I have no shortage of things to keep me busy. Clinic has been kept very busy with bandaging and handing out aches and pain meds, but really we have been really quite healthy. Mentally everyone is doing well too, but you can pray for those who are having trouble sleeping, that can really take its toll.
Dawn, thank you for the blog post it made me smile. Jas, could you write me a longer post and tell me what you and the kids are up to? I would love to know if they are at home this week or hanging out with family or friends. I miss you all (I try not to think about it too much, but some days are harder than others). Please keep praying for us as the rain has stop and we are finally feeling the African sun … not only will I be ripped but I will also have really tanned arms (the only part that is not covered while I work). Jaymie and Matt please write me a post I want to know all the cool things you are doing …. Ok, ok Darcie is waiting for the laptop …. Good bye for now, Love Always k

Hello to all…its Darcie, wow so much has happened so far. Today I finally got to see Paul for the first time yah!! It was so great seeing him and catching up with him. Then Andrews showed up and was so great to see him as well. It has been a busy day lot of talking and laughing!! We got to play football, and for those Canadians that are reading this I mean soccer lol I actually played. Did we win no, did we do our best, yes, did a team of 8 years olds beat yes, defiantly yes! But it was so much fun. The food is getting better slowly, learned how to make fufu and I even made a little (more liked helped a little) Missing you all like crazy. Miss you so much ahmed slowly driving me crazy, everyone is reminding me of you and it just sucks that much more :( I miss talking to you and hearing your voice and hearing that you love me. Love you honey so much. Kiss kiss lol… heather: keep those boys in line or I will have to come back and hurt them and I will tell Andrews about clackers he will be so thrilled. Ang: you better!!!! Lol hope the date works out…mom hope you are well and Steve too and keeping busy.. give bear a hug for me..Carissa miss yah. Take care all until next time.

Hey all its Tania!!!
Well it’s been almost another week here in Africa. I have been working really hard smashing blocks with a pick axe, hauling sand, carrying bricks. You know that kind of stuff. We are doing really well with our construction project. I’m so ripped!!! We also played a game of soccer with the local school kids! It’s was about 35 degrees so I sweat like a true Obalu (white person)! I was also the only one on the team to injure themselves! Just a pulled muscle, it’s better now. The next game I will just be a cheerleader. On Sunday we took another trip into the city. The traffic is insane!! People are always trying to sell you things at the window of the van. Things like plantain chips, fan ice, flags, gum, towels, toilet paper, basically anything you can think of. It’s pretty cool. There are so many things to see I’m blown away by what people can carry on their heads! Dave you’ll like this…a car battery, chassis, and a rim just to name a few. Sharon there is an awesome seamstress in the village named Comfort, she makes all of our dresses using an antique Singer sewing machine! Megan women here carry their babies on their backs all the time and I now know how to do it too. I’ll teach you when we get home, if the boys aren’t too big by then. Adam, I saw a Ghanaian wearing a Slipknot t-shirt, sorry I couldn’t get a picture in time. I also saw a young guy wearing a Tim Horton’s visor, LOL. Cameron I saw a bat last night that was the size of a football! I miss you so much!! I think about you and Kieran all the time. Please hug and kiss Kieran for me and tell him that I love him and I love you too!!!
Mommy P.S. Nicole thanks for the Blog! I love that you are reading it!!

Melissa – heyy everybody! Ghana is amazing and gorgeous and friendly. The work is getting harder but in a good way. I don’t feel nearly as lazy/free loading as I did and neither do my muscles. Not sure when you guys will see this but I wanted to say very happy birthday to the brat and daddy (haha you’re old and cant bug mom now :P) I hope you 2 have great days. I love you both-yes even mark.
Love Melissa
Ps. hope the renovations are going well and without setbacks but so far with our house we don’t seem to be that lucky and remember I’m the first to use the shower and no I don’t care that you have to wait till I get back :) <3

July 11th updates

2009-07-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Heya, it’s Rachel.
Well, everything that was all new and exciting a week ago (already!) is now called home. Though there are some things that we are all getting used to, it never ceases to excite us. Laundry everyday by hand in buckets (on the roof), many casseroles involving fresh fish, copious amounts of hand sanitizer, the 6:30 a.m. wake-up call, the excitement on the childrens’ faces when we walk in to the village (“Obruni! Obruni!” --- “White person! White person!”), the baby goats and chickens on the side of the road, and living with 17 other individuals is now home. I’ve been trying to imagine what it would be like to back home to Canada right now and I find it difficult to even make my mind go to that place (sorry mom). So far it has mostly been overcast---today was the first day of almost constant sunshine. We’ve been praying for sun, but I bet in 2 weeks we’ll be praying for “partly cloudy”! Today we played soccer with some kids up near a school. We were sweating buckets and red in the face, but the fact of what we were doing made the heat and exhaustion insignificant. Though they royally showed us up in the first half, they eased up for the second half. Bless their hearts. Later, a bunch of us went down to the ocean (only about a 15 minute walk---we have a great view from the compound) and went body surfing on the waves. Needless to say, the amount of salt we consumed should hold us over for the next 30 days.
I am great, I am healthy, and I am loving it here. The FanIce (soft ice cream in a bag) is really helping that as well :). Mom---it is Outdoor Art weekend. Good luck! I’ll be thinking about it. (And I am not disappointed I missed the bubble wrap “party”!) Joanna---hope the jet lag isn’t too brutal. Shannon---when do you fly to Europe! Hope everyone else is doing well. To Shannon, Joanna, and dad/mom---thank-you for commenting! It’s one of the highlights of the day to hear what everyone has to say from across the ocean. That being said---please comment (and that means everyone!)! It will warm my heart…from across the ocean:). I know it’s only been a week, but a lot happens in a week, and a lot happens in Ghana. Love! Rachel. (P.S. Clayton---you will be happy to know I am representing my Buff on a daily basis!)

Hey everyone its Haley!
To everyone who posted, thanks your awesome :D I love hearing from home and getting updates on what is going on with people :) I had an interesting morning but after I slept I felt better. We went to the cultural market which was awesome/insane!! Got called a lot of weird stuff and I was told many times that I wouldn’t be charged for looking :P I found some sweet stuff to bring home, like my kushkas (dunno if that’s right :P) Mom, that’s really funny, sucks for Marcus! Tell him I laughed and shook my head at him. I have already eaten all of my beef jerkey lol cuz its just too good :P Next time you write a blog post, make everyone in the family write on it!! And say who you are beforehand, cuz I like hearing from different people too, don’t make mom do all the work! :P hahahah I wanna hear all of you! Just so you know aunt Jodi, I am keeping a journal even though I HATE writing in it and I have to force myself too, I am writing in it :P just for you so I don’t have to tell the same story twenty times because it will get less and less detailed lol and btw, we are still north of the equator so the whole flush backward thing doesn’t apply :P sillyyyyy!! And we can’t really see the moon cuz its so cloudy cuz of all the rain lol oh and Shannon, love how you single out Rachel at the beginning of your post! It made Sara and I feel so loved :P lol jk and aunt gerri, I got your post twice by the way lol I miss you guys so much :( I can’t wait to tell you all about what this is like. Dad, I am really happy that you found someone to do the FEA on your charger!! :D I don’t know why but when I heard from you I got a little misty :P I miss you guys and I love you all <3 oh zack, the things you do to yourself!! Please stay healthy!! Oh and everyone thinks your spelling is funny and your sappiness hilarious and they laugh a lot at me for that :P but I don’t mind. I miss you <3 I love you <3

Oh hey fam! Sara here.
Erin, really appreciate your little post about the bratness, really boosted my morale… :) hehehe it made me laugh a lot. Tell the people at work that their just gonna have to suck it up for four weeks cause you love me and I love you! Craig and Tanya, I know your not joking about me getting you something, don’t think I’m that dumb! Hahahha YAY KITTEN!!! YAY NAME!!!! Tell Sadie I say hi and tell new kitten that she’s gonna be my new best friend. Miss you both and I love ya! Dad, youuuu crybaby. Haha I hope the renovations are going well, have you seen the colour of my new room yet?? I hope you approve!! hahah NOT!! :P love you so much and if your crying right now, mom you can slap him. HARD. Mom, glad to hear from you. Swiss Chalet is… typical.

I have had some market adventures that were really fun, we got a drum concert and met a lot of new people and I can’t wait to go back cuz it was a lot of fun! I kinda have to admit that their banana loaf is way better than yours! But very filling so you cant eat as much, so yours is one up on that one. :)
Dalton, glad to see your posting, hope to hear more from you and I have definitely been singing my heart out!!! Though I do miss getting reassuring texts from you when I really need it. I am glad to know that you are back home thinking and praying for me. thank you.
Back to my fam, good to hear from you all, glad everything is good at home, and hope to hear from you soon. Love you all! and Kayla, if you read this, I need a good story from you so I can have a good laugh :)

Hey Everyone!! Its Chelsey :)
Ghana is still great as always. We got to go to the beach today and it was amazing. The waves were huge and if you got the perfect one it would carry you to shore. Well it would me lol. And it pulls you right under. Sounds scary but its so much fun, so don’t worry Mom. There are like ten of us out there at once. The water is beautiful too. Dad you would even get in.

We also had our first soccer game today. The kids here are REALLY good. Our team lost 5-2. I got two goals!! Its on video too which is sweet. And the other team lost 4-2. It was a lot of fun, and today was our first really hot day. So running around in that was crazy. Very hot! We have an American team coming to spend a few days with us tomorrow so that is another exciting thing happening.

How is everything back home? Hope all is well. Karli can you give Taryn the blog so that she can write me. I forgot to give it to her. Tell her that she has to become a follower first to write on it. The link is on my facebook page below my picture. Mom and Dad glad to here my car is okay lol and it has stayed parked. Ill know the truth when I get home haha. And mom how is the bill payments going, hopefully there is still enough money there for it. And just so you know we only get to read the blogs like twice a week so I may not get your blog by the time I write a second one. Heya to Owen. Hope everything is still awesome back in Colborne. Missing it for sure. But Africa is pretty amazing too. Finally getting some nicer days for a change. We were joking that we were going to come back and say it is hot there cause its been chilly here. Wish you could all be here to see it with me! But I think this is enough for now. Miss you and Love you all so much!!! Take care and talk to you soon.
Love love love <3 xoxoxoox Chelsey :P

Hey home…#2..or slowly becoming Its Alexas!!
I feel like we have already been here for a really long time..and we still have a ways to go. I’m still loven it here, we played soccer with kids from the local school today and seven of us girls played against the primary kids and got killed 5-2…and the only reason the score stayed that way is because one of the Africans came into our nets because our goalie pulled a muscle..or else the score would have been way worse!
It was finally sunny today and hot like you picture Africa to be..we went to the beach and swam in the ocean... Tomorrow an American YFC team is coming to stay with us until Wednesday so it is going to get pretty crowed around here. Thanks so much for the messages and can you keep them coming please cause it’s a little hard being here and not having any communication with home..especially when your half way across the world. Mom, miss us yet..lol? Dadio..im not sure if there is any way we can get you a hand made hat lol..haven’t seen anyone doing that..how about some tribal art? Anyways family I love you to the moon and back or at least from Ghana! ..ps. Obama came here today and all the little kids were running out looking at helicopters yelling Obama, Obama and it was so cute…(they love him here)! So funny..anyways once again love yuh long time! [ AV hope your working a lot! Lol and that stuffs working out for you! Miss yuh!]and ps. Eliza love you! Your so cute. Talk to you soon!

July 10th Update & Pics

2009-07-10T09:43:00.001-07:00

The weather here is crazy - the rains keep coming and we are hearing many
reports of villages just west of us being completely submerged.  Had some
prayer time with the team yesterday regarding this.

Our friends here are seeing water damage like never before - or at least a
very rare level of damage.  Some are worried about their families in other
areas of the country.

We are fortunate - we are up high on a hill - and we can see the rain coming
for an hour before it hits.  Sometimes, if the wind is just right it stays
just off the coast and we can see the rain over the ocean.

economically this ia a problem - many of our friends cannot fish, the seas
are too rough.  We can work however and we do - hard.

Most of the team is very healthy - a few small issues - nothing serious but
of course that also means that nerves get a bit frayed.  The training pays
off though - we can remind tthem that we talked about this and then work
things out.

They are a great team - keep praying for them...... Will likely be back at
this on Monday.

peace to all at home.

Daryl

First Pics From Ghana Yahoo!!!!!

2009-07-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

The very Wet Team

Rachel the rain catcher

Erosion just outside the door

Comfort & Israel

Blog Posts from July 8th Part 2 of 2

2009-07-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

FROM HAYLEY.......Hey everyone!! You don’t even know how excited I was to get your blog posts :P and to all of my friends who didn’t post on the wall, SHAME ON YOU!! Those brighten our day SO MUCH :D Africa is amazing and HOT and fun. I had the worst morning today and the best afternoon. I was sore and tired and I had many “chippy” moments (will explain when I get back :P) but I am gonna be super buff when I get back just so ya know :D
To zack: they read us the posts before dinner and when daryl got to your post everyone went oooooh! And sara was all excited and I was REALLY happy :P and everyone enjoyed your post and thought you were really funny and they all laughed at my expense for mushyness but I liked it <3 I am used to getting that every day and I miss it. You don’t have to give up being with your family to see me!! You can see me anytime, go to Quebec and have fun. Oh! And im buying you a shirt and something else <3 you will see when I get back. Make sure you wear your boot!! I love you <3 I miss you <3
To the Fam: Tell alex I can’t believe im not gonna see him for a whole month!!! I have already picked out fabric for his shirt tho :P and tell Michael I am sorry I missed him. I feel great! I love Africa and I washed my clothes on the roof today! :D do you want a shirt and a dress?? Let me know and preferred fabric colours as well, I got lots to pick from :D and aunt Jodi, just so you know, I will GET YOU BACK!!

Hey this is Mikaela,
Everybody, I will not post until Jack is demoted!

Hey all, this is Tania
I got your post about Kieran. Thanks I needed that. Today was a hard day. Not just physically but emotionally. I really miss my boys and was sooo not wanting to be here anymore. Then I went with Daryl, Jennine, and Daniel (A Ghanaian YFC Leader) into the city. I got to see why we’re needed here. The people are so friendly and community orientated, yet they have nothing! I felt over come with a sense of purpose and a new drive to become immersed in this culture and community! I hope everyone is well! I miss you and love you all!
Tania

Hey it’s Sara
So the work has been tiring, the food has been hard to eat, but I wouldn’t change anything! I love it here it’s so beautiful and yet you still remember why we are here every day. Today Kim, Darcie and I went into the village to visit the fabric shop. Mom I thought of you and I bought some fabric :D when you have time again your making me more outfits YAY !! ha sister you!! I was so excited to hear you call me brat it made me laugh. Hey mom could you somehow get Dalton to post something for me. I kinda want to hear from him. Hey dad love you so much… don’t be crying :D okay love you all! hi Tanya and craig and Kevin and Alicia also say hi to Kayla for me!

Hey guys – Megan Here, hope your all doing great. We are still having a lot of fun, definitely have been some highs and lows throughout the last few days. Today walking in to the village, which is less than ten minutes from our compound - there was a little girl standing against a tree and I asked her if could take her picture, she looked very sad and most children here love to have their picture taken & I thought I might cheer her up, she said “no” I couldn’t take her picture. I asked her what she was doing and she said “looking for my sister”. This is sad because she was standing against a tree looking at a school full of children outside, learning from their teacher. I believe her sister is the one who goes to school, and Gifte* is the one who learns from her sister when she comes home. It was heart breaking, the look in her eyes is something I will never forget – she wanted to be in school with her sister and friends more than anyone could have wanted anything & it sucked to see that, heartbreaking truly. Britt congrats to you for adopting a child, please pray for Gifte & the every other child and adult in Ghana & of course our team. Love Megan, talk to you in a few days. I do have high points of today to, but that is on my mind. PS. Dave and Ellen having a great time thank you for adopting us ! Were safe and well – except my wrist kills from work today.

Darcie - Hey all again, so good to hear from all of you, Ahmed… NO WAY will I eat the tomatoes I would rather eat the fish lol…the onions are the challenging part for me , it is in everything, miss you and love you honey. Heather … miss you hope that the boys are not driving you too too crazy lol, Whit… I laughed so hard, I’m so glad that you made it there and back in one piece so proud of you. Carissa….no longer have a voice now lol I’m a just a squeak I am everyone’s entertainment around the compound. So great today first time down in the village and got to see some people that I knew, so great to see. Got the word as of today that Paul will be coming next week! So excited for that! Miss everyone..oh mom…thank you for the grrr from bear and the hi from steve hope you’re not missing me too much :) miss you and love you Darcie

HEY AGAIN:) - its alexas – forgot to write my name the first time but I think Daryl did and sometimes he spells it with an I – so if that did happen and you were wondering I forgot to put my name – lol. Thanks mom, dad, pam, britt, eliza for the messages its good to know you guys are thinking about us cause I usually get homesick falling asleep lol and its night time here right now were playing cards with our two friends Alfred and Edmund – Edmund is a missionary that is staying with us during the time that we are here (he wakes up at 4am and prays until 5am or sometimes wakes up at 1am and prays until 4am – depending on what the spirit is telling him – I think that’s pretty crazy[crazy awesome] lol) Alfred is also staying with us he is on the cooking team and it’s so funny cause if you go up for seconds he smiles and puts his hands in the air and says that he really wants you to like it..but I haven’t gotten to know him that well but I am working on it . I have some really sad stories from the village but we’ll save them for later – today we moved sand, water and rocks :) its actually quite fun.. but im having a hard time sleeping at night so it sucks…(Jack found a huge spider in his bed – and there really is such a thing as bed bugs – who knew?) – Ellen and David the messages are encouraging ..was kind of having a chipy today actually but it’s the lack of sleep..thanks so much for all your help by the way:) [Wynad – it would be nice to hear from you brotha miss you xo]
Ps. don’t let brooke go into my room! Hahahah cause her thing is there and that’s mine so I would like to have it back thanks …Chelsea and Britt im leaving that up to you.. xoxoxo love love.
Love you family – misssssssss you tonnesssss - tell everyone I said hello and dad your right our fam is awesome :) Bye.

Hello!! :) its Melissa and im having a fantastic time in africa!!! It’s the most amazing and gorgeous place ever and even now only after a few days here-which feel like much longer- I know im going to miss this place soo much that ill need to return. The food has been very familiar and I found, other then the sour dough thing and the okiedokie something stew, ive been having more problems with the north American foods (i.e. watermelon and hardboil eggs-EWW!! :() The village is so friendly. Where people at home would give me weird looks, people here respond to my waves, hi’s and smiles and will start a conversation. Right now im singing with Alfred, Edmund, Tania, Alexas, Don and Janine. Its such a comfortable atmostphere and has a completely different feel. One of my favourite times is walking down to the village, usually for some yummy fan ice! Especially when school is getting out. The saddest thing though would be seeing the children whos family’s can’t afford to send them to school or the ones that are hungry or thirsty. The work is going well and the people in and out of the group have all been amazing and im so happy to be here with this group of people but yes I do miss home
Love Melissa – I miss you guys

Blog Posts from July 8th Part 1 of 2

2009-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Daryl here.....Everything is going well for the most part. Really enjoyed getting two of the girls into the city yesterday - what an eye opener for both.

I would love to be sending pictures - and may try from my Blackberry (that's how you are getting these so far) but if that does not work smoothly then we will have to wait until I can get to an internet cafe again. What I will probably do is get a bunch set up and then simply send them so that Jason can build a gallery for you. It's a little frustrating - but then again, this is Africa and to paraphrase one of my best friends here, "Nothing in Africa is really in-convenient, because nothing in Africa is convenient!"

Tonight we head out to church - that too will be an eye-opener.

We have had more rain here since we arrived than in my previous 4 missions combined. That is a challenge and the kids are beginning to see how difficult it is to live in some places in the world. It is never good to live in poverty - it is quite a different challenge to live in poverty in flooding rain. As we drove into the city today the team got their first real look at the countryside outside of where we live. Some were quite startled - the questions were endless and within each was a note of concern for the people of this country. I watched with admiration as a women swept the board the ran from the ditch at the side of the road to her small shop (sitting on blocks and surrounded by muddy water, flooding from the rains). As she swept - it looked like she was singing. How many of us would have that kind of happy sound leaving our lips in similar circumstances....

Gotta get this out.

Will write again soon - but probably not before Friday.

Peace
Daryl

Hi Everybody, it is Kim again, hoping to give you a little longer update than my last pathetic attempt at blogging. In my defense I was using Daryl’s tiny laptop and so typing with two fingers… Jason will be happy to know I am typing on my very own beautifully set-up new laptop. However I am typing in the dark because I let my roommate go to bed and I am on the top bunk happily typing to you… but having only limited battery and no way to plug myself in 6 feet up. So as I said before the second time around is so much easier, not at all overwhelming and I am so much more able to appreciate the beauty of everything and everyone around me. Perhaps this is because food is so far staying where it is supposed to and I have a little more time to breath. I am really enjoying getting to know my new sister Darcie, we are sharing a lot including her cold. She has lost her voice and mine is going so we are now referred to as squeak and squawk. Hope says we are highly entertaining.
The thing I like most about coming back is seeing what has changed and what has stayed the same. The people are still the amazingly joyful, peaceful spirited, incredibly hardworking people I remember. But the landscape of the village especially around the compound has changed a great deal and of course Samuel and Comfort’s family has increase in size. I am very Bless to be here, I know that my family and friends are pulling my weight at home and I really appreciate the opportunity to come back to Ghana to work and play hard on your behalf.
To Everyone who commented on our blog so far... thank you it means so much to get news from home. Jen thank you for taking care of everybody, I am so lucky to have you as a freind/mom.
To Jaymie and Matt, I miss you so much… thank you for being such fantastic people, you make me proud to be your mom! Please continue/ start to get along (just kidding, sorta)… I will be home before you know it with thousands of new pictures to share.
Jas, well there is a lot to say but I am not sure I want to share that with everybody … but for sure we should have recorded you breathing/snoring … I wish you were here, All my Love k

Hey folks, Hope here……twice in three days! We moved 312 blocks, 160 headpans of sand and 40 gallons of water up to the second floor yesterday. ODK and Atta started laying blocks and the carpenter is making forms for the concrete beams we will pour tomorrow. No major injuries, sunburns or other stuff to worry about yet. Today we went to the cultural market for the first time. It was raining (again!) so we were about the only people there. I think it was actually a good experience for everyone, not so overwhelming as usual. The prices/bargaining was good. (We were everybodies first customer….Tania and I apparently were several people’s good luck because we were their first sale. Still getting lots of offers for the girls (even Kim). Haven’t sold any yet…..Nadia glad to hear you got home okay. Let me know if you get a sooner appointment, so we can pray. Mikaela is okay. She doesn’t want to blog. Today she is having a little harder time. Many people are starting to “run”. Hug Nathan and Sarah and Viktoria and Sunshine and Kola and Bosley and even Zack for me :) Love, Mom Hope

July 8 Blog Post – Ghana 2009

Hey everybody! It’s Jennine, once again I am the last person to write a blog entry, and It’s a day late…oops:P . So the team’s been here for two days now and already I’ve fallen in love with this country. (Don’t worry mom I’ll still come home at the end of the month. I don’t think Daryl or Hope will let me stay;)) Ghana is everything I thought it would be and so much more. PS. IMPORTANT note: The food is AMAZING! So much better than western food. We still haven’t tried the local’s famous ‘fufu’ yet but that’s to come. We’ve taken a few walks down to the village market and there are some pretty cool little shops and stands. We converted our US money to ‘Cedis’ so the shopping and bargaining will begin soon. Hopefully there’ll be lots of pictures for all of you to see up on the blog soon, but there’s a limited number of pictures that have been taken of the community so far because we have to ask special permission to take pictures of the Ghanaian people. On the other hand this is proving to be quite an easy task since everyone is so cheery, and quick to befriend you. I’ll hurry this message up a bit though so you can get on with your day back home. To my friends who might be reading this: mark Ghana, West Africa on your map and make it your next vacation location! The beaches are BEAUTIFUL ! To my masha (mom): I love you! I’m safe, healthy and never been happier, so don’t worry about me! I’m in no danger here. We’ve got lots of friends to protect us. I’ll be home soon enough, so get crackin’ on some cool belly-dancing outfits I wanna see a new collection when I get back! To Alexand: Miss you babe. I wish you could be here. This place is so unbelievably amazing, you would love it so much. But you can bet I’ll be coming back here again one day, so you’ll get your chance to be blown away by it like I’ve been. You just might change your mind about that Caribbean dream of yours ;) We still got lots of exploring to do before making any decisions though:P I’m wrapping this up now cause the team’s playing guitar up on the hill without me and I’m anxious to go join them. On another note; I better get a reply on this thing from you! I guess we will be able to communication over the next five weeks after all :P TTUL. <3

First posts from the work site. Part 2 of 2

2009-07-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!! Its Haley :D
Sooooo, its our 2nd day here and we had our first work thingy this morning which was fun, and it RAINED LIKE MAD!!! And I got soaked. oh and aunt Jodi, that bandana thing you gave me, the blue dye ran cuz it got wet and I had blue dye all over my next and around my shirt and they were makin fun of me :P but its all good. There MIGHT be a picture of it on the blog, not sure. It is SO HOT here. Yesterday we went down to the village to look around and stuff and we got some Fanice which is like ice cream in a bag and its AMAZING!! I wanna take home a case but I don’t think I can, oh and its 30 cents!!! Later on today we are supposed to go down to Comfort’s shop to get fitted for dresses and stuff :D OH!! For all of you who thought I couldn’t handle construction, IN YOUR FACE!! I did it :D but its gonna be hot tomorrow and im gonna be sore so I dunno about tomorrow lol I miss all of you A LOT!! And I miss you Zack <3 You don’t know how many times I have read your letter <3 It is a lot of fun here though, I really like it so far. OH! And some guys wanted to buy us!! :P but don’t worry Zack, Daryl said no :D The food is AWESOME!!! I have only not liked one thing, tom brown, which is strangely textured and all that. THE PLANE RIDES SUCKED A LOT!! It was long and kinda boring and uncomfortable and the layover was ridiculous because some of us couldn’t sleep and were really giddy and overtired :P oh and Mikaela and I spend 19 dollars on ONE slice of pizza and a drink, RIDICULOUSLY expensive. But everything in Ghana is really inexpensive :P It smells and looks kinda like Cuba so I got to keep reminding myself that its Africa, not Cuba. Anyway, its getting kinda long so I got to go. I have laundry to do :P LOVE YOU ALL <3 MISS YOU MOM, DAD, marcus and alex….. not so much. :P JOKESS!!!! Hahahah MISS ZACK <3 MISS AUNTS AND UNCLES AND MY COUSINS <3 EVERYONE <3 BYEEE <3

Hey It’s Megan
So we have been here for two nights, and I don’t have jet leg which is awesome. It’s not as hot as I imagined it being, although it hasn’t been that long – and it’s been over-cast the last two days - so no sun which has been a bonus. Definitely helps when it comes to adapting to so many different things at once. The food is not bad at all, but we have only had five meals… are accommodations are 5* compared to what I was imagining. So – so far so great. We took a trip into the village and a man wanted to buy us, although Daryl said that “we were all his, not for sale” – my running shoes also broke this morning after are first day of work (which we moved 450 cement blocks up the stairs – ahhh - and we still have 650 more to move up the stairs before we start ‘building’) …. Today I have to go to the village and try to get them mended. We live in a compound & there are permanent residence who live here as well, Samuel – Comfort – Israel – Joshua – Theodocia ( a beautiful little girl who I am already in love with Teo-Doh-Sha) … We also found out that a team of Americans will be joining us for 3 days on Sunday of this week, there are 22 of them & it is going to get crowded, but cool with me. Anyways I got to get my shoes mended, I love it, I’m not sick – Yet & neither is Alexas, miss you - love you I will write you in a couple of days … (Later Mom) & every one else. . gotta go get my shoes mended ( happy one year blake) ps. this is so fun & on the way here we made a second pit stop in Nigeria, Lagos on the way for an hour - later (ey,yi,yi… it was long)

Hey Colborne crew, Dad, and everyone else…It’s Jack.
Finally made it, it was a ridiculous flight, not looking forward to the trip home. Africa is basically nothing like I expected, but at the same time I was expecting to have my mind blown, and that has definitely happened. The people here make me very happy, they are always laughing and smiling and work very hard, so I feel at home in a way. I feel like I’ve grown comfortable here already (even though it’s only been 2 days) and I’ve met some really cool people. It’s very nice to get away, and though I miss everybody, I’m not really home sick and don’t think I’m going to be for some time. It’s very nice to be somewhere else in the world. But yah…Africa!!! Hah I’m so happy I made it, and Dad I’ve taken your advice and will continue to do so, and it’s a lot like we said it would be. Jeff, Shaun, hope your takin care of him in my absence hah. Chap, Joseph, Mully, Big T#27, Drewboy, Clarky, Jess, Reed, Justin, Waki, Saunders (both) Broooker, Cossx2…and yah even you Shelb, miss yah all and wish you were here (cept you Chap, That’d be bad…heh heh) Dar, Miss ya you’d love it here, you too Gordon. Havin a great time though everybody, take care and thinkin about yah. You better make a cheers out to my name. See yah in a while.
(PS if I forgot anyone, heh my bad, remind me I’ll hit yah back)

Hello! It’s Rachel.
After many, many hours on several plane rides, and many, many hours in a Roman airport we finally arrived in Ghana. While some team members took advantage of these extra hours and took several long naps, I was one of the ones who could not sleep even if I tried, having only an hour’s sleep for the night. I think I’m overcoming the fatigue now---slowly but surely! Yesterday (Sunday) and today it has mainly been overcast which makes for a little bit of cooler weather. A little bit. It is always very humid and sweaty, but so far it has been very bearable. Our bedrooms are pretty nice---each with a ‘bathroom’ and a ‘shower’ (but not quite what you’d have at home!). The food has been good so far---a lot of food that we are used to. (Rumour has it it’s just the plan to ease us in to the Ghanaian food.) Today was our first work day---I’m convinced that after lifting 40 lb bricks for 30 days we will all come home tanks. I won’t go in to too much detail about the sweating :). Yesterday we went to the village right down the road from us. That was incredible---the difference in culture is phenomenal…and soooo interesting. Daryl, Alexis, Theodocia (Comfort’s little sister and lives with Comfort, Samuel and their family here on the compound. “And she’s incredibly cute”---Daryl just added) and I were walking down the backstreets of the the village on our way to the ocean (which is gorgeous!!!) when I heard a voice call out---“I like your bling-bling! I like your bling-bling!” I turned around to meet ‘Bobo’ , who eagerly came to meet me and commented again “Ahh, I like it when you smile. I like your bling-bling”. Bling-bling meaning of course, my braces. Hello to mom, dad, Luke, Robyn, Emily, Shannon, Adrianna, Joanna, Maura and Jessie (Happy birthday!!!); Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins---hello! Miss you all, but I have to say I do not want to come home! It is just way too interesting and intriguing here to pass up. Even though we have only been here 2 days, it feels like we have been here a week. And that is a good thing! Love you all, thank-you for your support in everything, and God bless! Rachel.

Hey it’s Tania,
What’s up? Well I can officially say “I felt the rains down in Africa”. Well I hope everyone is well. Cameron I miss you and think of you and Kieran every day all day. I hope you are well and that family camp was fun. Megan and Adam I hope Kieran is handling his teething well. I am a little over whelmed by how much there is to see here. The view from our compound is amazing, if you go on the roof you can see all the way to the ocean! The kids here are so cute they all want to say “hi” and get their picture taken! The people have been so inviting and friendly. I’m definitely appreciating and missing the comforts of home like a washer and dryer!!! I will figure out how to wash my clothes by hand real soon, I hope! We are working hard and I’m bruised and sore but it will all be worth it! I love you all and miss you tons! On a different note, Frank and Jenna I hope your wedding was amazing and I hope you have a great honey moon! Doodle I am hugging you in my heart! Lots of Love! Mom XOXOX TTYL Tania

Hello everyone in Canada, it’s your fellow half Ghanaian friend Darcie back for another round. Wow it has been so great so far....very very long plane ride! I got to spend my very first day with Andrews and Lydia!!!! so great and amazing, I was so happy to see him again and give them a great big hug! I felt like crying of in joy when I saw them, what a great moment. and I got to see their wedding clothing on them ...the most beautiful people ever. So exciting to be back to my home land, just so at peace and relaxed. I have learned today that I am so bad at handwashing clothing it smells good but man, it still has dirt on it ...but it will all get dirty tomorrow. Had the first day of work today great start at moving blocks, Tania and I were the dirtiest lol we took pictures so all of you can see. missing all of you...mom give bear a hug for me, Carissa grrr you gave me your cold lol you owe me lol...Ahmed love you and miss you so much, friends hope you are all doing well and staying sane with out me lol I know it’s hard. miss you and love you till the next time we get to chat fair well! oh and the food it not to bad and I have eaten everything even fish! Can you believe that..hard but I did!

Hi from Hope! Well, Ghana is as amazing as ever. Yes, Penny, the best part is Daniel’s hug in the airport, and Emma’s hand guiding me through a crowd, and holding Kimmy, and walking Joshua up from Comfort’s shop at the end of the school day, and George’s smile, and …………….for all you who haven’t been here….the best part is these beautiful people. For those of you who have been here…the road to the yfc compound is impassable. There were really bad rains a couple of weeks ago. Emma was almost swept away in his car. Everyone is asking “where is Nadia” and “why did Penny not come with you” and “how are Nathan and Sarah doing”. David we moved 456 blocks today, despite the rain. It looks like my laundry is in for about it’s third rinse today. Donna, I found Victoria, our fabric lady in the village today. I got a big hug from her. She has her own shop now. The worksite has not progressed at all since our St Paul’s mission. I’m thinking we all need to come up with a great fundraiser to get this place done. I think I need to go rescue my laundry before supper. God Bless!!

First posts from the work site. Part 1 of 2

2009-07-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Opening comments from Daryl.

It has been a great start. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. What a treat to walk through the village and see old friends who are overjoyed to see you again. What a blessings to introduce them to new friends – the young people of this team.
456 blocks moved today (David - I remembered to count!!)
The team is great – I am really proud of them. Although it was fun – it was work today….and will be tomorrow, and the next……..
Read the comments, enjoy the pics when we can get them to you (the internet is a bit spotty still – so do not worry if the pics do not get up fast – they will come.)
Please remember in your comments that whole world can read this – and we read them all out loud at dinner times.
Love to all at home.
Daryl

Day 1 from the journal of the highly esteemed and tired out Isaac

Airport turned out ok, we got through customs ok and security checks we didn’t get searched once, surprising especially how some of us looked lol, (for those not up to date with computer lingo lol = “laugh out loud”). I personally still have no idea how to respond or feel abou the whole trip, on one hand it’s great to be back, on the other hand it’s still feel akwardish, I wanna have fun and I know I am not alone in most things like earings and suchly but I am still having trouble. Us guys are kinda squished in this room, we are makingshifting a shelf and it is beaufitul if I do say so my self, and room is easier to find, still getting stuff sortede out and our tp pyramid is our pride and joy, having fun at least. Food so far has been great and is way to easy on the team, our cook is named “Gifty” and has a wonderfull cooking team, so far we have had spagetti, porridge, and loads of other stuff we have all liked and been able to deal with. We talked to Daniel this morning for orientation and just to introduce the team to Africa from and African point of view. Aafrica has definetly changed, hopefully this experience will be better. Today will just be setup and a small bit of exploring, the heat has been bearable but no work yet to really test it, they have had three days of rain here so all the roads are washed out and have pitss large ennough to swallow smart cars…. Hehehe. Team is okay and so far things are starting out great.

Day 2 in the journal of the tired worn out and squeaky clean Isaac.
Work hurts… it rained today so it wasn’t hot, but work hurts, especially stuff you’re not used to , all the muscles I can name and some that I can’t all hurt! Moving approximately 40lb blocks, 456 times isn’t smart, unless you are looking to strain something, especially since the previous day we did the whole North American thing…. Aka nothing… yesterday was restfull, today was not!
Finished a book, started another, did some laundry. Life here is okay so far, we all love each other and no one has problems, how long will that last…. Actually by the looks of it it seems to be holding, though Jack claims Steve and I will hate him in weeks, and has already had a dream that I was throwing stuff at him cause he didn’t get me up in time…. Must be the meds..
Can’t wait till Sunday… NOT, 22 ameriocans are comign to stay at the compund for three days, with eighteen of us and 5 africans, with only 38 beds, you do the math, (for those mathematically challenged it makes 45 people and not enough beds). It’ll be fun I promise……
Prov. 2:10-11, 3:13,24, 4:18-19,23, 8:17, 9:11-12, 10:2, 11:25, 12:11,18, 13:16, that’s all I got talk at you all later….

FROM STEVE

Hello World. I’m alive and in Ghana. The plane ride’s were long but good for conversation and relationship building on the team. The airport in Ghana is a little hectic and crazy but we avoided any situations. The city seems busy loud and and people get very close. The first night was hot but wonderfull, we have the boy room it’s sweet we have all the candy, toilet paper ,and good looks. We had our first work day today the 6th. We moved around 500 cinder blocks and close to a ton of cement. The local Ganaian workers are very nice and wonderful . I think I am closest to Samuel he is the father of Thedocia, Kimmy, Joshaua and Israel and husban to Comfort. Comfort is a local seamstress and has a shop down the road. But now the fun stuff….so far I have killed a scorpion, many large spiders, crickets grasshoppers a very large centipeed and a couple lizards for now lol. The temp ature is nice hot/humid but not like Ontario humid. It had rained a bit today but now its nice. The view is breathtaking of the ocean and village. For now I am all well, heart mind and body, and I know it has to do with the people who are praying for me. I ask for my friends at the Third Space to keep praying for God to move in these youth, they are all such beautiful people and I want them to recognise that - but because of God. My family and close friends I love you so much and I thank you for all your support, continue to be the wonderful loving community that you are. I cant wait to be inspired to paint for you when I get home. I’ll talk to you soon and would love to hear from you all.
Love Always Stephen

Hey Ya’ll its Chelsey!!
Hope everyone is doing great because I am loving it here!! It is so amazing and I am so greatful that I came. The environment is definatly hot but it is very beautiful. We can see the ocean from the roof of our one building and there is ALWAYS music playing from the village and its loud. Walking through the village yesterday was just amazing. It is a completely different culture and I am so happy that I came here to help. You should all see the children here, they are so adorable. One is 4 months, 2 yrs and 4yr. I miss everyone back home. Mom, Dad, and Of course Karli. I miss you a lot but I am ok. Oh and mom, I did my own laundry…without a machine hehe. Give Chip and pet for me too. And of course Owen. I hope you had an amazing birthday and had a good time. Happy Birthday again and I wish I could have been there. I love you all so much and miss you. Shout outs to everyone in Colborne as well!! And the rest of my family who supported me! Take care everyone and hope to here from you soon!!
Love love love!! Chelsey xoxo <3

Cameron Kieran and family,
Hello from Africa, Hope everyone is doing well at home. I miss you all. Africa is hot but not as hot as I| expected so far anyways, the humidity is crazy though. Yesterday we went into town it was definently an interesting experience , lots of people and lots of kids, (who are so cute) there is always music coming from the village which is really cool. Today we started on the costruction we moved 456 bricks that weighed 40 lbs each up to the third floor the team worked very well together and we had a lot of fun while we did it. We are going head into the village soon to get some clothes made, by a lady named Confort who lives here on the YFC compound but also has a shop in the village. Cameron and Kieran I love you and miss you, hope you are having a good time. Will write again soon.
Bye for now, Love you lots
Dad

Hey Community friends who sent me here, to my FAMILY & Colborne!
First things first we made it! – safe and alive, it was a long flight we have been here for two nights and it is Monday and we left on Friday so figure that one out (it was night twice on the way here). Africa is beautiful and the people are so amazing, nothing is how I expected it to be – and the heat isnt half as bad but we have been lucky with cooler weather than regular. We started working today and it’s an interesting experience we stand on stair s in a line and haul what feel like 40lbs blocks up to the roof of the compound we are staying in (today we dragged up 456) so that was fun:) and we do our laundry on the roof and it is the most beautiful view of the village/trees and everything, there is also the most amazing view from my shower too (even though its only for 2minutes Its still awesome). Its about 3:30pm here and `11:51am at home– everyone wants to go into the village right now and they are waiting for me (were going to buy dresses from a women who lives on the compound with us) so I LOVE YOU ALL! way too much – hopefully we can get your msgs soon but the interenet is sketchy – so hopefully talk to you soon – [Mr.AV – I miss you – a lot – hopefully your having fun and I hope your not sad and being good – hahaha – write back and talk to you soon – ps. I waited to read your msg until rome but I cant read it anymore cause it makes me miss you too much – this is rushed but I have to go-xo] bye guys love love love you. ALEXAS

Hi it’s me, Kim / Mom /Big Sister …
I feel remarkabley well :) Things are much easier when everything is not new. The team is terrific, very hard workers. I do wish you were all here. I am tired and sleeping is a bit of a challenge, but seeing my old friends makes it all worth it. Kimmy is BEAUTIFUL, and Isreal is such a happy baby. Darice and I are having a Great time together as roomates, and Sara is a fantastic medic … she has been so great at bandaging everyone’s little booboos and only needs gentle reminders not to do emergency tracheotomies. The food has been great! Well I am going to keep it breif for today, and no Jaymie and Matt I haven’t done your shopping yet. I miss you all very much…especially Jas… I hope you are doing well … whatever you do don’t worry about me … life is good in Kokrobite, and God is good!

They have arrived!!!

2009-07-04T18:22:00.001-07:00

I received word that the team in now on the ground in Accra traveling slowly to the village and looking forward to sleep.
Everything is good and they love everyone back home.... I think that is what they said, the phone lines from Ghana are a little fuzzy. Parents you can now relax.
-Jas

Half way there..... word from Rome

2009-07-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

I received a note from Daryl that they are in Rome...... and playing cards...
-Jas

Family and Friends

2009-07-03T05:19:00.001-07:00

Well today is the big day, the day we Fly out! I would like to thank you again for all of your support in getting us on our way. I would also like to mention that We would Love to get your comments while we are away ... although posting to the Blog is strictly for team members anyone can feel free to comment! They are an incredible source of encouragement/entertainment while we are in Ghana. We do read the comments out loud generally at meal times and so if you want to Drop a nickname into your comment that we can endlessly torture your loved one with Please feel free to do so!
Thanks Again, Kim

2009-07-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Tehe, I would be the last person to write their blog entry. oops :S Well we leave tomorrow morning and I could not possibly be more excited! This is going to be the most amazing, life-changing experience. I'm so excited for all the adventures and memories the team and i will have over the next five weeks. I am especially excited for all of the memories and friendships that will take place with the ghanaian people that we meet there. My greatest wish at this point is that as a team we are able to serve the ghanaians as best we can and do as much as we possibly can for their community. I am so grateful for being given the opporunity to make such a difference in the lives of others and I am especially grateful for eveyone that sent in donations and helped us get where we are now. The generosity that you've shown is making a huge difference in the lives we will soon touch and you've made such a huge difference in my life already. So thank you!
-Jennine Boyce

2009-06-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

A Lot Silly!

2009-06-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

A little silly ...

Picture Perfect

2009-06-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

So this is our Beautiful New Family Shot ... what do you think? This will probably be the cleanest you see us ... in the next pics posted to the blog we will be covered in sweat or concrete or both !

2009-06-03T07:45:00.001-07:00

 I'm really thrilled that I have been given the opportunity to travel to Africa on this service project. Everyone on our team is so intriguing and it's been so much fun getting to know everyone over the past several months throughout training and fundraising activities. I think that going to Ghana is going to be really hard work both physically and emotionally, but the experience of this mission will be life changing in the most positive way. We are going to learn so much about Ghana, and how the majority of our world lives, about each other, about ourselves, hard work, greatly about God and many other things. I'm excited and I'm nervous and I just hope everything goes well, that we make many new friends and that everyone at home will pray for us, like we'll be praying for you. Thank you so much to everyone who has made a donation to this mission, and to everyone who has supported us. This mission to Ghana and our team are nothing without you. 

Megan Derry

2009-06-01T09:38:00.000-07:00



Hey there, my name is Tania and I am four weeks away from travelling to Ghana.  I am so excited and nervous for this amazing adventure!  I am leaving behind my two boys but with the support of our amazing team I think I can make it through.  What I leave behind will be missed but what I bring back will be life changing!

Tania

2009-05-27T20:27:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how fast our mission is approaching!! It feels like yesterday when I was sitting in the living room with Hope and Daryl going through my application with them and just praying that I would be able to be a part of this most amazing mission I will ever get to experience. That was in November. It is now May, and soon enough to be June, which means one month to go. WOW!! crazy... I am so excited and yet so nervous at the same time to be going. I am so excited because I know that this will be the most amazing thing I ever do and it is something I have always dreamed of doing, but never expected to. And I'm nervous because, well, I have barley left Ontario and now I'm going to spend my first ever plane ride to the other side of the world. But I know that this is Gods plan for me and he wants me to do this or I would have never have been given this chance of a lifetime. This experience will not only change me as a person but it proves to not only me but to everyone that dreams do come true and you just have to take a chance, and most important, trust in God. I have met some of the most amazing people in my life in these past months, and I know I will be in good hands in Ghana. I love you all. Thank you Daryl, Hope and Kim for giving me this chance to make a difference in someones life, (and for putting up with me for a month..tehe) and most importantly thank you to all the people who have supported me in this mission. Either with donations, prayers or just love, you have all helped me get to where I am now, and thats one month from me being in Ghana, so thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! Much Love xoxoxox
Chelsey <3

2009-05-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

I am so very nervous but also extremely excited to be able to go to Africa with this amazing group of people. Never having done anything remotely like this before, I know it is going to be a great experience I will remember for the rest of my life and I will know I did some good for somebody else. This is going to be so fun! and I cannot wait!!
Melissa

2009-05-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

I can't be more excited to go to Ghana, a completely foreign country, and with even all the prep work we are doing here in North America, know that I have no idea what to expect when I get there. I know that there's a reason why I am a part of this incredible team, and doing the work we are called to do there—I can't say I know the reason, but I think that's all part of the experience. Somehow, spending my summer in a stinky, hot climate, doing physical labor, and bathing by buckets is the only way I would ever want to spend it. Helping the people and the community we will be in will be more than what I'm sure any one of us could ask for—the interactions, relationships, and life-changing experiences we will face. I know I, and the rest of the team will come back changed—and that is something we can expect.

Peace,
Rachel

2009-05-22T06:46:00.001-07:00

"Well, the excitement builds. We have crossed our minimum budget target to go and stay safe. (This means we can eat, and drink water that is safe - a real bonus for sure!!) The team is pumped and energized and well trained. I am so impressed with these young people. This time, we get to do some different things. We have some soccer enthusiasts with us and have had soccer uniforms and balls donated. We will help set up a soccer ministry in the village and encourage the young people of Kokrobite through sports. The construction project has changed a bit, but "this is Africa", and change is to be expected. However, as always, we go prepared to serve in whatever way they need us.

I can't wait to get back. Developing friendships with people over the 10 year span of our association with Ghana has been wonderful. There is nothing quite like being met at the airport by dozens of smiling, beautiful people who are patiently waiting to renew friendships and start new ones. And, there is nothing quite like the feeling that you get when you know that your very presence brings hope and peace.

More to come....
Daryl"

2009-05-20T10:59:00.001-07:00

Hey Friends! Here is a little about me and why I'm on this team. I Have a passion in my life to work with youth and to see spiritual growth in peoples lives. About four years ago I felt God telling me to go to Africa, at the time I didn't want to go. I thought there was enough for me to do here let alone try to fix all the problems in west Africa. Over the last four  years  God has been Patiently working in and on my life, drawing me closer to him. One day about 7 months ago I prayed that if Africa was something in God's will for me, than to let it be done and to not let me get in the way of his plans. Very soon after I had prayed this a friend called asking if I wanted to help lead a team of youth to Ghana west Africa..... God had spoken and my heart was ready to listen. I was going to Ghana. Now with about six weeks left before we go I couldn't be more excited about Africa, but I believe even more so about my team. This is a group of men and women from different ages and backgrounds, different experiences and callings in their lives. I have seen so much growth in the last 6 months in my friends and in myself. I can only imagine what this experience will do to myself and my friends and that is what I think the real change is going to be. Yes we are going to help build and share and do good works in Ghana, but the real transformation is going to be the works that Christ does in our hearts while on this trip and after. I pray that God will reveal himself to us through family and friends and challenges, and shape us to be more like himself. That is the change I am so extremely excited to see and this is my passion in life, to see lives transformed by Jesus.

      "love and peace to you all."       Stephen.

2009-05-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

"I'm so excited to be going back Ghana, looking forward to everything that it brings, for this amazing team and to the country!
Thank you to all"    Darcie

2009-04-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks,

This is a note from Hope.
Why?, you may ask, Why do Daryl and Hope feel compelled to keep taking teams to Ghana? Well, to be absolutely truthful, only God knows ( the whole story, anyway ). The part I know goes something like this.... There is something special ( magical ?, mystical?) about gathering together a group of people, who may not know each other, removing them completely from their comfort zone, working them til they drop ( almost), adding a huge dose of prayer, and seeing ( being part of ) what happens. It feels a lot like family, all the good things about family. And I have to say this year's team is one of the most amazing we have ever worked with. They already feel like family ( and we started out knowing them the least of any team ) and we haven't even got to Ghana yet. So, that is the North American side of the equation. Ghana feels more and more like home every time we go. This will be our 4th mission. The people there have let us into their family and they love to share their country with us. The country itself is beautiful and sometimes ugly or sad. It is such a place of paradox it is impossible to understand it with a North American brain, but once I let my preconceived notions of "beautiful" and "successful" and "comfortable" go, I find it impossible not to love every moment of my time there. It is an experience I think all people should have, certainly all young people before they are done school. So we ( God) has rounded up the 18 of us from an unlikely combination of places in our world and in our journeys through life and we are going to an unlikely village in Africa to play soccer (!) with school children and mix concrete and dance for hours in church (really!) and I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Hope

Team Posts ...

2009-04-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

Mikaela says,
I want to go to Africa to strengthen the friendships I made before. And I happen to like helping people and we do a lot of that when were there.
(Mikaela will be 15 when we go and this is her 3rd mission to Ghana)

Thank You

2009-03-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that it is already March? That means it is less than 4 months until we fly into the Sun. We are the blessed 18 who get to be the hands and feet of the hundreds of people it takes to get a mission like this off the ground. Thank you seems terribly inadequate for the amount of support we have received; I hope that through this blog you will feel like you are a part of this adventure.
The next few months will be hectic as we gear up our fundraising and start gathering the supplies we will be taking with us. There are many incredible people who have offered to donate items to this mission... over-the-counter medicine, work gloves, and school supplies are always welcome... Like I said Thank you does not seem like enough, so I googled how to say it in Ga, the predominant Ghanaian language, Ogiwadong, but you will have to wait until August for me to pronounce it.
I am now turning the blog over to the team so that you can get to know them before we go ... They really are an amazing bunch of people.
Ogiwadong, for your support, your money and your prayers, we could not do it without you. Peace, Kim.

2009-01-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

In July 2009 a team of 18 somewhat crazy Ontarians will travel (14 hours in the air) to Ghana West Africa for a 30 day mission of service. This team of teens and young adults (some just young at heart) ranges in age from 15 to 51. There are 5 males and 13 females, now you understand the somewhat crazy part.
The team currently gets together once a month to build their muscles, and build their relationships with each other. They learn about Ghana and the projects they will be doing while they are there.
This is an amazing group of compassionate people, they are so enthusiastic about this mission they can hardly be contained … they are the kind of people who will change the world, one person at a time.

Our Team

2008-12-11T07:34:00.000-08:00