Well friends, it's been quite a week here, and not the easiest by any stretch of the imagination. But, here it is Friday and there is much to be grateful for. It's time to pack the tent and sleeping bag and get out of the city for a bit. The fam is headed to Glen Rose (which I'm assured is fantastic), where we will introduce camping to my two favorite kiddoes, search for dinosaur tracks, and no doubt find some adventure. Luckily, it's only an hour and a half drive for me; I feel like I've already put in my driving hour quota for the week in Dallas traffic.

How did I learn to navigate so well? Rocky Mountain roads...



Cue John Denver.

Sunday: dropped off at Awoujakope for church. Worshipped with some beautiful people and hung out with some sweet children.









Got stranded on the island for 4 hours after church, waiting for our boat; felt like a scene out of Lost.
Called home to wish our Moms a Happy Mother's Day... while sitting in plastic chairs on the 'beach'.
Watched a wrestling match; the kid in the Obama underwear clearly earned the top spot.



Late start leaving Yeji, but survived a 7 hour trek (this time by car) back down to Accra.
Air conditioned room at the Acacia Lodge. Small taste of heaven.
Monday: Best. Breakfast. Ever. Scrambled eggs and toast.
Spent the day at various places in Accra. Started the evening with a celebratory dinner of steak, potatoes, bread, and dessert at a French restaurant... ended the evening at the Accra airport, followed by a 10-hour flight back to the States.
Parted way with the boys in DC.
Tuesday: Home. Ate ice cream, turned off the AC to keep from getting cold, and counted days until the next trip.

Lots of pics...

Friday: spent the morning out on the lake meeting trafficked children.







Collected footprints for a canvas to be auctioned at our upcoming MP Art Auction.



Sweet Ebenezer.



Clint, our friend Gabriel, and I hopped in a taxi to Atebubu. Jammed out to "I Shot the Sheriff".
Went to the local hospital for 'black market' Amoxycillian, found an internet cafe, and toured a previously used shelter for rescued kids.


Saturday: joined up with some folks from another anti-trafficking organization.
Headed back to Beta Pu. Made it 2 minutes out from Yeji and spent a few hours trying to get the boat motor to work. No Beta Pu; whale watching instead.
Cruised 'Main Street' in Yeji and picked up some questionable packaged cookies for the next day and a Star Beer...

Finally, finally... a little report from the trip. It's hard to sum up 10 days of adventure, but here are some highlights:

Sunday: flew to Chicago, then DC. Met Chris and Clint in DC; flew to Accra.
Monday: drove to Akosombo and hoped on a ferry at 5.

Traveled up Lake Volta; tossed raw eggs in the lake and survived on a large sack of Kit Kats, courtesy of United Airlines.

Tuesday: slept in a sauna, but got a $6 discount due to the broken "AC".
33 hours later... arrived in Yeji in the middle of the night.
Wednesday: woke up to a monster rainstorm.
Crossed the lake to Awoujakope (spelling, butchered) and met the village leaders under a mango tree.


Saw where our beta project will launch in late June (insert great excitement here).

Started learning a few words in Twi. (Ye fre mi Akwasia.)
Thursday: visited Beta Pu (again with the spelling... this is the phonetic version). Listened to lots of discussion over why one individual wasn't allowed to have his own personal fish pond. Progress?

Back to Awoujakope to deliver a soccer ball. Walked approx 50 miles to the "pitch". Lots of smiling kiddoes.


Feasted on tilapia and rice. Explored Yeji...

Well, I have no time to write anything spectacular right now, but I couldn't abandon ship for two weeks in a row. So here is today's flashback photo:


I actually really like this one... two well-behaved kids, never mischievous, never arguing or acting up... although it begs the question: Where is the hat that goes with my sailor outfit?

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Ghana post coming as soon as I can get a few photos edited. Going to clone myself now...

Home. It's good to be back, but there are things that I can't seem to get too excited about jumping back into... good thing I have my next ticket already booked. :)

Great trip, had a wonderful time, learned a lot, experienced a lot. Working on pictures and a slew of other items to finish out the week/weekend. Check back in a few days for a recap.

For the week:
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17