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

Here I stand, on the brink of adventure. Ready to take on the world. See what there is to see. I am dressed for success and decked out with all the tools I need. Let the safari begin...


I'm pretty sure this picture was taken while hunting, not while on a safari. And I'm pretty sure I wasn't too happy about smiling for the camera. I'm pretty sure I did feel quite special to be toting around Dad's fancy binoculars. And I'm pretty sure I wore those giraffe 'jam' shorts everywhere I went. Awesome.

But I'm also pretty sure that I'm headed to Africa on Sunday morning. Woohoo! I can't tell you the number of people who have told me to "watch out for lions" this week. So just to clear that up: There's a better chance of me getting eaten alive by a school of tilapia fish than even seeing a single lion. Moving on... I am so excited to be going back. When we returned last year from our group trip to Kete Krachi, the only thing I could think about was 'when can I go again'? This trip has been a long time in coming and is a result of a lot of prayers, a lot of hopes, and a lot of things falling into place just right. I am so blessed.

Time to throw some stuff in a pack, clear out the memory cards, and grab my safari hat...

Made the trek to Canyon this last weekend and returned with a treasure. Mom put her expert sewing skills to work (and I do mean expert... see below) and crafted a little camera bag for me. This little jewel is the perfect fit for my camera body and one lens, complete with mattress pad lining. Love it!




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Came across this video yesterday. I honestly don't love the end piece but am very drawn to the process and detail with which it was created. Very impressive.

A Portrait of Christ from Jeremy Cowart on Vimeo.

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5 days! I don't think I've written too much about it on here, but I'm leaving on Sunday for a 10-day excursion to Ghana with Chris and another Mercy Project supporter. Absolutely cannot wait to go back. We'll be traveling up to some of the lake villages and spending time with the people there as well as the children in slavery on the lake. I'm most excited about digging into the Ghanaian culture more, learning and soaking in as much as I can, and refocusing my heart on those precious kids. I will also be gathering artwork from some of the trafficked children to use in our next fundraising event. Mark your calendars for June 9th at Downtown 202 in Bryan. Mercy Project will be hosting An Evening of Artistry: Benefit Dinner and Art Auction, and it will be a night to remember. More on that event soon!

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Verse of the week... This one falls right into place in gearing up to leave this weekend. Praying that our team of 3 will be of one heart and mind, that our purpose and work will be carried out in unity, that the Ghanaian fisherman and children will one day be of one heart and mind, that God would use the work of Mercy Project for His glory alone. Won't you join me in that prayer?

"The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe..."
John 17:21ish

Three cheers for a holiday weekend! Headed to Canyon tomorrow to hang with Mom and Dad for a few days – looking forward to it. Thought I'd put up my Friday post a little early this time around.

Growing up we had this tradition of Father/Daughter and Mother/Son date nights. I couldn't tell you details of a lot of those outings, but I do know they were one of my favorite memories as a kid. I'm always so blessed by time spent with Dad, and I'm excited that we have a date night scheduled for this weekend!

Here's an old shot of us in Las Colinas (can't remember the occasion...); I'm the one rockin' the shin-high socks. Who would've guessed I'd end up in the Metroplex?!


Happy Easter to all!