The End of Week one in Ghana

Greetings Christian Family

Accra Traffic

Well, we have completed our first week in Ghana and it has been a doozy.  Between, trying to figure out where we are and playing hurry up and wait under the hot, dusty streets of Accra in the middle of neverending traffic jams, we are finally aware of the fact that “we are no longer in Kansas.” 

Road to Sogakope

After arriving in Ghana, we were shuttled to the Every Child Ministries (ECM) children's home just outside of Accra in Nsawam.  We have been staying at the children's home and have only visited the town of Sogakope (in the Volta Region) twice.  It would seem that the logistics of beginning our mission work here in Ghana involves a great deal more than just the desire to serve. 

Purchasing a vehicle was a very smooth transaction, only taking a few days.  God led us to a wonderful vehicle at a reasonable price.  The seller, who was a Christian, was kind enough to do all the necessary paperwork to register our vehicle.  Other transactions have not been quite as easy.  Any dealing with government officials can be very time consuming.  One of our fellow missionaries, Jim Driscoll, however, has introduced us to higher government officials who are very kind and helpful.  In Ghana, it really helps to know the right people!

Renting in Ghana is VERY different from renting in the US.  Landlords expect 1-2 years rent in advance (or more) and they do not finish the place until after you pay them.  Scary!  Also, the renter has to provide everything…even cabinets, shelves, stove, etc.  Please pray God will lead us to the right place. 

Presidential Palace

We have already had adventures in Ghana.  Once we purchased our vehicle, a Rexton, which is a 4 wheel drive SUV, we had the freedom to go to Accra and get lost any time we wanted.   Actually, it has been great getting lost; we have seen so much of the city that we would never have found if we had a driver!  We have driven past the ocean, the presidential palace, the theater, market after market…we have really started finding our way around Accra, which is no small feat.  Accra traffic makes DC feel like a tiny little town in the country.

The best and worst part of our time in Ghana so far was when we visited children living on the streets of Accra.  It is absolutely heartbreaking!  We went after church Sunday.  I am told it was a light day; there were only about 40 children.  I only saw two mothers there; all the other children were completely unaccompanied.  The government allows the children to sleep at the train station at night when it is closed.  ECM workers and volunteers teach Bible lessons and give them food and first aid.  Most importantly, they give them love.  The heartbreaking part is that there is not enough room for them all at the children's home.  To walk away knowing the kids would be sleeping on the veranda of the train station was not an easy thing to do.  Some of the children were less than 2 years old!  Please pray for them and pray that God will direct our paths as we seek His will for us in Ghana.

We love you guys and miss you a lot!  May God richly bless you!

James &  Denese