Catching up in Ghana

In the last post you learned some about the building process for the Clinic. That was just the building. There are plans also for a well with purification system on it and latrines. We can all learn about that later. My apologies for the lack of pictures on the slide show and movie on this blog. It seems as if I just can't get Picasa and Blogger to connect, thus nothing happening. But I continue to try to figure it out and one day, wa..la, it will be there. I have about 50 pictures from Ghana in the movie that I so want to share with you all. Have faith, the will appear, someday.

This morning I Skyped with a friend in Tamale. He is from Zambia and is completing his training with the Christian Brothers in Tamale. We met last April on the eventful trip to Tamale and have continued to email, Facebook, Skype ever since. He is a very nice and talented young man that has chosen a profession dedicating his life to his people. Our chats always leave me hopeful and excited to return to Ghana. We discuss his current studies, his hopes, his fears, yet this young man's dedication and optimism leave me with a feeling of joy and happiness in my heart. As I think about that, all my Ghana friends provide that feeling of being loved and cared for. They are wonderful people. Hopefully, I will be able to take a week and visit with Sydney and the Brothers and meet Emelia, a new friend in Tamale. She works with orphaned children and the elderly in the Tamale area in the northern part of Ghana. Emelia and I Skype frequently also, sharing ideas and information about our projects. I have offered to spend some time with her also as she makes her rounds, examining children the elderly.

Sisters Irene and Laurene are back in Kumasi after the summer in the US. Their wish list is in my hands, taking over those oh so yummy American treats they miss. Even Cindy, the cook has a list for me this time! Parmesan Cheese (only the Kraft kind) measuring cups and things of that nature. Last year it was note cards. Did you know you cannot find note cards in Kumasi...Office Max are you listening? Cool Whip packets, tea...just little things of enjoyment. I am anxious to see their new apartment and spend time with them again. Laurene and Irene are working on a library at the Spiritual Center in Kumasi. For many years Laurene has been holding a lending library on the porch of their home a couple of nights a week, then on two other nights, she tutors English. My friend Lydia from Kyekyewere has been taking English lessons from her and sent me a letter this past winter that she wrote herself! Now the Sisters are in the midst of building their dream library at the Center.

Actually I was going to write about the state of health in the Village of Kyekyewere and my plans for this longer trip. But, I gabbed on about my friends instead. That is good; you should meet Sydney, the Sisters, Cindy and Lydia, then Daniel, Edward, Emmanuel, Nana and the list could go on. You would love them too. Maybe tomorrow I will tell you of my health plans for the trip.

Remember your donation for the clinic building and/or medications is much appreciated by the Village of Kyekyewere. If you send me a picture too, I will post it on a board with other donors so the Villagers can 'see' those in the US who care about them.