At 7:00 this morning we loaded up the pickup with Nazo, the day man / painter, the ladder, paint, water, and Nazo’s bicycle and headed out to Kulkpeni to show Nazo exactly what we wanted painted. Nazo is sort of a wild card; he pretty much does what he thinks is best whether or not it is exactly what we want him to do. He seemed to understand what we wanted painted; which colors and with which paint. We will have to wait and see how it all turns out. Hardly any of the buildings in Kulkpeni are painted so whatever he does will be fine.
We spent the rest of the morning outside working on the flour sacks. Oh! My what a mess they were in. Do you realize that dried bread dough is like glue and very hard to get off the flour sacks. Steve even got a hammer after the dried dough trying to get it to come off. We finally decided to soak the dried dough; well that turned into a big sticky dough ball. The reason there is dough stuck to the flour sacks is because after they mix the dough the women put the dough back into the flour sack and let it rise. The dough permeates the flour sacks and makes a huge mess. After we got the sacks taken apart and most of the dough off them we put them in the washing machine to soak. I figure that a good soaking overnight cannot hurt them.
This afternoon we continued working on the “brain” for the work here in Ghana. This is sort of a “How to survive in Ghana” manual especially when it comes to the business end of things. Useful tips on where to go to renew and register stuff. The elders thought it would be a helpful thing to have in case someone decides to come over here and help us with the work. Of course Mr. Iddrisu, Red and Timothy Niligrini know where most of the offices are.
Mr. Oldman, our neighbor stopped by for a visit this morning. He bought his aunt with him. His aunt has never had any children of her own which is very sad especially in this society. Anyway, one of her nieces died and left a small baby. The family gave the baby to Mr. Oldman’s aunt to raise. She is so happy to have a baby to care for. We provide the formula for the baby. It is a win- win situation; the elderly lady finally has a child to care for and she is keeping the baby out of the orphan’s home. Mr. Oldman also had his oldest son Salime with him today. Salime did not go to school today because he has malaria and had to go to the doctor to get tested and treated for it. He should feel better in a few days. We gave him a plastic bag so he could pick up mangos while he was here and then we sent him a bag of candy and chewing gum to share with his brothers and sisters. He was happy when he went home.
Keep us and the work in your prayers.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
