We are back in Yendi. We got back at 5:30 this evening. We had enough time to unload the van before it was completely dark. We left the hotel this morning at 9:45. We landed in Tamale at 1:45. Our plane was a little late leaving Accra. We were in the process of pulling our luggage off the carousel when the electricity went off. Well, naturally the conveyor belt came to a screeching halt. Fortunately, the arrivals hall has a bank of window so we were not in total darkness. Even after the electricity came back on it took a while for the conveyor belt to start moving again. We always have so much excess luggage on the flight from Accra to Tamale that they put our extra bags on stand-by, in case the plane is overweight part of our luggage would come in on the next flight. We have been lucky so far and our luggage has never not arrived with us. We were happy when we picked up our last bag! We had 8 bags that weighed 50 pounds apiece, 2 carry and 2 backpacks. Red was waiting for us when we exited the airport. He is a good guy!
When we got to Tamale our first stop was the bank. We had gotten word that Standard Chartered Bank was no longer going to be taking care of all their small business and personal checking accounts. They were changing over to commercial banking only. We were not sure where that was going to leave the Child Center. We have banked with them for more than 25 years. We were not looking forward to finding another bank! We were excited when we were told that the only change we should see was a different name for bank and that our account and location would remain the same. You know the old saying, “If something sounds too good to be true it probably is!” We may run into some hiccups along the way but for now we are going to enjoy a worry-free moment.
We needed fruits and vegetables so we went to the vegetable market and got almost everything we needed. Mother Hubbard’s cupboard was pretty bare. The only thing that we did not get was onions but they are readily available in Yendi.
We stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken on the way out of Tamale so there was no cooking for Sister Kandie tonight! We bought about ½ a bushel of fresh green beans at the vegetable market. We were very excited to see that many; usually we only find a few small handfuls. As we were riding back to Yendi I was snapping beans. I got most of them done before we reached the mission house and Steve finished up the rest while we were sanitizing the vegetables.
Thank you for all the prayers!
In HIS Service,
Steve, Kandie and Skeeter
The Monkeyshines
It was almost dark when I heard the van coming down the lane! I wondered, could it be? Could the parents be coming home? Is this going to be my lucky day? I have sat up in the tree of my new condo for 2 months waiting for them, just hoping to see the van that took them away bring them back to me!
I got out of the tree and hung onto the side of the condo so I could get a better look. Sure, enough it was the van but I could not see who was in the van. Did you know monkeys have very good eyesight? Well, we do! I saw a fluffy lady jump out of the van to open the gate and I knew in an instant that it was my MOM! She started calling my name, I got so excited that I started running all over the condo! It took her forever to get the gate unlocked. I don’t know how many keys she tried; I thought Dad was going to have to get out of the van and help her! If she was a monkey she could have just climbed over the gate and jumped to the other side. Another disadvantage to being a person!
By the time Mom and Dad got over to my condo with the key I was feeling shy. Mom came in and sat down on the stone stool but I was so nervous that I could barely stand it! It was like we were strangers and at the same time good friends; it was very awkward! I would walk around her and smell of her and made my little clicking and chirping noises; just between me and you she needed a bath; traveling for 3 days has done her no favors!
Mom finally said, “Well, Skeeter it looks like you need a little time to yourself. I am going to go out and I will come back in a little while and check on you.” As soon as she opened the door to leave, I started crying and acting pitiful. Mom squatted down, held out her hand and said, “If you want to go with me give me your hand.” I put my hand in hers and climbed up in her arms. Everything was right again in both of our worlds! The parents were finally HOME!
Life is Good!
Love, Skeeter
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