We got up early to be sure that we would be up and ready to go when Dauda, the mason, called us this morning. We could not figure out why he was not calling so we decided to take the grate and go to the back field and wait on him. We thought maybe the network was not working but when Steve called him, he answered. He said that something had come up in his house and he was meeting with someone and that he would call us when he was free. We went for our walk; finally, by mid-morning he called. Dauda is rather stubborn and he did not want to start where we wanted him to and then he did not want to take down the small portion of the wall where we needed to put the first grate! He said it would not matter! We told him that if we did not open that portion and put in a grate, we were making a dam and the water would still sit in that area of the field. After much ta-ado about nothing he agreed to do it the way we wanted it done! His way would have been easier but it would not have solved the problem! You never know with Dauda; sometimes he says “yes” he will do it our way but then he does whatever he pleases!
A couple of the vehicles needed their road worthy stickers. Steve was surprised when he went to the office. He said that the vehicle department has a new building and now it is a full-service office. He was able to get the stickers today instead of giving them to a courier and have them taken to Tamale. One of the officers actually checked the vehicle today to make sure that it was in proper working order. The only fault they found was that we had an expired fire extinguisher! Yes, every vehicle is required to have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and emergency triangles. They were selling fire extinguishers at the office; imagine that! So, Steve bought one from them. If we had known they were going to do an inspection, we would have taken one out of the blue van; somehow, it has 3 fire extinguishers. Like I am going to try to put the fire out if my vehicle catches fire! Nope! I am going to run for the hills! That is one of the craziest things I have ever heard!
A father brought his 4-year-old son to the Center this morning. The child drank caustic soda that his grandmother was using to make soap. His esophagus is no longer functioning. He cannot eat, swallow or speak. He needs surgery to try to fix part of the problems. He has a feeding tube and the family is looking for enough money to do the surgery. The hospital in Kumasi scheduled the surgery for November 5 of this year. Steve told them that we would help with ½ the money if they could find the rest. They already have about ¼ of the money so they should be able to gather the money to make up the difference. Of course, if the time for the surgery comes and they do not have all the money we will help again. Thank you to those of you who donate money to help the children!
A man came about 1 ½ weeks ago; he needed surgery to correct an issue he was having with his bladder. The best we can understand is that the urine is leaking into his abdominal cavity. He said that years ago my parents (Royce and Cindy Reynolds) helped him with surgery to correct the same issue. At that time, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident and damaged his bladder. The surgery had been a success but now it seems something has started leaking again. He needed money to have scans done so the doctors could see exactly what needed to be done. Steve helped him with the money for the scans but gave no promises as to if or how much we could help with if he had to have surgery. He got the tests and he came home with a tube in his stomach to help drain the fluid. We are still confused about exactly what the doctors are going to do but Steve told him that we would help with half of the cost of the surgery. Thanks again to those who help with “Whatever comes up”! We don’t always help adults; our focus is the children and babies but we help the adults when we can.
Thanks for all you do for all those in Ghana!
In HIS Service,
Steve, Kandie and Skeeter
The Monkeyshines
When the parents went for their walk today, they stopped at the neighbors to ask who could repair a well pump. Well, guess what? The neighbors have a small red monkey! The monkey is not being treated very well; he /she is on a very short lease and has nothing to play with; nothing to eat and no sign of a water dish! The monkey is young. The monkey has already started the repetitive motions of an animal that has nothing to do! You know they will eventually wear themselves out pacing the floor and jumping for no reason. Boredom causes neurotic behaviors in captive animals. Mom has been worried about that little monkey all day! She asked Dad if he thought it would be ok to take some toys to the red monkey and bring it some food. Dad said it was a bad idea. I guess it is a bad idea because other monkeys can bring disease to me! But because Mom is worried about him, so am I! He is not the same type monkey I am and every different type of monkey carries its own health issue!
On a brighter note! I had 2 bottles with banana milkshakes today and one last night before I went to bed! Mom told me that there was only one more bottle’s worth of banana milkshake in the refrigerator; that made me sad! But I saw a couple over ripe bananas on the kitchen table so I am in hopes that there are more banana milkshakes in my future!
Did you know there are bats in the big mango tree? Well, there are and they are having babies; but sometimes the babies do not hang on well and they fall to the ground and die! It is sad that they die but the worst part is that Mom won’t let me touch them; she is afraid that I am going to catch a disease from them! Come on Mom, live a little! She is so worried about every little thing!
Mom’s a worry wart! Not sure what that is but she is one!
Love, Skeeter
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