Well, we are back in Yendi. It has been quite the journey getting here this time. Ghana opened her border for air traffic on the first of September. Originally we thought that we would wait for Ghana’s Covid numbers to come down even further before returning but when we checked on visitor visas we found out that right now Ghana was not issuing visas. We have a resident visa that expires on October 4th and they can only be renewed in Ghana. If we did not take advantage of this small window of opportunity we did not know when we would be able to come back.
Ghana requires that anyone traveling into Ghana has to have a PCR Covid test not more than 72 hours before they begin their journey. This is not the rapid test. It takes 4 to 5 days for these tests to come back in Alabama because we have been having so many cases of the virus. Our son Marcus works for a lab; he went with us to one of their test facilities and worked his magic. They were able to overnight our samples and get the results back in time. We were so relieved when we got the “negative” results. While we were hunting for someone to do the test quickly Steve called a travel clinic. It took them a while to return his phone call but they promised quick results so we tried to stack the cards in our favor by taking 2 test. All the tests came back “negative”.
Our flight out of Huntsville left at 7:00 in the morning. We had to be at the airport at 5:00. We got up around 4:00. Our son Aaron got up early and drove us to the airport. While we were waiting to get checked in Zorash, the receptionist for the Child Center called. She said that armed robbers had come to the mission house. They came wearing ski masks holding a machete and a pistol. Mr. Iddrisu was in his office; he had left the small gate open because Zorash was supposed to be coming to get formula for one of the mothers. When he heard someone at the gate he assumed it was Zorash and he shouted to her that he was in the office and the small gate was unlocked. He said that he looked up and a man with a machete held over his head walked in the office. The man with the gun stood guard outside. They demanded that Mr. Iddrisu open the safe. They took the money, the keys for the safe and Mr. Iddrisu’s cell phone and keys. Before they left they tied Mr. Iddrisu’ hands and tied him around the waist to the office chair. After they left Mr. Iddrisu untied the rope around his waist but overbalanced the chair and fell on the ground. After he was on the ground he had no way of getting back up. He started calling for help. He was on the ground for about 30 minutes before someone passing by heard him.
Someone from the clinic nearby had Zorash’s phone number. She called Nazo, the day man, who did not come to work that day because it was raining. They called Red and Steve. Steve told them to go immediately and report it to the police. The police said that this was their 4throbbery this morning. It happened about 10:00 in the morning. Iddrisu is still shook up and not sleeping. Steve gave him the money for a new cell phone. Red borrowed money and changed the locks to everything Mr. Iddrisu had a key too. What a way to start the trip to Ghana!
Once we got into Ghana we had to have another Covid test. This one was the rapid test. We could not leave the airport until we got a negative result on that test too. It was a little scary waiting for that test because if it was positive we would be turned over to Ghana Health Services and put in quarantine somewhere in Accra at our own expense! Thank you but no thank you!
The last time we got our resident visa the immigrations officer made a mistake on the date on Steve’s visa and used “white out” to make the correction. We have traveled in and out with the visa with no problem but this time the officer tried to accuse Steve of changing the date because it had expired. Please! They pulled Steve out of the line and took him to talk to the “big man.” After much discussion and threats of sending him back to the states they released him with a fine. We were not in the same line in immigrations so I sailed right on through. I saw them taking him somewhere so I busied myself hunting for our luggage.
When we were finally released from the airport Steve called our friend Bismark who is taxi driver and has a van to come and pick us up. His driver took us to the domestic airlines where we bought our tickets to Yendi. Steve had made reservations for the afternoon fight but we had time to get on the noon flight. We then had the driver take us to change money and then back to the domestic airport. We got a bite of something to eat and had a short wait for our flight. We got to Tamale before Red, the driver, did. He wanted to wash the van before he picked us up. Really who cares if the van is dirty?
The air conditioning in van was not working so we stopped by the mechanic and had it recharged. We stopped on our way into Yendi and said Hello to Timothy Niligrini. As soon as we got to Yendi we went to Mr. Iddrisu’s house to check on him. He was still worried and frightened.
Today we went to Kulkpeni for worship. Most of the people were not wearing their masks and there was not enough room to do any social distancing; we sat on the back bench. Steve preached and encouraged them about the importance of wearing their masks. Everyone was happy that we were back.
Zorash stopped by for a visit this afternoon; we had a good discussion about how to make the mission house safer.
We spent the afternoon getting the paper work ready for our trip back to Tamale tomorrow.
Take care and have a great day!
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
