We have finished with the IRS and it did not cost as much as we initially thought that it would cost. That is always a “good thing” especially here in Ghana when the people are masters at extracting just a little bit more money for this or that. Actually the men at the IRS were surprised that we worked all the papers so quickly. We could not go back and gather the sales tax for a whole year; we had to break it down month by month and itemize each month separately. Then we had to make 2 pay slips for each month and include a copy of the audit for each of the 6 years. Luckily we have a printer and Steve filled out one form and made copies. He then just had to plug in the date and the amounts. At least it is over and we can get on to other things. We have a saying that we just love, “This Too Shall Pass!”
Steve was invited to attend a meeting on corruption this morning. Ghana is eaten up with corruption from the highest offices to the vendor in the street. Every new government says they are going to do something about corruption. A Ghanaian proverb says, “If you have your hand in the lion’s mouth can you slap him with your other hand?” Everyone is afraid to report cases of corruption because they are afraid that someone will report them. He said that the meeting was good but there was no real solution given for the problem.
Zorash went to the meeting this morning too so we were short-handed in the Child Center but luckily there were not too many mothers today. Today is the first day of Ramadan; the month long Muslim fast. Meri and Amama were both here early for work this morning because they had to get up at 3:00 to get something cooked for their families to eat before the sun came up and the fast started. They only fast from sun up to sundown. They eat real food for breakfast during Ramadan; rice, fufu, Tzed and soup. I told Meri that she should get a large thermos and make the soup the night before and put it in the thermos to keep it hot and then she should get a cooler to keep the rice hot and then she would not have to get up so early. She said that her husband would say she was lazy and say he did not want to eat old food! Please!
One of the brothers from Frimado stopped by this morning to pick up a calendar. He wants to come to the monthly classes but he is confused about when they are held. I gave him a calendar for himself and one for the church. I also sent the church a Konkomba Bible because it has been a while since we have visited the church and I figured they could use a new one. Our thanks go out to those that give us money for Bibles.
Thank you for all you do for us!
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
