From Colt: Jokes

 Knock knock.  Who's there.  Abby.  Abby who?  Abby birthday to you.

Why do you not do math in the jungle?  Because if you add 4 plus 4 you get ate.  

Can you please leave me some jokes under comments?  

Ougadougou, Burkina Faso

We are now in Burkina Faso for the two week school Colt will attend.  I realized tonight that within about two weeks we have slept in: Colleyville, Fort Worth, an airplane, Accra, Tamale, Nalerigu, and now Ougadougou.  That's seven different places, three different countries. 

We enjoyed another Thanksgiving meal tonight with more missionaries here in Ouga.  There are quite a few children here so Colt will enjoy getting to know them.  We got to worship tonight with these folks and what a drink for our thirsty souls it was.  

We traveled all day and are glad to be here.  We had to wait at the Burkina Faso border for an hour or so as they were closed for lunch!  

We have seen the hand of God on us even in taking illness away in the midst of praying against it.  

We went through the belongings of a missionary family that was in Nalerigu before us in the last couple of days, deciding what might be helpful to keep.  I excitedly chose paint colors to have the inside of the house painted, as well.  I look forward to decorating, naturally!  

We still don't know anything about our trunks.  So, we will stock up on diapers while here in Ouga, among other things.  Colt's school books are also in those trunks.  We'll have to go to Plan B if they don't show up before long!  

I think I've mentioned this, but in Nalerigu we have to go to the schoolhouse to use the internet.  So we are not as often on line most of the time now.  And the connection is not always good. We are definitely thankful to have access to the internet, though.  

Nalerigu

We got to Nalerigu today by lunch time and ate with the Hewitts.  Mona went all out for a delicous meal. We had lasagna, green beans, salad, rolls, chocolate chip cookies, and vanilla ice cream.  We all enjoyed it thoroughly.  The beef Mona had was absolutely delicious-much better than what I found in Accra.  

We are getting settled into one of the guest houses for now.  We are glad to have a bedroom for each of us again.  We have unloaded some of our groceries and other things and I've come to the school house/room to use the wi-fi.  Abigail is napping and Colt and Benton are playing together.  For those who may not know, the other family with children at home are Dr. Earl and Mona Hewitt.  They have a daughter, Emily, who is about 13, a daughter, Abby, who is about 11, and a son, Benton, who is about 8.  

All of the missionaries who are here right now are eating dinner together at another guest house to celebrate our arrival.  We feel very welcomed!  

In the last couple of days we have seen many interesting things.  On Sunday we saw many people walking home from church.  Some had plastic chairs on their head they were carrying home after using the chairs at church.  I even saw a couple of teenage? girls carrying large drums on their heads after apparently using them in worship that morning.  Makes you think about a lot of things, doesn't it?  

We will leave on Friday for Ouaga in Burkina Faso where the homeschool meeting is for two weeks.  Emily is excitedly packing for that while I am excitedly unpacking from being in limbo for a week!  

I guess that's it for now.  We are behind on email.  Thanks so much for sending them to us and we will catch up soon, we hope.

Kumasi

We made it to Kumasi tonight to a hotel (Treasure Land) that the Esalas recommended. We are glad to be here . We did drive by the coast, as well. Joel and Colt played in the water a bit, though the current was pretty strong so they didn't really swim.

About our trunks-they may arrive in Accra next week sometime while we are in Burkina Faso at the homeschool co-op meeting. They will be picked up and brought to Nalerigu. So, we still have only our luggage from flying over. Doing fine, though.

Tomorrow Joel will take the truck to the Toyota dealership here in Kumasi first thing in the morning. We are hoping to leave mid-moring for Nalerigu but may have to stay in Tamale tomorrow night if we don't get to leave in time.

We got to the coast after driving for two hours this morning. When we stopped to eat and get in the water, we noticed (as did someone nearby) that our rear left tire was smoking and smelled like rubber. (Yes, brand new Toyota truck.) It was noon and we still had about five hours of driving to do. The only Toyota dealerships within Ghana are in Accra (where we came from ) and Kumasi (where we were going). So, after lunch when we got back in the truck, we prayed against whatever was wrong with the truck and had absolutely no more trouble with that all day. We are so thankful for that and will see what the dealership finds tomorrow when they do the maintenance check.

Travel

We plan to leave in the morning for the coast to see the beach.  Joel and Colt may even get in the water and have talked about "surfing."  There is a surf shop on the coast here Joel has had his eye on since he found it on-line months ago!  Then we will head toward Kumasi for the night. We have an appt with the Toyota dealership there Monday morning to get our vehicle checked out as required.  Then we will get back on the road.  We will arrive in Nalerigu either late Monday or more likely on Tuesday.  I'm packing food and other necessary items for our trip.  We may or may not have internet at the hotel tomorrow night.  Thanks for your continued prayers.  

Spaghetti Lunch

 We took some photos after our lunch.  You can see Abigail completely enjoyed herself!  We're not too sure we will be having ground beef again anytime soon.  Even Joel is not too hip on it.  It's got quite a bit more fat, as well as a few other "issues!"  But we are thankful to have eaten spaghetti.   

(Internet connection off and on, sometimes sluggish here.  Tried to load two pics three times.  This one is now posted. We'll stick with that!)

Bike Shopping

Yesterday we had quite the adventure shopping for a bike for Colt.  We did not ship his bike from the states because we had to use air freight.  The bike that fits him now from Walmart in the states was around $75 new. Great, basic bike. 

We've been getting tips from the missionaries here, who are extremely helpful, about various things, including bikes.  Benton, the other MK boy in Nalerigu, has outgrown his old bike and needs one, also. So, we looked at a new store a few days ago and saw that the adult bikes were about 125 cedis (exchange rate currently is $1 to GH1.10).  So whatever the price is here, it is a little under that in American dollars.  We didn't see any bikes Colt's size there.

So, yesterday we went out to a few outdoor markets.  The Esalas (another missionary family) said they buy used American bikes for their kids.   They get a better deal and the bikes last longer. It took us awhile to find the spot.  When we asked about the first set of bikes, Joel was told for each used bike that they were 700 cedis!  (Something under $700)!  Needless to say, we did not buy one of those.  

Later, Joel found more bikes and asked about the price.  The bike was too small for Colt and was quite beat up, likely not to last much longer.  The price started at 400 cedis.  Joel bargained and immediately the man said he'd give it to us for 35 cedis!  No prices in-between!  But, we decided since it was too small and not in good shape not to get that one.

We went back to the new store (Game is the name) and found one bike that was Colt's size for about 116 cedis.  It was very nice-looking and seemed to work well.  Colt rode it around the store a bit. Once back to the guest house, the chain fell off within minutes, though.  So, we went back to Game to return it.  No problems getting our money back.  So we are back to looking for a bike for Colt. He has had a good attitude about all of this, though.  It sure is more exciting and adventurous to buy a bike here rather than in the states.  

I'm making spaghetti for lunch so need to close now.  Love and miss you all. Let us hear from you.  

Skype!

I was finally able to download Skype this morning!  Praise God.  Our name to call us on there is "holliedickens."  If you have a name/number already, let us know what it is.  If not, get one!  :)  We will be able to talk and use the webcam.  Let's set up a time.  

Church Video

Our church made this video of us and showed it the last Sunday we were there.  We so appreciate their support.  

First pics in Ghana at the Accra guest house

Here it is nearly 11 pm in Ghana.  The kids are still up.  Abigail fell asleep, then woke up after a short "nap."  Colt has not fallen asleep yet so we had him get up, too.  We are hoping they will burn off a bit more energy and sleep better tonight. Colt actually slept well last night.  

Abigail, on the other hand, wondered why Mommy and Daddy were playing the "Let's lie down and pretend to go to sleep in a dark room even though my body knows it's really time to play and eat" game.  Once it got to be bedtime in Texas, she did eventually fall asleep.  

We picked up the truck today, then used it to shop a bit in Accra.  They have a new indoor mall that is pretty nice.  We enjoyed the a/c while shopping!  They have many things you can buy in America here in the capital city.  However, they do cost a lot, lot more.  So, overall we are pleased with the choices we made of items to ship here from the states. 

We bought a Toyota quad cab truck (narrow model, not wide).  It's also an African model, not the same choices you have in the states exactly.  Joel was hoping to leave the capital city for Nalerigu over the weekend. But the car dealership wants us to put 1000 km on the truck, then bring it back so they can check it. Hhhhhmmmm. I don't recall doing that in the states.  I'm sure the truck is fine, though.  They just like to be thorough here, right?  :)  So going to Nalerigu is too far (Joel tried to work that out with them).  We may do a few touristy things here.  

We purchased a high chair today.  (A must-have in our book.)  We had a great one given as a gift with Abigail that we had to leave at home as it was such a nice size and cost a lot to ship.  We also bought a few Christmas items (like stockings) as we didn't bring very much of that.  

Some of you have asked about the grocery store.  Colt and I ran into the grocery store at the mall while Joel and Abigail waited.  We bought spaghetti, sauce, hamburger meat, yogurt, cereal, cow's milk (the kind in a box, not the refrigerated kind as they don't have that here from what we know), one cucumber, one small, round watermelon, cereal, a small block of cheese, some tape...

It was very much a western store in all accounts except the prices (typically much higher) and some of the quality of products (can be lower).  Keep in mind this is 13 hours away from where we will be living.  We will not have any stores remotely like this where we will be living.  

There are many people selling their wares all over the streets here.  You have to clearly let them know you are not interested in buying if that is the case.  

We took the long way back to the guest house (on accident).  The roads are not marked well and there are not many places at all to get off the highways here.  We ended up getting back to the guest house with time to spare before dinner, though.  

I will eventually get to pictures.  I have to say I'm not quite as eager to post photos of me in my 24/7 sweaty condition, though!  

We are doing well.  It is great to have wi-fi at the guest house now.  Since it is not in our room (and therefore I'm not in our room and it is late) I guess I'll stop here.  

Almost-I have to say it's a bit strange being six hours away from you all.  We love the comments and emails so much.  But realizing most of you are six hours behind us in your day does leave us (I'll say me, don't know about anyone else) feeling disconnected.  We'll get used to it, I'm sure.  Love you all lots.

JFK Airport Monday

Here in Ghana

We are at the guest house in Accra, Ghana now. We are doing very well besides being tired. Abigail is napping and we are all about to lie down for a little while. We want to get on Ghana time as fast as possible, though, so we will stay up most of the day. We love you all very much. More when we are not so tired!

NYC

Hey, All!  Having a hard time with the internet connection here in NY so I'll make this quick to be sure it gets out.  We made the trip just fine and are relaxing a bit while waiting for our flight to Accra.  Thanks so much for your prayers.  We feel them, for sure!  We love you all and miss you already.  

Comments 101

You can make a comment about a post for all to read by clicking on the word comments at the end of the post. We really like it when you do this-bunches and bunches!!!

Waking up on a Plane

Colt was sick throughout the night last night so we changed our flight to leave tomorrow morning instead. We have word our trunks are supposed to be on their way. Praise God! We have had a restful day and are looking forward to a good night's sleep. So, we're off to Ghana in the morning. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Our flight leaves D/FW at 8:25 am, then we arrive in NYC around 1 p.m. 3 hour layover. then leaving for Accra, Ghana. Will be sleeping on the plane-even Abigail. I say this in FAITH, my friends! :)

I'll try to touch base with you all from NYC if it's not crazy expensive to hook up to their wireless system.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Here We Are

I have used as one of my labels for posts "Ghana" but now realize that will describe us everyday pretty soon so it won't be very helpful after awhile anymore, huh? :)

We are enjoying time with family and friends this weekend before we leave on Sunday morning.

Friends of ours, Bill and Celeste, blessedly took our trunks to D/FW airport for us. When they dropped them off they were told there is currently a pilots' strike with our cargo carrier. Something else is trying to be worked out but for now we are not sure how our things will get to Ghana.

But you know what? We know the One who has the whole world in His hands, the One who created each pilot who is currently striking. We know the One who cares for the lilies of the field. We know the One who's single hand spans the entire world. This same One loves us more than we can comprehend and He will work out these small details.

Following Blogs

Ok, you expert bloggers. Tell me something. When someone follows your blog, does that mean they get an email sent to them when you update? And for those who are not on blogspot, is there a way to have emails automatically sent to them when we update? I know I'll get all kinds of great info from you all out there!

You are good, Your mercy is forever

Kari Jobe's voice echoes in the background as I type this.  Six days until we leave San Angelo, nine days til we leave the states for Ghana.  Our hearts are all so full of the Lord. We see the power of your prayers.  

Our dog, Dallas, is missing tonight in this weather where it will get down to 36 degrees.  We still have no home for her but will see how the Lord works.  We have looked for her tonight several times but can't find her.  

God loves the people of Ghana just as He does the rest of the world.  

We love you all.  It is late and there is more to do.  I'll close for now.  Let us keep hearing from you.