Happy Halloween

Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in Ghana. The principal of the high school, Barbara Willingham, invited the teachers to her house for breakfast and then we went to the glass bead shop I'd been to when I first got here. The school had just gotten a used bus, so we travelled in relative comfort, the trip was a little over half an hour and the comradary was good. Joyce Crosby came, but Tim had a last minute commitment and couldn't make it with us. There were two egg casseroles, apple and plain pancakes, fruit salad, Tang to drink and various teas & coffee: an impressive spread for about 13 guests. I sat in the kitchen with Joyce and Barbara, and the younger teachers sat in the dining room. That's part of why I enjoyed it so much: just listening to "older conversation" talking about grandchildren and struggles when their children were little did me good.

Since I'd seen the wonderful beads before, this time I came prepared with some money to buy things. Ready made jewelry was noticeably more expensive, so I bought beads to string myself, and two pairs of simple earrings. We walked to the shop, past a toll booth that the police us to detain people they think they can get a bribe from (any delay by police may be just an unnecessary delay, waiting to be bought out of the delay). Anything in Ghana may be corrupt, but there's not much to do about it except threaten to report it if you happen to be a person of authority. There was a mango tree at the shop, so I had a friend, Meghann. pose by the tree (photo).
The Willinghams live on a small Christian university campus, quite rural. Roy Willingham teaches at the Christian university (it is really more the size of a high school with two or three classroom buildings) was home when we came back, he told us of the cobra he killed in one bedroom, and the green mamba snakes in the tall grass nearby. I guess life in urban Accra does have its advantages . . .  It was about noon when we left to head back to school. We talked our driver into detouring to let us get the watermelons to carve that evening at the Palace.

We had several hours at home before guests might show up, so I had time to put finishing touches on my devotion. Monday is my turn, and I'd not felt as Biblically organized as the others who have done the Monday morning devotions. Thanks to a book Carolyn gave me months ago, "Praying Our Goodbyes" I was able to put together some thoughts about facing changes. Although my commitment to the school is only one semester, most of the second year teachers will soon be asked if they wish to stay another year, and they are struggling. Many are considering other NICS schools,but I've not heard anyone talk about returning home except for Christmas break. Anyway, I got my thoughts organized on computer, and if I can't get a printout early Monday morning, I'll just start my computer and read it from there.

Not as many people came to our house, so there were just two melons carved. Faith and Christy gutted ours and I drew Tim Crosby's face on it. Kim and Shari carved one with a Ghanaian symbol; finishing a long time before I did. I'd never tried carving lines only half way through (so the white is still in place, but lets some light through). I'm attaching a picture of the carved watermelon and one of Tim's face so you  can  judge for yourself. It was fun, and I enjoyed trying something new and artsy. We then watched Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin before calling it a night around 8:30. Since we were going to early service Sunday, I took a shower and went to bed.

So it was a more social day than I usually have, and I put my artistic talents to use. A very good day for which to thank the Lord!