An Unexpected Journey

At the beginning of January, 2012, the idea of going to Africa was not even on the radar, let alone on the bucket list.  So the fact that we are now in Accra, Ghana is the first miracle.  Later I will post an exerpt from one of John's letters last May that tells how this trip came about.

So for now we have embarked, like the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, on an unexpected journey.

John and I left Orlando Wed. Jan. 2.  We got to the airport around noon since we had so much luggage to check in.  Four gigantic bags to check and two 80 pound trunks full of medical equipment and supplies.  Then our 3 carry on bags.  It was quite a pile!!

At the Delta check in, the young man had a rather incredulous look as he spied the baggage being unloaded from the hotel SUV.   Following a quick explanation of why we had it, he then proceeded to carefully weigh each bag and we shuffled things back and forth till each piece of luggage was within the 50 lb. limit.  Then, the lady who was in charge said because we were going on a Humanitarian mission, she would only charge for the 2 extra trunks, ($200 each) and not the fact that they were overweight also, thus saving us $400.  How very kind, and what we considered a second miracle.

We boarded the flight for New York and after a quick layover settled in for the 9 hour flight to Accra.  Three movies, 2 meals and no sleep later, we landed safely on what was now Thursday.  Since our medical trunks had gone to Atlanta (somehow) during our first flight to Orlando, we were happy to see all of our luggage had made it to Africa.  We were met at the airport by Kofi Sampong the liaison between the University of Accra and the KorleBu Teaching Hospital and LDS Charities.  The protocol officer from the university was also there with a letter and skipping the very long lines we were waved through Customs without a second look.  Third miracle.

Elder and Sister Kline (senior missionaries) were also there at the airport with their truck to pick us up.  They took us to their apt. in Alema Court where we will be staying and fed us lunch.  Our apt. was being fumigated (thank goodness!) so we are staying in the apartments located at the temple compound until Sat.

Above photo is Alema Court, and then John getting off the plane in Accra.  It was really warm!

 Everyone here has been extremely helpful and kind.  In the movie, "The Hobbit" which we saw in Orlando, Gandalf the Wizard states that small acts of kindness and love can hold back the darkness.  The world could learn from the graciousness of the Ghanaian people.  Names are hard to pronounce and remember, but it will get easier.  The Klines took us to a large shopping center, a fruit stand, a money exchange and then we got some much needed rest.  

Today (Friday) John met with Dean Ayeh-Kumi, head of the School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana.  Many people donated funds to our mission effort so we decided to pool the contributions and today presented the Dean with almost $1000.00 to be used for student scholarships for Audiology students.  It is so hard and expensive for these young students to go to school, and we hope this money will help a little.  Thank-you so much to those who made this possible.  

We will move to our new apt. tomorrow and start to work on Monday.  An unexpected journey, yet so far... so good.