February 20 to February 26

These sister missionaries practiced for a missionary conference we had last week.

We had another incident last week when a motorbike ran into the truck and caused some damage to the front.  Fortunately, no one was hurt. 

 Also we saw some more unsafe vehicles travelling on the roads such as this pick up full of workers.

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We took a missionary out to the town of Asutsuare where we took one of their bikes to a local bike shop to fix a flat tire.  One fellow was sitting on a nearby chair not doing much and he told me he was the "supervisor"

On the way home we drove alongside the Volta river and across this narrow bridge over one of the tributaries.

  There were also a number of small villages with houses made of mud walls and thatched roofs.

On Saturday we went to the Aburi botanical gardens which had many different trees but not too  many flowers.

Elder and Sister Pace are standing in the trunk of a very large tree.  Another nearby tree was covered completely with vines.

 

I am sure there is a story concerning this wrecked helicopter in the middle of the gardens but there was no explanation posted.

 I found a large termite mound.

The drive back home was through some narrow streets in Aburi.  Meg has become a very skilled driver.

February 6 to February 19

I wonder if Apple knows that this is one of their stores in Ghana.

These missionaries are  moving into their newly renovated apartment in Suhum.  Many of the homes are painted bright colours with green being one of the favourites.

We never cease to be amazed at what we see on the roads everyday.  This is one way of transporting workers to a job site that I am sure most Canadian company's safety manager would not approve of.

The church buildings are often rented homes and the church has built an open air chapel on the grounds, such as the one located in the town of Akuse.  

The female members like to wear colourful clothes.

The following Monday near Akuse an accident occurred where four of the missionaries riding in the taxi below were involved in a roll over.  The taxi hit a pothole, the back tire blew out and the vehicle rolled over at least once.  Fortunately, no serious injuries but they were admitted to a couple of hospitals due to some cuts and a concussion.

This is the location of the apartment where the missionaries live.  We went there to pick up some clothes to take them to the mission home for a couple of days to see the area doctor and for observation.

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This lady is selling toilet paper and paper towels to cars that have stopped for red lights.

We went with the Paces, the Mission President and his wife to the Lord of the Wings for Valentines day dinner.  Meg is having some poutine.  Never tried it in Canada.

We ordered some food for the missionaries that spent some time in the hospital.  I balanced this can on a 5 cedi note waiting for the order to come.

At the same time we were at the hospital these two  missionaries dropped by for a medical check up.  Elder James had a final check on a nasty spider bite that had become infected.  A month earlier his companion, Elder Flan II from Liberia, had been in the hospital to repair a broken wrist.

Along one of the busy roads in Accra we noticed these skinny cattle tied up.

While travelling around we took some pictures of the foliage, flowers and a gnarled tree trunk that I am sure someone could make a wonderful carving out of.

Meg was excited to see this road side shoe shop.  Too bad we did not have time to stop!

There are some wonderful carvings that can be purchased.  I am sure that we will bring back a suit case full of wood when we return to Canada.

January 23 to February 5

 

 

I thought that it would be good to put in some pictures of some of the buildings from downtown Accra.  We often go to this fancy hotel called Movenpick because it has a good pharmacy where Meg can get the medicine she needs for the missionaries.

In the background is the |Accra fine arts building where some operas and other events take place.

  

There is a huge avocado tree in our compound that is laden with ripening fruit which will be good eating in a few weeks from now.

  

Once again a picture of an interesting sight we  saw on the road last week.  A boot tied to the back of a truck.  I am thinking that the owner of the boot could not keep up!

  

We went to a district meeting in Tema New Town and Meg directed the singing.

  

We took a couple of bikes out to the Ashaiman - Lebanon apartment and the missionaries wanted to change some bike seats.  Rather than doing it myself we went to the local bike repair shop where they did it right away with some of the missionaries helping out. 

 A coconut vendor came by and we bought coconuts for everyone there - 9 coconuts for $6.00.