Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana
This morning we were able to take a more leisurely approach.
A car came to pick us up shortly after 8 am to take us over to the sister hotel
where we were able to have breakfast at no charge. As I mentioned before, the restaurant
in our hotel is currently out of service, and the new place was quite pleasant
with a good breakfast.
Since we cannot get on the camp until after noon, we went
back to our hotel and had time to pack, read, even take a short nap. It is
always nice if one can start camp fairly well rested!
With the little Toyota our driver left with me, I was able
to shuttle everyone over in just two loads. It did require that some bags were
stacked on laps, but it is only a little over a mile there, so it wasn’t that
big of a deal.
Our rooms at the Christian Village Conference Center are
nicer than I had thought. We have no a/c, but the temperatures are pretty mild
for here, dipping down into the 70’s at night. And the humidity isn’t quite as
severe as it is further down on the coast.
With a good ceiling fan I believe we’ll
be ok. There also is no hot water for showers. As often as I convince myself
that it really is no big deal, and taking cold showers is not a problem, every
time I step into that icy stream of water I’m reminded that it really is that
cold… J
Since this is a new facility to us, we took some time this
afternoon to walk around and find good locations for each of our activities.
The soccer field is typical for here – a large drainage rut going through the
middle – but it is what most of the kids are used to playing on, and we’ll
adjust. We also will probably turn the field sideways so we can use the other
end for kickball. Both activities will work there just fine.
Up near the main buildings there is a grassy field where we
will have Ultimate Frisbee and Challenge games. Both have good locations. And
we found a lot that will work for volleyball. We have the net, but out biggest
challenge is to find a good way to have uprights for the net to be fastened to.
We hope to have that by morning.
Our new activity this year is slingshots. We purchased
enough so every child in a dorm will be able to use them. We found a good spot
with nothing but trees behind. We’ll use empty bottles and cans as targets, and
the ground is full of the tiny stones that will be used as ammunition. I hope
they’ll enjoy learning something new!
Contrary to the agreement we made with the management 6
months or so ago, they have rented part of the grounds and buildings to another
group who will be here the same time we are. So we are having to make
accommodations with what buildings and facilities we can use. Sadly, it is not
uncommon for agreements to be changed at the whim of the management if they
feel they can make more money. This is turning out to be somewhat of a disappointment.
Because of the other group, we are unable to use the main
kitchen area to cook all the meals for our campers. But our ladies, especially
Esther Dima, wife of the local pastor here, are real troopers! They have taken
the propane stove we own, and rented two more and set up a kitchen under a tree
out in the yard! Take a close look at the picture and ask whether you would
like to feed around 120 people three meals a day from a kitchen like this!
Most of the campers arrived before dinner time, but one bus,
coming down from the areas of Yeji and Makango broke down on the way, and those
campers didn’t arrive until well after dinner, when we were beginning the camper
orientation. But all are here now.
As I typically do, I welcomed the campers, and went over
some of the rules of the camp, and the things I expect of them. I also
mentioned that if someone decides they do not wish to abide by the rules of
camp, we’ll simply put them on a tro-tro and send them home. That got a laugh,
but they know it is serious. I expect all will behave very well, as most have
in years past.
I have discovered that while we have no wi-fi on camp, I am
able to turn my phone into a hotspot, so perhaps I’ll be able to continue
posting my blogs. If not, then you won’t get these for a few days…
Kathy Treybig
2017-08-14
Hats off to Mrs. Dima!! Praying you'll all have a most wonderful camp experience!
CBJohnson-Austin,TX
2017-08-14
Tks for the camp update. Keeps us all in touch with the Brethren around the world. Especially illustrates how resilient and innovative God's people are.
Don Thomas
2017-08-16
Hats off to campers and staff in Ghana for their adaptive, non-complaining spirit in dealing with difficulties when they arise. God certainly sees and will bless your attitudes. Life is not always easy.
Mary Hendren
2017-08-19
What an interesting idea to include slingshots. Very encouraging to read of everyone's flexibility.