Travel Blog: April 2025

4-15-25 It is with bittersweet feelings that I begin what is to by my final trip to West Africa, certainly my last as the Senior Pastor for Ghana and Nigeria. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that I made my first trip over almost 20 years ago. How could the years have gone by so quickly?

I still remember my first trip. I wasn’t new to flying or international travel, but flying to Africa was something brand new to me! I didn’t want to be a wide-eyed tourist or be pegged for being another “ugly American” while I traveled. So, I said very little, watched the signs carefully and acted like I knew what I was doing and where I was going!

I remember landing in Accra for the first time like it was last week. The air was stifling hot and muggy. We descended steps to the tarmac, and were instructed to walk in a line over to the terminal building a short distance away.

Painted in bright colors above the door was the word “Awkwaba,” which I quickly learned meant “Welcome!” Unfortunately, that paint above the door was the only thing bright! Once inside the building I discovered there was no a/c, so the sweating commenced in earnest. The lights were not all working, so it was dim, and it was clear the arrivals hall hadn’t seen a can of paint or even soap and water for decades.

After going through passport control, collecting my suitcase and exiting the hall, a shuttle to the Shangri-la hotel was waiting for me. On the way to the hotel we passed throngs of hawkers on the side of the road – all were selling toilet paper, and I began to wonder if there was something I should know! As it turned out, that’s what they were given to sell that day, and the next day it might be steering wheel covers, colorful cloth or windshield wiper blades.

So much has changed since that first trip. The airport in Accra has been updated, painted, a/c is added and the whole place is modernized. Then they built a brand-new International Airport terminal nearby, while the one I first flew in to is now the domestic airport terminal. The Shangri-la hotel was sold, run into the ground and then bulldozed. For at least 8 years that likely valuable piece of property has sat as just an empty dirt lot.

And I’ve changed quite a bit also. I believe this is trip 58 or 59 for me. The experiences have made me much more aware of circumstances and challenges in less developed nations. I’ve gotten to know many of my brethren I would never had met otherwise, and we’ve become fast friends as well as brothers and sisters in the Faith.

If I’ve become a bit more travel-wise, I can also say I’ve become a bit more travel-weary. As much as I’ve enjoyed the adventure, the challenges and the travel, it is harder now than it seemed to be 20 years ago. I’m grateful for Paul Carter and his wife Tracy being willing to assume these duties from this point forward.

My travel started well. My flight left the Northwest Arkansas National Airport on time, and we flew straight to Detroit. I don’t believe I’ve ever flown through that airport, but that was the best route available. After a shorter layover we boarded a well-aged Airbus A300 aircraft for the 7 ½ hour flight to Amsterdam.

The entertainment screens on the entire plane were out, which was no problem because I wanted to sleep rather than watch a movie. But there was no power to them either, which meant I couldn’t charge my phone there. But I do have a portable power bank, so that worked out.

My seat reclined partway just by sitting in it. A flight attendant asked me to sit up straight, which I tried to do. I don’t think he realized I could only sit all the way up straight if I didn’t lean against the back of the seat!

Speaking of the back of the seat, there was apparently no structure there, so for much of the flight my back was “massaged” by the knees of the person behind me. Please understand, I’m not trying to complain, only explain.

The flight from Amsterdam to Accra was smooth. We boarded on time, although there was apparently some luggage or cargo issue and we were delayed taking off. The pilot made up some time in route and we landed only about 20 minutes late.

Immigration protocols went smooth, and I collected my bag and was heading out to call up an Uber to the hotel when I was stopped by a customs agent. I’ve never had this happen before, but he took me into his office and told me to open my suitcase so he could inspect what I have in there. Its mostly clothes (and they are all clean at this point!) so he let me pack it back up and go on my way. Oh well, no harm, no foul.

My Uber driver was at the airport quickly, and turned out to be a well educated young man who spoke very good English. We had an enjoyable conversation on the way to the hotel, where I was able to check in with no problem.

I tried to check email, but the internet was terrible, and I couldn’t load anything on my computer. So, after eating a couple of snacks I brought with me, I crawled exhausted into bed. Mr. Horchak arrived a couple hours earlier than I did, and he sent a text saying he was going to bed. I’ll catch up with him in the morning at breakfast, and then we’ll leave Accra and move on with our travel and visiting plans!