Watching the Ghana-Germany World Cup game with our Ghanaian friends brought our second full day to a close. Despite the fact that Ghana lost, the streets from Aburi to the Hephzibah Christian Centre were crowded with celebrating Ghanaians because the Black Stars will go on to the next round! We are anticipating the game Sunday between the USA and Ghana.
Progress on the new dormitory at the Methodist Youth Center is amazing. Today there were more tasks for the FUMC volunteers - building frames of rebar that will be put into the concrete beams, nailing boards to support the concrete to be poured for the floor of the second level, mixing cement for stairs, adding supports of bamboo that will hold up the second floor as cement is poured and cures. The Ghanaian craftsmen are very patient and helpful; several were here two years ago. Most of us have had interesting and thoughtful conversations with various members of the Ghana crew; building those relationships has been very meaningful.
Yesterday Tina Cheema visited the school associated with the Aburi Methodist Church. Today she returned with Dylan Powell and Beth Ruppe. Their arrival caused such excitement that they disrupted whatever was going on, so the visit today was short! Tomorrow Joanna Gwinn, Eleanor Nicholson and Tina will travel to Mo-Dega to see the agricultural project and deliver the Pennies for Povery collection. They will spend one night in the village and return Friday.
Experiencing new foods, learning to take bucket showers, practicing new words we are learning in Twi--all of these adventures and more have enriched our time and brought us closer to one another and our Ghanaian friends. We are experiencing the tremendous hospitality that Ghanaians have become famous for.