Wednesday, 28th

After 6 consecutive days of running, being a good Christian, I plan to rest tomorrow.

Many Ghanaians have no electricity and are governed by the light of day from 6AM to about 6:30 PM.  Many others, like ourselves, rise before 6AM and begin in the cool or the day.  Most businesses like the Internet café that I needed this morning do not open until 9 o’clock.  And like this morning we frequently have a bit of time after breakfast for a wee bit of reading before catching the businesses at opening.

At the Internet café I sent my emails and had a copy printed of the draft contract that I had drawn up last night.  I then went to TIDD (Timber Industry Development Division of the Ministry of Forests). As I was climbing the stairs 1/2 way up I heard the Official call out "Mr. SquareLog, welcome".  He shook my hand and ushered me straight into his office.  He seemed pleased that I had brought him a draft copy for correction before submitting the contract for approval. I think he shook my hand 4 times before I left.  He said he would call me Mr. Campbell now instead of Mr. SquareLog, and I said I liked Mr. SquareLog just fine.  Short of a hug, I think that went about as well as it could have!  J

            I have corrected the document and taken it to the internet café for them to make 6 2-sided copies (1.80 GHC) and to send another couple of emails.

Hello everyone,

            We have been in Ghana 2 weeks now and it feels like we never left.  All the same ladies are manning the same vegetable booths and they remember us.  We have gotten hugs from the bread girl, and hand shakes from the old lady we buy tomatoes from.  Huge smiles greet us at each reunion, and all say 'you are welcome'.  We have never had so many hand shakes.

            I have purchased 2 lengths of material to be made into sun dresses.  I somehow brought only 1 pair of shorts.  The one pair that I thought were my capris were long pants of the same color so I need to add to my useable wardrobe.

            Fred has been very busy with his meetings and drawing up contracts etc. on the computer and I have enjoyed staying at the house more than normal just getting used to the heat.  Once everything is signed then we will have some free time. I have a small list of places I want to go to.  I am sure thankful for a car of our own this trip.  It is sure a bonus.

            The internet place we used last year has closed, and we do not know where Emmanuel is now.  He would open up his shop for us early in the morning and we would use Skype while Africa slept.  But this year we do not have that option yet, and during regular business hours the internet is too slow to support it.  I sure miss the personal touch that the camera brings to a conversation when we are so far from our family.

            We are doing 'very fine' here, as the Ghanaians would say.  Fred is very pleased with his progress already and I have reconnected with my friend, Elizabeth. Last night Elizabeth and I went to visit her daughter and family and I got to hold Elizabeth's 3 mo. old granddaughter for a long time while she cooed and smiled.  And every time the baby smiled at me her older sister, aged 5, would laugh and hide behind the door.  What a treat that was! I intend to go back during day hours with my camera.  The girls are so cute.