Lunch Today

We went to the Movenpik Hotel today for their lunch buffet with some of the other couples -- it was Sister Watson's birthday.

A fun thing happened.  There was a group sitting at the tables down from us and one stood up and started singing an Opera song.  Another fellow stood up and sang a reply and then the others joined in.  They were REALLY good singers.   We talked to them after and they belong an International Church choir of some sort and they do hire out.   They are performing somewhere in May and will let us know when and where.  We would love to go listen to them. 

They finished they dinner and left, but came back in a couple of minutes later and stood around our table (of 6 couples) and sang Happy Birthday to Sister Watson.  They were so good it brought tears to our eyes. 

I usually always have either my camera or I-pad with me and didn't have either one today when this happened.  I would love to have recorded them.  O well....

Ga West Hospital Project

Today we went to the Ga Hospital for the 'hand-over' ceremony (or called commissioning here in Ghana).    This Hospital had the lab building that was built for them 2 years ago and has sat empty because they can't afford to set it up.  They had some lab equipment that they were using in a very small space off to one side.  Latter-day Saint Charities had the table, desks, work counters, and cabinets built and installed for them, and we bought office chairs.  We bought them a new up-to-date 'hematology (blood) analyzer.  

They were VERY grateful for the help and are thrilled to be able to make use of the new lab.  There is a large room and three smaller rooms that now are set up.  We were really pleased with how it all turned out. 

It is always so fun to be able to help.  This will be a big help for many many people in the area.  It is a busy little hospital. 

Random photos

Our favorite is still the children!!!  

The 3rd picture is a huge mosque that is being built here.  I doubt it will be done during our stay but it is interesting watching the progress. 

Visit to James Town fishing village

This is part of Accra -- a very poor slum area.  There are many street children down there and much poverty.  We have helped an organization that tries to educate the street children in the area.  We were with several other couples that day and a fellow was guiding us through the area.  Some of the people there did not appreciate us walking through. 

Fwd: Villagers cooking their dinner

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nancy Bullock <noflattires@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 1:47 PM
Subject: Villagers cooking their dinner
To: Jim & Nancy Bullock <noflattires@gmail.com>

Ghana temple

I liked this photo I took because of the particular type of palm trees.  They grow flat like you can see here and look pretty cool.

Kente Cloth

Kente cloth is made here in Ghana.  It is woven on a type of loom.  It is amazing to watch them make it - using both hands and both feet.  It can be made single, double or triple.  There are many different colors and designs.  It is made in strips about 8 inches wide or so and then sewn together to make larger pieces.  It is really beautiful and unique.    

The BIG Tree

When we went to Oda we also stopped to take a little hike to see "The Big Tree".  That is actually what it is called.  It is suppose to be the biggest tree in West Africa.  It was pretty big and very tall.  The 5 minute hike to get to the tree was as good as seeing the tree.  It was so peaceful and there were lots of butterflies.  I could only get a one butterfly picture though as they just wouldn't sit still long enough. 

I'm also adding a few other pictures that we took while on that trip.

Nigeria

Elder and Sister Panter arrived here April 5th and on April 7th we flew with them to Nigeria.  They were to serve in Nigeria but the Area Presidency and others decided that they would be safer here in Accra and will do the humanitarian projects in Nigeria from here.

We also traveled with Elder & Sister DeLong (short term water specialists from SLC) and Bro. Buah.  They did some training with us and with the Water Project Managers and Site monitors in Lagos.   After the day of training we went to the different area and met the Water Project managers there and toured some of their boreholes, etc.   It was a busy week and we were exhausted at the end of it.

We were accompanied for the entire trip by the head of Church security for Lagos.  He took good care of us and tried to make sure we were in our hotel before dark.  One night we were a bit late and it started to rain as well.  He was quite stressed about it but we made it safe and sound. 

The great thing about this trip is that we were in the same area (Ibadan) where mom and dad served about 20 years ago.  We met some people who knew them.  One couple who remember them, now have a small hospital/clinic, and he also teaches at the University there.  The wife is a nurse.  They are doing wonderful things.  He is also the Branch President.   We are going to do a project for his hospital - give them some lab equipment which will really help what they are trying to do there. Well, I should say that Panters will write up the project and submit it and it most likely will be approved. 

I am glad we were able to go to Nigeria.  I can say now, that I have been there.  It is pretty much like Ghana.  Eld. DeLong, who was there about 20 years ago, was amazed at how things (main roads) have improved.  The ones we were on to get to the boreholes in Villages were not so good!   There is a lot of road construction being done and they are doing a good job of it too. 

It rained almost every day (or night) while we were there.  Things were green and nice for the most part.  Security is an issue.  There is only one white couple serving there right now and they are restricted as to where they can go.  

I would send some pictures but they are on my I-pad and I don't know how to take them off to add to this.  I'm sure it must be simple.  Saturday we are going to a class put on by one of the senior couples to teach us all how to use our I-pads more effectively.  Should be interesting and I have a lot I could learn about it.  ;) 

Projects

The Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital is a big project that was recently approved.  It is worth about $100,000 and consequently had to go to SLC for approval.    We are in the process of doing contracts with the hospital and contractors before the work can begin.  We will repair their water pump and some pipes, fix industrial washers, dryers, flat iron and sewing machines, repair the drainage system in the women's ward, and buy some basic medical supplies for them.   This hospital is near Cape Coast and it serves the whole country. 

 

April 29th

Wow!  I haven't written for quite a while.  We have had a busy month but I do need to keep up with my emails, blog, etc.

We had a Couple's seminar in Accra with our humanitarian couples from Liberia and Sierra Leone.  It was a great few days.  Both couples (Devers and Seaders) were pretty new to the mission so we had a lot of basic training and discussion.  We all learned a lot and had a good time together.   Elder and Sister Kimball (short term specialists) were here for a couple of weeks and also took part in our seminar. 

Before the seminar we went to Oda and Asamankese (northwest of here) to look into a possible chicken project with the Kimballs and Brother Buah.  We had a great time together and Kimballs did some training with leadership there and we met families that will be part of the chicken project.  Elder Kimball wrote up the project and it has been approved by Salt Lake.  10 families will each receive 50 laying hens.  Before that happens though, they will build pens, buy a month's supply of feed,  and one person from each family will come here to the University Farm and spend 6 days learning about how to care for the chickens.  We are excited about this project and the prospect that it can help these families become self reliant.  The families are members of the church -- this is the one area where LDS Charities helps members.   The picture is of one family who will receive chickens.  (some extended family also got in the picture).

While Kimballs were here we also looked at a possible family pig project and the raising of grasscutters (photo).  I had never heard of grasscutters before coming here but they actually sell them in the grocery store.  We haven't eaten any.  ;)