30 weeks: posing for the camera

Che Morris (WhiteOrchidPhotography.blogspot.com) took some awesome pictures of my pregnancy. She is amazing. I'm excited to always have these and treasure them.

I can't wait to meet you Logan.

17 wks to go...

Here are some pictures and updates to how the babe and I are doing!


Here is the 14 week Ultrasound picture.


This is where they ruined the surprise we were hoping to have... it's a boy! I thought it would be too early to see what I was having so I didn't think I had to tell the techs' that I didn't want to know. Apparently they didn't care to ask whether I wanted to know either. We weren't at all disappointed though.


18 weeks. The bump is growing.


20 weeks. I'm really looking pregnant. Right at my 20 week mark I got into a car accident. I was stopped at a red light and a kid didn't even see us sitting there. He ran so hard into the back of my car that it pushed me into another car. My Volkswagen just buckled right up. My drivers seat and head rest were broken after the impact. I got severe whiplash and a sore back and had to go get checked out at the hospital to make sure the baby was OK. We heard his heartbeat and everything was turning out OK with him. His heart was a little fast but we couldn't blame him. My poor baby!


2 days later we got to have an ultrasound of him, his 20 wk ultrasound. He is so beautiful. We can tell already that he is going to have his daddy's big lips. YAY!




No doubt about it... He's definitely a boy!

The Village People

We went up to the monkey sanctuary last weekend. We took a walk in the jungle and found some monkeys. We got to each hold a banana up and the monkeys would hang onto the branch with their hind legs and fall forward to gently open the banana as it was being held. The monkeys would look you in the eye and back at the banana, it was quite surreal compared to what I'm used to doing on a normal weekend.


We then got to go to Wili Waterfalls. It was a huge waterfall and the rock wall next to and behind the falls were completely covered with bats. We tried yelling to get them to stir and it didn't work. Then our tour guide banged a 2x4 onto the dock making a huge echo and they all awoke and took flight above us. There were hundreds flying around. Reminds my of the good ole' days in the Minneapolis house.




That night at the monkey sanctuary the villagers preformed a cultural experience for us. They had a story teller there who's been telling stories for 30 years. He was blind and had a translator. All his stories had wonderful morals that he shared to us that were sitting in a circle around him.




When the stories were thru we were entertained my drummers and singing. Dancers came to dance around the fire in their traditional style. We ended up joining them and it was real neat (and sweaty).




That night we got to sleep in a home under a mosquito net. Pajamas consisted of pants, socks and everything covered up. It was a very long and hot night.

Three little pigs

We got up early on Friday 7/17 to start on our 14.5 hour drive to Mole National Park. The last three hours were nothing but big bumps and unavoidable potholes. We literally spent three hours jiggling non-stop. It was 8:00pm when we finally arrived. It was time to unload our stuff to our rooms when we were greeted at our door by a few guests. There were three wart hogs sleeping right in front of our door. We were excited and frightened all at the same time. How would we get in we wondered? The whole group of us stood around amazed when a hotel personnel came to throw rocks at them to scare them off. They grunted and squealed but we were the ones scared. We were yelling and trying to get out of the way. It was quite the site, I'm sure.


The next morning we started the day with a walking safari. It was beautiful weather and we were ready to see some wildlife. We started walking thru a village and low and behold, there were elephants, baboons and warthogs wondering around the village people. And how completely normal it was for them. We stared in amazement. Elephants are such beautiful creatures. As soon as one would turn toward us and look at us that was our cue not to get any closer.




We continued to walk down thru the jungle to the watering hole. Along the way we saw many antelope, water buck, wart hogs and interesting birds.






Lynley and I in front of the watering hole. It was so beautiful there.


Our safari guide: Kope. Gun loaded and ready.


We were greeted by a red monkey while eating breakfast. He jumped on our table and took a drink out one students glass of juice then ran off not before scratching another students arm as she tried protecting her juice. Don't stop the monkeys from getting what they want is the lesson. We had a wonderful weekend full of adventure.

Women without a voice

We went to Manya Krobo again to teach a women's group about AIDS prevention. They are young girls going to school to learn a trade. They are learning to cook, sew and more so they can provide for themselves and their family. Samuel, the peer educators leader has found some of the girls himself off the streets. Some of them were working as prostitutes and his good heart would save money and find away for these girls to get off the streets and learn to make something they can sell besides themselves.


We were welcomed by beautiful song and prayer.


Lynley introduced a skit for them to learn how AIDS weakens the body and allows it to become a host to many other diseases. This turned out to be a fun and helpful learning tool for them.


Deborah (above) and Abigail (below) were 2 of the 3 girls that I interviewed before and after the lesson. Deborah liked a pair of my shoes and I ended up giving her a pair of my flip flops the last day we worked with them. It was a nice feeling.



These girls were scared to tell us the answers to some of our questions we could notice. They didn't want to be embarrassed. But one thing we noticed was how they don't stick up for themselves. It's okay for their husbands to rape them because it's their responsibility to put out for them when they so desire. We tried to teach them that it was still wrong to be raped even if it's by your husband. We tried using the approach that they should tell the authorities if this happens to them. We quickly learned that the police would only laugh at them and tell the woman to go back home and apologize to her husband, and she may even be taken advantage of by the corrupt police themselves. The pastor that was there with the girls kept asking if we were trying to teach them American law or African law. We were the ones in for a wake up call. It was sad and discouraging to try to teach these ladies what's right and help them have the courage to stick up for themselves and only allow them to be in a good situation at home, while the pastor was countering most things we had to say about their rights. We only hope that the little ripple we've made here will have an impact on some of their lives.

Rough Ryder

On Monday and Wednesday 7/6 & 7/8 we went on a two hour bus ride to Monya Krobo to teach our first group about AIDS Prevention.



We arrived to a warm welcome. They were playing drums and singing as we approached, we took our seats in front of them and listened as they continued. It was a neat way to be greeted and I actually was excited to start. We arrived so late the first day however that we couldn't get through to my first lesson. I would be teaching on Wednesday.



Jonathon (18 y.o.) was one of the three guys that I interviewed before we started our lessons. We wanted to know a little about them, their knowledge and current beliefs about HIV/AIDS and some personal questions about their own sexual experiences. When we completed our interviews we started with our lessons.



We had to stand in front of the group and speak about myths of contracting HIV, cultural factors, the ABC's of prevention (Abstinence, Being faithful, and Condoms). testing and more. The Condom lesson was the most popular among the group. They had lots of questions about how many to wear, how frequent to change them and how gentle to be when using them. It became a very interesting topic and a little off track. One guy was actually telling a story of when his fell off in the girl, and the following steps asking her to look for it and then he proceeded to give the group advice on which condoms are a poor chose. The Rough Ryder is one that makes it feel like you are wearing a rain coat apparently. Oh, the knowledge that was shared today.

When we finished with our lessons we conducted a final interview of each person. We were trying to gauge how effective the lessons were, if any of them learned anything, etc. One of my interviewees wasn't honest with me the first time and opened up the second time about his first time having sex relating to the questions in the interview. He was only 12 his first time. Many of us heard some interesting things relating to having sex at a young age (for whatever reason). It makes you think. I'm just grateful to be a US citizen and to not have to worry as much about these problems. It is so humbling to teach them about AIDS and to witness how much they actually don't know. Some of them even thought you could get AIDS from a curse being placed on them.

Teshi Orphanage

We went to the Teshi Orphanage on Monday 6 July. The kids were very shy at first but it didn't take long to gain their friendship.



We played many games with them. Red Rover - Red Rover, red light green light, and we had them teach us some games.



Football is everyone's favorite sport, it was pretty exciting for them that the boys brought them a soccer ball to play with.



The children were so sweet...



and innocent...



and adorable.



I'm so excited to go back next week to play more games.



Desmond was the youngest one there. Everyone fell in love with him.



Carlie, Valeri and Anne Marie (below) got lost and they didn't show up until ten minutes before it was time to leave. To top it off Anne Marie cut her leg on the way out of the taxi. Thank goodness for Tetanus shots.

Grays Memorial School

We got to go to the school for the first time on Monday 6 July, to introduce ourselves to the Head Mistress.



The kids were so excited to see us. It was overwhelming and unlike any greeting I've had before. It completely eased all fears I had of teaching them (for them moment anyway).



You know how when you start feeding geese and they crowd around you closer and closer and then all there friends come and you try to back away slowly and look for a getaway? As soon as we took out our cameras it was like feeding geese. They kept getting closer and closer and all of them wanted there picture taken, but would stand so close it was difficult to get them.



The girl above was real excited her her photo opp, she begged for her picture to be taken. She was pushing all the other kids away so it would be just her in the picture. When she was done pushing them away and had me to herself she gave me the most serious expression until I was finished with her picture.



They were all such beautiful children.

number 1 weekend fun

The fourth of July was a little different this weekend. No parades, fireworks or hanging out at the cabin with family and friends. Instead when we got up and decided to take a walk we ended up going to a local hospital to see around and what conditions are like. We got to tour the children's ward. They invited us as if they had been expecting us. It was quite unusual. 85-90% of the children there were being treated for malaria. The rooms were small. 5-6 kids per room, beds and cribs in the hallway with children lying on them. When we were finished looking around we asked if there was anything we could do to help out. They kept asking if we knew how to do several things related to nurses line of work such as putting in IV's etc. We had to admit we didn't have many skills to offer. They amused us and let some of the girls change bandages and take pulse and temps. Jon got to watch the doctor drain a babies bloated stomach/intestine, while Kate and I just got assigned to visit with the patients. I quickly wondered what the heck are we doing here. We went into a room and introduced our selves to the mothers in there. We talked with them and then they wanted to teach us Twi. We got pretty good at several of the sayings. I don't remember half of them now though. I sort of felt like their puppet. They had too much fun with us and laughing at us I think. Making them smile is all that counts though, Right? lol. We left the hospital with an invitation to come back. It was so amazing to see what it's like there, I'm so glad we could go.

When we got home we got ready to go to the beach. La Badi Beach. We show up and the first thing you see are piles of trash. It wasn't the cleanest or prettiest beach. As soon as we touch sand several guys on horses came up to us. A few of us went for rides. It was really cool to be able to look of into the ocean while going horseback. We also got to ride in the shallow part of the water too. It was a nice touch. When we found our seats we were bombarded by vendors. We knew we would be but some were relentless even when you told them no and that you didn't like their stuff, they'd still try to sell to you. Peti was really cool though. He liked the dreads and had some crazy ones of his own. I bought a couple of bracelets from him and he taught me to weave a style that I had wanted to learn for awhile. He didn't charge anything. They had some wonderful things at the beach however. One man was there and had beautiful drums. I bought one and hope it makes it home safe. He even showed us how he carves into the bottom of it. Peti told us about a reggae party they are having on the beach on Wednesday night. All the rasta's will be coming out. The whole group has decided to go to the party on Wed. It will be one of our cultural events that we need to do.

Today we went to the LDS church. It's right next to the beautiful temple. At church we got to witness a couple of confirmations and a testimony meeting. The Ghanaians have stronger testimonies than anybody I've heard. They all acknowledged how grateful they are for having another year that they lived through. Their testimonies were so sincere and strong and powerful. It was tough keeping back tears at this meeting. We also got to meet the lady from the cover of July's Ensign. I have my picture with her. She is the Stake Relief Society President. A neat woman.

This evening we went for a walk and ran into Isaac a neighborhood boy. We asked him to show us somewhere neat to go and we pointed out a church we could see and he lead us there. It was a prayer church open to all religions. You have to take off your shows and the women need to put scarves on their heads before they can enter. It was interesting. Not as much as the Presbryterian church we went to after; also led by Isaac, this is his church. The had an evening service taking place and invited us in. We observed for a while. It was so very loud. They had an enthusiastic reverend and drums and guitars playing while he spoke and prayed. Then we were about to leave and they totally called us out and said we should really stay for another 1/2 hour. They started doing some unusual ceremony that I've never seen before and a little bit after that people started to go up to the front and dance and sing. 1/2 of the people there were now in the front dancing away. They told us we could take pictures and join them if we'd like. After we got the courage some of the girls and I went ahead and joined them up front to dance around. It was so hot in there, sweat was dripping from all of us. We were all sticky and probably not a pretty site. Needless to say the freezing cold shower I had to take didn't feel as bad tonight.

1st day in Ghana

It was a long flight but we made it. I'm not sure how real it feels yet. Today they just want us to relax and hydrate so we get used to the altitude. The hardest thing so far was saying goodbye to Micah at the airport. It was so hard to hold back the tears (don't be fooled by the picture of us smiling, it's just for the camera).

On our bus ride to the Pink hostel (our new home) there were street vendors all over walking in the middle of the street. They were selling bicycle tires to food to clothes to you-name-it. You really get to see and appreciate how strong the women are. So many are so poised while carrying large objects and baskets on their heads. Our teacher mentioned that they feel if you are not strong you would die in Ghana.

I look forward to tomorrow because we get to go to the beach (free day while the teacher has to hang out at the airport to pick up the rest of the students). Hope I don't burn. :)

Love you guys!!!