The babies wait for their turn in the bath tub. Then they get dried off, oiled down with Shea oil.

All toys are shared and one morning the tots attempted to set a world record of how many kids could fit into the little buggy and go as fast as possible back & forth down the hallway. Sorry photo is a bit out of focus - they were at top speed!

While I catch up on sleep, here are some photos from Kumasi Mission

Maggie preparing rice for our lunch

Abdul - one of the older babies - always serious little guy who likes to climb out of his crib at bedtime

Ataa Kwosia - female twin born on Sunday

Some of the "tiny tots" receiving afternoon snack from Babies Home Administrator, Mabel. Their DayCare uniforms are all sewn on site by Grace.

Making FuFu - a daily task to feed the Tiny Tots. She pounds and her daughter constantly turns the mixture.

Bath time for the Tiny Tots

Some of the kids singing after their bath. Baso is little guy in lime green pants - I nicknamed him "the Mayor" -- he's a born leader with a hefty dose of mischief mixed in.

The Twins - Ata Kwasi and Ataa Kwosia

The fish market at Village of Elmina on the coast. The boats are hewn from a single large tree trunk.

This morning we awoke in Cape Coast after a bone jarring ride on tough roadways with potholes large enough to swallow a VW. Henry, the bishop's driver is very skilled at his job but we still put our lives into God's hands. We pray before and after every car journey. Maggie is with us as she and Annie will stay in Accra for a few days to hopefully obtain a Visa for Maggie to visit the US. It was so good to smell sea air when we arrived. I'm very much a water person and feel more grounded near the sea.
But this part of the sea has a sad past.

Cape Coast is on the Atlantic coast of Ghana. We stayed in a small hotel for about 25 dollars - with breakfast, a shower (cold water) and a room light that worked! Shangri-La!

Cape Coast, once the largest slave-trading center in West Africa, was the former capital of the Portuguese colony named Cabo Corso.
We visited Elmina, a nearby fishing village. It is home to St. George's castle built in 1482. Here the captured people were kept in grim dungeons before being cargo loaded onto ships. We took the tour of the castle and were moved to tears. It was the first time Maggie had been here and I kept watching her to see if she was OK. None of us were OK. It was the most shameful time in history. We stood in the small hardly ventilated dungeons trying to imagine hundreds of people kept there. We stood on the same stones where they had been imprisoned. I put my hand on the wall and prayed for forgiveness. The 'Door of No Return' was a mere hole in the wall where humans were sent down a 'chute' to the dark cargo holds of ships. Good Lord forgive us.

When the British were in control they captured the Asante king and held him here for four years in a small upper room until they sent him to Sechelles Islands for longer imprisonment. There is much more to that story, but for a later time.

The remainder of our final day in Ghana was spent driving to Accra and enjoying each others company. Trudy and I are now at the airport awaitIng flight to Amsterdam - the beginning of an endless way home. I'll visit this blog when I am back and post a wrap-up and more photos (looking forward to be away from a Blackberry keyboard! My thumbs are tired). Thanks to all who sent comments - it was so good to hear from you while so far away from home.
-- Jane (or Auntie Jane as they call me here)

Saturday is a quiet day at the Babies Home. It is more relaxed. The volunteers (1 Dutch, 3 German and a new gal from CA, USA (place called Whitten?)) don"t usually come but two did today to help feed, bathe, change, and dress the babies. We said good-bye to the volunteers - all caring and courageous young people.

The slower pace here gets some getting used to. I sat on the porch by myself for a time wondering - should I be doing something? What do you want me to think about God? It was back in 1985 when Don and I were in Tanzania that I took my watch off, never to wear it again. We are so consumed by time in the West. I didn't need to wonder what to do for long - children always show up wanting attention.

My photos of our daughter and her family were passed around the older children. They all wanted to hold them and asked over and over who they were. I became aware that I was showing them something they don't have - a mother and father - smiling with their arms around their two boys. We take so much for granted. Thank God for families - hold them dear while we have them with us. Tell children - any children - all children that you love them and are proud of them.

We took our leave of the babies Saturday night - holding and hugging them one more time - pulling their mosquito nets over their cribs while praying God's blessings on them. The wonderful staff and volunteers will feed them and hug them. I pray they all safely find their way in the world. I am still concerned for the older children - the twins, and three other girls who range from 5 - 8. They have no extended family to return to and they need a home. We have spoken to the Anglican priest in Mampong about foster families but it is a big responsibility and expense to take in another child. We have talked amongst ourselves and have some ideas that we will continue to pray about.

Sunday began abruptly due to crossed signals. We had thought the first worship service was later then it actually was. As we were just about to make our morning coffee an acolyte came to fetch us - we were late. Annie and I sort of vested while walking across the compound to Chapel. We arrived and a few minutes later Annie was escorted to preach. 7am - no coffee - she preached wonderfully on a difficult Gospel (love your enemies) to a couple of hundred high school students. Then off to the next worship service but not before a hasty coffee and slice of bread. St. Michael's church in Mampong is led by a tall young priest with an easy smile, Fr. David. Again, a curious mixture of 'high' Anglican worship and praise and prayer and dancing. I was permitted to read the Gospel in English after Fr. David read it in Twi. Annie preached again and Fr. David translated. The Prayers of the People go on for a long while with music and singing laced throughout. The singing is led by a soloist - her strong voice sent chills through me. I felt every inch of me was in prayer - from the soles of my feet on up. Incense is abundant - especially throughout the entire prayer of consecration. I loved it! Interesting to worship while keeping one eye on the celebrant to receive cues as to what's going on.

After lunch at the babies home it was time to say good-bye. It was very difficult as the tiny tots (toddlers) were on the loose - they are so precious. At one point about six or eight of them were in the van with Trudy. All the staff were on hand with hugs. Finally we peeled children off of us and drove away - with promises and prayers to return.

Tonight we are in Cape Coast - very tired but very rich with new friends.

Jane

Today began with Morning Prayer in the chapel below where Trudy and I sleep in the old convent building. The worship was for the Jr. High School. We are told 500 girls are enrolled - I have no idea how many girls were at chapel - hundreds easily. I was impressed that the service was led by students. The Rev. (can't recall his name now) gave a homily on first 8 verses of Ps. 119. As usual we were introduced as honored guests and expected to speak. Annie and I did so - then Trudy got up and led kids in song - a spirited piece - started off slow but soon the kids caught the words and the place started rocking. When Trudy danced and sang down the aisle the kids were wild with joy. I'm pretty sure she's got Rock Star status now. I'm also impressed with how many kids are in school - and perhaps at significant financial sacrifice of their parents. Education is the way up - even nation building - and they surely do get that here in Ghana.

Ata Kwasi (boy twin) got into a wee bit of trouble (OK - a lot of trouble) this morning and was kept home from school as punishment. He seems to have some anger management issues (losing both parents and a brother by the age of seven) although most of the time he's sweet. His sister, Ataa Khosua is still nursing a sore foot so I got to spend considerable time with the two of them. We drew pictures, sent my husband a birthday e-card, played games and took photos. They have become dear to me - hmmmm - might have to buy a bigger suitcase to kidnap them.

We have a prayer request from Maggie. She is trying to get a Visa to be able to come to MA for a visit. The plane ticket was bought last year - Maggie was unable to acquire a Visa at that time. Ticket must be used before August. She and Annie will visit the US embassy again next weeK - pray they have success. Maggie's visit will be a blessing to all who get To meet her.

All is well with our souls -- Jane

Ata Kwasi drew a birthday cake for my husband and we sent it home via email
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

On the cover of a school exercise book
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Trudy made Ground Nut soup! Yum!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Here is a photo of convent - we stay on upper floor - below is chapel - this morning we shared Mornong Prayer with about 300 Jr. High girls

Annie giving pencils at the Jr High and demonstrating little sharpener

A sweet woman, Abahah (sp?) - who also goes by her Christian name of Grace - has finished my new dress. Trudy and I bought fabric at the Kumasi market (with Maggie's help of course) and Grace, the seamstress at Babies Home, began sewing. She's amazing - like so many of the women here. She had us choose a style dress from a photo - took our measurements and set to task. No pattern mind you - just her measuring tape, hand crank sewing machine and skill. Oh, and iron. The day we lost electricity she brought out the iron filled with hot coals - not to miss a day of work. This morning my dress was complete and I proudly modeled it for the women. Grace beamed, then got to work on Trudy's. Grace makes all the uniforms for the tiny tots - I'm still getting a count of 15-16 of them.

I think I mentioned Paulina yesterday - she is this beautify young woman who sings while she works. Her voice is strong and joyful. Trudy asked if she could do a recording. After baby feeding and baths Paulina came up to "the convent".  Trudy, Paulina and Annie sang together - harmonizing, laughing and making  joyful song unto the Lord. I listened from our dining area. It was glorious. "Sing to him, sing praises to him, and speak of all his marvelous works" (Ps 105:2)

We are being so well fed I think I am gaining weight! When we first arrived Maggie insisted on making and serving us every meal. While remembering to be gracious in accepting such wonderful hospitality, we have convinced her that we be on our own for breakfast and dinner. She has so much other work to do!  She still cooks lunch - which easily gets us through the rest of the day and then some. Lunch today was Banku (fermented maize meal) wrapped in plantain leaves. red pepper and onion sauce, sardines, and hard-boiled egg.  Dinner on our own was popcorn, plantain crisps and guacamole a'la Annie - Yum! 

Trudy and I sleep in the old former convent (and yes, my room light is still afraid of the dark.) The diocese owns the large amount of land occupied by the School of Midwifery, Jr. And Sr. High boarding school and Babies Home. An Anglican religious order, Sisters of the Holy Paracete, developed the schools and lived in this convent many, many years  ago. It's now old and in disrepair - too bad as it could be quite something. The new hostel will be a more comfortable place to stay when complete - the structure is up and with the help of many from W.MA it will be finished.

The dorm students are singing hymns again - I will let them sing me to sleep.

This is Clementia - the youngest baby here - 7 weeks?