Well, I’ve been making notes and will be more detailed later (maybe)…but for now here is a quick run-through of the events in Africa so far… Wednesday: Got here, checked in at the hotel, went to see Emmanuella Ama, went out to eat with our social worker, Ama and her foster brother, came home and went to bed.
Thursday: Slept in, boys spent morning photographing geckos in various positions- met a man who works here who gave them a tour, went to the agency office (helped them pick coconuts off their tree there and had a great time singing, etc) , picked up Emmanuella Ama, came back, ate, swam- she started chattering to us IN ENGLISH!!! Ama spent her first night with us and slept wonderfully.
Friday: crazy adventure up into the mountains where Ama was born with our social worker and our fearless driver DAN!!! Winding roads, dodging potholes the size of beds (that is the only object Noah and I can think of right now) and chickens, battling car sickness….. but beautiful views, waterfalls, Ama’s birth town. It was a very great trip in the sense that we really got to see rural village life up close. Very amazing to think how God brought us and our daughter together. She was born VERY far from the agency she was brought to. Came back that evening to eat and REST from our adventure.
Saturday: REST! Swam, played, watched cartoons on Paul’s computer. Saw a baptism in the hotel pool and a wedding (not in the pool). Met some amazing people. One Christian man was really neat to meet and was very interested in our story. Ama kissed Daddy for the very first time tonight as he told her in Twi that he loved her!
She is still a little wary of Daddy and doesn’t want him to pick her up unless they are playing together- mostly the problem is at night when she is tired. We are so glad we brought the boys. Hazen and Noah especially are not shy and have brought a lot of people into our lives that we wouldn’t have met without their outgoing personalities… also Ama is having SO much fun with them… I doubt she would have so much fun with just Paul and I. Anyway, all for now. Ghana is wonderful and the people are so friendly. There is so much community here. Very thankful. Emmanuella Ama’s transition is going very well… she seems very able to handle change. Hasn’t had any real problems- eating, sleeping, with us, etc. She is one tough girl!