Week of 20250831 - Ghana Week 77: Tithing; Rain Candy; Mission Driver; Experience for Lefthand Driver; Denkyira; Mando; Egyaa Squid; Mfuom; Jukwa; Computer Keyboard; Festival; Saturday Briefing

Week of 20250831 - Ghana Week 77: Tithing; Rain Candy; Mission Driver; Experience for Lefthand Driver; Denkyira; Mando; Egyaa Squid; Mfuom; Jukwa; Computer Keyboard; Festival; Saturday Briefing

= Sunday, we all sang "How Great Thou Art". We heard: it’s not Christ who condemns us, and nothing can separate us from his love. [Romans 8:31-35] We were encouraged to tithe. It doesn’t pay leaders in this church, but it helps you grow, keeps the lights on, and spreads the gospel.

= In Sunday School, we were reminded that Jesus received of the fulness little by little; so do we as we learn from the standard works and a living prophet and work to do God's will. As we left, it started to rain. Steph, standing outside, gave candy to those who chose to get wet for it. That included some adults; it continues to surprise her that adults feel they should get candy too.

= Monday, I met the new mission driver (hired by the church). I helped Elder Kofe (a new Office Elder) print a copy of his drivers license and request an International Driving Permit. Home, Steph and I had egg sandwiches; I hung three loads of laundry and made great progress on defining words in the Twi manual.

= Tuesday, Elder Kofe's permit was ready by lunchtime. I printed it as a booklet and we had a driving experience with Elder Mayo accompanying us. Elder Kofe is from New Zealand, where they drive on the left. We spent a lot of time on dirt roads, then worked up to gradually more crowded places, finishing at the Kotokoraba market. Home, I confirmed inspection appointments for tomorrow and dealt with minor mission issues.

= Wednesday, we did an apartment visit in Denkiyra and Mando. The way to Denkyira includes driving through a dozen back yards. The way to Mando includes a walk from a Moslem mission home. On our way home, we bought fried squid in Egyaa. Home, Steph worked on her planner. I asked President Tachie-Menson whether the mission driver could drop off bicycles in Otuam. [He later concurred.] I lined up locations for tomorrow's visits.

= Thursday, we went to the Mfuom apartment first, not far from where we worship on Sundays. We had seen this apartment before missionaries moved in, before burglar bars were installed; each time, it’s a little different. Then we drove to the Jukwa apartment. You can drive right up to it, but it’s in an isolated area far from frequented roads. That makes it hard for them to reach ‘tros and taxis.

= Friday, the mission driver had a new plan: take the van to Otuam and let us keep our truck. I checked on bicycles and went home. Then Cape Coast Mall called; a delivery driver would bring a computer keyboard I had ordered to the mission home near 1130. Back to the office. The keyboard arrived. If we receive church laptops, I can use this to avoid the broken Dell keyboard layout.

= There was a festival this weekend. When I tried to pick up from Pizza Hut, the road was packed with traffic; vehicles had turned the shoulder into a regular lane. When I had the pizza, I returned via a back road. We watched Star Trek - Next Generation. We relaxed.

= Saturday, we were at the mission office by 0945 to brief a new missionary. After the briefing finally occurred and we changed into casual clothes at home, we went to Me3 for lunch, began our fast, and headed in the direction of Melcom [like a large Dollar General with appliances]. Police blocked vehicles heading in that direction - festivities continued - so we headed home.

= Home, a text we had received during date night had occupied my mind and I wrote out a testimony (in English and Twi) that was related to my struggle for an answer.

To church

Someone's checking on progress.

Wheelbarrow (much tougher to push long distances than a cart, I think)

To church

A water truck in what's supposed to be the rainy season: worrisome

Awkward load

Bread delivery

Doesn't everyone travel this way?

To church

Marks for creativity

We often see color coordination (matching top and bottom) in men.

Carrying

..

..

On the phone

Sunday football {soccer}

Perhaps a thriving business during the week

Carrying greenery

On the move together

At least they were easy to spot in advance, not on the far side of the curve.

More Sunday football

Pick a side, any side.

Let's gather at the football goal

Good use of land

Blessedly, he drove it a little distance that way before he pulled over.

Yes, you can have candy, but you'll have to get it out here (where it's raining).

Bamboo near Kakum National Park is reclaiming the road.

Heading home

Too few graves for a sexton's office; likely a mausoleum

Heading home

Life be time

Take care

Talk to them

This a communal cooking space, perhaps for smoking fish or grilling. (I had thought it was an oven, but on closer examination and research, I see that it has no receptacle to transfer retained heat to items being baked.)

Ɔkɔtɔ {fall, as in falling down}
Chop Bar

He'll help unload.

I'm learning to keep asking Why not?

Curious kids will change our world.

Thank U Jesus

Selling snacks..

..

Beautiful day, and someone beautiful to share it with

..

Using a phone for photos does not come naturally to me

But, we'll give it a try.

..

Did it work?

Egg slicer to dice eggs for tunafish

Or the manual method for larger chunks

Don't Miss This (scripture discussion)

..

I carelessly grabbed a wet shirt by the collar and pulled out a button. Here I've stuffed the thread back through the hole.

My plan was to use part of a Band-Aid to hold it..

While I used the pad of the Band-Aid as interfacing: something solid to stitch to the area around the hole.

But I failed. Trying to use the dimpled metal strip that was supposed to substitute for a thimble cost me a tiny hole in my right thumb.

Pushing the needle with a cutting board broke the needle, whose pieces then had to be chased down with a magnet.

I completed a shoddy repair with a second needle.

A website suggested adding dijon mustard to a grilled cheese sandwich

And spreading mayonnaise on the outside

To make it crispy.

(But next time, don't use cheap cheese from a gas station.)

The drainage ditch, filled at this point to let big trucks dump dirt here from the nearby construction site, has been emptied manually.

Power refilled

Good grazing

..

We passed this apartment, Mercyville, on a driving experience for a driver new to Ghana and new to driving on the righthand side of the road.

..

Maize {corn}

A traffic light on the far side of this hill tends to bunch traffic.

The blue car is parked.

The lady with fish on her head has skeleton leggings.

Time for some traffic

Medase {thanks}

Heaven

Feel surrounded yet?

Jesus Connects
Unisex Boutique

Part of Kotokouraba Market

..

Cooking competition in conjunction with the festival

Frɛ Bills! Na tumi tua wo bills {Call Bills! [A loan initiative] And able to pay your bills}

Clothing styles such as the one to the right remain puffed out with fishing line in the seams.

By his grace

Life is not one day

He's working on his dozer.

Returning, we see the warning branches and his situation more clearly.

KFC usually feeds you well. The chicken doesn't fit the bucket. (Steph would prefer more legs and thighs and fewer breasts, but I'm not complaining.)

They have the idea that you'll want ketchup with the chicken.

Losing the bracket

We aren't the only ones on our "road".

No fancy lifts. You tip the car on its side to work on it.

He does a booming business; there are fewer vehicles here than usual.

A little down the road, air for your tires

People want to avoid at least part of the of the newly reinforced traffic bumps.

God First

Jesus Is Mine

Patience

Dieu Merci {Thank God}

Never Give Up On This Life

Coming our way. What's in the bucket?

Working on a seagoing canoe

I finally understand: a giant log is carved for the base, but then the sides are built up with planks.

Maybe they're trying out the lectern.

Caskets

Blocked shoulder in front of a school

Unless they kill God

Awkward carry

Yes, the man is inside of the tire that he's carrying.

..

Thank U Jesus

T99 [?]

The Mankessim Roundabout displays images of the three leaders who established the Fante kingdom in Mankessim, and of three animals: elephant, eagle, and whale.

[probably one of my best photos]

He's making his own way.

Supplying stores

Table

The man under the umbrella counts cars as they cross the string on the ground. Sometimes, another man asks for payment; that part seems random.

Shovel, not sticking sideways

Great is Jehovah
Agro Chemicals

Brown from dust, not wilting

..

..

Wood to cook with

[Daily labor: hauling water, hauling wood, in order to begin to do the other chores of the day, is not trivial by any standard.]

Hauling rebar for construction

Time for a riddle: The person who makes it doesn't want it. The person who buys doesn't use it. The person who uses it doesn't know he's using it.

The answer from this photo is obvious.

Adom {Grace} Casket Home

This posuban commemorates what was originally a military unit, now a civic organization (as are the other Asafo companies). Posubans are updated periodically.

Follow this for at least a dozen homes..

to reach the Denkyira apartment, ahead. (But park here for simplicity.)

..

It looks more daunting coming out the same way..

..

..

And here's where you return to a paved road.

This looks like my idea of a motorcycle - I hate the thought of picking it up when it falls over - but it's probably a KK missing its body.

Bring your child to work day - every day.

Cooking wood

Why braces while the fence dries? Perhaps buttresses every few meters would have been a better choice.

Road smoother

Graves

Separate gravesite

Unnkle Medikal

What does this refer to: socialized medicine?

Making sure her youngest is safely in hand

The large symbols indicate that nothing surpasses God. I'm bothered by them flanking the door of a pub, but it's not my pub.

..

Seeing this bench, I'm reminded that Vikash Achutaramaiah, a fellow Toastmaster, spoke of a man who built a bench outside his home for passersby.

Turn left.

Stop here.

We park here, in front of the Muslim Mission Home and in the shadow of a large mosque. The inscription on the mission home says: Love for all - Hatred for none.

I'm looking back at where we parked the truck. The taxi came out of the path that we're walking on to reach our destination.

This is a stove someone built next to a building. You balance the pot on the three lumps and shove the end of a stick farther into the opening as the stick burns.

Trax Ghana teaches women to close in the sides; less firewood is used for a hotter result, and the closed sides make it safer. This image and description are from https://traxghana.wordpress.com

Except for communal stoves, I've only seen the 3-lump or 3-stone type.

Hey, Elders! We're out here!

(Mando)

Kyerem Asafo Compny No. 1

More than a symbol, this looks like a place where the organization could meet.

Twidan - No. 1 - Ebususa

Welcome to Onwane Royal Palace

Don't think about me

I initially assumed this was a memorial service..

But then we encountered this

A billboard-sized banner proclaimed...

Program Outline

Tuesday, 9th September, 2025

- Morning: Clean-up Exercise

- Evening: Jams (Music and Entertainment)

Wednesday, 10th September, 2025

- Morning: Mobilizing Young Boys and Girls for Carrying and Handling Swords (Akonfona)

- Afternoon: Inter-school Quiz (Primary Schools and JHS)

- Evening: Jams (Music and Entertainment)

Thursday, 11th September, 2025

- Morning: Cross Country and Inter Clan Cooking Competition

- Afternoon: Weeding the Corridors of the Ritual Places and Eating Competition

- Evening: Candles Night, Inter domination All Church Service and Fireworks (Bonfire)

Friday: 12th September 2025

- Morning: Enstoolment of Sub-chiefs (Omankrado, Tufohen and Safohen)

- Inauguration of New Palace

- Afternoon: Durbar gathering with the Chief and His Elders

- Evening: Indoor Games, Singing Competition, Dancing Competition

- Artistes Night

Saturday, 13th September, 2025

- Okwamuko and Akwambo Display

- Durbar Gathering with the Chief and His Elders

- Celebration of 15 years and 10 years Anniversary of Nana Obuedum (V) and Nana Saawah (I)

- Asafo Company Display to the Ritual Places

- Fundraising

- Evening: Liveband

Sunday, 14th September, 2025

- Morning: All White Health Walk (FLOAT)

- Afternoon: Thanksgiving Service (All Churches Present)

- Evening: Jams

[see above]

Caskets..

..

..

The position of the white line shows how much of the road has been taken over by vegetation and time..

When you can see a white line at all.

Firewood, neatly stacked, all of the same diameter

We tried to determine how much brown was perhaps dust and how much was parched plant.

The plants are taking over.

..

Drivers try to avoid the worst ruts, as much as they reasonably can.

..

People also walk these roads.

Sewing machines are visible.

Gravestones with triangular tops

Under One

School gathering..

..

One Front

The only elephant you're likely to see in Ghana: part of the Mankessim Roundabout

Notice the sewing machine.

The bridge compresses everyone's movement somewhat.

Hard to do for a long distance

Better hope the way is clear; the shoulders are taken.

Run to Greatness

[touting an energy drink]

Crossing

Notice that the white van didn't get far ahead.

Squid, ready-to-eat

This view is probably more like what you were expecting when you think of squid; the tentacles tend to be chewier; I give most of mine to Steph.

There are a few places where you can see activity on the ocean.

..

Rice, shredded fake spam, mixed vegetables, fig jam, and balsamic vinegar

Note, this balsamic vinegar has molasses in it; we'll miss that in the States.

Reflecting on a new day.

Now that the cliff has been cut back, bamboo has been positioned to build the next story.

The Vice President of Ghana Welcomes you to Fetu Afahye 2025 - A Celebration of Culture and Unity

Probably to re-sell somewhere else

..

Ahyɛɛdanaa Krakyɛ

[I can't confirm what this means.]

Nyame Bekyere Ent.

[Probably Nyame Bɛkyerɛ {God will Show} Enterprise]

These kiosks have in common a shelf and an overhang.

I finally have a clear list of what Root End Medical Center offers.

That led me to the next question: what is Ceragem bed treatment?

The Ceragem V6 Thermal Massage Bed combines intelligent technology with FDA-cleared therapeutic features to bring home a complete spinal care experience. This innovative massage bed targets acupressure points along your spine, from cervical to lumbar regions, providing customized relief and full-body relaxation.

With advanced thermal massage rollers that heat up to 149°F, the V6 helps improve circulation, reduce muscle stiffness, and relieve joint pain. It adapts to your body’s natural curve for precision care with every session.

[I get back pain thinking about the price tag: $7000.] -- https://relaxtheback.com

[see above]

Imagine holding your arms over your head for an hour - while walking down the road, carrying a load.

..

..

But turn here

..

The span over the culvert has been repaired.

Turn left at the tiny sign. (Something about fufu.)

Continue

Coming, Jukwa is on your left; this view is leaving, placing it on your right.

Nice view, once you get out of the forest

Some are mowing.

His cutlass is almost as big as he is.

Boa Amponsem Ahenfie Jukwa

This is the palace of Boa Amponsem (Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III), who has been dead for nearly a decade). We pass Amponsem Square every Sunday to get to church in Mfuom.

The New Jamaica

The sign says it's an event center

Poise

I don't know what the red ramp is, but the the other items are familiar.

Bamboo for construction

Entrance to Kakum National Park

Annually from 1 August to 1 December, a ban prohibits hunting wild animals (except grasscutters). -- Forestry Commission
https://fcghana.org/

So, what's a grasscutter?..

Fur scraped off and then spread to cook evenly; I have seen them spread this way at roadsides but didn't understand why. Image from DavidsBeenHere at Instagram

Since we don't know which grasscutters were farmed and which were caught, we ask missionaries to avoid these: as potential bushmeat with unknown background, etc.

Image from DavidsBeenHere at Instagram; check him out

I've seen these dangled for sale at roadsides. Imagine a rabbit, if that helps you. These are also known as the Greater Cane Rat, though I'm assured that they're not closely related to what we would think of as a rat in the States.

For sale at https://jiji.com.gh/ for breeding

Mfuom

Supervision

Obedience, followed by their bird buddies (who eat the bugs they stir up).

The fence has been here for a year; construction behind it is picking up.

The forest is moving in overhead.

My theory: dirty diapers. I never spot these with other trash. I've seen these elsewhere next to a scale, presumably to be hauled away.

And, I've seen what I think is a place where they're taken to break down eventually.

Everyone's going somewhere.

I hope these will hold chemicals, not water for drinking.

Carry

The truck is riding to the left, perhaps to discourage the white van, which will probably pass anyway.

Dad carry

Is the view nicer from up there?

Yɛ nɛ wo sere kwa {You're joking with us}

[a popular song]

The tire fills the cargo bay.

He's making an adjustment to a Ford truck between its tailgate and its bumper; I have no idea what.

I saw this person with these distinctive suitcases walking in the opposite direction earlier. Maybe he tried to sell them and could not.

Celebration at the Audit building

Removing seats makes room for cargo.

Our new vehicle gate lock, with enough keys that I'm not called to unlock it at various times of day.

Mission Home

French Toast

No unusual now. There's a long line in his direction; because; most drivers dread and slow down for the reinforced traffic bumps ahead.

Stranger tonight, though..

..

The officer moved his legs in and out, as if to say: clear this lane.

This week's festival is coming to a close.

I joined the traffic turning right, turned immediately into the hotel behind Pizza Hut, picked up our order..

and took the back way home to avoid having to cut across that traffic.

Nice apartments

[Mercyville]

The road leaves something to be desired.

No, I didn't drive up the hill; I turned here to the right.

..

And turned here at the Audit building for home.

Can you find my collar extender? It's black. Yes, it took me a moment, too.

Star Trek - Next Generation

Keeping child close

Colorful

Neighbors dumped these over the fence beside the "road" where I position the truck to back into our gate.

Steph, mourning over wasted plantains, blown down by the wind before they were ripe.

Junk in the rut is to try to catch and hold some mud.

Small loaves at Pedu Junction

There's room.

Me3 above

Sonturk Supermarket below

Every Woman Is a Star

Me3

Chicken wraps at Me3: nice.

Rear of the Abura chapel, from above

I was parked so close to two-way traffic across from the Beauty Citadel that proximity sensors kept going off..

..

Together

Nice apartments

Nyame Tumi So {God's Power} joint has expanded toward the road a bit.

Right next door, Just Here often has items hard to find elsewhere.

And the tiny store to its left is also helpful.

Don't break whatever it is.

Temping ad, but it doesn't give a location or phone number

Rest in the meridian?

Canopies remain for now.

..

..

..

You can count the pieces in the set.

Unusual to me

We tried to reach the ABSA bank and Melcom by driving to the Cape Coast Castle.

But that wasn't happening today; police turned traffic back well short of that point.

Nyame - All Out

Blessed Assurance

A little-closer look

..

Nyame Ne Tumi So {God Is Powerful}

In case you didn't know tires are sold here, look up.

More canopies

Slow moving

The Point [on the red vehicle]

Items have been placed in the shoulder to curb attempts to skirt the line.

Tornado in a bottle

..

..

Using our music light

Activity

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

    

 

2019