Sunday, March 20, 2011

Week Of March 14

Wow this week has gone by Super fast and we have been BUSY! First, to report on my bike situation (we haven’t even begun to pursue Paul’s bike) but after Paul went to the police station every day this week; he had to pay the officer who then had to fill out a form to release the bike, the officer lost the form, he had to fill out another one, the police commander had to stamp it, he wasn’t in, he came and then wanted money to stamp the form so Paul paid and finally after 4 weeks we were going to get the bike… But of course that was PSYCH because the police officer in charge of locking the bikes misplaced the key. I wish I was joking but there you have it.
The bike situation is ridiculous but it doesn’t even compare to the car. So far we’ve fired two drivers after they’ve almost ruined the car, right? So Paul decided to get his own driver’s license. All day Tuesday he was at the license division and they granted him a learners permit which meant he had to put L plates on our car. (which no one will stop a taxi with a driver who is learning) Well his driver “friend” wanted to take the car and make money for us doing the day. Well we let him take it and he brought it back with the shaft broken which I don’t even know what that is except that it cost us 40 cedi. Paul decided he was going to find his driver friend and have him pay us back but first he had to come pick me up from school (I’ll explain that below) but on the way to come get me the police stopped him. (someone in town who was jealous and knew he didn’t have a license reported him) Paul told him that he had a learners permit but it was at home plus he didn’t have the L plates on so Paul had to pay to not be taken to jail plus the car would be kept until he paid to get it. Paul decided to have the driver friend that broke the shaft pay to pick up the car which I thought was a great idea. However the driver didn’t bring the car to us until Late in the evening and then left. Paul got a flashlight to inspect it and surprise surprise, the man had broken the key off inside the lock!! Plus had broken one of the dirt flaps (haha I don’t really know what they’re called) behind the tire. So yesterday he spent all day at the mechanic shop while they somehow removed the broken key from inside the lock. Today a mechanic came and picked up the car to have a key made but on our way home from church 4 hours later we passed him on our way into Hohoe. When we got to the station we found our car parked in the middle of the road, keys in the ignition, gas cap off, and the mechanic no where to be found. Paul just got home and informed me that the mechanic drove the car without putting water in the take so the engine was so overheated that it almost exploded and was smoking….
But other than THAT haha this week has been really great J Paul played football with his friends on Tuesday, scored a wonderful goal and was easily the best player out there! (although I’m a bit bias haha) It was pouring rain and lightning but still they played on. I also taught Paul his first keyboarding lesson this week and he picked it up really well. We dropped off some fabric to Bertha (the seamstress) to have made into a dress and purse for me, a shirt for Paul. Yesterday morning too, I was super sneaky and had the kids helped me get water in the buckets and soap to do my washing (Paul’s mom doesn’t allow me to do my own) but after about an hour and a half with the kids laughing at me the whole time, my fingers were raw haha and I was only a third done so… I gave in and the kids quickly finished. Paul’s mom Mary said, “Blacks are meant to do hard labor while whites have machines.” Hahaha she is the funniest woman.
Oh and then I guess the biggest news of mine is that I started at Suzzy Mother Care which is a small school in Hohoe owned by a spunky old woman. I am teaching KG 2 (kindergarten) and the kids are rowdier than anything and have Zero comprehension of anything. So far we have gotten from A-D and some of them still can’t tell the difference haha so it’s a work in progress but I’m determined. I am also teaching them colors and I made up a song for them to learn the rainbow (which they had never heard of before) and Friday was Red day so I wore red and the kids were like “Sister Annie that’s the color you taught us!” And I was so excited but when I asked them what it was called they shouted out “Blue! Black! White” Haha so basically I have my work cut out for me but it should be fun to volunteer again.
Okay this is Super Long I just realized so I’ll stop but I’m still loving my husband and loving my life here in Ghana J I’m so blessed and grateful for all the love and support too from home! Until Next week!

1 comment:

  1. Annie! This is so great. I cannot even fathom what you are going through with all the dishonesty and everything with your bikes and the taxi! You are definitely an example to me! Love you cousin.

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