Nadia Notes...

Hello All!

It is Nadia again, and I’m sorry I haven’t written more.... I seem to have so much to say I don’t have the time to write it all down :) There has been so much going on I hardly know where to begin...

We’ll start with this... I love Africa, and Andy, I’m afraid I may not be coming home. If I do come, it will have to be drugged and knocked out because I don’t think I’ll come willingly. This place is so full of beauty and wonder I can hardly take it all in in just one short month.

I walked down into the village with Diane and Penny yesterday, and was so struck by the beauty of the people. They all carry a certain air of elegance which we fail to possess in North America. The children who greet us all the way through the village are just captivating, and I want to take them home with me. Their eyes grab at my heart as I pass them all by; in them you find a strange mixture of joy, hardship, wonder, daring and innocence all at once. They are as fascinated by us as we are by them and they smile and jump up and down and run after us as we wander by. I can’t help smiling as I go simply because it makes me feel so full.

After walking through the village, working on the worksite is my absolute favorite. Yestersay we mixed and poured... By the headpan load (... So, one shovelful at a time) - an 18 bag load of concrete. It was a long day, but fun. For some reason, when we are working so hard and I can feel my muscles burning with every pan of concrete that I pass on, I have fun. It is so exciting to know that you are really doing something. It’s not that the other things that we do are not important and significant, because they are; but, this kind of work is just so fulfilling, and different than anything we do at home. It feels so much more real.

I think that healthwise, everyone seems to be doing a lot better. We’re not all quite 100% yet, but we are getting there. Thanl you all for your continued prayer, we couldn’t do it without you. I myself am doing very well, I thank God and daily quiet time for that. We decided a little while back that we weren’t getting enough time to just be alone, so after lunch every day we have a half hour of proclaimed quiet where we don’t talk to anyone but ourselves and God. I think it is my saving grace most days, and I am thankful for it. It seems to keep me sane. I spend my time on the roof of the hostel, overlooking the ocean and the village, in the sun and the breeze. It is so good.

Other good news too. We have a trombone that I can play here! Yay! Admittedly it is not quite so beautiful as my Ella (my trombone at home), but it plays... Sort of. The slide only sticks most of the way down, and when we got it, it was lubricated with motor oil. I neglected to bring my slide oil with me, so now instead of using slide oil, or even motor oil - I am using ‘zinc oxide creme’... Also known as Penatin Creme... Or... Baby bum creme. It works well ; )

Ooh, great fun. Last week, as you may have already hear, we got to go spend an hour at the drumming school in the village - Sooooo much fun. I was the only female in the group of people that went, so our teacher, Akka, took a shine to me. When he came over to work with me or show me something, he would wrap his arms right around me so that his cheeck was RIGHT next to mine, and play on my drum and talk to me about what I was to do next... I can’t say I was complaining... He was rather good looking ; )

Michelle, I think that you would be thrilled with the kitchen staff. They seem to love to turn on the radio and sing along with EVERY song it plays... Which covers everything from Steely Dan to Celine Dion to the Beach Boys to Stevie Wonder to really really bad country on repeat to “We Wanna See Jesus Lifted High”. They have about the same amount of talent as the Logan brothers do.... Maybe even more. (I think I’ll leave that there.) So, I take it you like Patrick?? I’m glad. He is certainly worth it. I wish you were here, I think after University I’ll come back and bring you with me. Say hi to your parents for me.

Tyler... Are you sure that’s all you want? I can’t bring you back a whole menagerie in technicolor while I’m at it? I promise I won’t forget the bow :)

Rockin’ Robin, Dearest, I can’t believe I never told you I was coming to Africa!... Sorry! Is there anything I can bring back for you, Cute Face?

Shannon... I’ll try to post a picture of my Ghanaian man soon. I miss you! Have tou heard anything from my roommate yet?

Rachel, I wish you were here! Give yourself, your family, and Paul big hugs for me. You are the first person I want to see when I get home.

Andy, as much as I love you and your red hair... I don’t think that a Ghanaian would ever look good in red hair, despite what I thought before. And, I miss you too.

Aunt Tracy, I miss you so much, and we all really enjoy your comments... I hope you all know that we read your comments out loud together at the dinner table. It’s loads of fun... Keep them coming :)

Sarah, I am looking after Josh as I promised, and he’s doing awesome. I’m working hard to help fight off all of the beautiful Ghanaian women who are so attracted to him for you, and I’ll at least send him home safe if I don’t come myself :)

I think that is all for the present. So I must be off. It’s luch time. I miss you all and I’ll see you in a few weeks. Much love, and thanks again for the prayers.

~Nadia~