My Journey Begins: Day 10

The FBC crew set out to the airport at 530am this morning. I was sleep, so I said my goodbyes last night. I met Rev. Soaries at 630am to say goodbye to him though. He gave all of his final instructions, asked me what my central purpose was out here, all the goals etc. He told me that he gave the people that’ll be with me money for me and made sure they’d get me a phone so he can call. Then he told me not to meet my husband, but if I do, to send him his picture. Then he hugged me about 2 times and then began to walk away and then came back and hugged me one last time and then left. 3 hugs huh? lol. I know he’s just as concerned as my parents are except they show it in different ways. I went back to my room to sleep and watch a little ESPN (the only American station I can get) and then got up, re-packed and headed out to the lobby to wait for the King’s assistant Angie to come back from seeing them off from the airport to pick me up. I waited a little over an hour ½. Typically, I would have been concerned but one thing I have learned on this trip is that Ghanaian time is always in hours…not minutes. One lady came up to me while I was waiting and said, “Are you Khristi Adams? You have a phone call.” It was Angie assuring me that she was on her way. When I went back to wait, I met a man here from Baltimore who is a professor at Elizabeth City Univ. in North Carolina. We got to talking about Dubois and the first African President, Kwame Nkrumah. I didn’t realize how much I’ve learned since i’ve been here until I got to talking. This is the most practical education I’ve ever gotten really. I think everyone should come to Africa at some point in their lives. For my sister Chloe, I will make it my duty because she’s my sister. I will be planning a trip to Ghana for teens either next year or the beginning of 2011. That’s really why I’m here…

Angie, Edmond and the driver came to pick me up and take me to get something to eat. Then we went to check in at the guest house where I’ll be staying until Sunday. Angie stayed and we went over my itinerary and we talked for a few hours. She is just 28 and so wise. She talked about her daughter and the two daughters she adopted who did not have homes. She works for the King, owns a business and takes care of those children and her mother. It is so wonderful to hear and makes me want to work harder. She, along with many Ghanaians have such a rich understanding of their culture and history. She explained to me the history of the Akyem and the Ashanti areas and how King Osagyefuo is working so hard to bridge the gap between the two as well as how progressive he has been in revitalizing his communities. Her and Edmond will go for a 1-year Master’s in London next year. The more I’m here and I talk to people the more I want to travel the world. I’m like, “Hey I want to go to London for a year!” lol

After we talked we went to the King’s Accra offices where she finished up some work and I talked to the staff and went in to see the King and talk to him for a little while. He’s so wise and so humble! I just love talking to him. Then we got a cab and went to a quaint restaurant for dinner with Edmond and some of his friends. I love how we’re all the same age. And I love how much smarter than me they are. It makes me want to work harder. Plus they’re pretty chill…I’d say they know how to work hard and chill hard too. Angie dropped me back at the guest house and tomorrow morning I will work at the Street Academy from 9-1:30. I’ll let you know how that goes!