If you wanna lose your gut, lie on your belly...

Yesterday was busy. We had to run errands to prepare for graduation, arrange for the printing of all the exams and figure out the order for the graduation ceremony that will take place tomorrow afternoon. We had people to invite, drinks to buy, food to arrange, decorations to figure out. It was exhausting. But it was most definitely for a rewarding purpose.

My face improved a tiny bit. The infection started to come out, which again, sorry that is disgusting. But it is a good thing; means it’s getting better. My face is a little less puffy and less sore for sure, but still looks disgusting.

Smart came over in the evening and brought me ice cream and movies and music to make me feel better. It was sweet of him. He taught Petra and I with Belinda to dance Azonto and Sokode and it was nice to just hang out with people our age for the evening.

This morning was just as busy. We had to pick up all the stuff we printed, wrap some of the gifts for the facilitators and arrange the certificates for tomorrow.

Auntie Joe is very busy arranging for the new interns and Auntie Mary and her nieces to come and is cleaning like crazy. She also has a big funeral the day that we leave that she is preparing for since there are about 30 of her family members coming to stay at her compound. She is planning like a mad woman.

Funny quote from her today: We asked her how she got her stomach so flat since she has had 5 children and she said, “ohh, I don’t want to look fat like all these people over there. (Pointing to absolutely nowhere). So I lie flat on my stomach to make it flat and I eat little little. Those people, they take medication to get sooo plump and look fat but I want to look good and I want to live long so I am healthy.”

Putting the ceiling into the school

This afternoon we had exams. (Belinda helped me put bandaids all over my face to cover the gross parts and I was good to go. Here’s hoping I can go without them tomorrow since a professional photographer is coming to grad). 

all "bandaided" up

All of our ladies showed up which was just wonderful!! There were boys putting the ceiling up in the school today, so we couldn’t have the exam inside. We moved all of the tables and chairs outside on the veranda and had the test there. Africa is all about being able to adjust yourself to the situation haha.

They promised us that they would be done and have it cleaned up by tomorrow for the graduation. Fingers crossed!!! It looks really good though!!

  

New Ceiling!!

All of the women did SO good on their exams! I am so proud of them. A couple of them even got perfect. It was wonderful to see how dedicated they have been through this whole process and how much energy they pour into learning.

writing their exams outside the school

Auntie Mary, Kwadwo peed on the front porch of your school today. His mom, Emelia is in my class and she just threw sand over it. Lovely ain’t it?

Kwadwo

Jacqueline, one of my level one students gave me a beautiful Ghana bracelet with the Ghanaian flag and wooden beads to say thank you. It is so nice!

On the way home from class, Jacqueline and I speak French.  I teach her English in class and she helps me practice my French on the way home. It is a perfect arrangement. She asked me how I got the cut on my knee and I explained my little mishap with the monkey in Busua Beach. She laughed and then asked if I had seen the monkey at the neighbours yet...WHAT!? Ladies and Gentlemen, there has been a monkey living down the road from us for 3 months and we didn’t even know about it!! The kids pick it up and hit it and throw it around...it doesn’t bite them...only me I guess...

MONKEY

Pray for us and all the women as they prepare for graduation tonight. They will be practicing their readings and songs, memorizing their bible verses, and inviting some of their families. They may be nervous tomorrow so please keep that in mind as you pray for them as well. For some of them, it may be the last time we see them which is kind of sad; it just shows how close we really are to the end and that is a little bit scary at times. These women have all weaved their way into my heart in a different way and I will definitely be sad to leave them.