Due to the interruption in the internet I have gotten behind on my blog updates. I am having a wonderful time, having life changing experiences, and am imagining future possibilities. The people I have met have impacted my life in different ways. Ghana is rich in history, tradition and progress, but most of all it is rich in purpose. Women have their own specific place in Ghanain society, but this is a place not only of submission , but of power and decision making ( I can explain more in person). The maternal lineage in terms of kingship is powerful. I have so many pictures and experiences it is hard to put them all on here. I am now back in Accra, after visiting Kumasi, Tamale, and Cape Coast. At 1:00pm today I will be joining my friends from the Kingdom Hall here for a day at the beach, eating and music. The food is delicious, the people are beautiful and the culture is rich. Yesterday I went to Torgimay Village where I attending a naming ceremony. An African family took me in and gave me my African name, (Ako Elmor) Which (Ako)  means I was born on a sunday (Elmor) means God loves me. The king of the Village along with the family presented my name to me and the mother of the family tied a bracelet on my arm while the father of the family presenting me with a small pot with my name written on it so I will never forget where I belong. I now have a home in Ghana. I learned some traditional African dances( I will demonstrate when I return home) and made new friends.

 

 

 

 

                                      This is the Gate to the King of Ghana's Palace

Me before going out with friends to the Jazz Club in Accra

The Jazz Band playing at the Club 233, they are amazing and rocked the place all night

 , I have a video but it wouldn't upload. I was invited back the next night as their special guest

Me and the Guitarist, Issac. And yes this is the Ghanaian LEON (for those of you who get it :)

The entrance to the University in Kumasi, Dr. Davison was presenting at the international conference there she was amazing and I made so many professional connections and was invited back next year.

During my visit at the Kente Village, the place where the original Kente clothe is made on these looms. This is the most expensive of all the clothe made in Africa and is only worn on special occasions such as weddings or important events. There are a lot of knock offs which are usually Chinese made (refuse to buy). Because it is so expensive most people only own one strip. It is important to own at least one piece (3 in. wide and 2 ft in length). Yep I got mine. This is me learning how the looms work it is nerve racking, but these guys are masters at it and are trained through apprenticeships.

These are some of the samples, each section has different meanings

Picture of the Elima slave castle from our hotel. I visited this castle the next day, I also visited the other slave castle called Cape Coast slave castle. The experience was very emotional. I have upclose pictures that I will share when I return, My visit helped me to appreciate the air I breathe each day and motivates me to take an extra breathe for those who can no longer do so.

During the visit to Tamale we visited a local village called sugar shea village. At this village they make pure shea butter from start to finish and then sell it to locals in the community. They also have people from Italy, London, New York and California to come and purchase the shea butter at dirt cheap prices and sell it is there high end stores for an outrageous price.

Today experienced a 6 hour blackout with no air or electricity in the hotel. as the other guest were complaining, I was outside talking to a local hotel worker about life. Prior to the blackout I enjoyed the company of an older sister in the congregation here and shared upbuilding experiences. They gave me a farewell as I will be leaving Kumasi in the morning on my way to Cape Coast, If you notice how white I look, it is because inside the Kingdom Hall their are lights hanging every couple of feet and you can not get a picture without some type of glare.

my friend Margaret who came to visit me at the hotel today and a younger brother at the Kingdom Hall

House on my way to Tamale

Town of Tamale

The White Volta River

The Black Volta River

New Soccer stadium in Tamale

Sorry for  the lack of updates but the internet has been going in and out. I have been in Kumasi since 5/21/13 which is north of Accra. Prior to leaving Accra I had a chance to go to the Kingdom Hall, the assembly, and visit the branch office in Accra. My brothers and sisters welcomed me with open arms, invited to join them for lunch during the assembly. It strengthened my faith even more and made Jehovah" s global paradise even more real to me. I will add more tomorrow and provide a more detailed update.

last night's dinner was delicious. The guy in the blue shirt is Awuku, he is our personal guide while we are in Ghana, he is amazing and super nice. The dinner consist of seafood goulash, red red (blackeye peas and spicy sauce), rice, plantains, chicken, potatoe, and pineapple fruit bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 From New York to Accra: The flight in itself was problem free, however; As I was sleeping about 6 hours into the flight it got really hot on the plane and I felt myself getting nauseated and felt as if I were about to throw up. Well, Dr. Blalock was sitting in the seat in front of me, the plane was dark , everyone was sleeping, so I tapped Dr. Blalock on the shoulder and told her "I think about to throw up, and if I try to get up to go to the bathroom I will throw up in the isle. She was so nice trying to find me something to throw up in, but without success, so I took the plastic that the blanket came in and vomited the whole bag full. The stewardess came by and brought me a barf bag (to late). I composed myself, went to the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth, drank some ginger ale and  felt much better. (Me and Dr. Blalock are blaming it on the sudden burst of heat and the airplane dinner). I did not eat the breakfast they served on the plane hours later. But as you can see from the picture below, I survived and arrived safely in Accra about 1:00pm Ghana time, 09:00am US time)                                                       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Atlanta to NewYork was problem free, in route right now to Accra Ghana, I'm glad it's night time and I cannot see all the water below me. Pictures coming tomorrow after I land in Ghana.  Goodnight my friends and family , love y'all .