The Long Road Home

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008

Departure for Lome went well -- ooops! Spoke too soon. Brett forgot has family's passports. Fortunately he thought of it before we had even left town. The trip was largely uneventful. Brett did all of the driving (as he has been doing). Driving in Togo is VERY stressful -- very few street signs; in fact, very little signage at all. No road markings to speak of. No shoulders on the roads, even on the National Hwy. to Lome. What there is a lot of is walkers, bikes, and motorscooters. They walk and ride as if they had a death wish! People walking with all manner of things on their heads. (Remember, no road shoulders.). Also, plenty of big trucks broke down for unsuspecting drivers to come upon. (Remember, no shoulders.) All in all it requires constant attention to the road by the driver. So far, no accidents.
We arrived at the Baptist Guest House in Lome about 3 p.m. Lome is a bigger version of Kara with drivers and walkers who are just as careless as those in Kara. After an evening meal, we went back to our rooms for a much needed rest. Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving in a country that does not observe it. Will we be the only ones having turkey and dressing tomorrow?
That's all for now --- Good Night!

Trucks broken down along the National Highway are a common sight.

A dusty detour off the National Highway.

Yes, that's a goat on top of the taxi!

Brett made sure Joy was well supplied with Diet Pepsi. (It's not available in Kara, where they live.)

Papa and Corban at the Baptist Guest House in Lome.

We're on safari!

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008

Safari Day!! We were up early to go to the Sarakawa Game Reserve, hoping that the animals would be more active. We were rewarded for our effort -- many excellent sightings of animals. Among them were cape buffalo, eland, wildebeest .... the variety of God's creation is astounding! We were talking about why God saw aaneed for quite this much variety. He must have had something beyond man's understanding in mind. I understand the food chain concept -- little creatures eaten by bigger creatures which are in turn eaten by even bigger creatures .... (but, I digress.) Back to the safari. We had a glorious morning, so cool that Joy was thinking she needed her denim shirt. (First time she's thought about a long sleeve since leaving Germany.) Our driver and guide (and Brett) were sharp-eyed and spotted lots of wildlife. Our last day in Kara was off to a good start!

The rest of the day was scheduled for packing and prep for our Thanksgiving trip to Lome. Joy and April did most of the prep while Brett and I went to the Kennell's new house. Their container had arrived in Kara and needed to be unpacked ASAP. Mark had hired 5 Togolese men and then Matt, Dave, Brett, and I pitched in also. Many hands make light work. The Togolese men were young and strong and eager to work. They often carried things by themselves that would usually require 2 or 3 men. Someone commented that they were trying to show off and out-do each other. Maybe. But, I suspect they wanted to prove their strength and work ethic as a sort of resume to obtain work in the future. I have observed this in the Togolese. Antionette, Erique, etc. are always anxious to handle tasks. I may be reading too much into their attitudes, but it seems that many Togolese live on the edge of survival-- or once did-- so they do not want to squander any opportunity. Whatever the reason, the Togolese I have met have an excellent work ethic. (Again, I have digressed.) The Kennell's container was successfully unloaded in under 2 hours. Brett said the hired men probably were paid about 1000 CIFA which equals about $2. He said this would be a good day's wage for a young Togolese man.

Tomorrow we begin our long trip back to the U.S. We are hot; we are tired; we are richly blessed to have spent this time with B,A,C and C and seen first-hand why they are in Togo, West Aftica.

Sarakawa Game Reserve

Corban: Birthday Boy!

Monday, Nov. 24, 2008
Blogger's note: I have neglected my blog the past few weeks, partly because Brett and April are in the U.S. on furlough. I know when I go to blogs I am following, it is disappointing when it has not been update recently. Now I'm guilty! Sorry, I will try to make posts more often.

The team members came to Brett and April's to celebrate Corban's first birthday today. Joy and I were able to maintain our tradition of never missing a first birthday. This was definitely the farthest we have ever come for one! After a craft and gift opening, we got down to the serious business of cake eating. Corban carried on the Emerson family tradition VERY WELL -- he made a massive mess with chocolate cake all over himself. Great fun!!
By now, it's time "chill out" which is a very ironic expression here in Togo. Some (like Joy) had a little siesta. After a drive around Kara, we were off to the Millers for dinner. The Kennells just arrived in Kara so they are staying with the Millers for now ... let's see, that's eight adults and 8 children. It was a great time of fellowship. The team members are very welcoming and generous with their love and kindness. We have felt like members of the team because of the way they have included us so fully.

Observations
Today we were able to present Antoinette (the houseworker) and Erique (the day guard and yard man) with gifts -- 2 bags of rice and an old suitcase from Goodwill that we were leaving behind. Brett assured us that they would like them, and he was right. Both of them were very appreciative. Their faces lit up, and we truly felt the blessing of giving to others. Our gift to them turned out to be a gift to us also. Erique was quite excited about the suitcase. He told us he would use in when he comes to America!
Did I mention it's hot here? The need for an afternoon siesta is obvious. The heat simply drains one's energy. Brett and April have A/C in two rooms, but they rarely use it because it is so expensive. Their electric bill is more than their rent. Nashville gets pretty hot in the summer, but there is relief with A/C. Not here -- almost nothing is air conditioned. A/C -- another of those things we take for granted. Here in Togo it is really and truly a luxury.
Speaking of electricity: the power has gone out at least once a day while we have been here. It's not always for a long time, and Brett has a gas-powered generator. Of course, gas is something like $6 a gallon, so that can get expensive also.
Interesting note: Today Brett had to explain to Erique about furnaces -- it was a total surprise to him. That's life 300 miles north of the equator.
Good night!

I'm really delighted to celebrate my first birthday.

Mommy helps unwrap gifts -- looks like fun.

Cake in the face --an Emerson family tradition!

Papa and Corban.

April and her boys!
Joy and I with Erique and his family.