Day 1

We left the hotel a little after 7AM and just got back to Accra where it is after 10PM Saturday evening in Accra.  Today was a lot of travel highlighted by a visit to one of the villages where Eric and his team have returned around 150 fishing kids.  We drove way back from the main road here on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to a little village with about 1,000 people living there.  I am not exaggerating when I say these people had very little but their smiles and warm greetings--which went a long way with us!

We met several of the children that Eric has rescued and they love him.  He walked off with a couple of them to catch up and you could see the mutual admiration and love.  It was neat to see the end results of previous rescue missions before we embark on ours in less than 36 hours.

My daughter Mikaelyn with this 12-year old beauty named Mavis.

Most of the day today was tourist stuff to see some of the interesting places here in Ghana before we get to work Monday,  But for all of us the chance to be with the children and parents of the village was wonderful.  We gave them bead necklaces, candy, and rubber bracelets (Bridges To America ones that all of our donors will be receiving. ) The kids loved our simple gifts and we loved seeing their sweet faces and gratitude.

The weather is Africa-hot and muggy but we had an air conditioned van and plenty of cold bottled water.  You want to complain about the heat but tend to catch yourself as you realize that these kids don't get to hop in cool vans and drink cold water as easily as we can so you shut-up and be grateful for what you have.

Eric (the social worker), Comfort (rescued 7years ago when she was 8), and Mika.

Here are a few pictures of the fun things we did today.  Tomorrow is a rest day except that we are going to deliver food to the 100 children that live in the village of the boy, Never, who was featured on the Oprah show that started this whole journey.

Reluctantly leaving these children happy with their necklaces and bracelets.

Is it pull the tail of a tiger or a crocodile?  Yes, that is real and the biggest one in the pen!

Es-car-what the heck!!?? Snails sold on the side of the road.  Umm we didn't stop.

 

 

 

 

View of the auction block at the Portuguese slave castle in Elmina.