Sauder's In Ghana

Hello friends!

This blog comes as a result of several unusual circumstances. First, we actually have some internet left at the end of the month so we can upload some pictures! This is somewhat of a rarity, and sometimes we don't actually know how accurate our record-keeper, MTN, really is. Secondly, we were able to take a break and head out to Elmina, which is just past Cape Coast, and spend some time at our friends house right by the beach! Conrad and Katie are home on furlough right now, and were so generous to allow us to stay there for a few days. Also, our good friends and fellow NCMFer's Jon and Juantia Groff were able to join us for several days of fellowship, fun, and memories. So, here are some pictures.


After arriving at the house, we were treated to a Pennsylvania favorite, puppy chow! With the sound of the surf in the background, good books, and new toys for the children, it was a delightful start.






One of the special things at the house, aside from being right by the sea, is this amazing play set. This was well used by the children while we were there.




On Monday, we traveled to Coconut Grove, a resort in Elmina, and spent the day at the pool. Although it seemed quite expensive, it was worth it to see happy children enjoying a pool for the first time in a long time.

We were able to walk down the beach to this amazing little cove, where an abundance of life appeared when the tide was out. As well as gathering nice shells and sand dollars (or, as Max says, "sand cedis" or "sea money"), it appeared that a ship had wrecked recently as many pieces of wood, nets, and oars had floated in.




This little fellow was attached to a rock shortly before being poked off with a stick and put on a board so many little people could observe it. When prodded, it would release this purple fluid to cloud the water.

There was an abundance of hermit crabs. It was fun to pick them up and put them in a bucket, only to see them crawling out in an escape attempt.

My little scientist. I tell him he can be whatever he wants to be. He feels at this stage in his life he has narrowed it down to three options, and he admits it is hard to choose; to play ball for the Phillies, to work at Pawpaw's feed mill, or to work on computers like dad. It is exciting to see him learning, reading, and just enjoying exploring God's creation.

On our final day, I woke up early to go down to the beach to see what treasures the high tide had washed up. It so happened that Max was also up at 6:00, so we walked down to the water in the early morning light. I was hoping for a beach littered with unbroken shells and sand dollars, and instead we found the beach just, well, littered. We poked around the trash, and without finding much headed back to pack up and head home. It brought back many memories of doing these things with my dad. We would wake up early and go fishing in some remote stream feeding Pine Creek, and it was a special time, just me and my dad.

Going home provided us with another first experience. As we traveled out of Cape Coast, the police at the barrier proceeded to stop me because the van did not have reflective tape on the sides. This is a new rule that has gone into effect to create more visibility on the roadway, especially at night. Most trotros (public transportation, think minivan loaded with 27 people) spurn the idea of elaborate electronics like tail or brake lights, so this was an obvious way to enhance public awareness of your position on the roadway. I had been hassled before by the police, but never to the point where they had me pull over and take my license to hold until I would appear in court. The police officer showed me a paper explaining the new law, and that it was to go in effect the beginning of September. However, the powers that be only chose to notify the transportation companies, not private individuals like myself. After telling me what a serious offense this was, we proceeded to talk it out, and I showed him all the commercial vans that were going through the checkpoint at that very moment, without tape, who they chose not to stop. I told that unless they were planning on stopping everybody, I would be on my way and would go to DVLA and put the proper tape on the car. I then asked him if he goes to church, and he said he goes to the Apostolic church in Cape Coast. I promised to bring him a Bible the next time I am through, and although they would have liked a small "gift", what he will get is the inspired Word of God! Sounds like a good deal, right?! I wrote down the mans name and number, hoping that he didn't see my hands were shaking so badly I could hardly write! But as I got in the van to continue the trip, Sara told me how she was praying for me the whole time, and God was there and caring for us.

The rest of the trip home was uneventful, and we arrived home, happy with a break but also ready to get back to work. I did go to DVLA the following Monday and get the proper tape put on the van.
This last picture is of the pavilion, by the sea, where we grilled hamburgers and hotdogs Sunday evening. Sara did a great job of making special food that we don't get often, and I don't know, these burgers were almost as good as the one I had at Red Robin before we left! A cup of Starbucks (instant, of course) with laughter of friends closed the day very nicely. We so enjoyed going to the Groff's church, where we had a wonderful time of praise and worship, so good that we could have enjoyed it for hours.

Juanita & Elliot are headed for the gazebo.

God has carried us through some tough times in the previous months, and this was a time where we could slow down a bit and focus on each other, our family, and spending time with Him. It was so peaceful to fall asleep to the sound of the surf crashing into the rocks, or to stand out on the rocks at night, to see the foamy surf in the moonlight, smell the salt in the air, and feel the mist on your face. We are trying to make this place our home away from home, and that is easier said than done, but we are doing small things, like getting the kittens, to make it happen. Also we are super excited to be invited to the Accra baseball league, where I will be helping to coach Max and up to 30 other youngsters in t-ball! This isn't just an outing for Max and I, but Sara will also come along and fellowship with the other expats and missionary families there. We are excited to get to know more missionaries and some of the people who work at the U.S. Embassy, who we have phoned on numerous occasions but have never met face to face. We want to allow God to mold us and teach us during this time, and we are continuing to trust in His grace and mercy.