Well, we had a crazy weekend! Thursday was Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, or in other words, the celebration of Independence for Ghana. Since it was an official holiday and we didn't have to go in to the office, we decided to head over to the memorial park, get a little outdoor exercise, and see if there was anything going on. Oh boy! Was there ever! A million other people had the same idea! We were surrounded with celebration!!
First, we met the 2nd son of revered leader Kwame Nkrumah. He was so kind, waving us over from the crowd, and took a moment to speak with us. It seems this man carries his father's devotion to honor the freedom of the people of Ghana. He proudly sat beneath the statue of his father and greeted many many people. We loved meeting him. We loved seeing all the Ghanaian pride happening all around us.
Friday, was another celebration day at the office. Food, dancing and drumming, more food and fun! Everyone wore their best celebratory outfit to work that day! It was amazing to see all the beautiful dresses and outfits for men and women.
Winfred - our IT guy Dinah - our legal coordinator
Mabel - our front reception
Eric & Daniel Crab rice
Desserts Cyril - our fleet coordinator
We also planned a get-away for the weekend. We determined to leave work a little early this day and get on the road. Our destination was only 35 miles away. The GPS showed 1 hr 25 min, which is quite typical for this distance during the late afternoon. We left around 2:30 pm. Around 3:00 it began to rain, then wind began to blow and everything went a bit crazy from there. To make a very long story short, we went approx 20 miles in about 5 hrs. Roads were being flooded and washed out, trucks were being overturned, there was mayhem everywhere. There was no way out either. When we finally found a way to get across all lanes of traffic (almost impossible when you are at a complete standstill, surrounded on all sides by other vehicles in the same predicament), we were able to get turned around and headed home. We arrived home by 8:30 pm, tired and frustrated. Lesson learned... don't leave late and don't travel in the rain!
Saturday, planned protests all around the city were in motion. In any country, there will always be those who are not happy with who is in power or how they choose to use that power. Riot police with riot vehicles were stationed at all major intersections. We decided to risk doing a little shopping and take in a movie, thinking surely it can't be that bad. It took us only 30 min to the mall where both movie and grocery shopping are located (usually a 15 min drive), and 1 hr home. Not too bad I guess!!
We missed Independence Day in the US this year and will miss it again next year. Still, it doesn't make me any less grateful for the freedoms I enjoy, each and every day of my life, no matter where I live.
From the Life of Ezra Taft Benson:
The scriptures make clear that there was a great war in heaven, a struggle over the principle of freedom, the right of choice.
The war that began in heaven over this issue is not yet over. The conflict continues on the battlefield of mortality.
Freedom of choice is a God-given eternal principle. The great plan of liberty is the plan of the gospel. There is no coercion about it; no force, no intimidation. A man is free to accept the gospel or reject it. He may accept it and then refuse to live it, or he may accept it and live it fully. But God will never force us to live the gospel. He will use persuasion through His servants. He will call us and He will direct us and He will persuade us and encourage us and He will bless us when we respond, but He will never force the human mind.
Love from GHANA!! 💓💛💚
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