Team Ghana in their Sunday best!

Hello again!

On Friday we spent a full day at the orphanage with a variety of activities including crafts, singing, painting, and volleyball. We decorated our banner with the handprints of all of our team and all the children, even the three-month-old baby. 

Yesterday we watched a football match between two teams from the orphanage before continuing our programme of activities at the orphanage. At lunchtime we headed into Kumasi in a minibus with Pastor Kofi who took us to a museum about the Asante kingdom then to the National Cultural centre where we had ‘lunch’ (Ghana style – AKA at 4 o’clock PM) and did some shopping at the market.

Today we got up and about a little earlier than we are accustomed to and walked down to the orphanage at about 9 o’clock. When we arrived we were shown to the church which was in a building not far from the orphanage. Pastor Kofi arrived in his Sunday attire and we were greeted by a number of the children who were also dressed in their best outfits; they looked very sweet.

The service was due to begin at 10 o’clock (I say ‘due to begin’ since this is Ghana, where time is fluid and nobody is ever in a rush) but before the service was a Bible study group, which was split into two groups, one in English and one in Twi. The topic was ‘giving and tithing’. Becky was rather surprised when asked to pray for everyone but she managed splendidly. More people joined us for the service itself which actually began a short while after 10. The service began with some enthusiastic and joyful singing, during which we all walked around shaking hands with everyone to greet them. Becky had to do a Bible reading then Francisca (one of the girls from the orphanage) sang a lovely solo. Pastor Kofi introduced us to the entire congregation by inviting us to the front and Cara spoke about what we have been doing in Ghana. The rest of the service consisted of a sermon, more music and dance, prayer and offertory. It was interesting to note the similarities and differences between this service and the services which we have attended at home, some of our group found it much livelier than services which they have attended in the UK.

We had lunch at the Sports Hotel then went for a swim in the outdoor pool there. It was good fun and we are already discussing meeting as a team at a water park in the UK some time since we enjoyed it so much!

This evening we sorted out the equipment which we will be taking to the orphanage tomorrow and some which we will give to the Guide Training Centre in Accra.