We left for Tamale at 6:30 this morning. On our way out we picked up Mr. Iddrisu. We needed to go to the bank and get money and Mr. Iddrisu needed to renew his driver’s license. Mr. Iddrisu showed us his driver’s license a few days ago and we were surprised that it was so far out of date. When we got to the eye doctor this morning for his eye exam he produced another driver’s license that was not out of date; it just needed to be renewed. We knew that Mr. Iddrisu could not see but we did not know that he was blind in one eye and the other one needed prescription eyeglasses. A couple years ago he had one of his eyes operated on to remove the cataract and the doctors told him to come back and have the other one done. They also told him that he would need glasses but they wanted to wait until the other eye was operated on and healed so they could get the right prescription. Needless to say he failed the eye exam! The doctor told him that there was a free eye clinic in Tamale and that they were doing cataract removals on Wednesday of next week. He said that if Mr. Iddrisu would have the cataract removed on Wednesday he would consider him and sign off on his eye exam. Mr. Iddrisu is worrying about how he is going to farm if he has the surgery. Wouldn’t you like to see what you are growing? Mr. Iddrisu agreed to the surgery. After his license was renewed he went back to Yendi on the bus and we continued to run our errands.
While we were in Tamale we checked to see if they had started printing the Konkomba Bibles yet. We were pleased that they are in the process of printing them and that hopefully by August or September they would be in Ghana. The Bibles are printed outside the country; probably in China.
Steve was able to find some of the handmade brooms/rakes that Donkey likes to use when he sweeps the yard and picks up the leaves. He only likes the brooms/rakes that are made in the Volta Region of Ghana. We used to have a lady from that region living in Yendi; she was good to keep us supplied with the brooms. Now we have to get them in Tamale.
The certificate for the Child Center is still not ready to be picked up. Awal, the auditors assistant said that surely by now it had been processed; one would hope so; it has been almost 2 years since we applied for it. Things move at a snail’s pace sometimes.
Dawda and Red were both waiting to see us when we got back to Yendi this afternoon. We got back about 4:30. Red needed money to work on his dump truck so he sold us roofing sheets to cover the expenses. He came this evening to pick up the money. Dawda and the other masons worked today even though we were not around to facilitate things. His greatest worry was how they were going to get ice water at the jobsite. This morning before we left we filled the cooler with frozen water and left it out for him. He carried it out on his motorcycle. He said they could not work without cold water. Excuse me, we know that we are the only employers that provide masons and their helpers with ice water! We had high hopes that they would finish the job today but they stopped early because it was Friday and they wanted to go to the mosque.
Gomda the mechanic had the electrician fix the fan on the green truck’s air condition unit today. He brought the truck out to the mission house this evening too.
Have a great day!
In HIS Service,
Steve and Kandie
Skeeter’s Monkey Business
Mom says, “I am as wild as a March Hair” not exactly sure what that means; all I can imagine is an old lady standing in a strong March wind and her hair standing on end. Of course I might have misunderstood her and she actually said, “Wilder than a March Hare” referring to a rabbit but that does not really make any sense.
In my own defense I have a right to be wild. I was left unattended all day outside in my prison! I had nothing to entertain me and no one to play with. Mom fed me a bottle this morning before they left; she also fixed me a plate of fresh fruit which I did not touch even though I thought I was going to starve. Mom called Donkey at 1:00 and told him that she had made me a bottle and left it in the small refrigerator that the workers use for cold water. Donkey brought the bottle out to my prison cell and I drank it through the bars. That bottle was the only thing that kept me from starving to death!
When the parents finally reappeared I was so happy to see them! I just could not get enough of rolling around under their necks! I could not help from biting them every once in a while to let them know that I did not approve of being left all alone! Mom brought the tray of fresh fruit in the house and I immediately started eating it. It is not that I did not like the food; I was just too distressed to eat in prison! I am sensitive like that!
I got a treat for staying home alone! They brought me back the smallest tennis balls you ever saw. I really like them but they are almost impossible for me to pick up with my teeth so it is difficult for me to carry them around. I usually carry things in my mouth so I can use my hands for climbing. They also brought me a collar that Mom put around my waist. I am a bit insulted because it is a cat collar! Do I look like a cat???
Surely tomorrow will be a better day!
Love Skeeter
