Guest Author: Lindsay Taylor
Our day started early this morning when we awoke at 4 AM to prepare for our trip to Mole Game Reserve. We rushed around and hit the road shortly after 5 AM. Kandie and Charity made breakfast for us to eat on the road. Steve started the drive from Yendi to Tamale; the road was rough and nausea-inducing for Faith. By the time we got to Tamale, we decided it was time for Faith to ride in the front seat, which ultimately did the trick for her nausea. We stopped for fuel and Jordan took over driving for Steve, and then we headed out on the 3-hour leg from Tamale to Mole.
Faith and I were told we are lucky to experience a paved road to Mole. Previously, it was entirely a bumpy dirt road that rattled them nearly to death. I have to admit the drive was almost pleasant.
We arrived at Mole around 10 AM. Our rooms weren’t ready, so we visited the Mole Museum. The museum was a room, about 20 feet long, decked out with skins, hides, bones, shells, skulls, animal traps, and a preserved elephant fetus. The elephant skull displayed was massive; it was about waist height to Jordan, who is about 6 feet tall.
We then had lunch while we waited for room check in. While we were waiting, a baboon came onto the veranda. Apparently they are notorious for grabbing food and other various items from guests and running away! One of the motel workers shined a laser pointer at the baboon and it quickly ran away like a startled cat.
We ordered our food at 11 AM, but we did not receive it until almost 1 PM. No one is in a hurry here in Ghana! We ordered chicken curry, french fries, banku and okra stew, fried rice, and red-red (which is black eyed peas and a side of fried plantains). We were all very happy with the food.
Jordan discovered something that could have been a disaster. By now, you probably know the terrible luck Steve and Kandie have with vehicles. Jordan was stopped by a man in the parking lot who pointed out an 8-inch-long gouge running along the top of the tire on our van. While the rest of us were able to rest briefly after lunch, Steve changed the tire, only to discover the spare had a leak. He went to the nearest village a few miles away to patch the spare until we can make it back to Tamale tomorrow. It seems that God is watching over us!
At 3:30, we were finally ready to go on our safari, and Steve got back just in time. We arranged for all of us to ride together in a vehicle outfitted with rails and benches on the roof. Right before we left, a young white woman showed up by herself to join the tour. Kandie declared, “I am the mother here and you can be my adopted daughter!” We introduced ourselves and learned she is Ellie from England. We all climbed onto the roof of the SUV and started our adventure.
On our tour, we spotted several types of antelope, a variety of birds, some warthogs, and (best of all) elephants! The elephants are larger than pictures would lead you to believe. Even sitting on top of the SUV, we were at eye level with them. Jordan joked that the elephant could smell his fear, ha! We plan to go on a morning safari tomorrow. Hopefully that will be just as exciting.
The safari ended around 5:30, and we immediately went for dinner at the Mole Motel. The busy schedule of the past few days is beginning to catch up with us. We did not linger at the dinner table like usual but instead retired to our rooms early so we can rest for the early morning safari and subsequent travel back to Tamale tomorrow.
Please continue to pray for us!
In His service,
Jordan and Lindsay Taylor
Charity and Faith Holladay
Steve and Kandie Taylor
