Paul's Trip So Far

Monday October 20th 7:30pm
I am half way to Accra - left Phoenix Arizona at 6:30 am. There has not been to many things to try my patience, some lines - mostly to check baggage. I know now it is much harder to legally leave this country than to get in. I have not had too much problems sitting on the planes. They have not been full which makes a little more room - 2 people, 3 seats not that bad. Dinner was chicken that was eatable :-). Talked to Sharon when I landed in New York and found that there is a hang up getting the first container out of customs. Am sure that between Michael Fry from Project CURE, Sharon and Rev. Sam they will have it worked out by Wed. when I arrive. Not sure what to expect when I arrive in Accra, Ghana as I received a call from the travel agent to say I would have to find the bus to get to the hotel. This was not what I was told before I left home and I understood someone was to meet me when I arrived in Ghana. *Surprise #1*
That is it until I land.

Tuesday Oct 21 8:30pm - Africa time.
This has been a good day after landing in what you would expect to see in a WWII movie. You get off the plane on roll away stairs to walk in to a building that reminds me of a concrete milk house (I was raised on a dairy farm) as they heard you through the check point that was manned by the army. Took a ride though the streets with horns going instead of blinkers. People standing in the street selling and begging even in wheel chairs and little children that I would think should be in school. I chose to go for a walk around the hotel. I am in the middle of the capital city and the poverty is scary when you come from the USA. South Phoenix is luxury. I witnessed babies playing next to the street and mothers pulling up there shirts to feed their children in the open. In mid day you could buy anything from a new suit to fried fish and I saw both men and women carrying things on their head. The people there were nice. I am now sure that GOD has something for me to see and do. Tomorrow on to Liberia

Wednesday Oct. 22
The flight to Liberia was good and I had 3 seats to myself. It was a 1.5 hour flight. Customs was a little more trying in Liberia as I did not have an address and I had to explain why the Project C.U.R.E. stickers were on my bags and that I was not there to work. They finally understood that Providence Baptist Church was where I was going to see Pastor Sam Reeves then they let me go. In Ghana they charged me $50.00 for over weight bags for the Medical Kits. Never said anything about my carry on items. I am not staying with the Reeves I am staying with a member of government, Edwin Snow - Former Speaker of the House now a House Member as the Reeves are working on their home. They told me that at the end of the month they will have room for me. Not yet sure if there are any other reasons for my staying here with Mr. Snow but much has been talked about on how to fund and outfit all the hospitals and clinics in Liberia. God is working in many ways and I don’t know where this road will lead. I came here to serve but I am being served and it makes me uncomfortable as my life style has never been about expecting people to do for me. Too much food served to me and I can’t eat it all which I hope is not rude but I did tell Mr. Erwin Snow that I am not a heavy eater. I still have no internet to send any thing so I hope to do that by Friday when they take me to the hospital. I do have a bathroom and running water here and the power is still a generator that runs from 7pm to 6 am. Mr. Snow tells me that it costs 3000 a month at 50cents a gallon. And he has to have 3 generators working to be sure of power as they break down often. Sam and Alice had dinner here tonight that is why so much talking. I will stop this for now as it is 11:30pm and the house has shut down.

Oct.23 Thursday morning 9:00am
I am already bored as Sam is teaching and the container has not been located so Sam said to take the day to rest. WHY? I need something to do. God's graces have not allowed me to have jet lag at this point. I was told that there are things to do at the hospital even without the containers. I think that, at this pace of things, it's going to be hard for me to accept - miles from nowhere and nothing to do and my wife not with me - not the top of my wish list. I took a long walk on the beach this afternoon and the people on the beach are mostly fishing families. They were very nice. Later went to town with Mr. Snow he showed me hospitals including JFK also Providence Baptist Church. There are as many different stages of reconstruction as you can imagine. Street vendors all over and much of the living conditions would turn most people’s stomach. It is strange, I am now eating most of my meals alone. Tomorrow will be a new chapter, going to work in the Hospital and see first hand what they have at this time. Thank you for praying for me and all the work that needs to be done over here.