Not Enough Words

Hello all!
My apologies for the gap in posts. Life has been crazy here in Ghana! We have been working so hard to paint the orphanage, build cubbies for the kids, spend donation money, etc. This will be a pretty condensed update due to the lack of time I have. I just want to give you the highlights of life here in Africa. :)

Last weekend we went to Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and got to hand feed wild African monkeys. So cool. Some of the monkeys even jumped onto a few of us to eat the bananas we had. That was a great experience. Definitely once in a lifetime. After the sanctuary we headed to a wonderful hotel by the Wli Waterfalls. The hotel is owned by a precious German couple that now has property in Ghana. We took up the whole hotel! 17 really is a lot of people. We had running water, huge beds, a view of the falls, and peace. There were no roosters, goats, or drumming neighbors..just nature. I still didn't sleep well but it was nice to be kept awake listening to nature rather than the same verse of the same song being sung over and over again. Also, no one was relieving themselves outside of our window. Yes, that happens back at our placement. Someone just squats and goes. Cool, right? We then have to vacate the room for a good 45 minutes to let the stench dissipate. Gross, I know.

After a great meal and night of rest we got up bright and early to head to the Wli Waterfalls...Here we go, your mind is about to be blown. We hiked for approximately 6.5 hours. When I say "hike" I don't mean we walked a little path. We were sometimes climbing almost vertically up the mountainside. I haven't done that much physical activity in years as many of you know. It was tough work but we all got through it. At one point we were on top of a mountain and could see forever. The breeze was blowing and the view was indescribable. I can't put it into words. That whole hike I was so aware of God's presence. The raw creation of His has been a constant reminder of His absolute majesty and greatness. How could someone stand on top of that mountain and deny the presence of God? I have no idea. It is nothing that could come from human hands...only the hands of our God. We kept hiking and FINALLY made it to our halfway destination...the top of the Wli Falls. The falls are the tallest in Western Africa. In case that isn't cool enough we got to swim in the pool at the bottom. I'm sorry but I can't describe what that was like. Running into the cold water, splashing around, falling into the pool, and just shouting about nothing. I have never felt so fully alive. After everyone made there way in we did what only Buckeyes can do...we stood in a circle, arms around each other, and sang Carmen Ohio at the top of our lungs. If there is one thing I will not forget, it is that moment. Multiple O-H-I-O pictures were taken as well. Of course. It was such a beautiful moment. Pictures will come.

The glory of that moment was followed by a 3 hour hike back. We were exhausted, a few people were sick, but we made it. If someone would've passed out there would  be no way of getting them help. It was actually really scary. The whole trip I just had to keep reminding myself that my strength does not come from within...only with God could I make it through that hike. I know that my own strength would not have gotten me through but because of Him I am strong enough. (Christine & Beth-Thanks for all the reminders of that in my letters.) We got to the end of the hike at 3:30 pm. Just for reference, we started at 8:30 am. We ran out of water during the hike and didn't eat lunch. They clearly did not prepare us for that at all. Still, it was by far one of my favorite experiences of the past 2.5 weeks. That was more than a thin place..the top of that mountain and thebottom of that waterfall were collisions of Heaven and earth.

This week has been busy at the orphanage. We spent Sunday to rest and relax our legs then got straight to work on Monday. We have most of the orphanage painted. Yay! A few people also built a cubby system for the kid's stuff. Before the cubbies they kept their belongings in bags. Now they have a place to call their own to stay organized. They have gone over surprisingly well! The kids love them and use them. Yesterday we had the kids handprint all of our doors in the volunteer house. It was absolute chaos but once again, worth it. They loved it and the house looks better with some color.

I could write forever about my love for these kids and how much they mean to me. I have realized over time that they are showing me the true meaning of being a child and have a  child-like faith. They are so simple and innocent. I never thought God could teach me such huge lessons in the form of 4-18 year old children, but He has. Nothing is impossible for Him. :) I need to go do some shopping for the kids but there will be more details to come! 11 more days here in Ghana. I am beyond excited and ready to come home, but I know I will sob when I leave this place. Bella already asked if I will ever come back...Time will only tell. I love you all. Thank you for the prayers! Keep them coming. They are so needed...for the volunteers and for the people of Ghana. Missing everyone!!!

With much love and excitement to shower in running water,
Steph