Day 3: Singin' in the Rain

           Today started out as just a day to relax, unpack, and recover from our jetlag, and the morning started out in just that way.  We unpacked our team luggage, and sorted through all of the medicine, baby supplies, and girls home items for Kumasi.  All of the furniture in our living room was piled high with these donated items, and it was amazing how much we had been able to bring in our suitcases. 

            We were relaxing around the house after we had finished unpacking and sorting everything when we received a call telling us that the doctor was in, and we could go and watch him perform surgeries.  I do not think I have ever seen the girls on the team move so quickly!  We all flew upstairs and changed into our blue scrubs.  It was a whirlwind of activity in the room as we all rummaged through our luggage trying to find what we needed.  Finally everyone was set, and we all walked down the road to the hospital.  When we arrived, the doctor was preparing to perform a surgery on a two-week-old baby.  Everyone was able to go into the room and observe.  That was the only surgery scheduled for the day, so when it was over we decided to do some exploring.  Ms. Poore first showed us the rest of the areas of the hospital where we had not been yet.  Then we went outside and she showed us the church, school, and future nursing school building.

            When we came back from our walk, Lina and I went to the back of the house to sit and enjoy the cool breeze.  We were sitting there talking when all of a sudden a mango fell from the tree next to us.  We ran over, grabbed it, and enjoyed a fresh mango right there on the back porch; an experience you can only have in Ghana!

            We had been watching storm clouds gather while we were sitting outside, and finally the rain came!  Everyone came piling out of the house, and just stood outside enjoying the cool rain.  As the rain became stronger, someone commented that it was stronger than the shower pressure water.  From that comment we all decided that it would be a wonderful idea to wash our hair outside in the rain.  Ms. Poore brought out the shampoo and conditioner, and right there in the front yard we all (including Dr. Catts) washed our hair.  I think our Ghana friends thought that we had either never seen rain before or were crazy, but it was a very refreshing and fun time!

            That evening everyone felt very refreshed and cooled down, so we had some team bonding with a game of catch phrase.  (I think we all found out who the competitive people in the group are).  We rounded out the evening in the living room.  It was complete with team devotions, sewing lessons from Dr. Catts teaching us how to hem skirts for the girl’s home in Kumasi, and looking through people’s pictures.  We also had our first real Ghanaian food of the trip.  My Mom has always told me that every country has their own style of pancakes.  Well Mom, I have now tried Ghanaian pancakes, and they are delicious! 

Abby Randall