Day 24 – Reciprocity
MOMMY WATERS TODAY…No matter WHAT!
I made it down to the beach today. No camera, no company, no meetings, no phone…well, yes phone, because I had to check the time for a 2 pm meeting. LOL! BUT I wasn’t listening out for any calls! No calls from the PHONE that is. Yemoja was sure nuff calling me today. I had the beach to myself of course. I went right in because the sun was ON, which made the waters nice and refreshing. As usual, when I begin to get into ‘child mode’ and succumb to the waves I imagine my family being here with me to enjoy with me. My children will lose their minds to have a beach ALL to themselves. Riding those waves in and running up and down the beach. I can see them writing words and names and building their version of castles in the sand. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that whenever we get them over here, this will be waiting for them.
I sent out my prayers to Yemoja and Olokun for ALL of the family. I remembered all of your requests and I threw in some of my own for you as well. She brought some heavy duty waves that smacked me pretty hard with some of you, so be careful for what you wish…LOL!
When I was sitting in the sun, drying off, a couple of young boys came over to stand behind me with their coconuts. They were about 7-11 in age and it was 2 of them at first. I signaled to them for one and they prepared my coconut water and jelly for me. I signaled for another and was again pulled to think about my family enjoying the simple services that come with village life. When you are here, you could easily take this type of service for granted because it is always here. If I were at a beach in the states and was sitting after going into the waters, I would love to have someone set up my own personal snack bar. Just as I was about to enjoy my second coconut water, I see some other boys approach my snack bar. I could tell that there was some aggression going on, so I just stayed aware. After I finished my jelly, I looked over and my Bartender was pushing one of the other boys away from him and about to THROW DOWN. They exchange words again and then began getting into it. I yelled out to them and had the two boxers come to me. I spoke a little Twi and then went back to English, asking them what happened. Neither one wanted to talk about it. So, I gave one of my Baba speeches and they both acknowledged the lesson and promised to stop. I told them to “BE BROTHERS.” The invaders grabbed some of my Bartenders coconuts and left. Before they left though, my Bartender went running into their direction with his machete in full Ogun position and came down with force onto a coconut in front of them. He hacked that thing like he was proving a point. Afterwards two of the invaders grabbed either half and began eating. I was pleased; my Bartender did the righteous thing.I spent about 3 hours with Mommy Waters, taking in all that she had for me and allowing my dreams of a prosperous Africa to float in and out of my consciousness.
I traveled back up to prepare for our meetings today. We had a 2pm with the different OYC Supervisors from the new villages, Abeye, Ankwanda, Mpeasem, and Benyadzi. Everyone showed up and we had a very productive meeting. I am very encouraged by the feedback and questions that the Supervisors brought at the meeting. This is going to be a wonderful experience. Our second meeting at 4pm was with the Brenu Caregivers. This meeting was to explain more in detail about the components of the new OYC program. We didn’t see as many in attendance as we would’ve have liked to, but there was representation. They asked good questions and seem to be in harmony with the direction that we are going in. I was pleased to hear that they ALL agreed that they should take on the responsibility of starting the Pineapple farm on OB land. They were going to meet after the OYC meeting to discuss where they were going to get the 4,000 starter plants and when they were going to start the planting. I was VERY pleased to hear this. This is true reciprocity. This was an area that I spoke of at past meetings, but really stressed it at this meeting today. I told them that I can’t believe that I would see trash on the bottom of Ocean Breeze land. How could that trash stay there when we have SO many children in our program? They agreed and promised that any maintenance work that needs to be done at OB, to let them know and they will personally bring the youth and do the work WITH them. I LOVE IT. Anyone RECORDING THIS?! LOL!!!
Jenny Trotro came back today from Busua. She had the solo travel look on her. It appears that she had a good time and said that she would go back. We were happy that she had safe travels. She entertained us at dinner time with her Trotro stories, including a flat tire and the Driver taking in well over the amount of passengers that they should be. She spoke about the pet monkeys running around at the Busua Guest House that she stayed at; 
and the SHARK and SWORDFISH that she seen the Fishermen pull in from their fishing expedition. It was good for her to get away to get some 
perspective on the different areas of Ghana and also to get her prepared for her solo travels up north soon. I couldn’t get on the net tonight because of network problems, so I will fall out early. I told Jen that Esi will be leaving us on Tuesday. Jen asked Esi if this was true and told her that she is sad and will miss her. Esi was touched, but clearly focused. She will be picking up her school supplies tomorrow and we will send her off on Tuesday morning to start her schooling. This is what it’s all about family. We have been supporting Esi’s education since she was entering JSS and now look at her. But she has also been supporting OBey by taking care of Ocean Breeze and cooking for me and guests. She also stepped in as the OYC Cook when Esther went on maternity leave. This is the reciprocity that I spoke of earlier. She never forgot what we did for her with her education and we will never forget about her commitment to OBey.
“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home.”
Love Family.
