October 3, 2010
Day 17- MEETINGS
It’s 2:30am and I pop up like I have slept all night and it is time to get up. I fell out at about 11:30, which is so early for me here in Ghana. I was so tired that I left my laptop and the lights on when I fell asleep. Since I was up, I got caught up on emails and the two blogs that I owed you all. My intentions were to finish the blogs up and then lay back down to rest up for my “Elders Tour” starting at 9 am. But as the birds and sunlight began to make their presence, I knew it was going to be a long day. So, hit your Ginseng/Royal Jelly, Roots, and Vitamin C and MAN UP!
We set out to introduce Jen to the Brenu Palace. This would actually be the first time that we will see Nana Brempong since he’s been back. We have met his junior Brother, but today I learned that his Nephew is also here to assist Nana. We will also take advantage of the opportunity to check on the indentures process and the plotting of the 20 acres. You know we are on edge when going to Nana’s palace because they always want something. In fact, I sent Kofi down there early this morning to make sure that they were there and when he came back he was reinforcing the fact that they will be expecting something. Kofi felt my energy and knew that I was NOT bringing anything and if pushed, they would hear from the Warrior Egun that has been walking with me while in Ghana this journey. When we are about to leave, Kofi asks me, “Oh Dad will I go along with you? I need to buy fuel, so I can meet you back here after your meeting with Nana.” You know I laughed at him and told him, “Stop being so scared. It’s all about respect. They will eventually learn that we are NOT the ones to get all of their little gifts from. But you have to be strong and consistent.” He smiled, but I can tell he had that nervous thing inside. We picked up Jen and headed to the palace. This would also be Jen’s first walk through the village. It’s a Sunday morning so it is relatively quiet. Today is the day that Brenu comes together in fellowship in their 10 or so churches located in the village. It still blows my mind that a village of 2,000 people could have so many churches in it. Talk about ‘Divide and Conquer’. But what do I know?
The Junior Brother meets us and sets the room up for our meeting. I see the Nephew and he is a big and strong Brother. Perfect to assist Nana and his aged being. We are waiting for Nana to make his appearance. We can see that the Junior Brother is a true Business Man and wants things to be efficient. He is a bit annoyed at Nana’s tardiness. So the Nephew goes in to get Nana. He comes back and still no Nana. So we wait a bit longer and then here comes Nana. In his PAJAMAS as if he JUST got out of bed. I mean matching top and bottoms PJs with the little space for the wee wee, open and all. LOL!!! Anyway, his eyes finally adjust and he realizes that it is Kojo Bey. He says, “Eh! Oh, my Friend from looooooong time OH!” Good start. Let’s his Brother see the relationship.” We meet about everything and all went well. I was a bit annoyed that I may have to leave once again without fully settling the land issue, but this coming Wednesday they have a meeting with all of the key Elders to discuss important community issues. They promised to bring our issues up at the meeting. Junior Brother Nana asked how much land was promised and I told him 20 acres. Nana Brempong was looking at me in anticipation of my answer with a look like I am asking for land for the first time. When he heard my answer he responded with, “Che! 20 acres! Hey!” Not good Nana, you signed the promise letter to give us the 20 acres. That is why he needs his family here to conduct his business affairs now. He forgets and you have to start ALL over each time you want to work on a project that needs the Palace approval. I express to them that I am not too happy that I have to go back to my Board ONCE AGAIN without confirmation that the land will be given to us. Junior Brother assures us that after they make the Elders aware of this and he is confident that they know about this, then it will be given to us. I didn’t want to put Nana Brempong ‘OUT THERE’ but I asked would it help if you had the letter that Nana signed stating that 20 acres that was promised to us. He was very surprised that we had a document like that but was happy that we could put that in his hands. They also asked for a proposal for the Youth Complex project stating the advantages and benefits for the families and community at large. I am now encouraged because we have never gone this far with the discussion. I asked if they wouldn’t mind some photos and they agreed. I asked Nana, if he wouldn’t mind putting on another shirt or a garment for the photos. He said, “Oh, but I am dressed?!” LOL! They ALL got up and changed. When we finished with the photos, I expressed my excitement about Nana having his family here to help him in all of the affairs here in Brenu. I told them that when I didn’t think he was coming back, I started looking around to other villages to bring the Youth Complex project. OH MY GOODNESS! The three of them brought the energy! “CAPITOL NO! You will get the land and you will build your project here. Don’t even THINK about bringing it anywhere else. The land will be FOR YOU!” Another first, family. I think I am going to like this Junior Brother. He told me that it is “All about your name with running a community, not money. Money will be spent, but if I help to make projects like this happen, my name will be spoken about even after I am dead.” Yes, I like this guy’s presentation. Now let’s see his follow through. I was so pleased that I even offered them a gift. I told them that I have some very powerful teas from America that I brought for them. The main one is called “DETOX”. They were already happy because I said I had something from America for them. I said, “It’s going to clean your blood and the toxins that you all have inside of you so that you can start fresh.” They were excited at the gift that I am offering. As we walked out of the Palace, Jen whispered to me, “Detox tea, Kojo? Don’t you ever STOP messing with people?!” LOL!!!!
Today is a beautiful HOT day and the water is especially beautiful with its different shades of blue and green. So much so that I told Kofi that I have to capture some photos near this beauty. I LOVE OUR BEACH. Perhaps Mommy Waters was pleased with our meeting at the Palace as well and this is her way of expressing it to us. She just pulled us over to her and we all wanted to be a part of her beauty by capturing it on the cameras. I LOVE THE ELEMENTS.
We have about an hour before we have to hit the road to meet the Chief and Elders of Mpeasem and Ankwanda. I told Kofi that we should head down to catch a car so that we can make it on time. He said, “Oh, the Moto will take us there faster and help us to keep our schedule.” You know I instinctively disagreed because of how much I just love being on the back of that thing. But he was right. “Alright, let me know when you are ready.” He tells me that he needs to go for gas. I said, “What? You have to take a car out to get gas and car back? And you will be back in time for us get out to make our meeting in time?!” WOW. So he set off on his journey. I reached out to the family because I learned yesterday that Kumani was dealing with almost the exact same ear condition that I had before I left for Ghana. Swelling, closed canal, and extreme tenderness. Isis has been treating it with herbs and home remedies according to her on-line research and learned that if the bacteria and infection isn’t caught early, then it spreads to the jaw area. So thankfully, she caught it early and it hasn’t spread to her jaw area like mine. I spoke to her and she seems to be better. You know what I was dealing with that ear condition. I didn’t even want to think about one of my Babies moving around with that condition. So, I will have to look into that condition further so that I can knock it out earlier next time.
So, Mr. Kofi returns with his gas MUCH earlier than I thought he would. “Good job Son! But we had better get going soon.” He tells me that we have plenty of time. Esi cooks for him and I am snacking while on the computer. I hear him messing with the bike outside. He keeps trying to start it. It won’t start. He has the engine casing off and wires hanging. I’m like, “Kofi, are you serious? You want us to travel to two different villages and BACK on THAT when your moto won’t start? I am supposed to feel good about getting on the back of that when you have wires out, trying to figure it out?!” He says, “Oh this bike! It will start.” I went back in with sounds of him trying to start the moto. I passed Esi on my way in and I said, “He wants me on a spoiled bike.” She laughed and went outside with his food saying, “Oh the bike is spoiled. OBey Manager’s moto is spoiled.” And then of course she is cracking up afterwards. I said, “Esi, that’s not nice. You know we have meetings.” She continues to laugh and says the same thing, but NOW in Fante. She is teaching me over and over again, the word for SPOILED! TOO FUNNY! I couldn’t contain it anymore. I’m ROLLING! She is OFF THE CHAIN!
After about ½ hour I heard the bike start. Alright, maybe we are going to make our meeting on time today. Kofi called me to ask if I am ready and I go. Now, the moto won’t start again. I have already envisioned us on the side of the road flagging down a tro tro or taxi. So I’m cool by this time. I have accepted our fate on this Damn moto. It STARTS! Cool. Let’s go. I jump on it and it is obvious that there is something wrong with the bike. Kofi has to accelerate often to keep the gas pushing through the lines, which means that jerking action is constant and there is faster acceleration. “WOW Kofi, THIS fast down our steep and eroded driveway, huh?” My fingers are already welded to the bike rack in back from holding on so tightly. Then I feel some wetness hitting my legs as if someone is spraying just one part of my leg. I’m like, “Kofi tell me that my leg is not being sprayed by GASOLIINE!” We pull over and OF COURSE, he did not secure his gas line and it was spraying a nice even coat on my lower leg. I got off and he says, “Oh let me clean it.” And he pulls out his handkerchief. I looked at him and said, “You give me something DRY to clean off gasoline?! Let’s go, Knucklehead! I know what you are trying to do and it won’t work. I can’t be stopped.” He laughed and we made out for the villages.
Both meeting were very good. We were early for both and NO ONE at either meeting asked for anything. In fact, the Chiefs expressed their sincere appreciation for what we are planning for their villages. The most common questions were who would be considered ‘Needy’? What about support for Senior Secondary school? WHEN WILL IT START? It was very interesting to be back in Ankwanda after all of these years. Ankwanda was one of the first villages that I considered getting land in. I didn’t like the land that the Nana was offering and I didn’t get a harmonious vibe when I walked through the village and met some of the community members. Today, it felt good, but I can still feel the energy here. I look forward to helping out the best way that we can. I was very pleased with the meetings and now it is time for us to head back to Brenu.
Josh called me while we were meeting at Mpeasam from his taxi on their way to OB. He was asking for OBey Foundation and the Taxi Driver didn’t know. I told them to let him drop you all off at the taxi station and then start asking about where is Kojo Bey’s land. Later he told us that he experienced the work that we have been doing because as soon as he said Kojo Bey, everyone responded. COOL. In fact, when we left the Brenu Palace earlier, we stopped at a few homes so that I could check on some of the Caregivers. And then we were running into a lot of people on the way back up. Jen said, “Everyone knows you, Kojo. This is like your village.” I told her once before that our work is seemless. You don’t see an office or orphanage, but if you go to the school or walk through the village you will learn about our work through the people; particularly the children.
More guests at OB. We checked them into Chalet 3 and they were of course blown away by the view and Mommy Waters. The accommodation exceeded their expectations, so once again I am thankful for the Most High’s blessings. Akwaaba!
That night I had everyone up for dinner and one of my girls, Mercy, finally came up to visit me. She is due next month and is as beautiful as ever. I let her and her friend go, who has a baby tied to her back as well. The rain was about to come so they needed to get back down to the village. But not before I told her that I want the Father of the baby up here to meet me on Tuesday. Mercy and her friend left. Both 19 with babies and still needing to finish middle school.
We had a serious discussion about the girls in middle school here and the pregnancy thing. We need a serious plan for them here in Ghana. Two of our middle school girls got pregnant this year.
After dinner, I had a great discussion with our guests about their adventures in Mali with their host families. I asked them what they thought their lives will be like when they get back to America after their two year assignment. I wanted to know how they would view issues like animal sacrifice, polygamy, and ju ju; since they are LIVING that there. It was great dialogue and after listening to them, I’d suspect that they will have more respect and tolerance of people’s lifestyles like…WELL, ME! LOL!!!
“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home”
Love Family.
