A Ride Through the Jungle

Recently some new senior missionaries asked us what our weekend plans were. Sister Markham mentioned we were doing audits in Asamankese and Oda. Since that didn't sound like much fun, they gave her a consoling look. Sister Markham responded, "Oh, riding through the jungle is one of my favorite things!" A ride in the jungle sounded much more interesting, so we had company for our Saturday's work. At that time, Elder and Sister Thompson (Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency) had been in Ghana about three months. Elder and Sister Hales (Area Public Affairs Directors) had been in Ghana only two weeks. Elder Thompson booked the Area van and drove. Elder Markham was thrilled to be a passenger. They asked what sights there would be along the way.

We answered, "we might see..."

Mourners...	and markets;

Hawkers...	and handlers;

Workshops...	and workers;

Bread stands (gifts for the village)...	and fruit peddlers (gifts from the village);

Broken trucks...	and slow trucks;

Big log trucks...	and small trucks;

Overloaded trucks...	and trucks that dodge potholes;

Cattle on roadways...	and trees full of vultures;

Ladies that gather...	and ladies that are graceful;

Vistas of beauty...	and cute little bathers.

And they did!!

Most pictures were taken through the windows of our moving van
by thoroughly enchanted senior missionaries.
Thanks for the photos, Thompsons and Hales.

Our first stop was Asamankese.

While Elder Markham audited the books of Asasmankese Branch, the other five missionaries wandered down the main road in the village. As they passed by, some local families invited them to visit two 'compounds' near the Church. Most people in Ghana still live in housing compounds that have a common outside fence or wall and many facilities inside. There is a community approach to the chores of life in the compounds. Often the people who share a compound are related, good friends, have common interests, belong to the same religion, or all of the above. These people were very proud of their homes and they were all happy to have five obrunis visit them, unannounced, on a Saturday morning.

Children welcomed the vistors...	...and lined up for the cameras.

They were curious to see...	...what interested the obrunis.

What is inside the hut?	It is Granny making banku for lunch. Banku is kind of like corn fritters.

This compound has a very nice hand dug well.	Relatively clean water is hoisted up by the bucket full.

Freshly washed laundry was seen drying on a patch of grass...	...as well as hanging on clotheslines.

The source of clean laundry was at work near the latrine.	She was happy that the cameras attracted potential helpers.

The Elders inspected a new room addition being built with homemade cement bricks. The pile of cutlasses (machetes) on the floor looked interesting. This man, who happily left a bath to show his wares, explained that he acquired (bought and found) old cutlesses, then refurbished them for sale. He has a thriving business. Cutlasses are everyday tools in the jungle.

This compound produces kenkey to convert their maize (corn) into cash. Kenkey is like a tamale with no meat.	It is typical for older women to make the product and younger women to sell it on the street.

The older ladies in one compound...	...seemed to be devout Muslim.

The source of clothing is evident. Does this little girl know about Godzilla?	This young man does not know about Spiderman. Sister Markham asked.

Everyone was happy and healthy. They have...

...good shelter...	...loving parents;

...good food to eat...	...and clean water to drink.

They proudly showed off their compounds and lifestyles.


By the way, this is where we found...

...beautiful babies that...	...were all bundled up, and...

...hot pink chicks.

On the way from Asamankese to Oda
we stopped to see Ghana's biggest tree.

The tree is down a trail, about a quarter mile from the road.	We followed this sandy path through a mildly dense jungle.

The plants and insects are not ones we easily identified.	Being with a group adds a nice element of security.

The tree is BIG!	Cameras don't quite capture the whole perspective.

At the tree we found a custodian named Mohammed.	He is likely self-appointed. He tried to answer simple questions and keeps the area near the tree well swept.

Six of us joined hands in front of tree to add perspective
of the size. Mohammed said it took 16 to circle the tree.

About this time we heard what sounded like a large party moving toward us and the tree. There was laughing, singing and sounds of people having a good time. We wondered who was coming and what might happen.

It turned out to be 22 mouners in a funeral party.

They left Accra that morning, bound for a funeral in Oda.
This was a rest stop to stretch their legs.

We chatted, they posed for pictures, and then 19 of them circled the tree, easily.	Sister Markham met Collins. Her father, brother, son and other family members share that name.

What is the favorite memory of our stop at Ghana's biggest tree?

Watching 22 mourners climb back into a tro-tro which
was about the same size as the Area van holding six of us.
No wonder they needed a rest stop to stretch!

The final destination was Oda.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the beautiful Oda Branch building and grounds. It sits on a hillside overlooking part of the city. Elder Markham started another audit while the rest of the group looked for more adventures, or at least some interesting Kodak moments. By now it had been a long day and the energy level had slipped a little.

Handsome African grasshoppers were photographed by the missionaries.	When this didn't hold their attention, they got in the van and headed for town.

They toured the village taking a few window pictures, but no one seemed inclined to get out of the van to explore. While stopped to take pictures (from the van) of a furniture and casket manufacturing business, Sister Markham said, "Come on, let's get out and talk with the owner. It will be fun!"
(She has been hanging around Sister Huff too much!)
She coaxed the others out and into the shop.

The owner and workers were thrilled to show off their business and skills.	The workers even demonstrated how comfortable their new furniture is.

The owner focused the group on his unusual caskets. These are his pride and joy.	He apprenticed near Accra with a fancy casket maker (click for background), but those don't sell well in villages, so he developed his own style.

Very detailed woodwork on the outside provides many flat surfaces of various sizes, shapes and angles.	This fancy wooden outside is all covered with small mirrors glued to the surfaces.

Of course the inside is nicely lined, but that is not the selling point.	It is the reflecting exterior that captures the customers.

His explained that he manufactures and sells about ten fancy caskets a week.
Customers now come from all over Ghana and some neighboring countries.
His asking price is just under $400 (US equivalent). When Sister Markham said
she liked the caskets, he offered her one at a discount.
Alas, no easy way to get one home undamaged.

All in all, another interesting and fun ride through the jungle!

By the way the audits went well in Asamankese and Oda Branches.

Click this button to return to the previous page.
Back