OUR INTRODUCTION TO GHANA

We were met at the airport with our associate in Ghana, Stephen Abu Jr.

What a great man he is! We have grown to love him so much.  He grew up in Ghana and was educated in the U.S. at Utah State University, married an American and they moved back to Ghana to further the work of World Joy, a service organization that he founded with others to build schools in Ghana. They have built 24 schools, 4 medical clinics and 1 library.  He's a great entrepreneur and has worked at building several businesses under very difficult circumstances.  His wife, Sonya and their children are in the United States with her family, awaiting the arrival of their 3rd child. He'll be joining her at the end of the month and we will miss him dearly.  We look to him for most everything and he knows how to do it! He will continue to be our associate in Ghana as we move forward in the future.

Bob Pothier with Stephen Abu Sr.

Stephen took us to visit his father in Sankubenhse, his home "town". The locals don't like it to be called a village, though he usually does. It was a 3 hour drive over rutted, bumpy roads but worth the drive

We were able to see the farm and learn a lot.

This is how they grow "chocoate". The cocoa beans grow in pods right out of the trunk!

When the pod is opened it is all slimy around the bean. You can suck the slime and it tastes sweet but don't bite the bean!
The beans are then fermented and dried before being ground into cocoa...the base of "chocolate"

We saw every kind of tree imaginable, mango, banana, plantain, coconut, palm & pineapple plants, etc. That's what they call a farm.  I'd call it a plantation! Stephen Abu Sr. tends to it. His wife is in Accra helping with a new baby.  The grandmothers stay about 6 months when a baby comes. We met their daughter and three sons who were each delightful! The son-in-law is a doctor.  It's nice to know we have a connection with a doctor.

These three interns from Utah State University live at the home of Stephen Abu Sr. They extend micro loans to people in the "villages" nearby and are delightful!

It was Friday afternoon, and school was out, but some of the children gathered when they saw us. I love seeing the children! They are beautiful, friendly, and very social.  As we were visiting together one little girl touched my arm with her finger.  Another child corrected her, thinking she was not being polite.  I assured them it was all right.  It reminded me of the Mexican people touching our little girls' hair because it was so blond and quite a spectacle!

We were able to see several old schools and the ones that replaced them in a designated area of 30 villages.

Old School - needless to say!

Recently replaced by this new school!

It is their dream to now build and operate a high school in the area for those who now attend the primary schools. We hope to help them accomplish just that!

Bob Pothier and Stephen Abu Jr. in front of his parent's home in Sankubenhse

Stephen Abu Sr. and his wife were true pioneers in the Church, establishing the first congregation in Abomosu and others in the area.  His brother,  Emmanuel Abu Kissi, wrote a book, "Walking in the Sand" about the early church in Africa. There were several congregations in Africa before the Church could even officially organize the church here.  

We saw several of the schools along the way. The Abu's identified 30 villages and with World Joy have built the 24 schools, 4 clinics and 1 library in that area specifically. They started with the one with the greatest need and moved in that order.  The people in their own village were not too happy they did not start with them, but these folks have so little thought of "what's in it for me"! Great examples! 

On the way home we had a delicious meal at this restaurant along the route, run by friends of Stephens.
He takes good care of us and we are grateful!