A visit to Elmina Castle

Today we have two stories to tell. The story of children learning the stories in the Bible and learning the stories of history their story and their story to come. 

The second part of today was spent learning about the story of those who were captured and then sold into slavery. We came to Elmina castle this afternoon and it is just one of the five castles on the coast of Ghana in which slaves were held three months before they were shipped off through the gate of no return.

Our guide through the structure told us about the Portuguese who originally built the structure and then the Dutch who took it over and the British who were the final governors.

We walked through dark rooms where 80-100 were kept as they awaited, in the dark, their departure from their homelands. The inhuman conditions and the dramatic contrasts of detentions for Europeans and for Africans. The Protestant church that was located directly above the largest woman's dungeon. The pain of humanity.

Below is the plaque located at the exit, may it be our prayer and always.

Travels from m Tamale to Accra to Cape Coast

(Photo of team at the Bishop's school for girls in Accra)

Today we awoke EARLY to catch our flight from Tamale to Accra. After a calm flight to Accra we went directly to the Episcopal Relief and Development offices.

Sam rejoined and we were off to the cathedral to meet with Bishop Daniel and see the cathedral schools. Both moments were a gift of hospitality and joy. The Bishop has many projects going on among which is a studio to broadcast interviews on Sundays. This studio is in existence because of the support of Bishop Ed from OK among others. 

After introductions and songs at the schools, no dance presentations today, we boarded our bus to get to Cape Coast (west of Accra) to visit Elmira Castle.

This journey, while not physically exerting is an adventure of endurance and flexibility. When I say Ghanaian folks are full of joy, they are playful in spirit and always joking for joy. We have been greeted and welcomed soooo abundantly when we have been places.