Arrived. Safe and sound!

Here safe and sound, not sure what day it is but tomorrow is sunday! 

More info and such tomorrow!

Thankful for safe travels, new friends and the adventure that lies ahead!

Where are you going and how are you doing?

Yesterday my second flight was scheduled to depart at 7pm. We did not depart until 9:30pm for several reasons. The good news is that we arrived safely.

When you travel have you noticed some people are traveling a small window and need to get there and get back, no diversions. Some people are not pressed, when they get there they get there.

We all got to deplaned last night at one point and if you want to hear discontent, just watch a plane that deplaned and not given any idea if they will leave that night or not. There was angst!

I ended up sitting down by a woman in the terminal who was waiting for a flight to Miami to see her dying sister. While the delays of her flight added almost 12hrs to her day she also knew when she arrived things would not be easy.

I also ended up leading the 'parade' of a pregnant mother with a 2,4 and 6year old. I helped schlep the car seat on and off the plane.... they were moving to England, dad already here and serving in the military. Reminded me a lot of my family when we moved from Tacoma Washington to West Berlin, Germany. All 4kids and mom and dad- quite the adventure.

Now I sit in Heathrow, people watching and eating a salad. YUM. My six hour layover became 3hours and then I have one more 7hr flight til arrival, where new friends await!

All checked in!

And so it begins!

All checked in and now waiting at the gate. I will arrive in Accra tomorrow at about 3:30pm EST. three planes and lots of time in between! 

I realized recently that 20years ago on July 1, I got on a plane to begin my peace corps experience in Guinea. God has a sneaky sense of timing to have me flying at the same dates this year to meet a new group of travelers looking to see incredible work being done in this world, this time in Ghana.

I am excited to meet new friends, learn about culture and programs, and see what God has in story!

Thank you for your prayers! So thankful for St. John's support in this adventure!

(I am back on July 9)

Abi

A little bit about Ghana

Hey there- I am 48 hours from departure and I wanted to update you a little bit more about WHERE I am going.

For those of you who know very little about Ghana, here are some facts:

• Ghana is located in West Africa, west of Togo and Benin and East of Ivory Coast.
• Ghana's Population is about 27 million and like many African countries is comprised of a variety of ethnic linguistic and religious groups due colonization.
• 71% of Ghana claims Christianity as their religion, 18% claim Islam as their religion.
• There are varying climates, coastal life, savannahs and jungles in this country.
• Ghana is a democracy and is a part of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African State and other collaborative groups.
• The currency is the "cedi" and currently exchanges at a little more than 4 cedi per US dollar.
• While there are many languages in Ghana, English was the colonizing language.
• It will take three flights and 27 hours for me to get to Ghana. I depart Friday and arrive in Ghana (4 hours ahead of EST) Saturday night.

According to the Weather Channel, it's actually cooler in Accra than Tallahassee, FL next week! Here is an article that was sent to us as began our preparations for our pilgrimage.On Slavery's Doorstepand a note about the The Presiding Bishop Pilgrimage in January 2017

I'm gonna go to Ghana!

I was invited this January to consider going on a pilgrimage to Ghana through Episcopal Relief and Development. This is their second pilgrimage this year to Ghana, the focus of this pilgrimage is to share the relationships that Episcopal Relief and Development has built with schools with Episcopal Schools here in the United States and to help us to learn more about the history of Ghana.

We will see Episcopal Relief and Developments hard work at work! We will visit several schools while we are in country.

We will also spend time learning about our own history within Ghana's as a part of the slave trade that ravaged the country.

This pilgrimage is a unique experience for us to experience life and culture of Ghana and the hard work that Episcopal Relief and Development does daily!

I am so thankful for the time and opportunity to go and experience this time. Please keep our team of 10 in your prayers June 30-July 9!

See the work ERD does in Ghana here
Here Presiding Bishop Curry preach about part of his journey to Ghana this past January. Click HERE

It's Fall Ya'll

To steal a phrase from a friend of mine, "It's Fall Ya'll." The sun has been out for the past 4 days and I have been in the library!!! SO, today I took Grace out for a walk and took my camera too!! It is simply gorgeous..now i can go back to the library! Enjoy the Pictures.

Fall Reading Week

Phew, we made it!!!! Fall Reading Week is upon us and not a moment too soon. Between the work load and the joys of Midlore, we all needed a break!
Let me take a moment and clarify. Fall Reading Week is not Fall Break. The undergraduates get Fall Break. They had this monday and tuesday without classes. The seminary has the entire week off. I am not complaining. I would also like to state that I have one take home mid-term, 1 NT paper, 3 Anglicanism Papers, 1 Sermon, 1 Homily and 2 Newsletters to do.... I have been a good diligent student and been in the library for the past 4 days. All with the goal of driving home to see Rob on Thursday!!! So far, my plan is going according to plan! Poor Grace has had some great box time, but i work best in the library!!!
Hoping your October is going along swimmingly! Posted are pics from our Fall Reading Week Kick Off Party!