Laura VanHuis: Ah! The sights and the smells and the signs of Africa! Immediately upon descending the rickety stairway onto the steaming black tarmac, I experienced a strong sense of deja vu. This was the first time I have been back to Africa since I was pregnant with Emily in 1998. This time that little “wombster” was walking two steps behind me – this time as a 17 yr old American teenager, completely unaware of the adventure that lie ahead.

The Accra airport has been updated and is more modern and efficient, full of those friendly faces and smiles that are so characteristically Ghanaian. After passing our Ebola screening, and answering only a few brief questions for customs officers, we sailed through without any problems. Emily and I breathed a sigh of relief when we finally saw our 4th suitcase swing around on the conveyor belt. All of our gear and Bible+ units had arrived, and less than one hour later we were outside and soaking in early morning 90 degree heat! Crowing roosters, mangy dogs, scrawny goats, and stray cats lined the streets as our missionary friend drove us in his Land Rover, dodging countless street vendors who were hawking their Kleenex boxes, lotto tickets, Mint gum, bagged water, and mangos balanced carefully on womens’ heads. Most sobering was the man crawling around in the dirt on all fours, literally gorilla-like, begging for any scrap or morsel someone would toss his way. Poverty never ceases to break my heart.

Even though we’d been awake for most of the past 24 hours, we knew naps were not an option to beat the jet lag, so our friends’ driver, Christian, took us out for the day to experience the sights and sounds of the city. First stop – the shopping mall! Recently built, this new plaza contained a Payless shoe store, a Mac store look-alike (all employees wearing bright orange shirts), a dept store that rivals Wal-mart, and a fabric store cranking Whitney Houston, then “My Redeemer Lives” sung by lively Ghanaian musicians!

After that, I decided to attempt to ask Christian to trek over to Tema, Ghana’s port city where our home and former ministry were headquartered. A lot has changed in 17 years, and I had no real confidence that I could find the house, but we had the time and the driver, so why not?! We spent the next two hours bumping along, driving up and down every passable road, stopping to ask any Ghanaian selling wares roadside if they knew where the 3 story white house was in Community 3. Other than living next door to a famous national soccer player, that’s about all I could remember. Of course everyone we asked confidently smiled and pointed in an opposite direction, and were guided to several national soccer player homes, but eventually, we pulled up in front of a familiar gate. We found it! The security guard told us that our former landlord still owns the house but it is vacant, waiting for another missionary family to come. Maybe you? :-)

As we drove around the corner, I recognized a small roadside shop where we used to buy bread. “Please stop!” I asked Christian. We pulled over, and I peered inside – lo and behold – Sarah!! She recognized the white girl from Chicago immediately. What a fun reunion! Sarah has probably sat in this tiny, 10×10 store selling toiletries, fresh vegetables, and bread every day for 20-30 years. Sarah was the key to finding another special friend, my former next door neighbor. After a few cell phone calls, we met “Mother” in Community 7 at a roadside junction. Ghanaians seem to have an endless supply of time – always available and ready to meet you…provided you have the time to wait. Another great reunion with big hugs, laughs, and a brief time of catching up, but eventually, we had to move on and head back home. A quiet drive among the newly paved Motorway (toll was 1 cedi = 25 cents), parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, made for a nice time of reflection on all we had seen in only our first day. Emily was a real trooper, graciously listening to Mom recall people, places, and things. She is enjoying the African experience, for sure.

Pete and Beth arrived later that evening, so the team and all its luggage has officially arrived safe and sound! A little repacking, a little visiting, a somewhat warm shower, and an air conditioned bedroom rounded out the day. We slept well. Tomorrow we head north on one more (in-country) flight aboard Africa World Airlines for recording and ministry in the remote villages. Let the adventure begin! We are excited and ready.