Guests and Totes!

We love guests. I suppose that is a good thing for our home is a pit stop for travelers of our mission heading to or from northern mission outposts or for missionaries on business in Accra. Travelers coming from the States often arrive on a flight that gets them to our house anywhere from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Midnight snack, anyone?) Often those same guests leave again in the morning around breakfast or before. The other common flight is an overnight one, landing in Accra at 7:50 a.m. which produces bleary-eyed guests who fight sleep and jet-lag for the duration of their time with us. But whether their time with us is short-lived, fraught with jet-lag, or both, we love all our guests.

In our first two months of being here, we have hosted nearly 40 of them. Half of those were a group of 20 students heading to a school in the north for 13 weeks of training and discipleship that, Lord willing, will motivate them to go preach the Gospel of Jesus in every nation.

The arrivals gate.
"Akwaaba" means welcome in Twi.

The Team arrived safe and sound, but 21 of their 47 checked-in luggage pieces didn't. They were delayed in America thanks to not fitting in the smaller plane that shuttled them from Philly to JFK. The airline was apologetic and sent the remaining totes on their next flight to Accra which came two days later. The Team went north before the belated luggage arrived, grateful for everything they had tucked into their carry-on baggage.

Loading the bus to leave for the North

The children and I went with John to the airport to pick up the remaining totes. Everything was there, including a cooler whose contents were still surprisingly cool, praise the Lord. The airline kindly paid to fly the baggage up to Tamale and the team was reunited with their totes later that day.

Waiting with the totes while Daddy
counted, organized, and shipped totes North

We benefited from the totes, too, thanks to an excellent packer in the States who did shopping for us and also to generous friends who surprised us all with gifts. I loved watching the children's uninhibited delight over everything with their name on it. They did happy little jigs and Sophia was half-laughing, half-crying with excitement. 

After everything was unpacked, I reviewed and organized the contents of the totes. My shopping lists were completed: my children have clothing for the next sizes up and new sandals to fit now; we now have everything we need for Tyler's schooling; I have a happy pantry, thanks to a few things like molasses, yogurt starter, cereal and lots of snacks for the children. Friends sent along birthday gifts (love those books!) and even all we'll need for a Thanksgiving meal, decor included!

There were notes and cards. It was so sweet to hear from home, to realize the effort so many kind people had put into this tote, and to feel so well taken care of. 

I couldn't help it; I sat down in the middle of all that love and cried.

Tyler with his gifts

We love guests, as I said, even the kind that comes with totes of treasures.