On Wednesday, we travelled about 5 hours from Conakry, through the windy mountain roads where we stayed at some rustic vacation houses. Rustic was a pretty accurate description, thats for sure! We had the pleasure of experiencing the African art of the bucket bath, so never again will I complain about any problems in a shower, ie., water temperature or pressure... The weather was a lot different as we got further into the interior of Guinea. It was hot, but it was a really dry heat, which was nice, as that meant that it would cool down some in the evenings. We visited so many places while we were away- let me try to recall!
We met a local pastor who acts as director for a private school in which they have around 700 students, but really only have capacity for about 500. We toured the school, and looked in some classrooms that house at least 75 kids- and we think our classes of 30 kids are crowded? We travelled on another hour and a half maybe, through those windy mountain roads, during which I had the pleasure of playing my own special round of the 'don't poop your pants or throw up on your neighbour' game. Those who didn't read the blog that was written when Faith Baptist travelled to Uganda, the objective is simple- don't poop your pants. It sounds like an easy thing, but for those that have travelled into under developed countries and on their under developed roads, you know that this is not always the case. The roads we travelled on were paved, but had never been maintained. We think that our roads are bad? There were "potholes" more like craters, so huge that they took up half of the road. So we had to dodge the pothole in our lane, by swerving into oncoming traffic in the other lane, whilst trying to miss the oncoming 15 passenger van loaded with 45 people. It was an experience, that is for sure! FYI- I did win.
The next day (Thursday) we travelled a bit further and went to visit another IW couple. We visited the site where the short wave radio tower had been put up, and recently started broadcasting. It was unreal to hear of all of the opposition they have come up against, reminding us that this is definitely not just a battle of flesh and blood. Please be in prayer for them as they continue to come up against adversity unlike I have ever heard.
On Friday we had the opportunity to travel to a Compassion Hospital- not associated with Compassion Canada, US, etc., but a hospital that brings in doctor's from around Africa and North America to provide treatment for Guineans. They have such an amazing ministry here. When the patients first arrive, they fill out a form indicating what their symptoms are, and the most urgent are seen first. While they are waiting, the people in the waiting area watch the Jesus film in their native language, which is Pular. They have had a really good response to this, and people really seem to enjoy it. The cost of medical treatment is 5000 Guinea Francs, which is less than 1 US dollar, and then if medication is required, there is some additional cost on top of that. It was so amazing to see the facility, and see the new area that is under development. They are looking for doctors and nurses who are able to go and help out, so if you are interested in coming to Guinea, they'd be happy to have you! The travel back to Conakry was a long and winding road, well the same one that we took on the way to the mountains, but once again, we played a rousing game- I'm really good at this game, but I look forward to being in Canada and not having to play this game on a near daily basis...
Yesterday (Saturday) we took a trip to the Islands- it was so awesome. We have been travelling so much this week and saw and heard so much, it was nice to have a day to just relax. We took the sketchiest wooden boat, packed with about 50 plus people and supplies for an hour boat ride to the island, but this is Guinean way! We spent the day lounging on the beach, well, some people stayed on the beach, Cam and I were in the ocean as much as we could be. Worked on body surfing- bah, not so good. Took a tumble into a rock, scraped my knee and hand up real good, but made it out still smiling, and with all limbs in tact, or mostly. Had a wonderful lunch overlooking the beach- Cam ate barracuda, and I had squid- it was delicious. We had a really great day of relaxation to help us wind down before we take off.
Today we were in a Guinean church service which was hot, and pretty much awesome. I can't expand too much on that, as I have got to take off here pretty quickly, but you'll hear more later!
We leave Guinea tonight on our long journey home. We will be home tomorrow night at 9 PM Regina time after 30 some hours of travelling... So if you're at the airport, you may want just a hand shake instead of a hug... We are sad to go, but in the same breath are excited to get home to something familiar- and a certain little blonde haired blue-eyed kid! See you soon!
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