Day 6 – Ouagadougou

Just as we were getting in to Bolgatanga, I awoke from dozing to Bro Israel looking back in his rear view mirror.  The bus was no longer behind him.  So we turned around to see what the problem was. A man driving a tricycle full of onions had ran into the side of the bus, breaking the middle entry doors, which also caused the front entry door to break.

I believe one brother went to the hospital because the glass struck him and he had some cuts.  The onion cart driver also went to the hospital for the same thing.

There were onions ALL OVER the road, most certainly the cart was overloaded.

The police arrived, and then we followed them to the hospital, and then we followed them to the police station. I didn’t request details, it would have only gotten in the way to translate to the white man.  I just put my seat back and napped for a while.  Bro Israel tried to sleep too as he’d been in the driver’s seat all night long.  I hope my snoring didn’t keep him up!  It kept waking ME up!

Finally, Bro Gilbert told Bro Israel to take myself and his family home.  There was no need for us to stay, and that way I could rest. It’s funny, I actually felt pretty at ease in Kintampo. I really feel like I could have walked down the street in Kintampo with no problems.  I DO NOT feel that way in Bolga.  I don’t know why, but I don’t.  People have already come by the window trying to sell me stuff. I am different, but I am MORE different here in Bolga.  Ouagadougou is even worse. So it is good that we can depart. The rest of the believers, the sisters and children have been walking down the street buying bread, roasted bananas, and other various food items.  They are free to walk around and relax.  They can sit at the base of the tree.  I can’t do any of these things without being hassled by other people, or be worried about insects on the ground biting me and giving me diseases they are immune to.

So, we fired up the vehicle and headed out of town.  Another thing that was funny, Bro Edmund, the pastor in Bolga had heard of our troubles and came to assist.  He led us to the gas station, bought some bread, and then pointed us down the road that leads to Paga, the town on the Burkina border.  We drove about five minutes and came to an intersection; Bro Israel was not sure to go straight or to turn.  He began to reach for his phone to call, and I said “it is straight, this is the road to Paga”.  Two years ago, this is the road my hotel was on, and the convention was down and across the street. I remember it well enough; straight up the road is the village of Sumbrungu where we had the wedding last time, and another 25 kilometers or so past Sumbrungu is Paga Town.

Apparently, this is Bro Israel’s first drive thru Ghana!

So now we have arrived at Bro Israel’s very fine home. He is a director of some international trade society. He seems to be fairly well off by Burkina standards anyway.  My room is comfortable, has its own AC on the wall, and its own bathroom.  The bed is softer than the bed at the hotel, which actually was so firm, my hips would hurt during the night.  So, that is very nice. Hopefully I can find some good internet!

I don’t know if I’m preaching tonight or not, that was the “plan” but with the delay of the bus in Bolga, I have a feeling it will be cancelled for tonight.

Weird things I’ve craved while gone.

• A small piece of chocolate after each meal.
• A comfortable chair, such as a lazy boy, or a couch or something.