Nasaala

July 16
At seven o'clock we awake to the sound of staff sweeping outside our rooms. Philip picked us up two hours later and drove us to the Chalice Lassia Toulu Parish and Youth Centre. On our drive many of the children excitedly waved and shouted 'nasaala', which Philip told us means white person. When we arrived we met with the Chalice staff, and showed them a Ppt. about St. Patrick School. They were eager to receive our gift of two video cameras. Together we spent the next hour exploring how to use the cameras, taking videos and pictures, downloading and watching them. We were so caught up in the fun that we were late for lunch and the priest came looking for us.
Lunch at the Rectory was light-hearted, entertaining and delicious. The four of us laughed so much with the two priests, two sisters, and the catechist, that we lost track of time and were late for our next visit. We arrived at the KPF school sub-site in the village of Kawu, surprised to see the parents and children waiting for us. The parents were at the school for their weekly literacy class, which we got to watch. The room was filled with laughter as the parents recited and sang the alphabet in their native language. Watching the parents take risks and supporting those who volunteered to come up to the board as they sang and pointed to each letter with a stick was poignant. Meantime the children peered through the door and any openings they could find. Maria and Tiffany were distracted by the children peeking in and began taking pictures of them, to the delight of the children who were thrilled to see themselves on the camera. When the class was over the adults were also excited to have their picture taken and took a few moments to recognize themselves.
We arrived home to find a full parking lot, loud live music and well dressed people in the court yard. We quickly went back to our room, dropped off our stuff with the idea in mind that we wouldn't stand out and went back to the courtyard to peer through the bricks. It was a wedding reception! We were noticed by some guests and were warmly invited in to join the festivities. It was entertaining listing to the music and watching the guests dance. Members of the band came down to teach Maria and Tiffany a Ghanaian dance, and we sampled some wedding cake. We feel so welcomed everywhere we go.