Blogger: Franklin, age 14 (Barely!)
I had my 14th birthday in Ghana a few days ago. It was a very
special and memorable birthday. We mainly celebrated it teh day before my actual birthday because my
Dad had to go to the office on my real birthday . I didn’t mind at all. I had a
great time while we celebrated. My friend, Michael, came over. We opened our first present from home - an envelope filled with hilarious jokes from Jacob Stock at Castle Ministries. (Thanks for the laughs, Mr. Stock!)
We went to a pool several hours away and had lunch
there, then we went out to eat for dinner.
It was our first meal eating out since arriving. I had fried rice which has probably been my
favorite food so far. I also love Fan-Ice. It is Ghanaian ice cream (Vanilla)
that comes in a plastic pouch, you bite a hole in the corner and eat the
deliciousness inside. I had quite a few of those on my Birthday.
On my actual
Birthday, I got to do a few new things. I washed all my dirty clothes by hand
which really wasn’t that bad, I kind of enjoyed doing it. Since we don’t have a dryer, we have to hang
them on the line outside to dry them. I thought I did a pretty good job
considering it was my first time washing clothes by hand. I also woke up to a
wall covered with letters from my parents and also a list of 14 things they
love about me. It was a great encouraging present.
We have a leak
somewhere in our water pipes in the backyard. The crack or hole in the pipe
leaks into our backyard directly under the clothesline. It had been raining all
morning and there was a huge mud puddle under the line. As we hung the clothes
to dry, my feet were sinking down into the gooey, wet mud. I thought it felt
good having mud seep between my toes but my Mom on the other hand was screaming
“EEEEWWWWW, THIS IS NASTY!!! GROSS!!!”
Once we were about ¾ of the way done hanging wet clothes I heard a snap and the
clothesline we just filled up fell into the mud puddle. We had to rewash all
the mud covered clothes… by hand.
We had just
finished washing the clothes again when another downpour started. The raindrops
were huge! I hollered in the house to see if anyone wanted to go play in the
rain with me. Braden and Godwin both volunteered. We all put on our bathing
suits and ran outside. I was so eager to get out I forgot to take off my shirt.
It didn’t matter now, it was already drenched.
We ran around the house chasing each other for about ten minutes
Remember that
huge mud puddle that all our clean clothes fell into? Well, that was where the
fun was. We would run, jump, and then slide and see who could slide the
farthest. Godwin loved it! He was giggling and laughing the whole time. It was the most fun I had had in a long time.
After about an hour or so, we were all three shivering so we went in and
showered and warmed up. I had never thought you could get cold in Ghana.
That night we had
some friends over to have cake. We finished dinner just as they came. I got some very sweet cards from them and also some Lindor Truffles, which I had never had them before but they are now one of my favorite candies. We were all sitting around talking when the
power went out. So we went the rest of the evening without fans or lights.
Well, not really without lights, we had one flashlight pointed to the ceiling in the middle of the room so we had some light. While everyone was singing
Happy Birthday to me, one of our friends snuck up behind me and squirted me
with icy cold water. It was cold but felt good. Evidently, it is a tradition in
Ghana to get wet on your birthday! After
I changed shirts we ate my soccer ball cake. It was great.
Overall, I had an
amazing birthday and I will never forget slipping and sliding in the mud with
Godwin and Braden. I will also never forget my first birthday in Ghana. I am
blessed to have such good brothers who love me and parents who encourage me. I
am thankful for my family.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
6 comments:
Thanks, Franklin! I enjoyed reading your post!
Jenn Wagar
Franklin,
So glad you enjoyed your birthday! You definitely followed the Ghanian tradition of getting wet!
Happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a really fun and special birthday! Loved reading your stories!
loved hearing about your first birthday in ghana!! happy birthday from the chiolises (your mom knows us....well, she knows me..kinda.:0)
Awesome post! Happy belated birthday! Glad it was so much fun!!!!
Happy Birthday Franklin! Glad you had a great couple of days!! :)
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