Here is a picture of Ama AND Phoebe in front of the house that Ama is buying in Ghana.

CONNIE

Dear family,

It's already close to the end of March and I trust that our not posting blogs means we are all happily busy. I have been. I have felt guilty for being so comfortable in my life, but recently just decided to accept it with joy from the hand of our gracious God.

I enjoyed my visit to Ghana and to the Netherlands.

I spent three days with Marybeth and Hub on my way to Accra. We talked and ate and went to Amsterdam on the train to see Van Gogh (very exciting) and Anne Frank's house, good too. After church, we went to an Indonesian fair with all kinds of goods for sale. As always, we wished for more time together.

Accra was hot and humid, especially when I arrived wearing clothes for 40's temps. Ama and her kids have a nice home, with comfortable living room/D.R., tile bathroom and three bedrooms. All on one floor. Ama is really oppressed by the heat, and was glad for AC in one of the Bedrooms. It was fun to hang out in PJs with the girls, and look at the clothing and accessory possibilities for the upcoming events. In addition to Ama's three girls, PHoebe from London was there, friend of Gifty. We went to the seamstress Wed, day after I arrived.

The next day, Thurs, was the Engagement party; Ama was dismissive "the groom's family brings gifts and we accept them, and then we will eat..." Ama sd something about making cole slaw, I thought the party would be in the evening, and we'd have all day to get ready. Then I found out it would be at 9 a.m., some had been told to come at 8. Three huge canopies were erected Wed night, chairs were delivered, friends were enlisted to make ice. Early in the morning, men came and set up sound equipment.

The bride's family all sat under a canopy facing one direction. When the groom's family arrived, singing and bringing gifts, they sat across from us under another canopy. There were two professional spokeswomen (one for each family). They were formal and funny in presenting and accepting the gifts, there were jokes. Finally the bride, Afeafa, (who had been in the house, probably listening to everything) was brought out to be asked, "Should we accept these gifts from these people since accepting them would be accpting the marriage?"

After she said yes, we heard singing from the direction of the gate, and the groom was brought in, and they both sat together and were presented with rings and a Bible. Then we had a feast, the whole thing took all day. This was the traditional or tribal ceremony and everyone agreed that after all this, they were married. But on Saturday we all dressed up and went to church and they got married again. And had a feast on the grounds of a nearby country club. And on Sunday, their wedding was acknowledged and prayed over too. After which some came to the house and feasted again!

This is a picture of the bride and groom on the engagement day, with the landlady who lives on the same property and was VERY helpful for the engagement, came with her family to the wedding, and was an all around cool person.

So now here is the bridal party arriving at the reception with the junior bride and the little groom and the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Everyone was friendly and pleasant. Many people were good at speaking or understanding English, but many were not.

I enjoyed all the busy-ness, sights that reminded me of the Philippines, all the activity that goes on in the open.

I am putting some pictures like that on here too.

Below is a picture from Ama's village. It is the highest inhabited village in the country.

Where We Go This Summer!!

Hi everyone! I, Linda, have been looking into a place to get together in summer 2009. There are several places in IL, but I've decided on going back to Lake Geneva, WI. I found out that Chapin cottage where we had stayed is taken for July 2--4, so have found another bigger cabin called Magill. It is white, and is right across the street from the administration building. Some of you might have rented sports equipment from the admin. building, but I know I did not notice what building was across the street. Anyway, I've asked for a contract to be sent and I'll forward the downpayment ahead so it can be reserved. for July 3, 4, and breakfast and lunch on the 5th we can stay for a total of $ 99.00. I tho't that was good. We will not have any meals on Fri., July 3rd. We Leiningers in Chicago thought we'd go out to eat in Williams Bay. Hope those 3 days are good for everyone. Once again we will celebrate Karl's birthday, and I'm open to suggestions for games or projects, Ken, would you bring any games you love? Gladys, there is access to the outdoors from each room on the 1st floor. The man I talked to by phone said each room has a bathroom, and tho' there is a "lip" to get into the rooms, they are handicap-accessible. I'm getting excited!! To let you all know, the Mowafi clan will not be with us, they are taking a family vacation in the summer of 2009. If they can come, Amer and all, we sure will make room for them. We sure will miss Laila and Abdullah, and Lisa and Amer, if you can't come.

If you want to, email me at ldenberry@yahoo.com and I'll count up who is coming, and if it will be for less than the July 3, 4, & 5th dates. Miles, do you think Janet can come? Hope so. Marli, let me know about the guest you might bring. I will need first and last names, so Conference Point has a record.

I'm still volunteering at the Prestytery office, liking it less and less. Even though I can listen to the radio while I work (usually really enjoying Chicago Public Radio) I find the job repetetive, and not challenging. My intellect deserves more than just scanning then writing the label on each document I scan. That is what I do for 6 hrs each day I go in, and I just go 2 days a week. Otherwise my life is going well.

Dad and I do things during the week and sometimes on weekends, Connie joins us. Last movie we all saw was "Milk" about a community official, last name Milk, who was gay. He was open about the gayness, and stood up for the gays in San Francisco. He was elected into office, and was doing well and well liked, and tragically someone who did not like him, shot him. It's a true story, and he is a martyr for the gays and transgender people all over the U.S. I thought the movie was full of action, and the lead actor, Sean Penn, was great.

Dad and I went to the Unitarian Church in Hyde Park this afternoon (saturday), and were part of the audience listening to a panel about Homelessness and the current economic downturn, what we can expect. I learned a lot, like a lot of homes that are being foreclosed are rentals. the homeowners are renting them out to 2 to 4 families, and then when the foreclosure happens, these families have no choice but to look for another place to live or maybe be homeless. There were 3 in the panel. One man, who led the whole discussion, like a moderator, put out a suggestion that he wanted the panelists to comment on: what if the banks that have foreclosed homes on their hands make sure the homes are livable, and sell them so they can be used for low income housing. This would take care of more than one problem at once. The panelists agreed this was a good idea, plus they had more comments, which I don't remember now. I'm glad I went.

We're looking for what the new governor, Patrick Quinn, will be like. 4 out of the past 8 governors of IL are either in prison or will be put in prison. This is not a good track record. Also IL is in debt in the amout of $ 4 billion---just terrible, and we need good, respectable people to be in government positions here. Staring in January 09, Illinois state officials cannot take campaign money to get people into positions or jobs they want, sometimes called "pay to play" policies. They can get donations from corporations or individuals as gifts, without attachments.

Remember to email me about the time you will arrive and how many people you are bringing. Looks like there won't be anyone under 16 at this gathering. I heard that the contract includes a "no bikinis" rule. Wear your tank suits, I guess.

Dad is preparing a sermon to be preached at a Filipino church tomorrow. Wish I could go along, but I have duties at the Morgan Park Presbyterian Church. Til next mail, I remain yours truly,
Linda

Books I really like

Hi Steve,

I have been reading a lot lately. I have a book club I go to once a month and a mother daughter one with Laila that's three months old now. But, I won't recommend any of the book club books of late (well Laila and I read To Kill a Mockingbird which I read so long ago that it seemed new and it was amazing).

I LOVE
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
One Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
Any of the Roald Dahl books that are for adults

Also, I'm reading books by David Sedaris now borrowed from a friend and they are hilarious.

Hope you had a great weekend everyone!

Lisa, Amman