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Hello families and friends, sorry the updates haven’t been very extensive, due to an upset laptop we couldn’t send any emails whilst in Bassar, so bit and pieces were sent via texts. However, we have just arrived safely back in Lomé to take on the last couple of days in a bit more comfort.
I’m just going to bring you up to speed on what we been up to recently and then below you find plans for the next 2 days and flight details of our return journey.
FRIDAY In the morning we put our feet up, had a late breakfast and took time off. We wanted to reserve our energy, because in the afternoon we were about to become famous. We went to Radio Reveil, Bassar Christian radio station. After a few introductions with the manager of the station, all 8 of us (plus Samuel) piled in to a very small room, probably made for 2 people, and they hit the record button. Steve made a little speech about why a bunch of English students had come to Bassar, and then we sang Light of the World. This may be Samuel’s favourite song, or just the only English one he knows!
SATURDAY Suddenly, we were all thankful for the restful day yesterday, because we had a rather early morning, with breakfast at 6. We had a 3hr journey to Kara and we wanted to start early. Kara is probably the biggest city near us, and it’s where groups go for a fun day. After a quick stop off at a patner organisation’s compound to meet up with our friend Becky. She was to be our escort to the Kara market, where we bought some nice cloth; Becky has been in Togo a few years now and really knew how to barter in the market. The highlight of the day came next as we went to Hotel Kara, had a great lunch of pork/steak/chicken/guinea fowl and CHIPS, so nice to have chips again. We then chilled out in or around the swimming pool there.
SUNDAY Got to go to Samuel’s Church today – twice. In the morning we went to their normal service, the pastor was away, but Steve was already prepared with a message about our calling to be more like Jesus. As a team we all introduced ourselves, sang a song and made an attempt at a tradional dance of theirs…looks very much like a chicken dance, we got a lot of laughter in response.
MONDAY A couple of the girls went into town to buy a bit more cloth, was nice to stroll into town for one of the last times. Samuel and his wife had invited us round for lunch, so at 12 we made our way there, enjoy some great beef and rice and a very rich red sauce. Was good to spend some time with them just being.
TUESDAY The other couple of girls wanted to go into town this morning, this time to buy sweets. Then it was round to Samuel’s for lunch again (2 invites in 2 days, we’re doing well). In the afternoon we filmed a few clips of language learning and Samuel’s teaching to put into a video we hope to produce, and then at 4pm the committee that oversees the translation project, ACEB, came to say goodbye to us. Was a pleasant meeting, they introduced themselves, sang some songs, prayed, let us ask them questions about what they do. Then we introduced ourselves and thanked them for their work with the project. After another song and prayer we cracked open some cokes and biscuits.
WEDNESDAY Time for the trip from Bassar to Lomé. All our stuff was packed up, the last bills were payed and we were ready to go….but no driver at 7am. Our bus was in the garage for some repairs. Poor Samuel was not impressed, but the team did a great job of killing 3 hours whilst waiting. The 8hr drive was actually pretty uneventful, thank you God.
It is now very nice to be back in the guesthouse, to just relax and not have to do the washing up!
Here’s what the plan is for the last couple of days.
THURSDAY A few meet and greets and farewells in the morning, we’ll visit the Bible Society where the consultant for the translation project is based. Then we’ll go to the Wycliffe Togo office, where we will meet Napo, who has been involved in the project for a long time, he is actually a native Ntcham speaking, so has a keen interest. The main part of the morning will actually be spent in the Lomé tourist market, where the team will have opportunity to buy you all presents (no promises).
In the afternoon we’ll begin our team debriefs, where we’ll talk about returning to the UK. After spending 3 weeks in Africa certain things can take the team by surprise when we return, so we do an extensive job of preparing them.
FRIDAY We’ll continue debriefs and do some feedback sessions and pack our bags. Late morning we’ll check bags in, and then we’ll take the rest of the day easy until needing to be at the airport again for 8pm.
FLIGHT DETAILS
Departure City Arrival City Departure Flight Dep Arr Lomé Paris CDG 23-Jul-10 AF0861 22:00 06:10 Paris CDG Heathrow T4 24-Jul-10 AF1680 07:30 07:50
We’re due to land at Terminal 4 at 7.50am; we hope to get through security and the baggage hall in 30-60mins. Please be at the arrivals gate in good time.
See you all soon. Steve (on behalf of the whole Togo team)
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