The last week has been very busy. It has been a rush to get in all the things I wanted to do before we leave Guinea, and along with that saying goodbye to local friends and crewmates that I've known for two years now. Here are a few pictures to highlight all that has happened int he last week.
Final Bible study with my small group. The Bergman family will be returning to Cailfornia. Michelle has already left for Maryland and Heather will soon return to Canada.
Went to a service a the Catholic Cathedral. Walking inside is like stepping out of Guinea but once the people started singing you could sense their closeness with God. Even with the service in French I could tell the the service was very African.
Went on a boat ride to Fotoba Island. Here you can see an old prison. I'm not sure of the full history, but it was very impressive to see.
Also on Fotoba Island is the oldest Evangelical church in Guinea, built in 1870.
Last Saturday I went with a group to Racky Teniture. A local place that makes batiks that I sell in the Ship Shop. We got to pick out our own stamps, make a design, dye the fabric and see the whole process.
Thursday we said goodbye to the day-workers. Here's Barry from the Communications Department. He translated for their team. With knowing multiple languages he assisted their team immeasurably. His family has a business selling peanuts. They were a very popular item in the Ship Shop. I'm thankful that I got to know him and see the process of how they make the peanuts.
I made one last visit to see the Toureg guys. They craft some amazing things. Besides creating silver and ebony earrings, stamped bracelets and rings, leather boxes, serving trays and supplying us with amazing soapstone carvings they make some rally good tea. I'll never forget these guys.
After coming back from Fotoba we walked through the fishing market. That was a sight to see and much more than I could describe in a small description.
Got to enjoy some of the first rainy-season storms of 2013. It's nice to see rain after missing it for five months.
Last but not least said goodbye to Estel Willits. Her and her husband have been in Conakry 25+ years translating the Bible into the local language of the Susu people. In the last few years she has started the ministry of feeding babies that lost their mother. It is very unfortunate the commonality of losing either the mother and/or the baby during childbirth. She's stated having family members of the babies make jewelry to sell so that they can afford to by formula and feed the babies. With over 200 infants on record to feed she is always busy. It has been great to assist them while in Conakry.
