NBBC

Sonia, it's almost time! I am so sad because I won't be able to attend the NBBC. I know that the highlights will be about West Africa. I think they will be doing a Memorial for BeBe Moore Campbell. I will be there in my prayers. Our church is having a conference in Hopkinsbville, KY. This is my first one. Have you heard from Kofi. Tell him hello. E-mail me at jthenderson@dhr.state.ga.us when you can. How is school? What grade do you teach? My grandson and I are having a great time. He did very well on the CRCT. Well, so long. Do enjoy the conference. Let me know who came and what went on. Sister in Christ. Jeanette

All is well

Sonia and Kofi,
Glad to know that all is well. I am doing fine. Sorry it has taken me so long to converse with you all. Sonia, I know you are excited about school being out. I wish that I could pack up and move to Ghana now but I have to wait until I retire if it's the Lord's will. Oh, I went to the Gullah Festival in Beaufort, S. C. It was awesome. They had a band from Nigeria and the Virgin Islands. I took my grandson because it was very educational. I plan to go to South Africa but I don't know when. Both of you, please stay in touch. Gotta go. Jeanette

School's Out!!!

I had a great year! I've had some medical challenges, but everythings ok. Kofi, I did show my students the dvd of the Durba. They were surprised at how similar we are. They thought it was funny when the older man got up to dance for the king. They compared him to some of their older relatives who get up and dance at family reunions. I told them "Yeah, that's where we get our ways from." That's why Black people over here dance and sing and act the way we do, because of our ancestry. They asked me why I didn't dance when everybody got up. I'm not much of a dancer, but I guess I could have done something. We watched the King's speech from the Durba and message was just as powerful. I think that watching the Durba and seeing the King helped my students to understand how much of their history and culture was denied to them.

I don't know when I'm going to go back to Ghana. I hope within the next year or two. Jeanette may make it back over with her family before I get there, but I do plan to return soon.

incorrect grammar

Just wanted to revise one of my sentences. My spouse and grandson are coming too. Smile. Love you all, Jeanette

Sorry I haven't communicated with you all

Sonia and Kofi, dear hearts, I am so sorry that I took so long to get back with you all. All is well including my grandson. I have been busy with homework. He is doing well. Sonia, I won't be coming to the club this year. I am going to Kentucky for a conferece with my church. Keep me posted on the Harlem Book Fair. I stayed over in New York last year to see The Color Purple. It was awesome. Kofi, I am coming to Accra after I retire for 3 weeks to 3 months. My spouse and grandson is coming too. I am so excited. We are planning a trip to South Africa next year. My grandson wants to see the hippos and rhinos in their natural domain. Kofi, give your Mother my regards as well as the family. I hope everything is going well with you all. I know my coworkers are tired of me talking about moving to West Africa. They really do think that I am crazy but I am sane. I have been looking for a house to rent when I come to Accra but all of them are too expensive. Kofi, please advise. Blessings to you all, Jeanette

Hello

Just wanted to say hello! I haven't been on for a while. Too busy with everything. I hope everything is going well for everyone. How's school Kofi? My school system will be on summer break in about 5 weeks, so I'm looking forward to having some time to myself. We're planning on going to New York for the Harlem Book Festival. I've never gone before, so I'm looking forward to it. How have you been Jeanette? How's your grandson? I was happy to hear that your situation has gotten better. I hope to see you at the conference in August. Take care, and I talk to you soon.

Independence of Ghana

Hello Everyone,

It has certainly been a while and I admit that I have been a naughty boy for not checking up on you all. I hope that all is well with you. Jeanette, I am confident that you have gained 100% custody of your grandson and I am so glad for what the Lord has done.

We recently celebrated out 51th Independence Anniversary. It was on the 6th March. We recorded a message by the king to be played at a special Ghana's Independence Sunday Service by First Baptist Church in Somerset, New Jersey. Click on the link below to watch the message:

www.google.com/s2/sharing/stuff?user=102874352848255029995

I think it is our collective responsibility as black people to help our continent out of dependencies. The little we do goes a long way to help in this struggle. We have to let our children be proud of Africa by telling them the realities and possibilities here instead of the bad image that most news channels paint of Africa. There would not be a forward movement if the mindset of the people is not changed for the better.

I pray that God grants us all strength and wisdom for this beautiful struggle. Stay blessed.

KOFI.

I have custody temporarily of m y grandson

Greetings to you all.
Just wanted you to know that I have temporary custody of my grandson. There will be a final hearing after an evaluation is done on our home. The little fellow was glad to be back. I took him to the dentist which was a much needed visit. He did well. The dentist was great. I am so thankful to God and you all. Thanks for your prayers and concerns. I guess you know they tried to drag my husband and me through the mud but it didn't happen. The affidavits given spoke well of us. Also, his sister testified for us. I didn't know that he was so mean. The judge had to constantly instruct him regarding his behavior. I didn't know that my ex son-in-law and his wife had such long felony records. I am glad that I hired a lawyer because Child Protective Services had closed the case stating that her home had passed their criteria. Oh well. thanks again for all that you ask the Lord on my behalf. Blessings, Jeanette

Hello all!

Nice to see you Kofi! You're right. I'm one of those women who's not that into sports, but I think it's cool that soccer can bring your country together like that. We have a large international population here in Stone Mountain, and that's all I see the children playing. They like baseball and football too, but soccer appears to be the most popular sport outside of the state. When I was growing up we called it kickball. Anyway, I just wanted to say Hello to everyone and I hope life, family, and school are going fine. Jeanette, things will get better. I have a nephew who got into some legal trouble. He was only 17 in 2006 when he went to visit a girl in the projects at night. A group of men (about 30) tried to carjack him. One of the men was killed, and they tried to blame it on my nephew. Anyway, he sat in jail for a year before the police realized that one of the victim's friend shot him by accident. My nephew was facing several serious charges including murder. My family kept the faith because we knew that he did not do what he was accused of doing. In the end, he was exonerated of all charges. Things will work out in your case as well. Just keep the faith and know that we are praying with you and visualizing a positive outcome. P.S. Kofi, I thought I saw on your profile that you were Aquarius, so happy birthday or belated birthday! See you soon.

Sorry it took me so long to communicate

Glad to know that all is going well. I have feeling down because of all this mess my grandson's step mo is putting me through I will be seeing the attorney on Monday. Pray that I will get custody. So sad to hear that you lost to Camerron, but there's strength in unity. You will win. Don't give up yet. It's not over until the fat lady sing. You still have a chance so she won't be singing(smile). I saw your picture. You are sad. You are a strong person. The sadness will subside.I like basketball. My spouse loves golf. Not me. It's too slow. Continue to pray for me. I will do likewisw for all of you.My regards to Sonia's family and yours. Be blessed, Jeanette

This was after lectures at school. I was putting on my accreditation ID to go and watch the game between Ghana and Morrocco at the stadium. Ghana won by 2:0.

But we lost against Cameroun yesterday. So sad. They scored us 1:0. The whole nation went sick. Some people did not report to work today and those who did came late. That is to show how together-as-a-people we are. We mourn together and celebrate celebrate together.

This is the first time Ghana is hosting the African Cup of Nations (we co-hosted it with Nigeria in the last tournament). Anyway, why should I be talking sports with you two. Most women are not interested in sports (Correct me if I am wrong)

I am doing well by the grace of God and with the encouragement you two (Jeanette and Sonia) have been giving me. I think that it is time that I also do the same for you Jeanette. I want you to know that I remember you in prayers and that God will not make you lose this case. Please let us know what comes of the trial.

Hi!

I'm still here. I've just been very busy with school. I've been checking out all of the changes to this year's conference. I showed my Ghana pictures to my new students. They had so many questions.

blogging

Kofi and Sonia;
Did you receive my communication on the comment section of the blog? I am strying to figure this blogging system out. I am an old lady so please bear with me. Let me know if my comments posted. Jeanette

what's going on?

Greetings to all of you,
Hope you are having a great New Year. I hadn't seen any new mail from you all. I'm still here. Jeanette

Sorry for no communication up to this time

Greetings again to all of you,
I am so sorry that I haven't sent any communication but I have been having some everyday life situations to tackle.My spouse is sleeping and doing better. I found out that he was not taking his medication as prescribed. I thought I would have a moment to breathe but another situation came up. My ex-son-in-law left my demised daughter's son with me. His wife(my grandson's step mom) signed him out of school and won't give him back. He is in jail and will be going to prison because he was on probation for domestic violence. She filed for a divorce and served him the papers to sign. He went berserk and pulled a weapon on her per the street committee. Child Protective Services has gotten involved and is in the process of getting him because of the fact that he was staying with me when the last incident of violence occured. This is fine but I want full custody because I don't want my grandson to go through all of this drama anymore. The principal of his school states that he was doing well in school and he could see a difference since we had him. He said he saw my grandson smike for the first time. This brought tears to my eyes because my grandson has lost his Mother, Grandmother and an Uncle that he was very close to. I am going to sue for full custody because I feel that if I don't intervene, we will lose him. He is such a sweet and smart boy. I miss him very much even though he hasn't been gone but 2 days. DFACS says they are going to go to the school and home and initiate getting him back to me. Please give me some encouragement. Thanks Kofi for the blog. I never thought that I would have anything to say to all of you. Blessings to you all. Keep me in your prayers and please let me know what you think. Jeanette

I could not see the pictures you sent. They were in my inbox but I could not open them. You can upload them here when you are creating a post. [click on the icon next to the spell checker on the create new post page]. You can add as many as you want and put text under, above or beside it.

I hope all is well with you and your family.

Pictures

Did you get the pictures I sent you? I sent them in late December.

Volunteering

I think that the volunteering job is an opportunity for you to make an impact in the lives of these unfortunate children. It is great idea. Jeannette made me check on it and I got her the details. I am not sure where I kept the contact numbers, but I am sure Jeanette can help u with it.

Yeah..school is fine but more involving than before. I am sorry I have not been coming through to you. How is Babara? Please tell her she can join the blog. And all those who you wanted on board. They dont have to be planning to come to Ghana this year. This is to conscientize everyone on Ghana.

I hope that all is well with you all. God bless.

Hi Kofi!!!

How is school. I haven't communicated with you lately. I hope all is well. We are considering volunteering at the Osu Orphanage. Do you know anything about this program?

Volunteering @ Osu

I really like the idea of volunteering at the Osu Orphanage. I want to plan for this. I think that the best time for me might be in the Summer of 2009. I would love to stay with a host family. Sometime in 2009 would give me time to plan. I want to bring some young people with me (students or relatives).

I will communicate as much as possible

Greetings to you all
Hoping you all are well and ready to face the New Year. I am so glad that you like the idea of wanting to stay 4 weeks. I will plan ahead because I don't know when I'll be able to go back because of spouse's illness. He wants to come along also. I am doing well. I am not literate on the blog but I am getting there. Just bare with me. My colleagues were really fascinated by the pictures I took of the Motherland. I am glad because I am so tired of people thinking of Africa as being Tarzan and Jane movies.

I wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.Stay prayerful. Jeanette.

I love the idea of volunteering at the Osu Orphanage! I'd like to stay at least 4 weeks. My only issue so far is that I don't know exactly when I can go back. The fees are reasonable and I love the idea of staying in the city and working directly with children. I remember the tour guide telling us about this; he even pointed out the orphanage on one of our bus trips through the city. I can see myself back in Ghana teaching and volunteering. I need to pray for direction. I've had a few more challenges to deal with lately, but I'm sure things will work out. Thanks Jeanette for bringing this opportunity to my attention.