I have packed what I think I will need for the trip to Ghana. Of course who travels without an extension cord, a a few ziploc bags, a battery charger, a sfork, and flashlight, and a power outlet converter for electricity. Hmmm, well, maybe most people who don't go through that checklist of how to travel with one carry-on luggage. I've had my carry on suitcases sitting in the living room since Saturday night. When I think of something, I make sure I check things off and decide if I "really" need it or will it just weigh me down. I think I'll be OK with the things I have, but it's amazing what you can't find in your home when you are looking for it. I know I have so many thing in boxes.

Agenda Item #1: purge the stuff you don't use when you get home (well, when you get time, umm when you make time, ok soon!!!)

So for those of you who like to fixate on giving advice on everything from telling me to watch out for the lions, snakes, crocodilles, bugs, people, and scams, I will keep all of those things in mind. Thank you for your voiced concerns and pensive looks. I'll trust that your prayers will be the best item you can give me: pray for the pilots, drivers, tour guides, students we will meet, teachers we will meet, nice families, crazy people (because you know they are everywhere in the world--so we might as well acknowledge it and include them as a consideration), good food, "interesting" food, and all the other spectacular aspects of Ghana we will encounter. I do believe that the prayers of the righteous person availeth much, so keep on praying while we are traveling abroad.

Following are a few places we will visit:

• the American Embassy in Ghana,
• the Kwame Nkruma Memorial Park and Mausoleum (https://youtu.be/Q_WfORtbW54),
• the University of Ghana (https://www.ug.edu.gh/) to mingle with faculty and students,
• then travel to the Cape Coast and see the University of Cape Coast Campus (http://ucc.edu.gh/) and students there,
• Meet with families who live along the Cape Coast,
• Visit Cape Coast Castle (http://capecoastcastle.ghana-net.net/),
• Visit Elmina Castle and see "The Door of No Return" (http://www.elminacastle.info/elmina-castle-plan.html),
• Visit Kakum National Park (http://kakumnationalpark.ghana-net.com/),
• Visit Assin Masso (http://www.ghana.travel/touring_ghana/historic_sites/assin_manso_slave_market/),
• The Osu district in Accra known for its busy commercial, restaurant and nightlife activity (https://youtu.be/9P1e7LoxqLE),
• Visiting the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, the National TV (http://www.gbcghana.com/ ),
• and meeting with business officials at the Ministry of Youth & Employment (http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/republic/ministry.profile.php?ID=42)

For now, I think we are on track for a nice six days in Ghana and an experience worth remembering--returning to the place known as the cradle of civilization, the homeland.