Parker flew to Ghana on Wednesday August 4th. We didn't hear from him until the following Monday. Let me just say, Brian and I were both feeling a little anxious. It was really weird to have no communication from the mission home. NOTHING. We just sent our 18 year old across the world with no phone and only $200 and didn't receive a picture, a text, an email, or anything to know he had arrived safely. It made Brian and I both a little stressed.
A few things on that: 1. I knew no news was good news so that helped. 2. There were several parents on the Ghana Accra mission FB page asking if anyone had heard from their sons and by Friday, someone from the mission home mentioned they arrived safely. 3. I know I can't even imagine how busy the mission staff must be. 4. The mission home/senior missionaries/mission pres and wife made a yummy meal for the incoming Elders and sent them home with leftovers! That is a lot of food, and I'm grateful. Parker ate "some sort of spaghetti" for dinner, dinner, breakfast and lunch. It was nice for him to have something somewhat familiar for his first couple of days. 6. Not hearing from him made our Monday morning call even more amazing.
I love and miss my baby boy.
He is five hours ahead. I woke up at 3:00 am to go to the bathroom, and I saw a messenger notification. Parker had sent a few pictures and responded to a couple of things we had sent. I sent a message back his way and then he responded.
Then he called!!!
I woke Brian up right away, and we were able to visit for about 10 minutes before the connection went bad. Brian and I couldn't quit smiling. It was Wonderful being able to see and hear from him.
He was positive and looked great. We could hear he was overwhelmed too. He said he couldn't understand anyone. They speak three or four tribal languages in his area....but not English. He was also in a temporary threesome. His companions would visit with each other in their native language some, and he would feel more out of place. New food, new culture, new country, new everyday life....I can't even imagine how exhausting that would be. But he is doing it...and we are so proud of him and happy for him and praying so hard for him. A mission will be a blessing for Park for the rest of his life.
Later, when Brinley called, he was able to jump back on the phone call. That was so fun! I love that Brinley and Parker will have this shared missionary experience now and in the future. I hope Tanner and Aubrey will both choose to serve.
This is from the day before he flew to Ghana, but I wanted to include it because Bri had his camera on.
This was from the phone call from Ghana. We were cracking up because Parker's companion thinks Brinley is pretty. He said he would pretend he was a non member so she would teach him the lessons. So Parker had pointed the phone camera at him and introduced him as "Brother Opoku-Ware" instead of "Elder," and then Parker and his two companions just busted up laughing.
It was great to be all cracking up together over the phone even though we are all separated from each other. I am so grateful the phone policy for missionaries has changed. Up until a couple of years ago, it was only two calls home a year! It was also so reassuring for me to see Parker just having fun with his companions. It was like he was hanging out with Harper and Cole and just having fun with his buddies.
It's Saturday night. Can't wait to talk to both of my missionaries in 48 hours!
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