Cape Coast, training & fishing with a net

September 25, 2021

Elaine and I were in Cape Coast again, this time with Mobio and Atobora Brown to train the six stake presidencies in that area.  This is a great opportunity to speak with them, for them to ask questions and discuss the challenges they are having working with the wards and branches.

On the training day (Saturday) I got up in the morning and wanted to take a short walk along the beach for light exercise and enjoy the area.  Elaine was getting ready for the day so I had some time.  The Coconut Beach Resort is on the beach just west end of El Mina.  We wanted to stay at this resort because of the location and because it is difficult to find food anywhere but at a hotel or resort.

I started along the beach and saw men, and a young boy, pulling hard on a rope that extended out into the ocean over some breaking water.  There is a big net out there somewhere and they are pulling on one end of the net and the other net was way off to the left.  The young boy motioned me to join him, then an older fellow did the same, so I did.  I grabbed the rope between the two of them and when the older man yelled Ah Yeah! Everyone pulled.  Ah! was to get attention, then Yeah! was when you pulled.  A fellow was sitting on the ground next to a coconut tree around which the rope was wrapped and he took in the slack as we pulled hard.  The tree has been used for many years because you see rope marks along the trunk.  It isn't easy work, but with everyone pulling together, the net can be brought in.

The net must be a big one because though I was there 20 minutes, there was still a lot of work to be done.  It wasn't the exercise I had expected, but it was good to help out.  These people live a tough life.  Many people, like these guys, work the day to get food for that day.  They were working their net right there inside the resort because they have been doing it for many years, longer than the resort has been there.  I had to leave to get ready for the day.  I wanted to stay, help pull, get to know these guys, and talk about why I am in Ghana and about the Church.  I have another assignment right now.

I managed to take a few pictures on my phone in between the pulls.



Here's a shot of the beach from the dining area.  We were pulling on the net, waaaay over to the left, out of this picture.


Pulling on the rope was an unexpected event.  I think we will be back here again sometime in the not too distance future.  I will bring some gloves.  I got a blister on my left hand middle finger pulling this morning.  I should also bring some gloves for the other pullers.


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