http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/Ghana.html After 24 years of a voluntary exile, I’m mentally and physically ready to take the most meaningful trip of my life. Returning back to the land that I called home from the ages of 1 to 4. 
This journey is special in so many ways. I left a boy and return a man. I left having taken from the village that raised me, and I return with my offering in hopes of showing my gratitude and giving back to the next generation of children who may one day leave home. iWeb 1.1.2 http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/Ghana_files/My%20Great%20Movie.jpg http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/Ghana.html 60 After 24 years of a voluntary exile, I’m mentally and physically ready to take the most meaningful trip of my life. Returning back to the land that I called home from the ages of 1 to 4. 
This journey is special in so many ways. I left After 24 years of a voluntary exile, I’m mentally and physically ready to take the most meaningful trip of my life. Returning back to the land that I called home from the ages of 1 to 4. 
This journey is special in so many ways. I left a boy and return a man. I left having taken from the village that raised me, and I return with my offering in hopes of showing my gratitude and giving back to the next generation of children who may one day leave home. http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/190B42CC-964D-4D14-AE77-9AA2ED9AD6B7.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/190B42CC-964D-4D14-AE77-9AA2ED9AD6B7.html Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:11:07 -0500 I was lucky enough to be introduced to a man named Tom Vernon who runs a futbol academy in Ghana. We took an hour drive from Accra through the mountains to get to the school. Just the idea of this sch http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/4967C37A-A7AA-4BB1-B699-FFF803CEF94B.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/4967C37A-A7AA-4BB1-B699-FFF803CEF94B.html Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:34:50 -0500 One of the best things about this trip has been the opportunity to see family that I only knew as a toddler.  The love I have received since stepping foot on African soil has been truly a blessing. I http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/135AF013-1921-453C-A5A5-13F91766B3C9.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/135AF013-1921-453C-A5A5-13F91766B3C9.html Sun, 7 Jan 2007 11:03:59 -0500 <a href="http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/135AF013-1921-453C-A5A5-13F91766B3C9_files/My%20Great%20Movie-1.m4v"><img src="http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/Images/My%20Great%20Movie.jpg" style="float:left; padding-right:10px; padding-bottom:10px; width:150px; height:150px;"/></a>I had a rude awakening this morning. My 15 year-old cousin Lawrence aka Junior took us to the beach where he showed us his ball handling skills for about 45 minutes straight. Asmeret then made a big d 00:01:06 I had a rude awakening this morning. My 15 year-old cousin Lawrence aka Junior took us to the beach where he showed us his ball handling skills for about 45 minutes straight. Asmeret then made a big d I had a rude awakening this morning. My 15 year-old cousin Lawrence aka Junior took us to the beach where he showed us his ball handling skills for about 45 minutes straight. Asmeret then made a big deal about how competitive she was and how we are going to start running when we get back to New York. Next thing I know I was being called old man and challenged to a race. I beat the young gipper gapper the first time in a sprint, then there were all these excuses thrown about how I wouldn’t last in a long distance race... Let’s just say I’m glad the battery on the camcorder died before I reached the finish line. Junior is an amazing young man, and watching him play with such passion was truly a beautiful thing. His humility is a lesson for me, and I hope to see him continuously smile like he did when he kicked my butt in the foot race. Oh I didn’t mention he beat me in sandals. He’s an ace in mathematics, but if the accountant thing doesn’t work out, I look forward to watching him play futbol. http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/CAB27838-7073-4224-8599-A804C3F386D6.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/CAB27838-7073-4224-8599-A804C3F386D6.html Sat, 6 Jan 2007 11:15:06 -0500 Asmeret and I had the honor of being the first guest at the DelMa House guest house which opened the second day we were in Ghana. We initially planned to be here for a day or two, but the attraction o http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/9B9C97EA-5B3E-472A-9F38-7221BCFA4524.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/9B9C97EA-5B3E-472A-9F38-7221BCFA4524.html Sat, 6 Jan 2007 06:28:41 -0500 The the spirit of entrepreneurialism is alive and well in Ghana. From the road side salesmen of everything from apples to fish, to the little girl selling plantain chips, chasing cars to complete a s http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/578E49CF-F06A-4F8E-9424-3CE0AA46E2E1.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/578E49CF-F06A-4F8E-9424-3CE0AA46E2E1.html Wed, 3 Jan 2007 04:58:16 -0500 Today we went to the beach with my uncle Edmund. He lives and works in Tema, which is one of the main ports in Ghana. The city is divided up into communities, which would be equivalent to neighborhood http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/B0F1C39D-CF2A-4BCA-BFE9-40A30CC25D64.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/B0F1C39D-CF2A-4BCA-BFE9-40A30CC25D64.html Tue, 2 Jan 2007 06:16:01 -0500 We had the pleasure of getting together with one of my good friends from the states Derrick and his fiance’ Tanya (hope i spelled it right). After catching up on football on ESPN, and setting off fire http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/FB38CB05-5FD0-4AB9-AF31-B7B111C63E65.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/FB38CB05-5FD0-4AB9-AF31-B7B111C63E65.html Tue, 2 Jan 2007 05:44:33 -0500 I didn’t have a chance to do more than take photos at the local court so far, but I was just happy to see people playing. I didn’t stay long enough to give a scouting report, but I’ll be back. http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/6A070926-F89D-4D1B-92B4-CEF4DE6C5722.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/6A070926-F89D-4D1B-92B4-CEF4DE6C5722.html Mon, 1 Jan 2007 18:14:45 -0500 Today we took the 2 hour journey to Afiadenyigba. Saying the word alone brings back so many childhood memories. My aunt used to call my cousin Aku, Afiadenyigba Princess. It was also the place my mom 00:00:38 Today we took the 2 hour journey to Afiadenyigba. Saying the word alone brings back so many childhood memories. My aunt used to call my cousin Aku, Afiadenyigba Princess. It was also the place my mom Today we took the 2 hour journey to Afiadenyigba. Saying the word alone brings back so many childhood memories. My aunt used to call my cousin Aku, Afiadenyigba Princess. It was also the place my mom used to threaten to send me when I was bad in school. After 25 years, it was an amazing experience to return. I started the journey by going to my Uncle’s house for lunch. I am intrigued by the traditional greeting of a visitor customs that I have been seeing. Its just so rich. Afiadenyigba is a fishing village where the fisherman use canoes to navigate the lagoon. We visited several of our family homes. I had not seen my grandfather since I was a baby, so seeing photos of him and my grandmother was emotional. Then we journeyed deeper in the village where my father showed me the place he grew up. I loved the spirit in the village. I am blessed to have a father who is well respected among his people, because it gives me the opportunity to see reverance and respect. This village was amazing in so many ways. Beyond the fact that the man that raised me grew up here, I found the people there to be so powerful and humble at the same time. Asmeret was my hero in the village. Besides assisting me shoot video, I was amazed by her ease amongst the men of the village. i say the men, because all the women were cooking and doing other things. She sat next to me and talked to everyone and even ate the native food. I thought she was great before, but after yesterday, she became my inspiration for greatness. We sat with the men of the village observing their body language since we couldn’t understand what they were saying. My father has this “Tony Soprano” vibe about them where ever they go. Its actually quite impressive. My uncle is very quiet and laid back, but at the slightest thought of someone harming his family, you can see him ready to protect. We were in good hands. I don’t think I have the words in me to express the power of the village. I’ll end it with saying they have so little, but have so much at the same time. http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/F131F6E4-6281-414D-907E-B0366C504C8F.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/F131F6E4-6281-414D-907E-B0366C504C8F.html Fri, 29 Dec 2006 01:16:26 -0500 I’ve gained a new appreciation for the game of futbol (soccer). Driving through countless villages and seeing the joy that kids experience from playing makes you realize that it is so much more than a 00:01:04 I’ve gained a new appreciation for the game of futbol (soccer). Driving through countless villages and seeing the joy that kids experience from playing makes you realize that it is so much more than a I’ve gained a new appreciation for the game of futbol (soccer). Driving through countless villages and seeing the joy that kids experience from playing makes you realize that it is so much more than a game. There is definitely more to come on this topic http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/F2B7D956-829E-4D20-888F-0382AEF6C110.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/F2B7D956-829E-4D20-888F-0382AEF6C110.html Fri, 29 Dec 2006 22:20:27 -0500 One of my favorite parts of my trip so far is interacting with kids. I’m not promoting the whole “adopt an African baby” trend, but if I had some wealth, I’d definitely go out of my way to help as man http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/583D94D2-B489-40B4-A038-875C46BD8708.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/583D94D2-B489-40B4-A038-875C46BD8708.html Wed, 27 Dec 2006 20:13:44 -0500 Sorry for the delay, but I’m suffering from over-stimulation right now. My uncle Matthew Agbozo just opened the door to his brand new guest house, and guess who’s the first guest? If you are ever in http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/739F6B22-7A59-46BD-98D0-7E427F2270F2.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/739F6B22-7A59-46BD-98D0-7E427F2270F2.html Tue, 26 Dec 2006 04:39:18 -0500 Today was a great way to start my trip. I woke to the sound of roosters, and sat at outside talking to my dad before we took the hour journey to the health fair that was organized by Nana Eyeson. Som http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/17A8BCD3-B18B-4326-9D78-29AF76CF9187.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/17A8BCD3-B18B-4326-9D78-29AF76CF9187.html Mon, 25 Dec 2006 23:02:27 -0500 As we landed and the passengers broke out into applause, I knew I was home. The first thing I saw was the giant sign reading “Akwaaba”, meaning “Welcome”. (And you Brooklynites thought it was just a http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/3FA57D94-ACAF-4933-A356-21DC19E253E0.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/3FA57D94-ACAF-4933-A356-21DC19E253E0.html Mon, 25 Dec 2006 22:53:08 -0500 As I left Amsterdam to embark on the next part of my journey, the view from the plane became very cliche’. I found myself saying things like, “Those mountains are proof of God’s power”, and “That dese http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/87FEBF8B-D1E2-4D71-AA47-F26B626417B9.html http://web.mac.com/stanley.lumax/iWeb/Back%20to%20My%20Roots/Ghana/87FEBF8B-D1E2-4D71-AA47-F26B626417B9.html Mon, 25 Dec 2006 05:55:04 -0500 I just wanted to take a moment and wish you all a happy holiday. I just landed in Amsterdam, and had a second to say hello. I promise my next entry will be more exciting. Running low on battery power