A Month of Games in Pictures

"If winning isn't everything than why do they keep score?"  As Vince Lombardi first said, I've learned here that most Africans would say the same.  Africans take winning very seriously.  On the contrary, they are pretty sore losers too! Some examples…

First, the soccer game here: Benin vs. Ghana. Ghana was already in for the world cup qualifier, but nonetheless the stands were full and the enthusiasm was high. I think the pictures speak for themselves

On the way to the game: mass transit – Benin style

A friend took this across the stadium. Can you find us? We stick out like sore thumbs!

After Benin scored the winning goal in overtime the crowd went a little crazy.  Here me, Haley and James celebrating with one of the crazies all dressed up.

The following weekend we had something on the ship called the Benin Games. This was an organized ship event similar to a mini-olympics – with rather unique games.

Here are the Super Squirrels – Doug, Jamie, me, Christina, Danae and Murray. Yes that's right folks, the Benin futbol team mascot is the squirrel, and since we are wearing our Benin jersey’s we felt it appropriate to name ourselves accordingly. While our athletic abilities didn't bring in any awards, we did manage to go home with the best costume award at the end of the day.

We played numerous games including relays, ping pong and pictured here, the ski in Africa event.

After the Benin games, I was talking with Ellen, one of the ladies who works the Mercy Ships clinic off ship. She thought it would be fun to do something similar to the Benin games with all the patients at the clinic. So Jamie and myself offered to help out and run some of the games.

The African bowling event

Playing a "capture the balls blindfolded" game

And my personal favorite, pure bliss and celebration after this team won a “fill the water bottle the quickest" type event. Let me tell you they were excited!  Singing songs of joy and dancing like they’d all just won the lottery!  Although the other team was rather put out when they lost.  I've also learned that Africans sure know how to pout!

But at the end of the day, even if the Africans are sore losers, they definitely get the concept that team victory is far more fun than individual glory.  This made for some rather momentous shared joys here in Africa this weekend, and who wouldn't want in on that!