Four Husbands

In southern Ghana, between the ocean and a small bay, is a peninsula where a small community resides. I walked to this village after an enjoyable 3 days on the coast, so I could find a ride back to the city. When I got there, they informed me I was in luck, a tro tro (bus transportation) would be leaving in a few hours. While waiting, I talked with, and hung out with some very interesting people.
The first group I spoke with was a group of young men who were chatting about the election. They enjoyed playing with my camera (which I had gotten out to take pictures of their beautiful surroundings), and talking with me about many random topics. Somehow (as it usually does), a question of my marital status came up. Mistakably, I said I am not married. After about 20 minutes of heated debating in a language unknown to me (probably Ashanti), they looked at me and said “We’ve solved it!” I now realize they had been discussing who was most qualified to marry me. When they explained their brilliant idea it was to share. In theory, a good idea, but I of course had to give them my regrets that that would not be possible. They didn’t understand, so I told them I had a special man back home. At this, they became very respectful and complemented me by saying how lucky the man was. It was funny how simply they talk about such things like marriage. However, I think I’ll always remember those four young men as my brilliant four husbands. :)
I also met a woman holding a very young child. When I asked, she allowed me to hold the infant. Ever since I arrived in Ghana, I have wanted to learn how to carry a baby on my back in the traditional Ghanaian way, but all the babies or children I see (at the clinic) are usually ill or unhappy and would be inappropriate to practice on. I leapt on this opportunity and asked for help from the women nearby. They were excited to show me (or maybe just surprised a white person was so eager to learn the Ghanaian ways) and soon, I was on spotlight to the whole village. It was amazing to be so welcomed into their culture and into their hearts. Incredibly, after only a few short hours, I had met many new friends, learned some Ghanaian culture, and somehow discovered my African confidence.

ADAPTAION TO NEW HOME

hello all!
Wow, life in Africa...where do I start? Lets just say it is very different from anything I've ever experienced. The Lord is taking such wonderful care of me here. He has blessed me with good health, and continued strength and courage to get through this new way of life. It just recently hit me that a am not just vacationing here, but living here. I see it all, do it all. Adapting to it all will surely take some time.
In adapting to the way of life here, I am learning many things. I am currently learning the local language (Twi) that is spoken in the remote village of Akwakwaa where my health clinic is located. This will hopefully help with communicating to the patients who come in, as well as all the people who work at the clinic with me (for their english has such an accent that we hardly understand eachother). I am also learning medical procedures. This morning I helped a poor 8 year old boy get curcumcised. :( What an experience! I am also learning to eat a completly different type of food, and learning new bathing practices... also quite a struggle. Again, Christ is providing all, and I know these things will soon become natural for me.
Time in the village is also spent sitting under the front tree while I teach the 3 students and 3 staff about the human body. None of them have had full training, and I am hoping that my pre-nursing school knowledge will do atleast a little good here. It is difficult to teach names of the inner organs, for Twi only has names for body parts you can see from the outside. I end up drawing a lot of pictures. :)
Sometimes I go next door to play soccer (futball) with the primary school children. And on sundays I like to go to the orphanage down the road and play with the 60 kids and check on their continued health. I have taken lots of pictures, but have yet to figure out how to put them on the computer here. I will be working on it so soon I will have some pictures to show.
This weekend, I am taking time off to go with another american girl (Or 'Obruni'- what they call us rare white people) to the Volta region. We will be visiting a monkey santuary as well as hiking to some waterfalls! I am very excited! Life at the clinic is pretty slow sometimes, and when I spend so much time sitting and reading/writting, the opportunity to come here to Accra sounded refreshing. It was only today that I found out I would be traveling with Kristina tomorrow. What a wonderful surprise!
As of today, she is taking me around town to do some errands. We exchanged money, are doing internet, and then we will go to the post office so I can send a letter to Amy. We might also go to a 'westernish' part of the city where we can drink COFFEE! Yay!
Well, I can't put into writting the wonderful things I am experiencing here in Ghana, but it is obvious that the Lord has blessed me greatly with this life changing experience filled with lots and lots of growth! Praise the Lord for taking such good care of me on this mission He has planned.
I miss home, my family and my friends, and hope everything is going well for all of you whom I love so dearly.

Publish Post

Africa Bound!

On November 25, I will be traveling to Africa where I will be volunteering in the country of Ghana. In a remote village about an hour from Accra (the capital), I will be serving in a medical clinic. While there, I will be trained and have experiences that will no doubt challenge me in my strenghth, my skills, and my faith. We will presumably be helping with first aid, pregnancies and birthings, minor illnesses, and the education of healthy living to the Ghanian people. However, I am unsure of exactly what to expect once I arrive in this new world.

I thank God for opening the doors to this wonderful opportunity and pray that He continues to give me peace of mind, conviction in my soul, and an undying love for Him, in my heart.

I am excited for this adventure and can't wait to share it with you all!