A Society of "We"

Since my first trip to a Third-World country I’ve heard about the differences in their culture and Western culture. It wasn’t until my last trip that I was able to actually experience it myself and it wasn’t until this trip that I have been able to truly appreciate it!

Society at home survives off each individual (or individual family) working hard, managing money, investments and materials well, and overall leading productive, honest lives. Independence is priceless!

Here in Ghana (and I think most of Africa) “independence” surely procures one’s death, well, symbolically anyway. If one is independent and refuses to fall into the “Society of We” then he (or she) is likely to be excluded from family if he hasn’t already done it himself. There is no place for “I” and “me” here because too much is at stake.

Greetings are a part of the “We.” When Godson comes to pick me up he typically parks the bike and walks to Pastor James’ house to greet him. I figured he did this because he knew he would have to wait on me. I recently realized this wasn’t the case. He goes to greet him because it’s important and it keeps his relationship with him close and lets him know that Pastor James is important to him. I'm sure there's more to it that I don't yet realize but I began to think of the people that I got close to last year and how I’ve neglected to greet some of them every day. Yes, I said every day.

Yesterday it was nearly dusk and I was weary after a day of traveling on a motorcycle down bumpy roads. I chose not to cook as it would have taken up the rest of my evening. So I decided to sit under the mango tree and read my Bible. After an hour or so, I decided I was too tired actually glean anything from my reading so I closed my Bible, drew my knees up to my chest and rested my head on my knees just enjoying the breeze and the warmth of the sun as it set. I was nearly asleep and I realized that I had not been to Pastor James’ house at all that day to greet him and his family. So I left my things under the tree and made my way to his house and spent about 20 minutes there visiting.

I mentioned “experiencing” the ‘Society of We’ last year. My place in this society could possibly be titled “provider,” while many around me would be labeled “taker.” It is only because of my skin color that people assume this is my role and they so willingly fulfill their role! While it’s true I do have access to more money than many around me, they don’t understand that money is designated or budgeted because here, in this Society, “We” means ‘all of us’. What one person has should be for any and all who need it at that very moment.

I have been careful, but I have chosen to fill more of my place in this Society. The Lord has provided, so prayerfully I seek ways that He would be honored in our giving.

So providing and greetings have become very important to me. Where before I would forget to acknowledge someone, now I am aware of all around me and make sure to take time to greet people. My practice at home, without realizing, became such that I would keep my eyes on the ground or look past a person to avoid an awkward moment. I have worked very hard to break this habit. Even just riding on the bike, as people wave and call out to me, I respond with a wave and big smile, often trying to see how many smiles I can get in return! Many times I am the first to wave and sometimes people respond and sometimes they do not.

Recently the ‘Society of We’ found me on the receiving end! The motorbike that we were traveling on has some mechanical problems and we were stranded mid-course. We walked to the nearest house and although we had not spoken to the people before, every time we passed I waved and smiled. Most of the time, they returned the greeting. They directed us toward what we needed and allowed us to store the bike at their place until we could return.

Now every time we pass the people, greetings are exchanged and Godson honks, a sign of a stronger friendship.

Here it’s similar to relationships in America in that no one wants to only be called on when someone needs something. How often do we hear the phrase spoken with disdain, “He/She only comes around when he needs something.”

Here it’s different than most relationships in America in that, when someone does something for someone, it grows the relationship. At home, I think at the very most it provides an attitude of gratitude for the one receiving the help, but most of the time, the person helping does so reservedly.

I actually found myself on the receiving end several times this week and because of that I feel like I have more of an appreciation for this Society and more of an appreciation to be able to assist others. While it doesn’t seem to make sense within our own Western context, it works here! People cannot make it without each other. One person will not have significantly more (material things) than another and if by chance they are given some things they will do their best to hide it so no one will think they are holding out in this Society.

This “Society of We” reminds me of what Luke writes about in Acts 2…how believers were selling their possessions and goods and giving the money to anyone who was in need. Again in chapter four he writes, "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but the shared everything they had...There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

Every time I read these things in Acts and elsewhere in the Word, I am struck by the selflessness involved and how the people’s hearts were so much for each other in Christ. To me that is truly incredible and seen more in this society than my own (although it is evident in some ways there too.)

I purchased some minutes for the phone for someone and one of the first things he did was transfer half of it to his mother. Another person I gave some ice cream and when a child asked him for it, he gave it to him. If I prepare an “American dish” for someone or one family, it is shared with all around. Children actually share toys here too! Go figure!!

Many fault Society’s like this one. I’ve been one who did so. But now I repent! J I think I would rather live a life with others than just among them.

That being said, there are still downfalls within the church. I've noticed that people are more ready to give to family etc. than to the church and the work within. Commitment is more to tradition and peer expectations than to our Savior Himself.

Please pray for believers here, that they would allow the Holy Spirit to remove the 'scales of tradition and the law' from their eyes that they might experience the freedom in Christ and that they might be able to give freely and joyfully knowing the Lord will provide every need. Pray that believers here in the 'Society of We' would be "one in heart and mind" just as the first believers were! And in fact, we can pray this for our own selves and our churches as well!!

Thank You Father for Your continued faithfulness to guide and teach through Your Spirit! Thank You for teaching me in this Society. Thank You for the encouragement and correction within my own heart as a result! Oh Father, I pray that You would guide each of us who are living under Your Name, Your call and Your Son, that we would begin/continue to grow hearts for others, so that we might be able to honestly say, that we are "one in heart and mind." Thank You for hearing Your children as we come. Amen.

Not Yesterday

So yesterday was a beautiful day. Today was not the opposite of yesterday but it certainly was different! Still good.

In my previous post I mentioned a man who brought his sister to me. The sister's name is Gladys and she lives a good ways away from the village we are traveling to. We established a time to meet according to her "plans" and decided 10am we would all meet. Godson and I were on our way and the bike we were on started missing and then would cut off. He was able to start it again twice. After the third time we stopped to call someone. He had his phone but no credit (minutes) and I had credit on my phone but I accidentally left it at my house. Therefore we had to walk twenty minutes to find someone who was selling the minutes to call the Pastor and see what we should do.

I was so disappointed that we weren't there for Gladys. Yesterday evening and this morning I prayed that she would finally be able to make it when we were there (last year, every time we went she wanted to go but something physically kept her each time.) She DID make it but obviously we did NOT. It was tempting to chalk it up as "unfortunate" and go home for the day. But because of Gladys, we pressed on. We took the stop-and-go bike back to the village for repairs and rented another bike for the day and made our way back out to the village. We arrived somewhere around 1pm.

The people had been there for three hours already and were studying in 1 Kings. When we arrived they began reading in John where they left off in their previous studies. I sat with Gladys who cannot read or write. She was listening to the Ɛwɛ conversation and giving her own input. It seemed she agreed with what Jesus was saying about John and the Father testifying of Him.

After the Bible study, we established a time that we will travel out to her house tomorrow for one-on-one meeting. The goal will be to see where she is in her faith and my hope is that she and I both can begin to memorize some scripture in her language that will give her assurance in Christ Jesus!

It was hard to believe that we actually made it to the village and that the Bible study went so well. I cannot imagine a group of Americans waiting around three hours for people to show up and sit in on a Bible study!!!

The second unbelievable thing that happened was that we ate crab for lunch! The crab itself was not unbelievable but the way that we ate it! I looked at that crab, and looked at it and looked at it. A man showed me how to eat it and my eyes got as big as saucers. Godson and Samuel laughed at me and the man questioned my never having had them before. I told him I have had "crab meat" but I've never had it with the shell (or whatever it is.)

Here is how I ate the red and bluish suckers!

Step 1: Pull the top off of the main body.

Step 2: Remove the grey things (which Google informed me is the ovaries and gill chamber).

Step 3: Eat the yellow gunk (The man said it was fat. Whatever it was tasted very bitter and seemed like something that should definitely NOT be eaten. :)

Step 4: Remove all of the meat from the head/shell thing and enjoy!

Step 5: Break the remainder of the crab (legs) in half and place one half in the bowl so as to begin eating the other half.

Step 6: Break off the claw and throw away.

Step 7: THIS is the part I couldn't believe. Break off a segment of the crab leg. Try to ignore the black hair stuff on its legs. Put into mouth. Begin chewing. (Yes the outside and all.) Swallow.

Step 8: Repeat until entire crab is gone.

For me eating the whole shell and all wasn't as bad as the hair stuff on the legs. It just didn't seem right!!! Since eating that at around 3pm I've been thinking, "I can't believe that stuff is in me! I can't believe I ate it! Will I be able to digest it???"

Can you tell I'm not a seafood person? For all I know that could be the way people eat crab at home but I've never seen it! Whew, what an experience!!!

We had coconuts again and Mama Gladys (different one) made a delicious red pepper sauce with banku!

Next time we travel out for Bible study (Thursday) I will get to fish!! We prepared the hook and line and Samuel cut sticks. I thought he was making a fishing "pole" until he divided the pole into four even pieces each about 10 inches long. When I asked him what it was for, he said it was for the line to make it easier to fish. Turns out it will serve the same purpose as a pole but it's just shorter. So I think the proper name for it would be fishing stick. I'm excited to see what we may be able to catch tomorrow! I've been told that the coconut is also good bait for the "mad black fish." I hope these people aren't leading me on! Haha!!

As we left there and made our way home on the bike it was everything I could do just to stay awake! It had been a long day for sure! When we got home my fan club was here to greet me! I wanted to buy some minutes for myself and make some phone calls home but its all I can do to move my fingers and keep my eyes open to type this. It's 7:10pm here.

Oh and our bike was repaired. Forgot to mention that Godson was measuring the level of the oil with a stick and dropped it in. The guy who repaired the bike said it would just melt and become a part of the oil. Is it just me or is that kind of wrong? I'm not mechanic but it just doesn't seem good for the bike. Hopefully we'll make it to Gladys' house tomorrow! Haha! :)

The bowl far right holds banku, and the bowl directly above it has pepper and onions- mmmm!

       I ate three crabs by the end but gifted the last two to an elder. :)

GLORIOUS DAY!

One word to describe today? GLORIOUS!

Wow! Made it out to a village, Avagoeme, and worshiped our King with believers there. Lots went on during the service but one of the neatest things was at the end of the service when a man brought his sister to me where I was sitting in the back of the service. He said she is coming to church but she doesn’t have “full-faith.” He told me that while she claims Christ as her savior, she still has some ‘small gods’ in her house that she believes are watching out for her. He asked if I would give her some encouraging words to help her to be faithful. I can’t think of very many times this has happened in the States.

At first all I could think of was how ill-prepared I was. Everything in me wanted to tell her how the Lord had come through for me in soooo many ways and give her an accounting of each. But I knew that wasn’t what I needed to do. So I just prayed according to the promise inlaid in scripture…that I would not worry about what I would say but that the Holy Spirit would speak for me. I was reminded of Acts 16 or 17 where Paul is talking to the Athenians about the “unknown God” they worshiped. He described the One True God and explained to them that He set all things in order so that they may “seek Him and perhaps reach out to Him and find Him, although He is not far from each of us.” I read the scriptures in the Ewe Bible (although I didn’t understand it, she did!) and it was ABSOLUTELY a sweet moment. I so wish there were more of those where I could share Jesus one-on-one!

And the heart of the brother was truly encouraging! He even asked if I would travel to her house and meet one-on-one, to which I responded, “YES!” probably to the dismay of my driver, haha!

But that wasn’t all that made the day GLORIOUS!!

The day continued with the sharing of coconuts which children climbed the tree (machete in hand) to cut down. The top was cut off for us and we drank the milk then they were cut open for us and we ate the soft coconut on the inside. This has been done for us in villages since I first traveled to this region in 2007 but I so much enjoy it in Avagoeme because some of the people speak English and they are patient with my Ɛvɛgbɛ (Ewe Language). So we sat and visited and enjoyed the coconuts and when I thought we would be getting ready to leave, a table was brought before us. A woman in the village had prepared chicken and rice along with fish and shrimp soup and banku. Needless to say, we ate WELL! I think I’ll end up gaining weight here instead of “reducing!”

One man had to leave for a meeting, leaving me with my interpreter/driver and another young man who is the leader in the church. The three of us managed to eat all of the food and then we sat visiting for an hour or so. They were gracious enough to include me in most of the conversation although they did speak Ɛvɛgbɛ here and there. They confessed that they were speaking in “parables” because they did not want me to know what they were saying. I took that as a great compliment that they were wary of even my limited Ɛvɛgbɛ vocabulary! For sure that means that I’m making progress!

During that time I also learned something that to some would be disturbing but to me it was a good thing that I know. Godson. the guy who drives me around, and interprets for me, and teaches me the Ewe language has obviously become my right hand man. When I go to market he doesn’t just drop me off and wait, but he walks with me everywhere I’m going to make sure that I am getting the best deal and not being taking advantage of and I’m not in harm’s way. He has also begun to work with a pastor here in my village. The pastor, James, asked me to join himself and leaders from the four churches he pastors for a meeting. I stopped by the first day and they were going over some materials that included some personal spiritual reflections. I noticed the tendency for these men to point to others’ lives in their village but not to honestly look at their own lives and possible strongholds. So I shared one of my own with them.

I told them something I’ve not shared with most people in the States… As I spoke in one church just before I left the States, a man approached me and told me how beautiful he thought I was and then asked if I was afraid to travel alone, afraid a man might try to hurt me. I honestly responded with, “No, I know God has called me and will watch over me.”

After that evening, for a week and a half I had vivid nightmares. A few people were praying for me during this time. I finally reached a place where I realized I needed to acknowledge my new fear and decide if I would truly trust God to watch out for me. I saw that there was a responsibility that I had to be ACTIVE in my faith and denounce strongholds and lies and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me in wisdom. So I explained to these seven men what that looked like as far as confession of sin (in the form of fear) and repentance and the freedom that resulted.

In a way I was definitely uncomfortable sharing that story and didn’t know why I would feel led to share THAT, of all things! The men seemed to brush it off and continue with the lesson and I began to wonder if I should have kept my mouth shut!

Little did I know that it sparked a conversation with the men after I left just a few minutes later. Today, after our meal, I was privy to that conversation as these two young men began to explain some things to me. They began to explain the situation that I was in by default, being a white, foreign woman. Again, they did it graciously and respectfully. Godson told me of a situation that took place earlier this week…

We traveled to Sogakoƒe, the larger village, to make some photocopies for the Pastor’s meeting. As we entered the internet café, the owner was busy so I waited to greet him and drop off some items. As I waited, a young woman walked in behind me and Godson walked in behind her. There were two young men who were also waiting by the door. In Twi, (another Ghanaian language) they asked how I was doing. I told them I didn’t speak Twi but that I was “fine.” I walked past them to greet the owner. As I moved on, Godson waited for me by the door. While he waited for me to finish talking he overheard the two young men talking about “befriending” me and stating their ulterior motives. They were unaware that Godson and I were traveling together and that he spoke the same language they were speaking. He didn’t say anything to them but he hurried me out of the building. Godson never mentioned what happened until today, after having expressed my fears and faith in the Lord on Friday. The men were in agreement that more should be done to look out for me.

So for now I will not travel outside my (smaller) village without an escort, unless I’m jogging in daylight of which I will report the course I will run. I was also instructed not to shake hands with men as much and not to shake anyone’s hand at all after dark, whether or not I’m with an escort.

Now that may all sound intense, but for me, it just speaks of the way the Lord provides. My fear was squashed before I set foot on Ghanaian soil. I knew that the Lord would provide for me and protect me and the conversation today was substantial evidence that the Lord is doing exactly what He reassured me He would do! He has provided extra security and more insight with which I can use wisdom to address certain situations I might not have otherwise understood! The fear has not returned and I continue to look forward to the ways God will work in the next couple of months.

After our meal, we were able to visit with the woman who had prepared it. She asked what she could cook for tomorrow and was just so excited that we were there! She expressed her expectation for me to continue to come to their village. She also taught me how to say “mosquito bite” and “cook”!

After our adventures in Avagoeme, I called a friend from Sogakoƒe to come and visit me and eat some of my okro stew and banku. The only help I had to have was at the very end of the banku process during which one divides the banku into serving sizes. My friend stayed for a couple of hours and enjoyed it. It was fun cooking because I always draw a crowd when I cook and that makes for quality visiting time between women!!

I was also able to visit with my neighbor, Teresa, this evening about the conversation I had with the young men today. She also expressed some concerns that she had and shared with me different ways that she has been looking out for me. I had no clue that she walks around my house and checks my windows to make sure they’re secure. She also calls out to make sure I’ve locked myself in.

All in all, good food…good friends…good times…great God!!

Scandalous..

It’s funny how one can adapt to a new environment! What an incredible thing the human mind and body are together! Every now and then I’ll have a moment where I notice myself doing or thinking something significantly different than my typical way of life in Texas, (some of which I’ve mentioned in previous posts.)

Today I was taking the thirty minute bike (motorcycle) ride out to the village of Avagoeme. We were going for church so I was dressed appropriately in slit and caba (African skirt and top.) Unfortunately I haven’t mastered the art of side-saddling a bike on a bumpy road (or on a good road) so I was straddling the bike. I was sitting behind the driver, which would seem like the only place available to sit HOWEVER it is common to see the driver with three passengers behind him (that equals FOUR people on a bike, just pointing out.) So on this bike it was just the driver and myself and as such, I didn’t have to worry about the front of my skirt and I managed to bring the sides of my skirt around my knee and secure it between my leg and the bike.

During our drive I would wave at smiling faces and at one point had semi-turned around to get something out of my bag. After about twenty minutes into the ride I noticed that people would smile, wave and then look down at something. Finally I noticed that my skirt had come loose on the right side of the bike and my ENTIRE knee was showing!! Oh I was so embarrassed! Haha! That sounds so funny within the confines of our own culture but that was really how I felt! I scrambled to cover my knee, shocked that it would draw so much attention from onlookers and fellow travelers.

What’s ironic is that it is totally acceptable for me to walk around in the mornings wrapped in just a cloth (which doesn’t cover my shoulders but certainly DOES cover my knees!) A woman can sit topless and nurse and it’s no big deal because it’s necessary and normal. So what might seem scandalous here is totally acceptable at home but what is scandalous (or unacceptable at the least) at home is accepted as normal here. Gives a great perspective of how many things we see as black and white might actually be more in the “relative” realm when we step outside of ourselves and our own culture!! This experience also gives me another perspective of “all things to all people.” (Just Friday I was told by leader in another village that the only acceptable thing for me to where is a dress. I responded respectfully and made sure I was wearing a dress the next time I knew I would see him.)

Other “Adaptations”:

• Rather than seek with everything in me to find the culprit and be assured of its death, now when I feel something crawl on me or fly onto me I just brush it off with my hand.

• At home I could not imagine sleeping in a house with the temperature over 80 degrees. Here that’s typical and I really don’t mind it. (But I know when I go back to the States, my feelings about that will change.)

• People. Don’t get me wrong, I love people at home but we have boundaries and socially acceptable practices and everyone kind of knows their place in one’s life. Here, not so much. But I have been able to truly enjoy people being up close and personal! Sometimes it takes me from my housework or personal maintenance like keeping up with logs, planning, etc. but it’s very much worth it. Socially it is unacceptable to pass through someone’s compound, business, or even on the road without greeting them. Therefore when I’m washing my clothes or dishes or if I’m cooking on the terrace I’m sure to be stopped countless times just to say hello to both friends and strangers.

• I absolutely ENJOY the food here. I can eat the same food for every meal and enjoy it. That might be due to the fact that I know I’ll be gone in a couple of months and not be able to get it. Nevertheless I enjoy it, which is a stark difference from where I was in 2008 when Robert and I stayed in Ghana for a month- I could hardly choke down the stuff! J

• I think there’s only been one day since I moved here that I have NOT swept my house at least twice. That definitely doesn’t happen at home.

• I’ve mentioned the lack of refrigeration thing…and surprisingly it doesn’t bother me in the least bit.

• I have a red dress here that I’ve worn about six days but have only washed once. Reminder: we sweat quite a bit here. Its typical to wear clothes multiple times until they get dirty or smell pretty bad. Today I spilled stew on my dress so I’ll actually wash it tomorrow. After church on Sundays you can walk by someone’s house and see their church clothes hanging on the line, not because they’ve washed them, but so they can air out and dry out (from the sweat.)

• I love my small wardrobe! And don’t mind wearing the same clothes each week (and wish it was socially acceptable to do that in the States too!)

• Washing clothes by hand is actually relaxing. Dishes are the same as home as far as I’m concerned. : )

• I eat way less bread and don’t mind it. Less dairy too but then, I’m not a fan of dairy products at home either.

• Greeting strangers. At home there are times when I struggle with greeting people that I know. But I enjoy greeting people here I think because it seems to mean more, or at least be more important, even though they reply “fine” just like we do at home (even if everything’s not fine).

• I mention all of these simply because they are ways that I’ve seen myself change to be able to better serve, enjoy and appreciate this culture- not because one is right or wrong or better or worse.

• I don't use or appreciate the "F-word" at home but I've begun to take it as a compliment here. (F-word = FAT) ...okay, this one's a stretch...just because its a compliment doesn't make it any less shocking to have someone shout out, "Oh you are a fat woman!" I must say, when I saw my closest friends after arriving here they said, "Oh Sandra, you have reduced!"

• The language is another adaptation that seems like it would take forever. Not just the foreign language but even adapting to their "English." With some people I still struggle with it but for the most part I'm doing okay. There are definite differences in vocabulary for example, in Ghana trousers=pants because pants=underwear. (As I think of other funny/extreme examples I'll have to add them.)

More Randomness...

• Been in the country for two weeks and just got my first mosquito bite tonight! Thank you Jesus!

• I can't deny it. My weakness is totally my hair. If a girl asks to brush my hair I'm pretty much sold! (If I were Esau I'd probably lose my birthright to Jacob (aka Audrey) just for her to brush my hair!) The kids here like yevu hair and I could let someone brush my hair until the last strand falls out...win/win!

• I've been able to listen to the children singing some songs I actually recognize...well, the tune at least. I.e. "Feliz Navidad" and Crazy Frog's "I Like to Move It" haha

• Had someone tell me I was looking "fine." Also since my return I've had some say, "Sandra, you've reduced." Definitely a first! (Took five trips and a bacterial infection to get that one! lol) But yesterday someone said, "Sandra, you've reduced! You are now looking normal!" Well, people. I'm normal. If you don't believe me, ask homechick!! :)

• I'm awakened each morning to (American) Christmas music coming from somewhere outside my window. That's a nice little treat!

• Today, a gracious young woman helped me prepare okra stew and banku. It turned out great! Many compliments from friends...of course they're so gracious they'd probably do that anyway.

• Today the same young woman used my sponge to clean the floor of the terrace outside my house...then deposited back in with the dishes. What did I do? I cringed and washed all of my dishes with it. Still trying to decide if I will pull out the bleach tomorrow and rewash.

• That being said, I've used the same coffee cup all week and haven't washed it. Now I see that might be for the best...haha.

• Went for a jog today and was pretty excited that I was able to do as much as I did seeing as how its been a few weeks since I've run. My excitement dissipated when two ten year old boys came up to my house, sweaty (but not out of breath) and said they ran the same thing I did. They were trying to keep up with me and did a pretty good job seeing as how they were only about ten minutes behind me!

• I caught a frog this evening and was going to show it to a little boy. For the first time EVER I saw fear in people's eyes. Not like an extreme dislike but a true fear...like what I saw in one of my students one time when I told him he was going to have to call his father and tell him about his behavior. No more frogs for me...although I find it odd how scared they are of frogs and how fast they'll run, but they'll kill a snake...hmmm

• I was talking to a girl around ten years old about a picture of a risen Jesus holding up a young man who appears to be too weak to hold himself up but is holding the nails and hammer. I was telling her what it meant and said, "This is Jesus after He died and God raised Him from the dead..." She interrupted with, "HE DIED?!?" I got to share with her who Jesus is and what He did for us. Sweet moment, but slightly disturbing as she attends a local church every Sunday and on special occasions. :/

• Best Christmas Eve present ever? The opportunity to teach church leaders how to intentionally study the Word...hopefully leading to UNDERSTANDING! Gɔmɛsɛsɛ!!!!

• I need to wash my sheets but it seems so pointless.

• I thought if I ignored the pain my shoes were causing and pushed through it wouldn't be a big deal. Got to church with bloody feet. Had to hide in the bushes to wash them so I wouldn't worry anyone here. Still, the women tried to give me their own shoes. I've never seen such generosity anywhere else in the world.

• GOSSIP is a disease that is spread all over the world and we each need to do our part to eradicate it!! :)

• I haven't gotten as sick from my malaria meds as I have in the past and I praise the Lord for that!

• I'm pretty sure out of the twelve hours of daylight, I have kids in or just outside my room/house for ten of those hours!

• For all of the correspondences from those in the States, I am TRULY grateful! I know its the holiday season there and most people are busy getting ready so I acknowledge and appreciate you taking the time to encourage me!

• Went to the latrine this morning and there were roaches, beetles and other bugs I've never seen before all laying on the ground dead. No clue what happened but I'm glad!

• I'm eating the yesterday's rice and summer sausage for lunch as I listen to Fireflight. A relaxing lunch before my house is bombarded with kiddos! :)

• The matches I buy here have a picture of an elephant on them. Not an advertisement or anything, just a picture.

• I managed to rub the skin off of the back of my hands as I washed clothes yesterday. Been doing a lot more physically so my clothes have gotten dirtier than usual. From now on, hard work necessitates dark clothes...lol

• I was asked to preach one Sunday in a church in Sogakoƒe. Ummm, not sure how I feel about that except that I don't care to preach and for people who don't know...I really do not like to be up in front of people in church! :)

Lifehouse, "Simon"

Catch your breath,

Hit the wall,

Scream out loud,

As you start to crawl

Back in your cage

The only place

Where they will

Leave you alone.

'Cause the weak will

Seek the weaker til they've broken them.

Could you get it back again?

Would it be the same?

Fulfillment to their lack of strength at your expense,

Left you with no defense;

They tore it down.

[Chorus:]

And I have felt the same as you,

I've felt the same as you,

I've felt the same.

Locked inside

The only place

Where you feel sheltered,

Where you feel safe.

You lost yourself

In your search to find

Something else to hide behind.

The fearful always preyed upon your confidence.

Did they see the consequence,

when they pushed you around?

The arrogant build kingdoms made of the different ones,

Breaking them 'til they've become just another crown.

[Chorus]

Refuse to feel anything at all,

Refuse to slip,

Refuse to fall.

Can't be weak,

Can't stand still,

You watch your back 'cause no one will.

You don't know why they had to go this far,

Traded your worth for these scars,

For your only company.

And don't believe the lies

That they have told to you. Not one word was true

you're alright, you're alright, you're alright.

*****

I sent a text message to someone the other day with advice that I'd give to young people today and when I heard the words to this song I realized some of my advice is within these lyrics. So thought I'd post this song. My own personal counsel was:

"If something seems wrong, it probably is.

Speak up! Don't believe the lie that you're the only one going through junk.

Stand up for yourself because at times you're the only one who will.

When searching for who you are, don't look around. Look up!"

The song sounds a bit negative but I like the truth in it. Its real and many of us have been here.

Always learning...

Read in Acts 17 the other day and while I posted Paul’s speech to the Athenians on my Facebook a few days ago, as I reread it today I noted some significant things for my own life and for the life of every believer.

My thoughts on Acts 17:24-34…

Verses 24-26a proclaim God’s Sovereignty:

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth…

26b-28a declare a Purpose for Our Lives:

And He determined the time set for them [every nation of men] and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being.

28b-29 express Our Identity as believers in Christ:

As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.

30-31 pronounce A Call on Our Lives:

In the past God overlooked such ignorance but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.

And 32-34 demonstrates the reality of human hearts:

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead [Jesus], some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

Thank You Father for Your truth revealed in Your Word. How humbling to recognize Your sovereignty over all the earth and everything in it. How encouraging to know You have designed us for a time and place, a purpose for each individual! How comforting to know that wherever we are, our identity is in You and no other person or thing! How the soul is awakened upon realizing that You have called us to more and will no longer overlook ignorance! How sad it is, Father, to know that while many will be inquisitive and enjoy hearing the Gospel, few will believe. Grant us the faith today to believe with all of ourselves and to continue to share our lives out of love for You and the hearts that are not yet for You. It is through Christ’s birth, death and resurrection that I pray these things.

Aƒevaza! (Town Festival in Teƒle)

Yesterday I went to Aƒevaza, the town festival, in which different clans gather together and march one behind the other to the riverside and then they all get into the water to symbolize that they will no longer fight and kill and that there will be peace. Their forefathers instituted the festival and although it was cancelled for several years (due to unruliness, fighting and killing), it has been reinstated and is carried out annually.

Everyone was wearing red and gathered under a mango tree near the government school in the middle of town. Mawuli, my neighbor’s teenaged nephew, and I arrived we saw hundreds of people dressed in all sorts of red garments and cloth, painted faces, leaves wrapped around peoples’ head, drums and anything else that could be used as an instrument being played, people dancing, and plenty of alcohol.

I debated whether to continue in the “festivities” but knowing the history and significance, I really wanted to see it all take place. Mawuli and I walked alongside the people a little ways away and then took a short cut and advanced to the front of the parade. He took many pictures capturing some cultural moments for sure! Old women were pouring libations on the road as the clans walked behind them. Women were throwing salt and one poor old woman looked like she was fighting an imaginary battle as she wielded sticks in both hands. Some were rolling on the asphalt road. I saw a younger woman dancing but it looked as if there was nothing behind her eyes. I’m not sure if she was intoxicated or possessed! The men were walking proudly with chests out.

One man had plenty of alcohol and was dressed in a black women’s top with a pink corset on top with the top of it stuffed. He was wearing pants with a skirt over it. To top off his outfit, he had a black wig with a headband around it. I saw him walking up and tried to avoid his gaze to relieve myself from the expectation to greet him. He didn’t care and walked right up to me and put one arm around my waist and one around my shoulder pinning my arm so I couldn’t move. His body odor mixed with alcohol made me shudder and I shrugged my shoulder until I got free. He came at me again and I moved and positioned myself behind Mawuli. When Mawuli saw my face and that I was uncomfortable, he gripped the man’s arm and would let him advance no further. He laughed but said something to the man in a serious tone and the guy left. From that time on I stayed within an arm’s length from this teenage guy as we walked.

And it was as we walked that I thought about all the men who have stepped in on my behalf over the years and my heart was filled with appreciation. I remember a time when one of my brothers was nearly enraged when he saw the way a man looked at me in Wal-Mart one time. I also remember when one of my brothers declared he would take down the guy I had just confessed that I really liked. And my dad has always been my rock and protector first and foremost. Much of the security that I do have stems from his constant presence and enduring love and protection through the years. When I left home I had several other men, young and old, looking out for me and here in Ghana there are more men and women than ever who step in on my behalf.

It’s just another way that God has truly blessed me and although I feel like many times I do acknowledge my gratitude for men stepping in on my behalf but that doesn’t stop my heart for being so grateful for those who have stepped in for me when they could have chosen otherwise. So to all the men who were or are or will be in my life, helping a sister out…THANK YOU!!!!!

We made it all the way to the riverside and watched everything play out, taking plenty of pictures. I was asked all kinds of questions- Where are you from? Will you give me money? Where are you going? Where are you coming from? Where is your husband? Can I collect your number? How are you? What is your name?

I am mostly glad that I went but will likely never go again! Quite an experience it was!!

Random facts few will actually appreciate…

· I smell awful at the end of the day and believe that the only way someone could stand me is if they reeked too! It’s my choice not to wear deodorant in a tropical environment but I feel like if everyone else’s b.o. is out there, mine might as well be too! Haha! …that being said, I can hardly stand myself.

· I have never believed in hand sanitizer or why I would want to kill 99.99% of germs but leave them sitting on my hands. I want to believe in it so bad now…

· After about six-thirty in the evening I refuse to use the latrine. So I take note of how much I drink, etc. so I’m sure I can hold it until morning. Today it was just before dusk and I figured the lizards, spiders and roaches hadn’t taken over yet so I ventured in with my t-roll and flashlight. Sure enough, six little friends were crawling on the walls and two were in the “toilet.” You know when you finally make it to the restroom, how you just can’t hold it? I couldn’t, so even in such a “terrible situation” I managed! Go Team!! Haha…progress.

· I sleep with ear plugs. At first they were to block out the loud neighbor (who would come yelling outside my door in the morning) and traffic from the highway that is about twenty yards from the back of my house. But I have found them quite useful when it comes to the mosquitoes. I think hearing them whine in my ear is worse than them actually biting me. Slept great last night.

· I almost feel guilty that I get to be here in warm weather, enjoying the sun when many of my friends and family (not all, but many) are miserable in the cold weather. Of course, they could come too!

· Tonight I prepared light soup on my own and it turned out okay. I attempted making banku and nearly ruined it. My helper friend, Christy took over and saved the day.

· I am excited to make American/Mexican food for the people here for Christmas. Brought stuff to bake too in a Dutch oven!

· My son, Kwesi, is a fan again. People ask him, “Kwesi nane de?” meaning, “Where is Kwesi’s mother?” And he points to me or runs to me and gives me a hug. I’m a sucker for the kid! J

· This morning I felt something tiny crawling on my neck as I woke up. I slapped my neck and rubbed and tried to go back to sleep. When I did finally get up I had spider webs all over my head and neck.

· Each morning at around 8am I hear two lizards fighting on my tin roof. (If you’ve never seen two lizards fight for territory its pretty cool. They mostly use their tails.)

· Funniest thing I saw today- a guy on a motorcycle with a box 3 inches deep tied on the back with a goat tied down in the back. Straightest hair I’ve ever seen on a goat!

· I have started tutoring Kwesi and he is learning the colors red and blue. I am so proud of him! He can pronounce each of the letters of the alphabet as well! He’s only two years old.

· The door to my house stays open all day. People are less hesitant to enter than they were last year. I don’t even know how many people have been in my 216 sq ft house since Monday and normally I would be a little leery or on edge, but I’ve enjoyed it and hope that people feel free to come and visit and the children will come and learn! Fun stuff!

· I love the random mix of music here! One song playing will be an African one with a great beat, the next one is Celine Dion (pretty popular here), next one African, then Cece Winans, African, etc. Out of the blue a couple of days ago I heard Nicole C. Mullen playing, "...come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest..." and today was awesome- I barely heard the song but thought I recognized it. I strained to catch the words and realized it was Levi Smith..., "I'm inclined to shy away but she moves me, without words and without moving...Could it be that these arms were meant to hold her? Could it be that her head was tailored-made for my shoulder? And were these fingers designed to be intertwined, how am I supposed to know? Oh, I'd like to think so."

· I'm staring at a spider on the wall by my bed that is four inches across from leg to leg and wondering if I should just sleep with an epi-pen nearby or go ahead and move my bed. I think its waiting for me. Or maybe that's just the way God designed them to look. (Makes me a little more leery about the previous spider mentioning!)

· Out of all my books and computers and games etc. the things that this kids find most interesting are the two flat Stanleys my friend sent with me! It's so funny! Maybe I'll have them do something similar except maybe they'll be called "Flat Kofi" and I'll take pics with them in the States.

· I forgot how frustrating it was to have people try to teach me the language on the spot. As of yesterday I've employed a young man to teach me the local version of Ɛvɛgbɛ. The Ewe that I studied on my own is the "formal" version, not spoken in these parts. Hopefully that will relieve some of the stress and frustration for the local people as well as myself.

· more to come...

· Pretty sure on the way to town there is a distillery somewhere just off of the road. I smell it so strongly every time I walk by. I talked to a man about alcohol today and he mentioned how in this particular village “even the women are liking alcohol ‘paapaa paapaa’ (very, very much).” I’ve learned over the last few days that what I thought was a quiet peaceful village holds the record for altercations, fights and deaths most likely due to the excessive alcohol. The man today also mentioned that the “African alcohol is almost pure but the American alcohol is just small.”

· There are three small spiders that have been on my wall all day today. They haven’t moved. I’m not sure if I’d rather them be crawling around to just sitting there. Waiting.

· When I wash my clothes by hand I use some tide liquid detergent (mostly for the smell) and dial soap. I have also been using dial soap to scrub my dishes. I forgot to pick up dish soap on Monday which was the last market day. Today (Saturday) is the next market day so I will pick it up then.

· The house I am staying in belongs to the landlord and he is letting me rent it for just a couple of months. The calendar on the wall is from 1993. In 1993 my birthday was on a Saturday. I was 9 that year.

· My favorite thing that the landlord left is a picture of a black Jesus. I don’t like that He looks like a pansy but I’ll let it slide for now. I think Luke 2:52 might possibly tell us otherwise, and if not, I still refuse to believe that He was some fragile, passive being. No one could do what He did and be in such a state. Okay, I'm off my soapbox, haha!

· I need some Desitin. For my mouth. Growing up, I saw people who had sores in the corners of their mouth, like it was raw. It never happened to me that I remember until two years ago. I went to the dentist and a hygienist there said I should put Desitin on it. That it was a fungus that grew in the moisture and the Desitin would dry it up. I put it on the corners of my mouth before bed and in the morning I was back to normal. Wonder if I can find Desitin in the market? One never knows what one can find.

· I was walking through town today with my neighbor’s son and we were taking a shortcut. Ahead of us I saw a woman in a full-length black dress halfway squatting as she urinated. Now, I have noticed with men it’s no big deal that they are relieving themselves and men, women, and children are passing by. At first I felt like I should go out of my way to grant privacy but after three and a half years, five trips and 20+ weeks here, I’ve just gotten used to it. I’ve seen women relieve themselves too and I do give them privacy and take a different route. But today I was following homeboy and he just walked right on by her, no big deal. Another cultural thing I’ll just have to get used to I guess.

· Speaking of urinating. The back of my house seems to be a place guys gravitate to, boys especially.

· I don’t refrigerate my eggs. Or any food.

· 500mL of water costs five pesewas, the equivalent of less than 4 American pennies. I buy mine in bulk and get it for three cents per piece. Of course that is the water that comes in a sachet, or bag.

· I had my first Evegbe lesson today and was already able to use so much from it! I have a good teacher, so good maybe in one month I can understand, answer and even ask basic questions.

· I cook one meal a day and pretty much use onion in garlic in every meal. No matter how much I wash the smell remains on my hands and I love it! Mmmm… :)

· I totally electrocuted myself just now plugging in my phone to charge. I have never been shocked before except by an electric fence. AY CHIHUAHUAS!!! Mmm! It came through my ring finger (which does have a ring on it) and went all the way up to my collar bone. When I realized I couldn't remove my hand I yelled and then it stopped. Whoo, no more close calls for me. I'll switch off the power before I unplug something and switch it on AFTER the next thing is already plugged in. Safety FIRST!! Goodness, I have a greater respect for electricians and electricity!

· My family would never believe that I could shower with less than a gallon and a half of water! And when I don't have to wash my hair, less than a gallon. :)

· Used my Dutch oven today and forgot one minor detail and burned my cornbread. Precious cornbread! I was so looking forward to having it with beans and sharing it with the locals. :( Everyone was disappointed. We all have been saying, “Nes time” (as in, “Next time!” haha)

· How old are our kids at home when they learn their colors? I have been working with children as old as ten years old who don’t know their colors in English OR in their own language! At ten years old they can’t pick out a red crayon but they can probably carry their own weight on their head with no hands and the girls can cook an entire meal on their own. Gives one a sense of priorities, huh?

· Room temperature coffee is my favorite beverage at my house. Brought lemonade for the kiddos but haven’t made it yet. I’m thinking that will be good for Christmas.

· Speaking of Christmas, I have absolutely enjoyed not seeing a single picture, statue, figurine, cartoon, ornament etc. of Santa! Just not a fan of the guy.

· I do miss my family.

· And friends.

· Got to try some wild blueberries yesterday!!! E vivi nuka! It is sweet!

· When people come into my house they most enjoy seeing the picture of my parents. They also like to read some cards of encouragement I taped on my wall and my solitary Christmas card on my door. J I like sharing my “American life” with them.

· Don’t know about weight but I’ve already lost as far as measurements. People might be surprised to know that I don’t care to lose a whole lot of weight. Wouldn’t mind being more fit (insofar as cardiovascular and muscular endurance) but I don’t care to lose weight just for the sake of losing.

· Couldn’t figure out what smelled in my room. Hunted and found two fish heads in with my salted fish. They were from smoked fish that I cooked last week and had molded. I didn’t know that they had been placed back in the bowl. Mmmm, hungry anyone?

· The best place to take a nap during the day is on the cement floor in my room/house. Coolest place one will find.

· The 24 hours after shaving are the worst! As much as my legs sweat, I might as well just rub salt all over them.

· I love teaching! And learning! This happens to be a great place for both!

Made It to Tefle!

I arrived here in Tefle sometime this afternoon. Everyone was so excited that I was back! Many believed I would not come. One woman, a mother of five was rolling around on the floor in my house, yelling her excitement in the Ewe language-a bit much but I laughed along, grateful that my presence was special to these people.

In their excitement and happiness they stood around and watched everything I did with cute grins on their faces, the youngest was two years old and the oldest was 40. They also helped me fetch water and stuck around to talk (with whatever English they could) with me as I washed all of my dishes and placed them in my house/room.

I shared some strawberry marshmallows with all who were present and they were definitely a hit. Figured those should be the first thing to go as they'd likely melt in the heat. Although the heat really hasn't been that bad. The highs have been in the 90s and the lows in the 70s. Sounds hot but I think I only broke a sweat one day. It's definitely a different 90 and 70 than what South Texas is used to.

The house I'm staying in is not the same one that I stayed in last year. I had hoped to have the same house because it was adjacent to my friends and they could listen and look out for me and because the windows had screens on them. I am now in a bigger room that actually has a couch, a desk, a bench, and plenty of other furniture in it, however there are no screens on the windows, keeping out mosquitoes and other pests. One thing that totally warmed my heart was seeing how my neighbor, Teresa, had sewn curtains for me for two windows and a door. She also swept and scrubbed the floor for me and did all of this before I even arrived. She is one special lady.

I look around and I see that God is so good. Yes there is pain in this world. Yes there is injustice. Yes there are so many questions...but in it all, God's goodness reigns, if we will only open our eyes to see!

Tomorrow I will spend the morning washing clothes (yes, by hand; no, not with a washboard) and in the afternoon I will go to the market, greet my friends there and then purchase some food items and household items.

Wednesday I am hoping to pop in at the school. One major difficulty I've seen with many here is the ability to recognize patterns. That doesn't sound like anything major until we realize that this is a part of learning almost every academic area. Reading is my primary focus and people will have a hard time reading if they cannot recognize patterns in words and sounds. I am hoping to share some fun games that encourage those involved to recognize and remember patterns. It is mid-term exam week so we will see what will take place!

Every year I forget how exhausting the trip to Ghana is and how long it takes me to recuperate. Hopefully within the next few days I'll be back up to speed!

As we drove into the Tefle area, I had that feeling of "Oh it's good to be home!"

The only sad thing, which I expected, is my son Kwesi did not remember how tight we were. In fact, he was scared of me the first four or five hours I was here. I think he's coming around though! ;)

Looking forward to discipleship opportunities. Still need to make it out to Avagoeme but that may happen after the holidays. Prayers are needed and appreciated!

Love,

Sandra