Culture "Sparks"

When I think of being "shocked" dramatic emotions and images are evoked.  I wouldn't say I experienced reverse culture shock in the least upon returning home Friday night. I really like being home, so naturally it's easy to adapt.  Old habits die hard, for better or worse, so adjusting to life back in the U.S. was pretty easy. 

While on our bike ride to and from the farmer's market Saturday morning, I did have a few "sparks" that made me think about the differences between what I was currently seeing and doing vs. what I experienced for the past 4.5 weeks. 

#1:  Riding up to the path in our neighborhood where person after (white) person jogged or rode bikes, I was keenly aware that I had not seen anything like this in Ghana.  From what I saw, Ghanaians don't typically exercise.  Most people were doing some kind of work-whether school work, running a shop, or selling merchandise on the street.  Who has time to go for a run just for fun?

#2:  Scents.  In our first hour being outside I smelled a couple of scents that I normally would complain about, but as I considered how often I practiced breathing through my mouth in the past weeks, I held my tongue and thanked God for the overall freshness and cleanliness of the air I was breathing.

#3:  Handshakes.  A student's parents drove us home from the airport Friday night, and as I went to shake the dad's hand, I instinctively went to do the finger snap that accompanies handshakes in Ghana. It's really a fun way to greet someone, or celebrate mid-conversation if good news is shared.  It would be great if people picked up on this!

#4:  Shaving in the shower. Every time I did it in Ghana I would have to restrain myself from putting the razor handle in my mouth during the initial lather up like I always do.  Upon my first shower at home, in it went without a second thought.

#5:   Making change. As I handed the vendor at the market a $20 for the basil I purchased, I paused and asked if she had change.  She looked at me a little funny and said "yes". It was common for vendors to be unable to make change for larger bills even at the grocery store in the mall in Ghana. 

#6:  Scenery.  Our bike ride took us through neighborhoods with lush, green grass, immaculate yards not littered with trash, and neatly manicured lawns.

I think if our egg sandwich sales girl, Portia, or her younger brother Albert would come to stay with us and see our life, they would have extreme culture shock.  Ben joked as he imagined us showing her around: "Portia, here's our second car, and this is our office which Katie complains about twice a week because it's not organized enough, and here are all of the bobbleheads..."

Contrasting cultures: not better or worse-just different. 

Kakum Canopy Walk Experience

This gives you an idea of what it's like to walk above the tree tops!

Cape Coast Adventure

Last weekend we had our mid project retreat.  We travelled to Cape Coast, a fishing port and former capital of Ghana.  We had beautiful weather until the very end, and enjoyed the needed retreat.

 Scenic drive...

One of the many Christian-named shops. Praise the Lord for bras & lingerie!

We did one of only 4 canopy walks in the world at Kakum National Park.  On our climb through the jungle we had the opportunity to purchase some beverages.  We passed.

Some of the girls were nervous, but they did great!

That night we had pizza for dinner. Pizza never tasted so good. 

The beach at Coconut Grove Resort served as a fun day off! The rip tide was strong so minimal swimming could be done, but it was still refreshing.

On our drive back to Accra, Ben saves the day by getting out to buy bread and bananas for lunch.  It's amazing what we can get by on.

Obama t-shirt. We also saw many Chicago Bulls hats and jerseys, along with a few Hawkeye shorts. I don't think people realized what teams they were reppin', nor did they care as much as we did.

Donuts? Bread? Fan Ice? Fruit? The options are endless.This is way better than a drive thru.  

When the rain hit, it was the fastest I have seen any Ghanaian move!

Food in Kumasi

There are much better pictures than these, but no time to sort right now! Just wanted to give a snapshot of our daily diet:

Fried Rice & Chicken (meal complete with Pineapple Juice Box)

Uh oh, the rations are getting low! Breakfasts have been a bit measly in our room.  Looks like a fight for the last granola bar.  The tub of chocolate spread isn't bad on the Digestive crackers.

I discovered fresh avocado two weeks in. Mixed with my two fried eggs it was like a delicious omelette!

Unplanned Dependency

Three weeks ago I read Isaiah 55:8-9 on one of the flights to Ghana. It was a desperate attempt to intake some scripture in the midst of being tired, fighting a cold, and leading 29 students to another continent.    I have read the verses before, and am in no doubt in agreement with the fact that God is much greater that I am. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.   For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

I caught a glimpse of this truth playing out the first 48 hours in country.  Constant adjustments needed to be made, I had next to nothing for a voice, and I was sweating. Constantly.  Clearly I could not maintain a positive, let alone Christ-like mindset left to my own devices.  I could not understand why things were playing out the way they were, and why our plans were not sufficient despite all the time we spent working them out.  But I could trust that God knew.  In the coming weeks I would see God use circumstances to reveal flaws in my character, challenge the depth of my faith in Him, and on whom I truly depend to bear fruit for His kingdom.  There were a few days where I really did not want to be in Ghana, leading a team, or working as a missionary.  Despite those feelings and the trials that made those days seem unbearable, I am so glad Ben and I came to Ghana. When I think of what we would have missed had we done something else, I know we would have missed out on some sweet gifts from Him.  I am seeing God’s purpose(s) for us being here unfold as the days go on, and it is really humbling and awesome.  

Today I am reminded of those verses in Isaiah yet again.  As I sat in my room in our hostel this afternoon, planning for Wednesday’s Bible study, I had a sweet encounter with God. I asked the Lord for something specific, and my heart was humbled at the thought of Him listening, and the knowledge that He wants this prayer to be answered as much as I do. (I know because it’s true to His Word.)  The Holy Spirit gave me words to say, and my heart genuinely thanked God for all He has done here, as I reflected on the past few weeks and the experiences we have had.  I asked Him boldly to not let us come back home the same as when we left.  I couldn’t have planned to connect with God intimately during an afternoon of planning, but am grateful that the truths in Isaiah exist and are causing me to grow and depend more on Jesus, and less on myself.  Praise God that He knows what we need, when we need it. 

First Two Weeks in Ghana

It feels like we have been here for a month! Our team of 33 is bonding well and we have had many new and exciting experiences.  Here are a few snapshots into our weeks:

Our flight from Kumasi to Accra. By the time we were up in the air we were almost ready to descend!

We had an outreach outside of a big futbol game that was happening on campus. We played frisbee, volleyball, and basketball, and talked with those sitting around about the gospel. It was a ton of fun!

Here's our room. Pretty much a constant mess :) Lately the power has gone out every day, which we are getting used to.

We are getting used to everything, actually.  Our new normal consists of eating the same foods, sweating through our clothes, hand washing clothes and hoping for the best, and-until today for me-not using any technology besides a poor cell phone.  

Here's a stove in one of the girls' rooms. The guys actually used something like this this morning to cook us pancakes for breakfast! It was SUCH a treat! Fresh pineapple, watermelon, and chocolate spread were available as well.

Laundry time! Some of the guys have hired local women to wash their clothes for them. A mere price of $2.50 USD.

Our usual walk from our hall to where we get food and meet students on campus.

Bag water, bananas, and ground nuts.

This is where we stay: Hall 7.  The layout makes it easy to hear pretty much anyone anywhere in the building :) We have a neighbor who likes to get really loud after 11pm. Thankfully our ceiling fan is obnoxiously loud and my earplugs drown him out.

This week we went into a village called Jokabu to meet people and show the Jesus Film.  Here are some of the locals. 

Comfort is an 18 year old girl who invited us in out of the pouring rain. I got to talk through a picture booklet with her that explained the gospel. She is a Christian, so we talked about ways she can grow in her faith and I gave her some booklets we use in the U.S. to learn more about living a life dependent on the Holy Spirit. 

Her family collected a ton of water that day!

The kids were very excited to see so many Obrunis. (White men).

An Obruni's Time in Ghana: 50 Things I learned in Ghana

Taken from another blogger I came across, to share some truths about Ghana and it's people. I agree with everything on here and would have written the same things!

An Obruni's Time in Ghana: 50 Things I learned in Ghana: During my month-long stay here in Ghana, there are a lot of things that I have learned.  Here is a list of 50 of them. 1.        Awkwa...