One thing I love about Ghana is...

The international community that I am a part of each day. I have students from 6 different countries who all bring a unique personality and culture to the classroom. One of my students has already been to 23 countries and he is only 8, I am close behind him with 3 countries and will pass him soon! Anyways, I love that I can learn from different cultures by being at one school as it opens my eyes to the vastness of the world and God’s glory throughout the nations. For example, at lunchtime, it looks like you are at an international food fair as everyone has their own native dishes that they are accustom to. You won’t find many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches here unless it is an American kid! (not always true) Tonight was a perfect example of being exposed to the universal church as we were invited to a Korean Charity Bazaar at a Korean church. Some of the students at school attend this church and one student’s father is the pastor. I realized when I was there tonight that I have a student who attends this church and is very active so it was good to support our AIS community. At this charity function, there were Korean dishes to sample(yes I tried them!) and a variety show modeling the traditional and pop culture of Korea. I am so happy that I went tonight so I could begin to understand a different culture other than my own especially since it is represented in my classroom! In a million years I never thought I would see the Prime Minister of Korea, watch Korean hip hop, and hear Oh Happy Day in Korean but I did! Now come on, who else can say they did all of that in one night? We are in a big melting pot in Accra and I want to embrace it for all its worth so I can understand people who may be different than I am but still experience life and most importantly have a relationship with Christ!
Oh really random… today I had the students journal about what they would do if they had 100GHC which isn’t that much. Through the journals, I now have three cars and two homes. Oh and the best one, I am getting a hotel next to the first grade teacher’s hotel so we can live together with this student. While we are in our hotels, we will teach him everyday at 6 o’clock. I must say that I enjoy my student’s and their thoughtfulness, wish it was true, but it is the thought that counts. God has gotten me through five weeks of teaching!

Spiritual Warfare

I am going to talk about a light and happy subject… I hope you know that I am joking! You know me, always looking to be sarcastic. Anyways, this week in our weekly meetings at school, we talked about the tension between the Muslims and the school. Parents who send their students to AIS know it is a Christian school that teaches bible and has chapel. Last year, the Muslim parents expressed acceptance of our teaching but this has changed to some bitterness as their students have decided to follow Jesus in a new way. The kids are praying and speaking about Jesus openly which has made their parents show resentment towards AIS. The devil knows that God’s word is being heard and accepted in Ghana and he doesn’t want this to happen. I normally don’t talk openly about spiritual warfare but being here as made me realize that it is real and satan will try anything to stop the spreading of the Gospel. Please pray that the parents will be open to the Gospel and allow their students to stay in the school. Amazing things are happening and they need to continue. Again today, I had students asking me if there is only one God and again I shared with them how to worship only one God. God is working here in Ghana and throughout the world, that is was we cannot allow the devil to get a foothold anywhere possible. That means responsibility as faculty to remain strong in our own faith and stay united so the Lord will reign at AIS and throughout the nations.

Road Trip

Last weekend was a three day weekend as it was the firt presiden'ts 100th birthday. He helped Ghana gain their independence fro Britain in 1952 so of course he is a prideful symbol in Ghana even though he has died. Naturally, with an extra day, I took this opportunity to rest and stay in bed all weekend.

Hold on, if you know me at all, you will know that this is not true in the least so don't wory I haven't changed to much. Yes, the smart thing would have been to rest up from the past weeks an the weeks to come but that isn't any fun so I took the opportunity to travel outside of Accra. Two teachers and myself boarded a bus Sunday mornin and headed for Cape Coast which was about 2.5 hours. Cape Coast is the home of one of the oldest castles in Ghana and also the location where slaves were kept and then taken to the Americas. Learning about the triangular slave trade through history books in America is one thing but actually experiencing the sights and smells of where 60 million Africans were taken from their lives causes hair to stand straight up on my getting tan arms.

The Africans were kept in dark, wet, and very crowded cells for up to 6 weeks with hardly any food. They were then moved like cattle out the door of no return to face their fate of being shipped to the Americas if they survived the journey. This happened for hundreds of years and actually picturing this in my mind was too much to endure. The tour guide explained the situation well as he didn't blame it all on the Europeans but also on the Africans who were selling their own children for guns. These were inhumane actions on everyone's part.

After the tour of the castle, we discovered that the hotel in which we were suppose to stay in gave away our room so we didn't have anywhere to stay. We called around as was told to go to a place called Coconut Grove. We went sight unseen, not knowing much but we had no choice as we had to stay somewhere. We were not disappointed as Coconut Grove happens to be a very nice place a little above our price range but worth it since we had no other choice. The resort was away from everything else and right on the ocean. I have now touched the Atlantic Ocean on the other side, how crazy is that! It has been cold here for Ghana standards so we did not go in by took a nice long walk along the shore. Waves are so soothing as they bring in the new unexpected water and take away the dirt left behind. The waves were powerful, crashing against the rocks and shores and then gracefully moving out again. I could look at waves for hours, just contemplating life and basking in God's beatiful handiwork. I guess we all need a nice break once and awhile.

The next day, we reluctantly said goodbye to the wide open sea and traveled towards Kakum National Forest which is a small Rainforest still found in West Africa. We could get into conservation but we can skip that for later conversations. Leave your fear of sights behind on this trip because to experience the Rainforest, you must go across the canopy on a bridge made of rope, ladders, and boards tacked down on the ladders. Don't worry, they change the ropes every 6 months! I must admit that I was even a little nervous at times as I could have easily fallen off but the chance to feel free as a bird up by the canopy of a rainforest allowed me to relax. It was a beautiful sight that only God could have designed. I can't wait to take Cathy when she comes in December! Supposedly there are elephants in the area but all we saw were ants, spiders, and butterflies. I know you can see these in Indiana but not in a rainforest up by the canopy.

On the way back to the bus station, our taxi driver was stopped by the police which randomly make stops anywhere they want. Supposedly, our driver did not have a license so we had to get out of the car and wait for a new taxi as our old one was going to get arrested. Then, they allowed our driver to go and he took us the rest of the way, vowing he had a license but he kept it somewhere else! Oops! Rule of thumb, if you want to be extra careful, ask your driver if he has a license before allowing him to take you. Who knew you would have to do this?

Our trip proved to be a wonderful time of fellowship with fellow teachers and friends. It was also good to experience a new place on our own as none of us had any experience in Ghana. I don't want to be a tourist but a resident of Ghana and this only occurs by getting out there and seeing Ghana for who it really is. One hard part of Cape Coast was the poverty witnessed. Boys on the beach, families living in shacks make out of straw, and small children asking for money is hard to see all the time because I do not want to be blinded to the needs of the country. I do live in a nice house and teach at a good school but I am still balancing how I can reach out to the least of these. I know I can't save the whole country by myself but I am learning how I can love those in the darkest moments even if it is through praying or buying souvenirs from someone. As long as I am focused on the one, he will not allow me to stray from his path.

Women Underneath the Basket

Today as I was in a trotro heading to the mountains(the trotro's decided to do offroading today and cross to the other side of the road so they could avoid the traffic) I thought about the all of the girls who carry baskets on top of their heads. They have a round cloth thing that sits upon their head that enables them to carry laundry baskets or metal bowls with goods in them. They sell anything from plantain chips, fruit, to undergarments in the baskets.(saw the last one today, sorry I included it but it is the truth!) However, they are not the only person selling their good as many others have the same product. They spend their days standing next to trotro stops or busy intersections hoping someone will buy their product. Today, I finally took the time to think about them as a person who is trying to earn a living. Do you think that this is what they want to do with their life? Maybe it is. But what if there is more to them than someone who is persistent about selling their product. Yes, I might get annoyed at these people all sometimes as I just want to be left alone but they need to make a living also. They are beautiful women who deserve the best in life as much as I do so it is important for me to be friendly to them. Maybe they are not a banker, a businesswomen, or even a teacher but they are someone who supplies me with delicious plantain chips which makes them worthy to society and to the culture of Ghana. Maybe in a different culture they might hold a higher status but again whose status are we measuring them by? They are still important to God and to others as women, sisters, mothers, and daughters. I vow not to look at them differently than I do business women because we are all here to serve a purpose no matter how great or small.

The lightbulb comes on!

I want to tell you that I am a super teacher and my students are learning so much! I want to tell you that I have it all under control and have found the best ways for all of my students to learn. I want to tell you.....
I want to tell you....
the truth and the truth is I really don't have it all together at all! Yes, I am a typical first year teacher trying to keep floating instead of drowning. There are some difficult days when I look back and think "what did we accomplish today?" but I am happy to report that there are some joy spots after four weeks of teaching. (joy spots taken by none other than Dr. Tyner!) (little shoutout) Anyways, this past week, I was with a small group and they were checking off words that they had found with "er" in them and one of my boys said," Reading is so much fun! I love it now and I can't wait to read more!" I am going to start reading my bible." I had to pinch myself because this is a dream come true for a teacher! I have always wanted a child to leave my classroom and say that their love of reading came when they found the world of adventure and curiosity in a pile of books that I introduced them to. Now, I know it is not from all my doing but it is nice to know that through my encouragement, he is enjoying reading! And it is only the fourth week of school!

There are also kids who have been telling their first grade teacher what they have been learning and they are so proud of themselves! Whenever a compound word appears, they have to raise their hand so high and tell me that they have found a compound word since I taught them what it was already. How fun! Now there are the occassional times when they think everything is a compound word but most of the time they get it right! This is why I teach, so I can see students be excited about their learning and actually grasp a concept that once seemed so foreign. Yes, I wish I had it more together and could provide the best education for them all the time but I am doing my best and that is all that is expected of me. So pray that the lightbulbs keep coming on, we need all the light we can get in the room since the real electricity goes out all the time!

Opportunity to be Flexible

I must admit, I am not the most flexble person in the world, I mean I can touch my toes but I could nevr do the test in gym where you had to reach past your toes while sitting down. I guess I will never be a dancer or gymnast but with my flexibility but I do just fine as a soccer playe. I know, I am wasting your time since this is not the kind of flexibility I am talking about. My wise leader while in Ethiopia would always tell us that we have the opportunity to be flexible when something did not go according to plan which was all the time. Those who know me well, will testify that I did not like change or deviation in the plan. Well, God taught me a lot in college and helped me realize that not everything is going to go according to the plan. I am so thankful to have learned that in college because it has come in handy while being here in Ghana. Take for example my Wednesday morning: I left my house at 6:00 so I could be there for over an hour before I had morning duty. I would have so much time to get a lot done right? Wrong! I got there and then the electricity wasn’t working on one side of the printer room so I tried the other computer but we couldn’t get it to print. Well, change of plans! Then, I went to copy things and the printer was out of paper so I had to run around trying to find more paper. By this time, I had to go outside to watch the kids and had accomplished nothing! But I started with so much time! Oh well, this is life as I know it here and since I can’t change it I might as well embrace it for how it is! I know, can you believe I am actually writing these words? I promise it is me behind these unfamiliar words to your mind. It doesn’t even bother me at all. Like today, it was after 5 and I decided to make up one more thing for next week. I had it all typed out on the computer and just hit the print button when the electricity went out. I didn’t even blink an eye or sigh at all I just looked at the blank screen, realized I lost it, and then left to do something else. I then had to take a double take because I was so proud of myself. I am getting use to crazy life that nothing seems to bother me. God is good and I am so thankful for the lessons learned in college as it has prepared me for normal life here in Ghana. Who knew I would get to this point in life? So glad God is in control and not myself!

Memorize Verses

The moral of this story: memorize verses and actually refer to them in your mind when they are needed which is usually always.
On last Monday, it was my turn to lead devotions so I read my favorite life verse found in II Corinthians 4:17-18.
“ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
II Corinthians 4:17-18
I found these verses one year at camp and they always give me the right perspective on why I am here. Yes, we go through trials and tribulations here on earth but they are so worth it because one day we will have our reward in Heaven because of it. It is just for a moment of time, we are not even going through problems that long compared to the time we will get to party in Heaven with Jesus. This just helps me remember that no matter what, I need to not complain and be strong through difficulties because God will work through those times for His name to be praised. After I finished, giving this devotion, I immediately had to put my words into actions(isn’t there a verse about that too?) because I was met back at my classroom with a new student. I had not previous knowledge that she would be coming so I felt bad when she came and I did not have anything prepared for her. I instantly scrambled around to get things ready and I wanted to be stressed with the situation but then I remembered the verses I had just quoted and this brought a peace to me. Why worry about the moment when I have the opportunity to show Christ to all my students with my calmness in this matter. That is what is most important. How wonderful that we can have the living Word of God so when we do find ourselves in crazy, hectic moments, we can fall back on the Truth! So, I now have 11 students and it is working out just fine with one more. They are all very unique and special and I love them all the same. So, again, moral of the story(I am speaking to myself also) memorize scripture so you can fall back on the living Truth of the Lord.
Worth the bruise!
On Tuesday, we had another Good News Club at our house where children from the community come for a half an hour to sing songs, play games, hear a bible story, and receive water and a snack. It was my turn to get the water so I ran across the street from school to get some on my way home. Here, they have water called sachet water that comes in plastic pouches and you just bit a hole into it to get the water out. I got two large bags, each having 30 sachet waters. For those of you smarter than me, you know that water is heave! I knew this but of course I didn’t think about how difficult this would actually be as I had to carry both sacks of water back to the house with two other teaching bags. Those of you who have seen me teach know I am always carrying crazy amounts of things home from school. Anyways, the walk home is probably a fourth of a mile so I must say it was quite difficult to carry all of this. I had one sack of water in a bag on my shoulder and another pack in my right arm which also had the weight of my computer bag. I made it over the bridge with the sewer below(thank goodness) and headed across the sand where I passed small children. When they saw me with the water, they all asked tonight? Tonight? I said that it had already started so they should run ahead so they wouldn’t miss the bible story. Some of the girls tried to help me carry the water but it was too heavy so they walked next to me as I struggled, it was cute! I felt like the pied piper as more kids joined me when they saw me carrying the water. Okay, by this time, I was in a lot of pain, I admit, but somehow God kept me going until a nice man helped me carry the water to the house. I made it alive and just in time to see the kids acting out a bible story! That night we had 59 kids, four more than two weeks ago. God is good all the time. We marched them out of the house singing, “I may never march in the infantry,” it was a terrific moment and worth all the pain I was feeling. After that, we talked to a lady down the street who we can get water from next time. We started talking to her and learned more Twih(pronounced tchwi) which they appreciated. Even though most people speak English, everyone knows Twih so I think it is important that I learn some important words so I can communicate to the people in their own level of understanding instead of always in mine. The lady said I could come anytime to learn and I have already been back once to pick up more.
Oh, best part of the story, the next day I woke up and saw little dots on my biceps(well, if I had biceps.) Guess what? I broke the blood vessels in my arm from carrying the water. Isn’t that funny? Well, to me it is. It didn’t get very dark though so a little disappointing but still a fun story.
Well, I survived another week and will be getting ready for week four. Please keep in contact with me so I know how I can pray for you.