So often in Ghana I see children or women walking down the street carrying water. Just another normal day in Ghana. People always walking to fetch water. I never really thought about it much. How difficult it must be to do this day in and day out. How time consuming this chore must be. I go back to my house and turn on the tap without even thinking how lucky I am. Then about once or twice a year, for some reason we run out of water. The pipes aren't flowing and our tank runs dry. All of a sudden, CRISIS!!! I can't do laundry...I can't do the dishes (oh wait, I don't cook so I don't really have that many dishes to do!)...I can't wash my face...Brushing my teeth is now a chore...another "shower" using a bottle of water?!...My toilet won't flush!...I forget how important water is and how I take it for granted when I have it. We often lose power here in Ghana, but that is nothing compared to losing water. Hopefully I can remember the next time we don't have power that at lease we still have water, even if the pressure is low because our pump won't be able to turn on!
The other day I was reminded about the importance of praise. How I need to be intentional in offering praise to God in all things. Even in the little things, I should be thanking God for working in my life. I find myself being selfish WAY too often. If I focus on praising God for who He is and what He has done, then my focus won't be on me quite as often. My prayer is that my focus would switch to Him more frequently...
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
A Trip to the Mall
So my roommate Meghann and I decided to hang out tonight at the Accra mall. Always entertaining! We had dinner at this Chinese restaurant we go to frequently. We hadn't gone there this year yet, so our usual waiter was happy to see us! So we ordered our water and prepared to look in the menu just in time for our waiter to inform us that they did not have any pork dishes available today...or chicken dishes for that matter! Have you ever in your life been to a restaurant where two thirds of the menu wasn't available?! Meghann and I just started laughing and ordered several beef dishes. You know you've been in Ghana a while when you just roll with the weirdness! So we enjoyed our beef dishes at the Chinese restaurant in Ghana listening to the background music of "Killing Me Softly." It doesn't get better than that!
Meghann and I also decided to see a movie while we were at the mall. There really are only two reasons to go to the mall. To eat or to see a movie. Rarely do people actually shop! It was fun seeing a movie especially since you get free popcorn and Coke on Mondays. After the movie we noticed a rather large group of people outside the theater...Then someone called out "Make a hole people!" and apparently someone rather famous came out because everyone went crazy! Security escorted someone down the steps, through the mall, and out the door. People were running after them with camera phones while Meghann and I stood wondering who we just saw. Well, now I can say I saw "someone famous." I don't know who it was, but I did see a famous person!
So there you have it, just another day in Ghana...
Meghann and I also decided to see a movie while we were at the mall. There really are only two reasons to go to the mall. To eat or to see a movie. Rarely do people actually shop! It was fun seeing a movie especially since you get free popcorn and Coke on Mondays. After the movie we noticed a rather large group of people outside the theater...Then someone called out "Make a hole people!" and apparently someone rather famous came out because everyone went crazy! Security escorted someone down the steps, through the mall, and out the door. People were running after them with camera phones while Meghann and I stood wondering who we just saw. Well, now I can say I saw "someone famous." I don't know who it was, but I did see a famous person!
So there you have it, just another day in Ghana...
Friday, September 9, 2011
Birthday Celebrations!
My birthday was a week and a half ago and I was thinking it wouldn't be a big ordeal. Just another school day. Giving homework, dealing with kids...
But actually the country of Ghana decided that my birthday should be a national holiday! So school was canceled! So what did I do instead of teaching? Of course I went to school! Yeah, I know. It seems ridiculous, but I did. The container from America came and we had to organize all the new books and materials. I was not in a very good mood, but it had to be done. I was excited about my new algebra books though!
After the work, the celebrating began! Christy and Meghann who are two of my closest friends here in Ghana took me out for lunch. We went to the Koffee House where you can get pretty much any kind of food under the sun. Do you want chicken and rice? Ok! Do you want Chinese food? Sure! How about cheese cake? Why not!?
So what does a thirty year old do on her birthday? She and her friends go on a scavenger hunt like when she turned ten! It was so fun! A group of eight of us teachers got together and split up into two teams. We went around East Legon doing silly things like catching chickens, pounding fufu, and holding snails. We all took pictures and videos of the craziness.
Me failing at playing a Ghanaian game with a couple kids.
John holding a chick after the Simple Brothers guys ran around trying to catch one for us!
After that Christy, Meghann, and I watched Chuck episodes that Christy had brought back from America. We are so hooked on this dumb TV show! I guess that's what happens when there isn't much to do in the evenings! But I must say, my favorite part about "Chuck Night" is the fact that I get to hang out with Christy and Meghann. We laugh, share concerns, and even complain to each other. It is definitely needed weekly! I am amazed at how God provides everything we need including friends to encourage you and fun times to remind us to enjoy life. Another great perk to "Chuck Night" is that we EAT a lot! We had chips and salsa from America, popcorn, chocolate from Germany, and frozen strawberries! What a great night!
But the celebrating wasn't over! Thursday when we went back to school, Meghann and Christy and Ardell's family made treats for my classes! Meghann came up to my room on the third floor every class period with cupcakes or homemade doughnuts! It was amazing! It's so nice to know people care. And the kids LOVED it! No homework and food! What could be better!?
And the partying didn't stop there! Friday night, a group of us went out to Chez Afrique (a local Ghanaian restaurant). It was fun just hanging out talking with the teachers. And Chez Afrique has the BEST fries in the whole world! I am not joking, they are AMAZING! I don't even really know why I get chicken there. I should just get more fries! After dinner, everyone came back to my house and we had FanIce (ice cream) and brownies and we watched the movie Red. Mr. Crosby our director even let us borrow a projector from the school so we didn't all have to sit around a computer screen!
A throw back to the 1980's - Allison getting her hair crimped.
Rachel and I with our 80's hair and makeup! Why is it that Rachel can pull off pretty much any look she wants? Where as I look completely ridiculous!?
But actually the country of Ghana decided that my birthday should be a national holiday! So school was canceled! So what did I do instead of teaching? Of course I went to school! Yeah, I know. It seems ridiculous, but I did. The container from America came and we had to organize all the new books and materials. I was not in a very good mood, but it had to be done. I was excited about my new algebra books though!
After the work, the celebrating began! Christy and Meghann who are two of my closest friends here in Ghana took me out for lunch. We went to the Koffee House where you can get pretty much any kind of food under the sun. Do you want chicken and rice? Ok! Do you want Chinese food? Sure! How about cheese cake? Why not!?
So what does a thirty year old do on her birthday? She and her friends go on a scavenger hunt like when she turned ten! It was so fun! A group of eight of us teachers got together and split up into two teams. We went around East Legon doing silly things like catching chickens, pounding fufu, and holding snails. We all took pictures and videos of the craziness.
Me failing at playing a Ghanaian game with a couple kids.
Tonya pounding fufu - a favorite dish of Ghanaians.
John holding a chick after the Simple Brothers guys ran around trying to catch one for us!
Holding a snail - apparently it makes a good stew! Yuck!
After that Christy, Meghann, and I watched Chuck episodes that Christy had brought back from America. We are so hooked on this dumb TV show! I guess that's what happens when there isn't much to do in the evenings! But I must say, my favorite part about "Chuck Night" is the fact that I get to hang out with Christy and Meghann. We laugh, share concerns, and even complain to each other. It is definitely needed weekly! I am amazed at how God provides everything we need including friends to encourage you and fun times to remind us to enjoy life. Another great perk to "Chuck Night" is that we EAT a lot! We had chips and salsa from America, popcorn, chocolate from Germany, and frozen strawberries! What a great night!
But the celebrating wasn't over! Thursday when we went back to school, Meghann and Christy and Ardell's family made treats for my classes! Meghann came up to my room on the third floor every class period with cupcakes or homemade doughnuts! It was amazing! It's so nice to know people care. And the kids LOVED it! No homework and food! What could be better!?
And the partying didn't stop there! Friday night, a group of us went out to Chez Afrique (a local Ghanaian restaurant). It was fun just hanging out talking with the teachers. And Chez Afrique has the BEST fries in the whole world! I am not joking, they are AMAZING! I don't even really know why I get chicken there. I should just get more fries! After dinner, everyone came back to my house and we had FanIce (ice cream) and brownies and we watched the movie Red. Mr. Crosby our director even let us borrow a projector from the school so we didn't all have to sit around a computer screen!
All in all, it was a great birthday. My sister and friends at home threw me a fabulous "13 going on 30" party before coming back to Ghana and then my friends here in Ghana threw a three day celebration. I am very honored to have so many that care about me.
Hannah painting my nails at my "13 Going on 30" party!
Hannah painting my nails at my "13 Going on 30" party!
A throw back to the 1980's - Allison getting her hair crimped.
Rachel and I with our 80's hair and makeup! Why is it that Rachel can pull off pretty much any look she wants? Where as I look completely ridiculous!?
Monday, August 29, 2011
Silver or Gold
We have some people visiting Ghana from the NICS home office. They are supposedly here to discuss plans for the new school building that will be built in the next couple years, but I think they are really here to take us all out for a fabulous birthday dinner in honor of me! Ok, maybe not, but it will be a nice addition to the birthday celebration! Not only will we be getting a nice dinner on Tuesday night, but also in honor of my birthday, we will be getting Wednesday off of school! Ok, again, it's not really for me! But I'll take it! We are still trying to decide what to do with our day off...the beach would be fun, but it's still not really beach weather here in Ghana. It's still not that hot (really I'm not complaining!) and it's been rather cloudy.
Anyway, one of the NICS visitors did a devotional this morning in our morning meeting before school. He talked about the Golden Rule and the Silver Rule. We all know the Golden Rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The Silver Rule is the flip side of that. "Don't do to others what you don't want done to you." It's amazing how much more powerful Jesus' version is than this! You can do a whole lot of nothing and still abide by the Silver Rule. God has so much more for us! We must be active in caring for others and loving those around us. This was a great reminder to me to be loving the kids I teach, the teachers I work with, and those I work for here in Ghana. Sometimes I feel like a total failure when it comes to the Golden Rule. Even after hearing this message only this morning, I became angry, frustrated, and disappointed in those around me. Praise the Lord for new beginnings each day and an unconditional love to show me again what love really looks like.
Anyway, one of the NICS visitors did a devotional this morning in our morning meeting before school. He talked about the Golden Rule and the Silver Rule. We all know the Golden Rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The Silver Rule is the flip side of that. "Don't do to others what you don't want done to you." It's amazing how much more powerful Jesus' version is than this! You can do a whole lot of nothing and still abide by the Silver Rule. God has so much more for us! We must be active in caring for others and loving those around us. This was a great reminder to me to be loving the kids I teach, the teachers I work with, and those I work for here in Ghana. Sometimes I feel like a total failure when it comes to the Golden Rule. Even after hearing this message only this morning, I became angry, frustrated, and disappointed in those around me. Praise the Lord for new beginnings each day and an unconditional love to show me again what love really looks like.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Back For Year THREE
Coming back to Ghana...
No big deal right? I've been doing this for two years now. I have my routines. I get excited about trying new airlines and visiting new airports, but other than that I know the drill now.
I was thinking about this...I know how to travel overseas...I know what to pack...I know what to expect when I get there...I know what I will be teaching...I know a number of my students...I know EVERYTHING!
Ok, not really! It's scary how easy it is to rely on myself when I should be relying on God. Just because I know somethings, does not mean I am in charge. I have been learning the past few days that I need to submit to God and give Him control especially when I think I can do things on my own. Gye Nyame is a common symbol here in Ghana. It means except God, meaning you can do nothing except through God.
I was also given a little reminder of what it was like to come to Africa two years ago. Two women sitting near me on the plane were traveling to Africa to teach at an international school for two years. They had no idea what they were getting into or what they would be experiencing. I was excited at once for them. I tried to answer some questions and reassure them as I reminded myself of the amazing-ness of this opportunity that I have set before me as well. Yes, it can become routine or even frustrating, but God is still using me and He is still working miracles in Ghana. I am blessed to be a part of it!
No big deal right? I've been doing this for two years now. I have my routines. I get excited about trying new airlines and visiting new airports, but other than that I know the drill now.
I was thinking about this...I know how to travel overseas...I know what to pack...I know what to expect when I get there...I know what I will be teaching...I know a number of my students...I know EVERYTHING!
Ok, not really! It's scary how easy it is to rely on myself when I should be relying on God. Just because I know somethings, does not mean I am in charge. I have been learning the past few days that I need to submit to God and give Him control especially when I think I can do things on my own. Gye Nyame is a common symbol here in Ghana. It means except God, meaning you can do nothing except through God.
I was also given a little reminder of what it was like to come to Africa two years ago. Two women sitting near me on the plane were traveling to Africa to teach at an international school for two years. They had no idea what they were getting into or what they would be experiencing. I was excited at once for them. I tried to answer some questions and reassure them as I reminded myself of the amazing-ness of this opportunity that I have set before me as well. Yes, it can become routine or even frustrating, but God is still using me and He is still working miracles in Ghana. I am blessed to be a part of it!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Clash of My Two Worlds
SO FUN!!! Erin came to visit me and it was an amazing week! God is so good how He knows just what we need. I was definitely struggling with the stress of school and just feeling kind of down, and Erin's visit was perfect timing! I was able to show her "my world" here in Ghana. It helped me remember what I like about Ghana and what I love about my students. It's amazing to think how God loves us so much that he plans things like "friend visits" to encourage us. Thank you Lord!
Erin's arrival started in true Ghanaian fashion. She had to borrow someone's phone to call me because I was late coming to the airport. What a great friend I am! Knowing she has no way of communicating with anyone and I show up late! I ended up getting a ride from a missionary family that was picking up a family member. We all crammed into their pickup truck. Five people in the back seat! I told Erin this would be the nicest car she would ride in while visiting me!
One of the greatest parts of Erin's visit was that she could actually see what it is that I do here in Ghana. I can show pictures to friends and family, but you just can't fully understand what it's like here. The sounds and smells just can't be captured on camera. Erin was also able to meet all my friends here. She has heard stories, but now she actually knows the people. Someone knowing both of my worlds is so exciting. When I mention her here, people will know what friend I am talking about. When I talk about people or places here to Erin, she will have a clear picture of what I mean.
A few favorite moments from the week...
Dragging Erin to the market right after she got off the plane. Jumping right in to Africa!
Talking late into the night knowing I had school in the mornings.
Feeling like it's Christmas getting goodies from America. Yay Oreos!
Sitting by the beach enjoying each others' company.
Helping with Sunday school at Pram Pram. We had gifts and a craft for each kid thanks to Erin!
Reading with the street kids at the kids club at some of the teachers' house.
Learning new games.
Watching Food Network! (If only for a couple minutes!)
Listening to children scream walking the canopy walk!
Seeing Erin experience a million "Africa firsts!" Yum, plantain chips!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Going to the Eye Doctor...In Ghana
So I had a recent adventure...
I had an eye infection last semester and it never fully went away so I had to find an eye doctor here in Ghana. I got a name and number for a couple doctors and when I finally got a hold of one (I had to keep calling because we don't have voice mail here) he had a fun time trying to describe the location of the eye doctor's office. He asked if I knew the area of Osu which I did. Then we had to identify several other locations including Koala grocery store and the intersection with the gas station on the right...After many minutes of difficulty understanding foreign accents, I finally figured out where I was supposed to go.
So I found a taxi driver to take me to my location. (I was kind of irritated because I had to pay more than I probably should have had to pay and I wasn't sharing the taxi fare with anyone.) I got to the eye doctor's office but I couldn't find the actual office in the building. There were no names on any of the offices! I wandered around the building for a little while until the eye doctor found me. Of course I had no idea who he was, but he knew who I was. Why else would a random white girl be wandering around the building?!
We walked into the office which had all the equipment an eye doctor in America would have. It was just kind of funny because even though it was so "American," it was so Ghanaian too. Eye equipment was randomly scattered around the office. The doctor took my information and wrote it down on blank paper instead of using forms or a computer. After looking at my eye, he gave me a long lecture about how contact lenses aren't good in the environment of Ghana. Heat, humidity, and dust everywhere! Then he wrote me a "prescription" for some eye drops.
I went next door to a pharmacy to get the eye drops. It's always amazing to me when I go to a pharmacy in Ghana because you don't actually need a prescription to get medicine! All you have to do is walk in and tell them what you want. When I pick up my Malaria medicine, they put it in my prescription bottle from America. The lady actually laughed when she read on the bottle "No refills - doctor authorization required." After getting the eye drops and a free calendar I was walking down the street to get a taxi back home. Another 6 Cedis to get home...
I had an eye infection last semester and it never fully went away so I had to find an eye doctor here in Ghana. I got a name and number for a couple doctors and when I finally got a hold of one (I had to keep calling because we don't have voice mail here) he had a fun time trying to describe the location of the eye doctor's office. He asked if I knew the area of Osu which I did. Then we had to identify several other locations including Koala grocery store and the intersection with the gas station on the right...After many minutes of difficulty understanding foreign accents, I finally figured out where I was supposed to go.
So I found a taxi driver to take me to my location. (I was kind of irritated because I had to pay more than I probably should have had to pay and I wasn't sharing the taxi fare with anyone.) I got to the eye doctor's office but I couldn't find the actual office in the building. There were no names on any of the offices! I wandered around the building for a little while until the eye doctor found me. Of course I had no idea who he was, but he knew who I was. Why else would a random white girl be wandering around the building?!
We walked into the office which had all the equipment an eye doctor in America would have. It was just kind of funny because even though it was so "American," it was so Ghanaian too. Eye equipment was randomly scattered around the office. The doctor took my information and wrote it down on blank paper instead of using forms or a computer. After looking at my eye, he gave me a long lecture about how contact lenses aren't good in the environment of Ghana. Heat, humidity, and dust everywhere! Then he wrote me a "prescription" for some eye drops.
I went next door to a pharmacy to get the eye drops. It's always amazing to me when I go to a pharmacy in Ghana because you don't actually need a prescription to get medicine! All you have to do is walk in and tell them what you want. When I pick up my Malaria medicine, they put it in my prescription bottle from America. The lady actually laughed when she read on the bottle "No refills - doctor authorization required." After getting the eye drops and a free calendar I was walking down the street to get a taxi back home. Another 6 Cedis to get home...
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