I think the first question on my next English test will include a story to read and then say... "Tell me about the this thing in the story. ________________________________" and most of my students would probably not think anything of it and give me an answer. I hear people here in Ghana from the uneducated to the fairly well educated use the phrase "the this thing" to talk about any number of objects, actions, or... people. Ex. Miss Amanda, can I go to the this thing? (the bathroom)- I put the the this thing on the this thing (worksheet, table) - Miss Amanda, where is the this thing?- (my roommate Lauren). It is slightly surprising and amusing to me when about half the time I know what they are talking about. I don't know why they don't take the extra time to think of the word or name they are looking for, but it always gives me a laugh.
I don't know if throwing it in on an exam will make them realize how ridiculous the phrase is, or if it will actually somehow help them better understand the question, but well, the this thing.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Market day
I have been to market in Nsawam and different areas around the home, but today I had my first experience at market in central Accra... wow! We wanted to stock up the birthday prize box, get yarn, fabric, shoes, clothes and a few other things for around the home... to find all these things takes a bit of wandering and navigating. Which isn't so easy with seven people (we took a few of the girls as a reward) when the streets are just a little crowded, and you have bags of supplies for 48 
kids to carry. But after three hours and probably a bucket full or sweat, we made it out with pretty much everything we went for.
Mission accomplished.
This is just a picture of Moses at biblestudy making a Jesus knows my name, sign for his cubby! What a cutie!
kids to carry. But after three hours and probably a bucket full or sweat, we made it out with pretty much everything we went for.Mission accomplished.
This is just a picture of Moses at biblestudy making a Jesus knows my name, sign for his cubby! What a cutie!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Expectations and small strides
I sometimes struggle because I forget that everyone is not me… I was, and still am the girl who wouldn’t dream of trying to get in trouble, doing less than my best, or of pushing the limits as far as rules go…I am a people pleaser, I want to do things the right way and live up to other people’s expectations of me, and to live up to my expectations for myself.
Expectations and goals drive us, but I think we can have too high, or too many expectations for ourselves, or for others, expectations that can’t be lived up to causing frustrations and problems.
I know that not everyone is like me, but I still find myself placing those expectations on the children I work with, whether here in Ghana, or in the United States. For myself, I would not have considered anything other than going to college and getting a degree after high school, and I sometimes get in my head that that is better or superior to any other route people might take in life.
But God can be glorified through a person who sells things on the street and loves him every bit as much as he can be through a university graduate. I am here to help teach these kids, to be an example for them, and to motivate them to do all they can with their lives, but who am I to say what would be best for them to do. I still have high hopes and expectations for the kids in my classes, and all of the kids at the home, but they are changing a little, and I’m seeing how great even the small strides and steps really are.
On a totally unrelated note I went to the local hospital in Nsawam at about midnight the other day with Comfort… quite the experience. Let’s just say things like patient confidentiality aren’t really an issue here at least outside of Accra. It was “interesting” to watch the doctor working to treat a rather inebriated burn victim in the hall while talking to five year old Comfort and trying to figure out what was wrong with her.
Expectations and goals drive us, but I think we can have too high, or too many expectations for ourselves, or for others, expectations that can’t be lived up to causing frustrations and problems.
I know that not everyone is like me, but I still find myself placing those expectations on the children I work with, whether here in Ghana, or in the United States. For myself, I would not have considered anything other than going to college and getting a degree after high school, and I sometimes get in my head that that is better or superior to any other route people might take in life.
But God can be glorified through a person who sells things on the street and loves him every bit as much as he can be through a university graduate. I am here to help teach these kids, to be an example for them, and to motivate them to do all they can with their lives, but who am I to say what would be best for them to do. I still have high hopes and expectations for the kids in my classes, and all of the kids at the home, but they are changing a little, and I’m seeing how great even the small strides and steps really are.
On a totally unrelated note I went to the local hospital in Nsawam at about midnight the other day with Comfort… quite the experience. Let’s just say things like patient confidentiality aren’t really an issue here at least outside of Accra. It was “interesting” to watch the doctor working to treat a rather inebriated burn victim in the hall while talking to five year old Comfort and trying to figure out what was wrong with her.
Monday, January 10, 2011
From my Eyes... by Emily R. Smith
I got to spend the last two weeks with Amanda in Ghana, and it has been amazing. I not only got to see my sister, who has been half a world away from me since August, but I also got to see her loving these kids and serving God through it.
I was greeted upon coming to the airport by a three foot tall little boy that attempted to carry my four large suitcases with him, and from the moment I watched him try to move them, he had my heart. Getting to Haven of Hope, though, it was overwhelming to try to meet 47 kids that all seemed to look the same. Amanda, to note, can tell who they are with just a glimps of the back of their heads.
I came to visit at the perfect time, not only is it between terms, so the kids are on break from school and in high spirits because of it, but it is also the begining of the dry season, and the weather has been perfect. I have definitely done my fair share of sweating (which is something I choose not to do at home, on principle), but it has been cool in the mornings, and this morning, I woke up with goosebumps. It was still a welcome break from the knee high snow that was at home when I left.
Spending two weeks with them has been full of adventures, from fishing with the boys (which is distinctly different from fishing I've done back in North Dakota with my brother, I would have to say these kids haven't quite mastered the art of catching anything larger than two inches that isn't already stuck in seaweed), to dancing to High School Musical with the girls (which is exactly like being with a group of tweens in the United States), it has been wonderful to be able to spend time with the kids at the home and show them love. I would love to be able to say that after two weeks, I know all of them, and I would love to have further opportunities to know them all. This is not where God has called me, though. What I do know is that these kids have been through experiences that I cannot imagine, and God has brought them to this place of safety for now and given them people like Amanda to love them.
I would never have thought I wanted to come to Africa if I wasn't visiting my sister, and I would never have thought I would love it as much as I do. Pray for Amanda and for the other teachers as the new school term starts, and pray for leadership at the home, for wisdom as they make decisions, and most of all pray for the kids, that God's unconditional love for them would become real to them.
I was greeted upon coming to the airport by a three foot tall little boy that attempted to carry my four large suitcases with him, and from the moment I watched him try to move them, he had my heart. Getting to Haven of Hope, though, it was overwhelming to try to meet 47 kids that all seemed to look the same. Amanda, to note, can tell who they are with just a glimps of the back of their heads.
I came to visit at the perfect time, not only is it between terms, so the kids are on break from school and in high spirits because of it, but it is also the begining of the dry season, and the weather has been perfect. I have definitely done my fair share of sweating (which is something I choose not to do at home, on principle), but it has been cool in the mornings, and this morning, I woke up with goosebumps. It was still a welcome break from the knee high snow that was at home when I left.
Spending two weeks with them has been full of adventures, from fishing with the boys (which is distinctly different from fishing I've done back in North Dakota with my brother, I would have to say these kids haven't quite mastered the art of catching anything larger than two inches that isn't already stuck in seaweed), to dancing to High School Musical with the girls (which is exactly like being with a group of tweens in the United States), it has been wonderful to be able to spend time with the kids at the home and show them love. I would love to be able to say that after two weeks, I know all of them, and I would love to have further opportunities to know them all. This is not where God has called me, though. What I do know is that these kids have been through experiences that I cannot imagine, and God has brought them to this place of safety for now and given them people like Amanda to love them.
I would never have thought I wanted to come to Africa if I wasn't visiting my sister, and I would never have thought I would love it as much as I do. Pray for Amanda and for the other teachers as the new school term starts, and pray for leadership at the home, for wisdom as they make decisions, and most of all pray for the kids, that God's unconditional love for them would become real to them.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Glory to God in the Highest
Christmas has been a bit of a blur around the home, and I find it’s already the new year. Helping in the effort to make Christmas special for 48 kids is quite the challenge, but it’s been fun. We’ve been baking cookies, decorating, taking trips to the pool (outdoor in December… woah), wrapping presents, making crafts, PICKING UP MY SISTER EMILY, caroling, planning Christmas parties. Not to mention all the other day to day activities and responsibilities. Somehow, even amidst all the chaos and busyness, the pace is still different from that of other Christmases. There has been more time to think about, talk about, and reflect on what God did for us on Christmas. Maybe it’s because my focus has been a lot less on me, or maybe because others in this culture don’t put as much emphasis on Christmas, at least not the material aspect, or maybe it’s just that I’m in a place where the Christmas story seems more real, a place where it seems like the events talked about in Matthew and Luke could really happen. I’m just working my hardest this Christmas and hopefully throughout the year to bring “glory to God in the highest.”
Hopefully I’ll get around to posting more about what’s been going on soon. :-)
Hopefully I’ll get around to posting more about what’s been going on soon. :-)
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