Is this rainy season?

According to the super accurate (sometimes) science textbook I teach from we are currently in the dry season until June and it almost never rains. However over the last few weeks I've been caught out in the village in the rain, had to teach in rain, and just spent time running through it. Aside from it blowing into my classroom, my laundry, and my open windows, I can't say I mind though. It usually comes with a nice breeze and at least cools the temp down for a few hours. I guess the weather isn't a whole lot more predictable here than it was in North Dakota.

Things with the kids and school aren't a whole lot more predictable there are rainy days and sun shiney days, but I don't know if I can mention enough times how much I love these kids! Their smiles, their laughs, their random questions, (like if the Brady Bunch theme is the National Anthem for the United States) their more serious questions about the bible and life. I love the day to day accomplishments and growths I get to witness and be a part of.

What can you do but laugh?

When you are in the middle of class and a lizard snake jumps out of the cupboard onto a screaming student then proceeds to run under the desks causing half of the students to jump up on their desks, what's a teacher to do?

Is this what it's like to be famous?

Having white skin in an African nation automatically brings a certain amount of attention to you. When walking or biking through the village the air is constantly filled with the sound of kids yelling my name, or another white ladies name (because we all look exactly the same), or obroni (Twi), or Yevu (Ewe), or men yelling Obroni I love you, Obroni marry me, obroni my wife... usually I just laugh wave and keep going.

Yesterday we walked some of the children to a small store in Akotoshie #2, the village right outside our gate. A woman I had never seen was sitting on the front step. She saw me and came running up with a huge smile, started hugging and kissing me and saying a lot of things I couldn't understand because the only English she knew was "I am fine how are you." She kept her arm around me the whole time we were there and gave me her bracelets. I didn't really know how to respond. If you know me, you probably know that I am a little awkward, and also that I don't always know how to react in awkward situations.

As we left I was talking to Grace (the oldest girl) and asked her if she knew this woman. She said she had seen her before and knows where she lives, but that's it. She also said "tomorrow if you come we can go visit her and I will translate."

Instead of school today we are having football matches in the village. Whether I see her again or not my being there always draws additional attention and people who want to talk. I pray that in these conversations and interactions people wouldn't just see a white person who probably has money, but that I would be able to show and tell them about Jesus too. It brings up so many opportunities when almost everyone wants to touch you or talk to you. Pray that those opportunities would not be wasted.