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.
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