I now have two terms of teaching under my belt... this past week we had final exams and wrapped up the second term (of three). My over-achiever self still struggles some days with where I would like to see the children and what I would like to be teaching them, versus where we are. I can't teach them everything I feel like they need to know, and I wonder what is most important? What things will they really be able to use? Can I teach them those things with the few months I have remaining here? How do I make them see how important and useful reading and writing can be when all many of them have known is people who make a living by farming or selling things.
Writing poems for sponsors in the library with class five.

It's good to have a little break now to reflect on some of these things and hopefully come up with some new activities and approaches. My past few weeks have been filled with getting all the kids to write sponsor letters, writing exams, typing exams for teachers, tutoring for finals, normal weekly activities and bible studies, and good-byes.
When I first arrived there were four obroni girls around my age living here at the home. At Christmastime we said goodbye to Dana, a month ago my roommate Lauren finished her time here and headed home, and at the beginning of April Tawnee also headed back to the states having been here for a year. (Sorry this is starting to sound like a bad rendition of the book the kids loooove to read "There Were Ten in the Bed")
These girls were a great source of fellowship, community, accountability, encouragement, and numerous other things so it will be different. I've been here long enough to pretty much know how to get around and take care of things, but it is nice having someone your age to laugh (or cry) with about the situations that come up living in a different culture and working with fifty kids. God has definitely been teaching me about relying on him and trusting in him for everything and reminding me that he is in control since I've been here. Now I guess I'll see if I really trust in his provision. My faith isn't based on those around me, it's all God, he can help me to stand and continue on. God help me to remember you are all I need.

NOT SO OKAY...

Fear Factor- AHH!!

We had our own version of fear factor this weekend with the kids, no jumping out of helicopters or eating ground up bugs, but it was pretty fun.
We assembled the kids and our first round was fishing marbles and rocks out of ice water (which for these kids is quite cold) with their feet.

Then the top three girls and boys moved on to the eating contest. We had made a special concoction for them of olives, rice, pork and beans, apricot ham, macaroni and cheese baby food, and a few spices thrown in...
The kids were troopers
The final round for the win was an obstacle course where they were jumping, balancing, climbing trees, running, weaving and just about anything we could think to add in.


I don't know that it was really scary for them but we dubbed the event a success!

A Ghanaian wedding

If I ever get married there are certain things I would hope for in the day, lots of family and fun, nice weather, a beautiful ceremony that brings honor to God,... There are also, I'm sure, plenty of things I would be a little worried/nervous about. But there are some things, like having electricity for the whole wedding and the groom being on time for the wedding that I would never think to worry about.

Georgina and Linda waiting for the wedding to start

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend my first wedding in Ghana. The wedding was for our cook, Lizzy and was at a church in Nsawam. The wedding started at 9:00am prompt. We took all of the girls and I was a little worried that we would be late because of traffic. Never fear though, it started at 10:30 and the groom showed up closer to 11:30 (yes Emily, I will be letting Andrew know that this is acceptable for weddings :-)) What I understood or had translated for me by the girls was very interesting. It started with a lot of singing and talking, and then the bride’s family had a long list of things that the groom had to provide, a 100 cedi knocking fee, an acceptance fee, and many other things. Once they brought the various things the bride’s family expected the bride had to accept it three times. Following that they paraded in and exchanged rings and the pastor did some talking.

Then there was a lull in things happening and people were starting to walk around. We went outside and were taking a few pictures

I thought it might be finished… silly me, they were just changing clothes so they could do it all again. The ceremony went until around 2:30. Throughout the ceremony the electricity went out 2 different times; for a half hour the first time, and the second time it didn’t come back on. There were about 200 people at the ceremony and at one point almost all of us were introduced. It was all quite different from weddings I’ve been to in the past. From what I here some things about it were pretty traditional Ghanaian customs, and some things not quite as much, but it was a great experience. I am very happy for Lizzy as we love her dearly and I hope it was a very special day for her.

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.