Universal Languages

In all of my travels, I have come to know of some languages that are used around the world.  These languages are beautiful and uplifting, and they exist to bring people together.  In Ghana, I have come to realize several of these languages again:


Dance-- How could I not start with acknowledging this language?  Haha.  Dance is everywhere!  It is often used for enjoyment and entertainment, but it's also used for storytelling, spiritual ceremonies, preparations for battle, and so on.  No matter where I've been, I've found dance, and I have experienced it in a way for people to connect and share with one another.  So although the styles of dance can be unique to each culture / country / region, they tend to serve similar purposes and communicate experiences and emotions.

Music-- Just like dance, music is everywhere!  One of my favorite instruments to observe and feel around the world is the drum!  And how can I say "the drum" when there are so many types of drums?  Drums have been used to relay messages through far distances (perhaps from one tribe to another), and they have been used to support dance. Sometimes we refer to this as "moving to the heartbeat of Mother Earth."  There are even "natural drums", such as certain trees in Ghana that were used as instruments to send and receive messages in the jungle/forest.  A person need only to bang the side of the tree, and the sound will travel for up to 2 miles!

Smiles-- This language is so strong!  In India, I only learned a handful of Tamil words and phrases.  Here in Ghana, I have managed the same-- only a few words and phrases in Twi.  In Hungary, the language came to me at a very slow pace.  In Mexico, I often rely on the Spanish I learned in Jr. High.  And the list can go on.  Despite my limited understanding of the spoken words in these countries, I quickly develop friendships through smiles :)  Perhaps that sounds cheesy, but it's true!  Smiles are magic, and I have found them everywhere I've gone. 

The Light of Christ--  I believe that there is a special spark/power/energy/quality within each of us that can be referred to as the Light of Christ.  Whether someone carries the same beliefs as me, or whether they are Christian or not, I have felt connections through the Light of Christ with people around the world.  This language is spiritual and can reach the whole soul.  The Light of Christ unites hearts and generates "the good vibes we feel in the universe." 


There are surely more languages that are shared worldwide, but these are the ones that stand out to me most.  

B's Post --- We are on our way coming

The people in Ghana are so amazing and beautiful and kind. When they are going to accomplish something, or see someone they say "I am on my way coming." There have been moments in my life where I have felt I was "on my way coming". Rach and I have been best friends only a short time according to those around us, but we know it has been so much longer. It's something that I know we had promised up in heaven, we were "on our way coming" to find each other in this life and help each other out. Rach has always been a good example to me, and Africa has been her dream for so long. I feel so spoiled and blessed and privileged to be here with her experiencing as she says living the dream. She has been "on her way coming" to Africa for so long. And now to see her here and being able to feel her spirit and happiness, it's empowering, encouraging, and enlightening. I'm sure we have all had "on my way coming" experiences.  When we feel we need to do something, I want my response to be "I am on my way coming" and hope others feel the same, even if it is just to say hi to someone or put out your hand and introduce yourself. Something that I have felt a lot in the last few years or maybe longer and I didn't know... is this idea of my soul is like a puzzle and there are pieces of it wandering around the world, so as I go places I find a piece of my soul and leave a piece of my heart. These are "on my way coming" moments of I am coming to get my soul and leave you my heart. There are so many "on my way coming" experiences all around us. I invite you to find some of yours. Rach has been a great motivator in focusing on the right path to be "on my way going." She is "on her way coming" to change the world and she is doing it every day! 

Thank you for supporting my best friend,

B :)

Timothy

In the spirit of Father's Day, I'd like to introduce you (through my writing) to Timothy.

Timothy is a powerfully meek man.  He currently serves as a Bishop in an LDS ward in Kwamo, and he would probably be the last person to tell you about the incredible things he has done with his life, haha.  I can't claim to know him super well, but I feel that I know him well enough to share with you why I believe he is a great friend, father, mentor and servant of God.

Timothy lives next to the Kwamo school where we are working to expand the building.  He has played a major role in supporting the school with the new building project, and he is a true advocate for the success of the school.  When we were digging the trenches for the foundation a few days ago, he was there right along side us, using a pick axe and shovel to hasten the work.

Each time we've visited the Kwamo school, Timothy and his family have opened their home to us and have generously fed us of their home-cooked meals (which often taken hours to prepare.)

Timothy and his wife, Mary, have also taken in several young men, providing shelter and opportunities for them to work and develop important character skills.  When allowing the first boy to come live with him, Timothy discovered that this boy had practically become homeless and had taken to stealing food in order to survive.  The rest of the young men to follow had similar stories to tell-- stories of abandonment, abuse, homelessness, etc.  One of the young men has since left on an LDS mission, and the rest of them are preparing to serve as well!  It was a great privilege to work along side these young men when digging the trenches at the Kwamo school.  I didn't know of their stories then, but I could already sense that they are persons of integrity and diligence.  I am certain that without Timothy and Mary, they wouldn't be the men they are today!

Timothy serves individuals.  He doesn't work to receive recognition and praise, but rather to humbly do his part to make a positive difference in the world.  Even his story combined with Mary's is an inspiring tale:  Mary had been a child bride to and old man in Togo, and when pregnant with her second child, she fled.  The child she was expecting at the time, Vida, is now one of my dear friends :)  Vida is my same age, and she is an amazing woman!  I know that she is the powerful person she is today in part due to the virtuous and loving upbringing from Timothy and Mary.

Timothy is kind, patient, charitable, faithful, wise, and much more-- all qualities that one would hope for in a father.  And I must say, I have been blessed to have a father with the same characteristics :)  I am grateful for the good men in my life here on Earth, and for the ways I see them follow the example of our Father in Heaven.  

"I am Strong and Healthy!"

About 10 minutes remained until Sacrament Meeting was to start.  I had just finished braiding little Mimi's hair, and felt rather accomplished with how I had turned her once-knotted up hair into a smooth, woven arrangement.  As I settled into my chair once again, I watched as friendly faces arrived for our Sunday worship services.  It was then that Sister Naomi walked over to shake my hand, and then my friend B's hand.

"How are you?"  B asked.

"Oh, I am strong and healthy!"  Sister Naomi replied, with enthusiasm and a beaming smile.

After hearing this, my thoughts were immediately taken back to the memory of a conversation I had with Brian (one of Becky's employees who lives with us) several days ago.

"How are you?"  I had asked.

"I am very, very, very, very, very, very blessed."  Brian had said.  His words then led us into a conversation about why he was feeling so very blessed.  He truly is blessed :)

In Ghana, you cannot simply ask someone "How are you?" and expect a superficial answer, which is exactly what most people do back home in the States.  "How are you?"  "Good.  How are you?"  "Good."  "Good."   The end.  Wow-- how dry and impersonal!  (Granted, I know people back home who offer heartfelt responses, which then lead to conversations with depth and true connection.)  

Perhaps it is the lifestyle here in Ghana and the way time passes that allows for people to have meaningful conversations about how they're doing.  Whatever the reason for the cultural difference though, I like it here!  I hope this is a piece of Ghana/Africa that I take home with me!  So the next time you ask me how I am doing, I want to give you a meaningful, truthful, heartfelt response!  Don't worry-- I'll try to remain sensitive to the time you can afford to give me for a response ;) 

When the Power is Out

There are many things I take for granted back home.  Even after traveling to Mexico several times and living in India for a summer, I see how I have allowed myself to feel entitled to many of the blessings I enjoy on a daily basis.  Or if I don't feel entitled to them, I don't take time to appreciate them or give thanks for them.  Several changes of clothes for every season in Utah; clean drinking water nearly EVERYWHERE; well-paved roads, even in canyons and most remote neighborhoods/towns; lights/electricity that almost always work; relatively easy access to education; support for girls to stay in school when they're menstruating; quality support for the homeless and unemployed; political system that mostly keeps the government in check; effective programs to keep most of the trash and loose animals off the streets (i.e. cows, goats, chickens, etc.)... And the list can go on.

Here, where I'm living, the power goes out almost daily (sometimes more than once), and often stays out for a good chunk of time.  I can imagine it's even more spotty in other parts of the country.  (And that's not taking into account the number of people who can't afford to pay the electrical bill.)  Tonight, the power went out during dinner.  Everyone calmly continued eating as best as they could in the dark while one of the kids went to grab one of the solar powered lamps (a luxury here that many might only dream of.)  As I sat in the dark, my mind turned to my fears-- particularly bugs.  For whatever reason, I struggle with the idea of bugs roaming free in the night.  I know that cockroaches roam the house in the dark, along with other critters.  Once the solar-powered light arrived at the table, I felt my worries ease.  

As I contemplate now my thoughts and feelings from when the power is out, I feel a need to count my blessings.  God is patient with me... ever patient.  It seems that I need wake ups calls like this on a fairly regular basis!  But I am grateful.  I really am.  So tonight, I will give thanks for 9 (the best number) specific things from my life here in Ghana:

1. The solar-powered lamps we have scattered around the house for when the power goes out
2. The friendly people who greet me on the streets and continue to welcome me to Ghana
3. Ouwra (spelling???), the sweet 2 year-old who lives with us with his mom, and has one of the most adorable laughs in the world
4. The fan that sits in the bedroom window an night to cool the room down and help keep the mosquitoes away
5. The little shops on most streets with water bags and Fan Ice (little ice cream pouches)
6. The sweet, juicy mangoes we eat every day!
7. The dog, Arthur, who keeps the thieves away
8. The fact that most people here can speak English, but are also patient with me as I try to learn Twi
9. The humidity that keeps my skin from going dry

I definitely have more than 9 things to be grateful for, so these are simply a few ("few" can be more than "3"... right?)  In short, I am grateful for the times the power goes out as it gives me a chance to reflect on my blessings and give thanks.

Taxi Full of Chickens

We rode along the bumpy road, appreciating the sights through the car windows.  The night before brought a wealth of rain, so shops were opening slower this morning.  Puddles of water decorated the orange-dirt roads; cars carefully navigated the slippery terrain.  Men and women cautiously walked the busy streets with crates and baskets of merchandise balanced on their heads.  Shops stretched as far as the eye could see to our left and our right-- shops with food, clothing, accessories, building supplies, furniture, toys, souvenirs, and more.  Suddenly, we saw it.

A taxi full of chickens!!

No, these were not frozen bags of chicken; nor were they dead chickens.  These were living and breathing chickens!  The taxi had pulled to the side of the road, and a woman opened the door to start unloading the chickens.  We stared at the plethora of goofy-eyed birds, their heads quickly turning from side to side.  Their expressions seemed to say "Geez fellas-- where are we?"  "What a strange cage we're in!"  "Hey!  Hey!  Hey! Hey!"

I've seen some fascinating and exciting things during my time here... but the taxi full of chickens is probably the most random thus far!

Kakra Kakra

The air is calm and full of enlightenment.  No one notices the dense humidity in the dimly lit room.  A small orange-covered book lays open on each persons lap or in their hands.  Sounds of English and Twi fill the air as friendships are strengthened and knowledge enhanced.  Everyone wears a smile, and God's Spirit abides with us.  These literacy classes are a place to practice reading and writing through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The knowledge and information doesn't come all at once, but rather little by little-- kakra kakra.

As I listen to my new friends practice English, I know that I must practice my Twi.  I quickly and carefully switch between my teacher hat and student hat.  My students and friends are my teachers.  Helena, Janet, Sister Pat, Georgina, Naomi, Joshua and Francis.  We rejoice when I say things correctly, and laugh when I make mistakes.  They are so kind.  The knowledge and information doesn't come all at once, but rather little by little-- kakra kakra.

A week has nearly passed, yet it feels as though I've been here much longer.  Dirt roads, frequent rainstorms, colorfully patterned clothing, bright smiles, intricately layered music, packed buses, lush green surroundings... even the mosquitoes and street chickens seem natural part of my life.  Time passes in a leisurely way, allowing most things to happy as they should.  The environment guides me to reflect on the person I was before I came here, who I am now, and the person I want to be when I return home.  I analyze parts of my heart and soul-- recognizing most of what I find, and discovering new pieces to remove, change or learn to love.  I believe Africa is changing me for the better.  The change isn't coming all at once, but rather little by little-- kakra kakra.