"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 ;)