Appreciating Ghana

We've had some fun Christmas activities this last week and some new experiences. Last Sunday we met with ex-pats and missionaries for a get-together at President Curtis's house, where we sang Christmas carols and ate desserts. It was just fun to be with this great group of people, and we were the last ones to leave. That says something about how much fun we were having.


This is the "hot" time of year (as if there were a cool time..) and the air-conditioning has been out for the last two weeks in the administration building. YIKES. We have had fans blowing, and the windows open, and I keep my dear friend Faustina supplied with wet paper towels at her reception desk. This was the first day I had worn my African-made dress, and Faustina and I posed before the heat made us wilt for the day.
Isn't she lovely? I just enjoy her because she has a lot of "sass."

It didn't feel like Christmas at first, but then we started getting into the Spirit of things. Niece

Tiffini disobeyed us and sent us a gift package - thank you, dear!- and we decorated our window.

David went to do some shopping and brought home an African Christmas bouquet. The base of the bouquet is made up of large banana leaves - and is a work of art in itself. The colors just make the apartment feel festive -- love fresh flowers! (The spring motif of the tablecloth is going to be year-round, I think.)

My "walking" friend told me she had an extra tree in her apartment, and I was welcome to it! Yay! Small, I know, but I put twinkly lights on it, with miniature presents, drums, and balls (and the 2 gingerbread men) -- and I am just charmed. I opened up my itunes with the Christmas music, dimmed the apartment lights, and the glow of the tree brings the magic of Christmas to Africa for us. It's all good.

Overall, Ghana is a very religious country with a blend of Christian and Muslim holidays and cultures. On our way home from church today, we started listing some of the interesting names that are used for places of business -

1. By His Grace Beauty Salon
2. Jevoah is my Refuge -- Special Food
3. Holy Trinity Guest House
4. God First Radiator Specialist
5. Is God Motors
5. Shalom Electrical
6. King of Kings Motor Engineer (note - not mechanic, motor engineer. clever)
7. Only God Can Do - Fast Foods

Here is a typical street where these signs appear.

It is interesting that these signs appear - but the business may or may not be there. Another interesting fact of life - and we are

getting used to this - is that the map will have the name for streets and areas (towns), but there are NO street signs, no city limit signs, and very few signs indicating the main thorough fares. Directions are given like this..."You go straight, then turn in 5 minutes, and you will see (fill in the blank), and turn at the vegetable stand. You will see it." And, surprisingly, we do generally arrive at our destination.

Lest it appear that there are no nice roads, here is a beautiful stretch of road - and it is fairly new. There are many highways being completed that connect the major cities, and they should be done within 6 months. The contractors are obligated to have their work completed by a certain date or they won't receive their payment -- hm, there's a concept.


Our last very fun experience for this week was that we went to play tennis at the court where we joined - and a young man came out to "shag" balls for us. This is the custom...there is always someone to pick up the balls for the players. David decided to rest up after our set, and I got to hit with our "ball-boy,"Abraham, who turns out to be...(wait for it).. the National Junior Champion for Ghana. All of Ghana! The guy is 15 and amazing. It was so fun to hit with him and he wants to hit with us again this next week. We then drove away looking for the "tennis shop" (which is in an area where one would never look for a tennis shop) and met Abraham's coach -- Coach Eric, who is the National Tennis Coach for all of Ghana. Truly fun, and truly a nice guy. He got in the car and directed us, in person, to the tennis shop.

Life is made good by the kindnesses of so many people. For example, our 80 year-old neighbor just delivered a spice cake topped with whipped cream in payback for some shopping I did for her. Cast your bread upon the waters, and you get spice cake!
A great time to recognize our blessing of having new adventures - and appreciate our loved ones at home.