Week 1 Report

Hi everyone! It's hard to believe I've been in Ghana for a week now . . . some days it seems like I just got here, and some days I feel like I've been here forever! But I still often find myself just looking around in amazement . . . who would have dreamed that the little farm girl from Iowa would one day be living in Africa?? God does funny things, doesn't he? I think rather than write a report, I'll answer some frequently asked questions I've gotten over email.

Q: Are you bringing a kid home?
A: How could I choose just one? These kids are so adorable! My favorite of the day is six-year-old Emmanuel. Yesterday it was four-year-old Kofi. The day before is was baby Apea. They just steal your heart and wrap you around their finger. I would like to build bunk beds in my basement and bring home ten of them.

Q: Have you had to eat rabbit yet?
A: Nope! So far, so good. But my diet is definitely different. Dr. Atkins would roll over in his grave if he could see all the carbs I consume in a day. I eat at the volunteer house. Breakfast is bread and water. Every day. That's it. A girl from England who's volunteering went out and bought a jar of jam, so that livens things up a bit. I'd pay twenty bucks for a box of Special K and a carton of milk right now. Lunch and dinner are usually either pasta or rice with some sort of sauce (I feel better not asking what it's made of -- better not to know, I figure). And twice I've been served "chips" for lunch -- basically oversized French fries. And that's it. A plate of chips. No side dishes, no condiments. But I've seen the orphanage breakfasts (a bowl of gruel? porridge? I can't tell what it is . . . ) so I consider myself pretty lucky to be at the volunteer house for meals.

Q: What is the area like?
A: I thought I was going to the middle of nowhere, but this is a metropolitan area! It was a six hour bus ride from the capital city, then another hour by tro-tro (think fifteen passenger van with seats for twenty-seven!), but it's a fairly big city with taxis and buses and people everywhere. I walk half a mile down a dirt road to get to the orphanage, and it's an odd mix of very nice homes, half-built abandoned buildings, lush trees, little shops, corn, and children everywhere! It's like being in a parade every day . . . the children shout "Obroni!" (rough translation: hey whitey!) and I wave and smile. There's one adorable little girl who can't be more than three or four who at least once a day (and I walk by four times a day, so she's got plenty of chances) shouts "Obroni!" like we're old friends who haven't seen each other in years, comes out into the street, and shakes my hand. Yesterday we went to church, and I had to sit in the back of the truck with the kids . . . that really felt like a parade!

Q: Are you homesick?
A: Not really. I miss my queen-sized extra firm mattress and hate having to limbo in and out of bed because of the mosquito net. I miss foods. (I get weird cravings . . . yesterday in church I wanted a Fudgesickle like crazy, and I can't even remember the last time I ate a Fudgesickle!) I miss calling family to catch up or hanging out with friends. I miss air conditioning!! I miss lots of people, but I'm feeling that this is where God wants me to be, so I'm happy to be where I am.

Okay, my time at the Liz Mart Internet Cafe is about up, so I'll save some questions for next week. Thanks again for the prayers!