This is my 4th year in a row coming to Ghana. You’d think I’d be used to it all by now. Honestly, some of it I am used to. Some of it still surprises me.
It doesn’t surprise me anymore to see craftsmen up early in the morning creating beautiful wooden furniture and other items from trees and branches. It doesn’t surprise me to see men and women, boys and girls walking through the intersections with baskets on their heads full of nearly anything you would find at your local store. I’m not surprised to smell smoke every morning and every evening as people gather and burn their garbage. I’m not surprised to smell he heavy, thick smoke emanating from cars and trucks that clearly don’t have to deal with emissions testing. It doesn’t surprise me to see cars forcing their way into and through intersections right into whichever lane they want (you’ve got to be bold to drive here). It doesn’t surprise me to see a “trow-trow” filled with people packed in like sardines. It doesn’t surprise me to see advertisements for churches and revivals conferences all over the place. It doesn’t surprise me to see cars with the names of God and scripture quotes painted all over them. It doesn’t surprise me to see such an interesting blend of western clothing and traditional prints and garments all over Accra. No, these things don’t surprise me.
But some things still surprise me. Uber is now in Ghana. I’ve had to get a car a few times already – and the rates are incredible. Ghana is a Christian nation and it is not at all surprising to see church busses picking up worshippers for church. But this Sunday I saw what looked like a 35 passenger bus loaded to the hilt with about 55-60 people headed to church. And they were in there worshipping their way to church. Ghanaians use “please” as a term of respect. They use it where we would often use “sir” or “ma’am” or “thank you.” That one always throws me off. This evening i looked up and saw a pack of BATS flying across the evening sky.
This trip brought about a new experience. Each time I’d come to Ghana our group stayed at Hephzibah Christian Center, which is a ministerial retreat center. Nice modest accommodations. This year there wasn’t a group traveling here as usual. The accommodations that my partner, Dr. Clarke, and I made got changed at the last minute. So I had to make accommodations once I arrived. We found a decent hotel for a very reasonable rate.
The first night things were well. But the second day there was no hot water. The third day there was no hot water and barely any water at all. By the end of the 3rd day there was NO water in the rooms. So I had to find another hotel on the spot (I have to be able to bathe). Finding accommodations is new for me. That was always handled by someone else. Tuesday morning I also had to arrange my own transportation to and from the school.
I guess I’m being stretched.