Abena Nyamekye

Incase you were wondering that is my Ghanaian name! It has taken me this entire week to recognize it when people are calling me, but now I have finally gotten the hang of it. I have also picked up some other essential phrases such as “Wo din de sen?” (what is your name?) and many more. I think it would be almost impossible not to feel at home here in Kasei. There are so many things both big and small, like falling asleep to the sound of the rain and exploring the market in Ejura with friends for the first time, that remind me of how precious each moment is here. Some times this first week I felt like I was potentially more of a burden than a help to the workers at the hospital. However, thanks to their incredible patience with me in almost everything, including my feeble attempts to communicate to the patients in their language (Twi), I started to fit in at the hospital. I felt like by the end of last week they possibly actually enjoyed having me around in the out patient department where I was stationed this week. If nothing else I think they appreciated my smile and my dedication to try to record as many sets of vitals as possible from when I came to work at 7 until I left at 2. Lee would be happy to know that my soccer skills are steadily improving here. After the boys at school found out that I had a soccer ball and was willing to play I have been consistently recruited to join in on their pick up games in the afternoons. Another highlight of this week was enjoying a wide variety of new cuisine. Although the fresh mangos, pineapple, avocados, and watermelon that we get at the market or in the village are decidedly some of my favorites, my dad would be proud to know that this past week I have also tried sardines with yams and fufu (which is eaten by hand with fish stew, you will have to look that one up if you are curious about it J ). These are only a few of the details from this past week, and sometimes amidst all this I still cannot believe that I am actually here. The time is already flying by and I just hope that I can soak up every minute of it. Coming to Ghana and being here even a week I cannot help but realize that this world is so much bigger than the world I live in on a day to day basis, I am finding out that this is quite an exciting and awe inspiring thing. I feel like it has become so clear to me here that the world does not revolve around me even though I often think, and live, like it does. When I take the focus off of myself I can instead seek to discover how my struggles and decisions might become an opportunity for me to live for God’s glory. As I read through 1 John and worked in the busy hospital waiting room this week I began to see a connection between learning to live for God’s glory and practicing loving others. Not necessarily with words (especially here since I can’t really speak Twi yet J) but with actions and not with my own imperfect love but with Christ’s love and not because of who I am but because He first loved me and because I want to walk in His ways. I am praying that God will teach me how use my life as an opportunity to live for His glory starting simply by loving my brothers and sisters. Romans 11:36, 1 John 3:18, 4:10-21

First Day in Kasei

The temperature in my room and rooster crowing outside my window this morning when I woke up quickly helped me to remember where I was, luckily for me I don’t mind the heat, my Dad however who always turns the thermostat downs to 60 may not have grown accustomed to Kasei so quickly J. We drove to Kasei, the village where we will be staying and where the hospital is, yesterday from Accra after our plane got in at 5 AM. Needless to say me and Audrey got to spend a couple more hours than expected in London thanks to a storm in Dallas but fortunately I am an expert at exchanging currency and using international pay phones, J not exactly but I am better at it now than I was before. It was an amazing feeling to finally land in Accra and to immediately see Dr. John and a sign with our names on it. After traveling for almost two days I’m sure that it was obvious by our appearance we could use some sleep and a shower but after arriving at the eye clinic in Accra and being welcomed right into their prayer/bible study/worship I was reminded of how truly blessed I am to be here and to be surrounded by the presence and people of God. It is an incredible thing to realize how close God is even in Ghana where I feel like I am a million miles away from home. The seven hour journey driving across Ghana to get to our village was an amazing experience in itself. I feel so grateful for every single moment I have gotten to spend seeing and experiencing this country and it’s people for myself. I can’t say that we often have people selling mangos and coconuts along the roads in South Dakota. Our first few days in Kasei have not been without their fair share of excitement, seeing as how my mom hates bats even when we see them in the zoo I am sure she would not have appreciated over twenty of them flying from tree to tree along the road in the hospital compound where our house is. She probably also would have screamed when a little boy killed one with his sling shot and brought it over to us, I have to admit I found it a little hard not to do the same, luckily for me Audrey was very brave and even curious about the bat and in the process we managed to make some new friends. We are so very thankful for everyone back home that was praying for our safe travel and we are grateful for the people here who have welcomed us into their homes and lives. While we are slightly unsure of ourselves in this new place and appreciate the many prayers that we know will be surrounding us as we begin working in the hospital next week, we do not doubt that God has a plan for us this summer. His glory and love are great enough to overcome any flaws we have or mistakes we may make as we try our best to walk in His ways and serve those we get to know this summer. Ephesians 3:14-20

Last Day at Home

So I’ve just now tonight finally finished packing and it is kind of finally starting to sink in, as I look over my itinerary for the hundredth time, that I am actually leaving for Ghana tomorrow. I have to admit that I am much more excited than I am nervous. I cannot believe that tomorrow I will be boarding the plane and finally beginning on this journey. I am looking forward to so many things these next two months, the people I will get to know, the places I will see, the culture I will experience, and most importantly seeking the God I want to serve. I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have been given to work with the Luke Society in Ghana in one of their hospitals. I know that God has led me here and will continue to use me and change me this summer. I hope that His love will flow out of me and that I will work as if working for Him in whatever I may do these next couple of weeks. I cannot wait to get to know Audrey, the other student from Northwestern that I am traveling with, as we embark on this long journey together (my first time out of the country J). Admittedly I wasn’t really planning on having a blog, anyone who knows me knows how much I struggle with technology and social media (aka facebook, twitter, etc.). However seeing as I already refused to take my phone along with me this summer this blog was a way of compromising with my parents so that they felt they could stay in touch with me while I still don’t have to bother with keeping track of my phone. Even now as I complain about having to write this my mom is reminding me that keeping a blog is a much better alternative than having my dad come a long with me! I am going to miss them and my little sister and brother, Kate and Lee, along with many of my friends so very much but I know there is no other way I would rather be spending my summer. So needless to say my thoughts may not always be the most organized or well put together and I can’t really promise elaborate stories but I will do my best to at least keep things kind of updated more or less, if for no other reason than because I have a feeling my parents will be checking and will hopefully relax a little when they hear from me J. I better finish up and try to get a good last night sleep in my own bed before I start out on this amazing trip tomorrow. I pray that as I head out I will set my mind and my heart on God and seek His glory above all else. I pray that I would rely on His strength and His salvation, so that His light may shine through me and that I would be made less so He could be more.     2 Corinthians 4:5-6