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MAKING THE HOLE DISAPPEAR
Most of us have a history of hiding from photos of ourselves – and not just those produced by photographers working for school yearbooks or the BMV. We demand veto rights over the photos that others post of us on social media. A camera can bring some deep insecurities to the surface. So as I have taken pictures over the past week, I have tried to ask permission. (I am not against occasionally sneaking a shot to get something un-posed.) Ghanaians have been pretty laid back when I have asked to take their pictures. Today, though, after our final group…
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GOOD LIGHT
Today I got a few good photos and a couple of marriage proposals. I stayed in town today to tour with a loan officer named Samuel and his secretary, Maria. Our last of three meetings was held at 3:30 in a half-finished house being used as a parsonage/Sunday school classroom. And the lighting was perfect! I only wish I could have taken more photos, but I was afraid of disrupting the serious business at hand. This was an all-female loan group and they were a hardworking bunch of ladies. You could see the weariness in their faces. But the same…
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MY NEW HERO
I first met Stephen yesterday at the little church Conrad and I attended. He was personable from the first moment. Today I had the honor of riding along with him for the day. Stephen is a loan officer for a microfinance ministry that is very similar to what Mission Resource does but under a different organization. I should have known that my assumptions were going to be challenged today when Stephen picked me up around 11:00 am and he was wearing a dress shirt, slacks, and … boots.
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PEACE
In Chapter 20, John’s Gospel records several interactions of Jesus with His disciples just after the resurrection. But John doesn’t tell us a whole lot of what Jesus said to His disciples – the dialogue is sparse. Even so, John notes a phrase that Jesus repeats 3 times to his disciples: “Peace be with you!” Jesus doesn’t give the disciples a long explanation of why they should be full of peace, and he doesn’t reprimand them for being fearful. He just says, “Peace be with you.” I have found myself battling anxious thoughts more often these past few years. (How…
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ELMINA CASTLE
Since it was Saturday and since one of my goals is simply to get to know Ghana and her culture, Conrad took me this morning to the Elmina Castle. This fortress is THE predominant historical site in this part of Ghana. And it deserves to be better known worldwide. You see, Elmina Castle was ground zero for the African slave trade. The Portuguese built the impressive structure to establish a foothold in Africa’s Guinea Coast in 1482. This was an entire decade before Christopher Columbus’ first trip to the New World! Here is the main courtyard. The slaves were housed…
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CHARACTERS
I met several characters today: Salim – who approached Conrad and me at a street-side food vendor and introduced himself as a “local celebrity”. Further discussion revealed Salim is trying to help small farmers pool their produce to get better prices at market. Michael – an American who is hoping to start aquaponic fish farms here in Ghana to provide both jobs and additional protein to the nation’s diet without fear of overfishing the ocean. When I asked Michael what his experience was with aquaponics, he replied, “Next to nothing!” Kasey – (With a ‘K’!) a hotel owner who grew…
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SLEEP WIMP
Last night was a rough night. The flight from New York to Accra, Ghana was 10 hours long and it left at 1:00 am. The plane was larger than most I have been on, but that didn’t mean there was any extra leg room. I took my contacts out immediately and grabbed my travel pillow and the blanket provided by Delta and determined to get comfy. It was impossible. I would doze for about 10 minutes at a time. All told, I maybe got 20 or so short naps last night – but no real sleep. And although I never…
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GEOGRAPHY
It’s 9:30 pm at La Guardia airport in New York and I am sitting down after strolling the length of the concourse to peruse every conceivable type of sandwich – none cheaper than $15. I have decided tonight is a good time to fast from everything but the peanut butter protein bars I brought with me. I have about 3 hours before my flight is scheduled to leave for Accra, Ghana. It will take a little over 10 hours over the Atlantic to reach the West Coast of Africa. And that reminds me … I have been trying to narrow…
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TRAVEL
I guess there are some people who hate to travel. They add up all the layovers, hours in cramped seating, and the unpredictability of the entire venture and say, “Not for me”. Others would put up with nearly any inconvenience imaginable to visit an unfamiliar part of this world and to experience an unfamiliar culture. They see the unpredictability as a feature, not a flaw. I am more of the 2nd type, so I am excited to have the privilege of flying to Ghana tomorrow. (God willing!) This will be my opportunity to see firsthand the past and present work…
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BREAKING LEGS FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Even after having their plea to remove the “King of the Jews” sign had been dismissed, the Chief Priests went back to Pilate with one last request regarding the crucifixion of Jesus: Please send someone to break the legs of Jesus and the two thieves. Their end goal was to hasten death. A man on a cross could survive several days, but that survival – as he hung with his arms elevated above his shoulders – was dependent on being able to push himself up straight enough to breath deeply. And this involved putting his full weight on the nail…