Last weekend here!
On Monday, I am leaving Ghana. It has been an incredible
experience to say the least! I have been so blessed to have seen so much of
this beautiful country and even a bit of Togo. I've been thinking about all of the
lessons I've learned this semester. There are way too many to list, but there
are a few I’d like to share.
1. The importance of people and relationships. Ghana does not have all the material wealth that we experience in the United States, but there is an unparalleled richness in its culture and community. This is evident in nearly all aspects of life. A child is loved, chastised, and raised by everyone, so each person’s welfare is the business of everyone else. Thinking about the community at the night market, I see this so clearly. It has been a very refreshing break from the dog-eat-dog, individualistic society I came from, but this leads me to my next big lesson.
2. There is no “right” way. This has definitely been a lesson I've learned throughout the whole semester as I experienced more thing and engaged in conversations with others. The West often has this idea that underdeveloped countries should strive to be the same as their developed counterparts. However, who is to say which way is better? Ghana is a country full of friendly people, an incredible faith in God, and an ease about life. Things are more relaxed and while that may be frustrating when, say two months later you still haven’t gotten your care package, there is great wisdom in this too. I’ve come to see that contentment, in moderation, can lead to more sincere happiness. I am looking forward to going back home and experiencing all the differences again, hoping to see them not as better or worse but just different.
3. Be thankful for what you have. When I first came I really thought I was justified in complaining about having to take cold showers. Then the water stopped running and I found myself wishing for nothing more than a cold shower. I saw girls take bucket baths on the street and realized how much of a blessing a cold shower inside really is. This not only applies to material things, but also time with others. I am leaving on Monday and chances are I’ll never see some of my friends here again. Some people are only in our lives for a short while and we should really make the best use of that time, never taking it for granted. This is one of the hardest lessons for me, because I still find myself complaining and getting easily frustrated at times. It will be hard to to really embrace this, but I hope I never forget what I experienced and saw here.
1. The importance of people and relationships. Ghana does not have all the material wealth that we experience in the United States, but there is an unparalleled richness in its culture and community. This is evident in nearly all aspects of life. A child is loved, chastised, and raised by everyone, so each person’s welfare is the business of everyone else. Thinking about the community at the night market, I see this so clearly. It has been a very refreshing break from the dog-eat-dog, individualistic society I came from, but this leads me to my next big lesson.
2. There is no “right” way. This has definitely been a lesson I've learned throughout the whole semester as I experienced more thing and engaged in conversations with others. The West often has this idea that underdeveloped countries should strive to be the same as their developed counterparts. However, who is to say which way is better? Ghana is a country full of friendly people, an incredible faith in God, and an ease about life. Things are more relaxed and while that may be frustrating when, say two months later you still haven’t gotten your care package, there is great wisdom in this too. I’ve come to see that contentment, in moderation, can lead to more sincere happiness. I am looking forward to going back home and experiencing all the differences again, hoping to see them not as better or worse but just different.
3. Be thankful for what you have. When I first came I really thought I was justified in complaining about having to take cold showers. Then the water stopped running and I found myself wishing for nothing more than a cold shower. I saw girls take bucket baths on the street and realized how much of a blessing a cold shower inside really is. This not only applies to material things, but also time with others. I am leaving on Monday and chances are I’ll never see some of my friends here again. Some people are only in our lives for a short while and we should really make the best use of that time, never taking it for granted. This is one of the hardest lessons for me, because I still find myself complaining and getting easily frustrated at times. It will be hard to to really embrace this, but I hope I never forget what I experienced and saw here.
Well, those are some of my reflections on my trip. There are
certainly many many more and I pray I’m faithful in applying them to my life at
home!
Before I head home, I am spending a few days in London and
one in New York! I am so excited for this adventure! I will be in London with
my international student friend, Marti, and because she has friends that live
there we even have a place to stay. So thankful! Then I am spending one day with
my very very good friend Eliza in New York. It has been quite a while since we’ve
seen each other so I am really looking forward to it!
I’ll be posting pictures of those last trips and more probably
once I get home on Friday. Thank you so much for keeping up with me this
semester, it has been so nice to share everything with my friends and family at
home :)
