Here I am, back in Yendi, after a trip back to Oregon for Christmas. I saw almost everyone I wanted to see...but not all, answered alot of questions and got refueled for another 7 months here. I ran into snow in Portland, and the worst traffic jam in 10 years. I had Christmas with all my children and their "significant others", and had some great food. We barbecued steaks and watched the Oregon ducks in the Rose Bowl. I thought I would freeze the first couple of days back, but got used to it quickly. But it was all like I had had a strange dream and woke back to the real life. Now it feels like I am in the real life and the visit home was a dream. Very weird. It doesn't register in my brain that the two worlds exist at the same time.
Did I feel culture shock when I went back? Not as much as I thought I would. I was prepared for the commercialism because it was Christmas time. I had thought that it would bother me, but it really didn't. I did see a segment on the morning news about gifts we could buy our pets... like a $600 cat bed, and thought about how stupidly rich some people must be. But I enjoyed the dinners out and the gifts I received at Christmas. I understand our materialism because I have lived it. So, I have no lectures for all of you, but I do know in my heart that WE are a wealthy people, and we are all materialistic. But I include myself in that.
I was also amazed at the interest in the school, the mission and the children here. I received so many things that they would not all fit in two suitcases. Americans are still a giving people. I was overwhelmingly welcomed and surrounded with people who said they had been praying for me. This was such an encouragement because when I am here and communication is slow or non-existent it can get alittle lonely.
So, I know that Americans, at least the ones I know, are still compassionate and care about children a world away. I think that we all just lose sight of what we are here for. God has been speaking to me about this. Even here in Ghana, in a Christian school, where poverty and needs are right in front of our face, we lose our "train of thought" and start worrying about all the drama and problems associated with our lives. Some of these may even be big problems, but God tells us He can move mountains. In the book, "The Sacred Romance" the authors talk about our stories and dramas as compared to His story in which we are players. Satan wants to pull us away from thinking about God's story and get us to focus on our story (such as how to buy that $600 cat bed or that $300 Ipod, the neighbor's dog, or how someone treated us at church). Telecast sings, "... to be a part of Your story, the story of love, and our great need for You." Once I was listening to my itunes and the screen saver was running. These words came just as the pictures of some of the kids came on the screen. This is what keeps me going...knowing I am part of a story which includes these kids, His love and our great need.
Sometimes when I was home I did debate coming back. It was hard to know I was leaving family again for 7 months this time. But one of the kid's faces would come to my mind and I knew that I was not finished here. There is so much still to teach.
When I returned, I was very lonely for my family. I felt alittle sad and again, wondered if I could stay 7 months. My first day back at school however brought it all back. The children really are beautiful. They ran to welcome us, the youngest ones fighting to hug us. To pick up one of those little ones and hold them tight, or to hear 8 year old Ruhia say, "Sometimes I just sit and wonder who God is and where He came from", or listen to my class get excited about multiplication.... and I am back. So here's to you; Zulaha, Ruhia, Kayaba, Kofi, Wumna, Fasa, Wumpini and all the others.... your faces brought me back!
