Let's go back a couple weeks to New Years Day. Damary and I were invited to join the village where we bought the pig, Yung, about 30 km away. Now, a few days before the 1st I said to Damary that one day I would like to go to one of those New Year's parties where you get all fancy and dance the night away etc, etc. It is on my list-of-things-to-do-one-day. Well, this was not like we see in the movies for a New Years celebration but it was still a celebration with dancing and people all dressed in their cloths and smocks, which are traditional.We arrived around 4pm and sat with Saidu and his wife. They served us delicious Ground Nut Soup with Fufu, classic dish. Then we heard the drumming. We went out and already they were dancing. This is how the Christians in this village celebrate the new year. Actually, in many places in Ghana January 1st is a big deal. In Accra, many people would get dressed in their best and go to church. Church services could last from 3 hours to 8 hours! I have found in Tamale it is the same. Maybe people want to start fresh? Maybe people want to get right with God in a new year? I don't know, but I do know Ghanaians know how to celebrate. And the Yung village is no different. The Christians invite M*slims as well. There were so many people. The weather was a nice, dry, not-too-hot sort of day. Even the chief came for the event.The drummers are men from another place that have been hired. Sort of like, hiring a band for an event I think. As people dance they will "dash" (like a tip for their service) the drummers and put money on their forehead. They have someone who collects the money if it is sticking to their sweaty foreheads or if it fell to the ground they will get it there. It is not easy to drum like these men. Whoa. They really work. Most time the tip would be equivalent to 30 cents or 5 cents..
I would love to post the videos but I can't upload them on here. You can check them on my facebook page. https://web.facebook.com/sherri.paulson.75The videos were a bit funny because Damary and I joined in. it was funny because I know we didn't look like they did. We each separately went out to dance and people would come up and give money. We gave the money to the drummers. I later said to Saidu that next year I will come back and have practiced and I will be much better :) I don't know if you can practice what seems to be in their blood.We later went and spent some time with the pastor of a Baptist church. They have over 200 members! In a M*slim area this is a big deal. They are trying to build a church for everyone to fit in. We all prayed together. There is something special about praying with other believers, ones you have never met before (or have), there is a sweetness that you can't explain. You know you are united by One Spirit. Even though we are so different, do things different ways, look different, have different experiences, yet, our same God loves us all and unites us all together. It is saaaaa-weet!So, even though my New Years was not the one I wanted to cross off on my to do list, it may have even been better. I already have it scheduled for next year.Thanks for praying!