Time With Martha

I have posted a couple blogs about getting my hair done by Martha. She is a christian woman with two kids who lives relatively near me. I think she may be the only christian helping me with Dagbani on a regular basis.A few weeks ago Martha told me she wished she could write like me. I told her I would like to braid like her but it would take practice. I said if you will practice you will be able to write well. She said she would practice. In town, I found some basic copy and tracing books. She is doing so well! Her Ms were kind of funny, and we laughed at it, but she is determined. I told her I wished I could speak Dagbani as well as she can write. Maybe one day.As we were talking she was telling me how she loves fufu and how she just could eat it at any time even if she is full. I told her I really like it too. So we made a plan. I would go to market and buy the ingredients and she would cook it.I love going to market and buying things! It is just organized chaos. But, since it was the beginning of the month I had to visit an ATM machine first so I could get some money. I do not know what the problem was but either the machines around town were not working or they would only give out small amounts. The small amounts are irritating because they charge my bank with fees. So, I would hope to just do two transactions a month to keep the fees low. But, this day...hmph. I could only take out something small. But, at least, I got some, right?I got all my ingredients and took a yellow yellow back to Martha's place where she had already started cooking with what she had. She was so great with speaking to me in Dagbani the whole time, even though her English is ok. She tried explaining each step. I think I caught most of it :) Well, as she was doing it I could figure out what she was saying.For the fufu pounding, they asked me if I wanted to do it but usually what happens is I do a few pounds and then they tell me that is good enough and let me sit and watch. I don't mind because it is definitely an arm workout! These women cook hard for their food!I was also able to buy some soft drinks and juice and fruit for dessert. What a bounty! Her two children enjoyed along with other people in her compound. It was such a great time. The children kept saying, "God bless you Sister Wunizooya!"Anyways, I went home with a full belly, a mind too full of Dagbani, and a heart full of thankfulness for Martha and her family.