My first week in Gushegu. Now that I am writing on the close of the week it would easy for me to just say, "it was great." I usually forget the hard parts. I think that is mostly good in life. Unless, of course, you go back to the same tailor who messed your dress up the first time and took him 2 months to finish it...I digress.
It was not great. It was hard. And hot. And mind exhausting. But it was good. Does that make sense? I started my mornings off with a walk. It was so peaceful and cool. The moon was about to be outshined by the sun and would reflect off those African trees that we all know from pictures. Whether listening to praise music or reciting Bible verses I would prepare my mind for the day.
Then I come home and read my Bible and eat breakfast. There the goodness ended-sometimes. Most days I had to talk out loud to myself to get out the door. I knew it would be good, I knew it, but I just didn't wanna go! But somehow, every morning, I went. And most often, I had really good experiences. One dialogue I wanted to share with people was about my family. I wanted to use more words like oldest and youngest. But this particular morning of going out was so hard. I kept finding things to do in the house. All excuses. Finally, I went and the first new house I visited, the old man greeted me and then asked me about my father! I inwardly praised God because I did not even have to try to work up to sharing about my family! I was like, "ok, God, you care about this too." So encouraging.
I have met lots of people young and old. I have spoke more than in Tamale. I have been confused more than in Tamale too:)
But not all hunky dory once I'm out the door. (Does anyone say hunky dory anymore? It just came out.) People always ask why I don't have children or why I don't have a husband and none of my answers satisfy them. Also, it has been over 100 degrees everyday and I feel physically beaten by the sun and people will sometimes ask me why am I walking around in the heat. (Yeah, why am I doing this again? Oh yes, the love of Christ compels me!:)) One day I came home for lunch after a morning where I couldn't really understand what they were saying, and I was annoyed. The house I am staying in is not the newest building in the world. I have killed 3 mice this week and the sink keeps leaking. And if you hold the faucet the right way it will do more than leak. I got so angry because I couldn't stop it so I smacked it. Ploof! I knocked the faucet flat off! Water was running everywhere! This is so Sherri (sigh).
Long story short, I found a knob outside to shut the water off and called Fela in Accra who then called someone in Gushegu who then sent a plumber to the house. He was able to stop the flow and told me there are no places to buy sink, pipes, and faucets in Gushegu. Wow, just great. Ugh... But at least he stopped the water.
Then I had the lovely job of cleaning everything up and getting that water outside or soaked up with a mop...And remember it's hot and remember all the mice? Mouse poopie floating around too. Ugh. I-love-my-life-I-love-my-life-I-love-my-life.
I can laugh now. I took the bus to Tamale on Saturday for a team meeting and as I was walking around, it really made me love all that Tamale has. What a metropolis! Also, I could tell I was much more confident in my speaking Dagbani as I was shopping or going around. YAY! Small progress! (And I did buy plumbing parts.)
I go back on today and plan to stay 3 weeks. I know I can do it but it will be hard. I thought one week was long! Oh boy! But already seeing God's hand on me and his everfilling-always-dumping-on-us grace, pushes me on.
Keep praying!
Pics of Gushegu. Town, market, the mouse I caught on a sticky trap, kitchen and wet floors, and the bus to Tamale. What a week! (While without a faucet, I filled a bucket of water and left it at the sink and then scooped some out for washing or whatever.)
