In God We Drum

I've decided that if I ever lived in Ghana, Sunday church services would become my most favorite activity. About 85% of the population in Hohoe is Christian, and they celebrate their Christian faith with astounding church services that stretch anywhere from 2-4 hours long. As we walked the main dirt road into town this morning, we began to hear festive drumming, dancing and singing coming from a large, run down stone building that was up ahead. I thought to myself "I hope this is the place!", and I was right! We entered a huge room full of benches and chairs that were completely empty, only because their owners were up dancing and singing their hearts out to an upbeat Christian song. I have never been in a room that was so full of life with such a passion for the words that were being belted from the depths of their stomachs. I received chills just watching these people and realizing just how important their faith is to them.

After the song ended, we were seated and several testimonies and stories were recited at the podium from locals in the church. One man's story stuck out in particular. I have paraphrased his story as best as I can: 

"Last week, a group of us were driving down the road, planning to visit a town nearby to share the word of God with their people. Suddenly, a car comes out of nowhere and hits us! We stopped, and just as I had put the car in park, a man jumps to my window with a gun and club, demanding all my money. Of course I did not hesitate and I grabbed the change that was one the dashboard - roughly 100 cedi (approx. $50) - and handed it to him. He asked me to empty my pockets and I told him that was all I had. He proceeded to open the door, pull me out, strike me over the head with his gun and demand for more! I emptied all my pockets and gave him my remaining 200 cedi. While this was happening, more men were opening the other doors and pulling out the other men and women, yelling at them to lay face down on the ground. They were shooting their guns as a way of scaring us, and none of us hesitated to follow their orders. Once we were all on the ground, they threw our luggage at us from out of the car and drove off with our van. Though these events were horrible, I know that God was at our side! I know this because none of us were killed or injured and none of our women raped! This is how I know God is always acting as our savior!" 

The entire church erupted into glorious cries of "Amen!" upon his last sentence. This story strikes me as extremely profound and puts into perspective the types of horror that these people expect to happen in their country. This man was so overjoyed that no one was raped and killed that he did not care at all that they were robbed, assaulted and left stranded. Just one example of how much we all can appreciate the lives we lead back home.

After the service, we took a beautiful walk of the areas immediately around our home base: 

This is a hut where we will eventually different weaving and pottery making crafts:

These are just some local houses of different community members. I've notice that many people almost share a central lawn or have their houses close together, almost like a small, condensed "neighborhood" type thing. There is such a strong sense of community throughout the entire village :) 

Chickens and goats flock the streets 

Tomorrow begins my official volunteering! I am extremely nervous about working with the hospital but excited at the same time. I have no idea what to expect yet, but I can't wait to tell you all about!

Fie (Good evening), 

~ Sarah

I've Arrived!!!

After 30+ hours of car rides, airplanes, and a less then smooth 4-hour van ride through the Ghanaian mountains, I have arrived! I am currently sitting in the Cross-Cultural Solutions home base in the African village of Hohoe, Ghana (pronounced "ho-hway"). It has been the craziest mix of emotions throughout my journey here, mostly consisting of nerves, anxiety, and an overwhelming amount of excitement and awe at everything I have seen so far and have yet to experience!

Upon arriving at the airport after a 10 hour flight, I met up with my program leader and two other volunteers that arrived on my same flight. We stepped out into the humid, 87 degree weather, packed our bags into a rickety old van and took off for the 4-hour drive across dirt roads and through the mountains to our home base. On the way we passed countless small villages that projected a completely authentic, traditional African feel. I saw countless goats, chickens and dogs running across the roads and intermingling with the locals in the markets and villages. There were different booths, stores and houses that all shared similar metal roofs, supported by stone, and sometimes mud, walls. Women everywhere were carrying enormous loads of clothes, fruits, and other goods in baskets upon their heads, while also carrying babies strapped in cloth around their backs. I am in awe of the poise and balance that these women must have to posses! Though the ride was long, my excitement and intrigue was only further heightened by these sights as the drive continued. To help pass the time, was also practiced speaking Ewe ("ay-way"),the native Ghanian language, with one of our native chauffeurs. We arrived at about 6:00 pm Ghanian time (2:00 pm back home), ate a delicious dinner with rice, special seasoned tomato sauce, chicken and fruit. I'll be going to bed early tonight, but tomorrow starts with a trip to a local Ghanian church service, orientation and a trip around our surrounding neighborhood!

My volunteering will begin Tuesday at the Hohoe District Hospital. I will be assisting in several areas including going on rounds with doctors, helping with cleanliness and upkeep, counseling in the HIV/AIDS Clinic and my predicted favorite, educating mothers in the pre-natal and post-natal clinics about good nutrition for them and their babies! I am beyond excited for my first day of volunteering :)

I'll have pictures up as soon as I can!

Mia dogo kpuie ("see you soon"),

~ Sarah

Welcome!

Hello all!

If you're reading this, that means that (whether you knew it or not) you are about to travel alongside me on my trip to Africa this summer. So first off, I must say thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting my wonderful adventure! I would not be able to go on this trip without the countless donations, support and advice that so many of you have been sharing with me. And second, I must tell you how incredibly excited I am to begin such an amazing experience. I've talked about this with friends and family before, but ever since I was a little girl I've always wanted to travel abroad to see other places and cultures. It was in high school that I developed a desire to go to Africa to do some sort of humanitarian work in the many under-developed countries there. I've always had a dream of joining the Peace Corps at some point in my life, but until then I wanted to do a smaller-scale volunteer program before I graduated college. This summer I finally thought to myself, "So what's holding me back?" I started doing some research and found several different International Volunteer programs. I communicated with different people involved in these programs until I finally found one that fit with my views. The program I settled on is called Cross-Cultural Solutions. It has been described by its alumni volunteers as "a mini Peace-Corps". When I read that sentence a little "Eureka!" went off in my mind. I contacted a representative, did some thorough research and sent in my deposit this past September. I will be gone for 4 weeks. My departure date is set for May 18th and I will be returning on June 15th. Until then I have been doing a couple different fundraising tactics to help fundraise as much of my trip as possible.

1) Some of you may already know this, but I have partnered with a married American couple that does missionary work in the Philippines. They fund their work by making friendship bracelets with other Philippine families and sell them to make profits. By partnering with them, I have agreed to sell some of their bracelets at $2 a piece, and we split the total profits 50/50. So far this has helped me raise a fair amount of money and I am still selling these bracelets if anyone is interested! I have a link to my Facebook bracelet fundraising page posted here: Bracelets!

2) Many of you have received letters from me describing my trip and asking for donations, which might be what led you to this blog. I am still gratefully taking donations! A little support goes a long way, and I am so thankful for all the help that I have already received :)

• If you wish to make a monetary donation, I am taking checks made out to myself. They can be mailed to 135 Center St, East Lansing, MI, 48823.
• Each day in Africa costs me $150. If 28 people could support one day of my trip, the entire program fee would be covered! 

So as you can see, this is going to be an extremely amazing adventure and it is not something that I would be able to do without the wonderful support from my friends and family! You can expect more posts as my trip comes closer, but for now I thank you for taking the time to share this experience with me! 

~ Sarah