I am finally in Ho. It is a mini-city: more commercialism than a village, but smaller and much calmer than the bigger cities, like Accra or Kumasi. It is surrounded by green hills, and is very very warm (much warmer than Abetifi).
I am living in a house, a very big house that (I think) is owned by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPC,G) Headquarters, who I will be working for. It is a short walk down a dirt road from the headquarters. There are five good size bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and screened in porch--and all of the rooms are painted different pastel colors, ranging from green to blue to pink to yellow (my bedroom is a bluish green). There is running water, and electricity (although the government turns the electricity off every couple of days). I am feeling very spoiled.
I have two roommates from Germany, Becci and Anna. They are very nice and have already been here for three weeks, so they have been able to help me figure things out a little bit. (And Kimberlee is still with me, she will eventually move north to Peki, but even then, I expect that we will be seeing a lot of each other
We have a kitchen... All along I was anticipating having my meals prepared for me, whether I was living with a family, or in a guest house, but living on my own means I am responsible for my meals. This is a little scary, because it means that I have to shop in the market, which means I have to bargain and I have no idea how much things should cost, or when it is appropriate for me to ask for a lower price, hopefully I will learn this quickly. Although we do have a small refrigerator, we have to shop nearly every day for fresh food, which is mostly fruits, vegetables, eggs, rice/pasta, etc. I don't plan on ever really preparing meat, because the fish are not very appetizing, and when you buy a chicken, you buy it live, kill it, de-feather it and so on. (And luckily my roommates can cook.)
Today I met with the moderator of the EPC,G to discuss working options. He asked what I studied in school, I told him English and Communications, and that apparently made me a "Communications expert" (oh noo I'm not an expert). Then I was introduced to the head of the Development Offices which focus on wholeness ministry: ministering though education of improving daily lifestyle, including agricultural skills, medical awareness, and computer skills. After my meeting I was taken around town to many different sites where they believe I will be able to contribute. I will not bore you with the list of jobs, but they want my schedule to be flexible, so as I do different work I will share the experiences.
While standing in the market on the day I arrived, I was faced by the first moment of my life where I looked at a situation and was confronted but how much I was going to be changed by it. The men and women just keep telling me, "This is your home... You will love it here." I am learning to transition to this new place, appreciate its differences, and unique beauty. I look forward to each day, how I will change and what I will learn about myself and my God and His creation.
