Day 27 in Ghana

Time truly does get away. It's hard to believe I have been in Ghana for four weeks tomorrow, with only two weeks left. My days seem to get filled quickly. I have been doing more clerical work in the Sister Cities office here in the compound, and of course still teaching. The students are now writing persuasive speeches. So I gave them the "American" components of structuring strong arguments to convince their audience. My last day teaching at the school will be July 7th.
I really enjoyed my events of this past Sunday. I traveled with Chief's son, Solomon, along with two other individuals around my age to Paga, where we sat, posed with, and fed a tamed crocodile. It was interesting. I also had my first experience riding a donkey for a short time- the struggle there was keeping the donkey calm. LOL
I believe while I am here my most fulfilling project will be the library for the Zo-Simli girls. The project itself is moving along at an American pace....(Quick and overall thorough.) Many of my friends back in the US have asked what are some of the things I miss about the US being in Ghana. I believe this is a typical, fair question. So here's a list of some of the things I miss. (Other than family and friends.)
1. Traffic without the constant fear of being hit in a car or hitting someone. (The lanes are not quite established, motorbikes, cars and pedestrians come together on the road.)
2. Hot, steamy showers.
3. Having access to anything at any time.
4. Consistent flow of internet access.
5. Ice in my drinks.
6. Air conditioning in every facility I enter.
7. Not wondering whether or not one of the mosquitoes that has bitten me is actually dangerous.
8. McDonald's Breakfast.
9. Escalators.
10. Sidewalks.

So clearly some of the things on my list are important to many Americans, and some of the things on my list are solely built on the amount of comfort in the United States. Being here has been such a wake-up call of how blessed I am, how fortunate. But America is my lens, which means what I cannot find in Ghana, does not mean individuals here are missing something. Happiness is something that is easy to find here. But I can't help but wonder about the Americans whom I know do not find my experience in Ghana to be one they would like. Simply because their material items are so important to them, or because they would not want to do without. This experience however, gives me a chance to challenge myself and think about what God has given me, why He has given it to me, and what is really important. So I won't simply write these things and pretend as if I won't return to my "American comfort" and enjoy it. I am writing this to acknowledge the fact that being in Ghana is allowing me to find peace within myself. I'm able to explore peace, identity, friendship, and happiness. Frankly, I feel for those who choose to limit themselves based on the fact that they don't want to lose what they THINK they would be giving up by going to any developing African country.
Herman Melville said, "Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity, nothing exceeds the criticisms made of the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed and well-fed."