I like firsts, as in the first time trying something/or first time adventure. I wish I could have a first every day. A couple of weeks ago, one first was having a dead rat in my car. It was hiding under the front passenger seat. I knew something was wrong. My car was having a smell that got worse and worse. Finally, on a drive with Samuel, he was like, “there is something dead here” and I also noticed flies trying to get into my car. I pulled the car over and we started looking. (Yes, I did look already but Samuel has eagle eyes.) Yep, he found a tuft of fur! Unbelievable! What was that thing doing in my car? How did it get in my car? We tried using sticks to get it out, like chopsticks but it was too big. So, I just told myself it was already dead and reached in with my bare hand and grabbed it out. That thing was the size of my whole hand. Ew. But, it was a first. First time to grab a dead animal out of my car.
Another first I had was trying a new food. I went to visit my mechanic, say hi, tell him I have arrived back in town and chat. There are always people sitting around his place. I went to greet them and saw a woman selling what I thought looked like roasted fish. On closer inspection, they were roasted toads. I stared and shook my head and hands. I asked people sitting around if they are now eating frog legs. They laughed and said, “frogs are poisonous these are completely different…they are toads.” Hmmm…yes, completely different, whatever. So, they were all chomping away on these toads, these crunchy little things. I had to try it. I felt they were all watching me. They were only 20 cents apiece. I had to. So, I got one, looked at everyone chomping away and smiling and went for it. It had the texture of a fish, boney and not much meat, but it didn’t taste like fish. When it came to the head…is this too much information for you? SORRY! I had to tell myself, “It is fish Sherri, it is fish, just pretend it is fish,” and I completed the snack. If I would come into this situation again, I would be able to eat another one. (Not like Bush Rat…ugh)
Another first was that in many areas in West Africa they lost coverage of internet. When I would send a message it would arrive to someone the next day. One day, I could check some emails, the next day it was worthless, no signal. Apparently, a cable in the sea was cut, but it has been restored.
I love thrift stores and in Ghana they have used clothes markets outside. People will have a large wagon with a certain type of clothes. One wagon will be jerseys and shorts, or one wagon will be t-shirts and singlets. I found one with white, cotton shirts. These shirts were so white. I was like, “how do they get them so clean?” I wear a white shirt once and wash it and it is grungy already. Even for special occasions people will wear a full white outfit! How in the world does that stay clean?? Well, I kept asking people about it. In the market I found this little rock…not a rock but it looked like a small piece of charcoal. There was a blue one and a black one. The blue one you drop into a bottle of water to dilute it. Then you add the blue liquid to a bucked of water of the thing you want bleached. Let it sit for a bit and VOILA!! you got a crispy, white shirt. It was a first for me. I just did it to my bedsheets too. BEEEE A UUUU TI FULLLLL!!!
Along with firsts I had some good things that happened to me. In Psalm 103 a verse says, “forget none of His benefits.” I have tasted and seen some of those good benefits and to write them down helps me remember when things get hard or hot. One good thing that I will not forget is that God provided me with a sugar free vanilla syrup. While I was in the US, I tried some in my tea and smoothies and LOVED it. I was sure I could find some in the capital city of Accra, but there was none. Sad. Then, randomly, looking in a small shop here in Tamale…yep! I found some! Every time I think of good things, I think of that good gift God gave me. I also had some friends stay with me for a night. I felt bad for them because I didn’t have electricity. After their children went to bed, we pulled out chairs to the back veranda, clicked on an LED light and chit chatted the night away catching up on our lives. I told them for me, electricity trumps friendship, but they thought otherwise. Another good thing for me! Let me wrap this up with just laying out some other good things like the plumber, after a month of coming and going, finished the job. YAY! Also, just this past weekend we had a good rain. It cooled things down by 20 degrees, well for the day anyways. It was a sweet night for sleeping. In my English class one man shared how difficult it is for his wife to find water, so he has taken the responsibility upon himself to do it. (Men do not fetch water here, big no no.) I told him that is the Lord working in his life and showing love to his wife. Suddenly, a couple other men in class raised their hands and wanted to share what they did for their wives! HAHAHAA!! Another time boys.
There are firsts that bring adventure to my life, which I love. There are good things God gives me to remind me it is a privilege to serve Him. There are hard times that hold me fast to Him when I got nothin’ left. And there is peace knowing that I was created to serve Him here, amid crazy and different, through it all to make His name known.