Well, we experienced African church today….it was awesome! Granted, it was entirely in Twi, so we didn’t understand a word that was said. It started around 945, and didn’t get done until 1245! There was a ton of singing and dancing, people were dancing in the aisles, and up in the front of church, there were tambarines and drums, such energy. They do offerings just a little different than the US…they put these plastic tubs on stands in the front of church, and then people get up, during songs, and basically dance up to the front and put their money in the bins. Everything is held in the right hand, because the left hand is considered dirty. They had I think 3 different offerings, which I’m told is usual for the first Sunday of the month. There was one for someone at the hospital who couldn’t pay their bill (they don’t discharge people here until they pay!), one for regular offering, and then one that was based on the day of the week you were born. Here, everyone has a name that indicates when they were born. Me, being born on a Monday, my name is Adjuah (not the real spelling, but how it sounds phonetically). They have an easier time remembering that name than my English name! It was a big party, and the time flew by. They also had us go up and introduce ourselves, telling who we were and why we were there. Yeah, if you know me, I was NOT excited about that. 🙂 But this trip is all about getting out of my comfort zone, so I knew it was good for me!
The African Cup of Nations is going on right now, and Ghana is doing awesome. For those of you who don’t know, it’s the big soccer championship between all the African countries, and happens every other year (I think). The last time (2006 I think), Egypt won. This year, all the games are taking place in Ghana, in 4 different cities, one of which is Kumasi. We watched Ghana play Nigeria today, and Ghana won, which means they’re going on to the semi-finals on Thursday. Cam said that we’re going to get to go to one of the Kumasi games, and it’s looking like it will be on Saturday, for 3rd place. I’m so excited, that’s going to be awesome! Can you imagine, a championship soccer game in Africa?!? And it’ll only cost 4 Ghana cedi (about $4) for the tickets.
Cam gave us a phone to use today if we want to, but I almost feel like I’m cheating myself out of the whole Africa experience by calling home on a cell phone, especially when I’m only going to be gone for a month. Mom and dad, sorry 🙂 You’d think I’d have the same line of reasoning with the hot water heater in our place, but I’m admittedly inconsistent with my convictions on that one! Tomorrow is hospital day #1…I have no idea what to expect.