Darkness makes a barrier around me,
too far to touch,
to far to make out the shadows,
so I just listen,
hearing the water that gets closer to the shadows than I will,
the waves tell a story,
the moons puppet,
the lands enemy,
my care caster
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
A Poem
Fearless in the Dark by Jordan Joshua
Darkness makes a barrier around me,
too far to touch,
to far to make out the shadows,
so I just listen,
hearing the water that gets closer to the shadows than I will,
the waves tell a story,
the moons puppet,
the lands enemy,
my care caster
Darkness makes a barrier around me,
too far to touch,
to far to make out the shadows,
so I just listen,
hearing the water that gets closer to the shadows than I will,
the waves tell a story,
the moons puppet,
the lands enemy,
my care caster
The Facts
I realize I have not been discussing details of the activities I have been doing since I have been here. So here they are in no particular order from the past two weeks.
Malls are a luxury in Ghana. So for the most part everyone shops at open markets. The best way to describe them is like going to an outdoor swap-meet or a community garage sale. Basically, different vendors set up shop in cubicle size spaces and sell you any and everything you can imagine. Shoes, clothes, Beats headphones, sunglasses, ice cream, sodas, bags, and the list goes on. On an regular weekday these markets are packed with people. So much so that our program advises us not to bring any valuables with us when we shop there. The shop owners are hungry for a sale and will hiss at you (hissing is what Ghanaians do instead of whistling), grab your hand, and even shove items into your hands. A man tried to sell me a flag one day and placed the folded flag on top of my arms that were crossed over my body. Then he told me to take it for free and tried to walk away. I had to threaten to drop the flag in the dirt for him to take it back. All that to say, the sellers know how to use the sympathy card very well. They love to play on your emotions and will spend an hour befriending you just to make a sale. It's like a war zone, you must arm yourself with stern words and shield your emotions with a good pokerface. Once I find something I like is when the haggling begins. I must bargain them down to a reasonable price because they will skyrocket the prices when they know your american. That same man who tried to sell me the flag gave me a starting price of 40 cedis ($20) and by the end of our chat he dropped his price to 15 cedis ($8). And even that was expensive still. So it an a true art to bargain here. I even have to pull out my African accent at the start of haggling just to get the starting price a bit lower. However, at the end of the day, most things are still sold for pennies on the dollar here.
There is this amazing thing that happens every Wednesday night called Reggae night. It is like and outdoor lounge/bar on the beach. It takes a 30 minute taxi drive but it is well worth it. You in the middle of the beach sitting on plush seats running your feet through the sand. There is a server who brings you drinks and food while you are there. As you enjoying the fellowship of friends and the moist breeze off the ocean, there is a live band playing the most relaxing reggae music on stage, and a group of dancers are up on stage flowing to the music. It is like paradise on a Wednesday.
The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum is a tribute to the life of a man who led Ghana to their independence from the colonial rule of England. The story told to us is of a man who saw potential in himself as well as his country to accomplish more on a global scale. In his life he pushed Ghana to make radical strides including their independence. However, his goal did not end there. He believed that his work would not be done until the continent of Africa was fully unified. It was at this time that he began to see opposition from his own nation as well as nations like USA. He was thought to be leaning towards the Soviet Union's communist leadership tactics. A coup formed to take down this man and with the aid of America's own C.I.A., Dr. Nkrumah leadership fell and ultimately led to his death. His vision still lives on and is evident through the layout of this Mausoleum. It is built symbolizing his work is unfinished and will not be finished until Africa is truly united.
More The Facts will be coming soon!
The Market
Malls are a luxury in Ghana. So for the most part everyone shops at open markets. The best way to describe them is like going to an outdoor swap-meet or a community garage sale. Basically, different vendors set up shop in cubicle size spaces and sell you any and everything you can imagine. Shoes, clothes, Beats headphones, sunglasses, ice cream, sodas, bags, and the list goes on. On an regular weekday these markets are packed with people. So much so that our program advises us not to bring any valuables with us when we shop there. The shop owners are hungry for a sale and will hiss at you (hissing is what Ghanaians do instead of whistling), grab your hand, and even shove items into your hands. A man tried to sell me a flag one day and placed the folded flag on top of my arms that were crossed over my body. Then he told me to take it for free and tried to walk away. I had to threaten to drop the flag in the dirt for him to take it back. All that to say, the sellers know how to use the sympathy card very well. They love to play on your emotions and will spend an hour befriending you just to make a sale. It's like a war zone, you must arm yourself with stern words and shield your emotions with a good pokerface. Once I find something I like is when the haggling begins. I must bargain them down to a reasonable price because they will skyrocket the prices when they know your american. That same man who tried to sell me the flag gave me a starting price of 40 cedis ($20) and by the end of our chat he dropped his price to 15 cedis ($8). And even that was expensive still. So it an a true art to bargain here. I even have to pull out my African accent at the start of haggling just to get the starting price a bit lower. However, at the end of the day, most things are still sold for pennies on the dollar here.
Reggae Night
There is this amazing thing that happens every Wednesday night called Reggae night. It is like and outdoor lounge/bar on the beach. It takes a 30 minute taxi drive but it is well worth it. You in the middle of the beach sitting on plush seats running your feet through the sand. There is a server who brings you drinks and food while you are there. As you enjoying the fellowship of friends and the moist breeze off the ocean, there is a live band playing the most relaxing reggae music on stage, and a group of dancers are up on stage flowing to the music. It is like paradise on a Wednesday.Kwame Nkrumah Mosoleum
The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum is a tribute to the life of a man who led Ghana to their independence from the colonial rule of England. The story told to us is of a man who saw potential in himself as well as his country to accomplish more on a global scale. In his life he pushed Ghana to make radical strides including their independence. However, his goal did not end there. He believed that his work would not be done until the continent of Africa was fully unified. It was at this time that he began to see opposition from his own nation as well as nations like USA. He was thought to be leaning towards the Soviet Union's communist leadership tactics. A coup formed to take down this man and with the aid of America's own C.I.A., Dr. Nkrumah leadership fell and ultimately led to his death. His vision still lives on and is evident through the layout of this Mausoleum. It is built symbolizing his work is unfinished and will not be finished until Africa is truly united.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Learning Curve
This week was pretty rough! It was my first week completely settled into a daily living routine. I chose to do the home stay instead of living in the dorms. I want to know as much about the culture here and believe this is the best way to do so. So just like a rollercoaster, I locked myself in and am going through the ups and downs with no way to turn back.
The pros of Homestay:
You see the smell of open sewage is absolutely disgusting. To walk past it everyday destroys my appetite. Once I regain my appetite, I find myself eating food that smells exactly the same no matter what the dish is (no offense Mami your food is amazing). And the food at school and on the street is a whole other story. I question the open market health code violations since the food's cooked with the unique ingredient of the dirt between the woman's finger nails. If the open market has a health code, then what in the world sort of code do the people on the street cook by? Cars blow fumes in my face as they play cat and mouse with me on the road. Taxis make a game out of honking at you to get your attention and kick up dirt as they pass. People trying to make a hard days work end up working my last nerve selling me anything under the sun. Yea...so it began to take a toll on me.
The pros of Homestay:
- I have my own room and bathroom. (Great R&R time)
- I come home to a wonderful family who is loving and supportive
- I have 4 other international students living with me
- I get breakfast and dinner provided for me
- I have some friends that live fairly close to me
 |
| Red Red (Beans & Plantains) |
The cons of Homestay:
- I am a 45 minute walk away from campus (on dirt road next to open sewage might I add)
- The food definitely takes some adjusting to
- My room is like a sauna in the Sahara
- No Internet!
Its close, but this list makes it clear the pros outweigh the cons. Moreover, this list shows me that my obstacles in the homestay are more physical rather than the mental. These same obstacles carry over into everyday life in Ghana. I have truly enjoyed the people, culture, and way of life that Ghanaians have. But the heat, taxis ( ill explain later), bugs, air, Heat, open sewage, food and HEAT is what is making the physical experience so hard. It is so difficult to the point where these physical obstacles have become my mental battle.
So why is the physical battle your mental battle Jordan?
Well reader, it is because I must endure the physical pains to get to the spiritual gains; but the pains strain my brain making it hard to appreciate the gains.
 |
| Soup with Fufu |
You see the smell of open sewage is absolutely disgusting. To walk past it everyday destroys my appetite. Once I regain my appetite, I find myself eating food that smells exactly the same no matter what the dish is (no offense Mami your food is amazing). And the food at school and on the street is a whole other story. I question the open market health code violations since the food's cooked with the unique ingredient of the dirt between the woman's finger nails. If the open market has a health code, then what in the world sort of code do the people on the street cook by? Cars blow fumes in my face as they play cat and mouse with me on the road. Taxis make a game out of honking at you to get your attention and kick up dirt as they pass. People trying to make a hard days work end up working my last nerve selling me anything under the sun. Yea...so it began to take a toll on me.
So instead of thanking the Lord and praying in thankfulness, I was praying in questions and growing angry for the answers I didnt find. The anger made me frustrated. The frustration made me fatigued. Then the fatigue made me too tired to pray and read. So I sat........
And walked...and ignored, and only did what made me feel good. Days felt like weeks because of all the adjustments I made in a day.
But luckily God blessed me with an Angel on this Earth who sent me a scripture (Joshua 4:1-9) that reminded me the path I walk on has red footsteps to guide me... I wasn't seeing red footsteps anymore. So I prayed when I was tired, read myself to sleep, and thanked God as I wiped the dirty sweat from my brow every morning. Now I see red footsteps again.
 |
| Legon Campus Library |
 |
| Mami (My Amazing Host Mother) |
Friday, January 18, 2013
Day 1- The Journey
 |
| Manhattan in the night |
I arrive in JFK airport right on time. It took me a moment to steady my thoughts that were continuing to race as I was flying. I had formulated all these preconceived notions and stereotypes that were based on no previous knowledge. I just kept praying The Lord would release these negative thoughts to the abyss. And it was like all of a sudden I heard a voice say "don't worry, Ill fix that". Immediately I felt an overwhelming sense of
peace. I knew it was God telling me he would begin to work on my wondering and wandering mind.
 |
| Boarding to Accra |
There in JFK it really hit me that I was about to head to Ghana. I met this Ghanaian woman walking with her little girl. She had just visited her daughter who lives in Atlanta and works for Bank of America. I helped her get to our gate. We made it right on time. Lucky for me I was in the first group called to board. I sat an watched as all the people boarded the plane. So many black faces...I had never seen that many black folks on one plane. It was the most peace I have ever felt during a plane ride. It was because everyone on the plane was so genuine. People willingly helping one another just because. Almost everyone who walked passed me smiled. It was just a genuine caring for the person next to you that I hadn't felt before. It was Ghanaian culture that I saw and would continue to experience as the day went on.
 |
| Airport Lunch |
 |
| Breakfast = fruit &Empanadas |
 |
| Welcome to Ghana |
 |
| Leaving the airport |
 |
| Solicitors selling in to the cars passing |
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| Ange Hill Hotel |
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Note to Self (Pre Ghana Departure)
Dear Jordan,
I am writing to you in a state of unknowing. Unknowing of what the future holds for you as you take your next step. It has been a long transformation to get to this point. Times of true self loathing and dissatisfaction in your sophomore year that turned to times of true belief, faith, love and security when The Lord picked you up out of the rubble of your past. He carried you until you could walk on your own. He taught you what it was like to know who you are In Christ. No longer were you conformed to the worlds standard. You are free to reign in his love, mercy and grace. He bought you so that you may serve Him. He transformed you into a new person by giving you a new heart, new way of thinking and His Spirit (Romans 12:2). Now he wants you to do something remarkable in Ghana. It will be life changing, mind altering, humbling, transformative, informative, heart breaking and faith building. And the best part is I have no clue what is it right now. I'm sure it will all be explained in due time. But this note is just to remind you of where you came from to get to this point. A reminder in the hard times that you were bought and brought out of condemnation. A reminder of the blessing you have received up to this point: a easy application process, a trouble free semester at school, a paid for study abroad program with leftover funds, a rebuilt family bond with your mother, step father, father, and grandparents, self confidence, an unbreakable love that comes in 3 folds, and a new name to top it all off. So no matter what you are called to do in Ghana, remember that it has already been written and is just a history lesson that you are replaying for The Lord. And your role is to be a fool; a fool for God. So play the part like Leonardo did in Django. Even when you don't want to; it just means you are growing closer to Him and God will be paying you in blessings that aren't visible on this Earth. So be confident in who you are and the decisions you make (Joshua 1:9). So make a fool out of yourself each day because today's foolishness unevenly equates to God's eternal glory. So get pumped!
Best,
Jordan
I am writing to you in a state of unknowing. Unknowing of what the future holds for you as you take your next step. It has been a long transformation to get to this point. Times of true self loathing and dissatisfaction in your sophomore year that turned to times of true belief, faith, love and security when The Lord picked you up out of the rubble of your past. He carried you until you could walk on your own. He taught you what it was like to know who you are In Christ. No longer were you conformed to the worlds standard. You are free to reign in his love, mercy and grace. He bought you so that you may serve Him. He transformed you into a new person by giving you a new heart, new way of thinking and His Spirit (Romans 12:2). Now he wants you to do something remarkable in Ghana. It will be life changing, mind altering, humbling, transformative, informative, heart breaking and faith building. And the best part is I have no clue what is it right now. I'm sure it will all be explained in due time. But this note is just to remind you of where you came from to get to this point. A reminder in the hard times that you were bought and brought out of condemnation. A reminder of the blessing you have received up to this point: a easy application process, a trouble free semester at school, a paid for study abroad program with leftover funds, a rebuilt family bond with your mother, step father, father, and grandparents, self confidence, an unbreakable love that comes in 3 folds, and a new name to top it all off. So no matter what you are called to do in Ghana, remember that it has already been written and is just a history lesson that you are replaying for The Lord. And your role is to be a fool; a fool for God. So play the part like Leonardo did in Django. Even when you don't want to; it just means you are growing closer to Him and God will be paying you in blessings that aren't visible on this Earth. So be confident in who you are and the decisions you make (Joshua 1:9). So make a fool out of yourself each day because today's foolishness unevenly equates to God's eternal glory. So get pumped!
Best,
Jordan
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