Kristen Kenny’s Blog

Settling in

8/24/08

Since Friday I have been feeling a lot more settled here at the hospital and living in the mission house. Nothing in particular seems to have changed. I suppose I finally got over the initial shock of the new place, people, languages, food, sounds, culture, weather, etc.

My weekend was laid back and relaxing. I had the itch to do a little traveling at least out side of Manna but I didn’t get far. Saturday was Miriam’s birthday. She lives across the way and I hang out at her place everyday so I decided to stick around to celebrate with her. A couple of her friends came over. We danced a bit, had pizza, cake, and ice cream, and talked. It was a relaxing and fun evening.

Sunday started bright and early with church. It was an energizing service and unlike any I have attended. We sang and danced. We listened and participated in the sermon which covered bible passages, current events, life lessons. Towards the end of the service people came up to receive the gift of speaking in tongues and then came up to receive blessings. Some of the ladies would become unsteady on their feet and fall to the ground. It was certainly different and more animated than Catholic mass. Unfortunately I don’t know how much praying I did. I was watching to see what would happen next. At one point Dr. Ablorh the director of Manna Mission who happened to be preaching that day invited any one new to the church to come up. I was the only one and got to say a little about myself. He said he doesn’t always remember all of the students that come through but that he would remember me because I am always smiling. Which of course made me smile more. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind.

After church I decide to venture out on my own and go to Coco Beach. I chartered a taxi and made it to the beach with no problems. In Ghana there are tons of taxis, buses, and tro tros, which are vans that hold about 15 people and they works kind of like a bus. Taxis can either be chartered, the same as getting a taxi in the US, or they can be shared which is cheaper. Shared taxis travel a specific route. At the taxi station random people get in until it fills up. The beach turned out to be just 5 minutes away and I probably could have walk though it would have been long. The beach was decently crowed. I enjoyed walking on the beach and relaxing/reading in the sun. (yes I put on sunscreen) I took some pictures of the fishing boats at the end of the beach and will try to put them up.

I had a rest full, enjoyable weekend and am eager to put my new found enthusiasm to work in the hospital.