Settling In

We are settling in.  Our car has not yet been given to us but that is a blessing.  Traffic laws are almost the same here, but driving customs are d-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t!  Aggressive driving is the rule of the day and if you are on a motorcycle anything goes: drive the wrong way, OK; drive on the sidewalk, OK; weave between cars, OK.  Lanes appear to be a suggestion only.  Some drivers even seem to believe the same about red lights and stop signs.  As a result, I will have to make some adjustments to my driving skills before I will feel safe behind the wheel!

We are also adjusting to other differences.  The tap water is not safe, and so we must not drink it, brush our teeth with it, allow it to splash into our mouths or onto anything that goes there (This makes washing your hair an interesting challenge and means that a toothbrush cannot be set on the vanity top.).  Some extra care must be taken when washing dishes or silverware.  Some people wash them in Clorox water, others in extremely hot water, etc.  But this can be adjusted to and we are doing pretty well at it.

Unfortunately, one of my suitcases was broken into apparently at the airport prior to it being placed on the carousel.  The same was true of one suitcase of a missionary friend of ours who arrived with us.  I only lost a few things but the other missionary lost quite a bit of clothing.  While that was not a positive introduction to Ghana, most everything since then has been.

The people here are warm and friendly.  They laugh easily, having a love of life and a good sense of humor, but do not do so rudely.  While I suspect it is inevitable that some individuals laugh at others, etc., those with whom I have had the privilege of associating laugh together, not at the expense of others.  I got a couple of them laughing with me over my bald head yesterday, but it was not at my expense.  I initiated it and we all laughed over an obvious trait that just is - and one that I said one of them was going to have someday.  ;-)  They are also a spiritual people, and about 70% are Christians.  They take their beliefs seriously.  Businesses around town are often called by religious names, e.g. "The Virgin Birth Laundry," or "Waters of Jordon Shoe Repair."  Billboards, and automobiles around the city have religious slogans, etc.  For example, we keep seeing a van (actually called a tro-tro, sort of a taxi) around with "He Lives!" written on the back window.  Also, the musical talent is astounding.  We attended a devotional on Monday morning and the amateur, volunteer choir was phenomenal!!  They sang with all their hearts and with devotion.  What's more, they were soooo musically talented.  Amateurs who sounded professional.  These people are easy to love.

We tried our first Ghanaian food for lunch this week.  It was nothing fancy but was quite filling and fairly good.  But it was a pretty basic dish.  We have yet to try the special food.  Each country has both types and we look forward to trying fu-fu or other local specialties.  I spoke with a missionary from Nigeria on Monday and he said that he loved the food here because it was so much spicier than at home.

I have not as yet received my personal assignment, but have been given some tasks to help out with in the meantime.  Sister Emfield's assignment was made before we ever came, and she was put to work immediately and has hardly had time to breathe since.

Elder Emfield