It's Ghana Be Wild!

“I have plans for you, I have plans for you. It's gonna be wild, it's gonna be great, it's gonna be full of Me.” (Come Away - Steffany Gretzinger)

If you were to tell me a few years ago that I would be living in Ghana for a semester, I would have probably laughed and not believed you. Yet, here I am. Living in Ghana for a semester. It's been a month since I first arrived (which is crazy!), and I am truly loving it. I could not be happier with the decision that I made to come here for study abroad, and I know and see that God has so much more in store for me beyond what I could have even began to imagine.

Since my last blog post..

I've adjusted to life here

It seems like it took forever, but I finally adjusted to being away from home and have settled in to this new environment. One of my biggest accomplishments is the fact that I've figured out my way around campus. It may not seem like a big deal, but coming from the super tiny campus of Agnes Scott, that was definitely one of the hardest adjustments I had to make, but I've finally got it figured out. There are also other things I've gotten adjusted to as well, such as the food, people, catching tro-tros, and taking cold showers (lol! but really). Coming in with an open mindset and being flexible has definitely helped in regards to making the transition as easy as possible.

Classes have officially started

Although I've been here for a month, classes really just began last week or so. The “first week of classes” wasn't really the first week of classes, and that took us all by surprise. Although students who were here last semester (and other Ghanaian students) warned us that no one (including the professor) typically comes to class the first week, it still caught up by surprise when we found that to be true. Also, classes are only once a week, and some of my classes didn't meet the second week either, therefore I really just started having all of my classes last week. The majority of my classes are public health classes, but I'm also taking a Twi (local Ghanaian language) class, and a traditional African dance class. Now that they've all gotten started, it looks like it will be a great semester!

I've been attending church

One thing I love about this campus is how many churches there are. Without even leaving the school, there are very many different options for churches to attend, and the ones that I have visited have been very welcoming and I have thoroughly enjoyed the services. Along with having so many church services on Sunday, most churches have midweek services as well and at least one prayer night a week on the field. The prayer nights are my favorite because there are so many different people from so many different churches coming together to lift up the name of Jesus on this campus and in this nation.

I began volunteering with Mawulolo Youth Network

Volunteering with Mawulolo Youth Network has by far become my favorite part of this whole study abroad experience. Although I have only been a few times now, I have fallen in love with the children, and their smiles warm my heart. Twice a week, I get to teach them, get to know them, and just laugh and spend time with them and I absolutely adore every second of it. I knew the second that I arrived that I would love it, and that is a huge understatement. Kids definitely have a special place in my heart and I am so beyond grateful for the opportunity to work with them.

  

Again, I am so extremely satisfied with my decision to spend a semester in Ghana. Who would have ever thought that I'd be here, but I'm so glad that God saw fit to place me here (seriously. I wasn't even on planning on coming to Ghana when I applied for study abroad, and I actually didn't find out I would be here until AFTER I had already been accepted elsewhere lol!) The Lord surely works in mysterious ways, and I love it. His plans are not what you would have ever imagined, but it's definitely better than anything you could think of yourself. Letting God have His way in your life may cause you to end up in a country you would have never even thought of going to, doing things you would have never imagined doing, but I promise you it's so worth it.

In the words of one of my dearest friends, life is a WILD ride. But when you're following God at least He knows where you're going. You may not, and handing the control of your life over to Him and choosing to accept whatever He may bring your way and wherever He may take you is never easy, but He's never gonna let you down. God knows what He's doing. Life with Him is full of surprises, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is a wild ride regardless, so we might as well stay with the One who makes it worthwhile. :)

Blessings,

Elisha :)