24 hours

I will be home in exactly 24 hours. That is exciting mainly because of the thought of Chings hot wings on the way home. I am in the Ghana airport right now, and it has been an awesome day. When I arrived at the airport, a German girl was arriving before a month stay, and she came over and asked if she could ask me some questions, so we talked until it was light enough outside for her to be safe to leave. And then, I met an incredible Australian couple who had been on Mercy Ship for a month. I had never heard of it, but it sounds like something I could see myself doing. I am excited to look into it. Look it up on the Google. Nicest people ever. They even bought me some coffee when we landed in Ghana (side note- 8:06, on the Togo runway; 8:18, beginning descent to Ghana. Crazy short). And now I have met a great group of British and Scottish girls in Ghana, so I am pretty content. Having people to talk to after so long of hardly saying a word is very nice, almost difficult. Which leads me to the meat of the post, and it's gonna be a doozy. If you want a short post, stop reading now. What follows is just a couple of the things that I have learned/things that have changed about me on the trip.

If you have known me my whole life, this may not surprise you as much as my college friends, but the people in Togo said I was too quiet (language barrier maybe). I think this is funny, because most people agree that I love to talk, and even listen, but just to be in conversation. Its my favorite thing. But I have definitely become quieter just from my interactions with English speakers here> Its funny to me. Also picked up an accent but i think that will go away rapidly.

One of the hardest parts for me was really pushing myself into the culture. It was much easier to sit in my room and read and not interact with my family or the villagers; just keep my distance. But as uncomfortable as it was to start branching out, it really paid off in the end. Trying to speak French always, eating as much of their food as possible (or going to the market to buy snacks saved my weight loss), hanging out with the family just watching their stupid dubbed over Mexican soaps made the trip much more successful.

Medically, I learned some pretty cool stuff. I placed IVs, gave shots, prescribed medicine- should not be ok- and diagnosed patients (It's easy- anemic malaria, anemic malaria, etc). I even had a couple of patients that I admitted, treated, and discharged. It is really cool for me since being a doctor has been my dream ever since I can remember.

I have definitely learned to appreciate the small things more than ever. I just flushed a toilet with a handle for the first time in a month. I have learned to cherish a granola bar with something akin to ecstasy, savoring every little crumb, eating only half at a time. I have learned the best way to take a shower with a bucket, something that actually made a big difference. And probably most of all, I have learned to appreciate clean water.

I do not really see myself as a democrat, but I cannot say I am a hardcore Republican either. I honestly do not know whom I would have voted for in the last election had I been 18. But the fact that Obama was elected inspires so many people over here. They have his face on everything, almost as much as their own president, and that is pretty awesome.

Kinda random and not related to the trip at all, but every morning I read Psalms. And something that has always really bothered me about our God is the war stories in which he just massacres everybody. Did I want to believe in a vengeful God like that? Then, rereading the Reason for God changed that dramatically. If we didnt believe that God ultimately held everyone accountable, then we would have to take justice into our own hands. The fact that we can rely on God allows us to truly forgive and not exact revenge. Ultimately, it makes us a more peaceful people. I had never thought of that. That book is amazing; it will come up again in this post. Any book that starts with a quotation from Darth Vader, ends with one from The Lord of the Rings, and is choc full of CS Lewis must be good.

Random thoughts- I have been called anything from Jack Bauer to Jesus, although I guess those really arent that far apart (RIP Bauer). Goats make great pets- they eat trash, play king of the hill, and are adorable when young. African people think because I am American, I have the money to build new wings of their hospital with cash on me. And am willing to give them every single thing I have, like my deodorant (I will smell when I get home. Sorry dad). But the funny thing is, the kids who really need things, the orphans, did not ask for a single thing. Not a thing. I ended up leaving a bunch of my clothes there, but not because they asked.

And finally, what has been weighing on my mind above all, something I have talked to many people about, is the suffering here (and everywhere, for that matter). The follwing is from one of my friends from his trip to South Africa:

"First then is suffering. I'll start with the larger idea of the existence of suffering and the widespread presence of it today. I mainly mean the suffering inflicted by severe poverty and self-afflicted--both the fault of man. It really does strike me so much that so many doubting believers and other people often question God because of the suffering in our world, yet we, you, me have the power to change this world pretty significantly. And the only reason we are where we are today is the nature of fallen man inflicted on each other over much time. We could have now or in the future a society of much less unnecessary suffering--I mean if we only began to spread the wealth of the world, especially america's, we could see a very different world. But that is only part fo the charge of myself and this generation of believers to take to heart the atrocity of disparity of wealth, we must do everything in our power to pour money out of the rich pockets of America into helping those in hopeless situations of poverty. And by this I mean filling needs in places of the most ridiculous poverty for clean water, sanitation, education. Beyond much of that is luxury and we certainly don't need more of that in our world."

First I want to point out that Christ never says we will have an easy life. In Psalms 71, it says "You have made me see troubles, many and bitter" (I am leaving off the tail for a purpose). But one of the main troubles non christians have is that a God who is all powerful and all love could allow suffering; they say it cant be both ways. But he talks about in way to much to summarize, that our knowledge of what we think should be our loves in and of itself proves that there is more than just the world. It is brilliant. But more importantly, he talks about how the Christian God promises that he is there with us, for he is the only one who has suffered in this life. The end of that verse says" From the depths of the Earth you will bring me up, and increase my honor and comfort again." Keller talks about how the resurrection not only is a consolation for suffering but the restoration of it. It will make the final glory that much better. It is a life changing perspective. Again, read the book.

Second, I want to address what Ben talked about in his email. I feel like Christians today are not willing to get down and dirty and help the suffering of the world be lifted. I was the first Christian ever in my program. That is embarrassing. We forget our personal responsibility and throw money at problems instead of fixing them. And I am not saying I have this right. One month in Africa isnt anything. Sir Edmond Hilary, in Three Cups of Tea, talks about the responsibility of the wealthy: Slowly and painfully, we are seeing worldwide acceptance of the fact that the wealthier and more technologically advanced countries have a responsibility to help the underdeveloped ones." We are called to be part of that as Christians. I really want to work in Africa when I am older; i think that is one of my callings in life. We can alleviate suffering everywhere, but seeing those orphans sleeping on the concrete with no mats, no changes of clothes, no mosquito nets (or money to pay if they do get sick) makes me heartbroken. Christians everywhere need to heed the call of the sick, and I hope that one day I will be able to do my part.

That was long. I forgive anyone who quit from boredom/dehydration.