When the Accordion Exhales

I have this theory; time in Ghana functions like an accordion. The inhale of the accordion is very slow, stretching out and making its constant ominous sound. Once the musician begins the exhale, the first push gives a little resistance because of all of that built up air, but then the instrument seems to glide more comfortably the rest of the way inward until it has finished, almost sighing. That is exactly how I feel my time has passed in Ghana. At the beginning I kept looking at ALL of the days ahead of me knowing that the time was full of opportunity and the slow meandering life which I was growing accustomed to. Now, with only two months remaining of my time I am definitely feeling the push of the accordion closing upon itself.

My time here is coming to an end.

“Ghana Time” exists in its own universe. This is owed partially to the very lax, practically snail pace, at which most Ghanaians manage their daily activities. I would owe the remainder of the “magical” time zone to something in the air. The sea breeze from the south and the desert winds from the north mingling with the verdant landscape seem to have some natural calming effect on the senses. I would say I’m a naturally anxious person but “Ghana Time” has massaged that out of me.

I have been anxious, or maybe more eager, for my return back to the states in December. However, now that the date is approaching more and more quickly I can safely say that I am truly going to miss Ghana and it’s crazy concept of time.

This weekend I had the opportunity to walk around Cape Coast with Eana, Emi and Katharina at a very relaxed pace. We had breakfast at a restaurant on the beach and watched children play in the surf and fisherman bring in their catch. After breakfast we slowly wandered past various funerals, all of the mourners in their elaborate black and red wrappings. We took our time perusing every fabric stall, stand and shop along a stretch of road from Ghana’s natural border with the sea to the bustling market, maybe a kilometer or more. In spite of all of the activity around the city, one thing was clear: there was no hurry. It was amazing.

One unexpected, but wonderful part of this day was running into 8 of the women in our organization. Some were simply walking along the street, some were mourners in the funerals and others were working in their shops as we strolled by. I stopped to chat with each of them. While we were sitting in the shop of the final woman, right before we went home, the “Mama” asked, “Why must you leave Ghana?” Of course my answer was easy to explain since Ghanaian women are always happy to hear about weddings but it made my impending departure seem all of a sudden too close.

The women and volunteers here have become a part of my ever growing family. There are so many beautiful, and sometimes quirky, characteristics that make Ghanaians and their country so wonderful. I want to soak it all in to fortify myself for the change of pace that awaits me. As Ghanaians often remind each other in morning greetings "Nyame ama edzi akye" (God has granted you with a new morning). I want to enjoy each of my new mornings and not rush the time. I pray that I can do my best to enjoy all of the simple changes in the “sound” as my accordion of time in Ghana is quickly approaching its final sigh…this time.

1 Year and Counting

A little over a year ago, on August 8th, 2008, I arrived in Ghana. My first few days I experienced the country through the windows of a van.

So much has happened since then as my experiences have become progressively more up-close and personal. I have shared many of my most interesting experiences with you, but many I have overlooked. I kept telling myself that I was going to get better at “this whole blog thing”. I had always intended to do at least one blog a week, but, clearly there is not 52 weeks worth of blogs here for your perusal. However, as one wise friend recently noted, “I wish you had been writing like, a weekly blog of your daily adventures…but if you spent all that time writing, I guess you aren’t spending it DOING.” And “doing” I have definitely been. So, even though I haven’t been so adept at recording all of my adventures, I can assure you that I have been EXPERIENCING my adventures in the full!

In this last year my adventures have taught me so many valuable lessons. Specifically I have seen growth in my understanding of myself, my faith, cross-cultural business and the Fair Trade fashion industry (perhaps I can’t yet call it an industry…maybe “movement” is more appropriate). I’m sure that the depth of this learning is rooted in the fact that I am doing this “thing” that I was really meant to do. I can exist at this point in my life and reflect back on the amazing links over the past few years that brought me here and for the first time I am not worried about what will come next (part of that faith learning I am talking about…Mt. 6:25-34). It was not a sensible decision, to quit my stable job with benefits and leave a comfortable and fun life in New York, but I knew it was the right decision. Now I am more certain of that than ever before.

I have always been proud to say that I am a self aware person; however, since being in Ghana I have realized the importance of nothingness to experience true introspection. I like to do, to be busy and have activities in my itinerary. But, sometimes this is simply a distraction from thinking. In the quiet of the Ghanaian lifestyle I have learned to be still, something I used to be awful at. Now that there is nothing to distract me, I have no choice but to spend significant time evaluating myself, my relationship with God and my path in life. As Elijah learned in 1 Kings 19, God speaks in the stillness, asking our purpose. Peace and quiet provides an incredible mirror for your soul.

I have learned how important being in the moment really is to me. Even in New York, surrounded by all of the “busy” I often found myself compelled to just stand in a place and take it all in. A valuable part of being in the moment is having that full-on sensory experience. For me this translates into many things. I like to really SEE things; perhaps that is why I am always staring at people (sorry Joni). I love to walk. I love water…swimming in it, sitting next to it, drinking it, driving by it on my way to work, living near enough to it to hear the waves as I fall asleep.

I like to physically solve problems and puzzles. I love to wake up before everyone else and experience the quiet of early morning. I like to color with crayons and mold clay and sew…in spite of years of training I still prefer feeling my artwork in my hands over the convenience of computer aided design or having some one else do the work. I am a verbal/external processor and a kinetic learner. Most importantly I have learned that I need to see, hear, smell, taste and touch God. Not only do I need to spend quality time every day reading my Bible and praying but I need to know God in my actions and serve God in the flesh of the human family (Mt. 25).

It has been invaluable for me to recognize all of this, and so much else. Understanding this helps me grasp why I am able to thrive in some settings and not others so that I can be wise in how I spend my time and energy. This clarity has also helped to free me from worrying about tomorrow. Now I can only look forward to what lay ahead because I know in each moment of “now” I am being prepared for the journey.