Something to Think About

I am a 20 year old, bi-racial, Christian, American woman.

This interim, I was able to go traveling throughout the country of Ghana. The national census states that 17% of the population identifies as Muslim. While the overwhelming majority of the country is Christian. Being born in 1995, I have lived through the shift in Christian/Muslim relationships. I watched the towers fall on 9/11 and I've watched horrendous terrorist attacks in cities like Paris and San Bernodina California. If anyone in the United States should have tainted views of Muslims, it should be people from my generation. 

This past week I had the pleasure of touring the oldest mosque in Ghana. Our guide told us that the community surrounding the mosque is 100% Muslim. I walked around that community in complete safety. As an American, Christian woman I strolled through an entirely Muslim community without a worry in my mind. The people were so incredibly welcoming and curious about why we were in their town and their country. Why is it that when a woman wearing a burka in Walmart she's cussed out or avoided and even afraid for her life, but when I walked through a Muslim community my hands were held by young girls and the people warmly welcomed us?
It makes me sad that Christians and Americans generalize those who practice Islam. Yes, there are extremists who use their religion to justify their unthinkably horrific actions, however, that does in no way reflect upon all members of Islam or people with middle eastern roots. I hope my experience in the welcoming and joyous Muslim community can serve as a checkpoint for how Americans respond to Muslims and Arabs in our community. 

Hello from Kumasi

Well, 

Let me tell you. It has been an adventure for sure. I'm not quite sure where to start. We have been traveling around the country and listening to lectures. The trip began in Akropong where we listened to lectures at Akrofi Christaller Institute, went on daily excursions and stayed at homes in the community for a couple days. 

The family we stayed with was incredible! They were so generous and welcoming towards these two strangers coming to live with them for a couple days. Our host dad is a Pastor of the fastest growing church in Ghana, it happens to be the Pentecostal Church in Akropong. His wife Cecilia is a teacher at the local school. Together they have 4 kids Jemimah, Marc, Keszia and Peter. This was a really challenging experience. Having to constantly think about what you are doing and whether or not it would be considered offensive was exhausting. We learned a lot in a very short amount of time. 

From Akropong we traveled to Cape Coast, where we stayed at a stunning beach resort called Brenu Beach. This place was paradise on so many levels. AIR CONDITIONING & WARM WATER! Praise Jesus. These are now a luxury and no longer expected. We didn't want to leave. 

I am now in Kumasi spending the next couple days. Then we'll head up North this week. 

I'll try to blog soon! 

Prayers for health as we travel to Tamale and Bolga these places tend to wreck havoc on bodies unfortunately.