I’m so happy we decided to spend
our last full weekend here in Asikuma because it ended up being the absolute best
weekend we’ve had all summer.
It started off on Friday with a
going away party our families threw for us. We thought it was just going to be
a naming party for the baby but they surprised us with our very own party.
Every event they have here in Ghana comes with a schedule of events so of
course, ours did too. It was complete with speeches, prayers and even musical
interludes. After work and before the party we helped prepare the meal which
was huge and made up of: three types of rice (jollof, fried and plain),
popcorn, watermelon, vegetable stew, fried plantains, plantain chips, fresh
pineapple juice, orange juice and meat for the Ghanaian guests. The whole
evening was so much fun and full of loud music and dancing. I’m so appreciative
of these amazing families that have taken us in and treated us like their own.
I feel 100% comfortable in my home and in Ghana and it’s all thanks to them and
their hospitality. I’ve already promised Sister Bebe I would return to Ghana
for her wedding and have every intention of keeping in touch with my family
once I return to the U.S.
The weekend got even better on
Saturday when we went over to Dr. Pablo’s house for lunch. Dr. Pablo is a retired
Cuban surgeon who moved here with his wife after meeting an administrator of
Our Lady of Grace Hospital. Him and Mary have been here on and off for 8 years
already and are planning on moving back to Cuba and their family next year. They
asked us to arrive at 11 am and upon getting there they had Cuban coffee
waiting for us. Maybe it’s because I’ve been drinking instant coffee for the
past two months but I’m pretty sure it was the best coffee I’ve ever had. Once
we were finished they told us it was time for their famous (and very strong)
drink that was made of freshly squeezed pineapple and orange juice with vodka. For
the next couple hours they kept refilling our glasses while Dr. Paublo enjoyed
about 5 gin and tonics and his wife threw back 4 beers. Needless to say, before
we even ate our lunch they were showing us how to salsa and telling us stories
about how they met. In the middle of our time visiting they remembered that
there were three medical school students from Spain staying at the hospital and
decided to invite them over as well. After more funny stories and music we
finally ate their amazing Cuban meal. Along with dinner they insisted we drink
Spanish wine and assured us that when we come visit them in Cuba we’ll always
have alcohol in our systems because “mosquitoes don’t like alcohol”. After
dessert (candied papaya) we convinced Dr. Pablo to break out his guitar and
sing for us. In his early surgeon years he was a semi-famous Cuban singer who
would perform surgery during the day and play venues at night. Ashley,
Christina and I felt like we were living in paradise all afternoon and never
wanted to leave. They are the absolute sweetest couple and I’m so glad we got
to spend the day with them before we head home.
Sunday continued our weekend of
adventures when we accompanied our family to church. When we first got to Ghana
Sister Bebe bought us all custom made dresses so we surprised her and wore them
to the service. Our family practically runs the church and we didn’t even know
it. Sister Bebe is the youth program assistant, Auntie Maggie is both a choir
leader and a reader, Gloria is an alter server, and Shalda is in the junior
choir. The mass was a little over 2 hours long but the music made it totally
worth it. They have two collections instead of one and the second one provided
the church with a lot of entertainment. They call each community one by one and
those in the community line up at the back of the church. Then, the members dance
their way down the entire isle until arriving at the collection basket. Of
course, all eyes were on us when our community was called and the laughter as
we made our way down the isle was even louder than the choir. The second main
difference is that they only let single or married people receive communion. As
a community they believe that if you have a boyfriend/girlfriend then you’re
having premarital sex. Therefore, you’re a sinner of the church and shouldn’t
receive communion. After church Ashley and Christina came over and we spent the
day relaxing with the family.
It’s now after work on Monday and
tomorrow is technically our last day of work. Tomorrow we will work the morning
shift, go home and sleep and then come back for a night shift in the emergency
room. Wednesday morning will just be saying our goodbyes and taking pictures
before heading back to Cape Coast to end the trip. It’s unreal that two months
have already gone by and I’ll be so sad when it’s time to leave everyone on
Wednesday. This upcoming week I’m going to try to post some reflection blogs in
between my normal ones in an attempt to wrap my head around this incredible
experience….. but I can’t make any promises!
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