The Village People

I am convinced that the village people have “it all figured out.”  I went into the village this weekend with my “skills” and file folders filled with contracts and payment options.  I travel 6 hours by tro-tro, to “help” these people.  I was going to give them a skill that can provide income for them – to feed their families, pay school fees, things they “need.” 

On the drive in, we pass them walking to the coco fields.  Some carrying baby coco plants on their head, to plant a new coco farm.  Others with tools, ready to harvest their coco.  The women in the village are sitting outside their mud huts, talking, cleaning, and beginning to prepare dinner for that night.  Getting out of the car, children flock to greet us.  I am proposed to by an old man who already has two wives, and 12 kids by each of them.  We walk by the coco beans drying, and pick one up to taste.  We discover that one bag of coco beans is sold for 150 Cedis, but Cote d’Ivoire pays 240 – so some of the farmers are taking them across the boarder to sell their harvest.  We see the school that Christine has been working at and on for the past 5 years.  It has grown from one “room” (or hut), to several concrete rooms, one that will become a library.  We step behind the school, so that we can see the rainforest, the real rainforest.

I set up my paper making supplies.  I was going to try to “train” Christine and Kirk’s three girls, Ophelia, Cynthia, and Grace, see how it went.  I faced the same response I have for each group that I have been in contact with – when I say I want to train people and give them “jobs” – I want to decrease poverty and HELP people.  I have heard every time: “I can bring you the people, but I can’t guarantee they will do the work.”

So, I train the girls, and several of the women in the village come by to see what is happening.  They see – they turn to leave – I ask if they want to learn – they say they want to go and prepare dinner.  These people, the same ones that we see on National Geographic, or commercials to raise money for one project or another – if you picture “people in need” – these are your people.  And they didn’t want to earn a extra few Cedis – they were uninterested in “progressing” or earning a “raise” to build a pool out back, or send the kids to Summer camp.  I really believe these people were content, dirty and half dressed, waking in the morning to work, preparing food all afternoon, sleeping, and then doing it all again.

Don’t these people want to move out of their mud huts?  Wouldn’t it be “better” if they didn’t have to go and work so hard everyday – don’t they want a break? What about clothes - don’t they at least want to make enough money to cover their bodies?

I believe we all search for contentment in life.  And these “needy” village people are content.  They have nothing, but they don’t “need” anything. We have everything, and it’s still not “enough.”  What is that one thing that will make us “content?” What is that relationship that will surely make us “content” with the life we have?  I want what the contentment they have, and they were not interested in my offer to “better” themselves.  I am telling you, these “village people” have something figured out.

So, my friend Christy and I had traveled 6 hours in a tro-tro, she actually fell asleep on a Ghanaian we were traveling for so long - to this village - and it was awesome.  I mean I had to do all the things that one would think necessary in a village in Africa, including bucket showers and holes in the ground for bathrooms!  But it was awesome - I learned a ton.   And the family we stayed with is awesome - here is their blog: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Kirk-and-Christine/

And more pictures, mostly of the kids who we were able to hangout with!

(This one left for a while, and we found out when he came back that he gone to kill the chicken for his family's dinner that night.  Can you see the spattered blood on his face?!)

(Sorry for the inappropriate picture - but can you read what his "shorts" say?!)

And then, we had to come back into Accra – which now seems like some strange purgatory between Africa and America.  In Accra, I am surrounded by other internationals and am somehow lead to believe that I should expect things to work  - the internet or the fridge or the AC.  In the village there was no electricity or fridge to be broken – life is simple, and there is time to think and just BE.  I am already praying for a return trip sometime – it was really great.

The village this weekend was amazing.  I will write more specifics later - but I was able to experience real "village" life.  We ate our chicken and rice (and noodles and an egg - don't know how I feel about those additions) out of newspaper:

And talked each night by the light of a real lantern:

It was awesome.  I will tell more tomorrow - but here are some of my thoughts while visiting:

I think I have discovered the biggest difference between Ghanaians and Americans:

Ghanaians are used to life being hard.  Ghanaians are used to things not working out.  Ghanaians are used to doing manual labor for hours a day, for only a few pesewas (cents) pay – just enough to buy their dinner and then wake up the next day and do it all again.  So – when something good happens – it is beyond appreciated.  Someone’s disease is cured, and the village is in celebration, everyone is praising God and grateful to have each other.  Their “hard” life makes the “good” seem so very much “gooder.”

Americans are used to life being easy and on schedule.  We make our lists and files and plans.  We plan and save for events in the distant future – sometimes so distant that we forget to spend or do or what we were “working” for in the first place.  Someone’s disease is cured – we check it off the list and think “I can’t believe this doctor’s visit took so long” – and become angry about the inefficiency of our day, and possible tardiness to a task later on the list.  Our "easy" and "convenient" life allows us to expect “good,” and become angry when even the smallest details seem difficult.

There is obvious “good” in both cultures – but oh so much that we can learn from one another.

Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry said, “ Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14) And then He follows it up with a warning against false prophets – “we will recognize them by their fruit.”   There are plenty of churches here and in the states that preach about our freedom in Christ, or about the “blessings” we should receive from our relationship with Christ – but the truth is it’s hard.  

If your life seems “good” or “easy” today – soak it up – enjoy it – take pictures – journal about it – because if we are truly following Christ a lot of our journey is going to be difficult, and we are going to need those moments and memories to get us through the tough times.   Choose to soak up God’s promises while you have time, or motivation – He promises never to “never leave us or forsake us” (Heb 13:5), and He promises to “give (us) the desires of (our) hearts” (Psalm 37:4)…but in the same verses, he first commands us, “be content with what you have” and to “delight yourself in the Lord.”

I am not saying that we should make life any "harder" than it has to be - but to enjoy and praise God in the "good" and the "bad."  The "good" is good and the "bad" makes the "good" even better. 

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good." Romans 8:28

Cheering and Ursala

So - I have continued my "last art lesson" in all the rest of my classes.  Now, when I walk in to the school kids are yelling "War Eagle" at me - except for the kids from Atlanta, who insist on saying  "Go Jackets!"

And - isn't this kid AND the paper mache camel he made AMAZING?!?!

I also want to introduce you to Ursala.  She is pretty amazing as well.  She has a great story - and I am working on writing it - maybe sometime next week that will be ready?  She has been learning to work with beads - and so I am going to bring back with me some of the things she has made to sell.  Isn't her son Emmanuel was the cutest thing :)

Today, I am headed 5 or so hours (we'll see how long it takes!) outside of Accra to a village for another paper making workshop! Say some prayers for our travel and I can't wait to post pictures write how it goes.  Blessings!

Suffering for whom?

I don’t know if this is an “ok” thing to do or not – but while reading Ecclesiastes, I am overwhelmed with the similarities between King Solomon’s teaching and Siddhartha Gautama, the Budda’s teaching.   

Head of the Buddha
Pakistan, ancient province of Gandhara
2nd Century
Schist with traces of gold leaf

On display at the Freer and Sackler Gallery

I took a Buddhist art history class while I was in Graduate School at UAB.  Through all aspects we discussed, it was interesting to see all the parallels between Budhism and Christianity.  And they are crazy similar when comparing just the words and life of Solomon to the words and life of Siddhartha.  So, here goes my comparison, with my limited knowledge and understanding of both.

The most obvious comparison between the two is the life style or class both Siddhartha and Solomom were born into.  Both were from wealthy families, both royalty; Solomon was David’s heir in Israel, Siddhartha was the Shakyas tribal leader’s son – in India, near Nepal.  Both had STUFF, and both of them write about the meaninglessness of their STUFF.  

There is no evidence, that I know of that Siddhartha was raised under any code of morality or religion.  Solomon, we know was raised by King David, a man after God’s own heart.

The theme of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes (from the Introduction in my Bible) is “The tragic reality of the fall” or “the necessity of fearing God in a fallen, and therefore frequently confusing and frustrating, world…fearing God and keeping His commandments even when we cannot see what God is doing.”  Solomon writes over and over again about the our transience in this life, and the suffering during our existence. 

“A generation goes and a generation comes, but the Earth remains forever.” 1:4

“…and behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” 2:11

Both agree that since we are part of a fallen world, we will experience suffering and create suffering for others.  Both agree that we are “sinners,” and all in need of some kind of salvation.  For Siddhartha, this was reaching an “enlightened” state through meditation – detaching oneself from the transient things of the Earth that create suffering.  For Solomon, this meant surrendering to the commandments that God has given us even though we will never understand, and will still have to endure suffering as part of this fallen world.

From my past studies of Buddhism, the teaching of Siddhartha does not contradict with Christianity. In a sense, we become “enlightened” to God’s holy spirit through “meditation” we call prayer.  However, as the tradition of Buddhism spread and evolved, outside of India it became something that is certainly at odds with the Bible.  In my opinion, Siddhartha, the Buddha, was a good dude.  I just wish he could have met Jesus.

Buddhism evolved into having its own heaven, “The Buddha” becoming a god, and reincarnation a part of everyone’s experience on Earth.  (Side note: the image of the Buddha also evolved from a malnourished Indian, to the more familiar overweight East Asian man) To Buddhist today, the point of life is to accept and overcome the Buddhist “truths (suffering is in the world because we are attached to the impermanent things on Earth…),” at which point one can end the cycle of reincarnation.  One must become “enlightened” in their lifetime, so that they will not need to be reincarnated again.  One website says that this “path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made on the path.”


The point of to life Christians is to accept God's truth in the Bible, accept Jesus Christ as our savior, allow His Holy Spirit to lead and direct us through life, to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus," (Hebrews 12) knowing that He is perfecting our faith, and not to grow weary even when we don't understand.

The only point of writing all of this is that I think the similarities are interesting.  Comparing religions is an interesting way to discover world truths - that transcend culture, time and place.

Life Lessons on the last day of art.

First, I tell the kids the most important thing they need to know is that I love them. And I ask them - how can I love them, even when they make mistakes? Most of them already know the answer: JESUS!


And then, I say the second most important thing that they need to know is:

WAR EAGLE!

WAR EAGLE! from Lauren Johnston on Vimeo.

What would it take...

...for you to be "content?"

I have moved every year, maybe more often than that (?!) for the past ten years or so - from dorm to dorm, to Atlanta, Birmingham, Auburn, Africa, and now into the unknown. WHAT will it take for me to be "content?"


My Aunt Dixie said she has heard that contentment meant living independent of circumstances.  Do circumstances define your level of contentment?


The Bible says to "be content with what you have" (Hebrews 13:5) and that there is "great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." (1 Timothy 6:6-8)  


But -- am I really "content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities???????"  Do I really believe that "when I am weak, then I am strong?????" (2 Corinthians 12:10)  Wouldn't it all be more fun if everything was easy and "good?"

But no, He is not finished with me yet ... I am learning to find joy and contentment in my struggles.  I have needed Jesus like I have never needed Jesus before.  In the middle of all sorts of circumstances this year, I have found myself rejoicing that Christ is guiding me and teaching me and pulling me into His word.  Circumstances are always changing, people are always changing, so CHOOSE to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)  

So, no matter whether your circumstances seem "good" or "bad" today - remember that God, and God alone is the author and perfector of our faith, we don't know what we need for our sancitification - God and God alone knows.  Rejoice, and Bless His name independent of your circumstance.

"...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."

Philippians 4:11

Just another birthday party...

...for 50 orphaned or abandoned kids in Africa!

I visited my friend Dana at the Haven of Hope, just outside of Accra this weekend.  

http://www.ecmafrica.org/page.aspx?id=36226

They were throwing one BIG birthday party for all the children living there.

Just like American birthday parties, they had balloons,

and games,

and face paint,

and a pinata.

I was able to provide some craft time!

They made some really cool prints :)

Unlike an American birthday party, the food was the typical Ghanaian dish: chicken, fried rice, "salad" (what we call coleslaw) and shito.  I don't know if I have mentioned shito before now or not - but, it is pronounced just as it looks, and it comes on almost every dish here! It is some extra spice they like to put on the already very spicy food :)  So, I have to say it almost everyday!  Yea, not my favorite Twi word!

Anyways, it was a great day - thank Dana!

The next two days were filled with delicious dinners and brunches! Some of the Lebanese families that attend AIS made us a delicious dinner Sunday night, and then we had a school brunch at a really nice restaurant.  MMMmmmm.

I feel "warmed up" for some good American food in a few weeks!!