Part 1- Ganta

Experiencing Ganta

March 12 and 13, 2011

Eleazar Gbengen, program Director at ABCU invited me to speak at his church here in Ganta, 2 hours drive from the campus. Jamaima Kollie, his adopted daughter and my student in both of my classes has been my "interpreter " and guide.  Language has been the least thing that I've needed interpreting, but I have been exposed to much that is new to me.

I have loved spending time with her, and watching her interact with the people we passed as we walked from town to Eleazar’s home last evening. I felt like I was getting to be “a fly on the wall”, watching life take place in a world so unfamiliar to me.  People were just being people, bathing, washing clothes, playing, selling, laughing, working their gardens, sharing pleasantries with friends as they passed.  At one little stand Jamaima bought butterscotch candy, and along the way, she gave the candy to various children who would run out of their homes to hug her. She seems to know everybody.

I believe that experiences like this are vital to better be able to understand those with whom I am trying to help.  This way of life so foreign to me is normal,and even preferred to that in which I long to return.

I tried last night to do some reflecting, but found that this tired body had an equally fatigued mind attached to it.  I love what I have learned in recent months about sleep being a gift, showing you dependence on God, and a rest that we need. We can have that rest because he is always looking after us, doesn’t need sleep. What comfort.

This morning I thought how the day and night I had just spent have a whole lot more in common with the world Jesus entered from glory than the distinction between "my world" and this one.  Jesus walked among people like the scene I’ve described.  He wouldn’t have had grocery stores like I’m accustomed to either.  He got hot, having no fans in his room as he slept.  His world was probably as dusty as Ganta too.  He had no running water or electricity.  Much about my accommodations last night was definitely superior to what the King of Glory had for 33 years!  That was sobering, and I’m thankful for the experience..

I could describe the hot, still air without the aid of fans that cool me most of the night on campus.  You probably could identify with my struggle to sleep when hot, but then I am immediately reminded of a story I heard about a mother who at times wants to bring in more children into her home to care for but can't because the terms of rent preclude having too many residents abiding there.  She is reported to have said that she prefers living  in a home  without running water or electricity so that she has freedom to minister the way she feels called.  Now, that’s sobering too!

This 24 hour experience will provide me, I am sure, many days of careful reflection. I'm not sure whether or not I am to come to any real conclusions of right or wrong, better than, but I do expect growth inside my heart, and for that hope I am grateful. 

Kou,meaning first girl child, and Victoria 2 ladies in the church have just come by to greet me.  It is 8:15 in the morning and they were off to prepare some things for us to eat!.  They just wanted me to know that I am welcome and they are glad I am here.  Jamaima had told me Lydia is coming to church today.  We had seen the sign on her shop in town yesterday.  The ladies told me, "we pray that she come,". Indeed that is what we are  to do, pray that God bring those today that can praise Him corporately, be instructed, and go forth as better disciples. 

Eleazar just told me that he and Edith have 12 foster children, Jamaima being one of them.  They have 5 of their own.  Only one of those was born when Jamaima came to live with them when she was eight years old.

Impressions of Ganta are proving to be longer than I anticipated.  I’ll continue in another post and include some pictures.