Easter Sunday

I am so tired that my arms can barely type this e-mail. I did get a lot of sleep last night and my sleep has been getting better. It was a four day weekend for everyone in Ghana this past weekend but I spent 3 out of the 4 days at the home. I am trying to remember when I last e-mailed and I believe that it was Sat.

Saturday I spent with my friend Jessie at the pool and then I went to watch her band practice. She plays the trumpet and met all these Ghanaians that she now plays in a band with. They are all very nice and fun to be with.

Sunday was Easter and the Easter service was good but not the same as our church service back home. I missed playing my cello to Hallelujah chorus and listening to Lillian's sermon. But church was still good. About four of the boys went with me to the actual service and then I spent time with them all after church was finished.

Sunday afternoon one of my roommates and I went out for lunch and then that afternoon we had a party with our host family. It was our Grandma's 90th Birthday party. She turned 90 on December 29th but didn't want to celebrate it until Easter because she said that God was the only reason she was still on this earth and so she wanted to throw a party in his honor. It started at about 3 and went until 6. For those three hours it was painful. We all sat in a circle (me, my roommate, and a lot of strangers). No one was really talking and we weren't allowed to cross our legs because that is considered inappropriate to do in front of your elders. There was plantain chips, peanuts, spring rolls, meat rolls (mystery meat), and then a really really really spicy porridge with some sketchy meat in it before we even got to the main course.

Once the main course came it was fine, people started to talk a little bit and that food was amazing. I had Jollof rice, fried rice, chicken, and beef with sauteed onions and peppers. Maybe the best meal I have had since I have been here. I was so tired that I just went in my room and fell asleep for about an hour when I woke up to music blasting. All of the elders had left and the nieces and nephews of my host family were there cleaning up- aka having a huge party. They were dancing, singing, and laughing. It actually reminded me a lot of what our family parties are like.

I left my room to see what was going on and then went to talk to Claire the only other roommate that was home this weekend. She is very shy and so didn't want to leave her room but I was feeling a little sad that I was missing out on all the fun so I went out on the back porch and danced with them until I couldn't even move. I sweat through all of my clothes and was disgusting but for the first time since I have been here I feel like I connected with my host family.

They were laughing at me as they were trying to show me how to dance. I swear that when they left the womb they were dancing. It reminded me of the way the girls in Zambia danced. The hips just out of control. The uncle was trying to show me the basics and then how to spice it up. I couldn't help but laugh at myself. But I was so happy. My sister Sheila was just hugging me and laughing with me. I felt so sad for my roommate Claire who didn't want to leave the room. I need that bond with people, without it I just feel helpless.

Monday I went on a picnic with the church I have been attending and all of the older boys went as well. It was at a Jr. High and there was dancing, music, food, sports, and fun. It was such good fellowship and I had such a great time. A lot of the girls were trying to teach me how to play this stomping game but I wasn't very good. There was basketball, ping pong, tennis, volleyball, football (soccer), card playing, and dancing. The pastor of the church was wearing a Sox hat and he told me that he had just been living in Naperville for 2 months and he got the hat when he was there. :) We talked about how that was my team and how I miss all my players terribly. He was laughing and we talked for a little while.

I have so much more to say but I will stop for now because I could keep writing forever. I hope that this was a good taste of my wonderful Easter weekend. I have some very big decisions to make coming up including when I am coming home and what college I am going to attend. That is what I need you to be praying for. E-mail me and tell me how things back home are!! I haven't heard from some of you in a loooooong time or at all. I miss hearing from you.