I’m back in Accra for my last week in Ghana. We left Kumasi on a good note after saying goodbye to Sarah and Pastor Morrison and all of our other friends in Accra. Pastor Morrison is very much looking forward to us contacting him once we get back to the U.S., and he also wants us to look into getting Sarah to the States soon. This conversation never seems to end around here. One day, Linda and I were eating lunch at a nice restaurant in Kumasi and this random Nigerian man that saw us when we walked in just casually strolls to our table and asks us if he could have our contacts so that we could get him to the United States! I suppose that sometimes they get lucky and find an American or another Westerner who will give them what they want, but I can’t imagine it happens often. It’s the most disturbing part about being here – knowing that so many people want to come to the States but also knowing that you don’t have the money or the power to help them. And even more importantly, you just don’t know people’s intentions and motives for wanting to come to the U.S. Many of them expect their new American friends to set them up with a house, an education, a job, and a good life as if all of us are living the American dream. Sometimes I feel bad as if I’m not willing to help the people I’ve met here as much as I can, but I don’t think inviting them to come to America or promising that I’ll come back one day and rescue them is the right option either.
On a happier note, we are getting ready for our last Sunday in Accra and our last week at work. I’m going to the market again today to hopefully get my last batch of souvenirs and to try to exchange some of the items I don’t want anymore. I don’t know how well it’s going to work, but I’m going to try. I’m at Northwestern Eye Centre for my last week, so hopefully it’s not too stressful. It’s going to be sad to say goodbye to everyone, but I can’t wait to get home! It’s going to be a great week!
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