Each day of our mission we have tried to exercise in some way. We most commonly walk throughout Abomosu and some of our other villages as we work in those areas. It has brought great pleasure to us as we converse with the many people. It has also caused Sister Dalton and me to grow so fond of our association with the wonderful people of this region. We do most of our shopping in a large town just an hour north of Abomosu called Nkawkaw. The open market offers more variety of items that will sustain us for a month at a time. There are hundreds of small stands with fresh vegetables, fruit, dry goods and a large open butcher shop. Dairy is challenge to find and something we are learning to go without except for special occasions. The market covers a one square mile with thousands of people crowded everywhere. It was most frightening the first time we ventured to in the market, but has now become a real highlight of our month. We have tried about every kind of exotic fruit, veggis, and even hot meats. (Alligator, monkey, bush meat, and other things I was afraid to ask for the name) But the experiences we share weaving though the market on those shopping days are a memorable addition to our mission service. We have become “regulars” at some of the small stands and have become somewhat as “celebrities” as we mingle. The children run up to us and just want to touch Sister Dalton’s soft white skin. For me, they just want to rub my “hairy” arms. The Ghanaian men do not have hair on their arms as I do. The hockers at the shop always laugh as we respond with our version of Twi, but never have we felt threatened or uneasy rubbing shoulders with all of the other shoppers. We comment to ourselves how we love this experience, something we had never thought we would.
There is a tucked away stand we like for this woman’s smoked fish, mostly a small silver salmon. She carefully counts every fish and searching for only the freshest fish for our bunch. She always put one extra fish in the newspaper wrap and says it for the “pay of God’s workers” and closes the wrap and puts it’s in our basket. There is a crippled man who runs a tiny stand and he is a “bookie”. He always wants us to place a “righteous bet” but we have fun with him as we pass by his stand a couple of times during our time there. He has become a good friend to give us directions where to find different items. Last time I was asked to make a bet I said I will give him a sure bet, “the Lord loves him and I will one day see him walk and run alongside his grandchildren with strong legs.” I remember his shocked look as I pulled out 20 cedis and asked him to match it. We always make our way through the maze of people and shops to visit with a deaf young man. He is a bagger for a stand that is a bit larger than most. They offer canned goods, bags of rice, flour, and sugar. He is a member of the Nkawkaw Branch and carries a deaf government card that states he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a bit unusual to see that on a government issued card, but that is common as I have found out afterwards. He is a very strong young man of 24 and loves the church with all of his heart. We love buying something from the small store and he always then walks with us to our car carrying our basket and bags. With my limited memory of the sign language alphabet, we seem to have fun walking and signing. He always gives Sister Dalton and me the biggest hug you can imagine, we feel just like we are being hugged by a bear with his size. He is an Elder and is the branch Single Adult rep. and I’m sure serves well. I don’t think there is a person in that whole market that doesn’t know him and loves his spirit. He’s a real gem in our day of shopping.
Each time we considered our experiences of shopping at this open market, we see the hand of the Lord in the lives of so many including our lives too. We always try to set on a small bench where there is each time an older woman who tries to tell us a story and we have no idea what they are saying. We laugh and sometimes cry with her as we listen to her express her feelings. Yet we always end our sharing moments with “yaa-bay-shee-yah”, (we will meet again) and she will then take our hands and gently rub them on her cheeks. It is humbling and so rewarding for Sister Dalton and I. We will meet again either here in Nkawkaw or in the hereafter. We will remember everyone we have encountered and united through the Spirit while here in Ghana. That is the most comforting desire for Sister Dalton and me. May you cherish those who you come upon during your journey through this life is our prayer for all.
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