Hopeful Path

June 23rd: A Story of One Ghanaian

I have gotten to know a few Ghanaians now. I want to tell a quick story of one new friend.

Paul (name changed) comes from a village south of Tamale about two hours. Paul is now 19 years old, the youngest of six children (three boys and three girls). His family is very poor (by Ghana standards) due to his father’s death soon after Paul was born. The girls are all married and living away from their village. I have a gut feeling they were married young to take some of the burden off the mother and older sons. The girls cannot contribute to their mother’s well-being as they are raising families of their own. Unfortunately, Paul’s oldest brother got in trouble with the law a few years ago and is in prison. So the maintenance of the family fell on the two younger boys; the mother is getting on in years now and without a system of retirement.

The boys did manage to graduate from high school and go to church. Oh did I say “go to church?” What I meant is that Paul is highly intelligent, walks with God and knows the Word of God! He went to a school of kids of other faith, but openly stood up (witnessed) for Christ. He experienced the meaning of persecution at a young age; it may or may not have been physical (still hard to get Paul to open up as he is very humble), but I know he had some tough times with other classmates. The first week of the Discovery Trip Paul was very quite, he opened up the last three days we were together. He volunteered to lead prayer times and prayed with the utmost confidence which almost brought me to tears (actually did, but don’t tell anyone:) He spoke up during devotion and added great insight to each discussion. It was a honestly a shock for me to realize he had such a compassionate heart and Godly outlook as his quite demeanor was unreadable.

I asked Paul what he is doing after the Discovery Trip (it cost $200 for Ghanaians to attend; Paul’s church and friends raised the funds). He said that they are building a dam in southwest Ghana, so he was going there to be a laborer. Paul will be working for $3.00 a day, of course it will cost him about $1.50 for food each day. I asked how he will pay for rent, he smiled and said he would be sleeping at the site i.e. “under the stars.” I asked, couldn’t he find a better job? He told me that is was a good job. He told me he does not have a skill (due to no father?), so this would be the best he could do for now.

In Ghana, when you graduate from High School like Paul just did, you can take an exam to see if you would be eligible to go to upper schools (Technical Training/University). Paul is waiting for the results of his test. Paul desires to be a nurse, but of course he will have to work the next few years to help his mother out, try to help pay for his older brother to go to school first, and maybe save a little for his own schooling (if he scores high enough)! It is hard to imagine the strength of families ties for one to give so much for his family and at such a young age. I think I will learn much more about comm-unity and kinship in Ghana.

If I begin to think I have it tough with all the changes and feel sorry for myself; all I have to do is think about Paul’s potential future or walk outside and open my eyes and heart to the reality around me.

I have been so blessed by God with my family, friends, and nation. I thankfully plan on pleasing Him for the rest of my days; one day at a time.