The Importance of being recognized as a person

One of my favorite street hawkers, "The ball guy".  We became fast and true friends when I purchased a ball one day to give to some kids in Wote, and we waved to each other from then on as Elaine and I commuted home up Independence Way.  I have no idea where he got the hat or if he knows what it means.  He isn't one, just a guy who needed a hat and there it was.  Fashion is not a big deal here.  You wear it because you need to wear it, and he just needed a hat.

February 28, 2022

 I hadn't blogged for many weeks until the other night.  It felt good.  It feels good to document something of our activities here away, from our family and friends.  I don't want to forget details of our wonderful experience.  Remember, we are living in Africa (!!).  It feels good to emphasize, at least to myself, that I exist.  Not only exist, but that I am important.  You are important.  We don't always feel that way, do we?  Then we get this random thought or feeling and we suddenly realize, again, that we are more important than we had been thinking we were.  It must be when the Spirit sends a nudge to wake us up.  To remind us who we are and why we should feel important.  You and I are important to Him, and its part of the Spirit's job to remind us of that.  That He loves us and built this world for a purpose.  A beautiful purpose, full of plain and precious truths.  A second century philosopher-type, Clement of Alexandria, said something like, "when you see a person, you see God."  He also said it is the work of every good person to understand the Christ and strive to be like Him.  What was he thinking?! Good advice.  He must have gotten some of that inspiration, or nudge, I am talking about.  He must have thought that it was possible for a child to grow up to be like the parent.  For a few centuries after the Savior was resurrected, people thought of Him and the Father as separate and glorified beings that humans could be like someday, if they really wanted to.  In the ensuing generations, however, that truth was lost and replaced with philosophy difficult to comprehend.

A good friend of mine many years ago told me to document who I am because it is therapeutic.  He didn't exactly tell "me" to do it.  He was telling a lot of people to do it and I was in the crowd.  The statement was included in a talk he was giving in Church.  I take him personally, and at his word.  He is someone to trust.  A good soul.  He was right.  It is therapeutic.    

And, it is good for me to respond to that "nudge" and remember how important you and I are.  To ourselves, to our families, to our friends, and to each other.  And especially to Him.  The Savior's parting comment after delivering the Sermon on the Mount contrasts the state of he who hears and follows His counsel and he who hears and does not follow His counsel.  When the rain, flood and hard winds come, the house built by the guy who ignored (or took lightly) His counsel, fell.  The fall of that house was not ignored by Him, or considered a small thing by Him.  "Great" was the fall of that house the Savior says.  He didn't say it was a small or ignored "fall", but a great fall.  He doesn't want anyone to ultimately fall.  We are too important to Him.  He worked too hard, and is still working hard to prevent that by showing the way.  Doesn't that feel good?  He is always there.  

Street sellers or "hawkers" are everywhere in Accra.  Women of all ages, along with young and some middle-aged men.  Even kids; small boys and girls.  At every big intersection, or when the traffic rush causes slow downs on busy streets, these hawkers appear with all kinds of goods to sell.  Food, small appliances, various kinds of equipment, holiday related stuff.  Balls, pictures, exercise equipment, puppies, birds, matches, air fresheners, gum, candy.  It's like driving through this huge checkout stand at the grocery store when items of all kinds are displayed to catch your attention at the last possible opportunity.  I think you get the feeling. We buy food sometimes, like fruit or a snack. Sometimes just to see what it is.  We get the best bananas on the street.  We buy shoe shine kits from the little boys.  We have even purchased scales (to weigh ourselves).  We bought the scales in the first few months of our mission.  Elaine bought one while driving with a friend on the same day I bought one while driving home.  They are identical!  

I bring up these hawkers to illustrate a point.  I was driving to work last Tuesday when the traffic was heavy and I was waiting to move along when a hawker approached with watches to sell me.  I smiled at him.  He recognized me, smiled a huge smile and waved, not bothering to sell me. He moved on to the next car.  I had seen him before, in the prior weeks or months, and he knew I couldn't use what he had.  But, he was so happy to be recognized and showed his pleasure.  Most hawkers are ignored as they move from car to car looking into the windows at people ignoring them.  It seems that the hawkers are only given attention by travelers when they want to buy something.  I smile at as many as I can.  Meeting their eyes was hard at first.  It is easier now.  They always smile back.  It feels good to me.  It feels good to each of them.  I want them to know they are important.  It isn't easy being a street hawker.  They are doing it because they need the money.  I am thinking I should buy more from them.  

Enjoy the day!