Ghana Blog 2: The Village

Think of all the different names you have heard the earth called. First, we have the common name "earth" and then "world" which can sometimes mean the entire universe. Then some call it the "Blue Planet". Scientist would probably use the name "Terra", which is Latin for earth. Some are even familiar with the phrase the "Third Rock from the Sun." Those are the names I personally hear when someone refers to the planet that we live on. The English Bible uses common names that we use everyday to refer to the earth also. There are circumstances that cause us to somehow have a magnanimous perspective of the world. While also there are occurrences which cause us to believe we live in a small world. For example, when I met a young lady volunteering with Mission Arlington at a pool party that my church was witnessing at, she asked me what college I attended, and I responded that I go ETBU. She then quickly followed with if I knew a girl that went there, and I did, which caused us both to say that it is a small world. We all have occurrences of that sort. There are various circumstances that shape how we view the world. Truly, it's a big big world as the children's television show would state it, but sometimes it seems it is also a small world. What I am leading to here is the expression I heard during conversations with people in Ghana.

Somehow, the world has become a big village to some people in Ghana.

It was not only individuals that had this perspective but it seemed to be an idea that I believe most of the people in Africa are adopting. This is their reasoning. Because of the availability and advancement of technology for communication to move at a rapid pace, it seems that a person in Africa can hear about something happening in America immediately after it happens, making it seem like America is just right down the street. Also, what happens in America somehow affects the people in Africa. For another example, the recent tragedy that took place in Colorado has crept into conversations of people in Ghana and has caused discussions involving morals. And also, the sudden death of Ghanaian president John Atta-Mills this week has sneaked into conversations of individuals in Europe and America. Please do not misunderstand me, it is not only that people are only talking about things that are happening around the world, but now people are able to feel and share in the pain and joys of others in other places when events take place. Also, we could look at this economically, as in how the world's market is significantly interwoven. The hard work of farmers in Ethiopia affects the productivity of businesses around the world. If you like chocolate, you will like this fact, did you know over 90% of all of the worlds chocolate production comes from West Africa? Doesn't it matter to have knowledge of how chocolate companies get their cocoa?

 So it seems that we are living in a world (village) this is very interrelated. So interrelated that we can call it a village. I instantly took an obsession to the village idea of the world, I think mainly because I have been chewing an African proverb and a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr for quite some time now.

Dr. MLK Jr said:

"All I'm saying is simply this, that all life is interrelated, that somehow we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality."

And the proverb says: "It takes a whole village to raise a child."


Here is an explanation of the proverb from an African proverb website. Afriprov.org.

"The basic meaning is that child upbringing is a communal effort. The responsibility for raising a child is shared with the larger family (sometimes called the extended family). In general this Nigerian proverb conveys the type of worldview that emphasizes the values of family relationships, parental care, self-sacrificing concern for others, sharing, and even hospitality. This is very close to the Biblical worldview as seen in scripture texts related to unity and cooperation."

As much as I enjoy children, I do not mean for this blog to be strictly about children and their upbringing although raising children is directly included to the idea that I am writing about. The idea is that no matter how hard we can try to praise individualism and reject the idea that our actions directly affects those around us, the fact remains that the world is woven intricately by a Creator and that we will always bear blessings or curses from the actions of others. This is a very big idea that I did not create and cannot thoroughly write about. In short, all I am saying is to deeply care for all people and be the best we can be individually, while keeping our immediate communities in mind and the larger village (the world) in mind also. The first words of Jesus as he began his ministry was "The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news." Jesus brought with himself a new kind of community. That is good news. It is good news that he died on the cross for the sins of the world and that we rose after three days, and that he will finish his work of building a new people. The kingdom of God is that which contains self-sacrificial love and concern for others, sharing, and hospitality. Would not that be incredible if the whole world (village) had this kind of love? And in which we could all proclaim all the wondrous works of God throughout the entire land?


Kingsley