Ron Peterson

Page 1

1997 a year of change in focus; a year of increased social consciousness....

Sitting at my office desk with my mind wandering. What would be next? The phone rang, "Are you interested in a trip to Ghana?" Work for a consulting hydrogeophysicist is either feast or famine, and famine seemed to be looming on my horizon. "Ghana?"

World Vision International needed a technical consultant to train a team of hydrogeologists to use geophysics in the location of water sources for wells in rural Ghana. I was always one to jump at the opportunity for a new adventure, so yes seemed like the obvious answer.

As the plane approached the continent of Africa I was thinking, "Africa, am I crazy? I'm 50 years old. What in the world am I doing?" How could I know that my life was going to change, turn around completely, and move in a direction I could never have imagined?

My plane landed in Accra, the capital of Ghana, at 10 PM, after a 6-hour flight from Amsterdam. I can still remember the blast of hot, muggy air the minute the door opened (we exited onto the tarmac and walked to the terminal). The colors, the smells, the bustle, and the noise assaulted and fascinated me. Customs, immigration, interminable lines and finding my bags; was I confused? Yes! People of every size and shape wanting to help. "Carry your bags?" "Where you going, I take you?" "You need guide?" Exhausted, I finally arrived at my hotel. Sleep was what I needed. Morning and Accra were just outside my window. Today was to be a busy day. My World Vision contact picked me up and we were off to run errands, change money, and prepare to head off to the field area north of Kumasi. All the while, I am absorbing the ambiance of the city.

Arrival in Kumasi was fascinating. Those who know me will vouch for the fact that I am a quiet person. I must absorb my surroundings before I begin to participate. Not so with my hosts; there were questions about America, my life, what I was going to do in Africa, flying from every direction. I would learn that most Africans are fascinated with America. Friendships come easily for the Ghanaians. They consider themselves the most friendly people on earth, and I can vouch for that. During the month I stayed in the Kumasi area, I learned how capable and intelligent they were and that they really are the most friendly people in the world. I was even made Chief of a small village for a day, an experience of warmth and caring like no other I have ever known.

The month passed all to quickly. The impressions of this wonderful place were fully etched in my soul. In America we have second, third, and forth chances to learn, grow, and succeed. These wonderful people often did not have even a first chance. They were without the most basic of necessities like water and yet they remained full of laughter and joy. I was always given the best they had. I was HOOKED!