Bring on the Heat!

We are in the middle of the hot dry season and hot and dry is an understatement.  It is amazing how the campus has transformed since I arrived.  All of the green has disappeared as everything has died.  In the heat of the day it is around 115 degrees and it cools down to the low 90’s at night.  For me the OR is the best place to be because it has air conditioning.  I know that many places in America can boast high temperatures, but not stifling heat day after day, and in America you can go from your air conditioned home, to your car, to air conditioned work, etc, and never really notice the heat.  The worst part of the day for me is trying to sleep.  I received some friendly advice to get all of my clothes wet before I go to sleep.  It is amazing, but with a fan blowing, I actually get a bit chilled and am able to fall asleep.  I usually wake up around three or four in a puddle of sweat and just get up and wet everything down again.   
 

The way campus looked when I first arrived

Dry season on campus . . . looking at this pictures just makes me feel hot! 

The hot dry season comes after the end of the Harmattan here in Ghana.  The Harmattan is a dry dusty trade wind that blows south from the Sahara desert across West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea.  It starts in late November and goes through early March.  On its way over the Sahara it picks up fine dust particles, which it will carry across the land.  The dust was very mild this year, but I am told that sometimes the heavy amount of dust in the air will block out the sun and you will not be able to see a few feet in front of you.  The best part about the Harmattan is that with the wind comes cool temperatures into the 70’s.  On some mornings I would wear long sleeves and at night I would sleep with a blanket, but for the most part the missionaries are finally comfortable.  On the other hand the Ghanaians are bundling up.  They are in long pants, heavy winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves.  It is quite the sight.  We showed a movie about Jesus out in a village one night and we were all in shorts and tee-shirts and the Ghanaians were huddled up next to each other under blankets for warmth.  I guess it is all what you are used to.

During the Harmattan is the coolest part of the year here in Ghana, but the next coolest is when the rains come after the hot dry season.  And that is what we are all anxiously awaiting now!