Getting out of The O’Hare International Airport and into downtown Chicago was a job. Because I had been absent for four years. The machines selling tickets for The Blue Line were no longer the same. More money had to be deposited within them, and the procedures for obtaining the tickets from them were now different. Luckily for me, there were people nearby who, unlike myself, were familiar with the routine, and they were able to assist me. However, I had to purchase some junk food nearby just to get the right change to facilitate the process. All junk food sold in North America and Western Europe is attractively and hygienically packaged and distributed to the public. Not so in Ghana, where unpackaged junk food usually consists of fried fish, fried yam, Banku, and Fufu and is sold at the side of the road. Such food is commonly stored in a glass and wooden box, where it is exposed to dust and flying insects whenever the box is opened. All food is distributed to patrons with the naked hand. Unless you are sufficiently observant to call out the seller. Warning her not to touch the food you are paying for with her hands. In this case, she places her hand in a plastic bag, enabling her to sell you the food without soiling it with her fingers. It is a mighty struggle for Ghanaians living out in the country. Just to reach and adhere to basic acceptable hygiene standards when handling food.
I passed through the gate and boarded The Blue Line Train that took me into the City of Chicago. Disembarking as close as possible to The Millenium Park Station, I could walk over to that Transportation Hub and board a train to the South Bend International Airport. Upon my arrival there, I was reintroduced to the abundance of confectionery and other food items available in the USA. I didn’t purchase any, however, since I was suffering from a mild degree of dehydration and had no desire to further complicate my physical challenges. I waited for about 30 minutes for my friend to arrive and was very impressed with her posh green car. It didn’t take us long to get to Benton Harbor, and once within that City, she promptly transported me to Wall Mart, Where I bought two 1-liter cartons of goat milk. This was an almost unbelievable experience. An unattainable vital commodity in West Africa was now in my eager and almost desperate hands. I gave God thanks and praise. When we finally arrived at my new address on Napier Avenue, I was graciously treated to a meal of Vegetarian Pizza and steamed vegetables. Eventually, I got around the same day to drink one cup of goat milk. Just being able to taste that creamy, delicious commodity in my mouth and having the faith that it would actually solve my pressing health problems was psychologically and emotionally therapeutic.
This was a spiritual pilgrimage for me. It’s possible The Lord Almighty felt that I needed it. When the milk seemed to be permanently out of my grasp, I prayed to God to make it all happen. So that I would obtain healing in my legs. He never complained that I was bothering Him. Nor did the Spirit ever scold me for being too aggressive in my prayer pursuits. He repeatedly said, “You will escape a present difficulty.” In other words, God’s reassuring and abiding presence never left me. Over and over again, I experienced God’s wonderful love, mercy, and compassion.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us… As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103: 1-5, 11-14. (NKJV).
Initially, climbing the staircase in the house was a painful challenge, especially since the muscles in my legs were compromised. I continued to drink the cup of goat milk daily and was excited to observe that the swelling in both legs had begun to subside. The pain in my legs was also ameliorated. I started walking long distances again. I walked to the nearby shopping centers and also from The City of Benton Harbor to The City of Saint Joseph, crossing the Bridge over The Saint Joseph River, passing The Hospital, and going as far as the Walgreens Pharmacy. Then I joyfully retraced my steps because, by that time, the really cold weather had not arrived yet, and we were still in the month of September. All the swelling was gone within ten days, and my legs were back to normal. What a miracle, I thought! Furthermore, I noticed that all the pain I was previously experiencing in my lower back because of an injury that I suffered last year had also vanished. For some strange reason, getting the right shoes to wear had always been a problem. Primarily because my feet were not only flat but also soft. Merely stopping at any shoe store to purchase a pair of leather shoes for me was completely out of the question because of the peculiarities of my feet.
However, a number of years ago, I found some Dr. Scholl’s Shoes in Walmart, and I have been purchasing and wearing them ever since. I also wear sneakers, which has been my practice for many years. After J.C. Penny’s closed their store in Benton Harbor and my favorite, The Hush Puppy Shoes, were no longer easily available, I started wearing sneakers. The type I purchased had a generous heel, was exquisitely soft to my sensitive feet, and provided plenty of support for my arches. For the four years I was in Ghana, I longed for the day when I could return to Walmart and purchase a pair of Dr. Scholl’s Shoes for myself once more. I promptly searched for a pair as soon as I got into the store but was profoundly disappointed to discover that although there were shoes bearing Dr. Scholl’s name. The design had been drastically altered. I bought a pair anyway and hoped for a positive outcome. I was disappointed. Although I wore them a few times, I gave the pair to a friend when I returned to Ghana. Such is life, a labyrinth of challenges and difficulties. But if one sticks close to The Lord Almighty, He provides a solution to them all.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV).
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