2019 is here! Happy New Year!

its 130am in the new year, just got in from an 8pm Watchnight Service.
Interesting welcoming of the new year , most of  lights out with only candles on the altar, clergy and servers in front of the altar on knees (clergy any way) , choir joined with parishioners, Dean read a bidding prayer which took until midnight when the praying by congregation got louder until celebrating the new year. The Peace shared followed with offertory (dancing and singing) and the Eucharistic Prayer  was started. Very interesting new year welcome!!!   and we are back for 9am mass,  

this and that as 2018 ends and 2019 in looming

one service today, 3 hours, not too bad, lots of music and dancing

This is the time of year that many take stock thinking, did I do everything I set out to do did somethings I wish I had not, am I the person I am supposed to be, so what is for the next year. 

I remember (before kids when life changes drastically) when New Year's Eve meant a party, dancing, wishing everyone a Happy New Year, tooting the horn all the way home. Then when at Flemingdon Park a service in the Ministry office and a party back at the condo, now church both evening and New Year's Day at a cathedral (who would of thought that Betty would worship at a cathedral, not me), Here folks will come to church and then off to work like every other day. I do not hear many resolutions here, not part of the tradition I hunch, 

I have a new tv cable service and it has many radio stations, right now I am listening the Golden Oldies, Chain Gang with Sam Cooke

time flies

I can't believe I last was here was Tuesday and now its Saturday (cleaning day in this house)
yesterday I was invited to the Bishop's as his latest granddaughter was being named.
Maia is her first name.

baby is given with a spoon, water and sprite (could use alcohol) symbolizing things look the same but can be very different ( between the light and dark of the world)

Mommy and Daddy with their son and daughter

Everyone on the steps of the Mission House (rectory, Bishop's Court)

with Bishop and Mother Superior with grand daughter in front

CHRISTMAS

Last night started with lighting the fire, the coming of the light and symbolic of the fire that the shepherds would have had.I am looking over Canon Eramus' shoulder to see Dean (has red trimmed cope) saying the prayers before the fire is lit

Then comes the blessing of the creche with lots of smoke

 and through the tinsel is the creche

next was the Sunday School

many had memorized verses, a group did a dance that was very good,

the angels visited Mary

 and the end was Mary with the baby

Christmas Day Supper

Gifty and I, Sarah behind Gifty and Elizabeth behind me, 

Sarah is working and needed a room whereas Elizabeth is learning how to sew,

 I love Elizabeth's dress (Gifty made it of course)

CHRISTMAS EVE

can't get on line with wifi so using hot spot on my phone, will write more when wifi reconnects
I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a healthy 2019!!!

Banku

maize is laid out on the ground to dry out and have any creepy crawlers say good  bye, then it is put in water to ferment for 3 days, the water is squeezed out and it is taken to be milled, the powder then is mixed with water over a charcoal fire with some cassava to thicken it, when I say mixed, it looks like stirring loose bread dough  for about 45 minutes and water is added to keep it pliable enough to keep stirring, I know now what Ghanaian women have strong arms (like Afia lifting the tote and handing it to me), This dish is served looking like a lump of sour dough in stew or soup or a pepper sauce with fish.  Note the pot is secured with iron hooks one on either side,  the person stirring keeps her feet on the hooks to stabilize the pot on the charcoal burner, the second person has to keep adding the water and fanning the charcoal so it remains red hot.

WATER BACK

back this afternoon, TEMP TODAY 34 c, going down to 21c tonight brrrr need the blanket   lol
You know have things that you should have done or studied, my latest is the Word program in order for me to able to be creative in making a newsletter for the bishop. oh well hunt and peck will have to do.

THIS VERY CUTE LAMB SEEMS TO HAVE WANDERED AWAY FROM THE 

NATIVITY SET I HAVE, SO HOPEFULLY HE WILL RETURN BEFORE XMAS

BIG DAY ! beside work

still no water but the good news it that someone goes to fill the pail for me from the polytank

got nails done. a nice place off an alley near the market, got the lead from Sally who has several stores here and in Accra so knows where things of this nature are

AND

 a cupboard was delivered that I had made to get the microwave off the counter and

 to sit the 2 burner hot plate on, spiffy or what

still no water

oh hum, the water in the pail works barely

trying to find a place to get my nails done, such a 1st world problem.

Daniel dropped in to get ideas for him to design cloth for me to bring back to Canada
He made a dress for a friend"s and he has her letter of thanks in his hand which thrilled him immensely to receive.

hydro off earlier and now the water so the pail of water will suffice

sink update,  no further sign of the plumber but I think I may have been misinformed as I now use the sink and it is not leaking so maybe it is fixed, time will tell.

Bishop's mother died and the funeral is the first week of January,  there was a particular cloth that could be purchased to show support for the family, it is black and white as she was elderly and it shows respect for her age, she was 85years. Gifty is making me an outfit for me to wear to the funeral.

and the beat goes on

sink still not fixed

decorated for xmas: I was late as I could not lift down the tote where the decorations were,  Afia went up the ladder, put the tote on her head and came down the ladder and handed it to me

so my decorations are up now !!!!!!!

 FIRST CAME THE ANGEL

THEN THE HOLY FAMILY WAS RELEGATED TO THE STABLE 

WHERE THEY HAD VISITORS

 

                                              WE CELEBRATE AND GIVE THANKS                                             

I WISH EVERYONE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON !

only in Ghana

Sunday morning, up and ready in robes to leave for church for 7am service, knock on the door and it is the plumber with Ata, neighbour, had a leaking bathroom sink for a while, so show them in and leave Ata the key and I'm off to church. during the service I get key back as plumber has gone to the market to buy parts. still no sink but soon it will be fixed

Naming ceremony

There were two Naming Ceremonies this Saturday morning. I was so caught up with the first one, a little girl, Corinna, that I forgot about pics.
The naming is done when the baby is quite young usually. These two were held in the home with relatives and invited guests. It includes prayers of welcome, a short homily, the official naming by the priest, comments by family members, ending with prayers, about 1 hour.
The second one I woke up and here are some pics
This baby girl is two weeks only and her name is Akosug (she was born on a Sunday), Ourisuaa (after her Auntie of the same name), Kwarteng Amaning(her family name)
                                                    with namesake auntie

                                                                                                                   playing

sharing my chesterfield

                                       
                                                        with grandma and Fr. Eramus

Which way do I go?

Funeral for the late Noah Agyei

It was held in Donko-Nkwanta (about 2 hours from the cathedral), means a 5 am departure … as my phone rang to wake me up I looked at the phone and it read 515am, NO cant be possible as we are leaving at 5 but it was, I had slept through 2 alarms, I shouted '5 minutes' and I jumped to dress, maybe I took 8 minutes, thank goodness I leave beside the cathedral, (and thankfully I get ready the night before, bag packed and clothes laid out), stuff was still being packed on the roof racks of the bus when I got there,
some scenes I passed on the way: 5-6 sheep tied together to the roof racks standing on the top of an extended van on the way to market, owner one of the many who filled the inside,  a young lad lathering himself up for a shower at the village water pipe beside the edge of the road, several men walking along the road with machetes out to cut wood for the family,  50 pound bags full of charcoal at the road waiting for pick up to sell, chickens with chicks pecking for food, children in uniform walking to school (remember the time is 6-7 am)
Arrived around 845am, funeral started at 9, this was held in a village square as the local church was too small, the usual pointed roof tents around the perimeter, many were there to support the family including the chief and his entourage

 the body lying in state with wreaths surrounding the casket

Noah was the first born of the just retired Dean Num of the cathedral and Mother Mercy. he leaves his wife who is pregnant with their first child. The service was the Anglican Funeral Rite

Music came from two source:

the choir from the cathedral

and from a band  

When the service was completed, the casket was loaded on the ambulance (no funeral coach car) so  with siren blaring, drove slowly to the cemetery followed by the band walking and playing and by most of the congregation, the walk was a few kms, I fortunately was offered a ride about 1/4 of the way, Interment and back to the village square and then to the Mission House (Rectory) for lunch, back to the square, (I found out that the family remained at the square to greet visitors and would not eat until all visitors had left)

THEN on the bus and home. A lovely tribute to a young man.

CURTAINS DONE AND UP

VOILA!

I could have discussed the Brexis situation or lack of situation as I am hearing lots on BBC TV but it looks like a dead duck but goodness know about the Prime Minister

or maybe Trump 

the news is depressing to say the least  

HOT DOG FEST

hot dogs, salads, varied drinks and great company!    SUCCESS
lots of laughs, with a few somber moments as two are leaving Sunday, these young people are at the start of their lives with an experience of life immersed in a culture so different than back home.  They said that to be able to describe Ghana is not possible in its entirety, words do not say what it feels live to be part of life here, life here is a myriad of similarities of life back home with a cultural difference that adds flavour that sometimes is confusing and other times comforting.
enough said here they are.

   notice daring Franka

no internet since Thursday

the sim card for my internet was broken, I thought the system was down,  anyway new sim card and I am back in business.  lots to tell you but it will need to be later today as I have getting ready to host the HOT DOG FEST this afternoon, you know  like a bbq with lots of food along with hot dogs, got hot dog buns made, they are better but a bit too long, next HOT DAY FEST they will be perfect
talk later, the German students for this year start to leave next Sunday for home.

getting organized after a time away

things fall apart and deteriorate while away 

*the outer wall in the bedroom has the rain soak through so the paint flakes off and looks awful.

had a painter in today to 

* curtains just need replacing

* hot plate died (5 years old  I guess it was ok) so bought a two  burner one this time.

* invited Moses (carpenter) to build a microwave stand to accommodate the hot plate, microwave on a shelf below, a shelf to keep trays on and a space at the bottom to keep bags of sachets of water, stay posted for the result

* Moses makes lamps for hotels and high end shops so I brought the electrical parts from Canada so he can make two for me to bring back, design is up to him, I look forward to seeing the finished product

examples

cant get pics transferred...later

You know it is somewhat like when the cottage is opened for the season.

Hot dogs

the young German volunteers teaching at local schools are going home soon so a HOT DOG FEST is in order next week, hot dogs in the freezer, found the baker to make the buns, Franka has found pickled cucumber, and I bought back mustard (French's) and ketchup (Heinz) from Canada

Now just need to set the date and the HIT DOG FEST WILL HAPPEN.

Sadness in the Cathedral

The retired Dean Num and family was very saddened when their son died yesterday. He had been ill for a while but his death was unexpected. He leaves a wife who was pregnant with their first child. The community gathered around the family last night, singing and praying at the family home. It was comforting to see the love and support from all.

Monday Monday

Internet charged and paid for but not figure out the new connection code, using the data on the phone for the moment, tired all weekend but today I feel that I will live. Church yesterday was great, singing and drumming, can't ask for much more.

LANDED FOR THE NIGHT

Arrived in Accra at 8pm on Wednesday.

I slept on and off all the way from Amsterdam to Accra. being tired does not cover how I felt. Ghana airport has an incredible new building, 4 luggage carousels , staff designated for those who need assistance, live music greeting the incomers, I was told it has been open 2 months, no pictures are allowed in the airports in Africa so will try to find one on line.

Hotel that I booked for tonight did not show so went to one recommended that was close to the airport, all full, but they have a sister hotel so that is where I landed but on the way we stopped at KFC for chix strips and a coke as hunger presented itself
off for a shower and bed

Time

It actually is 319 pm Toronto time

The adventure continues

Here I sit, waiting, watching many feet treck up and down, carts pushed with enthusiasm  listening to kids wanting to move and Xmas carols through the PA system
Got boarding pass, one for both flights, used to get two, guess I had better not lose it

new chapter

I started as Interim at Holy Trinity Chippewa, Niagara Falls on June 1st, 

it is 198 years old, 

they are having their 200 anniversary celebration in 2020

 

Hospitality must be their middle name as they were most welcoming on Sunday 

which included a cake, mmmm good

THIS IS MY SIGN OFF FOR THE SUMMER, 

EXPECT TO RETURN TO GHANA TOWARDS THE END OF NOVEMBER. 

list of articles I am collecting this summer

*knitting needles, all sizes, I will pick them up if need be

*plastic canvas for needlepoint

*acrylic wool - ends will be welcome

*altar hardware and linens (just clean and in repair)

*used working laptops 

- Rosemary the woman seminarian from the diocese needs one 

-Daniel the fabric artist also needs one

if I get more, they will go to a school for their computer lab

Landed

in Toronto
Waiting to process thru immigration

Arrived at airport

up a time 4am Adu arrived at 5, bus left-at 6, arrived Accra 215: pick up by Benedict and off to airport. Had French fries and a coke, dreadful nutrition but boy did they taste good,
Now sitting waiting to check in at 7pm and wait to depart at 10pm, a little tired but here in good time

last night to sleep here

probably not sleep for two reasons, 1. anxious that every thing gets in the suitcase and that the house is left in vacation order, 2. I drank enough coke tonight to keep me buzzed at least to Amsterdam Tuesday morning when I land. Went to hotel to chat and drink coke with Eramus and Kingsley, great conversation, solved all the problems of the world of course, Adu is coming at 5 am,(painful just to think about but what can I say), VIP bus at 6 am Accra around 2 pm, Benedict is taking me from bus station to airport, such a treat and then I wait until departure at 10 pm. Back in Toronto around 11 am on Tuesday. The one thing I crave  here is a steak so Tanya told me she has one pick out for supper on Tuesday, sweet eh! Well I am packing the computer so ta ta till Amsterdam

Page reviews by country, I would love to know why Italy is the top as I do know anyone there, I find it very interesting though, I would like someone from Italy to write me on this blog and tell me

Italy	182
United States	39
Canada	25
Ghana	8
South Korea	8
Portugal	6
Germany	5
Russia	3
France	2
United Kingdom	2

visiting Anglican schools

I went with Fr. Kingsley and Canon Eramus yesterday, they are both worker priests (they have a secular job in the Department of Education as well as being a priest), they are both assigned to the cathedral for priestly duties.

to fulfill their secular position they both have as part of their position that they inspect the schools but for differing aspects. so today we went a visiting.I find it hard to get my head around the frank poverty of buildings in which Anglican children go to learn, the ones we saw today have no water and no electricity. Every morning someone goes to the local bore hole (well) and bring water back.

There were 4 schools today, I am very impressed with the dedication and perseverance that the staff exhibit in these school with such large gaps in resources but they come back day after day and some stay for years for very low pay.   

First school: please note, no windows or doors, they put a piece of scrap wood in the doorways at night to keep the animals out, when they have a heavy rain they have to clean the class rooms due to the open windows. To understand how this happened, one government built the school as it is but did not get reelected and the next government did not have it on their priority list. It was built about 9 or 10 years ago. We visited the District Council Manager after seeing this and he assured us that it was on his list to be completed, so hopefully it will be soon.

Second school: 

Doors are there, windows are open blocks for ventilation, all school have concrete floors. This school is in a central location to several villages. The dirt roads are in very bad shape with deep ruts and cracks due to rain runoff. In between the cracks are bumps and speed bumps to slow the traffic. If I was driving I would have difficulty going to quickly and the holes and bumps happen frequently.

Headmaster's office, a bit of a challenge in the rain

Third school
Another variation on window treatment is shutters without screening. I was told the difference depends on the builder and architect.

Fourth school 
sorry about the pic quality but I did not feel like walking back, building has bricks for walls, this site has a primary and jr. high school with the high school in town.

Kindergarten at most schools
these class rooms are usually board walls with benches to sit on, most with no backs, this building is someone's home with their out buildings but the class rooms are the same type of walls.

Kids the best part     the extra desks are there as they are planning at this site to build a jr. high school