Let me introduce Hanaf

 

Hanaf is 3 years old and I met her at the party yesterday. She is quite outgoing, she came and sat on the chair next to me before crawling on my lap. (I presumed being white was not a bother to her like it is to many of the very little children who avoid being in my sight). When she walked away I noticed her legs were very bowed, like very. This does not stop her from running, dancing and playing.

       When I asked Efe what was happening, she said it was from Rickets (A preventable condition with the intake of Vitamin D). This condition is fixable with Vit. D and what ever the Orthopod deems necessary (it could be braces and/or surgery). I guess I point out this child to remind me and perhaps you that conditions that are almost unheard of in the developed world still rage here because of lack of knowledge and/or resources. Hanaf is the youngest child in her family and she is a girl. I have spoken through an interpreter to her Mom  Florence and hopefully we can get Hanaf to having straights legs. 

BOXING DAY PARTY

 Eli organizes a community party for neighbourhood kids every year. It has reciting of poetry by the kids, dancing like brake dance, singing, dancing with everyone up, bouncing up and down, the drinks and food, lots of food. I hope this pics give you a glimpse.

Guess what he thought of getting his pic taken

                              I will have more to say about this little girl tomorrow

                                                                                                                          Me drinking Zobo made                                                                                                                              from Hibiscus flowers                                                                                                                                  and  spices

found a book and Christmas party

found this book while looking at the Hamilton library on line, all Canadian authors set in Canadian scenes, stories are quite good.

 office Christmas party, 

went to chicken farm yesterday to get chickens, I realize that I am most of the time quite removed from where our food comes from.

Lunch was chicken of course, rice, salad and drinks. Victor and his wife did all the cooking

               Victor serving                                               Michael setting up drinks

                                                                                                          
                                                PK enjoyed the food

                                                     All done

Hydro off..on...off...on

 Just a quick note as hydro is coming and going so thanks for my propane stove, I just heated some wieners and beans easy peasy

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY BISHOP KYEM AMPOMAH

 lots of busy activity getting the cathedral ready in the last half hour before service was to begin. The priests, lay leaders, seminary students, of the diocese gather outside the cathedral. I see a pile of mats which I think indicates that many from afar came last night and slept on the floor of the cathedral to attend this service. Pomp and circumstance abounds, incense winding upward,  single line according to rank and position enter to the processional hymn (about 50 folks), the cathedral filled to spill over to the balcony.    

from behind the altar

Prior to the sermon is 20 minutes of dancing and singing.

(dam, can't figure out how to get a video here from my phone)

got help and I think it will work

The preacher was the retired Primate Most Rev. Prof. Daniel Yinkah Sarfo. Sermons here include singing and the message (3/4 hour). Folks listened in the local language while I looked at my watch.

Offertory was a many layered happening. Free will offering for the bishop, then amounts of money is shouted out by the Appeal Leader eg 10,000 cedis, 5,000 cedis all the way down to five and ten cedis. (all put in a plastic handle bag and given directly to the bishop), next there was an appeal for a free will donation for the cathedral. The service continued with the celebration of the Eucharist.

Services here end with requested prayers, anniversaries, celebrations and today for the Bishop and his family;  Bishop and his wife to his left. and to his right, the Retire Primate and his children.

Then, the recessional hymn and it was finished.  Michael from the office was there so I got a ride home. After a shower as my shirt was completely wet as were the strings of my mask (2 mask event), food and a nap (my favourite Sunday afternoon activity)

.

The sounds of Saturday afternoon

 Firstly the students that trek by my windows are on Christmas break until the new year. 

So while my fan spins, the sound of silence outside is very remarkable. NO SOUND  Occasionally the bass pounds from a passing car  are noticed. Then I hear a bleating, a desperate bleating, over and over, a little one has lost his mom. He runs around to the back of the house, continuing his pathetic cry but meets a mama dog twice his size. The dog pays no attention but the lamb freezes in his place. Then fright/flight kicks in and the lamb runs like the winds out of sight. Whether he found mom, I don't know but he did add to the sounds of this afternoon.

How appropriate to have an angel from Eleanor made from a broken tea cup. Now, there is a sermon possibility for sure as we are broken angels.

I thank everyone for the varied support I receive and 

pray that everyone enjoys a blessed Christmas time and a healthy and peaceful 2023!

A VISITATION TODAY

 I had a visit from a delegation from a Junior High School without water. We had discussions earlier in this year but I had to leave quickly last spring. The situation here is that many schools are without water and it seems the government has no agenda or budget to improve things. I do not understand the relationship of the government to the individual schools. It means schools have to scramble to get the basics how ever they can. Hence the conversation this morning. 

The school IS KESSEKROM NEW ADIEMBRA ANGLICAN BASIC SCHOOL It is a Junior High and thy have no water. Mother Gladys Opoku-Ware is the Head Mistress. I use a universal proposal format that will need to be filled out that actually is the same for all projects; what is being being requested; what will it do, who will it serve, and how much will it cost. So we had a good discussion and now the ball is in their court to produce the required proposal. Great kids, paying attention, I wonder if they can understand me but they said they could understand. We will hope they get water soon.

A SHOCK WITH REALITY

 Sitting in the office, the accountant runs in to use the printer on the desk. I remember running for a printer in my place as a cord was needed  to print. I asked 'Victor how many printers does the Diocese of Wiawso have"?  The answer was one. I was quite struck by the fact that I personally own three and that did not seem unusual until today.  Then the hydro electricity went off. Shocked into realizing yet again that the struggles are so basic. 

I myself in Canada complaining about waiting for something that I knows I WILL get, moaning that the choice is diminished to only 25 instead of 30 options now not including my favourite. How does it get equal is the big question.

CELEBRATIONS

•  Xmas decorating all done and no hanging off a ladder to install outside lights 
• in a snow storm lol
• 
  
• 
• 
  
• This weekend is the Celebration Weekend for Bishop Kwame Kyem-Ampomah 
• on the 1st Anniversary of his Episcopy. 
• What is going to happens has yet to unfold, in other words, I do not know.
• 
  
• 

A MARATHON TODAY FOR THE HARVEST SUNDAY

 I left the house at 830 am and returned at 345pm. one service folks.

Harvest Sunday is fund raiser Sunday/

The goal was 50,000 Ghana Cedis/ After 3 hours of hard encouragement they realized 54,000.

Every church has a Harvest Sunday. I understand that a percentage is given to the diocese.

Five hours is a long time. The Eucharist ended by 11am and then into the money. While this was going on Kalvin and I enjoyed pictures on my Ipad. He saw how I downloaded books to read. We had a good time all the while the fund raising continued. 

Kalvin sits beside me at the altar. and likes his picture taken.

TGIF

 It is  Friday and the TGIF CLUB is in action. I started this club with the diocesan staff where I buy lunch for everyone and my lunch is the same; plantain chips, peanuts and a coke. Today I had the best lunch. I was also introduced to fresh cocoanut. The stuff we  in Canada I detest but I tried the cocoanut water and the pulp, not bad, hardly any favour actually. I found it was better than the stuff back home. I understand that the very mature ones are tough so choose the green ones I am told. I learn something every day.

ALARM CLOCK SYMPHONY

 no need for alarm clock as the roosters get up before any alarm clock setting I would ever have,  chickens and goats follow along clucking and bleating to no one's drum adding to the symphony. Rather than fight city hall I get up which means I need to go to bed earlier to compensate. such trials eh, 

I talk about Ebenezer, there are two of them one lives in Accra, is a law student, married with one son about 9 months and the second lives in Wiawso, is the Bishop's driver, married with 2 daughters and a son who is about 15 months. This pic was last Saturday, the first time I had them both in one place; Ebenezer Accra on my left and Ebenezer Wiawso on my right. Good looking guys eh!!

A NEW DAY

 Mondain problem but necessary. Battery dying in my watch. The shop was facing the street, a metal shed (smaller than my garden shed at the cottage) 4'wide, 8' deep and 10 'high. He has carved out a living fixing watches, phones of every kind with anything wrong. A narrow bench on the concrete pad outside the doors (waiting room). Price to fix 10 Ghana Cedis  = less than one dollar Canadian.

 

Oh my goodness

 It has be a test to get internet and my phone working. SIM cards which operate the phone and internet service now by law have to be registered with the phone server. Tried that yesterday with my Ghana registration card but it has not been renewed so will not work. Find out today that to renew it I need to go to Accra (8 hours by bus). Now using someone else's internet and phone. Oh hum such is life.

Waiting for ride to church sitting on the edge of porch

Church was good and lively on Sunday, drumming, dancing, lots of colour. only 3 hours, 

Now I have internet I can get back in the groove of writing. 

Hello, hello from Amsterdam.

My phone says it is 630am in Ontario, it is 1230 pm here, next flight to Accra is at 230pm From Toronto I sat beside a mom and her 30 month old son. who was not happy for a good part of the trip. I think I dozed a bit and had a good book to read. Entertainment offerings were ??? not to my liking so the book won out.  I was starving by the time the meal come, forgot to order gluten free so I picked enough to chase the hunger away. Very few have a mask on. I again am impressed when travelling 'need assistance' nice little six person cart to get around. This airport seems to be miles from one arm to another so riding makes it a pleasure. I am tired so will stop going on and on Later..

this is the best I can do with little sleep. Tonight I get some in a hotel    zzzzzzzz

WELL ... BACK TO BUSNESS IN GHANA SOON

 Have a ticket to leave Toronto December 1st, in Accra December 2nd and in Wiawso December 3rd , God willing and the dam don't break. Getting ready is a chore and as I am still working part time, time seems to fly by. I look forward to reconnecting with friends, the community and just being in that sunny setting. More to come...

Update on Kirk

 I saw him yesterday. He looks good, actually I am his mother and thinks that he always looks good. He is doing modified work, no lifting, is having an MRI in a couple of weeks which will show the progress of healing.  Thanks for prayers and concern. Will posted on MRI.

Back in Canada

 Kirk is home and is to take it easy for 6 weeks and then a MRI to see how things are resolving. He seems to have no residual effects. It takes a situation like this to remind everyone of our mortality and how blessed we are with our Health Care System. I thank everyone for concerns and prayers.

I am getting used to wearing socks and winter jackets and relishing with hot water in the tub. Life has many twists and turns.  Take care over the summer,

Leaving Ghana - this weekend

 I have moved up my return date as my son Kirk has been admitted to hospital yesterday with a bleed in his brain. I need to get back and see what's happening. I do plan to return to Ghana in November.

Have a good summer and we will talk later.

WATER FLOWS ... at the Cathedral KG School

 

 

Traditional Dress Friday

 TGIF Club in the diocesan Centre, lunch for me is peanuts, plantain chips and a coke, a totally crap lunch and it tastes great! 

I preached last Sunday. Precentor Canon Benjamin going to translate and he reads my sermon before hand, he finished reading it and said "oh you changed to gospel' I said 'no, I followed the lectionary"

anyway I had not, his response was very liberating "well I guess God wanted this message today" Wow  an answer. Never done that before.

 

f

Dean Gabriel had car accident

 From what I have heard, Dean was out with his two kids and the brakes failed in the car. The town here is built around a hill so most roads are going up or down. I was told his brakes failed so he managed to drive the car into a concrete structure to stop. He had a couple of cuts but otherwise the kids and he are ok. He ramped on the drivers front fender and the car is totaled

 

TRaditional Dress Friday

I will admit, a long thin picture sure does make one look tall and slim

 It seems like the beginning of a joke: Rev, Hannah's funeral is two weeks today so thought I should reserve a hotel room, looked on line, fairly cheap by Canadian prices but it said :no sheets; and it also said Premium linens. a little confusing so I called. Price quoted on the phone was x4 on line and yes there are sheets.\Went back on line: yep $28.51 (USA funds) each night and I have until March 31 to cancel with no penalty, include twin bed, breakfast, tv, internet in the lobby (I have a portable modem), The four days there will give me a chance to say hello to friends. NOT A BAD DEAL eh!

Funeral notice: Rev. Hannah Dwomoh

 

School water installation update - thank you to all who supported this project

 Polytank beside tower where it swill be installed and connected to tape at school

 

Tap with drainage system on  outer school wall

JR at three months

 

GARI

 Gari

a granular flour from ground cassava. It looks like cream of wheat with a slight texture. It is made with milk or water with sugar and peanuts are added to give it texture. It thickens up when liquid is added. Not much taste except for sugar. I could have added more water to this. Fine china....Tupperware

PAINTING IN GHANA

 I thought that I would give some of the wood cupboards in the kitchen a fresh coat of paint. So bought paint and brushes. Opened paint and it was like pudding, thick as glue. tried to paint with it but it ended up being lumpy on the cupboard. I thought something wrong with the paint, nope, one dilutes it when you want to paint???????? weird or what. The painting mood passed for a few weeks. Today, holiday, a good time to reboot the painting mood. Got a second container to  pour some of the thick paint into and dilute with some water, how much, a guess. Well it was easier but did not seem to cover very well. It is flat paint so no sheen. Fan turning to speed up drying I hope. I did paint a few places, it does look better, I think I will bring a pot of varathane white paint back with me to redo the cupboards. Oh well I tried.   

I am continuing to follow the Ukraine invasion I wonder what will stop the Russians short of a massive war,, I pray not.as I play with paint, something wrong with this whole situation. 

                                                                                        

 

INDEPENDENCE DAY - GHANA

 tomorrow is the actual Independence Day which was celebrated today. It is a holiday like Canada Day. Today schools marched to a drummer, actually I have been hearing the bass drum being practiced in my neighbourhood for the past month. The marching schools was evaluated and the winners were given trophies. After church the dean, precentor and myself hopped in the car and went to the college playing field for all the festivities, police and army lined up, politicians, chiefs, local and federal leaders. It was like the CNE with food hackers, water for sale. lots and lots of kids and parents, I wondered in the car what the average family size was, and was told average 5 children/ family.  

here are the police lined up with a peak at the trophies at the bottom of the pic.

I have a video with one of the marching kids but can not up load it off the phone (still learning how to get this computer stuff to work)

The internet is a major problem these days, like every day and it becomes a real pain in the neck. I am having problems trying to solve it .....  ugh

yesterday ASH WEDNESDAY

 There were two services at the cathedral, 530 am and 9am, can you guess which one I attended, you are correct 9am. My rational is that God made the dark for use to sleep so getting up for a 530am service does not compute for me LOL I know .

We had over 200 kids from the near by Anglican schools and their teachers in the cathedral. The energy was electric. Ages were from KG to high school. All lines up for the imposition of ashes. While receiving the ashes it was interesting to watch their faces. Some were afraid, some were deep in thought. I would love to know what they were exactly thinking. 

LENT has started and the purple colour reminds us that we are reviewing our lives and preparing for the Holy Day of Easter.

another Monday morning

 the Ascension Cathedral school looked very sad and sparse. It does struggle and the teachers are paid by the government but the rest of needed  equipment has to come from the community, and that isn't happening by the looks of things, no water, no electricity, minimal supplies  really quite a desolate situation.

Went on a visit with the Bishop Kweme and after speaking with the teachers water seems to be the leading need, at this point they have to haul water every day from a block away, got an estimate of $1,000 Canadian to run a line   from the city water to the school including a poly tank to store the water. If you would like to support this project know that I have no mechanism to issue tax receipts. please use address of 52 Belmont Ave. Hamilton L8L7M1 and make payable to me, I will send pics of the completed system to all donors 

here is the KG school

                                                                           two of the teachers

                                                                             toilet

                                         

but you know what...these little folks  is what it is all about

internet better

 I understand the server is 4g and my chip in the modem was only 2g so got it upgraded and it seems to be better.

Funeral on Saturday was for both the mom and dad who died in the same month last September.

internet troubles +++++++

Traditional Dress Friday

 Gifty does make beautiful clothes.

The internet has been a colossal pain in that it cuts out when it first downloads or it does not connect at all. The battery to my modem is dying so to speak plus they do not make that model any more so no replacement batteries are around. buying a universal modem which can accommodate different WIFI servers so I am told. It should come this week and I will try different servers to see whether I can get better results. Here's hoping.

internet mostly not here

 ugh

CAMERON IS 7 YEARS OLD

 I was talking to my grandson Cameron yesterday as it was his 7th birthday. He was all excited that he got a present that is older brother Ben wanted, so Can was gloating a little. He of course was all excited at turning 7. My goodness don't they grow up quickly. 

                                                                    the candles are lit

                                                                all gone, now officially 7

Traditional Dress Friday

 

FANS

so all rooms have ceiling fans in this house, very handy when the air is still. So the one in my bedroom all of sudden stopped working. ????  Do I know what is wrong, of course not so yesterday asked the Accountant (who knows how to solve all problems in my mind) who could I get to see to the fan. He calls Abraham who says he will be at the house at 1pm, I leave office and am home in time. He arrived at 10am today. oh hum. So in he comes, I have William get the ladder, he walks into the room, flicks a switch above the bed and the fan starts turning. Did I know there are two switches for the fan, NO. At this point everyone laughs and I leave for the office to meet the accountant laughing at the situation as Abraham had already called him with the solution. No one told me there were 2 switches  :(. so now I know. I was feeling a little dumb but I will never forget to look for a second switch. I will make a different booboo next time.  lol 

CONFUSION AT THE BANK

 I am trying to receive some money from a friend in Israel for the past two weeks. When money is sent Internationally there needs to be an id number for the receiving bank called a Swift Code. The Israeli  bank is saying it is incorrect, my bank advisor in Toronto says its right. So what is going on? I wondered last Friday whether the Swift code is inputted incorrectly. The actually code is CIBCCATT and I wonder if the letter I is inputted as the number 1. So the depositor is going to the bank today to ask. Oh my goodness getting systems to work can be a lot of work from country to country/ I know this is a very first world issue.

I am thinking of the cottage