Back in Canada

The trip was long and tiring. It is great to be back. I have already paid for Out of Country Insurance for the next year so I will be going back to Ghana in November God willing. Have a blessed summer.

Last Sunday out with the Bishop

 Adabokrom Anglican Church is a church that is growing. Last year \I was there with 12 folks in the congregation and they requested 2 microphones which they received the next week.This Sunday there was about 50 to 60 folks, half were kids.

This is a parish 2 1/2 hours from the Diocese Office. It is a very blossoming parish with lots of energy. 

The gangs all here

I was asked to speak so they could hear my voice. I had been scheduled to preach at the cathedral so had done some work on the gospel (Road to Emmaus). I was speaking ahead of the bishop preaching. I asked the bishop if he was speaking about the gospel and then just went for it and gave my short version of the subject.  I had never preempted a bishop before  but 'first come first serve.'  Since bishop preached in local language so I end up not knowing what he said but the listeners seemed engaged. 

Kids galore, singing , being curious and watching from the door

I brought my bear to church.

Last day in the office

 Well today was my last day in the office. I start for Canada Monday evening for an 8 hour bus ride to the capital Accra, thanks be to God for generous folks who will meet me at 4am, take me to a hotel to rest, come back to take me to the airport in Tuesday afternoon to fly to Amsterdam  arriving Wednesday morning to then fly to Toronto in time for a late lunch, a bit of a trek so to speak

the office gang:  front is Victor, at the back from the left Michael, Dominic, me, PK

this is the group that answers all my questions, no matter how outrageous or mundane, and they find anything and everything that I dream up that I need. or the answer is...not in Wiawso, need to go to Kumasi. or Accra
 

of a treck. but thats it.

A sprinkle of this and a sprinkle of that

 For the first time ever the Revenge from Montezuma visited last week; holy moly it was awful But Imodium and Cipro to the rescue. I was left with a 'jelly belly' (upset tummy) for a few days. WOW what a time!

So 

on with life.

Today preached quite a feminist sermon to the Clergy Wives Retreat at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Bodi. The wives were pleased so maybe a trickle down of a drop of change might happen (here's hoping) I spoke with a couple of the girl servers about their future, one wants to manage a bank. I wondered out loud if they would ever think about being a priest. It was like speaking a foreign language, a concept they had never heard before. I am sprinkling drops of change.  I went with the bishop, left at 8am and back at 145pm, long morning.....

                                                                 15 servers robed 

This is the road, red earth pounded hard  with great eroded run off cracks, 

It is better than a ride at the amusement park.

and share this one lane road  with trucks like this. 

Ebenezer gets stars in his crown for navigating us home safely.

HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED!

 Easter 2023. Bishop Kwame  preached and celebrated. Music was the traditional Easter hymns, very nice. I excused myself from the 6 hour Vigil so I could be rested to enjoy Easter morning, good decision on my part. 

BISHOP KWAME KYEM-AMPOMAh with Chancellor and his wife

choir, servers, wardens, dean,all had their pics taken

please note girl servers have head covering still

                                                               Bishop with wardens robed

                                                          Deacon Emmanuel and family 

 

Busy busy busy, it is a drill march to get through Holy Week

Palm Sunday  

The km walk waving palms and singing had the first third uphill. ( Town of Wiawso is built on a hill so you are always going up or down to get from here to there.) Thank goodness the last third was downhill. All the while the sole was coming off my shoe. During the Prayers of the People I, barefoot and the  Precentor were in the sacristy with him gluing my sole back on.

 

Kids singing at the end of the service

Easter Retreat for all ordained held at the Bishop's Court on Monday and Tuesday.

I stayed in my house as it is easier being the only woman. I was impressed with the speakers who tried to use both genders or gender neutral language.  It became a laugh every time but they did try, I will give them an A for effort.

Dancing and singing is a large part of the break periods, even in the evening, ( I stayed sitting)

meals on the back patio, where I finally learned how to eat yam and sauce with my right hand. yea yea!

Chrism Mass on Wednesday

Oil blessed for all the parishes, all in attendance anointed by the bishop 

Thursday  foot washing and stripping of the altar. 

no women were going to come up for foot washing so I when down and asked personally, Mother Dean and the Evangelist came forward. The thinking here is still following the example of just the 12 male disciples at the first Maundy Thursday.  Oh change is soooo slow.

Good Friday

6 hours was a test of endurance. Laying prostrate was easy going down but getting up I needed one on each arm. 

Tonight we have the Easter Vigil which will go from 630 pm to after midnight. I give great thanks that I am not organizing all these events.

Blessed Easter to all!