The year 2024 is coming to an end

 Remember all the hype about the change over at the year 2000, computers were going to crash, phones would break down, and on and on. Folks that was 24 years ago, how time does fly. 

Now in 2025 we look forward to the war in the Ukraine continuing, Gaza still being bombed, the Canadian dollar struggling to  hang on, a new president in USA, the earth heating up, sounds like doom and gloom and I guess it is on some level. But the good news is that tomorrow the sun will rise, for most of us we can continue to live a life worthwhile by working for justice for all, we can hear the dogs bark and the goats bleat,  we know that the babe that arrived on Christmas Day continues to be present for us today and always. I find that very comforting and reassuring amidst my life .

I wish every blessing and good health to all in 2025

Peace 

Betty

December 25th

When  I looked out  from behind the altar at the Advent Wreath with all the candles  lit, it struck me like a sledge hammer that Christ had come again. It is almost refreshing to be  forced into a new reality. The wreath may look small be it impact is great.

 

office xmas party on the 23rd

 FOOD, CONVERSATION, VISITORS, FOOD

The menu  was great; rice with vegetables, goat stew, roasted chicken, and drinks including coke of course.  Sharing  with excitement to return to home village, funny stories, teasing one and other, just plain fun. You will see in pics the Board Room in the diocese is quite handsome now with stately long table and chairs

                      looking up to serving table

                                                                                   looking down with enthusiastic eating

                                    Dominic and I trying to take a selfie using the volume button

Visitors

 I did not to church this morning as I have been battling a cold since Friday. I got antihistamines, nose spray  and Tylenol called Paracetamol over here.to help with battle. I stayed home to be ready the xmas party tomorrow in the office.

Lo and behold an hour after church finished 4 servers were at my door checking that I was ok. They had walked from the cathedral, (a couple of km. but they assured me they are used to walking) so I thought they  deserve their pic in the blog.

from left to right;

Grace Dzigborne, Kelvin Adu, Carlos Innoconi Yeboah and Gilbert Adu

BIG THANK YOU FOR A BRIGHT MOMENT IN MY WEEKEND, THANK YOU.

Oh my goodness, wonderful celebrations

 Two years ago I visited a primary school with 300 students and teachers, functioning well in a very rural setting. the high school wondered if they could have 2 white boards as their blackboards were falling apart. They were very pleased when the white boards arrived. What I noted as the school layout was described that there were no toilets, just 2 trenches.

Last year the school put in a proposal for assistance to build toilets.  Delta Kappa Gamma, an international professional organization for women educators took up the challenge to gather support for the toilets. the money raised, the toilets built and last week the celebration to launch their use took place. The students, teachers, parents community leader and the chief were are gathered together. A programs involving all stack holders took place.

I was introduced to the leaders in the community, Director of Education for the area, sub chiefs, and the chief. I remarked that he must be the Boss which he burst out laughing.

 as this is a farming community that exists from one harvest to the next so there were never extra resources to complete such a project..  a great time was held by all!!

I was given a Citation thanking me.

                                                  the kids and I in front of the bank of toilets

new white stole

the week has started

 Monday; now had a loose upper retainer and going to dental clinic at the hospital with Victor. am quite OCD about my teeth, registered and got in line, I  think I jumped the queue to see the dentist, got some sort of adhesive to secure the retainer till I get back the my dentist in Hamilton, I will eat a soft diet, no peanuts :(

Tuesday; escorted again to office by several students from the school across the lane, a student carries my purse, another  my computer and another my water bottle bag, today was all boys but if it is girls, they also hold my hand as we walk up the hill.  office very busy as I sit on the side line and watch, getting ready for xmas party on Friday, 

I cant believe xmas is next week   holy moly 

xmas decor lol

 20 minutes and all done, no lights out doors in freezing temps, no struggle getting the tree cut down  from the woods. just 15 minutes and ALL DONE

FRONT DOOR

ENTRANCE TABLE

THE MAIN EVENT

I pray glad tidings to all with peace and health in 2025.

Blessings

Betty +

Ode to a Toilet

A toilet lid got broke a few years ago.

Being a person with a little OCD

the toilet needed to be fixed.

The stack pipe being too close to the wall

a short depth replacement toilet needed to be found

Well, last year after scouring, only went to one store

a toilet was found that would fit.

Having never installed a toilet

my knowledge about such is limited

BUT I do know that a seal is needed to make things work.

Not seeing a seal but being reassured it was ok

the plumber left and my OCD was pleased.

Every since I am sure this new toilet was working 

as the stack on the septic tank .

It was impossible to stand the stench.

This year I made louder noises about the stench

my last resort was the Bishop.

Going to the top does have good results

so today that not so new toilet was taken apart 

Guess what .. no seal and a broken stack pipe.

A job not finished yet, my OCD still a little nervous

but I think tomorrow it will be settle down.

Toilet will be 100%

Elizabeth, my Ghanaian grand daughter

Elizabeth, born much before her expected date in August 23.

A big girl now going to school. Here she is in her uniform already for a day of play.

Monday at the office

The office in the diocese I am in has ac. pleasant to say the least. Discussion as to how one thinks when one is living hand to mouth with no spare cash for a safety net. The future or next month is not thought of but how to  manage today is the focus. It reminded me that it was strikingly  similar to the attitude of the homeless when I worked at Street Health in the late 80's. Poverty is poverty regardless of where or when. The inflation rate here is 50 per cent. Wages have remained the same. A new president was elected yesterday, John Mahama with a majority government. He has been president a few years ago. Hopefully this new government can turn the economic slide around. Interesting note; they closed the airports for the day so everyone could vote .... good job I had not planned to arrive last Saturday .

A Miracle every day

 Today Ebineezer (Bishop's driver) took me to his home to see his Mom. Mom had a stroke  a while ago and has severe left sided weakness. So Ebineezer being the oldest son (no sisters) has the responsibility for Mom. Every day Mom is cared for in all ways by her daughter in law. Mom needs help to sit up and still can not walk well. Ebineezer and family make sure Mom is ok.  This all takes place down a twisted narrow path between buildings, over bricks, rocks, finally arriving at the door. His apartment consists of one 12 x 12 foot room and two small ante rooms, one used for storage and and the other for cooking with a pail for the toilet.. All water needs to be fetched from the local bore hole and hydro comes and goes. The room has two double beds and a sofa for three children, the parents and Mom. And yet the Miracle continues each and every day. kids get ready for school, meals are prepared and ate, bathing happens, and they live and grow as people of God. The dedication of this family to care for each other is outstanding in my mind. Their struggle every day also is amazing to over come. I pray blessings and goodness for them in abundance.

Sunday Sunday

A number of ingrediants so to speak in the service. To begin with the was a Churching: (the Orthodox def. it is for the mother and the infant when prayers are said for both and the infant is presented  to the Lord at the altar )

Dancing for 20 minutes or so.

  During the announcement three Liberal candidates  came to make conversation before the Election this Saturday. (Toto, we are not in Kansas  any more)

Saturday - a day of tasks to get done

 laundry, hemming curtains so they hang correctly, folded dried laundry, and read a good book by Michael Connelly Resurrection Walk, Kept me amused today

TGIF

 Thank goodness its Friday is the chorus sung in the Diocesan office today. Lunch for everyone; mine is standard peanuts. plantain chips and a Coke. Everyone else chooses as they wish. The voices get loud and the laughter increases as the TGIF PARTTY BEGINS. 

                                                                         😇 

Casual Snack

 The clock says 12 noon. Victor come in with a cute plastic bag with handles. Out comes peanuts, and fried plantain. A paper is laid on the desk, the peanuts are spread and the fried plantain gets laid out. Everyone in the room takes a piece of plantain, splits it open and presses down the flesh into a group of peanuts, then tastefully crunches the peanuts along with the plantain. This process continues until all on the paper is gone. Paper rolled up and thrown in the garbage. Snack time is over. A simple sharing.

Temp is 34c, nice and warm

 A story from the flight to Ghana. 

Setting the stage: Sitting the center bank of seats. I am on left end, a fellow in the middle and a woman on the other end. 

Flight was late leaving by 45 minutes waiting for passengers from another flight, fellow starts chatting,  says he is a professor who is teaching at Brock University in St. Catharines but loves researching history, on other end she is a potter whose studio is up the Hamilton mountain and me a priest living in Hamilton  (6 degrees of separation eh) 

A comment was made as to what kind of joke could be made from the P"s potter, professor and a priest sitting in a row

During the flight in my half awake state I come up with a ditty:

There were three P's, a potter, a professor and a priest sitting on a fence: 

...... the potter says the answer is found when making something by hand

...... the professor says the answer is found when researching history

...... the priest says the answer is found when you look within yourself

Drum roll...punch line

WHAT IS THE QUESTION?

We are not in Kansas anymore

 In the middle of Dean's sermon, the warden came up to him with a message: the police were here to give a message to keep the  peace during the election on Dec. 5. In walks a party of  5, 3 were in uniform, each one gave the message to keep the peace during the voting, then opened the floor for questions. Over 20 minutes passed for this public message. I was told they gave a donation, received a blessing from the Precentor and left. I hear there is a teaching moment for the wardens to come... do not interrupt but wait until the sermon is finished. As I said above...Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore.

Feeling human again

awoke today feeling great, hearing the goats bleating, the rooster claiming his place in the world, the kids passing the window calling to each other, and put on Jimmy Swaggart singing "the Balm of Gilead.

Many worked to put the house in good order for which I give many thanks.

LIVING ROOM NEAT AND TIDY at least at the moment

Friday has arrived

 I am missing last day of Synod here, resting and unpacking instead. House was painted inside and out, cleaned and curtains washed, food in the fridge, jolif rice and chicken ready to eat. I am truly blessed.

Will send pictures when I figure out how to find the password.

Arrived.

Tired. Left my apt 1015am Tuesday arrived my house in Ghana about noon Thursday write more later after sleep

At the airport

 Waiting,waiting, airport does not change lol just hope bags are not over weight, have a good day 

Re

PACKING HAS BEGUN

 LOTS OF BITS AND PIECES TO READY TO SHIP, WEDNESDAY IS GO TO SHIPPER DAY, TANYA IS WORTH HER WEIGHT IN GOLD TO GET STUFF ORGANIZD.  GATTING MEDICATION ORGANIZED AND NEEDED INJECTIONS HAPPENING. STILL LOOKING FOR USED PHONES. WIL PICK UP.

Return plans have started

 bought out of country insurance, a very large bite from the pocket book, the price of doing this 

I am collecting used phone, not locked, used computers to distribute, 

call me as I can pick them up. 416 795 3575

Cold cold cold

 I had a good trip back, cold weather required socks and a sweater. Quite tired so resting. Great time in Ghana, projects were very helpful, so now back to life in the modern world reminding me of how blessed I am to be living in Canada. Thanks for your interest and support. 

Bags are packed, ready to go.....

 Bishop has offered his car and driver to take me to Accra and then on to the airport tomorrow, much more comfortable driving for me than the night bus ;) So leaving here at 8am tomorrow, plane leaves at 10pm..... Arrive Toronto Wednesday afternoon

I was going to be without sufficient food so ordered a pizza at the office, took a couple of pieces and the rest was devoured by the guys. they all thought it was a wonderful lunch.

the stole you see on the top of the hockey bag was a gift from Bishop this am, It is so beautiful and I am bringing back to hopefully use this summer somehow  

It is ending...

I just finished my sermon for this Sunday, my last message before I leave on Monday evening for Canada. the 8 hour bus to Accra, hotel for day on Tuesday and Tuesday evening fly to Brussels, then a hop to Montreal Wednesday am, then a little hop to land in Toronto on  Wednesday afternoon. I have this extra stop in Montreal to save $500,00. I have concluded this was not a good decision as Brussel Air is not KLM, but slowly I learn.

EMPTY FRIDGE, LOTS OF WATER, NOT MUCH FOOD,  

guess I should get excited about food on the plane   noooooooo

A very nice thank you

 Today the Anglican school next door got a new fence around the playground with a gate painted red and white to match the Canadian flag. Dignitaries from the District of Education, PTA, and thanks from the teachers and one student who had a very well rehearsed speech(very well done). I was given flowers (all flowers here are silk or plastic as real ones with wilt before you get get them out of the store). All the students were in attendance. Then we walked around to see gate and the fence and the building with fresh paint. Very lovely time and totally unexpected. 

Kids at the gate in red and white

Salome is standing next to me in traditional dress, she presented me flowers when I first entered. I was presented a Citation which is a popular way of showing appreciation 

kids kids kids

Citation

Sunday am - a time for surprises

 the post script to the service was a session on CPR. A few weeks ago I wrote about a baby not responding and then he went to hospital and was fine. It brought up the conversation with the Dean about knowing CPR. I found a flyer " a easy way to remember CPR, had a few made including plasticized ones to be posted. so yesterday was the session with strong encouragement from the Dean to stay and listen. It was well received, the translator had them laughing so I have not idea what he was saying but it kept everyone involved.  

In front of the altar on the floor with a server as the patient.

continuing with the respirations

I found a flyer on line and had copies made, 

that will be at every doorway to remind  folks

I guess once a nurse always a nurse.

BAG CARRIERS

How many kids does it take to carry my bags to the office?  One to carry the briefcase, one to carry my purse, one to hold the door open, two to hold my hands, one to show me her blue nail polish and the rest to burst into the office to announce  our arrival!

 

Holy Week, it kept me more than busy

Palm Sunday: a walk through some of the town streets. arriving at the cathedral

Holy Week

Monday and Tuesday: Clergy Retreat 8am to 9pm,  good discussions

Wednesday: Chrism Mass and renewal of ordination vows. After 30 years I still get struck by the promises I have made year after year.

Thursday: Maundy Thursday, washing feet and stripping the alar

Friday: The  loneliness of the cross is as powerful as ever. I focused on the nails going into His hands.

Saturday: Vigil I needed to stay home as I was exhausted so I could enjoy today Easter

Sunday: Easter, He is risen

Processing in under the Crooks of the Society of the Good Shephard

Kids came up for my blessing. Even though I have been around for several years I am still a novelty that makes some afraid

While preaching...

During a sermon, many things can happen; *not everyone is  listening,  I know this to be true as i have on occasion found myself thinking about non sermon data. phones ring, oopsy forgot to turn off the sound, *coughing fits that need a sip of water, and on and on. 

Today takes the winning prize. I was preaching, Dean translates as I go, sentence by sentence, we get a good rhythm going and a barefoot woman who is crying,  comes up with a child in her arms. Dean, Precentor and I gather around her. the Child was limp, eyes rolled back, no apparent moving, Dean and  Precentor started praying fervently and I am asking ..is the kid breathing? the answer I got was NO,NOT BREATHING,  We need to start CPR.I say, no one moves so I start pinching his ear lobes (very painful, if there is any life, prayer and pinching gets the patient to react) in short time the child coughs and takes a large  breath. Mother says she will go to the Hospital, I say quickly and she runs out of church.

Then I look at Dean and he says,,, well, continue and we resume our translating  rhythm as if nothing had happened.

On the drive home I ask the Dean if doing CPR was something  he thought of  and he answered NO.

He asks if I could do a workshop on CPR before I leave. I comment that one may feel they do not know how to do CPR well, well doing nothing guarantees the person will die, any assistance is better than that.

Well ........ that was a first for me. and I pray the child does well.

ps Monday Morning

Child went to hospital and is doing well, thanks be to God.

visitors to the cathedral yesterday

 Students from the College of Education (notice the fabric that their clothes are made of, most organizations, clubs, churches, schools  have cloth made with their crests and appropriate colours designed and manufactured). It really seems to up the enthusiasm for the group when they are gathered. Young people full of energy and enthusiasm make it quite easy to be happy with them.

Fabric bought

 I bought this 12 yards of fabric, here would be used as traditional cloth for men to wear like a toga. I think it would look great as a bed cover. I have plenty for 4 double bed covers. I do not need this much but it would only be sold as a whole piece so I bought all 12 yards; a bed at the cottage and at my apartment I think would be quite stylish. It is 50 inches wide so I plan to add a piece on either side to drop down the sides of the bed. Yea Ghana!

PS 

I will have 6 yards left, if you are interested in buying it, write me at revbettyjordan@gmail.com

67TH INDEPENDENCE DAY MARCH 6

 A school holiday for sure with celebrations including politicians, clergy, district officials and the public. there are marching school groups being assessed, trophies for the best. There was a dais for the politicians etc which includes clergy, nice chairs  :)

                                                                 a school marching by

nice chairs with me on the dias, received a take away snack and water while sitting there and got recognized by the MC for attending

The chiefs for the district with their wives and attendants were seated out front

a Tribute tot he local politician

Dominic was good enough to accompany me getting taxi etc. Yea Dominic!!!

 

busy busy weekend

Saturday, Elizabeth had Naming Ceremony and her Baptism.

Bishop Kweme Naming Elizabeth, a ceremony that usually takes place within a few weeks of birth but because Elizabeth was premature it was delayed. 

Sunday, Churching of Mom and Blessing of Elizabeth at the altar. Churching is a ceremony by which women after childbirth are received in the church with prayers, blessings and thanksgiving.

How many priests did it take to baptize Elizabeth ... 4.. with one being the Bishop . She was well and truly blessed

Family portrait

The gang is all here

Dancing at the reception by Dominic

In glorious splendor

Friday Wear

 I wear Ghana clothes on Fridays like dress down Fridays that occurs in Canada.

a first world problem in a third world setting

 I use my Ipad as a reader (Had Kobos but they not last long).  so I download books from the libraries around Hamilton to keep myself amused. WELL if you were not aware but the Hamilton City government was hacked with a cyber mouse last Sunday, whole system for the city was affected, buses, municipal building, other services including the library system with no internet. NO books since last Sunday. So, I will admit that playing games on my phone, watching tv with more interest and sewing has kept my occupied . but I still am in withdrawal about no books. The libraries in the area have internet but my library card is in the Hamilton Library system and it can not be validated. so  .... I am very bored😪zzzz.

When you think about it, a very first world problem eh! Oh hum.....

School project is coming along

 posts are in for fence mesh to be attached. The red posts, a little difficult to see against the red earth

This and that

 Akosua, a visitor to the office on Friday, she kept rubbing my hand, I wonder if she was trying to make the white go away

Elizabeth in her Canadiana mode

Curtains, Sunday after church work

With the sewing machine I can shorten the curtains that have dragged on the floor since their beginning.

 being shortened, notice the brown hue to curtain, the earth here is red and the breeze brings the dust into the house and everything gets covered, 

ta ta, white again and shortened .....yea team!!!