THERE IS A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING IT SEEMS

 Having a la la weekend. Friday was Eid, the end of Ramadan, a time to celebrate with food, give thanks and support those in need. As such it is a government holiday here in Ghana a long weekemd for sure.  Monday is off as well and at this moment I do not know why so will get back to you on that

Saturday unfolds: laundry, reading eating, about 530 or 6pm the hydro goes off. not unusual here, every week it seems. so I have my rechargable flashlight on, reading, several hours pass, outside to me looks appropriately dark for the outage to be the whole community, I can not  shower in the dark, midnight comes , no fan, its hot. I have a plastic hand fan I pick up a couple of weeks ago, wave it frantically, feels wonderful but hand getting sore, keep fridge closed as it is defrosting as I sit,  had some rice and called it a night, very hot, up and down  all  night, send a few WhatsApps and emails to complain about NO FANS. pack all cords to church to charge my deviees, I ride with the Dean, ask him 'does they electricity' Yes, Now I am sure I have a major problem in the house and figure I can not do another night with no fan, I will go to a hotel with ac. I plan to plug all cords to charge my devices during church, I find only plug for one  cord where I sit :(   Its good job I sit at the back, behind the altar, somewhat hidden from view, I spend the whole service rotating devices. including 2 power banks,  I get a ride back to the house, I am staying in a hotel is my mantra,   an electrician is coming, Michael comes in, looks around, opens the fuse box and flips the switch and all is well in the hydro department.It never crossed my mind to look at the fuse box, its in there hall, I pass it every time I go to the kitchen Yes I said my favourite word ++++,  Michael laughed and left. Electrician came and left.

so here I sit , showered, fan blows nicely, devices all charging 

TWO CONCLUSIONS

All is well that  ends well and Never assume anything

MOTHERING SUNDAY

 The church in Ghana celebrates Mothering Sunday with much nire enthusiasm than Mother's Day in May.

So I was up to preach. I wanted to preach from a Mother's point of view, not a priest. I thought to make that easier  I would wear a blouse and skirt, no robe. I asked the Dean to introduce me  as a mother and I came out with blue blouse and multi coloured skirt. When I preach I am translated so the translator and I get into a back and forth rhythm. I do not get feed back when I preach so today I asked Michael if it worked, he said it did as everyone was listening.  I included my own story, of my birth  Mom making the decision to me up, like Moses ' Mother having to give him up so he could live. I also talked about my family.  Sometimes I end up with a sermon that speaks very loudly to me like this did.

I get back to the house, resting after my busy morning,. Bishop Kwame calls, wishing me a Happy Mothering Sunday. Then he starts to laugh as he is telling me that he threw Mother (his wife) out of the kitchen as he is cooking today. I did not know he could cook. Then he tells me that he has cook food for me that will be arriving very soon. I am to eat it slowly remembering that he cooked it. 

A few minutes later, door bell rings, food arrives, hot; rice, yam, beef, fish, tomato sauce with 2 cold Cokes. WOW enough for more than 2 suppers.

So I ate slowly remembering that the Bishop did the cooking, finishing with a Coke.     WHAT A GREAT MOTHERING SUNDAY!!!!!!

SCHOOL VISIT WITH THE BISHOP

 An Anglican school ANHWIAN #2, was erecting a building that collapsed. So Bishop was going to see the situation. They were using wood uprights that gave way so it was suggested they use metal 2 x4's. I wandered into a class, Level 4, had conversation with the teeachers. They have very limited resources even with the government saying that school is free. The teachers buy the only text book for each subject. To teach reading they write the reading lesson on the board so the children can learn how to read it. The building consists of a concrete pad, a tin roof and half walls of 1x6;s, no windows or doors, desks out of rough wood and 2 squares of black board to write on, outhouses down the way. no play equipment and rough grass waving in the breeze. My goodness, we are so blessed in Canada.

                   Meeting under the tree. Bishop brought gift of school supplies 

                                                     Class form 4

                                                  Needs to be rebuilt

UPDATE

My asthma seems to be under control. I feel fine so I am back at the office. Onward and upward so they say. 

visit to Emerg at the local hospital

 My asthma caught up with me and I needed assistance to get it under control. I was in a large room, 6 beds and I sat at the end of the room having a nebulizer treatment. There was  no privacy screens so everybody was privy all. I will admit the nurse in me watched with interest. A daughter brought supper for her mom in a large soup turine . another family sat entertaining their auntie. The patient beside me undressed then she  crawled into bed. Staff were back and forth. I got my breathing  under control, paid my bill of $48.00, next was a trip to the neighbourhood pharmay for follow up medications, 3 meds with a cost of $42.00 one of which I know costs $50.00 at Shoppers in Hamilton, I arrived back at the house in good shape. I called Bishop so he did not get surprised from the gossip line (there are no secrets here believe me, everybody knows everything, no secrets). So my adventure ended well and today I am off to the office as usual.

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2026 - March 6 was the civic holiday

 It is the 69th Anniversary of Ghana's Independence. The town I live in did not have funds so we went to Bibiani. I understand Bibiani is a hub for the area and they always  put on a great celebration. I went with Michael and Dominic from the office. I was advised to wear clericals  which became important in getting a seat in the front row beside the Officials. (It was nice to not have to stand). There is a band playing with drums. The local Primary and High Schools parade past the dignitaries/judges being evaluated as to their competency in marching. The politicians give speeches and Organizers keep us organized. There were some clouds but when the sun was out, it was very hot, yes  know I am in Africa.

                                      Like at the CNE stuff for sale so we got fans to help

                                Some pics of the kids marching their hearts out.

 

During our return trip we stopped for a drink and some curried  goat. I think I have mentioned in the past that keeping one's car clean is next to godliness as many of the roads are dirt with red dust flying in all directions.  So during the stop the car was washed. As someone who lets God be the one to determine when my car is washed, I am very impressed here with clean cars.

                           I love goat but when I am travelling I do not eat or drink 

                        so I do not get  into trouble with my GI tract. It did look good.

                                 I do make  up for it when I get back to the house 

                                                Car Wash while we snacked

A PRESENT FOR ME, I AM BLESSED

 

ICEBERG DONE CALVING

 

REMEMBER ............ DEFROSTING THE FRIDGE

A 3 INCH ICEBERG STUCK ON THE BACK WALL OF THE FRIDGE ENCASING A COUPLE OF SACHETS OF WATER.

SOOOO  TODAY IS THE DAY TO FIX IT  ugh ugh

 

DRUM

 I know a drum maker in Sunyani, Daniel. I have promised myself that I would bring a drum back for me, just to have. Two years ago I brought a drum back for myself and a drummer from Tnrinity Barrie liked it a whole lot soooooooooooooo he has it now. So this year I am trying again. I will put a pic up when it gets  delivered.                                     

            Daniel and  this year's drum (no paint but lovely carving)

SPA DAY

     WASH, SCRUB, EXFOLIATE,  POLISH = SPA DAY FOR TOOTSIES

Monday after a 4 day weekend

     went food shopping, bought more drapes for Bishop's office. I had a weigh scale that looked like glass, could see through it, I guess it hit the wall  as it smashed  into piece like the windsceen in the cars\ anyway bought a new one at Melcomes (like Walmart, food,  household stuff, furniture etc) 

I was given some drapes to ship here and they were very nice so put them in the Bishop's office. Here it is tradition to put curtains up to cover the doors as well as the windows. The donated ones covered the three doors so more were bought to cover the windows. The genrosity of the Bishop let us just march in and change the curtains, He seems pleased with the resuslt. What do you think??

VERY NICE INDEED

ASHES

 Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. 

Lent has begun, our journey to the Friday when no one understood followed by the Sunday when death was defeated.

LAZY DAISY SATURDAY

A week has passed from the 20th Anniversay celebrations. The diocesan officese were quite subdued while we recovered. Everyone seemed pleased with the events and our out of country visitors gradually worked their way back to Accra to catch their return flights. 

Me today, 

- watched utube (internet is working well)

- laundry done by hand in a large basin in the shower, machines exist but I do not have one want one

                          

- I am constanly adding to my list of items that I will bring back in the fall.

 the way I work is to always be thinking WHAT WOULD BE HELPFUL HERE

so I make lists on my phone to gather during the summer (I always will receive unlocked electronics, phones, ipads, computers, hint hint)

- back to channel France 24, somewhat like CP 24

FINALLY HERE - A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER!!!!!!

 SATURDAY  THE GRAND DURBAR

A Durbar defined as a public event  to mark state occasions with singing, dancing, drumming to bond people and to articulate praises.

This gathering had pomp and circumstance with the dignitaries led and seated by The  Rt. Rev. Kwame  Kyem-Ampomah followed by the clergy of the Diocese of Wiawso. The head table included the chiefs and political dignitaries.

Then the agenda contained many speeches praising the 20 years accommplishment of the diocese. The Agenda also included best wishes from across the community and province.There was singing and dancing to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the diocese. The little ones also listened. Please note golden shoes fit for the occasion.

Sunday - the day of worship

A service with all priests lining up, wearing chausibles of the 20th Anniversary cloth. It looked quite spectacular 

In the midst of the service, prior to the sermon, everyone up and dancing to the music being sung loud and clear. It sure lives up the service. (too bad, none such interlude in Canada)

Towards to close of the service (at the 5 hour mark now) Bishop gave out many awards and medals for devoted service to the diocese. I was given a Citation and a Bishop's Medal of Honour for the  work accomplish through the donors from Canada.

The recession hymn was sung and I was homeward bound.

I left the house at 830am and got back at 350pm. Needless to say bed was my first destination. Even though,  it was a great celebratory few days.

LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN !!!!!!!!!

 Yesterday a quiz happened at the cathedral. Each Anglican school in the diocese sent a team to participate in a quiz with the subject Math and Science. Bishop Kwame announced that this event start with the 20th Anniversary Celebration but it will be an annual event. A great applause rose up.

Some pics of winners receiving prizes of notebooks and pens.

GETTING READY

 Office painted inside and out. I was told the cathedral is being painted today. 

Here are the staff

a giggle

 Clergy mtg yesterday, finallizing plans fpr 20th Anniversary celebrations

CLERGY SOCKS

Read a book yesterday

 WOMAN OF GOD  b y James Patterson A story of an American Doctor, just finished med school, wanted to be helpful and went to the South Sudan to work in a remote medical clinic. There was active warring going on around the place. I will admit, reading the slaughtering was very difficult. This aspect of her life last a few years then she is wounded and taken out. Her life wanders through great highs and lows. She is ordained priest in breakaway RC church. Her life then meanders to an audience with the Pope. Yes it is fiction but the struggles are universal. It paints a picture that maybe is a dream today but possibly a look for tomorrow.

COMPUTER DECORATED FOR 20 ANNIVERSARY WITH A STICKER

 

CELEBRATIONS FOOTBALL (SOCCER)

 The Youth Group Executive for the Diocese of Wiawso are organizing  a football tournament between Archdeanories to play on the Friday preceeding the Celebration weekend.

20 Anniversary celebrations ramping up

 

Banner up to announce the celebrations 

WAITING .......

 Time has a different concept here, Time is almost in a different univere. Service       Sunday sceduled  for 9am. I get a ride with the Dean. Time to leave is 845 and here I sit waiting in Dean's Car. 

 

WE get going by 9am to arrive as the cleaning is just ending.There are a handful  of worshippers. The service gets going by 930 and large number have joined us by 1015.  It is a gradual accomodation on my part to stop watching the watch and just let things infold.

fresh from the field, so sweet, and juicy

 

A little snack

 all of a sudden there was a flurry of people in and out of the office. A snack was being laid out in the Board Room.  Fried plantain, baked bean from the can, chopped onion, and pepper sauce, plates handed out, eat with hands and it was delicious. 

a little snack for all

MONDAY MONDAY

Back to the office I go,

What can be new?

What can be blue?

Well, there is something new!

It is Victor's Birthday.

His wife told Dominic.

So, a party we will have with whom ever is around.

BIRTHDAY BOY

Dominic, the party organizer

Michael. still mot arrived

later for party pics

ALERT ALERT THE TEMPERATURE 24C

 And I am freezing, my only blanket (purple of course) is wrapped around tightly  to wear off the cold. you think I jest....no no I need a sweater and socks of which i have neither, so blanket wrap will have to do. A disadventage of living in a hot clime.

 

                                   

MAGI ARRIVE TODAY!!!!!!!

 From afar, through dangers and an encounter with Herod, they followed the star to find the babe wrapped, lying in a manger.

fist Sunday of the year

This Sunday was a big celebration being the first one of the year 2025. Most parishioners were dressed in white. The three priest were all wearing white chausibles. Altar had white covers, two white and gold candelabras were brought out and lit, The Dean preached (30 minutes) and celebrated with the three of us behind the altar. During announcement time the Dean offered an annountng on the hands to all. There were hundreds who came forward. The three of us were offering. I thought as I announted hands, there were some wore traditional cloth, some with very decorative clothing, some young, some very old and yet I was priveleged to approached for annointing by all

. I was struck emotionally with the lack barriers between us. We were and are all one in communion. This moment  in times will stay with me. When I enquired as to the reason for the annointing on the way home, the Evangelicals hae been annointing hands for blessing of Material goodness this year. This was not done at the cathedral amd the  comment was made that maybe the priests do not want this to happen here. SO it was started at the cathedral. It is interesting how rituals get started.   

The Precenter, Alex, me and a parishioner with fancy bluetooth around his neck.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

 NY eve church service slated for 8pm, well got going by 840. Very interesting format, each reading interperst w
ith 20 to 30 minutes of prayer. I read the gospel in English followed by the Precentor reading in Twi. Dean preached, followed by prayer and now nearing the count down, lit on the tv moniters. Midnight was struck and the place was hopping . Got home by 2am.

HAPPY HAPPY 2026 !!!!! I PRAY BLESSINGS AND GOOD HEALTH TO ALL.

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