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)