Sunday was special--worship at Kaneshie Presbyterian Church. Everyone is excited to be there and dressed to the nines. Many men in traditional Ghanian dress--wrapping multiple yards of fabric around the body in a kind of one-shouldered sari-like effect. The women have bright two-piece dresses. The whole event is an EVENT--a time of joy and celebration.
We visit the children's program. We were greeted as special guests as the very well-behaved children listen and watch. Stella, my friend from her US visit, escorts us about and asks children to model our VBS giving for Oduntia school supplies.
On Monday we visited the rainforest (I actually was on the canopy walkway.swinging bridge) and the British Slave Castle. It was humbling to say the least.
Tuesday, we visited the General Asembly and Presbytery offices. They are very happy for the Presbytery and, First Pres, and VBS gifts.
This is a trip of joy and discernment and some shopping. Call us when we return to see our interesting items.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Third Day in Ghana
Though close to the equator in the northern hemisphere,the Ghanian temperatures have been cool in the morning with fog and jackets needed. Once the clouds clear, it is sunny. The sun sets before 7 PM and finishing dinner. The Institute is in a coastal range of hills so that may impact the temperatures.
Architecture is largely poured concrete with stucco facing. The Institute is nicely maintained--built in the 1850s. A careful eye notes that there must be a serious rainy season because of green fungi on roof support.
Our bedroom door is tight and usually keeps out the bugs although a large grasshopper invaded this morning.
The day starts early with rooster crowing about 4 or 5 AM. We think the 4 AM rooster is a type A personality. The parade of water-carrying also starts early. Villagers daily carry water from purified tanks. Women carry on their heads with a "head leveling hat" to keep things level. Men use large plastic cans.
Our daily study is with Institute faculty members. We are learning a lot of African Christianity. The forefront of Christianity is in the southern hemisphere and the emphasis here in Ghana is on community as contrasted with the US individualism. What do you think???
Architecture is largely poured concrete with stucco facing. The Institute is nicely maintained--built in the 1850s. A careful eye notes that there must be a serious rainy season because of green fungi on roof support.
Our bedroom door is tight and usually keeps out the bugs although a large grasshopper invaded this morning.
The day starts early with rooster crowing about 4 or 5 AM. We think the 4 AM rooster is a type A personality. The parade of water-carrying also starts early. Villagers daily carry water from purified tanks. Women carry on their heads with a "head leveling hat" to keep things level. Men use large plastic cans.
Our daily study is with Institute faculty members. We are learning a lot of African Christianity. The forefront of Christianity is in the southern hemisphere and the emphasis here in Ghana is on community as contrasted with the US individualism. What do you think???
Thursday, July 28, 2011
From Ghana
Here is my first blog from Ghana.
We have arrived--our group of eleven--two female ministers, two retired educators, two retired engineers,one attorney, one working woman administrative assistant, one working school nurse, one Amvets caller, and one retired businessman and amateur gardener. We thank God for these flexible dedicated Presbyterians. Our luggage has not arrived so we are smiling as we share deodorant, shirts, and other necessities.
En route from the airport to the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture where we are staying for three nights and days, we saw hundreds (maybe thousands!) of small shops selling produce, bricks, concrete, offering haircuts, etc., etc., etc. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Ghana. It is wonderful--men and women, even a few children helping the family efforts
Today we are studying with professors from the Institute about matters of faith, from an African prospective. It is a great introduction to our mission work here.
Query: How is the word and concept of "spirit" different with different language and cultures?
We have arrived--our group of eleven--two female ministers, two retired educators, two retired engineers,one attorney, one working woman administrative assistant, one working school nurse, one Amvets caller, and one retired businessman and amateur gardener. We thank God for these flexible dedicated Presbyterians. Our luggage has not arrived so we are smiling as we share deodorant, shirts, and other necessities.
En route from the airport to the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture where we are staying for three nights and days, we saw hundreds (maybe thousands!) of small shops selling produce, bricks, concrete, offering haircuts, etc., etc., etc. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Ghana. It is wonderful--men and women, even a few children helping the family efforts
Today we are studying with professors from the Institute about matters of faith, from an African prospective. It is a great introduction to our mission work here.
Query: How is the word and concept of "spirit" different with different language and cultures?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
July 26, 2011 We are off!
Ray and I awoke at 6 am to complete our packing and obsess about details, like whether I will get checked in for the flights. The group had their tickets changed and four of the eleven apparently could not check in in advance. (Some kind of strange and disquieting message about no trace of an eticket for us) I spent an hour yesterday on the phone with United to no avail in straightening it all out. So, we will head out in prayer and patience for the mission adventure.
Rereading our folder of directions, I noticed that we should not overpack. I fear that we have overpacked because we crammed our checked cases with extra health items and "personal toiletries" which we will leave in Ghana when we leave.
Thanks to all who have sent greetings and promises of prayer as we set out.
FPCAH PW has scheduled their September meeting to hear about the trip. So I need to scoop all of it in and take good notes.
Rereading our folder of directions, I noticed that we should not overpack. I fear that we have overpacked because we crammed our checked cases with extra health items and "personal toiletries" which we will leave in Ghana when we leave.
Thanks to all who have sent greetings and promises of prayer as we set out.
FPCAH PW has scheduled their September meeting to hear about the trip. So I need to scoop all of it in and take good notes.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Ready, Set, Go
We are off to Ghana tomorrow morning. The staging area for packing is being re-established (after deferring to a bed for granddaughter Rebecca who needed to sleep there while we took the grands so that the Oak Parkers could clean up their flooded basement--yuck, second flood in a year!!) and we plan to load up later today. We have talked to bluecard international for details on emergency medical evacuation and have a call in to our trip leader for clarification on last minute details. It is a maze of details, expectation, uncertainty, and joy for the trip!
To put this in context, Ghana, named as "warrier king," is reputedly at the center of the lands on Planet Earth. The prime meridian passes nearby and Ghana sits between latitudes 4 degrees and 12 degrees North. It will be hot, hot, hot. We have amassed varioius suggested items to make us comfortable--hats, comforting lotions, sun lotions, deet insect repellant, and toilet paper. We will report on their effectiveness.
We have been advised to remain cool and adaptable as the journey proceeds. We are staying at the Afkrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture in Akrapong, Ghana at the start and then at an as yet unnamed (unknown???) "guest house/hotel" to be prescreened by the PCUSA mission worker in Ghana. Others are bringing Josh contact lens supplies so, hopefully, he will do a good job for us. We will celebrate Sunday worship at the Kaneshie Presbyterian Church and will spend time near Oduntia with Vacation Bible School and a dedication of the school building. I am carrying crosses that our Arlington Heights VBS children made for those in Oduntia.
To put this in context, Ghana, named as "warrier king," is reputedly at the center of the lands on Planet Earth. The prime meridian passes nearby and Ghana sits between latitudes 4 degrees and 12 degrees North. It will be hot, hot, hot. We have amassed varioius suggested items to make us comfortable--hats, comforting lotions, sun lotions, deet insect repellant, and toilet paper. We will report on their effectiveness.
We have been advised to remain cool and adaptable as the journey proceeds. We are staying at the Afkrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture in Akrapong, Ghana at the start and then at an as yet unnamed (unknown???) "guest house/hotel" to be prescreened by the PCUSA mission worker in Ghana. Others are bringing Josh contact lens supplies so, hopefully, he will do a good job for us. We will celebrate Sunday worship at the Kaneshie Presbyterian Church and will spend time near Oduntia with Vacation Bible School and a dedication of the school building. I am carrying crosses that our Arlington Heights VBS children made for those in Oduntia.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Can the retired green bean figure out the blog???
Can I get this blog together before I embark on the plane to Ghana? After an enormous number of tries to create a gmail account, I am finally there. Thanks, Ginny, for the internet explorer suggestions.
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