Travels and Cooking Lessons

I have had a number of occasions I would like to share with you since my last blog update.

Karen and I took a trip to Accra, the capital city of Ghana, to do the last bit of necessary paperwork at Ghana Immigration, to be able to stay in Ghana for three years.  Accra is a city of many contrasts – some places are very new and modern while others not so much.  We visited a shopping mall that had a couple stores where we could find most anything we really needed.  However, as we traveled by plane, we were limited in what we could buy.  At the same time, there are lots of vendors on the street, plying their wares, walking between lanes of traffic.  Oh yes, and there is lots of traffic in Accra and crazy driving in most every town of any size. 

While in Accra, we stayed at the Good Shepard Guest House where we met a number of priests and other guests. Accra has two rainy seasons, so it was much more green and lush - with actual flowers blooming - very pretty and in contrast to the dry brown we see currently in Damongo.  With the pretty green grass and flowers, however, came the humidity!  Even though the temperature was 10 degrees lower than in Damongo, it felt much hotter.

Karen and I borrowed our kitchen with a gas stove and oven to a few Form 2 and Form 3 girls who were celebrating birthdays in March.  There was a lot of cooking during the day and fun festivities, including dancing, in the evening.  Francisca, a Form 3 Food and Nutrition student, did most of the cooking and baking. 

Karen and I traveled by bus for three hours with the Form 3 girls on pilgrimage to a newly constructed Grotto, which was blessed by Bishop Peter Paul on the Feast of the Annunciation.  The first two hours of the trip was on a nice paved road, passing through a few towns of moderate size.  The last hour was on a dirt road, going further and further into what seemed like nowhere.  However, periodically, a small village would appear and you would realize you were still in civilization.

At the site of the Grotto, there was a huge iron crucifix, created by a local artist.  It was a very special day for many people.  Following the blessing of the Grotto by the Bishop we had a lovely Mass.  Karen and I were introduced to the crowd of people by the Bishop, so they would know who we are these next three years.

The girls of SAGISS wear their white uniforms for Sunday and special church occasions, like the pilgrimage.  Here are the Form 3 students in their Sunday whites, singing on the way to the Grotto.

I used my kitchen again, for two cooking practicals for my Form 1 students.   They wanted to cook some “American” food.  I had them make spaghetti and marinara sauce.  They did a wonderful job.  I invited the two girls with the highest test marks to join Karen and I in going to the market on Saturday morning to do the shopping for the practicals.  They were very helpful in both showing us how to determine what foods were fresh and also in carrying our bags of food.  They refused to let us carry anything other than the bread!    These girls are so kind and helpful.

The girls all liked the American spaghetti and are looking forward to more cooking practicals in the future.  Here is one group toasting to a wonderful meal.

The adventure continues……

God In Everyday Life

My time in Ghana has been somewhat of a whirlwind.  I am experiencing so many new and different things.  My senses sometimes seem on overload.  I am typically a quiet person who gets energy from silence, alone-time, communing with God in prayer.  Some of my typical routines have been difficult to establish here.  God called me to SAGISS for a reason.  I think He is trying to draw me out of myself and in to relationship with others.

For quite a few years, I was a “Daily Mass” goer.  It was a rare day that I wasn’t in the pew.  I loved daily Mass – it brought peace to my day.  I was also committed to two hours of Eucharistic Adoration per week.  My time was typically very early morning hours, and I was there with the Lord all by myself.  I could talk to Him about all that was troubling me.  I could set my problems before Him, and by the time I walked out, he had lifted my burdens and had answered me, had guided me in the direction of His will.  Those hours in Adoration lead me to this mission.

I miss my time in Adoration.  I miss saying the Rosary in the Virgin Mary Chapel or praying in the Sacred Heart Chapel or just sitting in the pews at the Cathedral of St. Paul.  I miss my Cathedral family.

Here on mission, I have the ability to attend Mass on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings.  I am grateful for these opportunities. Listening to the girls sing, with their joyful and angelic voices, lifts me up. 

Unfortunately, I have not had an opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration here in Damongo.  I think God felt the connection between Him and I was strong, but that my connection to the people around me needed some work.  Thus, He sent me on mission, to get me out of my comfort zone, to push me to the next level.  I am to find God in the people I encounter.  I am finding Him in the girls at SAGISS, in my fellow teachers, in the headmistress (my boss), in the priests and sisters, and in the people of the town of Damongo.  When I go to market to buy my bread, my oranges and apples, my tomatoes and onions, I see Him in the tired, weathered faces of the women who labor so hard to make money to feed their families.  I see Him in the curious, smiling faces of the children as they say “hello” to the white woman passing by.  I see Him in the Muslim men kneeling in prayer.  I see Him in the SAGISS girls always willing to lend me a helping hand.

I have now met my Bishop, Bishop Peter Paul of the Diocese of Damongo, as he invited Karen and I to his home for dinner one evening.  He is a very delightful man; very kind.  (It was there, I had my first taste of guinea fowl.  It tasted very similar to chicken.)  I have met many priests, some at Mass, others by fact I am on mission through the Diocese of Damongo.  The priests give very good, relevant homilies, relating them to the person in the pews’ daily life and struggles.  (However, last Sundays Mass lasted 3 hours!)   I enjoy working for the Diocese and the Catholic Church.  God is woven through every part of the day at SAGISS – the benefit of volunteering for a Catholic High School.  God is not just at Mass. There are signs of God everywhere – He is not kept out of the public forum as we do in the United States.   People believing in God is the norm here.  I am not bringing God to these people – He is already here.  I am learning how to become closer to God through my interactions with these people.

March 6 was the 62nd Anniversary of Ghana's Independence.  The girls of SAGISS marched in the parade, as did all the other schools in the area, down to the tiny tots.  They not only march with their legs, but their arms are definitely a part of the march also.

Young children marching - precious!

SAGISS Girls marching.

Caption: Bishop Peter Paul presenting 2nd prize to girls of SAGISS and Headmistress, Madame Pauline

It is now the season of Lent.  I struggle with what I am “going to give up”, as I have already given up so much just to be here.  Missing out on time with my immediate family for three years is the most difficult.  I know God has a plan for me and for them; that my mission here is meant to be and that from it, will come wonderful things for my family.  We don’t always understand why or see where God is leading us, but if we put our trust in Him, all will be well.  I truly believe that.

God brought me here to Ghana to draw me closer to Him, through relationship with my fellow man.  We are all children of God - no matter where on this earth we live.

In this season of Lent, I will work on my prayer life - carving out some alone time for just God and me; I will give alms through service via my mission; I will continue eating a mostly simple, almost vegetarian diet.  Life is different here.  I feel like the three pillars of Lent are woven in to my daily experience: prayer, fasting and alms giving.  This mission is drawing me closer to God through my everyday living.

The adventure continues…