Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Alleluia - Amen! Today is church day. Figuring out where and when to get to church was a challenge. Today I finally made it for an entire mass! And it was almost 3 hours long. But it did not drag!
There are many, many churches here in Nkoranza of many different christian faiths. Last week I tried very hard to make it understood that I wanted a Catholic church. My understanding was that there were many from PCC going to the Catholic church and they would leave at 9am. So at 8:30 I went up the hill to hang about so I wouldn't miss them. 9am came and no one was going to church. So I started asking the same people I spoke to the night before and was asked, "you want a catholic church?... You missed it. It was at 7am." So I went back to my room and changed out of my dress. Then Ebeneizer came calling me and said he was going to church, "let's go!" So I pulled my dress back on and off we went. He had me believing I needed a bible, a rosary, a notebook and pen to take to church. He told me it started at 9:30am and we could hear singing as we walked up about 9:32. I was seated at the very front of a full church by an usher. Just in time for communion! I'm thinking, "communion at the beginning?" Nope, church started at 8am and we were very late! And I didn't need to take anything with me but money for the collection. After mass, Ina (a German volunteer at PCC), Ebeneizer and I met up outside. There are photographers outside taking photos for those who want one, so the three of us had our picture taken together. Then Ina took us to see her home. She is staying in town with a host family. As we were leaving, her host mother said, "No, stay. I want to cook some food for your friends." So she fried up some yam and plantain for us. Yum!
This week I got up early by myself to be at church when it started. Ina is in Accra this weekend and Ebeneizer was supposed to be in Sunyani. There is a lot of music during the mass here in Ghana. It is wonderful, a lot like a party. Everyone is singing, or dancing, or clapping, and of course along with the organ there are drums. There is a sizeable choir that sings in 4-part harmony. At certain parts, the whold congregation sings together whole heartedly and it is a powerful sound! Of course everything is done in Twi so I don't know what they are singing, but their praise is evident! The second collection goes on forever! People go up in many different waves, dancing their way from the back of the church up to the front and around back again and to their seats. The song was changing and i am thinking now we are done - but no! The collection and dancing continues! And after communion there is a time just to get up and dance at the front of the church. There is also a blessing at the end and people gather in front of the altar to be blessed by Father Williams.
Everyone at church is dressed very smartly. Girls must wear a dress. They are beautiful. And some of them very fancy - shiny, lacy, etc. I was thinking maybe I should have brought one of my bridesmaid dresses! They would actually get some wear here. But most people are wearing African dresses made of kente cloth. I will need one of my own and am looking forward to picking out my kente cloth and taking it to a seamstress who will fit me for an African dress of my very own!
After church, I met up with Ebeneizer who did not go to Sunyani after all. He had gone to my house to get me for church but I was already gone! And Julie-Anna was there as well (Another caregiver from PCC). We picked up the photo we'd had taken last week. It is very nice! And this week I had one taken with Julie-Anna. As with last week, Ebeneizer bought us a freezie on the way home. Along the way we had a grand chat with one of the ladies from church who had dragged me up to dance my way to the collection. Ebeneizer had to translate for us because she doesn't speak English, but she was very friendly just the same and wanted to answer any questions I had about the mass. She has invited me to visit her. For now I only know that she lives aroiund the internet cafe, but she took us to the place where she sells plantains on market day. So on market day I am to go and visit her with my camera and we will take pictures together. Wonderful! I have not been using my camera and this is a great invitation because I will not feel like I am intruding!
Ebeneizer, Julie-Anna and I stopped for lunch on the way home. We stopped at an out of the way place where there was a woman sitting tending to her three pots of food surrounded by food foreign to me. I would have thought this was just her home and never assumed that I could get lunch here. But this is where you go to get banku. I have fed it to Aaron, but never eaten it myself so I was excited to eat real Ghanaian food! Unfortunately I did not like it and had trouble getting it down! But it was a great adventure. I don't know what Banku is. It looks like a giant dough-boy sitting in a bowl of soup. Mine also had a little chicken (Small pieces on the bone) and some okra. It is not dough, but I can't compare it to anything I know. You pull some off with your fingers, run it through the soup and plop it in your mouth. Once again my hand smells like banku for the day!
And those are my Sunday adventures!
Yesterday I journied to Techiman because I am running out of money and there is no way to get any here in Nkoranza. To get to Techiman I take a shared taxi - a typical car that will take 4 passengers. The taxi doesn't leave until it is full. It is a 30 minute drive to Techiman that costs each of us 1.30 cedis. While I was there I checked out the market. Techiman has one of the larger markets in this part of Ghana. I sifted through some second hand clothes. I would like more capris, but I don't think that is going to be possible. I chose a skirt and a shirt and went to pay. I couldn't believe my ears. Two items of clothing cost me 20 pesowas. That's less than 20 cents! Unfortunately I did not have luck with the bank machines. I tried 5 and none worked. Only one will accept my mastercard (none will accept my debit card). Unfortunately that one bank machine was not working yesterday. I really hope it works for me next week!
Amen - Alleluia! 'Til next time!
Debbie
- comments
Mom Wow Debbie what a wonderful Sunday adventure. I would love to see your pictures but guess that will have to wait. Pray that you will continue to enjoy good health and friendship.
Irene and John We were delighted to read about your adventures, Debbie. We look forward to more news from you. Irene
Jim McManus & Judy Hi ! Deb Just to let you know that your my hero. I try to imagine your accomodations and what I see is a village type residence, straw roof and all. Hot and cold running water for your showers. Five star all the way, not in my imagination. Your servatude to give up all the comforts of home and to reach out to those who need Deb in their lives. Thats what makes you my hero. Glad you were not washed away in the torrential downpour and if you need a thermometer for outdoors, I dont think we have any as high as I imagine it can be there. We love you and be sure to get a good sun hat You are written on our hearts Jim and Judy