Monday, nov. 16

Wow, we are still here and surviving the roads of Ghana. I will never complain about an NB pothole again.We experienced our first church service yesterday in Kpandu in St. Patrick's church. The service was supposed to start at nine but we arrived at 9:40 so it started at ten to ten. What a wonderful feeling seeing the long line of servers, deacons, priests, bishops and two choirs parade in. There were drums and chanting of anthems, candles and incense. No power because of heavy rains earlier so it did get somewhat!!! warm. We were so warmly welcomed and to share the peace with so many wonderful people [no H1N1 here!]The service lasted till about 1:15 and then we mingled and did photos. We inspected the beginnings of a new mission house [rectory]. There is no church in this site so we were using the school.

We went up to the old mission house for refreshments and got to sample some palm wine...not quite what I expected but in a pinch it might do.We were treated to more choir singing and dancing which we all joined in on...Bishop Claude gives new meaning to swinging one's hips.
Bishop Matthias took us for a short drive to see the Volta Lake and the community of displaced people that live on the edge. The poverty and living conditions break our hearts but the smiles and welcomes of the children never stop.What a contrast to our own lives.
Bishop Matthias stopped at a partially constructed church, St. Mark's on our way back to the mission house for supper. A large building with cement brick walls and a new roof, totally empty except for a few benches, ten years in the making and still waiting to be completed.
After our meal we said our goodbys to Father Joseph and his family and other members of the church and went on to find lodgings in Hohoe. That's an experience in itself! The chicken and rice for supper I will remember forever.