Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Another Day In Africa


Welcome back!  So much has happened since I last wrote. Two weeks ago my fellow Lay Mission-Helper, Diane, and I moved into our home. We are living at a St. Anne's Girls Senior High School, a boarding school in Damongo.  Our accommodations are obviously much different than Americans are used to, but way better than most Ghanaians.

The Diocese of Damongo has gone out of their way to make us comfortable.  Our dwelling has linoleum flooring instead of the more common concrete floor, a new living room set, and I was given a truck to get back and forth from work at the secretariat. We do face a few challenges, however, such as bucket bathing, washing clothes by hand, and not being fond of the food.

We attend Mass on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.  Every first Sunday of the month we are bussed to the Cathedral for Mass.  Mass lasts one and a half to two hours and is very lively with clapping, swaying and singing. The celebration begins on the trip to the Cathedral. In the video you can see the excitement. 
Last Saturday the school had an evening of entertainment. The girls sang and danced all night (Ok, until 9:30 pm). 

Cows, pigs, sheep, goats, lamb, rams, chickens, dogs and cats roam freely.  It is not uncommon to pass by a pig
or have a goat follow me on my way to the school.  

There is a National Forest ten miles away. Sunday I went on my first safari. What an experience! Guided by men with guns, we headed down a dirt road to get a closer look at an elephant eating leaves from a tree. We heard a roar behind us. We turned around and saw a male elephant, ears raised, coming quickly toward us. 
Guns ready, the guides yelled, "Get off the road. Men, get in front of the women." Adrenalin pumping, I was looking for a tree to climb. Thankfully, we were spared. About 10 yards from us the elephant turned and went into the forest.

Just another day in Africa.

God Bless and be sure to check back!

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