HOSPITALITY BY THE LAKE

During 2013 our community at the novitiate got to know the Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sisters (or JMJ for short), especially because two of them came here for two weeks in September for the Training for Transformation workshop.  They have their four communities in Ghana some distance from us, but after Christmas we were happy to accept their invitation to visit two of the communities near Lake Volta.

Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake in the world, so the trip to the lake and crossing on the ferry was an exciting experience for us all.  It was even more exciting for some of us who had never been on such a vast body of water or on a vessel as large as the ferry, which accommodates trucks and other vehicles.

Our stay in the JMJ communities at Yeji and Atebubu was most enjoyable.  The Sisters’ hospitality was lavish, to put it mildly, and we all came home a little heavier.  The spirit of Christmas celebration was happily prolonged, as the photos suggest.

Waiting Impatiently for the Ferry???

Ferry - here at last and unloading.

Novices happily on board the Ferry!

Novitiate Bus safely parked on the Ferry!

Donation or Draining Out! Martin donating blood!

After Novices have donated blood, a pose with Sr Laura JMJ (Lab Technician) and her team - to remember that time they were almost out of blood!

Another big meal just before leaving the JMJ Community at Yeji!

Superior of Atebubu JMJ Community, Sr Scholastica - takes novices around the the 90 acres of land!

JMJ Novice and CFC Novices posing with Sr Scholastica in front of the newly built Shrine.

Novices amazed by the environment - different from their home town, Tamale.



Celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family with the JMJ Sisters. Also the JMJ Feast Day!



JMJ Regional Superior cuts the Feast Day Cake!

JMJ Sisters, Christian Brothers and their Novices.

Departing Atebubu - with a little gain of weight.

Farewell wave from the JMJ Sisters.

SHARING CHRISTMAS WITH THE POOR

Christmas in Tamale, a predominantly Muslim city, has a different feel to it.  One of the features of Christmas here is the way in which Dr. David Abdulai shares Christmas with thousands of others.  Dr. Abdulai is famous as the founder of the Shekhinah clinics and Food Programme.  The two clinics offer free basic medical treatment to anyone who comes.  In a similar spirit, the Food Programme provides a meal every day of the year for hundreds of prisoners and destitute and mentally challenged people in Tamale.

On Christmas Day several thousand of the poor in Tamale are invited to come to Dr. Abdulai’s residence where every person receives food and drink, as well as a gift of clothing items.  The logistics of distributing the food, drink and gifts are formidable.  Volunteers start the cooking well before dawn.  Many others help out during the day with transport, crowd control, giving out food and so on.

Once again this Christmas the novices had the privilege of spending over three hours helping as part of the volunteer force, which included local people, as well as friends of Shekhinah from other parts of Ghana and other parts of the world – including Canada, the UK and Europe.  It was a very special and touching way to share Christmas with others, and it made the meaning of Christmas very real for us all.

Br Tony, with keen eyes. checks out the clothes for girls before giving out.

Francis checks out the boys' clothes before handing out.

Big Martin tries on the hats before recommending them to the young boys.

Desmond checks out the long que to make sure everyone has a sachet of water while waiting to be served.

Lawrence looks on as little Charlie waits to be served.

From left: Philip, Cephas and Paul giving out lunch packs.

Desmond distributes water as  sign of welcome.

Other Volunteers from Ghana and Netherlands - giving a helping hand.

From left: Philip, Dominic and Volunteer, Margaret serving lunch packs. 

 

 

 

 

A SEA CHANGE

After ten months of Tamale and the north of Ghana, it was time for a change, a sea change, in fact.  At the end of November the novitiate community travelled to Cape Coast, on the Atlantic coast of Ghana, for a short holiday.  The lush, green hills of the south, the rain forest at Kakum National Park and, of course, the ocean were so different to the drier savannah country of the north.  The contrast was refreshing and lifted spirits and energy levels.

 

The week had something for everyone.  For some, such as those from land-locked countries like Zambia, it was the first time to see the ocean, and the vastness and power of the sea were a revelation.  Even the taste and feel of sea water was something new.  For others, like those from Sierra Leone and Papua New Guinea, who have spent most of their lives near the sea, and for whom living so far inland is a new experience, it was a happy return to a familiar environment.

The Canopy Walk in the rain forest at Kakum National Park was a challenge for everyone.  Walking on the swaying suspension footbridges, so far above the ground and amidst the tree-tops, tested our nerves, but all of us (except for one of the team, who shall remain anonymous) survived!

Highlights for everyone were the visits to two of the historical castles along the coast – at Cape Coast itself, and Elmina Castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Seeing such mighty structures that have been there for over 500 years was impressive, but this was overshadowed by the impact of the story of these castles and the international slave trade.  Standing in the dungeons that once held thousands of men and women on their way to the Americas as slaves; hearing of the physical and sexual abuse and degradation of the slaves; seeing the “Door of No Return” through which the slaves passed to board the waiting ships – all of this provoked sadness and a painful awareness of humanity’s capacity for inhumanity!

There were also chances to wander the old town centre of Cape Coast and to meet some of the local people.  At our gathering for reflection and prayer each evening, we shared many different experiences – awe, wonder, sadness, pain, warmth and gratitude, among others.

 

After this refreshing and eye-opening time away we are now turning our thoughts and energies to preparation for the three-month Community Pastoral Placement, which gets under way early in January.

 



On the way - Seawards.





First Visit...after some bargaining...inside Cape Coast Castle, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean



Br Con admires the Cannons! Hope he doesn't use one on his Novices.

Swim Time!

Zambia finally at Sea - Paul (left) and Emmanuel (right).

"Too Salty!" Emmanuel tasting some salt water - Zambian Novices: Cephas (back) and Emmanuel (front).

Always good to get proper instructions from professionals! Desmond (middle) giving swimming instructions to Emmanuel and Paul.

Enjoying the wonders of the Ocean.
Standing, from left to right: Lawrence and Martin.
Front, from left to right: Philip, Desmond and Dominic.

A visit to Kakum Park.

Desmond and Br Tony on the swinging bridge!

Lawrence, Emmanuel and Cephas - getting used to the swaying!

The Big Man! You don't want to walk on a swinging bridge with Martin.

Visit to Elmina Castle - side view

Left to Right: Emmanuel, Cephas and Dominic waiting impatiently for the bus to roam Cape Coast town.

First Stop on the way back to Beautiful Tamale!