Green and pleasant lands

Tuesday evening brought a further power cut so it was quite a fitful night's sleep as the humidity was increasing.  It was no surprise therefore that there was a torrential downpour with a quite spectacular electric storm at about 0400 on Wednesday morning.   Two lightning strikes were so close as to not be able to count between the flash and the rumble.  Thankfully the mortar work done by the builders for Stephen's new garage doors was unscathed.

Last day in Ghana

We spent the morning on a short tour by car of Accra, passing by some of the key government buildings and the stadium before calling in to see Dorinda's (Stephen's wife's) mother who lives in a substantial old-style house close to the centre of the city.  We then ate a meal outside at a restaurant before heading home in good time for me to complete my packing and then travel to the airport for my journey home.

Homeward bound

It was a smooth flight.  The skies over southern Europe were mostly clear and I was able to see the east coast of Spain clearly by night.  As day broke, we flew up the west coast of France from the entrance to the Gironde northwards, bringing back memories of a sailing trip there a few years ago. Landfall in the UK was just east of St Catherine's Point (the southern tip of the Isle of Wight) which was about the only part of the UK that we saw until we descended on the approach to Heathrow as the cloud cover was extensive. 

It must have been about a 20C drop in temperature from Accra last night to London this morning.  The only common factor was the damp air, humidity in Accra, drizzle in London!


A few statistics might interest you over the time I have been away:

• Away for 29 nights, the longest that Sandy and I have been apart since our engagement in 1992.
• Travelled in excess of 8,000 miles (6,500 by air, the rest by road) over the month.
• I've worshipped in six different places (it feels like it should be more but that's all I can recount)
• I have not taken any medication, apart from the the box of Imodium for 'runny tummy' (as the Ghanaians put it!) and my prescribed anti-malarial tablets.
• At an average of about 3 litres a day, I've drunk more than my body weight in bottled water, not counting other drinks such as fruit juice etc.
• I have lost a couple of kgs in weight (nothing to be concerned about).
• Been affected by nine power cuts of varying lengths, and the running water supply also failed in Winneba a couple of times.
• Not drunk any coffee until breakfast this morning during the flight.

It is good to be back home and to have seen nearly everyone here now.  I am looking forward to collecting Faith and Maddy from school this afternoon, the first time I will have driven for over a month.  Must remember not to upset the locals by the Ghanaian approach to (frequent) use of the horn.

Prayer requests

Thanks for the opportunities that I have had over the past month, for the welcome I received and all those I met.

Thanks for safe travelling, personal safety and good health during my stay.

For my fellow second year students at STETS as their placements continue.

For our family as we re-adjust to being together at home again after this period of separation.

For the people of Ghana, facing a challenging economic situation and all that entails.

For the Amankwatia project, that it may proceed over the next few months.

For the Methodist and other Christian communities that serve Winneba.

Comments please

Over the next couple of weeks I will be sitting down to write up my placement for the assessment of this part of my training.  If you have any reflections on the content of this blog, then I would be glad to receive them.  What I would be particularly interested to know is whether any of my posts have made you think about particular aspects of life in Ghana as I have experienced it, also whether there was anything you thought I might mention but haven't done so.

Let me know- either by commenting on this post or by contacting me via other routes.  Thank you for your interest.

To finish, here's a 'word cloud' based on the content of the blog, interesting to see what has been occupying my thoughts as I have written.

Tropical conditions

Following three successful days focussed on Amankwatia, including the two meetings about the project then the visit to the village, it was time yesterday to return to Accra and then back to Stephen's home in Tema.  Tema is the main commercial port of Ghana and lies about 25km East of Accra itself, roughly half an hour's drive from the airport.

Asante Kings

Before we left Kumasi, we were able to do a little sight-seeing and visited Manhyia Palace, formerly the home of the Asante royal family but now a museum.  Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside the museum but we were able to get a good insight into the way in which the kingdom was established from the 17th Century onwards, taking in much of modern-day Ghana and also part of Cote d'Ivoire to the west.  We also learnt something of the opposition faced by the kingdom from the colonialists, not least the United Kingdom from Georgian times onwards.  Along with the slave trade, the main reason for the colonial interest was gold (hence Ghana's colonial name, Gold Coast) and the exhibition included plenty of information about this.

Former palace of the Asante Kings, Kumasi

The current king has been 'on the stool' for fifteen years and there was also a photographic exhibition to celebrate this too; the anniversary itself was 10 days ago when there was a large gathering, broadcast nationally (I heard some of this on the radio whilst travelling back from the Synod at Nyakrom).

As we left the palace to travel to the airport, several large groups were gathering to visit the king or one of his immediate subordinates.  Many of these meetings would be to settle disputes over the rights to particular pieces of land.  Most of those attending were dressed in black: the party losing the case must dress in black, those who are successful are allowed to dress in white to signify the outcome.  Most arrive dressed in black to save having to get changed afterwards in case they lose.

Rain!

The rainy season is now starting across the country.  Due to the varying landscape and climatic conditions this starts earlier in the forest region, Kumasi is located, and we were treated to a substantial downpour which lasted about an hour whilst we were waiting at the airport.  Passengers on the inbound flight were kept on board for about 20-25 minutes to allow the rain to pass after the aircraft had taxied in.

Tropical downpour at Kumasi

After a smooth flight, it was quite a contrast in temperature (perhaps 5C or more hotter, the rain in Kumasi having lowered the temperature) when we arrived at Accra.  On arrival at Stephen's home, we had a mid-afternoon snack of fresh coconut, drinking the juice and then scooping out the soft flesh to eat.  We then sat outside on the balcony as night fell as there was a welcome breeze.  We were forced to retreat inside this turned into a second significant downpour complete with electric storm which went on for a good couple of hours.

Humidity....this bottle of chilled water had
only been out of the 'fridge for a few minutes.
You can see the condensation has already
built up quickly on the outside.

Tuesday

This morning we were planning to visit parts of Accra, but workmen have arrived to replace the garage doors, so Stephen needed to stay around to ensure the work is completed satisfactorily.  I have been spending some time thinking about the assignment I need to write on my return and also starting to pack my luggage for the journey home tomorrow night.

As an aside, I gather that several people have commented on my lack of hat in a picture taken last week when I was stood in the sun: I had just removed it for the photograph.  I can assure you that I have been nowhere without my hat, and it became a topic of discussion amongst my hosts in Winneba.  The hat isn't the only thing I need, I don't go anywhere without some bottled water, a hanky (for mopping my brow), some hand sanitiser and insect repellent spray.

Five essentials

Amankwatia

In March 2013 I sat in Wesley Methodist Church, Reading and heard about the potential for the church community to support the community in Amankwatia here in Ghana.  My staff tutor, Philip Richter, was visiting me that morning and we briefly discussed the possibility of using the opportunity of a visit to form part of my training placement this year.

Fourteen months on, that visit took place this morning, and the service was one of the highlights of my month here in Ghana.  Stephen and I were joined by a circuit minister and led the service between the three of us.  Stephen preached (as we decided it would be easier for him to do so directly in the local language) but with the help of a translator, I was able to bring greetings from Wesley, make some presentations to the young people and also to the church as a whole on behalf of Wesley. 

Praise during the service

The service was held in one of the classrooms of the Junior High School and the room was very full indeed.  Several representatives of Kuapa Kokoo Farmers' Union who were at the project meeting on Friday also made the journey, so it was possible to talk about the project during the service and also pray together with the community about it.  Having seen the village first-hand, Stephen and I can both see what a positive difference the new facilities will make and make some transformative steps for the community.  At the Synod (in Winneba) there was much discussion about how the church can act positively by way of social responsibility and this is a good example of what can be done. 

Sampling the
sugary coating



Cocoa beans drying in the sun

After the service a small group went to visit and pray at the sites for the new borehole and then the sanitation block.  Following that I was able to talk to a family whose livelihood depends on cocoa farming.  The farmer walked off into the bush to retrieve some cocoa pods and I was able to look inside and taste the sugary coating which surrounds the beans (but not the beans themselves which are very bitter as you probably know). 



Prayers

I've previously asked for you to pray for a number of situations I have encountered.  I hope that you can join the community at Amankwatia in the following, based on the prayers I led at the two sites in the village.



Walking to the site for the KVIP
sanitation block, which will be next
to the trees in the centre of the shot.
The Elementary School is on the left.

Lord, we give you thanks for the provision of this site and for the fertile growth which surrounds it, on which this community depends.  We are thankful for the funds which have been provided for the forthcoming project and pray that your Spirit will be present through the work of human hands as the sanitation block is built here.  We pray that this will transform the life of this community, and so we commit ourselves to the work needed in the weeks and months ahead.  We pray in Jesus' name.  Amen

Site for the new borehole.
The building is the Junior High School,
where the service was held.

In Genesis we read that the Spirit of God hovered over the water.  May that 
same powerful Spirit of creation be present here as a new water supply is provided for this village.  We pray that life-giving water may transform those who drink it and use it, and that the community may find new life.  We pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.







A typical home in the village



The farmer who kindly fetched some
samples - the yellow pod is ripe.
Esther is Kuapa Kokoo's
Communications Officer.

Solar powered battery street lighting,
a previous project supported by
the Farmers' Union.

Family visits

After an early breakfast, Stephen and I set off with his nephew to spend the morning visiting members of his family in and around Kumasi.  We had booked a taxi for the day so set off after a check of the condition of the vehicle, tyres in particular, as we didn't want any unintentional stops.

 

Stephen, his sister, aunt,
daughter, me
at his family home

We travelled about an hour to visit the village where Stephen grew up, calling in on his sister, two of his aunts, an uncle and a cousin.  We were also joined by his daughter for a while.  Lots of catching up to be done in a short space of time, as we had a further drive of about two hours for a second meeting about the Amankwatia project.

 

 

 

 

Offinso

Pounding Fufu
(a staple food)

Thankfully we successfully negotiated the traffic without too much bother and arrived in Offinso in good time for a meeting with the Superintendent Minister there, who also has oversight of the church at Amankwatia.  We had a productive meeting with him and also met some of the other members of circuit staff as they were meeting locally.  I am pleased to report that the key items to start the project are therefore in place.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support for this.

 

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan's Purse parcels
(from the US)

A nice surprise was to arrive at the Superintendent's house and see a collection of boxes from Operation Christmas Child.  Many people from the Methodist churches in the Reading & Silchester Circuit (and lots of others worldwide) help with this annually, in order to provide gifts to disadvantaged families around the world; the circuit office next to Wesley Methodist Church in Reading has acted as a collection point for these parcels over the past few years.

And so to Amankwatia

Tomorrow we will be travelling to Amankwatia itself and will be leading worship between us in the Methodist Church.  It will be good to meet the community and so have the opportunity to have them in mind over the next few months as the work proceeds to improve their communal facilities.  I hope and pray that this will be the beginning of an on-going relationship between the two churches.

Kuapa Kokoo

En route to Kumasi.  The landscape
is more verdant as you go north.

Stephen and I took a short flight yesterday to Ghana's second city, Kumasi, in the Ashanti region.  Our day didn't quite work as planned as we left too late for the airport and missed our lunchtime flight, so we only arrived in the early evening with just time for a light evening meal.

Stephen is very much at home here as he was born in this region where his family were cocoa farmers, which moves me nicely on to the business of the day.

Amankwatia project

 We spent most of the day in a meeting with representatives from Kuapa Kokoo, the largest cocoa cooperative in Ghana.   They are fair trade certified and work to improve the well-being of their members, who number well in excess of 80,000 individuals spread across about 1250 community groups.  The organisation is run democratically with elections to coordinating groups at local, area and national level.  Those of you in the UK (and possibly the US) may be familiar with the 'Divine' brand of chocolate which is own by Kuapa Kokoo.

(L to R)
Samuel (representative from Amankwatia)
Esther (Communications Officer, Kuapa Kokoo)
Stephen Appiah

There was a lot of ground to cover during the meeting, for which and we were joined (via Skype) by Derek and Joan Pike also from Wesley Methodist Church in Reading whose inspiration has got the project thus far.

The plan is to provide a replacement borehole for the fresh water supply for Amankwatia and also to build a second 8 cubicle sanitation bleock to improve the village's communal facilities.

The key points were covered successfully today, but your prayers would be welcome as this project gets up and running for real.  Talking of prayers, this was the first time I have led prayers at the start and conclusion of a business meeting.  This is quite common practice here, strengthening my impressions from my time in Winneba, that Ghanaians visibly involve their faith in all aspects of day-to-day activities.

Esther joined us with her family for our evening meal together with Kofi Marfo, a former member of Wesley Methodist Church, who is going to represent Wesley on the project meetings as the work progresses.

We are off to visit members of Stephen's family tomorrow morning, then travel to see the Methodist Superintendent minister whose area covers Amankwatia.  We will worship there on Sunday morning before travelling back to Accra on Monday.

 

Homeward bound?

I was able to talk to Sandy, Maddy and Faith via Skype last night (thanks to the effective 3G coverage here) so my own thoughts are beginning to turn homeward bound now.  As I opened the final packet of antimalarial tablets this morning, it suddenly felt like a long time since I was at home and it will be good to see everyone again for real.  I will only have two nights at home as I have a study weekend with my fellow STETS students in Bristol; it will also be good to hear how everyone else's placements are progressing.

A day of travel

Stephen collected me from Winneba mid-morning and we travelled to Cape Coast, formerly the capital of Ghana (during part of the British colonial period) in order to visit the castle which was part of the Atlantic slave trade.  We had a short tour and visited the dungeons where slaves were kept before transportation to the Americas and the Caribbean.  

'Spy-hole' into the tunnel through
which slaves passed as they
were taken to the ships.  This is
one of two such holes, the only
sources of light in a tunnel
about 50m long

Male dungeon.
One of four such rooms, about
200 would be held in each
with barely room to stand.

It was here that President Obama visited five years ago and was visibly moved after the experience.  Stephen had visited previously but remarked that there is always something new to appreciate, and it doesn't change what happened all those years ago.  The photo's don't really do justice in terms of appreciating the conditions in which the slaves were kept, basically with little more than just enough room to stand in and having to do all bodily functions where they were.  One statistic I hadn't really appreciated before the visit was that for every slave successfully transported and sold, in the order of 10 or 15 failed to make the journey.  Enough said?

Sampling the (avocado)
pear before purchase.

Following our visit we drove to Accra which took somewhat longer than anticipated due to the traffic levels, particularly on the outskirts of the city.  We stopped off en route to buy some fruit (which we sampled as a snack) at the roadside, also enjoying a drink of fresh coconut juice straight from the shell.  On arrival in Accra, I had the new experience of eating in a Ghanaian restaurant; having not had to choose my meals during my stay to date, the wide range of choice was a challenge and also brought home to me some of the extremes of life here as very few Ghanaians would ever have the opportunity to eat out.

Stephen and Grace at
Cape Coast University.
Grace was a member at
Wesley Methodist Church
in Reading.

The day closed with another welcome, into Stephen's Ghanaian home, which is very well appointed and therefore another contrast for me yesterday.  We travel together to Kumasi today and onto Amankwatia tomorrow.  Your prayers would be welcomed for us as we travel and meet those involved in the Wesley project there. 

Farewell to Winneba

Three weeks ago, I was just about to leave home for my journey to Ghana and here to Winneba.  It seems a long time ago now so I spent a while last night reading through my daily journal, in order to recount the many experiences which I have encountered during that time.  It has been a rich time in terms of personal experiences and sharing the deep-rooted faith of Christians in this culture.  Although yesterday was my last day in Winneba, there was still some time to see the church in action in another way.

Back to school

Yesterday marked the re-opening of school after the Easter holiday, which has been going on all the time I have been here.  I was able to visit the two Methodist Junior High Schools in Winneba and then two Elementary Schools which share the same site.  It being the first day back, some students were sitting a mock exam paper whilst others (particularly the older students in the Elementary Schools) were cleaning and tidying the school premises and grounds for the start of the new term. 

Junior High students
sitting a mock exam

School re-opening at Elementary School;
cutting the grass on the first day back

With the various educational connections in my own family, I was warmly welcomed into all the classrooms.  The facilities are basic by UK standards but there was an appetite to learn and most students appeared to be pleased to be back in school after the break.

After the visits, it was time to focus on my own studies as a report on me has to be provided by my hosts, so I spent the next few hours talking with my supervisor about my experiences, something I was also able to share with Bishop John later in the evening after my evening meal of fish and [yam] chips!

Overwhelmed

I am now moving onto the last week of my stay here and to visit the Ashanti region with a Ghanaian friend from the UK, so the last two days have been ones of many goodbyes.  In common with the sincere welcome I received three weeks ago, farewells were equally heartfelt because everyone has been so generous with their friendship.  Although I have only just started to get to know the congregation here, I was delighted and humbled to receive a number of gifts from them, mostly more African clothing. 
 

Wearing the smock given to me
by the congregation at
Ebenezer Methodist Cathedral,
Winneba

Any hope of getting my luggage under the allowance for the flight home has I think disappeared, even though I have passed on the gifts I brought from the UK (and some other items too).  


As an 'alternative' farewell, there was also another brief power cut last night, followed by heavy rain for a few hours.  The water supply is also off this morning, so my morning wash was courtesy of a bucket.


Onwards

With Stephen, I will be visiting Cape Coast today where there is a castle associated with the former West African slave trade, and thence to Accra this evening.  Tomorrow morning, we will be taking a short flight to Kumasi to begin our visit to Amankwatia, to discuss the project which Wesley Methodist Church in Reading is supporting.

Your prayers would be welcome as we journey together and then during the discussions over the following days.  I hope to update you in a couple of days.

Still here!

It has been a few days since I last posted, largely because I have been away from Winneba.  Wednesday to Sunday was the Annual Synod of the diocese which was held at Nyakrom, about an hour's drive away.  These few days have provided an opportunity to see the work the the Methodist Church in this region in a wider context, and I was able to listen to the discussions and debates with some interest, not least on the subject of social responsibility where there is much activity.

A personal highlight for me was to be asked to address the Synod during the official opening on Thursday morning.  This was a significant occasion not only for the church but also for the local community.  There were a number of guests including the local chief and also the MP, so not without a certain amount of trepidation on my part.  All went well, I am told.  Although English is the official language of the Synod (and Ghana in general), my short address was also translated afterwards.

It is fair to say that I was the subject of much interest over the five days; I lost count of the number of people who wanted to have their photograph taken with me. I've added a couple of pictures, firstly with Lillian who promised that she would dance with me during worship on Sunday (a promise which she took up, I don't have a picture but I suspect that others may have!) and then a photograph of me with the bishop and his wife.

With Lillian

With the Bishop and his wife
after the closing service at Synod

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Winneba

After the busy time at Synod, it was good to return to Winneba for what will be my last few days here.  On Wednesday, I will travel with Stephen Appiah (a friend from Reading) firstly to Accra and then on to the Ashanti Region where we will be visiting Amankwatia, a village community which is being supported by Wesley Methodist Church in Reading.  More on that later in the week, I hope.

This morning was taken up with the distribution of Holy Communion to those who are unable to come to church.  All in all, Joseph and I visited about 30 people over the course of the morning, in a variety of situations, including those in basic housing in very poor surroundings.  I certainly feel that I have seen some extremes and I would ask for your prayers for those whose personal means leave them striving for life itself every day.  Yet, their faith is strong and a humbling example.

Where has the time gone?

Festival

'The whites'

Winneba has been busy over the last few days with a local festival, central to which is a deer hunt in the early hours of Saturday.  Two teams take part, the reds and the whites, and parade round the town daily for the few days beforehand.  The numbers involved and the level of noise grows each day as they come around town building up to the hunt itself.  The reds won this time and paraded their find around the town as well (I wasn't able to be around for that, so no pictures).

'The reds' on the street
outside where I am staying

'One Spirit'

Going on a deer hunt?

Later in the day on Friday, after going to the cathedral for an early evening service, I went to a concert held at the University.

A drumming and singing group, 'One Spirit' were performing as part of the festival.  As the service had run on a little longer than planned, I only heard the last two items of the concert, or so I thought.  Just as it was coming to a conclusion, the local TV station arrived to do some filming, so there was an encore lasting about 45 minutes, including an item making a little fun of the deer hunt.

Note that the members of the group were wearing wellington boots for the item about the deer hunt. Providing it makes a noise when  you hit it, you can use pretty much anything for a percussion instrument.  So, any Berkshire Maestros percussion folk reading this, including my daughter Faith, perhaps that's something to try for the next concert?

Reds meet whites

Rally

Following the chance to watch and enjoy music and dance on Friday night, I wasn't expecting to do both the following morning.  The Diocesan Synod, the key body for the Methodist Church in the area, meets from Wednesday 7 - Sunday 11 May, and I will be attending as a guest [certainly an unexpected part of my visit]. There was a gathering on Saturday morning in the host circuit, to raise the profile of the event in the local area and also to allow church members to pray for the event.

Boys' Brigade
(and friends)

The rally started with a parade around the streets, including two bands, one at each end of the parade.  Although it was only mid-morning, it was very hot in the heat of the full sun, and I was certainly very grateful for the large bottle of iced water.  Also very thankful for the advice from a UK friend who had previously visited Ghana, and suggested that I wear dark clerical shirts so that the perspiration wouldn't show up...  The parade included dancing Ghanaian-style; I'm not sure that I've quite got the moves yet, but I am told I kept to the rhythm!

Gathering outside the mission house
in Nyakrom before the rally

 After an hour in the streets, we gathered in the church for an act of worship followed by a discussion on two topics, firstly Christian approaches to marriage and then on  an aspect of healthcare, cholesterol levels.  Both generated healthy debate, even in the large gathering there were plenty of questions and I got the feeling that the debate could have continued all afternoon.  

After lunch at the mission house (manse) it was time to return to Winneba and have some rest. In the evening, I was able to walk around the streets amidst the festival and soak up some of the atmosphere.

Sunday 

It being the first Sunday of the month, Holy Communion was included in both morning services.  The first service at the Cathedral (led in English) starts at 0700 and the second (in Fante) starts at 0930, or at least it should.  Either way an early start.  

The first service ran a little late, so there was only the chance for a brief moment to sit down quietly in the vestry before the second service which started about 1000.  It is fair to say that I've become used to a relaxed approach to time whilst I have been here, quite different to that which my grandad would have expected me to follow.

Congregation at the second service,
Ebenezer Methodist Cathedral, Winneba

At the end of the first service I was able to present the gift of a book, about John Wesley's travels around the UK, from Wesley Methodist Church, Reading where I am doing some of my training.  This gift was warmly received, and greetings from Reading were echoed in return. 

Coincidentally, the prayer cycle for the Methodist Church in the UK (in the Methodist Prayer Handbook) includes prayers for Ghana on the fourth day of the month so I was able to share these with the congregation too.  It was a delight to be able to share in the services of Holy Communion: whatever the colour of our skin, language, ethnicity and so on, this is something shared by Christians worldwide and I felt very privileged to do this as part of the congregation here.

Rest!

After over seven hours at church, it was time for a meal with Joseph, then I came home for time to relax.   I watched a film, then ate my evening meal.  I had hoped to update the blog but a power cut put aside any hope of doing that.

Mondays are a day off for all ministers so I am taking time today to catch up, including this blog.  Thanks for all the interest in my travels - good to know that I am in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless

Patrick

Mad dogs, an Englishman and (a couple of hundred) Ghanaians

The last couple of evenings have been taken up with church services and other activities, so I've not had chance to sit down and write an entry for a couple of days.

Ghanaian-style

I had some visitors on Wednesday: Dorinda Appiah, a friend from Reading who is currently staying with her family in Accra, came to see me with two relatives for a short while.  They were kind enough to bring two Ghanaian-style shirts too.  I think I will have to donate some of my clothes to others before I return home!  The rest of the day was largely spent in the circuit office, followed by a service in the early evening.  



The excitement of the day came mid-evening when Joseph, Emma and I went to the local radio station to record items for subsequent broadcast.  All was set to start when thick smoke started to issue from the electrical supply panel, so we all made a quick exit.  Once the power was switched off, the smoke stopped, but the recording will have to wait for another day.

Joseph and Emma preparing to broadcast

So, to the title: May Day yesterday was a public holiday in Ghana, so most ministers would be having a day off in common with the general populace; the market and most of the small street-side shops were still open and busy, together with the hawkers.  I travelled with the bishop to the dedication of a new prayer house on the edge of Adzentam, a village several miles away.  The prayer house is to be built in the middle of a field, so we were outside for a few hours in the heat of the day (thankfully under canopies).  Yesterday was probably the hottest day since I arrived, certainly the sun was out for much of the time and even some Ghanaians were feeling the heat.

Blessing the ground for
the prayer house at Adzentam

I was asked to give a short address towards the end of the ceremony, so was able to talk about a Bible passage (Colossians 1) which has been read at several important times of my life including my reception into membership of the church and our wedding.  I am very grateful to Grace who sat next to me throughout and translated the previous speakers' contributions, so that I could ensure that I didn't repeat what had come before.


After a late midday meal (about three o'clock) it was definitely time for a siesta, before I headed off to the Cathedral for a meeting then an early evening service.  Holy Communion is celebrated in worship on the first Sunday of each month, so there are additional services in the preceding days to allow church members to prepare for this in the few days beforehand.

Today (Friday) has been quieter so far, but the local festival starts today and lasts all weekend, so will see what that brings.

Patrick