We had breakfast after which we met some of the youth and parish council. I discovered that they were putting on various events in ‘celebration’ of my arrival. (cont'd...)

Tags:

Hits: 825 | Read more...

It’s about 150 miles from Accra to Bechem and it took us 7½ gruelling hours. I was amazed to see people still walking along the side of the road long after dark with loads on their heads. I puzzled as to where they’d been, where they were going and just how they could find their way there in the pitch dark... (cont'd...)

Tags:

Hits: 737 | Read more...

Friday, 19th October To-day we were finally heading off north to Bechem, Father’s parish. Mass was at 8 followed by a lazy breakfast (the last relaxation I was to have for a while).... (Cont'd)

Tags:

Hits: 639 | Read more...

I’d happened to mention that I like swimming so Sister had made arrangements with some Philippino friends who were opening a new hotel, as I thought nearby, for us to use the swimming pool. (cont'd...)

Tags:

Hits: 762 | Read more...

Thursday, 18th October. We had Mass at 7.30. I was main celebrant. Another nun was visiting - Sister Leoni, Mother General of the order in Ghana. Fr Joe had to write a letter to his friends in Germany who were arriving the day I returned to England. (cont'd...)

Tags:

Hits: 486 | Read more...

Chapter three

Wednesday, 17th October. Mass was at 6.30 followed by bacon and eggs - for my benefit. To-day we were heading for Cape Coast (west). Always keen to follow my progress on a map I rummaged through the glove compartment – sadly no map (no gloves for that matter). (cont'd...)

Tags:

Hits: 789 | Read more...

Chapter two

16^th October. I was rudely woken by a man outside singing or arguing in Ga, the local dialect. Suddenly I was back in Jerusalem at 4.30am with the man singing from the top of a minaret. Later, just after sunrise, I could hear a woman singing gently outside my window (my room seemed to back on to some kind of institute). (Cont'd...)

Tags:

Hits: 680 | Read more...

Continued from last week... 

I had read that I would receive a warm welcome in Ghana. It’s a pity no one had told the lady who stamped my passport - she just glared at me to verify my identity, no smile and certainly no word of welcome. (cont'd...)

Tags:

Hits: 654 | Read more...

Chapter one

They made sure I got to the airport OK. In view of recent events there were few hold-ups and I soon found myself at the gate ready to board my flight to Accra. (cont.)

Tags:

Hits: 585 | Read more...

Background

Father Joseph Aduse Poku was never supposed to come to our parish. In the autumn of 1993 his bishop sent him to Rome for further studies, and the following summer he was due to supply in a parish somewhere in London. This fell through and it was by chance that he found himself on our doorstep. Their loss was our gain and this tall, humble and gentle priest soon won the hearts of the good people of Paddock Wood, Pembury, East Peckham, Five Oak Green and beyond. It was to be the beginning of a very special friendship - in the words of Mother Teresa, something beautiful for God.

It was with great delight, therefore, that I accepted Fr Joseph’s invitation to pay him a return visit when he went back home, and late in the autumn of 2001, to mark my Silver Jubilee of Ordination, the parishioners sent me to visit Fr Joseph and his parishioners in Bechem in central Ghana, with their love. The pages that follow are an account of those days and are dedicated to my parishioners who sent me, and to the lovely people of Ghana whom it was my privilege to meet and serve.

May those ties of friendship grow ever stronger. 

Geoffrey Pointer
Paddock Wood
7^th August 2002

Tags:

Hits: 584 | Read more...