By: Paula Watson and Amanda Hobson
“Be still and listen” were Katie's encouraging words as she explained over breakfast the importance of taking time to be still in the Lord. Following a delicious breakfast of French toast, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and juice, we piled into the tro tros for another exciting day.
When we arrived at the school the classrooms were empty. As we looked and listened we heard the cheerful noise of the students singing songs. We walked closer to find the entire school engaged in joyful worship. Each Wednesday morning, the school takes time out for a worship service led by three teachers. Today’s message was actually given by a J.S.S. (comparable to middle school) student. We joined in the final hymns and prayer. It was an excellent way to start the day.
Once the worship was over, it was time to return to the classrooms, but not before the desks were returned. This was quite a sight as even first grade students carried the large cumbersome desks by themselves!
As we began our lessons today it was clear that our students were warming up to us. During the break they began asking us questions, teaching us games, and staying close by in hopes of getting their pictures “snapped”.
What was news to all of us, was that one of our beloved team members was rushed to the hospital. It seems that a huge boulder jumped out of the ground and tripped her leaving a deep gash in her knee. Dr. Clerico and Jessica thought it might need stitches, but to her delight all her knee needed was a good cleaning and bandages. She left with the instructions from the doctor to “not walk with her knees, but remember you have feet.” Jessica returned back in time to finish the morning lessons, brave and strong.
As we headed to the tro tros to go “home” we were pleasantly surprised to find oranges, sugar cane, and coconut left as gifts from our students at St. Cyprian’s.
After a lunch of delightful Mac and Cheese, everyone headed to their rooms to rest before Fante lessons. Dr. Clerico and Amanda headed to investigate why their Internet cards were no longer working. They were promised 30 days of service only to find out that meant as long as they stayed within the 3 megabite usage amounts. The only thing about that was they were never told there was a usage limit. Dr. Clerico and Amanda sat and waited their turn the Ghanaian way, which means watch and wait and watch and wait. In the end they were successful in getting their modems reloaded and fortunately we will have wireless Internet as we head north this weekend.
When we returned from Fante lessons, some of us went into the kitchen to learn how to cook a traditional Ghanaian meal. As we all stood around the hot stove we participated in making “Red Red” and plantains. The meal was delicious and everyone was proud of the newest Fairhill chefs.
The night ended in the common room as always with cheerful banter, “Skeetaals” (Skittles), and taking turns ordering personalized Ghana License Plates. Until next time…
Red-Red Recipe
Serves: 16
Ingredients:
- Vegetable Oil
- 8 Fresh Tomatoes (very small)
- 5 chopped up onions (small, baby red)
- 1 tbsp. Curry
- Handful of Adobe (Ghanaian spice with salt)
- 1 Royco Cube (shrimp bullion)
- 1 tbsp. White Pepper
- 2 large bags black eyed peas
- 1 tbsp. Mixed Spices (garlic, anise, tarragon, parsley, rosemary, thyme, ginger, paprika, salt, pimento and other Ghanaian spices)
Instructions:
1. Boil Black-eyed Peas in water and boil.
3. Place vegetable in pan. Just enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
4. Then mix in the tomato and onion mixture and stir.
5. Add 1 tbsp of mixed spices.
6. Add 1 tbsp of curry.
7. Continue stirring.
8. Add handful of Adobe spice.
9. Add 1 Royco Cube, crush and mix in.
10. Add ¼ cup of water. (just enough to make it creamy, but not watery.
11. If desired add a little more vegetable oil and a little more white pepper.
12. Let cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
13. Drain the black-eyed peas and add to mixture.
14. Let cook for 1 hour on a medium setting.
Deep-Fried Plantains Recipe
Ingredients:
- Plantains
- Salt
- Vegetable Oil
Instructions:
1. Cut plantains diagonally.
2. Salt plantains.
3. Put in hot vegetable oil and fry.
The oil should be bubbling in the pan. You will know when they are finished because the plantains will change color. Plantains will look brown after approximately ten minutes if cooked on a low setting. When plantains change color remove from heat and let cool.
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